Cooking With Ellie
Well hello there!!!
I see you've found me.
Let me give you a brief outline about how this site works. My most recent column appears on the Cooking With Ellie page on www.WRPBradio.com. When a new column is placed on WRPBradio the existing column will be removed and will appear right here on this homepage!
Previous columns and recipes may be found one of two ways. You can find them either by name of column or by recipe name.
Now that you're here, grab a cuppa your favorite beverage and peruse the site at your leisure.
About Ellie
Column & Recipe
Index
Moonshine Motorcycle Run April 12 2008
Today I saw at first hand what makes America a great country; the people that live ordinary lives while accomplishing extraordinary deeds. These great unsung hero’s live amongst us, do wonderful things for others while just simply enjoying life’s blessings.
Terri Hammond invited a few motorcycle riding friends and some soon to be friends, to Moonshine II….for a burger. They came and came and came and the Moonshine lunch run motorcycle meet up was born.
Moonshine, Population 2…yes that’s two as in one- two, is a country store like none-other and the riders who ride through any kind of weather (in April if you can believe that) are a pretty unique group of men and women truly dedicated to their sport. Both inhabitants of Moonshine are pretty neat too.
I’d heard about the Moonshine run, but did not understand the dedication of the bike riders that participate…until, that is, I visited the web site. Here is a direct quote written by Terri Hammond, the energy and brains behind the ride.
“I truly hope that the Moonshine Lunch Run will always showcase what others know so little about... Long distant Riders Ride,,, anywhere,,, any weather,,, any month,,, any temp for the love of the ride,,, and the riders they will meet...
If you don't make it to Moonshine,,, you ain't a Motorcycle Rider,,, your just a Motorcycle Owner!!!
Terry "Two Wrecks" Hammond”
So why should a bunch of large, powerful men and some awesome women, who ride high-powered machines, often through nasty weather, in April, with little protection from the elements, doing what they love to do anyway, deserve admiration?
Here is why:
From Terri Hammond:
“We have been able to raise $2,500 for the Mexico Mission and I made the check out Saturday!!!
Also,,, we were able to give $500 to the local "Crisis Center" which helps many people in need...
And we were able to give $500 to the local Food Pantry as well!!!
So, so far we have raised over $3,500 and I am just guessing but still have about $1,000 of shirts/decals/coozies still to sell,,, and they will sell...
Also, we, the riders, were a major reason that a local person, who is battling Cancer, received over $1,500. A raffle was held for his benefit, the winners of the raffle generously donated the prizes back to the recipient.
About makes me cry every time I think of it...
What is so COOL,,, about all this is…Something that is doing so much good,,, came from something So Goofy... ”
To quote Terri again…“it about makes me cry.”
On April 14th 2007, 400 riders rode to Moonshine IL to have a hamburger, swap stories and then turn around and ride home. Many coming more than 500 miles one way and several people riding over 1000 miles, just to have a Moonburger! Are these people certifiable or are the burgers just that good? The quick answers: Maybe and Yes. The long answer, well that is a little harder. Why do 400 relatively normal people brave the elements to ride motorcycles through torrential downpours, snow, hail, sleet, tornados etc. to go to some out of the way place in Illinois that has a population of 2, just to have a hamburger? This is like asking why does the sun rise, why do the birds sing, why does the rain fall. It’s in their nature; it combines their love of motorcycles with a love for good food and camaraderie, add to all that that the proceeds go to charity and bikers come in droves. People that do the Moonshine lunch run could care less what brand you ride, what you wear, or what nationality you are. (Canadians have also come for the run).
In the words of Terry “Two Wrecks” Hammond, “If you don’t make it to Moonshine, you are just a motorcycle owner not a motorcycle rider!”
Okay, now what about the Moonshine Store, where the burgers these hungry riders ride multi miles to gobble are made and served?
Moonshine Store was founded in 1889 by William St. Martz. It was destroyed by fire. The ‘new’ building erected in 1912 stands a little south of the original, but is still a meeting spot for locals and oil workers to gather for lunch. Helen and Roy Lee Tuttle bought the present store from Enid Misner in 1982, and still own and run it today. Eating at Moonshine Store is not just the ingesting of a fine, reasonably priced, handmade burger, but an experience too good to miss.
One enters from a gravel drive to a cement porch through a screen door and proceeds to the rear of the building where, if it is Saturday, as it was when I arrived, Jackie and Lisa will greet you with a smile and take your order. I opted as I always do for the most reasonably priced item on the menu. My theory is that if the least expensive offering is good the rest will be great, I was not disappointed. My burger was hot and flavorful.
The condiments, located on a table in the center of the store are fresh and varied. From the thick sliced onions to the home style relish and a delightful, fresh tasting, old fashioned, Chile Sauce to the traditional catsup, mustard etc. Coffee, either in a mug or a take out cup is self serve as is the soda. Packages of potato chips are by the door, help yourself. Hot food is served on a waxed paper covered tin plate. You can eat it indoors on a bench or el fresco at a picnic table with the most comfortable seats I’ve ever had the pleasure of resting my backside upon.
You don’t have to take my word about the Moonburger, can 400 motorcyclists be wrong?
If you can’t make the trip to Moonshine, but hanker for a great burger, try the following recipe. On the grill, in the oven or frying pan these hamburgers are a tasty blend developed by my husband Jack Mason.
Jack’s Beefy Burgers
6 lbs ground chuck
3 (2 1\2 inch) onions chopped
3 large garlic cloves minced
1 level tblsp. salt
1 level tblsp. black pepper
2 tablespoons Eleanor’s Kitchen Ultimate Spice (if you cannot find Ultimate Spice substitute McCormicks Montreal Steak Spice)
10 drops hickory liquid smoke
Mix all together and let stand in fridge for 8 hours or over night for the flavors to blend.
Shape into patties and fry or grill. Can be frozen
This recipe was developed when we were on a low carb diet, but it is so good it has become a family favorite.
Editors Note: I make the patties rather large (3-4 inches across) and poke a hole through the center with my finger when forming the patties. This ensures even cooking throughout as well as even thawing.
Take care of each other and be good to yourself,
Ellie
