Susie's Shortcake

The best part about this recipe is the simplicity to happiness ratio. I know shortcake makes me really happy, but it has a special place for Phil because his mom used to make it. Then, she hand wrote the recipe with love and now I'm making it for him an taking all the credit, mwahaha! No, just kidding, the credit definitely goes to Susie. This shortcake proves that the best food is simple and from the heart. Awww, let's all hug like its the end of an episode of Full House.

Susie's Shortcake

Adapted by Amanda

Ingredients:

2 cups flour

2 teaspoons baking powder Fun fact: BP is what makes it shortCAKE and not shortBREAD, thanks Wikipedia!

1/2 teaspoons salt

1/4 cup sugar

5 tablespoons oil

2 tablespoons melted butter

3/4 cup milk

1. Mix together all the ingredients. First time I made it I just dumped the hot butter into the cold milk and the butter got all clumpy, but the cake turned out fine. Second time I made it I slowly added the hot butter to the milk, no clumps this time, but I don't think it made a difference in the final product, so dump away!

2. Pour into a greased pan. I used 9in round metal pan and Phil says Susie does too, you could use a loaf pan.

3. Bake 12-15min at 425.

Serving suggestions:

-Strawberry shortcake- serve up a piece of cake with sliced strawberries and cool whip, or real whip cream if you are feeling fancy. You could even try different kinds of fruit, I bet peaches would be awesome.

-Shortcake and Milk (Phil's favorite)- Put a piece shortcake in a bowl, add some sliced strawberries, pour on some cold milk. Great for breakfast.

Susie's handwritten recipe, with Phil and Amanda's shopping list for burgers on the right. If you were thinking smoked mozzarella and bacon don't go well with shortbread, you are right.

The ingredients- I bet you have all this stuff in your pantry. What are we waiting for? Start cooking!

So easy- ingredients in the bowl...

...mix...

...put in the greased pan...

...bake...

...and serve!

Burger Paradise

Yesterday I typed "paradise" into my GPS and that's exactly where I ended up. More specifically, Paradise Pup, a tiny burger/hot dog joint in Des Plaines, Illinois that serves fast food Chicago style. My belly was rumbling as I approached but I whispered "I know we're here but there will probably be a line, but don't worry, it will be worth it".* The only thing more famous than the char grilled burgers at the Pup is the line which is usually out the door on "warm"** days like this. Somehow the foodie gods were smiling on me because there was no line! I stepped up to the counter and ordered the following: Chicago style hot dog, cheddar burger, 3 layer fries and chocolate banana milkshake. While I could have easily consumed all this food myself, Scott was nice enough to come along to save me a few calories as well as act as photographer. He actually had to stop me from chowing down so he could take a picture.

The burger, sitting pretty on its fresh tasting, soft, glorious bun tasted charred and delicious. Fresh veggies and grilled onions came along for the ride, and the cheddar cheese came to play- it was sharp and flavorful. I later found out the cheddar was from my new home state, Wisconsin.

I won't bore you with long descriptions of the other foods, since you are probably drooling right now and ready to get in a car or on a plane to come try burger paradise for yourself.

*If you have been reading my blog you know how obsessed I am with food and probably aren't surprised I talk to my belly.

**Using quotes here because as a Virginian I would not consider 65 degrees warm, but hey, I'm a Midwest transplant now, my standards are changing.

The burger of my dreams.

3 layer fries!

Yep, these burgers are famous!