Jenn Dolari @dolari@driveinsaturday.org

So...I have a last minute two weeks off due to me needing to burn some PTO of before the end of the year. I have a full paycheck that hasn't been stolen by credit card companies or prescriptions. Let's start it off right....a

"And I helped!" #proudkiddo #wotcstaff

https://youtu.be/R86fdWhPWP4?si=HX8xkkQP6tHmzPj3

So, I mentioned that I'd worked on the Magic: The Gathering x Star Trek set that was announced a few weeks ago. It actually was my SECOND work for Magic: The Gathering. My first just got announced.

And I think one of my quotes got used on a card they showed (it's been a while since I worked on it, and a completely different job, so I don't remember anymore).

https://magic.wizards.com/en/news/feature/collecting-teenage-mutant-ninja-turtles

So, a friend has asked for a second chance on watching Star Trek and I want to blow her socks off. But I have one episode to do it.

What episode should I show?

1) TOS - Balance of Terror
2) TOS - City on the Edge of Forever
3) TOS - The Immunity Syndrome

4) TNG - The Inner Light
5) TNG - Darmok
6) TNG - Measure of a Man

7) DS9 - The Visitor
8) DS9 - Duet
9) DS9 - In The Pale Moonlight

There's no New Trek on the list because it turned her off. And no Voyager because I wasn't particular fond of the series, but I'm willing to take suggestions. And suggestions for other episodes as well!

This Week's Meals - McDonald's Arch Deluxe!

This is the best burger McDonald's ever made, and it died a horrible death from Marketing (did they fire the guy who thought "Show kids not liking the burger to prove it's for adults!" was a good idea?).

I ate a billion of these for the two years they were available and was sad they're gone. I found a copy-cat menu that had it decades ago and i promised I would make it one day. I decided this was the week cause it was cheap.

Did this make the Arch Deluxe I remember? Not really. The bun on the original was pillowy-er. The somehow circular bacon was thicker and peppery-er. But as burgers go? This is amazing.

Probably the best burger I've ever made, including my Whataburger copy-cat. The McDonald's Seasoning really pops the flavor of everything, and I think it's what makes it so good. If there's anything I'd change is that I'd probably saute the onions a little more.

"THIS IS A TASTY BURGER!" --Jules Winnfield, Pulp Fiction

Title: Arch Deluxe
Yield: 1 sandwiches
Category: Entree
Cuisine: American
Source: McMenu - Do-It-Yourself McDonald’s Restaurant Recipes

---
Ingredients
---
1 tbsp mayonnaise
1/2 tsp peppercorn mustard
1 slices tomatoes
1 sesame seed potato hamburger buns
1/4 pound beef patty
1 slice American Cheese
2 leaves lettuce (chopped)
1 tbsp ketchup
1 tbsp onion (chopped)
McDonald's hamburger seasoning
1 strip peppered bacon

---
Instructions
---

1 - In a small bowl, mix together the mayonnaise and the Dijon
mustard. Set aside. This is the secret sauce.
2 - Lay the buns face down on a pre-heated 375° electric griddle. You
need to apply light pressure to the buns in order to achieve uniform,
even toasting. This toasting process only takes about a minute.
3 - Set the electric grill to 400 degrees.
4 - Cook some thick sliced Hormel® pepper bacon, breaking one slice
per burger in half. Remove from the grill.
5 - Lay the beef frozen patty on the grill
6 - After about 20 seconds, "sear" it. You should apply heavy pressure
for 6-8 seconds. Sprinkle liberally with McDonald's Hamburger
7 - About 2-3 minutes after searing, turn. Be careful not to tear the
sear you just created. Add another dash Seasoning.
8 - About 2-3 more minutes after turning Smash the beef patty with the
spatula to "squeeze" out excess fat, and then remove. Smash it again
between the spatula and your free hand to additionally drain the fat.
9 - Dress your BUN in the following order: On the crown (top bun)

special sauce
ketchup
onions
lettuce
tomato
cheese
bacon

10 - Add the cooked beef patty then the toasted heel.

---
Notes
---

Makes 1 sandwich
Calories: 627
Fat: 39.23g
Carbs: 35.42g
Protein: 33.73g

Title: McDonald's Hamburger Seasoning
Category: Seasoning
Cuisine: American
Source: McMenu - Do-It-Yourself McDonald’s Restaurant Recipes

---
Ingredients
---
4 tbsp salt
2 tbsp Ac'cent MSG
1 tsp ground black pepper
1/4 tsp onion powder

---
Instructions
---

1 - Mix all ingredients well.
2- Use in a spice shaker with big enough holes for the pepper to
flow. This seasoning is used liberally on all McDonald's hamburgers
during the COOKING process.

#thisweeksmeals #cooking

This morning's earworm:

https://youtu.be/m-uztVX6QFQ?si=V8tmvkfeLO9uumOe

Spent some time tonight with some old friends.

On the stream in 15!

Twitch.tv/magic

Just a reminder, I'll be on Wizards of the Coast Twitch channel at 2PM PST/5PM PST! Check it out at https://www.twitch.tv/magic !

Wizards of the Coast is hosting a Twitch stream to support Trans Lifeline, a hotline and non-profit organization offering direct support to trans people in crisis – for the trans community, by the trans community.

I'll be a part of this from 2PM PST/5PM EST! Come on over and join us for a QA Panel!

Tune in to twitch.tv/magic on Oct 4th at 10am PT to play games with us and support!

Oh, hey, my prescription bill this month is $535.27!

ISN'T AMERICAN HEALTHCARE GREAT?

Hey, Dr Pepper?

I'm gonna need you to keep making this. In fact, I REALLY need you to keep making the Zero version of this. Dr Pepper Blackberry Zero Sugar is GOOD.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WGHbOJs-sQk

So. You know that new job I got back in March? Wanna know how I got it? It's cause I worked on this:

https://magic.wizards.com/en/products/star-trek

I'm thinking this will be next weeks meals....

Spent the evening with the family, cooking some carne guisada, rice and tortillas. I've missed cooking for family. And missed being with them, too. :)

This Week's Meals: Carbon Creek Tavern Chili.

All the Texans are about to yell at me cause the Chili has beans in it, but I decided to remain true to the recipe because it's kind of special.

While I couldn't find it in the episode, this same chili is served at the Carbon Creek Tavern in the Star Trek: Enterprise episode "Carbon Creek" as made by the late Dorothy Duder for the show. Doug Drexler shared the recipe, along with a few others from the show, and I decided it was time to make it as the weather gets cooler.

The chili is really tasty. Mine's a little spicy because I put in a bit more hot sauce than I should have, but that's on me. The recipe, however, does not mention seasoning with salt and pepper, and I would absolutely suggest that before ladleing the chili out. It's really good with a bit of salt, so I've added that step to the recipe.

Title: Carbon Creek Tavern Chili
Yield: 9 servings
Category: Entree
Cuisine: Mexican
Source: Dorothy Duder

---
Ingredients
---
olive oil
1 1/2 pounds ground beef
28 ounces tomatoes (diced) (peeled) (canned)
20 ounces kidney beans (canned)
4 stalks celery (diced)
1 large onion (diced)
6 cloves garlic (peeled) (minced)
2 whole bay leaves
1 tsp oregano
1 tsp cumin
1 tsp chili powder
cayenne pepper (to taste)
tabasco sauce (to taste)
chopped onion (garnish)
grated cheese (garnish)
salt (to taste)
pepper (to taste)

---
Instructions
---

1 - In a large soup pot over medium heat, heat a small amount of olive
oil.
2 - Add celery, onion and garlic. Saute and stir for about 3 minutes.
3 - Add beef and continue to stir.
4 - When meat has browned, add seasonings and stir well.
5 - Add tomatoes and kidney beans and stir well.
6 - Turn heat down and simmer for 1 1/2 to 2 hours.
7 - Season with salt and pepper to taste.
8 - Ladle into bowls and garnish with onion and cheese.

---
Notes
---

Makes 9 servings at ~50g carbs per serving.

Calories 405
Total Fat 9g
Total Carbohydrate 46g
Protein 31g

Normally makes 4-6 main course servings.

#thisweeksmeals #cooking #StarTrek