Burgers and Key Lime Pie

The rainy and unseasonably cold weather finally breaks, and a busy Sunday is spent in the sun (Drew) and on the road (Raul). The sirloin tip steak (40% off at Food Basics because it was about to reach its best before date but instead went in the freezer to be preserved for when desired) is already thawed but a more summery, lighter and simpler meal is called for. Burgers. And the Key Lime Pie made yesterday that has been setting in the fridge. A perfect sunshine combo.

While Raul does the bbq'ing, Drew improvises the toppings (it is important to make him feel he contributes). Lots of rummaging in the fridge pulls forth a combo that works and has a bite: slices of marble cheddar, chopped heritage tomato, minced garlic, Miracle Whip, wasabi mustard and corn relish. Slapdash, a little pretentious, but utterly delicious. And the combo redeems the slightly disappointing Selection quarter pound beef burgers that were bought speculatively on sale instead of the favoured Schneiders Beef Steakettes. Mickey, the dog, gets a third burger all to himself and gives it an unqualified rave before faking starvation and begging for more. Drew not-so-secretly hopes that Raul will get another dose of ambition and once again create burgers from scratch. The last batch, though they did crumble a bit on the bbq, were spectacular, meaty and juicy. Maybe the next time ground beef is on sale.

The Key Lime pie is a masterpiece: especially considering it began as a lark when the mix came on sale at Sobeys for 99 cents a box. While stocking up on Shirriff Lemon Pie Filling and Dessert Mix - Raul's lemon meringue pie with blueberries (idea courtesy of Drew's Mom's garden creator, cat nail clipper and all-round saviour, Dale) is a melt in the mouth taste sensation - a sweet little old lady eyed the overflowing basket and admonished, "You're ambitious." Her husband immediately retorted, "You should be so ambitious," and pointedly placed a box in their basket. Next time Raul intends to add some lime juice and, well who knows what else but his mind is whirring, to give the key lime pie it a bit more pizazz and enough bite to match Drew's carefully constructed burger toppings.

Though a sophisticated pre-Tony Awards dinner was considered de rigueur, the casual bbq'ed burgers and light-as-air but twice-as-tasty pie prove perfect for rejoicing in Andrea Martin's win. Raul tears up during a performance of "My Own Little Corner" from Cinderella because it reminds him of his childhood in the Azores with an actual hearth, Drew just gets annoyed because Harvey Fierstein never gives a speech. Another piece of pie cures both.