Katie Lee Joel's Memorial Day Burgers with Bourbon Slush

Memorial Day is just around the corner. Have you got your menu dialed in? Usually everyone breaks out the grill in anticipation of a backyard barbecue, but what if it rains? Always a possibility for Seattle. In a recent issue of People magazine, Katie Lee Joel, aka Mrs. Billy Joel, offered a recipe for her prize-winning Logan County Burger that doesn’t require a grill, as well as a yummy-sounding cocktail called Bourbon Slush. Apparently, Mrs. Joel is a respected chef, food critic, and cookbook author. Who knew? (You all probably did. I didn’t.)

At last fall’s New York Wine and Food Festival, Katie Lee won top honor at the Burger Bash contest with this recipe. And now there’s talk of her opening a restaurant that serves the fare of her West Virginian home-grown roots.

People magazine lists this menu as costing $4.70 per person.

Logan County Burger
Serves 6

Ingredients:
1 lb. ground beef (85%) lean
1 large egg, lightly beaten
1 medium yellow onion, half grated, the other half thinly sliced
1/4 tsp. garlic powder
1 tsp. kosher salt
1 tsp. freshly ground black pepper
12 slices of white bread
2 tbsp. unsalted butter, softened
12 slices American cheese

Directions:
1. In a bowl, combine beef, egg, grated onion, garlic powder, salt and pepper. Form thin patties. Spread butter on one side of each slice of bread.

2. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook the burgers about 3 minutes on each side. Drain on paper towels. Drain grease from the skillet.

3. In the same skillet, place six slices of bread, butter side down. Top each with a slice of cheese, some onions and a burger. Top with remaining slices of cheese and bread, butter side up. Cook each sandwich until golden brown, about 2 minutes per side.

Bourbon Slush
Serves 10

Ingredients:
3 cups bourbon
24 oz. frozen lemonade concentrate, thawed
12 oz. frozen orange juice concentrate, thawed
4 cups strong brewed tea

Directions:
In a 1-1/2-gallon pitcher, mix bourbon, juices and tea. Stir in 3 quarts water. Place in freezer. Stir after 8 hours. Continue to freeze for 2 hours more, and up to 2 days. Defrost 30 minutes before serving. Stir and serve in a mason jar.

–Sweet B