Leisurely breakfast
As most of you are aware I enjoy taking photos of food. It’s a creative outlet that allows me to express my love for my number one passion. Eating! I’m always on the lookout for new ways to photograph my meals and new techniques. On a recent trip to Asia I managed to pick up a new version of that old classic Polaroid camera. The Japanese have had this on the market for years and whilst it’s not a Polaroid it really has that “earthy film of yesteryear” look! It’s so much fun! It’s funny because Polaroid has announced that there will be no more instant film produced as of next year so there has been a bit of a resurgence in it’s interest.
peas and broad beans
People are manically bidding on Ebay for cameras at hundreds of dollars! And this got me thinking. It’s funny how we try to cling on to the things of the past. There is a certain comfort and security in it. Sure enough our lives have transformed due to modern technology in more ways that we can imagine. However, without wanting to sound like my parents, I miss the simplicity of the past and of childhood. A time of being carefree without having to worry about “real life” (there’s that expression again!). Anyway, without sounding like a fuddy duddy, at all of my 38 years on this planet, I whipped up these burgers the other day when Mother Nature gave us 32 deg (90 deg F) right at the start of spring! (See! Even the seasons don’t co operate anymore!)
Make your own
As I ate these I almost felt like a kid again. Except that this time I was having a cold beer with them! These burgers or “biftekia” as we call them in Greek are easy to prepare and are great on the “barbie” (not the doll!…the bbq). Add whatever you like to them. I served mine up with some fresh salad and some wholemeal buns. No need to get over complicated. I used 500 grams of lean topside beef mince to which I added some chopped fresh oregano, parsley, one egg, a clove of minced garlic, a cup of panko breadcrumbs, a teaspoon of ground cumin and a splash of Worcestershire sauce. Mix everything by hand, form into patties, let them rest and cook on the barbie. I personally prefer to cook minced meat all the way through but not to the point that it tastes like cardboard. Serve with some buns, your choice of salads and a “coldie” (cold beer).
The digital version of the burger shot
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Looks delicious Peter and I love the photos!
I agree, I find myself wistful for the days of my childhood and simplicity! 
Roberto and I were just talking about that last night.
The Japanese have always been fans of retro consumerism and now Polaroids?
I love the nostalgic look of the pics and one can see how we’ve come so far in photo technology.
I feel the same about my childhood
But I like to think that in 20 years we will feel the same about these days we are now living… Let’s enjoy the moment and the beer!!!!!!
I have one old Polaroid in a forgotten corner of my wardrobe
Your hamburguer looks so yummy with all those herbs
. Love to see the difference between the pictures. Cheers amigo!
Love the look of those photos.
And I also have to concur with your thoughts about the past. It’s funny how a bit of time/space gives us a whole new view of what’s gone before.
Like life, I think burgers are best approached simply. Love yours.
i like the contrast of old meets new. wonderfully photographed and presented!
there’s another Greek food blogger named Peter?! Sweeeet, now I’ll have 2 doses of greek food in my feed!
I like the look of the polaroid… it sucks that they’re gonna stop producing the film for it.
Love the concept for this post Peter! I was just going through old family photos the other day that included Polaroids – even though there isn’t as much detail and crispness as digital shots there’s a certain closeness and personal feeling you get from them (and not just from nostalgia!).
Your burgers sound wonderful – particularly the additions of cumin and Worcestershire. Yum!
Peter! I think the Poloroid pictures are really cool! Very vintage-looking.
I’m jealous of all your travels..
The burgers look terrific.
I love your photos! Fantastic! And those dishes look delicious!
Cheers,
Rosa
Wouldn’t it be great if polaroid was to make an instant camera with digital technology. I miss watching through albums and never print my photos any more. Your bifteki sounds great, with some slices of onion, salad and ketchup.
Well, I think it is natural for people to cling to their childhood tastes and memories. I love those vintage style photos! They are so hip.
Burgers are the very first thing I slap on the grill at the start of the BBQ season. It is just symbolizes Spring or summer:D
I love the first shot – lovely set of colors and love that table – makes me want film again!
i love the pics. i was toying with the idea of returning to film, but rolls now cost three times what they did.
I just got to reading your post and realized we’d written on burgers/biftekia together! Yours looks delicious and I do love them on the barbecue so much more than anything else. And the “old” shots really do bring back some great memories.Thank you for that quick trip back in time …
I love the perspective…the food doesn’t look half bad either. ;o)
Just for the record though, I’ll stick to digital or 220 format.
Cheers.
Interesting comparison of the results from two so very different cameras. And I wouldn’t mind some of your biftekia either! It looks very tasty.
I just love these photos, Peter! And I totally agree with you that sometimes we really just need to go back to feeling like a kid again. These biftekia look perfect. But the real question is what kind of beer?
The polaroid-esque snaps remind me of my childhood – they have a lovely look to them. I remember polaroid pics of me in green jeans and a red jean jacket, eating a candy cigarette. Hmmm, it seems odd now that they made candy versions of cigarettes for children. *sigh* … God bless the 70s