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36 Phonebox Magazine | October 2024Halloween signifi es the start of a new round of celebrations (which roll into Fireworks Night and then Christmas) and also indicates that summer%u2019s over and autumn is truly with us. Some decent hot food is needed then.The shorter days, longer nights and colder evenings are a welcome change for many, including local children who are ready for something new and exciting to do, such as going out Trick or Treating.There%u2019s lots of tasty and thrilling recipes available for Halloween Night which will add a fun creepy edge to the evening while fi lling up hungry stomachs with some good hot food.Thoughts turn immediately to pumpkins, bobbing apples and popcorn when it comes to Halloween, but for a more substantial scary snack a Monster Burger can go a long way. Filled with wholesome beef, cheese, and an array of vegetables or salads, these towering burgers are more than just a quick snack %u2013 they%u2019re a meal. And children will love seeing them, holding them, and tucking into them. They are also perfect for vegetarians as you can swop the beef burger for a veggie version. Prefer chicken to beef? Put a chicken pattie in there instead.Monster burgers (for four)Ingredients:For the homemade burger patties:1 pound / 450 grams ground beef %u00bd teaspoon salt%u215b teaspoon black pepper2 teaspoons dried thyme1 large egg 2 tablespoons breadcrumbsFor frying: 4 tablespoons cooking oilFor the sauce:4 tablespoons mayonnaise4 teaspoons ketchupTo assemble the burger monsters:4 buns baby romaine lettuce4 cheese slices4 tablespoons ketchupDill pickles, sliced lengthways8 green olives, large, no stonesInstructions:1. Combine the beef, salt, pepper, thyme, egg and breadcrumbs in a bowl and mix well. 2. Divide into four equal balls and place them onto tray lined with baking parchment. Press down until you get large, thin patties. Press each in the middle to make a slight dent.3. Heat oil in a large skillet, place patties in and cook for your preferred time, probably 3-4 minutes per side. You can also grill or oven-bake.4. For the sauce, mix together mayonnaise and ketchup.5. Take a bun base, spread it with about a tablespoon of mayo sauce, lettuce, then the burger. 6. The place a slice of dill pickle like a tongue and a slice of cheese, cut so that it looks like fangs or teeth.7. Spread a tablespoon of ketchup on the top to look like blood. 8. Top with the bun and push two olives into the top for the eyes.Halloween%u2019s monster munch!Halloween fun facts%u2022 Halloween is on 31st October all over the world%u2022 The celebration dates back more than 2000 years%u2022 The traditional black and orange colours signify darkness and leaves%u2022 Finding a spider on Halloween is good luck%u2022 Pumpkins are fruits, not vegetables%u2022 The hamburger was originally called a Hamburg steak, introduced into the USA from Germany%u2022 The hamburger as a fast-food item, became popular from about 1904 %u2022 Cheeseburgers came 15 years later and veggie burgers about 65 years after that%u2022 Burger chain Wimpy fi rst opened its doors in the UK in 1954%u2022 The most famous burger, the McDonalds Big Mac, was originally called the AristocratHAMBURGER fun facts