Delicious Weeknight Ease

Another couple of years and Hubby will be retiring. We’ve been talking about packing our bags at that point and hightailing it out of California. Don’t get me wrong. We love living in our little part of the state at the edge of the Gold Country. There are so many beautiful little towns to meander.

We love our parish. It is one of the most active in the valley. Once Hubby retires, we’d have even more time to volunteer and that would be nice. Hubby could get active in the Knights, I would love to join one of the women’s groups that meets during the day. Since I don’t drive, Hubby is my chauffer. Once retired, I could get involved in so many Ladies organizations. There’s the Daughters of the King, the Bereavement Support Group (preparing meals for grieving families who have suffered a loss), making Rosaries and a whole host of other activites.

Honestly, it’s the politics that makes us want to leave California behind. While we’re sheltered in our little part of the world, the Liberals control state issues. The only voices that seem to matter here are those who live in mansions along the coast, LA or San Francisco. The rest of the state can scream all they want, but our cries go unheard. Elected officials are supposed to represent ALL the people, but that’s rarely the case. People in cities have a whole different mind set then folks in the country, with different needs and values and priorities. The very things that draw us out of the cities – small town life – is the very thing that makes us matter little to the political machine.

Hubby is leaning toward Tennessee or Texas as possible places to go in our golden years. The biggest drawback is weather. We get some cold days, down almost to freezing every now and again. No snow to speak of. The summers are hot, with little humidity. We can barbecue nearly year-round.. Both the front porch and the back patio are covered. Great to enjoy fresh air while sipping fresh coffee in the morning or a cocktail in the evening. The Texas coast is humid. There are hurricanes and tornados and snow. With the exception of the 10 years I spent in Las Vegas, California (central valley) has been home my entire life. It will be an adjustment.

And I’ll miss making grilled burgers in the dead of winter. Hubby and I make a great team. I do all the prep work, he does the grilling and every time we knock it out of the park. This simple sauce was inspired by the burgers I loved in Middle School. Those were slathered with an orange sauce that was a combination of mayonnaise, ketchup and yellow mustard. By adding pickle juice and onion flakes, it elevates that simple sauce. Another thing I like about these burgers are the onions. By using a mandoline, I can create paper thin slices of onion, so delicious on a burger. Yeah, these burgers are an expression of love from Hubby and I to each other.

Just an Easy Burger with Fries
Easy Burger Sauce
2 tablespoons Mayonnaise
2 tablespoons Ketchup
1 tablespoon Yellow Mustard
1/2 tablespoon Dill Pickle Juice
1 teaspoon Onion Flakes

In a small bowl whisk together the mayonnaise, ketchup and mustard. Add pickle juice and onion flakes. Stir to blend. Set aside until ready to use.

Easy Grilled Burgers
4 (1/3 lb) Hamburger Patties
4 Hamburger Buns
Salt to taste
Black Pepper to tste
Hamburger Seasoning to taste
1/4 Red Onion
4 Iceberg Lettuce Leaves
1 large Tomato
12 Kosher Dill Hamburger Chips
American Cheese as desired

Heat a griddle or grill.

Season burgers with salt, pepper and hamburger seasoning. Set burgers aside until ready to grill.

While the griddle or grill is heating, peel and thinly slice the onions. Stack the lettuce leaves, shred. Slice tomato into rounds. Drain pickles on a paper towel. If desired, lightly toast buns.

Spread sauce on both top and bottom bun. Scatter shredded lettuce on the bottom bun, top with a slice of tomato.

Once the griddle or grill is hot, cook hamburger patties about 5 minutes per side or until medium. Just before the burgers are done, add cheese as desired and allow cheese to melt.

Pull burgers from the grill, place on the bottom bun. Top patties with onions and pickles. Serve with fries, plenty of napkins and enjoy.

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The LORD has made His salvation known;
In the sight of the nations He has revealed His justice.