Stars & Gingham...and Bacon-Gouda Burgers For All!
In appreciation of that true American spirit, I’m planning on indulging this weekend. Although, now that I think of it, I’ll probably be sporting a bathing suit pretty consistently, so maybe I should skip the indulging. Or - maybe, I’ll just wear a one-piece and high-waisted shorts. Genius.
Yes, indulging will be had. And if there’s one thing I don’t eat very often but seriously, seriously love...it’s a giant and delicious cheeseburger. While I’m no stranger to In-N-Out’s Double-Double Animal style from time to time, what I really love is a gourmet, made-from-scratch cheeseburger at home.
When it comes to cheeseburger concocting, I’m talking all the bells and whistles - like a fun sharp or smoky cheese melted all over an 80/20 ground beef chuck patty, topped with caramelized onions, crispy bacon, crunchy iceberg lettuce (or arugula if I’m feeling goofy), and some delicious mayo and mustard varieties (Sir Kensington, please), all sandwiched between a squishy pretzel or brioche bun. Good lord, that is my kind of burger.
And that is exactly what I made last weekend, just so I could write this blog for you today. You guys, this combo is lethal. And you can find all the deets on it (aka, recipe) down below.
The gingham dress? Well, that’s just an accessory to the cheeseburger (the real star of the show). But I must admit, I do have a love affair with gingham. And with some added cut-outs, this dress was just calling my name. Though I think I may get it hemmed. Us short girls just can’t do that a-line “midi” dress thing.
Oh, I have to tell you something funny about this outfit too. My husband had just gotten home from Home Depot and the second he saw me, he laughed and asked, “So are you playing a 1950’s homemaker character for your blog?” Oh boy, maybe the bandana was too much. Or maybe it wasn’t. I’ll let you be the judge.
The ‘Fit:
Gingham midi dress, Urban Outfitters. Similar here and here. Bandana, Urban Outfitters. Sunglasses, Urban Outfitters. Similar here. Red lipstick, ColourPop.
The Food:
Smoked Gouda-Bacon Burgers with Caramelized Onions
Ingredients:
1 1/2 lb. Ground Beef (I like 80/20)
Salt and pepper
1 tablespoon Worcestershire
½ tablespoon onion powder
4 Pretzel or Brioche buns
8 slices bacon
4-8 slices Smoked Gouda
2 yellow onions, sliced
¼ cup olive oil
Iceberg lettuce, torn
Dijon or honey mustard
Mayo of choice
Meat thermometer (optional)
Directions:
Heat olive oil over medium-high until it shimmers. Add sliced onions and stir often, until caramelized. Set aside. Add bacon slices to a foil-lined baking sheet and bake at 375 for 10-15 minutes (depending on thickness of bacon). No need to preheat. When crisp, pull out of oven and place on paper towels.
Place ground beef in mixing bowl and combine with Worcestershire, onion powder, and salt and pepper. Gently combine mixture and then form into 4 patties, about 1-inch thick and 4 inch round. Preheat grill to medium heat and grill burgers for 2 minutes on each side and then move to a lower heat area of the grill for 3 minutes, or until temp liking. Place cheese on each patty and close grill top until melted. (For Add sliced buns to grill and toast for 1 minute.
Assemble burgers with accompaniments. I like lettuce on the bottom and the bacon and onions on top. Enjoy!
