Patty Melts with Honey Balsamic Onions

My mother made a nice dinner every night-just about. If we had a friend that had come over to play, we could invite them for dinner without informing my mother. She would have expected it. After all, when you're feeding ten children, what's one or two more, give or take? But one night, my older sister had a boy over after school. A boy, like a boyfriend kind of boy. We younger kids trailed them around the yard (jumping on his back and asking for piggy back rides) until they told us to scram, and then we went into the house, huddled around the window, and watched them shoot basketball. It's pretty exciting to watch your older tomboy sister slaughter a potential suitor at the hoop. After the game, my sister invited her new friend to stay to dinner. I remember the night so distinctly. Normally, before dinner the table was a lively, boisterous place where we exchanged the goings-on of the day while Dad quizzed us on our gleanings from public education. But this night, it was different. We sat quietly, almost reverently, not having anything to say. Maybe it was because the boyfriend looked painfully shy, staring up from his plate, akwardly folding his arms to give one of the world's shortest and quietest prayers. (You better believe my dad asked HIM to offer the prayer. Clever man.) My mom went into the kitchen and brought in a tray of Patty Melts for dinner. They looked so delicious, meaty patties covered with caramelized onions and gobs of melted cheese. I remember counting them silently, wondering if there was enough for seconds-and what if the visitor wanted seconds too? Did a friend that was a boy have patty melt priority? Not in my ten year old mind (or thirty something year old mind either). And suddenly things were back to ear-piercing normal. Thankfully, once we started eating, we remembered all of the daily minutia that we had to fight, between mouthfuls, for a chance to share. Dinner was unforgettable. I can't make a Patty Melt without thinking of that night, the only time that a boy friend got a moment of quiet at our dinner table. PS The names of the innocent have been protected in this story. My sister would kill me if I mentioned her name, but if you want a hint, its the same sister that curses the existence of bananas.

Money Saving Tips:Have you got any rye bread left over from St. Patrick's Day? It'll be great here-even if it's a little stale. Catch your ground beef on sale to keep the cost of this sandwich down. Any bread can be substituted for rye with good results. Use yellow or white onions if you don't have a red one on hand.

Patty Melts

Estimated Cost: $6.50 for four

1 lb. lean ground beef

1 teaspoon garlic powder

1 tablespoon worcestershire sauce

a few drops of tabasco

2 teaspoons olive oil

1 red onion, thinly sliced

2 teaspoons red wine vinegar or balsamic

1 tablespoon honey

8 slices rye bread, toasted and lightly buttered

shredded cheddar cheese, about 1 cup
Combine ground beef with garlic powder, worcestershire, tabasco and about 1 teaspoon each salt and pepper. Shape into patties. Heat non stick skillet over medium high heat. Cook patties for about 6 minutes per side, or until desired doneness. Meanwhile, heat a small skillet over high heat. Add oil and warm through. Add onions and cook for about 2 minutees, or until just browned. Reduce heat and cook until softened, about three more minutes. Add vinegar and honey; cook just until syruppy. Remove from heat and season to taste with salt and pepper. Preheat broiler. Arrange half of toasted bread on foil lined cookie sheet. Top each with a patty, some onions, and some shredded cheese. Broil just until cheese melts. Top with remaining toasted bread.

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