The Perini Ranch Burger

So pretty much all summer we've been out of town. Not the out of town vacation type thing, but just gone. My house and my car and my life definitely show it. And not that I'm organized anyway, but everything is pretty nearly a disaster around these parts.

But since I like to cook and I miss my blog, here is a new post... two weeks later......

If you haven't been to Perini's in Buffalo Gap, you're missing out. It's an Abilene National legend, and up until a few weeks ago we were too scared to go when it was on our tab. I had been once with a sweet family friend who paid for my dinner - I had no idea what it cost, but according to all the hype, it was expensive. 

One Saturday morning we ventured out to the Buffalo Gap Flea Market. After walking around looking for really cool stuff but only finding sickly looking puppies and completely drenching my outfit in sweat, we took off and headed for Perini Ranch. 

It's a really neat place. Lots of cool outdoor seating and patios, a real rustic "ranch" feel. 

And no air conditioning.

Despite the fact that I was about to have a heat stroke, we ordered the Perini Ranch Burger, the one that was featured on the Today Show, the one that everyone told us about, the burger to top all burgers.

And it was only nine bucks!

It lived up to all the talk, so we went back. And ate it again. 

Partially because it is one of few menu items we can afford, but mostly because of it's utter deliciousness.

Since we are now on a much tighter budget, I decided to attempt to make a copycat version. 

Here's what you'll need:

King's Hawaiian Sandwich Buns - splurge for these - they make the burger, but are about $3.50/4

Ground Beef

Red Onion

Green Chiles

Monterey Jack or Provolone Cheese

Kosher Salt

Black Pepper

Garlic Powder

Season the meat with the salt, garlic powder, and pepper  -I don't measure, so just go with what you think looks good! Squish it all together until thoroughly mixed, then use your fingers to score the meat into even portions.

I made the patties then put an almost hole in them. I heard it was supposed to keep them from shrinking up - didn't work out so great for me. I'll probably try it again though, with a real hole. I just chickened out this time on puncturing it all the way through. I'm not so good at burgers and everytime I make them they fall apart. Purposely making a hole does not sound appealing to someone whose burgers fall apart on their own accord anyway.

Throw 'em on the grill and cook to your desired temperature.

Top with cheese. 

While the burgers are cooking, slice the red onion, then chop it up.

Toss it in a skillet with the entire can of green chiles and sautee.

We aren't afraid of calories at this house, so I buttered the buns and stuck them in the oven while these veggies were cooking. 

I figure since we're going to eat vegetables we can eat a little butter, too, right?

Once the patties were finished and topped with cheese, I stuck mine on a bun, covered it in the green chile/onion mixture and topped it with none other than Perini's own Barbeque Sauce. 

Not too bad if I do say so myself.

Enjoy!!

I only wanna be with youuuuuuuuu

A lot has happened in the past three years. 

We tend to do things fast, I guess, but there's nothing wrong with that.

The four years we've been together seem like a lifetime, 

and I'm excited to spend the rest of my years with you.

Thanks for being my best friend. 

Thanks for being silly with me.

Thanks for letting me know when I am being silly.

Thank you for being honest. 

Thank you for supporting me.

Thank you for loving Jesus.

And thanks for loving me, 

not just the mushy kind of love,

 but the kind that will last forever.

Love you.

Here's a quick wedding recap in pictures for all of you who weren't able to be there-

Please excuse the fact that I am not looking at the camera.

And that fact that my husband looks like the kind of guy you DON'T want your children to be around.

(Don't be alarmed, he is a youth minister)

The pony length hair is my fault - he threatened to shave his head, I said don't touch your hair. 

Be careful what you wish for.

The mustache, however, I had nothing to do with. 

Guess he didn't know there would be pictures the night before????

My BFF's from High School call this the "traveling jacket."

Much like the traveling pants, it has made it to the big day of three of my closest and dearest friends.

There's no reason something this cute (or expensive) shouldn't get to make more than one appearance.

There are far too many little boys in our families to have chosen just one to be a ring bearer, so made them all dress in khaki and white and hand out water bottles. This picture is so cool. The water fountain was at the back of where our ceremony was held.

We had NINE people in our wedding party - on each side. 

All my girls wore different dresses, and they were from Dillards, so totally, 

for real, 

wear again dresses.

We had our siblings stand closest to us at the wedding. We had a Maid of Honor and Best Man, but these two were VIP's too. 

My brother straightened my dress; what a little gentleman.

During the ceremony, our families came up and prayed over us. Really cool. 

Look how beautiful this place is!!! There is a garden and the "mansion." We got married outside, on August 1, in the blazing heat, with no rain back-up plan, and it rained that morning! Thankfully the rain cooled it down a little, to something like 100 degrees.

My family made all the tablecloths, food, and decorations for our wedding. 

They're pretty good at it, aren't they?

If only I had gotten to eat more than one bite of this cake!

The car we drove off in was fabulous, and so went with our vintagey theme!

Split Personality

Meet Dr. Jekyll. 

My sweet, angel baby.

(Her head is much better, by the way)

Whatever you do, when this darlin' baby princess asks, "Ready?" and then ever so politely demands, "SHOP!", don't tell her you need to clean up the house, or you will meet her friend, Mr. Hyde....

I'm extremely nervous about what the terrible two's may bring.