METHOD

1. Drain the pilchards and reserve the sauce. Mash the chickpeas and pilchards together.
2. Add the finely chopped bread, egg, chutney and herbs.
3. Divide the mixture into 4 – 6 balls and shape into patties. Dust with flour and place in the fridge to firm up while the Chakalaka is being made.
4. Chakalaka:
5. Heat a small amount of oil in a saucepan, add the onion and chilli and cook over a medium heat until softened and golden.
6. Add the vinegar and sugar, stirring well so it doesn’t burn.
7. Add the tomatoes, reserved pilchard sauce and grated carrot, turn the heat down and allow to simmer for 10 – 15 minutes until softened and thickened. Remove from heat.
8. Heat a little oil in a shallow frying pan. Reduce the heat and add the burger patties to the pan. Turn them after 3 – 4 minutes and allow to cook evenly before removing from the pan.
9. Cut open the burger buns and spread the bottom half with mayonnaise. Layer each bun with spinach leaves, gherkin slices, a burger patty and a heaped spoonful of chakalaka. Balance the remaining bun half on top and serve.

NOTES

To get the perfect shape and size of the burger patty, use the lid from any jar (like a peanut butter jar) to get the right size