Love it or hate it, Halloween is here! This spooky day in the calendar gives children (and some adults!) the excuse to get all dressed up and to scare the heebee geebees out of each other.

But if there is something that every mini monster wants after a long, cold night of trick or treating is to wrap their fangs around a nice juicy burger – made at home with a little extra spicy kick to really warm the soul.

Spicy Burger Recipe: A great Halloween treat

Ingredients

455g frozen minced beef, thawed

250g frozen chopped onions

40ml Hoi sin sauce

30ml each chopped frozen jalapeño chillies, garlic, parsley and coriander

Ground pepper

Olive oil spray (if frying)

To serve:

4 large burger rolls

Mayonnaise

Salad leaves, whole or shredded

Tomatoes, sliced

Mango Chutney (see recipe below) or sweet chilli sauce

Step one

Using a large bowl, mix the minced beef and onion together. Add the Hoi sin sauce, chillies, garlic, herbs and pepper; mix to combine.

Step two

Divide equally, shape into patties and flatten into four large burgers – approximately 13 – 14 cm across.

Step three

Transfer to a cling film lined baking tray. Cover with additional cling film, and chill for at least 30 minutes.

Step four

Grill or fry for 5 – 6 minutes each side, until cooked through.

Step five

Cut the rolls in half across and toast the cut sides. Spread the bottom halves with mayonnaise. Cover with salad leaves, a burger, tomato and home-made mango chutney (see full recipe here). Serve with cooked frozen, skin on chunky chips.

Hints and tips

Why not ‘spookyfy’ this perfect Halloween treat by just adding a few finishing touches; for example a thin slice of carrot at the end of the chunky chips to create ‘witches fingers chips’ and decorate cherry tomatoes with slices of cheese to create blood-shot eyeballs!