No Shake But Plenty Of Fries

My inspiration came from Judy at No Fear Entertaining. She had some "happy burgers" with sliced bleu cheese, caramelized onions, and it just seemed to be the perfect dinner for her cute family.

I usually don't get to cook dinner during the week (because I work at night), so lunch is my big meal (as it should be). I started out making the meal all about the burger, but then I wanted fries. And then I decided I had to do balsamic caramelized onions instead of regular caramelized onions....


It really was all about the fries though.


I used my regular hamburger recipe but I put some crumbled bleu cheese in and on top of the raw burger. I've been seeing pre-made burgers sold in the meat department of my grocery store already mixed with cheese or with crumbled cheese on top; So, I decided to try it and see what's up.



I felt like I was a McDonald's employee. Well, I really don't know how they feel, but...


Look at my little caprese garnish LOL


I put the balsamic onions on the side because I didn't want them to detract from the bleu cheese. The cheese was why I made the meal in the 1st place. And no, that isn't one of my homemade buns. It's a bun left over from...before I bought Artisan Bread in Five Minutes a Day. And I don't remember a time before this book entered my life, so...pffft.


Balsamic Caramelized Vidalia Onions

1/2 lb Vidalia onions, sliced
1/2 cup balsamic vinegar
1 tsp light olive oil
1 tsp black pepper
2 tsp Italian seasoning

Over high heat, sauté the Vidalia onions in the vinegar, oil, pepper, and seasoning until they are browned. Continue cooking until all of the liquid has evaporated.

For advice on making fries, click here.

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About the author

Nikki Miller-Ka

Nikki Miller-Ka

Ms. Miller-Ka is a classically trained chef with a BA in English from East Carolina University and a Culinary Arts Associate Degree from Le Cordon Bleu-Miami.

Formerly, she’s worked as a researcher, an editorial assistant, reporter and guest blogger for various publications and outlets in the Southeast. She has also worked as a catering chef, a pastry chef, a butcher, a baker, and a biscuit-maker. Presently, she is a food editor, freelance food writer, and a tour guide for Taste Carolina Gourmet Food Tours.

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  1. There ain't NOTHIN' better than a good cheeseburger! I have got to try this some time, I never really thought bleu cheese would be a good mix, may have to take a second look at that.

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  2. Crumbled cheese in a burger makes it very, very special. Feta, blue cheese, it all makes people have that certain "wow" factor.

    Speaking of wow, I like how you took the onions up a notch with the balsamic. And trust me, McDonalds kids wish the fries were that good :)

    Oh, and I saw the sugar cookie pics. I like how light and puffy they are.

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  3. Wow! That looks so good! I want those fries right now! Thanks for the link.

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  4. Those fries look absolutely perfect! Oh man what a lunch

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  5. complaint mgr: I have never been a big beef eater, but I can't stop buying it and making burgers! It's like I can't get enough of the caramelized, salty, juicy goodness in my mouth! The bleu cheese was friggin' AWESOME! Hafta thank Judy for that idea.

    Adam: the key is to use sweet onions like red or vidalia. It really sweetens everything up. Oh, and McDonald's can suck it. I didn't need to add "beef flavoring" for those bad boys!

    Judy: No, no...thank YOU for the idea. Really. Fries are my favorite. I love making them. If I could just learn to love oven fries, I'd be OK lol

    Kat: thank you! thank you! I love lunch. I think I should change my blog to Nik Lunch.

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  6. OK, that's it. Now I'm inspired to not only go home and make cornbread and creole butter during this hurricane we're supposed to get tomorrow but also pick up some bleu cheese, hamburger and make some homemade fries :)

    Thanks for the inspiration Nikki!

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  7. mmmm...I love the looks of your lunch here! Your fries look so crispy and delicious! And I've been eyeing some burgers with blue cheese mixed in the meat too...I've got to try it myself!

    The onions sound delicious!

    I keep hearing about this book...I'm thinking I need to just go to amazon right now and buy it.

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  8. Oh my damn, I hate you so much right now. Why did I read this crap? My mouth is so watering, right now, and I want a burger and fries and not just any burger and fries. I want the one in the picture. Sounds so damn good. I hate you. Seriously, I do.

    I want that burger!!!!

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  9. Nikki: Thank you again for mentioning our book (Artisan Bread in Five). You are too kind. But I simply do not believe that you don't remember your life before this silly little book.

    Gratefully,
    Jeff Hertzberg (co-author)
    www.artisanbreadinfive.com

    You already know you can come visit our site and post questions, yes?

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  10. Those onions look like they are to die for. I made quesedillas once with onions like this and it was so hard for me not to eat them all before the quesedillas were served.

    Your fries look great too. They induced one of those, "Wish I could reach into the computer and grab some," moments.

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  11. Lys: You be safe during the "tropical storm" and all. I'm glad I've inspired you to make some food. That's what I'd do during a hurricane!

    aggie: eah, try those burgers in the store. Or make your own.
    I wish I could make them every day. But I have to refrain. I'm in a wedding in March and fries all of the time aren't going to cut it.

    I hope you do get the book. I hope you fall in love, like I did.

    one man: you hate me? well, I hate you...making me laugh out loud while reading your posts. Pffft.:)

    You should get yourself some fries, too. Do you cook?

    Jeff: You're right. I don't remember anything before your book. And I don't want to. Aren't you two working on book #2?? (I love how I'm casually commenting with you. This is GREAT!) LOL


    Rachel: I still have some balsamic onions from that day in the fridge. I don't know what to use them on. I want their application to be perfect...flawless. I don't want to mess up their sweet, peppery joy.

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  12. You know what's interesting is that I made carmelized onions too. I acutally did carmelized onions and peppers in an attempt to make steak tacos - or maybe they were fajitas - who knows - but they were hella good. I had to make a second batch cuz I burned the first one while I was reading blogs - lol.

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  13. Darius: Hey, I made some fajitas yesterday. No caramelized onions though. I still have the onions from this post in the fridge. I might put them with some chimichangas today.

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  14. Now THAT is a proper meal!!!!

    Love the burger and those fries are perfectly done.

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  15. Don: I thought it was a great meal, too. I need more fries in my life.

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