Burgers: Thick vs. thin

When it came to burgers, I never really understood what all the fuss was about. People were always over-the-moon about them, and Alex would order them at restaurants every single chance he got. I just didn't love them.

But then.

When we were in Chicago a couple weeks ago, I decided to give burgers a final chance. And the burger from Au Cheval blew my mind.

Why? The patty was thin.

It was a revelation. I'd never actually had a thin patty before. I'd only had thick patties, either on friends' backyard grills or at restaurants. They were fine, but sort of hard to eat. But this thin patty with good old American cheese and a squishy bun was mind-blowing. All the flavors combined perfectly. I finally got it.

So, I'm now a #1 fan of thin burgers and plan to devour many more in my future.

What about you? Thick? Thin? Somewhere in the middle? Neither? Martha Stewart Living has great recipes for both.

(Photos by Sang An for Martha Stewart Living)

The Best Margarita You'll Ever Have

New York has been HOT this week. Like humid, sticky, 99-degrees-but-feels-hotter hot. And when you need a break after a long day, the best thing to do is...have a margarita. Happily, the lovely Kate from the whole foods blog Cookie + Kate shares her favorite recipe below...
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The Best Blueberry Muffins You'll Ever Have

Picture this: You wake up on a Saturday morning, and a delicious scent is wafting up the stairs. The culprit? Blueberry muffins. With real berries. And crumble. Below, Jennifer from Bake or Break revels how to make this happen...
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The Best Apple Pie You'll Ever Have (with Caramel)

Happy Fourth of July! Let's take a quick break from our work/life balance series to ask: Any plans to see fireworks or eat hot dogs? Since nothing is more all-American that apple pie, Hannah from Honey and Jam is sharing her favorite recipe today, and bonus: it has caramel...
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The Best Avocado Toast You'll Ever Have

In my old age, I've learned a few things: how to trapeze, how to argue fairly and the genius of avocado toast. Avocado toast is delicious, healthy and takes like three seconds to make. It's the perfect breakfast or lunch, and we've even had it for dinner along with tomato soup or scrambled eggs. Lucky for us, the fabulous Jessica from How Sweet It Is agreed to share the perfect recipe...
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Citra Sipper

Have you ever seen a Citra Sipper? You just stick it into an orange or grapefruit and drink! What a rad idea. Do you think it really works? (And the company is old-school: It was launched at the 1933 World's Fair by the current owner's grandfather.)

The Best French Vinaigrette You'll Ever Have

My parents spent a few years in Paris in their twenties, and even though they've been back in the States for decades, my mom still waxes nostalgic about the French salads. It's not the greens she cares about. It's the perfectly peppery, garlic-y, lemon-y dressing that coats each leaf and brings the salade to a whole new level. So, I was thrilled when Amanda Hesser from Food52 agreed to reveal her ideal vinaigrette recipe...
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The Best Scrambled Eggs You'll Ever Have

This week is all about travel, so let's talk about scrambled eggs. When you're staying with friends or family, it's such a nice gesture to get up early and whip up a delicious breakfast for everyone, and scrambled eggs are always a crowd-pleaser. Happily, the lovely Helene from Tartelette has agreed to share her favorite recipe...
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7 Hostess Gifts That People Will Love

Fancy soaps sit on the bathroom shelf, and potpourri sachets get lost in a drawer. So, instead of bringing traditional hostess gifts when you visit a friend, bust out one of these slam-dunk gifts that people will love (and want to use!) right away.

1. Adorable watchdog doorstop to make them smile, $24.
2. Spanish lavender to make their kitchen smell like summer, $58.
3. Indoor s'more maker, for obvious reasons, $25.
4. Summery rosé wine, with a tree wine stopper, $8.
5. Cheeky dish towel, since we've all been there, $16.50.
6. Big Sur room spray to inspire wanderlust, $20.
7. Guilty-pleasure gossip magazines to flip through together.

Thoughts? What do you normally bring as a hostess gift?

P.S. More round-ups, and the first travel week...

(Post by Joanna. Graphic design by Rachel from Elephantine for Cup of Jo.)

State sandwiches

Design student Kelly Pratt decided to eat her way through the classic sandwiches of all fifty states. Her project is called Stately Sandwiches. So far, she has done the California Powerhouse, as well as...
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The Best Buttermilk Pancakes You'll Ever Have

How do you like your pancakes? Plain with syrup? Mixed with blueberries or chocolate chips? Sprinkled with lemon juice and sugar? However you take them, a stack of warm pancakes is always delicious and comforting, and they're the best way to kick off a weekend. Happily, Adrianna from A Cozy Kitchen agreed to share her favorite recipe (and genius tips)...
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Motherhood Mondays: French Kids Eat Everything

When we were on on vacation last month, I read an eye-opening book that completely changed the way we feed Toby...
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The Best Chicken Cutlets You'll Ever Have (with Corn Flakes!)

Jenny Rosenstrach writes the fantastic food blog Dinner: A Love Story and has a brilliant cookbook memoir of the same name coming out next week (yay!). She and her husband Andy are passionate about nightly family dinners with their two daughters--and swear it's possible, if you keep things simple and fun. (Fun fact: Jenny has a diary listing every single dinner she's made since 1998!) Here, she reveals her secret family recipe for the best chicken cutlets ever...
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Cheese wedding cake

Speaking of offbeat weddings, this Australian couple served a cheese wedding cake. Be still my heart.

What kind of dessert will (or did) you serve at your wedding? We went with chocolate-chip cookies.

P.S. More on cheese:)

(Photos by Jonas Peterson)

Garden cake

Speaking of birthdays, how pretty is this garden cake? You could whip up any basic cake and just cover it with berries, leaves and teeny flowers.

(Photo and cake by Manger)

The Best Party Cocktail You'll Ever Have

My mom turned sixty last February (!), and we're throwing her a long-awaited family party this coming weekend. My brother, sister and I have been brainstorming surprises for her party, which I'll keep secret until next week--and I'm also in charge of drinks. Happily, my friend Anna suggested this incredible cocktail, which we're definitely whipping up this weekend...
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The Best Meatballs You'll Ever Have

Eating meatballs while drinking red wine instantly makes you feel like all is right with the world. Something about meatballs--rich, luscious meatballs--makes you feel warm and cozy to your core (not to overdramatize it or anything:). Luckily, Faith Durand, the executive editor of The Kitchn, agreed to reveal the two secrets to making the world's best meatballs. "My husband was quite thrilled that I made these last night," she says. Here goes...Read more »

Cocktail style

A few years ago, for a dear friend's bachelorette party, I set up a "make your own mojito" table. Maybe the cocktails weren't so perfect, but playing bartender was half the fun. Ever since then, I've been fascinated with all the different tools and accessories out there for mixing drinks at home. These are on the top of my wishlist. -- By Rachel from Elephantine

1. Spicy Bloody Mary Mix, $13.
2. Dizzy Cocktail Glass, $2.50.
3. Bar Whisk, $5.
4. Wood Lemon Reamer, $9.
5. 101 Mojitos and Other Muddled Drinks, $11.38.
6. Formosa Tray Table, $49.95.
7. Elderflower Presse, $8.
8. Shake Rattle & Roll Cocktail Shaker, $38.
9. Canine Coasters Set, $18.

What's your "drink"? Do you make cocktails at home? Plus, more round-ups...

(Post by Rachel from Elephantine, a new Cup of Jo contributor, who will be posting every couple weeks. Thank you, Rachel!)

Rosemary in jam jars

We don't have a backyard, but I love the idea of a home that smells like greenery. How cool would it be to place jars around the house filled with rosemary? The lovely strong scent would make you feel like you were walking through a garden. (Afterward you could put the rosemary in roast chicken or potatoes.)

P.S. How to buy houseplants, and four amazing backyards.

(Photo by Apples & Onions)

The Best Macaroni & Cheese You'll Ever Have

Macaroni & cheese is one of those comfort foods that makes you feel better no matter what kind of day you've had. Three different cheeses, salty pancetta, warm pasta...I'm craving a big bowl right now. (And it makes great leftovers!) Luckily, Naomi from Rockstar Diaries agreed to reveal their favorite family recipe, which they (and their toddler daughter) can't get enough of...
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