Fontina Cheese Burgers with Bacon, Guacamole & Tomato! Are you humming God Bless America right now? Well, I am…
Why does America love burgers? Why are burgers considered so very American? What does our love of the burger say about us?
I could easily adopt the burger attitude of the moment and rail against the burger. I could make one of those trendy “heart attack on a bun” jokes. But I’m not gonna.
Because I love a good burger: Big, messy and inspired by America! You see, burgers are an American Institution whose power lies in their iconoclasm and decidedly simple virtues. I believe that the humble hamburger says something about being an American.
It’s hard to have grown up in this country and not have strong feelings about our cheese burgers. They’re ingrained in our culture. They’ve come to symbolize so much more than a casual meal. There will always be a part of me that remains a 7‑year-old boy peeking under the bun to make sure my mom didn’t slip anything sneaky onto my hamburger. That’s the kind of power America’s burgers have.
Burgers make me think about long past backyard BBQs. Fireflies, mosquito bites and my parents drinking beer out of a can. And of course, childhood treats to Burger King, where we just might (if we were very, very quiet in the car) get to order a vanilla shake. But it was hard to be quiet in the car knowing that we would soon be sitting on those little twirly stools spinning and spinning to the sound of mom saying “I am going to count to Three. One, Two, Two and a Half, Two and Three-Quarters…”
But really good cheese burgers are getting harder and harder to find. And that’s because really good burgers do not come from drive-through windows. Drive-through windows have ruined burger joints. Well, so have all the chemical additives. Those cheese burgers have become down right scary. It’s a crying shame.
I think the only way to get a good burger is to make your burger at home.
So to honor the advent of summer, and America’s love of the burger, let’s go on a road trip to San Francisco– because like a good burger, the road-trip is quintessentially American. I’m going to use ingredients inspired by San Francisco: Fontina Cheese, Heirloom Tomatoes, Guacamole, Red Onion, Oak Leaf Lettuce and of course Sourdough Bread. And if my burger doesn’t immediately transport you to San Francisco, well I’ll understand. The lure of the great American backyard barbeque is just too strong. Please pass me a beer (in a can). GREG
SERIOUS FUN FOOD
Greg Henry
Sippity Sup
I love when you do the simple food. You are still my all around favorite blog. Help me think of an idea for Sunday. I’m entertaining another food blogger and you know I get performance nerves.
Went to a farmer’s market and picked up the favabeans last night to make the puree. It was so good. I ended up eating it as a dip with some fresh baked bread.
I love fava beans yet never cook with them. Oh, occasionally husband does but me…I just never think about it. But love the mush and love how you serve it. Great idea! I really should go buy some fava beans…
Each time I go home (Sicily that is) I gorge on Sicilian Pecorino alone… geez how I miss that punch of flavor 🙁 Ragusano is quite unusual on our family table (though Ragusa is just a sling-shot away from my home town). Need to ask family to bring some over next time they are coming so I can try it.
Lovely coupling with the fava, was surprised in seeing the celery in there but I can see it working its magic in your “Mush”. 😉
helped the texture! GREG
I admit, I’m a musher too. It’s just too good and too easy not to do it.
Not boring at all. I tend to prepare fava beans only one way so this is inspiration for me. It’s perfect.
Shopped, cooked, plated, photographed, composed, written and posted on the same day! You are a food blogging super hero! Will have to get you a big cape and fork.
This looks absolutely wonderful…wishing I had a big plate of it sitting in front of me for lunch
I could never be bored, if this is the “mush” I ate! What a beautiful way to enjoy fresh fava beans — pureed with a lovely cheese — sounds perfect.
That ragusano sounds totally incredible. I love punchy, sharp flavors and have to check this out STAT! Also…I happen to love recipes like this. They are old favorites for a reason, you know??
Aren’t fresh fava beans so wonderful! And with the cheese in there, I can just see this being an incredibly flavorful dinner.
Love this and the pics look so light and fresh, they just make me want to eat them. Bravo!
Delicious looking pasta — fabulous dish!
Another lovely dish Greg. Look at that enchanting color of your sauce, definitely worth the work of shelling those beans! Thanks for the cheese lessons too.
LL