Cheeseburgers and Parmesan steak fries

Last weekend Jeff decided to make the most incredible burgers in all the land, and, as is his wont, he scoured the internet for just the right recipe.  He opted to leave out the brisket, choosing to go with a 50-50 sirloin/chuck thing, but other than that Jeff followed the fake Shake Shack burger recipe to a T.  Divine.  While Jeff made the burgers happen, I decided to see if Ellie Krieger's new cookbook could show me how to make acceptable steak fries.  My hopes were low; my skepticism was high.  How could Ms. Healthy Eating Means One Teaspoon of Mayo possibly deliver anything other than substandard fries?  But the recipe looked very easy, and potatoes are cheap, so I decided to give her a chance.

INGREDIENTS

• cooking spray
• 2 large russet potatoes (about 1 1/2 pounds total)
• 1 tablespoon canola oil  <-- I opted for extra virgin olive oil because there's something about canola oil that makes me think "weird and not good enough"
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan (3/4-ounce)
• Salt

DIRECTIONS

Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F.  Spray a baking sheet with cooking spray.

Cut each of the potatoes in half lengthwise.  Rest each half on its flat side and cut each half lengthwise, straight down into 4 even slices.  You will have 16 slices altogether.  Cut the rounded edge off of the outermost slices so each slice can lay completely flat on either side.  She is such a control freak!!  Put the potatoes into a medium bowl and toss with the oil.

Place the potatoes on a baking tray and bake for 20 minutes.  Sprinkle the potatoes with cheese on their up-facing side and continue to bake for another 15 to 20 minutes (maybe I was using smaller potatoes, but mine were done after 12), until they are crisp and golden brown. There is no need to turn them.  Season with salt and serve immediately.

These were in fact awesome.  Not as awesome as actual french fries that are *fried,* but awesome as far as steak fries go.  A perfect side man to Jeff's over-the-top front man.  Also, don't believe her when she says that four fries equal one serving.  They equal one half of a serving.

Jeff just said, "Next week: venison."  JOKE.  We've spotted a male and female deer walking around our backyard a few times.  Whenever we see them, we run for our cameras, but so far Jeff has been the only one to successfully photograph them.

I took some photos on my drive home from work Friday.  

These are my favorite telephone poles in Champaign County.  Fabulous double triangle design.  Something compels me to keep track of this kind of thing.

After an exceptionally rainy October, the fields are finally dry enough for the farmers to harvest the corn and beans. 

I love watching the corn change from dark blue green in summer to a light golden beige.  I'd imagine that people who want blond hair look at corn this color and ache.  Or maybe that's just me.

I don't think I've ever seen the corn get this old and bedraggled.  It's kind of creepy and I will miss it when it's gone, although I won't miss the feeling that I'm driving down a hallway.

I also admire this enormous ornamental grass somebody is growing on Philo Road.  Hypnotic in the breeze!

And finally, please admire this substandard photo of Nico Case.  We saw her Friday night at the Canopy Club.  Her voice is a force of nature and I was so happy to see her live.  Thank you Jeff!

Comments

[melinda]

Dontcha just love Neko's teensy alto axe? It's starting to get that war-torn, Willie Nelson-esque look! http://farm1.static.flickr.com/121/278625791_04107a45f2.jpg
Beautiful road shots!

[Kelly]

Heh! I totally thought Willie Nelson when I saw that guitar!

[Anna]

I'm a frequent reader and I love your blog.
I wasn't going to comment until you mentioned Neko Case, whom I love. :)

[Kelly]

Thank you Anna! Neko's music has helped me through some tough, lonely times, that's for sure.

[Anna]

You're welcome! Your blog really is one of the best. I'd ask you to update it more often but I know there's a lot of work in making each post so good...so just do it like you're doing it. :)

[bj]

Here when we see deer we run for our shotguns not our cameras. That is if I were the gun totting type, which I am most certainly not! But they do eat everything that ever blooms in our gardens. Are they to blame? Not really since the developers displaced them with their rampant building for the last few years. The irony: post financial crash, the McMansions are now abandoned.

[Kelly]

That's so true, bj.

[Julia Evelsizer]

So im subscribed to emily on youtube and because of her video i decided to check out your blog. I love looking at all of your recipes, pictures of your feline children, art, and just your life. i feel like i know you because ive spent the last half hour clicking through your blog (with my stomach growling by the way...) I live in bloomington normal illinois which is why i started reading your blog in the first place :]
just wanted to say i love your artistic/eclectic style and i will be keeping up with your blogs from now on :]