Another way to sneak a little more booze into your day.

Cock•tail Food: Sneaking booze into the times of day when you're not drinking.

Origins: We love Bloody Marys. Who doesn't? Especially since the advent of the Bloody Mary Buffet, seen in many forms but most dear to our hearts Sunday Mornings at the Hotel Congress. Because they have a ton of awesome stuff you can put in it. Like roasted garlic, artichokes, roasted red pepper coulis, goat cheese, feta, avocado!

It's common among our circle to refer to Bloody Mary's as a meal replacement drink. So we took our joke one step further... making it into an actual meal. So here's an homage to our favorite drink, mixed in to an American classic burger.

Bloody Mary Burger (on a Cracked Wheat bun with Goat Cheese, Green Olive Roasted Garlic Tapenade, and Red Onion cooked in a Balsamic saute, red lettuce and Roma Tomato.) Served with Red Skin Baby Potato Wedges w/ a Horseradish Paprika Creme AND a Vodka shot.

Excited and naive, we thought we invented this beautiful thing. But a quick google search spoiled that warm thought. Understand though, that after a taste test of this recipe you will agree that ours kicks Rachel Ray's ass. Suck it RAY RAY.

Let's Get Started:

Bloody Mary Burger

2 lb of ground bison

chopped celery

worcheshire

horseradish

hot sauce

tomato paste

salt, pepper

roasted garlic

2 shots of VODKA

...and later

red onion

goat cheese

cracked wheat bun

Mix all of these ingredients together in a mixing bowl, one shot for you and the other into the meat. Then portion out to 8 patties. You can grill on a George Forman* to keep the patties from falling apart.

We grabbed a portion of green olives stuffed with garlic at the olive bar at any upper middle class market (Safeway, AJs, Sunflower, etc). And finely chopped it into a tapenade. But you can also use a food processor.

Saute the red onion cut in large rings in a Balsamic Vinegar. Toast buns. Dress with lettuce, goat cheese (the "herbed" kind saves you some time), onions, tapenade.

Wedges

red skin potatoes (cut into wedges)

cayenne

olive oil

salt

bake 350... 'til golden brown.

Baking VS. Frying (and we'll tell you this over and over.)

By baking with olive oil, instead of frying with vegetable or canola oil or LARD, you have A LOT more control over how much oil you're consuming. And olive oil is preferred because of its SUPERFOOD status, so you're allowing "good fats" into your diet. This feels like a junk food but really, this recipe is 150 calories per serving (big ol' handful) compared to a Micky Dees fries at about 350 calories per serving.

Plus baking isn't just healthier, HOT SEX TIP: There's no risk of awful grease burns when baking instead of frying your potatoes. Which is a relief, because you'll be drinking Vodka throughout the prep and consumption of this glorious meal. And if you're like us, VODKA = NAKED.

Pair with Horseradish Créme

Sour cream + horseradish + paprika + THYME!

L-word,

Hank and Laura

*If you don't have a George Foreman, what are you doing with your life? They're like $7 at the Good Will.