The Ultimate Cheeseburger

Reel Good Recipes concludes Black History Month with the 1975 classic "Cooley High" starring Glynn Turman and Lawrence Hilton-Jacobs. This film brings back bittersweet memories for those of us who remember the music, youth and love of the decade like no other, the 1960s.  

Our recipe for the Ultimate Cheeseburger pays tribute to Martha's Restaurant, which was a little corner "joint" where the Cooley High kids hung out. No one made better burgers - big, juicy and bold, just like Martha. Let this cheeseburger take you back to a time when food was good, simple and easy, even when life was not.

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1 shallot, thinly sliced
1 teaspoon butter
1 teaspoon red wine vinegar 
Dash seasoned salt
Dash lemon pepper
Dash crushed red pepper

Add butter to a saute pan over medium high heat. Add shallots, red wine vinegar, dashes of seasoned salt, lemon pepper, and crushed red pepper. Saute for 3 minutes or until tender. Set aside.

1/2 lb. ground sirloin
1/4 cup milk
1/2 teaspoon seasoned salt
Dash salt
Dashes freshly ground black pepper
2 slices provolone cheese
2 slices cheddar cheese
6 crunchy waffle fries - prepared according to package directions
2 gourmet hamburger buns
Optional toppings - shredded lettuce, Dijon mustard, ketchup, jalapeno peppers, light mayo.

Add ground sirloin, milk, seasoned salt, salt and black pepper to mixing bowl. Mix well. Make four equally sized thin burgers. Add 1 slice of provolone cheese to two burgers. Top with the other burger and press closed. Preheat a grill or large saute pan. Cook for about 3 minutes on each side. Add 1 slice of cheddar cheese to each burger. Turn off heat, cover and let rest in pan for 5 minutes (cheeseburgers should be medium well, but you can adjust the cooking time to your liking).

Warm 2 gourmet hamburger buns. Add a cheeseburger to each bun.  Top with sauteed shallots and waffle fries.  Optional:  Add lettuce, mustard, ketchup, light mayo, jalapeno peppers or other condiments.

Serves 2 to 4.

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