How have I gone my whole life not knowing this tidbit?

I have just learned the ultimate secret to making perfect patties. The next time you cook steakburgers you must try it.

Elizabeth Karmel, a total grilling diva, tells us that putting a thumbprint in the middle of your burger before placing it on the grill keeps it flat and avoids the “swollen belly burger” syndrome.

Who knew? Well, apparently this is a technique the restaurants have been holding close to the vest for years. I feel so “in the know!”

Elizabeth even hawks a “Steakhouse Burger Press” that automatically shapes your patties and includes a thumbprint on each one. How’s that for efficient?

You can check out her burger press here. Get your steakburgers here . . . and happy thumbprinting!!!

When you’re at the beach you don’t realize you’re hungry until you’ve stripped off your wet, sandy bathing suit, taken a shower and then sat down.

And then by that time, it’s too late . . . you’re RAVENOUS.

For us, the grumpies start to appear and nobody’s happy until they’ve eaten.

That’s why we like to cook in our little condo. I usually leave the beach early to get the meal rolling and then head off the “grumpies” before they appear.

See how that works?

This gorgeous photo is a steakburger meal we prepared one night. But it’s not just ANY steakburger. It’s got Vidalia (sweet) onions in the beef. And boy do they flavor that beef!

Some of us like to make them into cheese steakburgers (like the one above), but that night I preferred to make mine an onion steakburger with no bun marinaded in Teriyaki sauce. I’m crazy about the stuff. Those yummy onions mixed with the marinade brought out the amazing flavor of the burger. I just plain didn’t need a bun.

Everybody was happy because they got to make theirs however they wanted it.

And those grumpies I mentioned? They stayed far away that night. Well played, if I do say so myself.

So, my long-awaited package arrived yesterday. I can now cook the things I crave . . .

My order of Vidalia onion steakburgers, all-beef hot dogs and Kansas City strip steaks has arrived! And our vacation spot in Ft. Walton Beach, FL, is the perfect place to enjoy our favorite meals.

Oh, and that’s my son’s service dog — Marley — he goes everywhere with us now. He commandeered his favorite spot the moment we got here and he hasn’t left since. There’s so much to see!

The weather is beautiful, the beach is beautiful and our dinner tonight is going to be heavenly.

Stay tuned for my report on our “Steaks on the Beach.” They’re gonna be fabulous!