Movie Night: American Graffiti

Where were you, in '62? Join the gang over at Mel's for some classic drive-in chow!

Set in: 1962. Movie release: 1973.

Presenting, for the very first time, Cheeseburger alla Americana, Malt o' Chocolato, and last, but not least, the"I'm Going Bananas" Split! 🍔 🍌 🍔 🍌 🍔

Classic American cheeseburger? Yes please! 🍔 🍔 🍔

Cheeseburger alla Americana 🍔

Makes 2 burgers

1/2 pound ground beef

Salt and ground black pepper

Canola oil

2 hamburger buns (extra credit: with sesame seeds!)

2 slices American cheese (or more, if feeling cheesy)

2 teaspoons butter (for toasting buns, as desired)

Toppings

Iceberg lettuce, sliced or shredded

2 thick tomato slices

6 to 8 juicy hamburger dill chips

2 onion rings

Ketchup and classic French's mustard

Divide beef in two, sprinkle with salt and pepper. Flatten to patties wider than edges of buns, press thumb in center to keep flat while cooking.

Over medium-high, heat griddle or cast-iron skillet. Add 1 tablespoon oil.

Cook 3 minutes first side, flip, cook another 2 minutes.

Add a slice (or two) of cheese towards end, to start the melt.

If you have room on the grill or griddle, with a bit of butter, toast buns till golden. (Or in a 350°F oven, place them flat, cut side up for 10 minutes.)

Stack like this: bun, ketchup, lettuce, patty, cheese, mustard, pickle, tomato, onion, bun.

Serve, busting a few moves to some rousing bars of "Rock Around the Clock."

Malt o' Chocolato

Makes 2 shakes

2 cups favorite chocolate ice cream

3/4 cup whole milk

2 tablespoons malted milk powder

1 tablespoon chocolate syrup

Canned whipped cream, to garnish

Maraschino cherries to top. Non-negotiable.

In blender, combine ice cream, milk, powder, syrup.

Blend till thickly smooth.

Into proper tall soda-fountain glass, pour results.

Top with flourish of whipped cream and then a stemmed cherry. Add straw.

Serve while humming the malt-shop classic, "Sixteen Candles."

"I'm Going Bananas" Split

Makes 1 split (multiply as your party demands)

1 large banana, peeled, split longways

1 scoop vanilla ice cream

1 scoop strawberry ice cream

1 scoop chocolate ice cream

2 tablespoons chocolate syrup

2 tablespoons crushed pineapple (drained)

2 tablespoons strawberry topping

Whipped cream (from a can)

Chopped peanuts or walnuts

3 maraschino cherries

Get yourself a banana boat-type dish, or dishes, (long and dessert-type), place split banana into them. In a row, top with scoops of the three ice creams, garnish each with syrup, pineapple, strawberry in whichever combo you choose.

Finish with three squirted flourishes of whipped cream, sprinkle nuts, accent with three evenly placed cherries.

Serve to a rousing chorus of "Barbara Ann."

Where were you, in '62?! 🍔 🍌 🍔 🍌 🍔

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