Quick and Easy Burger Hack Meal Ideas with Rustlers

*This post is an entry for BritMums ‘Rustlers Burger Hacking Challenge’, sponsored by Rustlers.

 

I have to confess that me and Rustlers go way-back. When I worked full-time and lived alone with my daughter, Rustlers burgers were my favourite treat. I had very little time and very little money back then, so if I wanted something quick and tasty, I’d always reach for a Rustlers. This is little habit is something that has followed me into my thirties; still very busy, and a little less skint, I find plenty of joy in a microwavable burger.

That why, when I was invited to partake in the Rustlers Burger Hacking Challenge, I just had to say yes.

I received a Tesco gift card so I could purchase a Rustlers Southern Fried Chicken Burger Twin Pack and peripherals for my kids’ plates. I bought two twinpacks because I wanted in on the action, burger queen that I am.

I’m used to making different meals for my son (3) and daughter (9). The ages difference usually means they have different tastes (usually my son wants to eat the exact same thing for 3 months straight and my daughter isn’t up for that lifestyle), so I was pleased to be attempting to make two meals that were more or less the same.

I’m still super busy, despite giving up my full-time job when baby no. 2 arrived. On Wednesdays I have a long day at uni, so we’re all usually out of the house from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. and I never really feel like cooking. (I mean, I have to, the kids are yet to be self sufficient. I just really don’t feel like it).

These southern fried chicken burgers take 90 seconds in the microwave, so they involve very little prep.

My daughter wanted sweet potato chips with hers, which take about 15 minutes in the oven. Again, there’s hardly any effort involved in shoving chips in the oven, so I wasn’t too worried about the level of exertion needed. As you can see, the burger went down a treat.

Little Greggles kept in line with the ‘accidental hipster’ image by enjoying his burger in a tent, with a side of avocado!

The came together very quickly, I was relieved to have something so easy to give the kids after my long day out the house.

 

Greg was such a fan that a few days later when Emma was out for tea, I asked him what he fancied to eat  and he asked for a ‘special chicken burger’. Again I served it up with Avocado. Greg’s only 3 so doesn’t need a massive meal, but I’ve found the burger doesn’t really need much else with it to make it nutritious. The chicken is nice quality, and the southern fried breadcrumbs make it super tasty (so if you were in a real hurry, you could serve it up on its own).

When Emma learnt Greg had the burgers for tea again without her, I had to give her the other burger (that I’d earmarked for me). She’s got a slightly more sophisticated palate and requested some of my spicy homemade salsa dip.

I’m not entirely sure it’s true salsa, since I made the recipe up myself. Let’s just say it’s salsa inspired. I love to whip it up because it’s done in about 2 minutes (fantastic if you’re in a rush) and people are usually impressed that you’ve gone to the effort of making it yourself. In fact, they’re always much more impressed than they should be, they just don’t realise how easy peasy it is to make!

Here’s how it’s made:

Ingredients

• 2 tomatoes
• 1/4 of a cucumber
• 1/2 a medium white onion
• 1 red pepper
• 1 tsp of chilli oil

 

Method

This is probably the easiest dip you’ll ever make. I have a Ninja vegetable chopper and I probably owe the speediness of the recipe to this.

Cut the tomatoes into quarters, slice the cucumber, pepper and onion and throw everything into the veg chopper. Blitz it for about 30 seconds, give the chamber a shake and blitz for a few more seconds. Everything will be finely chopped and hopefully mixed well.

Because I’m a massive time cheat and leave the cucumber seeds in, the mix is pretty wet. Strain the salsa dip mix in a sieve then transfer into a bowl.

Add the tsp of chilli oil into the bowl and stir in.

And that’s it!

I try not to make it too spicy for the kids, but if you like things extra fiery, you can add another tsp of chilli oil and a pinch of chilli powder.

 

I would expect any dip leftover would keep for a couple of days in the fridge, but it’s always eaten too quickly in our house for us to find out!

 

All the ingredients I’ve used are available from Tesco, which is where I got them from. Why don’t you nip down to your local Tesco and copy my super easy burger hack meal? If you’re anything like me, I promise you’ll love the convenience!

 

Pssst, if you want to save just the Easy Tomato Salsa Recipe, click here.

 

Why not pin for inspiration later?

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