Ingredients

Method

For the beef patties:

250 g lean beef mince
2 cloves garlic, crushed
1 T fresh ginger, grated
½ t flaked sea salt
2 T canola oil

For the sliders:

4 mini slider buns, halved and buttered
a handful lettuce leaves
6 cherry or Rosa tomatoes, rinsed and sliced
¼ English cucumber, rinsed and thinly sliced

Serve with:

carrot sticks
Cheddar cheese cubes
baby cucumbers
fruit of your choice
yoghurt
a bottle of water

Method

Ingredients

1. Place the beef mince in a large bowl, with the garlic, ginger and salt, then mix until well combined. Divide into 4 portions and roll the mixture in your hands to form 4 equal-sized balls, then flatten slightly.

2. Heat half the oil in a non-stick pan over a high heat and cook the patties for 3-4 minutes on one side. Flip and cook for 2 minutes on the other side, or until cooked through. Transfer onto a clean plate. Add a little more oil to the pan and cook the remaining patties until done.

3. To assemble the burgers, toast the halved, buttered buns in a toaster. Top the buns with lettuce, tomatoes and cucumber.

4. Top with a beef patty and cover with the top bun. Secure with a wooden skewer (if using) and place in the lunchbox. In another lunchbox compartment, place a handful of carrot sticks, baby cucumbers, Cheddar cheese cubes, fruit and yoghurt. And don’t forget the bottle of water!

Cook's note: Ideally, these beef patties are intended to be made ahead of time, like the night before, and cooked in the morning before assembling the sliders. Or make the complete burger the evening before to save time when packing the lunchbox.

This is an extract from Let’s Cook – Delicious Yet Nutritious Easy Meals and Treats for Kids by Siba Mtongana. Buy it online and at good bookstores for R290.