Fancy Burger

Hey you guys!!! (Make sure you read that in the Goonies voice) So I just got back Sunday from an 11-day transatlantic cruise, 2 days in Barcelona and 2 days in Berlin with the bf. The last part was a total whirlwind but the cruise was SO relaxing. It was totally different than the other round-trip-type cruises I've been on where I always feel like I'm racing against time to do everything and see everything on the boat. We had 10 days at sea and it was AMAZING!

Look how much fun we're having!!

But, while I LOVE traveling, it is nice to be home. My mom is actually also in Europe, just off a Rhine river cruise and spending a few days in Amsterdam so I've been eating whatever frozen meats she has in the fridge. (She always goes to Sams and gets a bunch and then freezes individual portions--super helpful and easy for us since we're either always one or two for dinner.) Last night I had a pork chop, and today I made a delish burger!

For the burger part, I used ground kobe beef (I know, Jane B is FANCY!) with some seasoned salt and pepper. I bought a ciabatta roll at Publix this morning and toasted it in the oven. I was just going to use regular ketchup, but we didn't have any, so I mixed some balsamic sauce with mayo to make a yummy aioli. I sauteed up some mushrooms and onions, and then topped the burger with swiss. I also baked a corn on the cob (350 for 30 minutes in the oven with the husk on). It turned out SO good! I even impressed myself with this quick dinner :)

Hope yall are ready for summer and more grilling and burgers and fun in the sun!
xoxo,
Janie from Scratch

Beef Chili

Ryan and I bought a bunch of ground beef from Sam's awhile ago so we've been making a LOT of burgers and chili. Making chili is kind of like making cookies. Once you have the general formula, you can make almost any kind of chili you want. This time I made beef chili, like the kind you get on hot dogs. It's super easy and hits the spot on a cold day (like the days we've been having recently in Florida!).

There's no recipe, per se, and I usually don't measure things, so just go with the flow.

Start by browning your ground beef. While I'm browning it, I usually add in some spicy chili powder to add flavor. Drain and set aside.

Next, saute the onion and green peppers. For a pound of ground beef I use 1 onion and 1 green bell pepper. After the veggies are softened, add back in the ground beef. Add in a 14.5 oz. can of chopped tomatoes with the juice. Also add in a can of pinto beans, drained, you can rinse them if you want to. I usually don't.

Add some stock or water, and add in a BUNCH of chili powder. Like half a jar, or more. Be super generous. And make sure to taste along the way. If after 30 minutes, you don't think it's chili-tasting enough, add more chili powder. If it's too much, add more water. Let the chili simmer for at least 30 minutes, but the longer the better. But if you put it on longer, after you get the consistency you want, make sure to cover it, so the rest of the water doesn't evaporate out. I like a thick consistency, but make it however you want it!

Serve with saltines or cheese or onions or whatever you want and enjoy!