Can a Burger kick the January Blues?

January is a dull month.  Cash is tight, your jeans are tighter, everyone is in detox mode and then there’s black Monday, scientifically the most miserable day of the year.  Well screw that, it’s now Friday 29^th and there’s only two more days of the month to go and what better way to round it out than tucking into a nice juicy burger?  Think about it – tasty, well priced and a treat, something not to be had too often but utterly delicious when you do have it.  The Super Bowl is also just around the corner and a burger, a beer and the big game are as about as American as it gets!  So stick a feather in your cap and whistle Yankee Doodle Dandy as we get the burgers on. 

I’ll be honest, January has been a good month for me, the sun is out, family and friends have visited, life has been non-stop entertaining and I’m only just getting around to my first blog of the year.  Things, however, are tight in the jeans department and it may be the three burgers I’ve “tested” (for research purposes): 1, the fast food burger, 2, the mid-price restaurant burger, 3, the more expensive, gastropub, grass fed organic burger.  The quality of the meat in burger 3 far outstripped the others, however they were all excellent in their own way.  Sure burger 1 was quick and cheap and somehow felt a bit dirty but it was exactly what I’d wanted in that moment in time.  Burger 2 was consumed at an outdoor music bar, the warm evening air, a few cold beers and some ideal fodder.  Burger 3 was shared over a cocktail in a hip NYC gastropub and it was undeniably excellent, hearty and tasty and not too fancy which is good because there’s a trend in burger world to elevate them to haute cuisine status. 

Look no further than Burger King to pull off such a “stunt” and create the worlds most expensive hamburger – sold at only one West London outlet and in aid of Help a London Child – Wagyu beef, onions marinated in Cristal Champagne, white truffles, bla bla bla.  World Renowned chef, Daniel Boulud has been offering up over-priced hamburgers since 1994, his DB Double Truffle Burger sold for $130 but in a telling sign of Wall Street crashes his signature burger can now be enjoyed without the truffles for a don’t-have-corporate-expenses-anymore $32. For those with less cash and a strong stomach, Dyer’s Burgers in Memphis Tennessee have been frying their patties in the same oil since 1912 for a “truly unique flavor”.  Or maybe big is your thing, if so, head to Pennsylvania for a burger that’s mammoth enough to feed 200 people. 

For the majority of those in America, I’m certain that burgers will be on the menu next weekend at the Super Bowl but if you have no desire to follow big men running around a field, then think of sitting down to a burger as a way of showing the diet who’s boss, as a celebration for having made it through January, or a chance to catch up with friends over a cold drink, a hot hamburger and your favourite bar.  

Burger Kings charity burger 

All I want for Christmas is . . .

At Christmas time, remember, the calories don’t count!  Chocolate Yule log should be eaten in hearty slices with a side order of trifle and a bowlful of brandy-blazing Christmas pudding.  A mince pie should be considered a staple breakfast item and a napkin full of canapés and five glasses of champagne is a reasonable meal supplement during the holiday season. 

It is with great disappointment, however, that mince pies are not an American Christmas Tradition; according to TV shows and fancy food magazines, gingerbread houses are all the rage in America.  Naturally, I'm wondering who it is that has the time or skill to bake, make and decorate a gingerbread house like Martha Stewart’s?  I tried my hand at cookies the other day and failed miserably so I’ll pass on the gingerbread house but it did remind me of the infamous British TV quote: Well, goodnight, and I hope your doughnuts turn out like Fanny's.  Over here in the US, croissants turn into crescent rolls, Yule log becomes Bûche de Noël, devilled eggs seems to be having a renaissance and I’m still waiting to have my first cup of Eggnog - like in the movies!   

Thank god that alcohol is a consistent, and as I’ve mentioned in the past, Christmas day is a great excuse for drinking Champagne for breakfast.  This year we’re going one better and adding a Bloody Mary bar into the mix because nothing says, “festivities” quite like a large bottle of vodka and champagne flutes full of bubbles at 10 am.  Inevitably, when I'm completely full of food and alcohol I'll inch towards the leftover turkey and holiday ham for the traditional stuffing sandwich... and perhaps a last pick of the cheese board to round the whole day off.  

As Wizard said: I wish it could be Christmas every day.  My waistline is ever so thankful it’s not! 

(Next Friday is Christmas Day so there will be no blog but if you got to the end of this article and didn't click on 'American Christmas Tradition' in the second paragraph then think of this as my little gift from Saturday Night Live)

The Real Spirit of Christmas...

With all this talk of food I’ve failed to talk about my favourite accompaniment - alcohol!   And what is a great meal without a good drink to wash it down? Like many others, I find there’s no better way to get into the festive mood than to share a drink with family and friends; work takes second place to festive parties, everyone needs something medicinal to get through the madness and Christmas Day represents one of the best excuses to drink Champagne from the time you get out of your bed, until you retire into it again.  Alcohol is also an excellent gift so I’ve put together some intriguing ideas from the wine and spirit world.

 

First up, Piper-Heidsieck joined forces with Christian Louboutin to offer something for the fashionista in your life, the crystal, stiletto-shaped Champagne flute and accompanying special edition Champagne that is sure to bring out your inner burlesque diva for a smooth $500. 

In Paris, La Tour d’Argent opened their world-renowned wine cellar (estimated to hold more than 450,000 bottles valued at €25 million and guarded 24 hours a day, 365 days a year by its own security team) to auction off 18,000 vintages for those with a penchant for fine wine and deep pockets.  For those on a more conservative budget, the Beaujolais Biker Brigade kicked-off the Beaujolais Nouveau season in New York and Miami.  This wine should be consumed at its peak from mid November – early Jan and should be served at a cool 55 degrees, making it ideal for Floridian festivities. 

Finally, if you’re looking for the best time to drink your favourite wine then consider purchasing this book: When Wine Tastes Best 2010: A Biodynamic Calendar for Wine Drinkers. The book pinpoints the best days and hours to drink different wines based on the Biodynamic principles of the moon and the constellations.  If you’re skeptical or simply believe that wine is good at any time (you’re not alone) then take into consideration that two of the UK’s largest supermarkets use these principles when they are showcasing their new wines. 

Alternatively, stick to the usual PJ and socks gift combo and keep all of that sweet liquor and smooth wine for yourself.  Whatever your libation and wherever you are in the world, lets raise a glass to friends and family, no matter how near or far!