Shoestring Gourmet: Dutch Treat

by Jim Morgan

In August, we ventured into the world of drive-in foods

For starters, Glenn and Nedra Case offered a make-your-own salad bar with honey-mustard. Syd Golston contributed an Oklahoma taste treat, Fowl Thing chicken sandwiches, based on a barbecue treat she recently enjoyed at Eskimo Joe’s in the Sooner state. Mel Anderson, our jerk for the evening (soda that is), simultaneously quenched our thirst and our sweet tooth with luscious root beer floats.

Gerry and Linda Brazelton presented a platter of their version of Windy City Sliders (based on the White Castle classic), which were thicker than traditional, served on King’s Hawaiian rolls (which are just about the right size for sliders). I enhanced the burgers with crispy golden French fries, which I served in the Belgian style with mayo instead of ketchup. (Contrary to their name, French fries were invented in Belgium.) Marilyn McDonald innovated with tempura ginger-battered onion rings with an intense dark soy/sherry dipping sauce. New GPM Eileen Grant brought a tangy lemon meringue pie. Ken Brown grilled hot dogs with all the trimmin’s, and served them on fluffy bakery buns.

Pat Hull made a huge jar of beautiful pink lemonade, which I, for one, guzzled all evening. Bernie Lumbert got the prize for most humorous, porksicles (pork chunks on a stick), attractively presented with the sticks arranged in a "spray" effect in the back of a watermelon half. Jane Khatiblou cooked a wonderful rich orange-glaze baked chicken. Ursula Gore outdid herself with an antipasto plate of prosciutto, cornichons, lox, and bruschetta. She also made a batch of Swiss-style cole slaw, which has a bacon vinaigrette instead of mayonnaise dressing.

In September, we’ll relive Syd Golston’s recent trip to Restaurant and Brasserie Luden in Amsterdam. Call Syd at 480-345-2161 to make your reservation and receive your cooking assignment.