Tackle Box Grill: Big Success!

It was an almost perfect night for grilling. The original plan was to just get the Smokey Joe out and cook up some burgers. Close. I recently built a grill using an old tackle box. The first burn to remove any paint that didn't want to hang around had been done a week before. So, the grill was good to go. My normal lack of confidence told me I should try something simple like hot dogs on this new grill before jumping in to burgers etc. No time like the present to discover the unknown! I grabbed a pound of Angus Ground Beef, Mild Cheddar and fresh onions, good to go. The buns were getting toasted on the grill so, I prepped them with butter and a sprinkle of Garlic-Basil Salt. Sort of a light garlic toast. Everything turned out excellent. The grill fared pretty well, not too much mess. I need to come up with a removable liner for the bottom. Things could get funky. I've posted video of the grill on my Facebook page, not sure how many folks can see the post.

'til the next event...

Be safe out there!

Dasburgereater.

Twasn't Burgers...

Tonight was Italian Sausage. The wife threw together some green peppers, onions etc for add ons. Baked beans, vegetarian style. Zucchini, cooked up with mushrooms and onions. Super tasty. The night was perfect for outdoor eats. (alfresco, for you fancy folks.) We had RadioParadise.com playing some great tunes.

Later,

Dasburgereater.

Memorial Day/First Night for the cruise

I don't think I could call myself an American if I didn't grill on Memorial Day. This year the day was perfect for some grillin'. Beer Brats and Burgers on the grill, a game of Jarts and some margaritas. I lit a small fire in the chiminea for atmosphere. Close family and conversation. The burgers weren't as dreamy as I wanted. Not sure if it was me or the meat. Blame it on the meat, it won't fight it. I have to say, as a follow up lunch the next day, it was all yummy.

Tonight was the first night for our classic car cruise. We meet a place called Weissgerber's Gasthaus. As you might guess from the name, it's German cuisine. They serve quite a bit of their sandwiches on pretzel buns. Last season, I really didn't care for them. Tonight, I had one of their Bacon Cheddar Burgers. Sure, the burger is a prepared patty but, it was pretty good. Relatively priced for the size and the fact they give you some fresh made potato chips.

Staycation: Milwaukee-Burgers & Jazz

Okay, maybe you wouldn't normally associate Jazz with burgers but, it's me we're talking about. For some time I've been wanting to go to Stack'd in downtown Milwaukee. I had visions of a big 'ole burger, juicy, smokey. Well, I misinterpreted the name...Stack'd has to do with stacked items. Pictures of books, cookies etc embellish the walls. Burgers are a large part of the menu. I can't say they are the best part of the menu. Maybe it was all of those thoughts running through my head and taste buds before I got there that night but, it was chewy, flavorless and the bun was really wet (soggy). Pretty high priced also. The place itself is very nice and looks like a great place to stop with friends for some mini burgers and a couple of beers. The jazz came much later. First, we went to Koz's Mini Bowl. Didn't get to bowl but, what hoot! Jazz was at Caroline's on 2nd and Florida Streets. Martini's like water, smooooth.

Til the next time.

Dasburgereater.

Friday Nite Grillin'

Last Friday evening made for a perfect grilling scene... temps were pretty decent, nice when I don't have to wear thermals. I grabbed some Tall Grass Beef on sale at my favorite local grocery store, Sendik's. Their butchers are always glad to help. It's so cool to be able to get 3/4 lb of beef without feeling like I'm some kind of dork. Hey, I also grabbed 1/2 lb of Turkey, for a couple of lean burgers. In addition, I had to get 8 strips of Nueske's bacon, yummy! Guess what was grillin'? Bacon Swiss Burgers! Baked beans, some corn I'm good to go. One of the best things about cooking more than I can eat at one sitting, lunch the next day. Chow.

Next time, I'm going in to my "Way Back Machine" to cover places I have been to that were just too cool/good to not mention on this blog.

What a great weekend! I got to grill all three nights.

Friday eve, Chipolte Shrimp Kababobs with Pineapple and Red Onions. Wouldn't you know, I snuck a couple of burgers on the back side of the grill.

Saturday eve, it was Chicken (Amish raised) with GreekFest Seasoning.

We've got a couple of great spice shops around town that supply flavors from our Summer/Fall festivals. The spice house is a funky little place, ran by an older couple. They seem to have just a sense of what works best. The other, Penzy's is a huge producer of all kinds of spices. They are online and publish recipes. I think they are both related to each other but, have different ways of looking at life.

Sunday eve, Farm Raised Salmon, skin on with one of our favorite spices, Northwoods. Sort of a classic black pepper mix. Excellent on the grill.

A weekend like that will chow up a few pounds of natural hardwood charcoal. I will have to score some more Cowboy charcoal before the week is over.

Later.

Dasburgereater

Winter's holding on...

I fight the good fight for all grillers during the winter but, gee how about some Spring like weather? Believe it or not, I didn't grill last weekend.

What?

It's weird being outside when it's light, first of all. Then, the weather has been sort of mediocre. Not too inspirational. I've got a couple of Polish asking to be cooked this Friday, we'll see what happens.