Recipe for a James Burger

What exactly is this James burger thing? Well, it starts with an innocent dinner plan.

When executed, while it unfolds, it brings sustenance, and connection, and peace.

And therein lies the magic.

And how did this come to be a thing?

Our first hint, in retrospect, came in 2010 when we initiated menu planning with James for his high school graduation party. His mom cooks, a lot and excellently, and visions of all manner of fancy foods danced in our heads. But James immediately, and adamantly, replied:

"Burgers and brats."

Wait, what? 

You want, just, burgers?

Maybe it was that my cooking events were far fewer than Mom's and that made them seem special. Maybe it was my many and varied grills and campfires that were the lure. He did, after all, early-adopt an email handle of "pyro4life", a hotmail account, so, age 9?, and later would light off fireworks for special or actually just any occasions. 

The random Tuesday? Let's do it!

His fascination with burgers (and campfires, and things that explode) was lifelong. 

It was James who discovered Kuma's Corner on Belmont in Chicago (they now have several). It was James who took us there. It was James who insisted on burgers when friends came over. It was James who perfected the art of the burger pic (surely a legacy from my holding up many a family dinner to get "the money shot" of a variety of foods). It was James who kept adding condiments and toppings, including a fried egg.

It was James.   

Visual evidence:          

2014 marked the passing of the tongs, and spatula, with careful study of cook temps

 

 

2016, South Oakley apartment, Chicago, James


Jan. 16, 2023, Steve

          

 2023, cousin Michael


2023, cousin Nicole
 
 
 
2023, Aunt Ellen
 
 
 
 2023, cousin Kurt 
 
 
 
  2023, cousin Tori

 
2023 - Aunt Janet (mac and cheese for burger-to-be)
 
 
 
2013  

 

The Recipe (at last!)

Gather plenty of friends, and family. Laugh a lot. Hug tons. On any evening (or afternoon, for that matter). Assemble ingredients. Bun optional. Actual burger, optional (but be ready to defend yourself). Add any ingredients, any order. "Discuss" (aka, argue about) what to add, what not to add.  Finished product height not considered in final judging (this is a lie).

🍔 Assemble your burger.

    🍔 Boast about your build as the best.
 
    🍔 Take pictures.
 
 
    Live James' legacy. Bring your people close, and be there for each one and for all of them, 
as he was, for you.

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