Garbage Plates

(I know the name is repulsive and they don't even look appetizing but I promise that they're good! Haha!!!)

If you were to say "I want a Garbage Plate!" to anyone from upstate NY, they would know exactly what you were talking about.

A Garbage plate is a popular meal for when you are STARVING since it is full of fat and carbs (sounds wonderful huh?) that makes it so very filling. Not the prettiest dish to look at, hence the name "garbage plate" but oh so tasty!

Last night we were beyond starving so I got the brilliant idea to make us some. They hit the spot and turned out great! Not as good as Nick Tahou's but as good as it gets living 1,800 miles away!

Here are a couple pictures of the plates I made last night.


This is how it is traditionally served



This is how my darling husband likes to eat his-bleh!


So what exactly does a garbage plate consist of you ask? I copied and pasted below what the writer from this site wrote. I think it describes it perfectly.

"1st layer: Home Fries and Macaroni/mayo (very slippery macaroni and mayonnaise) a little celery and carrots in the macaroni (very little). No unusual taste with the macaroni, just like all the take out fillers we've ever had. The home fries are crisp and delicious just like homemade.

2ND Layer: Two hamburger patties medium well done covered with melted cheese, a mustard horseradish sauce, and then covered with chili hot sauce. The mustard horseradish sauce is delicious - more horsey than mustard in flavor. The hot sauce is like every ground beef hot sauce you can imagine. Typical and very good. Not too hot, very zesty and rich.

The garbage plate also comes with a side of old fashioned Italian bread to help it down. The bread is freshly made at a bakery right next door."

If you are brave and would like to try and make this meal yourself, I added the recipe below!

This is the recipe I followed. I found it HERE

NOTE: This recipe is for one serving so you will have to double it as needed. Let me know if you try it!

Ingredients:

For The Macaroni
1-1 1/2 cup cooked macaroni
1/4 cup mayonnaise
2 tablespoons diced celery
1 tablespoon chopped carrot
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper

For The Home-fries
1 large potato, baked and cubed
1 tablespoon butter

For The Cheese Burgers
2 hamburger patties
2 slices cheese
mustard
horseradish
ketchup
2 slices of Italian bread

Special Sauce
1 medium onion, chopped
1 garlic clove, minced
1 tablespoon oil
1 lb ground beef
1 cup water
12 ounces tomato paste
1/2 tablespoon brown sugar
1 teaspoon ground black pepper
3/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1 teaspoon chili powder
1 1/2 teaspoons paprika
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon allspice
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon powdered clove

Directions
1TO MAKE SPECIAL SAUCE:.
2In large skillet fry chopped onion and garlic in oil until soft. Add meat, stirring constantly with fork to keep its texture fine.
3Once meat is cooked add water and tomato paste, cook for 10 minutes.
4Then add sugar and spices. Cook 30 minutes, adding water if needed.
5ASSEMBLY:.
6Mix together the noodles, mayo, celery, seasoning, and carrots and place into a large square foam container (or plate, but not as authentic).
7Fry potatoes in butter until very crispy then put next to mac salad on plate.
8Cook hamburger until well done and top with sliced cheese.
9Then place burgers ON TOP of the mac salad and home fries.
10Mix together about equal parts mustard and horseradish and pour on top of burgers and top with optional onions.
11Pour hot sauce or VERY LARGE spoonfuls of special sauce and a HUGE glob of ketchup over burgers (some like to stir everything together so its one huge mess).