My Take on the Bar Desy Burger with Jalapeño & Onion Jam

If you've ever been to San Sebastián, you'll know that the food scene there is absolutely ridiculous. And amongst all the incredible pintxos, seafood and Basque cooking, there's one burger that's become something of a legend. The Bar Desy burger. What makes this burger so special is its simplicity. No mountains of lettuce, bacon or fifteen different sauces. Just really good beef, a beautifully soft brioche bun and a rich, silky cheese sauce. For my version, we're heading straight to the butcher for some proper beef mince, forming lovely thick patties and pan-frying them until we develop a gorgeous crust, before basting with plenty of butter. The cheese sauce is where I've put my own little spin on things. I'm making a sort of cheesy béchamel using crème fraîche, Parmesan, Manchego, milk and butter. It's beautifully creamy, slightly tangy and absolutely delicious with the beef. And then, because I can't help myself, we're adding a sticky jalapeño and onion jam. Sweet, sharp, with just enough heat to cut through the richness of the beef and cheese. Honestly, this is one of those recipes where the little details make all the difference. Get yourself some incredible ingredients, treat them properly, and I promise you'll be thanking me later.