Parental Burgers

Is it possible to make a dinner that will keep the kids happy and the adults interested? Without making two meals? And get it all done in less than 30 minutes? Sometimes.

My kids like their burgers plain. My husband and I like them dressed up. My solution is to make the kids’ patties with no extras, ours stuffed with blue cheese. I grill the burgers and throw slices of red onions over the fire too--those aren’t for the kids, of course.

The burgers are terrific with the basics: a bag of potato or corn chips, pickles and a great green salad. For dessert, we do make-your-own ice cream sundaes and no one has to compromise a thing.

Menu (30 MINUTES OR LESS)

Grilled Onion Blue Cheese Burgers

Great Green Salad

Chips

Ice Cream Sundaes

GRILLED ONION BLUE CHEESE BURGERS (And Plain Ones for the Kids)

1 to 1 1/4 pounds ground beef

Salt, pepper

2 ounces blue cheese

1 red onion

Oil

4 hamburger buns

Catsup, optional

Dijon mustard, optional

Make 2 patties out of 1/2 ground beef. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Set aside.

Divide remainder of beef in 1/2. Form each 1/2 into ball. Poke finger into middle of each ball to make pocket. Stuff 1/2 blue cheese into each ball. Form beef around cheese to seal. Flatten into patties, spreading cheese evenly within meat. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

Slice onion into 1/3-inch-thick slices. Brush with oil. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

Place onion and burgers on grill or grill pan over high heat. Cook burgers until browned, about 5 minutes. Turn and cook 3 to 5 minutes more. Cook onions until dark brown grill marks appear, about 2 minutes. Turn and cook 2 more minutes. Remove from grill and set aside.

Place buns, cut side down, on grill about 1 minute before burgers are done. Remove when lightly toasted.

Place each plain burger on bun. Serve with catsup.

Place blue cheese burgers on bottom halves of remaining 2 buns. Top with grilled onions. Spread inside top half of each bun with Dijon mustard and top burgers.

2 plain burgers and 2 blue-cheese burgers.

Each plain burger:

436 calories; 458 mg sodium; 64 mg cholesterol; 27 grams fat; 28 grams carbohydrates; 20 grams protein; 0.34 gram fiber.

Each blue-cheese burger:

536 calories; 853 mg sodium; 85 mg cholesterol; 35 grams fat; 29 grams carbohydrates; 26 grams protein; 0.34 gram fiber.

GREAT GREEN SALAD

1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar

1 teaspoon Dijon mustard

1/2 teaspoon minced garlic

1/2 teaspoon dried basil

Salt, pepper

3 tablespoons olive oil

1 head endive

1 (5-ounce) bag salad greens

1/2 cup diced cucumber

1/2 cup diced red bell pepper

Combine vinegar, mustard, garlic, basil and salt and pepper to taste. Whisk in olive oil.

Slice endive. Place in bowl with salad greens, cucumber and bell pepper. Toss with dressing just before serving.

4 servings. Each serving:

128 calories; 136 mg sodium; 0 cholesterol; 11 grams fat; 7 grams carbohydrates; 2 grams protein; 1.68 grams fiber.

COUNTDOWN

20 minutes before: Make salad dressing. Combine endive, salad greens, cucumber and bell pepper. Preheat grill or grill pan.

15 minutes before: Slice onion. Make burger patties.

10 minutes before: Begin grilling burgers and onions.

6 minutes before: Remove onions from grill.

5 minutes before: Flip burgers. Toss salad.

2 minutes before: Remove burgers. Grill buns.

Just before serving: Assemble burgers and serve salad. Set out chips and pickles.

Before dessert: Set out ice cream, whipped cream and sundae topping.

INGREDIENTS

STAPLES

Balsamic vinegar

Dried basil

Catsup

Garlic

Dijon mustard

Olive oil

Vegetable oil

Pepper

Dill pickles

Potato chips

Salt

SHOPPING LIST

1 to 1 1/4 pounds ground beef

1 red bell pepper

2 ounces blue cheese

1 cucumber

1 head endive

1 (8-count) package hamburger buns

1 pint vanilla ice cream

1 red onion

1 (5-ounce) bag salad greens

Chocolate sauce

1 (7-ounce) can instant whipped cream

Candy sprinkles, M&Ms; or other favorite sundae toppings

*

Bowl from Freehand, Los Angeles.