Sunday Supper: Juicy Lucy

We had our annual Christmas tree burning Saturday night at the neighbors fire pit. It is quite a show, those dried up trees really burn. So remember - do not place the tree too close to your curtains!! As the fire was burning and we were all hanging out we decided on Sunday supper - Juicy Lucy's. What is a Juicy Lucy you might be asking yourself. Well it is a burger with the cheese in the middle. Matt's Bar (here in the Twin Cities) claims to have invented and perfected the burger. We went to Matt's last summer and it is a very tasty burger.

So our plan was to try to recreate Matt's Juicy Lucy. It started as a large party - you know sitting around a fire, having a cold one, it is about 10:30 PM, everything starts to sound like a good plan. Well turns out by the next day it was down to a party of 4. Kz, Rindy, Johnny Pilates and myself. No worries - less burgers to build! Here we go!

menu:
rindy's classic pasta salad
ore ida shoestring french fries
zehrz seasoned sour cream
juicy lucy's
rindy's 'Best Ever' brownies
malbec - Thanks Johnny

rindys classic pasta salad
ingredients:

1 box Classic Suddenly pasta salad

(make as directed on box)
Diced tomatoes
Cubes mozzarella cheese

ore ida shoestring fries
Cook according to package and add seasonings

zehrz seasoned sour cream
ingredients

Note: add in the following order - stirring after each addition

1 cup mayonnaise
8 oz sour cream
1 tbsp lemon juice
1 tbsp cup finely diced parsley
1/4 tablespoon granulated garlic
1/2 teaspoons paprika
1 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
1/4 teaspoon celery salt
1/4 teaspoon dill weed, finely diced
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1/4 teaspoon curry powder

juicy lucy's

ingredients

(4 burgers)

1 1/2 lb ground beef (80-85 % lean)

1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
1 tbsp garlic powder

kosher salt

pepper

4 slices american cheese

directions:
add first 5 ingredients to a bowl and mix well.
divide mixture into 8 equal parts (~3 oz each)
make thin patties and place 1 slice of cheese (folded in half twice) on one of the patties. Top with other pattie

and crimp edges together. Be sure to make a tight seal as steam will

try to escape - along with the cheese

Grill over high heat 3-4 minutes per side. The burgers will puff up a little but this is OK. Very Important Note - After flipping burgers, poke each one with a toothpick to allow steam to escape. This is key to not having the cheese leak out.

I add some onions to the grill when I flip the burgers.

When the burgers are done, remove from grill to a platter and cover with foil.
Flip the onions and put the buns on the grill for a minute or so.

rindy's 'Best Ever' brownies
for the brownies:

1 box Pillsbury family size Chocolate Fudge

brownie mix made as directed on box

adding 1 additional egg

for the frosting:

Ingredients:
6 tablespoons margarine or butter
6 tablespoons milk
1 1/3 cups sugar
2/3 cups chocolate chips
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Directions:
In medium saucepan combine margarine,

milk and sugar. Bring to a boil. Boil and stir

constantly for 1 minute. Remove from heat and stir in

chocolate chips and vanilla. Stir until chocolate chips