Happy Anniversary, Smashburger! The popular fast-casual better burger chain is celebrating its 15th anniversary this year.

Join the celebration with a Cheesy Caramelized Onion Smash, an LTO (limited time offer) burger available through August 30, 2022 (photo #1).

We love a good cheeseburger, and this one is made with two kinds of cheese, Cheddar and Swiss. The Certified Angus Beef patty is also topped with caramelized onions, tomatoes, lettuce, and mayo, on a toasted onion bun.

Instead of a beef burger, you can substitute Smashburger’s grilled chicken, crispy chicken, turkey burger patty, or black bean patty.
 
 
WHAT IS A “SMASH” BURGER?

Smashburger was founded in 2007 by two restaurant industry veterans who focused on “smashed” burgers” that use a specialized process of cooking.

The burger patties are pressed down (“smashed”) on a flattop* grill at high heat. The method sears the burger for flavor.

The technique originated in the Great Lakes region at pressed-chuck burger restaurants, and has been a staple there for decades [source].

Check out the video to see Smashburger co-founder Tom Ryan shows the “smashing” technique.

The company customizes its burgers to local preferences. For example:

 
Rolls vary, too: telera rolls† are used in California restaurants, pretzel rolls are served in Chicago restaurants, onion rolls in Minnesota, and brioche rolls in New York (the difference between rolls and buns).

> Find a Smashburger near you.

> Discover more at Smashburger.com.
 
 
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[1] The limited-time Cheesy Caramelized Onion Smash (all photos © Smashburger).

[2] Add some tots or fries.

[3] How about sweet potato fries?

†Telera rolls are staples for Mexican sandwiches. They’re a smaller version of French bread, with a crispy crust on the outside, and a softer texture inside.

CHECK OUT WHAT’S HAPPENING ON OUR HOME PAGE, THENIBBLE.COM.

[1] You can get very creative with the fillings (all photos © Banana Loca | NA Market Direct).

[2] Here’s the gadget. It’s easy to use.

[3] A banana filled with chocolate spread.

[4] This banana is stuffed with raspberry preserves.

Banana Loca is an innovative kitchen gadget that lets you fill bananas with different fillings and variations on the basic fillings:

 
You can layer these flavors with mix-ins:

 
How do you do it?

Banana Loca (photo #2) straightens a banana, cores it while still in the peel, and allows you to fill it with whatever filling you like.

That includes the basics plus your own custom creations (see ours in the next section).
 
 
NOT JUST FOR KIDS

Banana Loca creates a treat that is definitely not just for kids. We adults loved it. We created these fillings:

 
If we’d had chocolate chip cookie dough, we’d have tried that, too.

BONUS: You can freeze the filled bananas, for a new-style fruit pop. Remove the peel and wrap tightly in plastic wrap.

If you’re really gung-ho, you can add a stick and dip the bananas in chocolate before freezing. Here’s a recipe.

BONUS #2: You can also use the device to fill donuts.

Here are how-to videos.
 
 
ARE YOU READY TO GO BANANA LOCA?

Head to BananaLoca.com.

CHECK OUT WHAT’S HAPPENING ON OUR HOME PAGE, THENIBBLE.COM.

July 25th is National Culinarians Day, celebrating the culinarians for whom we are grateful.

What’s a culinarian?

Culinarians are culinary experts: masters of the art and science of cooking and serving food.

They can be restaurant and commercial kitchen chefs, pastry chefs and bakers, caterers: anyone who is involved in the preparation of and serving of good food.

The chef, cook, or prep assistant makes not just tasty food, but food attractive to serve.

They also pass on their culinary skills and knowledge of food to the next generation of chefs.

Don’t forget the good cooks and bakers in our own homes. Those acclaimed family members and friends are culinarians.

In addition to National Culinarians Day:

> National Personal Chef Day is July 16th. If you are fortunate enough to have a personal chef, give them something extra special.

> International Chef’s Day is October 20th.

So take a moment to celebrate the profession and the great home cooks, even if it’s just to say, “Compliments to the chef!”
 
 
CHEFS IN THE U.S.

According to the 2019 U.S. Census, cooking professionals in the U.S. include:

 
So, thanks to all the culinarians who have enhanced our experiences for decades. Including you, Mom.

And to all of the servers who are essential to a good dining experience but are not considered culinarians: Many thanks to you as well.

[1] A team of chefs in a fine restaurant (photo © Louis Hansel | Unsplash).

[2] A good home cook is also a culinarian (photo © Kevin McCutcheon | Unsplash).

CHECK OUT WHAT’S HAPPENING ON OUR HOME PAGE, THENIBBLE.COM.