Beat The Heat And Our Son’s Secret Ingredient For A+ Hamburgers
Beat the heat by grilling outdoors! I am spilling our son’s secret ingredient for A+ hamburgers. There is also grilled sweet corn with lime, Cathi’s chilled gazpacho and an easy way to serve several guests.
Here I am with girlfriends (Dorothy, me, Mercedes, Netta) at a party in our backyard last week.
It’s Five Fave time with Annie and Cindy!
1. Easy Room Temperature Appetizers And Cocktails Inside Until It Cools Down Outside
Recently, our daughter put out a couple of antipasto platters on the kitchen island so guests could have a nibble before dinner.
We served Aperol Spritz‘s and Negroni’s inside until dusk (I read in a southern magazine that that was kinder than making your guests boil outside). It’s been in the low 90’s here!
2. Tommy’s Secret Ingredient For A+ Hamburgers
He caramelizes two sliced red onions in two tablespoons of olive oil and one tablespoon of butter over low heat. Sprinkle with a pinch of salt.
Keep stirring and keep an eye on them for 45 to 60 minutes until they are browned and dark caramel in color.
Then, once you have cooked the hamburgers on one side, flip them and smear the caramelized onions on the cooked side. You can add a slice of cheese here, if desired.
Lightly toast the hamburger buns and serve.
Let your guests add mayo, ketchup and mustard along with sliced tomatoes and crunchy lettuce.
3. Grilled Corn With Lime, Butter And Tajin Mexican Seasoning
In the bottom of a large bowl, Tommy put two tablespoons of chopped butter. Then he placed the hot grilled corn in the bowl and stirred the corn and sprinkled it with the juice from one to two limes and Tajin Lime Chili seasoning seasoning (or you could just use salt).
4. Chilled Gazpacho
I love chilled Gazpacho in the summer and Cathi’s smooth version from the NY Times did not disappoint! If the link doesn’t work for you, see a sweet reader’s comment below.
5. Easy Breezy Utensils And Napkins For A Crowd
Guests can help themselves to the bamboo utensils in the wicker caddy (similar) and grab a luxe paper napkin. We like to use bamboo plates too, for the easy cleanup and the eco-friendly properties.
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Also, if you received this post by email, you know that our son, Tommy and Mona got engaged while with us last week. We couldn’t be happier!
Let’s see what Annie and Cindy’s Five Faves are this week:
Most Lovely Things
Cindy Hattersley Design
On My Radar:
Congratulations to Tommy and Mona. Love the use of the bamboo plates and paper napkins. My favourite were the platters of antipasto by Alexandra ( maybe that’s the Italian in me, lol.).
Mary Ann,
Congratulations to Tommy and Mona! Beautiful photo of the two of them. And a beautiful photo of you with your friends!
This look like a wonderful party! So many great tips and recipes!
Have a wonderful week.
Great post Mary Ann, Congrats on your son’s engagement; beautiful couple. Would you share where you purchased the pretty large bowl that the ears of corn were served in? Stay cool!
Oh I love that melamine bowl…but it’s sold out at Target. Might be in your local store. Only $10
Congratulations on your son and his girlfriend’s engagement, they are a beautiful couple. I can’t wait to try the red onions on a burger, looks delicious. Can you share where you found your long blue tunic? It looks so pretty and comfortable? Thank you
Thanks, Jen. A reader, Lisa commented below where she found it online.
MA! Congrats to Tommy & Mona on their engagement! So exciting!!! xo
Congratulations to Tommy and Mona and you all Mary Ann. Many great times ahead to look forward to!
Wow…what a fantastic weekend. Congratulations to Tommy and Mona, boy what a gorgeous couple! And what a beautiful engagement location on the beach, I can feel the love! You are the best entertainer, you and your gal pals are so lucky to be able to share fun times together. Makes me want to move to Florida and be your neighbor!
Boy, between you, Howard, Tommy and Luca, you must eat like kings and queens. Thank you for sharing these delicious recipes, perfect for this hot summer weather.
Hugs!
Thanks, Gail…I wish you would move here! But Alie and Luca found a house in Highland Park…hopefully not too far from you.
This was such a fun post and terrific inspiration for summer entertaining! My husband makes the same onion topping, and burgers just aren’t the same without them. Congratulations on your son’s engagement. Those two should head straight to Hollywood – what a gorgeous couple! Thank you for showing us that beautiful living need not be complicated or difficult. I’ve enjoyed your blog for many years and it just gets better and better.
This choked me up a bit, Lisa.
Sounds like your husband is a good cook!
Yes, when it’s that hot, it’s time to stay inside with a/c. Keeping dinner light is a good idea too. Nobody wants heavy food on a hot, hot day.
Congratulations to the lovely couple. A wedding is always exciting. Your family is growing Mary Ann.
Wonderful news Mary Ann!! Congratulations to Tommy and Mona!! How incredibly exciting! I love the recipes thank you. Beautiful pictures, what a day!!
Thank God for a/c!
Hi Mary Ann,
Oh wow, what wonderful news. I loved the picture so much at the beach and how Tommy proposed to Mona, and the one of them sitting on the beach. Mona is gorgeous and Tommy so handsome. They make a striking couple.
Great picture of you and your gal pals that you had over for a meal. Everyone is all smiles. You know how to keep the connection going. Your dress is pretty over your white leggings. I donated mine because they were too thick.
It’s amazing that your kids and hubs and you are all cooks. Howard really gets into it, a fabulous interest and gift to have. I made a few notes on Tommy’s secret to yummy caramelized onions. Tgx for sharing.
Thanks so much, Katherine. They are so in love.
Looks as if you had a 5 star week. Congratulations on your son’s engagement!
That gazpacho recipe has been buzzed about on another blog I read. Someone supplied the recipe. I’ll paste it below.
Ingredients
About 2 pounds ripe red tomatoes, cored and roughly cut into chunks
1 Italian frying (cubanelle) pepper or another long, light green pepper, such as Anaheim, cored, seeded and roughly cut into chunks
1 cucumber, about 8 inches long, peeled and roughly cut into chunks
1 small mild onion (white or red), peeled and roughly cut into chunks
1 clove garlic
2 teaspoons sherry vinegar, more to taste
Salt
½ cup extra-virgin olive oil, more to taste, plus more for drizzling
Combine tomatoes, pepper, cucumber, onion and garlic in a blender or, if using a hand blender, in a deep bowl. (If necessary, work in batches.) Blend at high speed until very smooth, at least 2 minutes, pausing occasionally to scrape down the sides with a rubber spatula.
With the motor running, add the vinegar and 2 teaspoons salt. Slowly drizzle in the olive oil. The mixture will turn bright orange or dark pink and become smooth and emulsified, like a salad dressing. If it still seems watery, drizzle in more olive oil until texture is creamy.
Strain the mixture through a strainer or a food mill, pushing all the liquid through with a spatula or the back of a ladle. Discard the solids. Transfer to a large pitcher (preferably glass) and chill until very cold, at least 6 hours or overnight.
Hey thanks, Lisa! I was going to do that but now I guess I don’t have to 🙂
Congratulations!! Such excitement for everyone!! I’m definitely going to try the grilled onion and corn recipes!! Looks delish!!
Thanks, Martha!
Congrats to the beautiful couple!
Just shared Tommy’s secret hamburger ingredient with my husband. Love caramelized onions!
Where did you find the blue tunic/dress you are wearing in the photo with your girlfriends? So cute and looks comfy.
I got it at a little local store and couldn’t find it online…sorry!
Hi Marie, This may help you find Mary Ann’s cute, blue Donna Gorman dress. I like it too and did a quick image search (no affiliation). https://www.seedesignshop.com/ There are several patterns, silhouettes, bags, and a home collection too.
Thanks, Lisa…it really is lightweight and cool to wear right now.
Congratulations on Tommy and Mona’s engagement. Love the beach proposal pictures. The recipes look yummy. I tried to get to the gazpacho but it is a NYT subscriber only. Tommy’s onion trick is genius.
I have been looking for white leggings like those you are wearing under the lovely dress. Might you be able to share where to get some? My legs aren’t as nice as they used to be and some light cotton or cotton blend legging would do the trick. It’s hot here in Northern California so my white jeans are too heavy.
I liked your peach and apricot desert and decorating ideas.
Always a pleasure to read,
Thank you
A kind reader pasted the recipe in the comments! Here is the link to the cotton leggings: https://rstyle.me/+-aii3TwaXRGtejXxDqrqhQ
They come in capri or regular length.
What a fun weekend! Congratulations to Tommy and Mona!
Thanks, Pat…a very fun long weekend!
Congratulations to Tommy and Mona on their engagement! Our oldest son also proposed to our daughter-in-law on the beach at a family vacation 3 years ago and it was so fun to celebrate with them afterward. These recipes look amazing. It must be wonderful to have a husband and son who love to cook. My husband mans the grill but I have to call out, “It’s time to flip!” or things might get overdone. Always enjoy your posts!
You have a fun family, Kelly!
Congratulations to Tommy and Mona!! That’s so exciting! Love the photos!! Sounds like an exciting weekend! Xx
Thanks, Annie…I bet you will have similar news soon!