In honor of the Masters Golf Tournament in Augusta which officially begins today, we’re sharing a few of our favorite tournament traditions.  And a remake of a classic.

• The coveted Green Jacket awarded to the winner each year is certainly at the top of the traditions list.  The winner is allowed to take the jacket off the property but must return it to Augusta National on the anniversary of their win, only to be worn on site from then on.
• The stunning Azaleas, that border several greens of this historic course are breathtaking and seem to always be in full bloom for Masters weekend.  We’ll be sipping on an Azalea Cocktail while admiring their beauty, recipe coming tomorrow.
• Magnolia Lane, the driveway leading to the clubhouse, is lined with 60 spectacular magnolia trees and is said to be one of the most beautiful 300-yard drives imaginable (unfortunately it’s a members-only entrance).
• The Champions Dinner, held on Tuesday evening prior to the tournament is hosted (and paid for) by the previous year’s champion.  2013 Masters winner Australian Adam Scott presented this menu on Tuesday evening:  Artichoke & arugula salad with calamari; Surf & Turf of Moreton Bay ‘Bugs’ (Lobster) and Australian Wagyu New York Strip steaks; sautéed spinach and onion mashed potatoes; strawberry and passion fruit pavlova, anzac biscuits and vanilla sundaes.  Past dinners have ranged from BBQ to Bobotie and everything in between, often representing dishes of the Champions home nation.
• Lastly on our short list of favorite Masters Traditions is the Pimento Cheese Sandwich.  Pimento cheese on white bread.  No frills, yet thousands are sold each year to patrons and golfers alike, all for the whopping cost of $1.50 each.  No price gauging at the Masters.

We LOVE Pimento Cheese Dip.  Making a Pimento Cheese Grilled Cheese Sandwich in honor of the Masters and National Grilled Cheese Month was a no-brainer.  Enjoy.

~ Pimento Cheese Grilled Cheese Sandwich ~

Make a batch of Pimento Cheese Dip
Spread a generous spoonful between two slices of white bread
Pan fry in butter
Slice in half
{Share the Love}

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Isle of Palms Burger inspired by Pawley’s Front Porch, Columbia, SC

As we turned on the TV to watch Saturday afternoon college football, the analyst came on with his pregame show.  Every week he visits a local restaurant in the town of the home team and shares his dining experiences.  What an awesome job he has.

Oh, by the way…he is Todd Blackledge former college and pro player who is more than qualified to talk football.  As it turns out, he’s also more than qualified to talk food as well.  His new book Taste of the Town: A Guided Tour of College Football’s Best Places to Eat offers descriptions of restaurants and dishes he visits/enjoys on his weekly roundups. On this week he was visiting one of the local burger joints in Columbia, SC.

As he raised this mouthwatering burger to his mouth…I had a moment.  I couldn’t grab a pen fast enough to write down these layers of goodness.  They called it the Isle of Palms Burger.

On top of the juicy burger was Pimento Cheese Dip, thick cut bacon, and caramelized onions.

It was off to the grocery store for me.  “Make today a great day” ~ Todd Blackledge

Print

Isle of Palms Burger

Servings 3 -4

Author Pawleys Front Porch

Ingredients

• 1 cup pimento cheese dip recipe link in post
• 8 slices thick cut bacon cooked until crispy
• 1 onion caramelized (recipe link in post)
• 1 pound ground beef
• 1 Tbl. Worcestershire sauce
• salt & pepper
• 3-4 hamburger buns

Instructions

• Prepare pimento cheese dip according to recipe link; reserve. Cook bacon until crispy; drain on paper towels and reserve. Cook caramelized onions according to recipe link; reserve.
• Make ground beef patties (3-4). Sprinkle with Worcestershire sauce, salt & pepper. Grill or pan sear until cooked until just shy of desired doneness. Top each burger with 1/4 cup of pimento cheese dip. Remove from heat; cover and allow to rest for 4-5 minutes.
• Plate burgers on favorite hamburger buns, top with crispy bacon and caramelized onions.

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