I guess if we're being picky, we would actually entitle this post "She Grills," or, if I'm being really honest "He Grills," but who really cares about accuracy?
Last night I decided to make a full size version of the
BBQ Bacon Sliders from
Our Best Bites. These super delicious burgers WON a Better Homes and Gardens Cookoff competition, so I figured, there was absolutely no way on earth they wouldn't be fantastic.
Oh how right I was.
Let me make one thing extremely clear. These burgers are not, I repeat NOT health food. So, if you're into that kind of thing, I recommend that you stop reading now. Seriously. Just stop.
Proof in point- you start off the recipe by frying up some bacon. I used the thick cut cracked pepper kind, because, let's face it, it's the best.
Then, you make your own homemade crispy onion straws, which are of course, fried.
Yes. Fried and fried. If your a health nut, and you are still reading this, your probably starting to have heart palpitations right about now. Don't say I didn't warn you.
Now is about the time when I patty the beef (Worcestershire sauce. Lowry's seasoning. Done.), and send husband out to the grill to do his duty.
Back in the kitchen, the making of the bleu cheese spread begins.
I have to admit that I was a little leery about this particular spread. I'm not usually a huge fan of bleu cheese, but I decided to give it a shot anyway. I am SO glad I did. It pretty much rocked my socks off, and caused the husband to remark on how "surprisingly awesome" it was no less than four times during the course of dinner.
When I finished the making of the onion straws, the bacon, and the sauce, my kitchen was an absolute disaster zone.
However, I've come to learn that the size of the mess is usually directly proportionate to the deliciousness of the dish I'm making, so I didn't get too worked up about it.
I lugged all the fried/blue cheese deliciousness down to the patio and feasted on what were probably the most awesome burgers we've ever churned out.
To counteract all the fried-ness of the meal, I decided to whip up some fruit smoothies for dessert. Sure they had a full can of sweetened condensed milk in them, but at least they weren't fried, right?
Pineapple-Strawberry-Banana Smoothies
-1 banana cut up
-1 can crushed pineapple, undrained
-1 cup halved fresh strawberries
-8 oz. strawberry yogurt
-1 can sweetened condensed milk
-2 Tbsp. lemon juice
-crushed ice
Mix all ingredients in blender. It makes a lot, so you may have to work in batches. I did mine in two.
In the spirit of full disclosure, I feel I must admit that I had two near breakdowns during the making of this meal. The first was when I thought I had ruined the onion straws and I stood staring into the basin of my kitchen sink on the verge of tears for a full five minutes before deciding to pull myself together and press on (the onions weren't ruined, I just didn't have the oil hot enough). The second was when I pulled the blender off of it's base and the bottom FELL OUT. I had smoothie mix pouring onto the counter and floor, and I just stood motionless, like a fool, in disbelief. Luckily, I managed to snap into action before all was lost, and I salvaged enough of it to give both husband and myself a full serving.
I'd say this meal was about trying new things, and about triumph over adversity in the kitchen. Oh, and also about frying as much food as is humanly possible.
-alison
