Food Network Scholar: Special Burgers

Television Feasts

I am a home cook who backyard gardens and has a serious closet addiction to the Food Network. I envision visiting the world in my own kitchen.

From Julia to Giada, I am a bi-product of the quirky world of anything food television. At age 10 I wanted to lunch with Julia; at 12 I thought sitting at Graham Kerr's table would be bliss; in college I was a diligent voyeur student of Jeff Smith's; and as a newlywed I envisioned myself being Martha. Then the sky opened up and violin music played in the background when I discovered an entire family of food shows on the blossoming food network. Twenty years later I am still a home chef with a backyard garden, yet in my head I am a trained chef who has eaten her way around the world, tasted all things exotic, competed in many challenges, judged the best of the best, and have a circle of friends which includes Emeril, Bobby, Rachael and more. I like to learn and challenge myself simply for the pleasure of all things food. I am a student of the University of Food Network and my textbooks, exams and extra-curricular activities all stem from channel 39.

Sunday, July 27, 2014

Special Burgers

We have a tradition in our house every summer. When the first red, round tomato gets picked, we make burgers. We watched the perfect orb ripen all week. Yum, I carried the warm tomato to the kitchen, stopping to grab some lettuce on the way. I made burgers with traditional toppings. It is the 'Special' sauce that sets this apart. It is not a mock Big Mac sauce; it is more of a cross between a roumalade and a fry sauce. It is a good sauce on burgers or fish. It also make a good vegetable dip.

Special Burgers

Burgers

Buns

Choice of toppings