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This Meal Won’t Keep You In The Kitchen Long

Merri Lou Dobler Correspondent

It’s been hot, hot, hot. It was so hot recently that one of my daughters and her friend cracked an egg on the pavement and watched it sizzle. Over hard, anyone?

If you can’t stand the heat, stay out of the kitchen, which is what most cooks try to do on warm summer nights.

But according to a study by the Steel Packaging Council, people average 42 minutes preparing a summer evening meal, only 7 minutes less than during the winter months.

The council also asked people to pick their “cooking personality” from among the following:

Julia Child/Graham Kerr: A true gourmet.

Martha Stewart: Always trying something new.

June Cleaver (“Leave it to Beaver”): The traditional meal preparer.

Tim/Jill (“Home Improvement”): You try to cook, but it never turns out as planned.

Grace (“Grace Under Fire”): You cook only because you have hungry mouths to feed. Jerry Seinfeld (“Seinfeld”): You make cereal for dinner.

Nearly 45 percent of respondents compared themselves to June Cleaver. Another 25 percent chose Martha Stewart, followed by Grace (10 percent), Julia/Graham (6 percent), Tim/Jill (5 percent) and Jerry (2 percent).

No matter what your style, today’s Middle Eastern Hamburgers will perk up any personality. And they take a whole lot less than 42 minutes to prepare.

Oh, Ward, dinner’s ready!

Middle Eastern Hamburgers

Adapted from “The 3 Ingredient Cookbook, With Other Simple Recipes,” by Sondra J. Stang (Signet).

1 medium onion

2 tablespoons safflower or corn oil

1-1/2 pounds lean ground beef (or lamb, if you prefer)

1 teaspoon dried mint or 1 tablespoon fresh mint, chopped finely

1 teaspoon dried oregano

1/2 teaspoon ground cloves

1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon garlic powder

Salt and pepper to taste

Chop the onion finely. Heat oil in skillet, over medium-high heat. Saute the onion in the oil and allow it to cool.

Mix the onion and the seasonings with the meat. Shape into 4-6 patties. Saute the patties in the same pan over medium heat, about 5-7 minutes on each side. Serve.

Yield: 4-6 servings.

, DataTimes MEMO: The goal of Five and Fifteen is to find recipes where you can do the shopping in five minutes and the cooking in 15. Merri Lou Dobler, a registered dietitian and Spokane resident, welcomes ideas from readers. Write to Five and Fifteen, Features Department, The Spokesman-Review, P.O. Box 2160, Spokane, WA 99210.

The following fields overflowed: SUPCAT = COLUMN, RECIPE - Five and Fifteen

The goal of Five and Fifteen is to find recipes where you can do the shopping in five minutes and the cooking in 15. Merri Lou Dobler, a registered dietitian and Spokane resident, welcomes ideas from readers. Write to Five and Fifteen, Features Department, The Spokesman-Review, P.O. Box 2160, Spokane, WA 99210.

The following fields overflowed: SUPCAT = COLUMN, RECIPE - Five and Fifteen