Mother Of All Burgers With Smashed Caesar Chicken & Bacon

Preheat the oven to 220°C/ 200°C (fan)/ gas 7

Cut your potatoes (skins on) into fries

Add the fries to a baking paper-lined baking tray (or two!) with a drizzle of vegetable oil

Give everything a good mix up and put the tray[s] in the oven for 20-25 min or until golden and crisp

Heat a large, wide-based pan (preferably non-stick) with a little drizzle of vegetable oil over a medium-high heat

Once hot, add your bacon lardons and cook for 8-9 min or until very crispy

Meanwhile, wash your lettuce, then pat it dry with kitchen paper

Roughly shred half the lettuce and very finely slice the remaining lettuce

Slice your tomato[es] into rounds

Peel and finely chop (or grate) your garlic

Combine your mayo and white wine vinegar in a large bowl with half your grated Italian hard cheese, a little chopped garlic (you'll use the rest later!), and a pinch of your dried oregano

Add a small pinch of salt, pepper and sugar – this is your caesar dressing

Transfer 1 tsp per person of dressing to a small bowl and set aside for later, then add the finely shredded lettuce to the remaining dressing with the crispy bacon lardons (reserve the pan!) and toss – this is your bacon caesar salad topping

Combine your chicken mince and panko breadcrumbs in a large bowl with the remaining chopped garlic, remaining dried oregano and your chicken stock mix

Mix until very well combined, then equally divide and shape into 2 rough meatballs per person

Return the reserved pan to a medium-high heat with a little drizzle of vegetable oil

Once hot, add the meatballs

Press them down very firmly with an oiled spatula (this will stop them sticking!) and cook for 4-5 min on each side, or until golden and cooked through (no pink meat!) – these are your smashed patties

Tip: Cooking for 3 or more? Use 2 pans!

Once the smashed patties are cooked through, set aside to rest until serving

Slice your brioche bun[s] in half (if required!)

Once the fries are ready, remove the tray[s] from the oven and add the brioche halves (cut side up!) on top of the fries

Return the tray[s] to the oven for 2-3 min or until slightly toasted