Happy February 1st!

Happy February 1st, Everyone!  January seems like an unusually long month for everyone, I think, but February seems even longer...although ironically it is the sortest month.  Probably because it is so cold.  The weather is especially cold right now.  It got down to -5 degrees last night with a windchill around -20 degrees.  The horses were in last night, and after discovering that one of the horses kicked a hole in the chicken coop (probably Remi), Casey made a make-shift patch out of some plywood. 

On our way home from work last night, we were discussing what we wanted to eat for dinner.  We have both been on diets lately because I finally came to the realization that I could no longer blame the dryer for shrinking my jeans after I put my snow pants on and discovered they had become uncomfortably snug.  So, we have been eating lots of fruits, veggies, salads, and lean meat. 

Thursdays have always been difficult diet days for me.  There is still one more day to go until the end of the week, and my stomach has been a little upset lately due to the diet change.  The thought of eating yet another salad did not sound appetizing at all to Casey or me.  A burger, however, sounded great.  Casey said, "Well, we should probably put bacon on it,"  

"Of course!" I said, "And cheese.  OOOO!! Rarebit sauce!" 

"Oh look!" Casey said, "There goes your diet running out the window,"

"Oh well.  I don't think I can stomach another salad tonight.  My stomach is protesting my diet," I replied.

"And we should probably saute some onions and mushrooms," he continued.

"Yeah! And we can toast the buns!" I said.

"Okay, what do you want to do for a side?" he asked.

"Um...I don't know..."

"How about potatoes with red pepers?"

"Yes!  Those are fantastic!" I exclaimed.  I was pumped already.

"Okay, but make enough Rarebit sauce to go over the potatoes, okay?"

So we did it.  Casey is a fantastic cook and loves to improvise.  It's fun cooking together - especially since it is bitterly cold outside and there really isn't much to do outside besides chores. 

First, I must tell you how I came to know the Rarebit Burger.  My mom used to take me to the Younkers Tea Room in Downtown Des Moines.  It was a special treat.  The tea room itself was beautiful and had many memories there not only for me, but for many people throughout Iowa.  My mom told me that her mom used to take her shopping at Younkers, and then they would go up to the tea room and my mom would have their famous Rarebit Burger. 

Unfortunately, the Younker's Tea Room closed down a number of years ago, and there were a lot of people who searched for the recipe of their Rarebit Sauce.  I have typed it out below for you.  Whether you are making this dish in memory of your experiences at the Younker's Tea Room; or you are tasting it for the first time, I hope you enjoy it!

Younker's Tea Room Rarebit Sauce

1/3 cup cooking oil
1/3 cup all purpose flour
1 teaspoon paprika
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon dry mustard
2 cups 2 percent reduced-fat milk
1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
1/4 teaspoon bottled hot pepper sauce
1 cup shredded process sharp American cheese

Place oil in a medium saucepan.

Stir together flour, paprika, salt and dry mustard.

Add flour mixture to oil; cook and stir for 1 minute.

Stir in milk all at once.

Cook and stir over medium heat until thickened and bubbly.

Cook and stir 1 minute more.

Remove from heat; stir in Worcestershire sauce and hot pepper sauce.

Add cheese and stir until melted.

Pour over burger with toasted bun on top.

Makes 2 cups.