Place a large frying pan on a hob and add the bacon rashers. Turn the heat to high and render the fat and fry the bacon until cooked. Remove the bacon from the pan and keep warm.
12 rashers smoked back bacon
While they are cooking, add the sliced chilli and a good pinch of salt and pepper to the beef in a mixing bowl. Using your hands or a spatula mix together until evenly distributed. Divide the mixture into 8 equal amounts and using your hands mould them into burger patties. Put to one side for now.
1.5 lbs beef, 1 large red chilli, Salt, Pepper
When the bacon has finished frying, you can use the rendered fat to cook the onions. Fry until the onion has turned golden brown and softened. Remove from the heat and keep warm.
1 large onion
Place the pan back onto the hob over a high heat. If there is no longer any bacon fat left, then add a teaspoon of vegetable oil.
Place half of the patties into the pan and watch over them. When you can see the bottom side starting to crisp up, its time to flip them over. The second side will take about half the time of the first side.
When fully cooked, remove from the pan and keep warm while you repeat the process with the other 4 patties.
Once they have all been cooked, its time to assemble.
Place the patties back into the pan over a high heat and add the slices of cheese to each one. Add a splash of water and put the lid on and leave for 45 second for the cheese to start to melt. While its going gooey, assemble the rest.
4 slices cheddar cheese
Place the bun bases on a worktop and add a spoonful of sauce (thousand island/burger/mayo). Then add the lettuce and tomato. Add the burgers with melted cheese and then the onion on top of them.
4 large sesame buns, lettuce, mayonnaise, 2 large tomatoes
Finally add the bacon rashers and bap top to hold everything in place.