What’s Your Poison?

Has anyone ever asked you to name your poison? We all know it’s not really poison at all, but rather our booze selection for the evening. Whenever National Days such as this one pop up, I like to see what we’ve shared before.

First, I’d rather not repeat myself. And secondly, when stumped I’m seeking a little inspiration from the past. Turns out we’ve only done National Name Your Poison Day once before, and that was in 2021. We enjoyed Strawberry Margaritas. Naturally, you can’t have a margarita on an empty stomach, so we served up Taco Lettuce Wraps with a side of rice. Yeah, sounds like a delicious way to go.

But our poison isn’t just limited to alcohol. (Thank you Brad Paisley – now I’ve got a song stuck in my head that pretty much sums up the perils of too much consumption).

I can make anybody pretty
I can make you believe any lie
I can make you pick a fight
With somebody twice your size

There are a lot of ways to indulge and give in to temptations. Granted, nothing short of drugs can make us as stupid as one drink too many, but booze isn’t the only poison out there. No. We’ve got candy and cupcakes and Mom’s Apple Pie. We’ve got coffee to keep us up all night. And my personal favorite, a heart attack on a bun – aka the burger. Oh but what a way to go, right?

Bon Appetite Burger Delights
1 large Beefsteak Tomato
4 Red Leaf Lettuce Leaves
1/4 Red Onion or more
12 spicy Hot Bread and Butter Pickles
4 Third-Pound Hamburger Patties
1-1/4 teaspoons Kosher Salt
1/2 teaspoon fresh Black Pepper or to taste
Grilling Mate Hamburger Seasoning
Shredded Cheddar Cheese as desired
4 Hamburger Rolls
Mustard as desired
Mayonnaise as desired
Ketchup as desired

Cut tomato into nice rounds. Break off lettuce leaves, rinse and pat dry. Cut a quarter wedge from the onion, thinly slice. Drain pickles on paper towels. Arrange on a platter, set aside until ready to serve.

Drizzle a light coating of oil in a cast iron skillet. Heat over medium-high heat. Season one side of patties with salt, pepper and a few twists of the hamburger seasoning; place in the skillet, seasoned side down. Cook until lightly charred on bottom, about 4 minutes. Season the side facing up, turn, and continue to cook to desired doneness, about 4 minutes longer for medium. Top burgers as desired with a handful of shredded cheese. Place an ice cube next to the burgers with cheese. Cover with a small pan lid, allowing steam to help melt the cheese to create a skirt around the hamburger. When ready, transfer burgers to buns.

Build burgers as desired with condiments, lettuce, onion, tomatoes and spicy pickles. Don’t forget the fries and your favorite icy cold drink.

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Our help is from the Lord,
Who made heaven and earth