Last night I planned to make Asian Lettuce Wraps and Spring Rolls for dinner. That’s what my menu said. I saw it right there in my handy, dandy planner. “Tuesday Night: Asian Wraps with Spring Rolls.” I don’t do this often, as I am a firm believer in planning, but sometimes you have to just take life by the horns and say, “…to heck with it. I am not in the mood for Lettuce Wraps. I want a burger.” Wild and crazy right! I KNOW! I’m “Breaking the Law! …Breaking the Law!”

The good part of all of this kitchen chaos is I had everything to make said burgers. I went in the kitchen, poured a Cosmopolitan and cranked up some 80s music on the tube. The 70s and 80s had THE BEST music ever. Don’t you agree? They began last night with Journey and went into some Steve Winwood, then Toto. Super fun! It was GREAT, until…

Every genre has it’s low points; its “not so shining” moments. Do you remember the song Roni by Bobbi Brown? Well I think that’s one of the low points of 80s music. I mean what in the sam hell is a “tender roni”? Maybe it was the Cosmos, but I immediately began to think of another 80s icon, Weird Al Yankovic. Suffice it to say, for the balance of the evening, I danced around my kitchen singing…

“Only tender Roni macaroni,
Can give the special love
A special kind of love
That makes you feel good inside.

And if you find a tender Roni, macaroni,
That is right for you
Make it official
Give it your love”

The really scary part is this change in lyrics absolutely made more sense! I just love the 80s. Thanks Bobby Brown for some material to work with, and thanks Weird Al for making it bearable. 🙂

Beef Sliders with Garlic Aioli, Fried Egg and Pretzel Buns

• 2 pounds ground beef, I prefer 85/15
• 1 tsp. Thyme
• 1 tbsp. Stone Ground Mustard
• 1 tbsp. good olive oil
• Salt & Pepper to taste
• 1/2 cup Garlic Aioli
• Arugula
• Sliced Tomato
• 8 fried eggs
• 8 slices Gruyere
• 8 slider buns – I used Pretzel buns

         

Place beef in a large mixing bowl. Add mustard, Thyme, salt, pepper and olive oil. Mix lightly by hand and do not over mix. This will cause a tough burger. Form 8-10 patties with the meat, again being careful not to over compact the burgers. Place on a hot griddle or grill and cook until desired temperature is reached. My preference is medium well for burgers. Add cheese during the last two minutes of cooking.

Slather each bun with the garlic aioli and additional mustard if desired. Add the Arugula, tomato and fried egg. Enjoy!

Tomorrow…the recipe for these amazing Sweet & Gold Herbed Chips and Blackberry Curried Ketchup!

Life is too short to eat ugly food y’all!