After a surprise snow storm, and now, a thunderstorm in progress, my internet connection has been in and out. So, before I head off to play piano for a couple of days (and hopefully before my signal is disrupted again), I’ll share a lil’ story.
I’ve been in love with cheeseburgers since I was sixteen years old.
(That’s nigh on four decades if you want to do the math…)
Not just eating them – making them. During my formative years, I was an apprentice of the fine art of burger-flipping at a café not much larger than my present dining room. (Insert nostalgia here.)
Weekdays, we catered to retired folks and truck drivers, and on the weekends (particularly after ball games), the café was swamped with teenagers in search of sustenance — most of whom ordered cheeseburgers. (That’s a lot of burger-flipping!)
We also served daily “blue plate specials” and massive breakfasts on Saturday mornings, but… there’s only so much room for tender recollections in one post.
Suffice it to say, cheeseburgers made a huge impression on me… followed closely by truck drivers. :)
Years later during my over-the-road adventures, I discovered that I’d retained a “burger frame of reference” from my diner days of yore… skinny little burgers just didn’t cut it. I craved classic burgers.
By “classic,” I mean thick, hand-formed hamburger patties, seasoned and grilled to perfection, with cheese dripping down the sides, plated with “the works” on a buttered, toasted bun, served alongside an order of fries (preferably with a circumference larger than a pencil) that were made out of real spuds.
I can’t begin to count the number of truck stops I bypassed that had already succumbed to “fast food frenzy.” At the end of a long day, I wanted to sit down and be served, instead of standing in line at a counter waiting to pick up a plastic tray.
To this day, burgers still set the bar for me.
Whenever I visit a new restaurant (which isn’t often), I’ll look over the menu, debate the selections, and nine-times-out-of-ten, end up ordering a cheeseburger. If it meets my expectations, things bode well for a return trip to sample the rest of the menu.
(Not in one sitting, of course…)
Fast forward to a few nights ago.
The Man Of Few Words was due home for dinner in 30 minutes and I had two options: Turn a half-pound of ground beef and a couple of Idaho russets into cheeseburgers & fries, or try something different in the time allowed. Surprisingly, I opted for the latter.
The ensuing goings-on included washing, piercing, and tossing the spuds into the microwave (I would’ve preferred doing them in the oven, but the clock was ticking), plus slicing & dicing “the works” while the ground beef sautéed casually in a skillet.
Time was of the essence, so I made a few other executive decisions.
“The Works” (aka onions and tomatoes) joined the skillet party, while the lettuce went for a carefree toss into a salad bowl. Pickles were reserved for garnish and cheese was set aside for future melting consideration. (Sliced or crumbled? Both? Yes.)
After a few grinds of pepper and a sprinkling of ”classic” burger seasoning (which, as I recall from my diner days, consisted of celery salt, onion powder and garlic powder), voila! Dinner was ready.
It took 15 minutes to make, with fifteen minutes to spare.
Hmmm… what to do with the extra 15 minutes?
Yup. Play with the ketchup and mustard. :)
It’s said that we all remember things differently.
Whenever The Man Of Few Words and I reminisce about our trucking days, he remembers routes. I remember cheeseburgers.
Long live love affairs of the foodie kind.
Enjoying cheeseburgers in paradise,
~ Kimby
What fond food memories do you recall?
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Love your story AND your ketchup and mustard art. My husband and I have some funny foodie love stories as well. He’s always teasing me that HE should start a blog: Life with a Culinary Nutritionist, the Meals We Didn’t Eat. Thank you for bringing a smile to my face this morning.
By: Sue Ann Gleason on February 21, 2013
at 6:09 am
Sue Ann, the thought of your hubby blogging about the meals you didn’t eat brought a smile to my face — The Man Of Few Words & I are culinary opposites, too! But, he loves that I love doing what I do and is wonderfully supportive. I suspect things operate much the same in your home. :)
By: Kim Bultman on February 26, 2013
at 3:09 pm
I really love your love stories ;) They make me feel good about my slight obsession with pasta! Mighty fine potato!
By: Isabelle at home on February 21, 2013
at 5:19 pm
Isabelle, your comment made me think about creating cheeseburger pasta…? Nah, I think Hamburger Helper already has that one covered, lol! Thanks for loving my love stories. xo :)
By: Kim Bultman on February 26, 2013
at 3:10 pm
Oh, Kim, we could have so much fun on the warpath for the best burgers! Like you, this is a delicacy to me…I could eat them, of course, w/crispy fries, several times/week! Now I just know the MOFW was smilin’ from ear to ear w/this meal…he probably even got into the condiment art!! xo Ally PS…tweeted and google+’d!! good stuff to share! xo
By: Ally on February 21, 2013
at 5:21 pm
Ally, you are so sweet to Tweet! (and G+!) Also, you’ve got a mighty fine burger goin’ on at your blog… sassy, Southern, and so you! Food memories, delicacies, and delights — best o’ the best, yes?
By: Kim Bultman on February 26, 2013
at 3:14 pm
I forget you live close to me…is it Oklahoma? We had the thunder snow too! It was wild. I really enjoyed reading about your cheeseburger past and how you reinvented it in the present! I love your take on the classic burger and fries! Did TMOFW love it too? I have lots of fond food memories but one is how once in a blue moon, mom would get a hankering for chips and dip (mostly we were a no junk food house so this was a treat). She didn’t buy tortilla chips and salsa, she bought potato chips and sour cream and chive dip. We’d all gather around the sack and quietly devour it, arms reaching in one after another, dipping, and crunching. Pure bliss.
By: Veronica on February 22, 2013
at 3:17 am
Veronica, thanks for sharing your chip & dip memories! My mother-in-law told me she still remembers the first time they were able to buy “store-bought” potato chips for their kids (all 8 of them!) and the reverent silence (besides “crunching”) as they enjoyed every bite! I got a strong “visual” from the way you wrote that — “arms reaching in one after another, dipping, and crunching.” Yup, pure bliss!
By: Kim Bultman on February 26, 2013
at 3:17 pm
Apprentice of the fine art of burger-flipping? Hahaha! U never fail to impress me, my dear! Reminds me of the American sitcom “Happy Days” when I used to watch during my childhood. Love how u play with your ketchup & mustard too. I’m sure my son would enjoy playing with u too.
By: Shirley Tay on February 22, 2013
at 7:24 am
Shirley, I hadn’t thought about the “Happy Days” connection, but you’re right — the place I worked was a mini version of that iconic diner. Hope I didn’t encourage your son to play with his food too much. :) But then, you have a playful spirit in the kitchen and creative garnishes, too!
By: Kim Bultman on February 26, 2013
at 3:21 pm
Beautiful story Kim. I think I tried my first cheeseburger when I was 12 on a trip to Hungary, and it was so stuffed with raw onions that I still shudder to date remembering it. My fondest food memory on the other hand is not fancy at all: my grandma’s grown coeur de boeuf tomatoes with salt, pepper and sour cream (coming from neighbors cows). Simple and perfect :) Have a good weekend!
By: gourmantine@yahoo.com on February 22, 2013
at 8:39 am
Gourmantine, the description you wrote about your Grandma’s tomatoes made me long for those simple (yet spectacular) flavors! (Remind me to start some tomato plant seedlings NOW!) Yes, onions on burgers need to “balance” — sounds like you experienced an “onion enthusiast’s” version of a burger in Hungary, yikes! Thanks for sharing your memories, though. xo!
By: Kim Bultman on February 26, 2013
at 3:24 pm
What a lovely creation! I love cheeseburger, although we (burger and I) didn’t have such a lovely story like yours. :) I love your twist on a classic cheese burger. Can’t wait to give this a try the next time I want something new. ;)
By: Amy Tong on February 22, 2013
at 10:22 pm
Amy, thanks for stopping by the lake to leave a comment. (Truly appreciated!) I’ve enjoyed poking around your blog… so many ideas, all of them stellar!
By: Kim Bultman on February 26, 2013
at 3:53 pm
Dear Kimby,
A favourite food from childhood is always so nostalgic as it brings back so many memories. I love some retro food from the 70s like chicken ala king, beef stroganoff. Yours in a stuffed baked potato is nothing like what I have seen. You might just start a trend here!
By: ChopinandMysaucepan on February 23, 2013
at 3:57 pm
ChopinandMysaucepan, I’ve soooo enjoyed your “retro” posts — thanks for seeing the promise in my Stuffed Baked Potato. “Back in the day” the baked potatoes were HUGE and the toppings generally involved sour cream, butter, and chives — FUN to try something new — or “old!” :)
By: Kim Bultman on February 26, 2013
at 3:55 pm
Fantastic idea! I just love the layers too. Very creative new way to do something classic.
By: Kate @ Kate from Scratch on February 26, 2013
at 4:22 pm
Thanks, Kate! It’s fun to come up with new ways to enjoy old favorites. :)
By: Kim Bultman on February 26, 2013
at 11:52 pm
Making melting moment cookies from a recipe on the box of cornstarch at my grandmother’s house would be one of my fondest :)
That looks like a very decadent and creative meal.
By: Joyti on February 26, 2013
at 5:43 pm
Joyti, I’m tickled you paid a visit here! Thanks for sharing your “melting moments” story, too — those lil’ cookies are fantastic. Plus, I have a thing for Grandma memories. :)
By: Kim Bultman on February 26, 2013
at 11:54 pm
Such a delightful dish, full of flavors. Thank you for a recipe!
By: Yelena on March 3, 2013
at 7:28 pm
Yelena, thank YOU for visiting here!
By: Kim Bultman on March 3, 2013
at 9:25 pm
You are so creative and this sounds fun and I know my kids will love a fun surprise…like this cheeseburger stuffed baked potatoes! :D It was fun reading your story about your nostalgic cheeseburger story. :)
By: Nami | Just One Cookbook on March 4, 2013
at 1:14 am