Mini Burgers

Charles decided to stop eating beef and pork at the beginning of this year. He had seen documentaries about meat processing and talked to a friend who convinced him that it was healthier not to eat beef and pork. (Oh yeah, that same friend fell off the wagon two days later - to bacon, of course. You know who you are!)

Let’s just say, it's been a tough seven months. Especially since Charles is not a big fan of seafood. (He’s a very picky eater, no matter how much he denies it.)

A friend had given us a gift certificate to a steakhouse. Last Saturday night, neither of us felt like cooking or had the desire to go out for dinner. This steakhouse has curb side service (yeah, possibly the greatest thing ever). Now, we had been going to this steakhouse for years before Charles’ new found, quasi-vegetarian phase. (He still eats chicken, which I do like, but for the love of God, how much chicken can you eat, day after day after day…?)

Charles had always ordered the steakhouse’s special steak, with baked potato and salad – every visit. It was his routine. (Picky eater, right?) On that Saturday night, when he suggested we use the gift certificate, he said “I’ll just get their chicken.”

He placed our orders and jumped in the car to go pick up dinner. When he returned home, he called me to the kitchen in a bit of a panic.

He had ordered, out of routine, his usual – steak special, with baked potato and salad! Immediately, I’m thinking, has the dam been broken? Is the dry spell over? Will we see beef and pork in the house again? He did eat the steak, but sadly, has not gone near meat again since.

Meanwhile, I’ve been eyeing this mini hamburger griller. It’s perfect for making sliders, which would be great party food. I can dream, can’t I? Someday, he’ll come to his senses and the days of bacon will return.

Sur La Table