Mmmm, hamburgers

I love hamburgers. If given the choice and if my arteries would allow for it, I would eat a big, juicy, cheesy burger every day. Unfortunately for me (and if not for the fact that I'm a little afraid of what my trainer would do to me if I ate a burger every day), this is not an experiment I am willing to try. I will however tell you about some of my favorite burgers.

First and foremost, I am an In'N'Out fan. There is nothing better than a double-double, animal-style with fries and a thick chocolate milkshake. That order is reserved for special occasions. Like when LK from Healthy Delicious visited last November. Or when Heather visited three years ago. My "usual" is a double-double with ketchup, mustard and pickles only, fries and a root beer or diet Coke. Oh and CHEESE PAPER!

I will admit, I do eat McDonald's and Burger King a lot more than I probably should. And Burger King's $1.00 double cheese burgers are hard to resist, with their tasty flame-broiled goodness. From time to time (and I promise, I'm trying to break the habit) I enjoy a juicy double quarter-pounder with cheese from McDonald's.

As for non-fast food burgers, if you are from, live in the Sacramento area or have watched Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives, you know about the Squeeze Inn. If you are from Sacramento, you have probably also heard the ridiculousness that caused Squeeze Inn to relocate. I have not yet been to the new location, but as long as the burgers still taste the same and still have a cheese skirt, I will be one happy camper.

As for sit-down restaurant burgers, I enjoy a turkey burger from Burgers and Brew. A new(ish) place on R Street in midtown, Burgers and Brew has a variety of burgers to choose from. There's the classic hamburger, with or without cheese, a chili cheese burger, turkey burger, buffalo burger (which I'm still talking myself into trying) and for those who don't eat meat, there is a garden burger, a tofu burger or a portobello burger. Oh yeah, and there's also regular sandwiches and salads. Burgers and Brew is in a good location, too. Working near the Capitol, it's tough to "cross the invisible line of N Street" and wander to K Street at lunch time. Burgers and Brew allows those of us who would love to socialize with all our Capitol friends, but don't have the extra 20-30 minutes it takes to do such socializing (on a smaller scale) a place to gather, have a burger (and a brew, if you are so inclined to drink your lunch), sit outside on a sunny and warm day and enjoy the peacefulness of getting away from the Capitol.

For those of you who actually DO cross the N Street line, there's Hamburger Patties. Which used to be Hamburger Mary's (you can still sort of see the outline of the lettering on the sign). I'm still not even sure why the name was changed, just heard some rumors about fights, the Hamburger Mary corporate office not liking something... I don't know. And quiet honestly, I really don't care. They have good burgers. All kinds of different toppings. I haven't mustered (HA! Get it?... mustered/mustard...) up the courage to try the burger that has peanut butter on top, but I hear it's fabulous. Maybe one day.

When I'm being lazy, I like to call Ink. One Wednesday through Saturday (after 9:00 p.m.), Ink will deliver me a juicy burger. Or mac and cheese... or both. Yes, I know Ink is four blocks from my house. But it's dark outside. And I'm being lazy. Besides, the dude that delivers me my burger is on a bicycle. And for some reason, that entertains me to no end.

Cafe Bernardo also has a really good turkey burger. I get that a lot when I'm hanging at Monkey Bar during happy hour. Plus, they give me pickles. I also love pickles.

I could go on and on about my love for burgers and even talk about my home made burgers and the failed Martha Stewart stuffed burger where I followed the directions TO THE LETTER, only to end up forgetting to spray the grill and having the burgers stick, which then meant they completely fell apart and we had to eat them with a fork ('member Dre?), but the food critic for the Sacramento Bee says it best in a recent article. It is what inspired me to write this post.

What is your favorite local burger joint?

The great lasagna debate of the New York Governor's race

Yesterday, I received an email from a friend pointing me in the direction of a New York Daily News story about New York gubernatorial candidate Andrew Cuomo's girl (lady) friend, Food Network's Sandra Lee. Apparently, there is unrest in the Cuomo household with former First Lady Matilda "Mama" Cuomo and Sandra "Semi-Homemade" Lee facing off about the proper way to make a lasagna. Candidate Cuomo has taken the position most smart politicians take when asked an opinion. "On this issue I'm going to be very, very careful." I mean, come on Andrew. You are Italian for God sakes! Admit you like your mama's lasagna better. I guarantee you, more people like your mother than your girl friend. Oh and FYI, Andrew... tomato soup is not "tomato sauce, but in a different form."

Let's break down the "Semi-Homemade" queen's dish...

She uses your basic ingredients -- salt, ground beef, lasagna noodles, mozzarella cheese.

But what about sauce and ricotta, you say? Well, apparently, two major staples of a properly made lasagna are not included. Instead, she uses cottage cheese and tomato soup.

Yes... you read that right cottage cheese and tomato soup.

Adding the CAN of tomato soup and apple cider vinegar to the browned and drained beef constitutes a "sauce."

After layering the noodles, cottage cheese, "sauce" and mozzarella three times, chefs are told to bake at 350 for 30 minutes.

If that's how you want to make a lasagna, fine. Just don't date the possible next governor of New York, who comes from one of New York's elite ITALIAN families and call that lasagna.

According to the NY Daily News, "Mama Cuomo prefers a more traditional lasagna: fresh ricotta cheese, Italian parsley and other herbs, and Parmesan cheese, she said. And her red sauce, no doubt, shares little with a store-bought can of soup."

Mama Cuomo, however, has a theory as to why her son might eat "Semi-Homemade Sandra's lasagna: "You know, maybe she puts cottage cheese because he doesn't want to put on weight, because he's watching his diet, but that's not the way you make a lasagna."


How do you make lasagna? Would you ever consider the "Semi-Homemade" way? Or are you in Mama Cuomo's camp?

Blogging Hiatus

Okay, so I know I haven't posted in about two months. I sincerely apologize.

Since I work in elections, I have been extremely busy lately and when I get home, I just don't want to sit at the computer any longer. I've been spending my time vegging on the couch or in my room watching TV and pretty much eating my face off.

Also, for the past two weeks, our Internet has been spotty at best and after fighting with ATT for about a week, I've finally got it figured out and Internet should be back up and running smoothly by Monday.

There's a lot to catch you all up on, posts that have been drafted, edited and are almost ready to publish, and injuries to report on. Once the 'net is back up at home and this election is over, I will be around more and wanting to sit in front of the computer and blog more.

Until then, thank you for your patience and don't forget to vote on Tuesday, June 8. Polls are open from 7am to 8pm.