BURGERS are not just for carnivores – and students on Christine McFadden’s Burger Special day will discover just what an exciting variety of ingredients and flavours you can enjoy in a vegetarian patty.

The course at the cookery school which Christine (aka The Dorset Foodie) runs at her home in picturesque Little Bredy, is on Friday 24th June, from 10am to 3.30pm, and includes recipes and an excellent lunch.

Nothing beats a homemade burger whether barbecued in the open or grilled indoors. And while a burger made with the best meat (Christine uses local Longhorn beef) is irresistible, there are some very tasty non-meat alternatives, based on beans, grains and flavoursome veg that are transformed by grilling and are equal in nutrients to expensive animal protein. And fish burgers are good too, brightened with a squeeze of lemon.

The class will include tips and techniques for making and grilling an impressive selection of burgers, including knife skills for vegetables and herbs, how to use beans and grains in vegetarian burgers, which cuts of beef make the best burgers, how to mince meat, how to stop burgers sticking, how to keep burgers juicy and moist and grilling techniques. There will also be recipes for mouth-watering salsas and relishes.

Typical recipes will include Portabella Mushroom Burgers with Grilled Haloumi and Red Onions; Beetroot and Quinoa Burgers with Lemon Herb Butter;  Aubergine Burgers with Goat Cheese; Glazed Tuna Burgers with Salsa; Longhorn Beef Burgers with Horseradish Mayo; Lamb Burgers with Harissa Sauce; and Thai-Style Duck Burgers with Lime and Coriander.

For bookings and more information visit Christine’s website www.thedorsetfoodie.co.uk