Brioche Bun Love

Right. I love brioche. In loaf form, cake form whatever form I can find. But Aldi now stock brioche burger buns. These are hard to find, so I have stocked up and popped them in my freezer incase they stop selling them. This would be a serious mistake.

We love a good burger in our house but we are both very picky about them. It's so easy to get a crappy burger. Dry, greasy or gristly. But I think not only do you need a great patty but you need a great bun. One that is soft enough to squidge so you can fit it all in your gob. The brioche bun is also a little sweet and it's very light. All complimenting the meaty goodness inside.

We go for bacon cheese burgers, every time. They rule. So I buy the aberdeen angus burgers from Aldi, they are fresh and always lovely and juicy. They are big boys too. 

I then fry them in a pan getting a good crust on the outside and then cooking on a lower heat to cook the middle. Half way through cooking I pop in two rashers of smoked streaky bacon. Do NOT use non streaky, its lame.

Whilst the meat is a cooking I prep the extras. I butter the rolls, slice up the tomatoes and chop the cheese. I add mature cheddar to mine along with a cheese slice but leave it out of Dans.

God, look at it. But wait, before you serve it up I like to toast my buns in the frying pan butter side down for a minute or so to give a little colour and texture, whilst they are toasting I pop the cheese slices on the burgers while they are still in the pan until melting perfection is completed. I then construct the burgers and serve with skinny chips or home made wedges. It's up to you. Go mad.

A burger isn't the only way to serve a brioche bun, no no no. Why not add pulled pork? I've given you my recipe before on the blog so go back and take a peek.

Pull it and shuv it into your toasted brioche buns with extra BBQ sauce and enjoy!

I'm off to stuff my face. I suggest you do too.

Lone Star Grill Milton Keynes

Right, you need to read this post. It's important!

Lone Star Grill. It doesn't look much from the outside, but all the best places don't. 

It's situated just inside MK, really easy to find. It's by the Sainsburys and nestled in a pretty odd little shopping area. We have been like 5 times since finding it, we didn't find it very long ago. Shhhh. Oh and we are going again on Saturday with the Mother and John.

I apologize hugely for the pants pictures but it's dark in there and I was too excited. They have tomato ketchup squeezy tomatoes. Yay.

Cool interior, warehouse like with very high ceilings. It doesn't seat very many so you might have to wait. If you live in MK then they do take out! I may move to MK just for this.

I don't get excited about much, but I do about food. Then usually I am sad and disappointed, not this time. Even Daniel who isn't a 'foodie' nearly wept over his wings.

Really.

I went for the coke float, best thing ever. They do great shakes too, very weird flavours. More on that later.

They also gave us free pretzels, we have only been given these once though, I just realised. I feel cheated.

I have one complaint. The smoker was broken! I'm not complaining about this really, they cant help it. What I am complaining about is that they didn't tell us until I went up to order! I had to re order last min and I hate that!

Thats my only moan, promise.

Worlds worst picture alert 

I was giddy from the smokey aromas 

This doesn't look too great but trust me, it was. I went for the meatloaf with homemade baked beans and texas bread. The beans were the highlight, truly great. The meatloaf was yummy too. And it was served in a little red basket. Hearty, homemade food. No freezers or microwaves. Finally.

I had the mac n cheese as a side. Nice but a little watery for my taste. I prefer the school dinner kind. You know the kind I mean, crusty on top, thick and oozy.

Daniel went for the Buffalo Wings. He ate them in silence, looking very sweaty.

He seriously LOVED them. Like loved them so much he spoke about them the entire way home. I have never seen him too bothered over food, this is how I know these were good. Plus I stole a bite. They come with ranch and celery.

He got sweet potato fries for his side. They were great. Best we've had. 

Defeated. 

Right, don't judge. We went again, the next day! We took Katie and Daniel along for the ride. They also loved it. Look how happy he looks.

This is the Peanut Butter and Jelly shake. It literally tasted like a PB&J sandwich.

Old Stout Cider for Dan and a Cream Soda for me. I heart CS.

Dan went for the Honey Mustard wings. They were also great, but I think he preferred the Buffalo.

We went for some sides, Hush Puppies. Which are southern sweet corn fritters.

Katie went for the pulled pork in a brioche bun. Also lovely.

Another side of bacon wrapped cream cheese stuffed jalapenos. Amazing. Hot. Dan ate them all, the cheese hater. 

We went for both skinny fries and sweet potato fries. Both Yum. I dislike chunky chips. Unless they are extra crispy and fluffy, which they usually are not. 

Daniel C went for the Southern Fried Chicken Burger with the 4 cheese blend and chorizo. Looked great!

The hush puppie close up.

I went for a bacon burger with the 4 cheese blend. It was a cracker. Oozy and moist meet with squidgy cheese, all melty and yum. The brioche bun is the star though, it makes the burger.

Look at that cheese. Oh my god, I'm starving and I cant wait until Saturday!

Watch and name twins.

They do cool beers too with lovely little labels. 

We polished off the meal with two key lime pies. I ate one to myself as my Dan isn't a pudding fan. 

All in all Lone Star Grill is amazing. It's family run, fresh, a little quirky and the food is wonderful. I cant say I say that much about anywhere else. We have been searching for somewhere exactly like this for ages. We are so glad we found you LSG and we will be back. On Saturday to be exact. Get exited Mum and John! I am going to defo have the smoked brisket.

Also we owe Katie and Daniel another trip, we haven't forgotten!

Quick and easy King Ranch Chicken Casserole

Another of my Southern Style dishes. This is super easy, all in one dish and just shoved in the oven. I didn't use cheese in mine (I put it on mine after cooking) as Daniel isn't a fan. Weirdo. 

This is a creamy, tomatoey, nacho, mexicany delight.

What you'll need:

2 tbsp butter

1 medium onion, chopped

1 medium green pepper, chopped

1 pressed garlic clove

3/4 cup chicken stock

1 tin cream of mushroom soup

1 tin cream of chicken soup

2 tins chopped tomatoes 

1 tsp dried oregano

1 tsp ground cumin

1 tsp chili powder

1 tsp fajita seasoning or mexican seasoning

2 pounds of cooked chicken (could use a roast chicken)

3 cups of mature cheddar

3 cups of crumbled lime tortilla chips

The recipe list sounds pretty lengthy but it isn't really. You usually have those bits and bobs in your kitchen. If you don't have all the herbs and spices then just go without or use something else. Experiment!

What you need to do:

Preheat the oven to 180 C and melt the butter in a large pan or skillet. 

Now saute your onions for about 5 mins until they are soft. Now add the green pepper and garlic and cook for a further 3-4 mins. 

Stir in the chicken stock, both soups, the tomatoes and all the spices. Cook now for 8-10 mins and stir occasionally. 

Now grease your baking dish. I just used a regular pie one, try not to over fill. The book says a 13x9 inch one. Layer half of the cooked chicken on the bottom, now cover with half the soup mixture and one cup of cheddar. I'm so jealous that you get to put cheese in yours. 

Now pop on half of the crumbled tortillas and then repeat the layers once more and top with remaining cup of cheese. 

Bake now for 55-60 mins until bubbly and oozy and yummy.

Go on make it,

Its the best.

Recipe from Southern Living Comfort Food

Handbag Camera

Daniel bought me a lovely little camera for my birthday its a Canon PowerShot A2500. I keep it in my bag, always. It has made me take so many more photographs which is great. Thought I'd share some of the random ones with you.

Lovely evening out with Katie and Daniel a few weeks ago in Leighton Buzzard.

Had a lovely weekend away in Sandbanks for my lovely cousin Charli's Hen Do! Really great weekend and some great quality time spent with my big sister Kate.

Just some photos of my 'hard' work at work, screen printing, painting and batik.

More to come...