Quiet Slaw

Are you ready for some football? Jr. had the boys over, plus one!, to watch Monday Night Football. Football, guys, and a roaring fire = BURGERS! I was contemplating a girls' night in (me, myself, and Twilight!) and when I declined the initial invite, I could tell he wanted either my help or company...or both! Before I left my house, I told him to call me if he needed me to pick anything up.

Ring-ring: Could you get slaw mix, the good ranch dressing, and feta? And firewood!

Ring-ring: Could you pick up some jalapenos and cheese too!

Typical. (smile!)

The boys started the fire, Jr. was making burger patties, and I made the slaw. Jr. inherited this recipe from his buddy Quiet Ben, hence the name: Quiet Slaw. It is understated, yet complements any meal. I don't remember the score of the game, but this simple dinner received rave reviews!

Quiet Slaw:

1 package slaw mix

1/3 or to taste good ranch dressing, from the produce section

1/2 container feta, or to taste

a good squeeze lemon juice (I forgot this one, and Jr. did not include it on this grocery list, I think it can be omitted!)

lots of pepper

Combine all ingredients and mix well. Chill.

Jr. Hot and Spicy Burger's

1 93/7 ground beef patty (that's what was on sale)

1 slice cheddar cheese

sliced onion

jalapenos

whole grain mustard

toasted bun (I opted for no buns)

The cool, creamy slaw and spicy burger make for a tasty combination!

Take a Closer Look!!!!

Halloween is right around the corner.

Stay tuned next week for 5 days of spooky Halloween ideas!!!

For now...CLICK HERE for a few from my friends at Food Network.

http://www.foodnetwork.com/halloween/package/index.html

P.S. A Pumpkin after my own heart. Yum.

A Cheeseburger Pumpkin.

Now that's a pickle surprise that looks good enough to eat!

Speaking of Pickles...

I promise you that I am not obsessed with pickles, or Mickey D's for that matter. (Although, When I was a youngin' I did win top prize for creating a birthday card for the Grand Opening of a McDonald's in my hometown. Maybe that was some corporate subliminal marketing ploy. That was also when going to McDonald's was a special treat for us kiddies, not a staple, everyday on-the-go meal for children.) I have added a new recipe to my "Pickle Surprise" post. You can now find the recipe for "Copycat" McDonald's Cheeseburgers located under Mmm...Mmm...Good! Check it out.

Pickle Surprise

What is your favorite place to stop for food when you are on a road trip? If I had to choose, I would say McDonald's, for the 2 Cheeseburger Meal. It was choice # 2 on the Value Meal. However, one day I was surprised to learn, after ordering and driving away, that sadly, the 2 Cheeseburger Meal was replaced with with a single large burger. For some unknown reason the 2 Cheeseburger Meal has slipped into nonexistence. It does not even live on the menu. However, it is hiding on some button on the register. Sweet. Ok, I have a philosophy about the 2 Cheeseburger Meal that I would like to share. It is what I like to call, "The Pickle Surprise". Ok, this is the scenario.


Fatigued from driving up I-95, you get a rumbling in your belly. McDonald's, next exit. You pull off and order the nonexistent 2 Cheeseburger Meal. Pull up to Window One to pay, and Window Two for food. You receive that cool drink and the hot bag, steaming with the smell of salty fries. Ahhhhhhh. McDonald's Heaven. First, you reach in for a quick fix and mash a couple hot fries into your mouth. Then, comes the unwrapping of the yellow paper to reveal your coveted cheeseburger. Bite one: Mmmmm. cheese, burger, onions, divine. Bite two: Mmmmm. Your mind starts to wonder. "Where is the pickle?" Your taste buds start to panic. "Where is the pickle????!!!!!" Bite 3: YES! Hint of pickle. You found it! SURPRISE! There they are. Hiding. Two little, overlapping pickles. Just off-center to the middle. Pickle satisfaction. As your hunger is relieved, you get the added benefit of having that second burger on deck for a later pickle craving!


And, I hear they are now serving Sweet Tea at the Mickey D's in the big NYC! Ya'll, them some happy Yankees! Or transplanted Southerners!

Copycat Mcdonald's Burgers/Cheeseburgers Recipe
http://www.recipezaar.com/
15 min 10 min prep

1 burger or cheeseburger
1/2 teaspoon dried onion flakes
2 teaspoons boiling water
1/8 lb ground beef (I have used extremely lean ground beef for this, like 5% fat kind)
1 plain hamburger bun (I use Hot Dog/Hamburger Buns/Rolls/Cinnamon Buns Dough Cycle A.b.m.)
salt, to taste
1 tablespoon ketchup
1/2 teaspoon prepared mustard (American yellow)
1 dill pickles, slice (sour kind, not sweet)
For Cheeseburgers:
1 slice American cheese (I have used those plastic cover cheese singles with good success if other American Cheese is unavail)

Mix the dried onion with the boiling water and let sit until re hydrated and no longer dry & crunchy.

Roll ground beef into a ball and press flat on waxed paper until about 1/8 inch thick.

Brown faces of bun in a dry frying pan over medium heat. Remove bun and cook burger in the same pan for 2 min per side, salting each side lightly during cooking.

On the top bun-half spread the ketchup, mustard, and onion, in the order, and top with the pickle slice.

Put the beef patty on the bottom bun and quickly slap the top and bottom together.

Microwave the burger on high for 10-15 seconds.

FOR CHEESEBURGERS: follow the above recipe, but add a slice of American cheese on top of the beef patty in the final assembly. Microwave for 15 seconds on high to help steam the bun and simulate being wrapped in paper.