The summer heat put the kibosh on so many of our summer plans. How about you? Finally, the heat seems to be breaking and there is still time for summer fun! My daughter is here for a brief respite—moving from a job in Topeka, Kansas to grad school near Washington, DC and that means family fun and special times. One night, a celebration seemed in order and we became fixated on milk shakes. They sounded cool, fun and comforting—all in one big gulp. [Read more…]
Experience the thrill of the chill. It’s hot outside and there is no sign of any change in the weather for days to come. The shutters inside our home are closed tightly and the entire family is beginning to go a bit stir crazy. Perks and tasty meals are what we look forward to during extremely hot and seemingly, never-ending summer days. The heat prohibits activity in the kitchen that involves heating ovens, simmering sauces or moving around much at all. We have been turning to a long time favorite dinner recipe that evokes cool and soothing relief. Marinated shrimp is a great hit any time of year, but especially it seems during this drought ridden summer of 2012.
Each summer I dream of casual gatherings—wine and appetizers aplenty, perfect weather, fireflies darting (but not bugs biting)—out on my patio. Reality check! This summer it is too hot to enjoy the outside. It is too hot to cook. Who wants to turn on the oven and heat up the house? OK–it’s time for me to stop complaining. Slow cooker to the rescue and one of my very favorite appetizers. Pesto and Bruschetta Cheesecake is so good you just might forget about the intense heat! [Read more…]
When it comes to BBQ I would like to think that I have become somewhat of an expert. Growing up in Kansas City, with a father who was in the meat business, how could one not become an expert? Imagine my surprise when I read about a terrific local BBQ restaurant in one of my favorite New York City blogs. Not only did I learn about it from NYC but I also discovered that a famous San Francisco chef, Mitchell Rosenthal had visited and written about his food experience too! That was enough for me to twist my family’s arm one more time so that we could experience another food field trip.
The Hillsdale Bank Bar B-Q was the star in these NYC posts and reports and after experiencing this local find first hand, I can certainly see why all the rave reviews. Not too far outside of Kansas City, south of Olathe, on 169 Highway, you will find Hillsdale Bank. What a breath of fresh air on a Saturday night! It was fun to visit small town Americana and enjoy the setting.
Our 14-year old insisted on starting our meal with onion rings. After remembering that this was not her idea of a terrific Saturday night, I consented to appease her. Wow! I was the winner of her selection. These had to be, hands down, some of the best onion rings I have ever tasted.
Now on to the main event. I selected the rib and meat dinner. The secret to the success of this BBQ joint is the fact that that do not use rub to flavor the meat. They prepare the meat slow and low with hickory. The result is beyond delicious. Topped with their famous sauce it is definitely blue ribbon quality. I liked to mix the two sauces, regular and hot. In addition the baked beans were sweet, delicious and obviously cooked slow and low too. [Read more…]
I love farmer’s markets. I don’t just mean, I browse through them occasionally, I am addicted to them. Walking through the fresh vegetables, fruits and flowers, with all of the vibrant colors, fresh smells and flavor possibilities is truly a salve for my weary soul. It is my time to literally stop and smell the roses—-well more often, stop and smell the peaches, or basil or some other culinary delight—but you get the picture.
My little corner of suburbia, Lee’s Summit, MO, has a small but first rate farmer’s market. It’s busy and vibrant, but not overwhelming. I walk by every vendor in just minutes, but then I go back and soak in the sights and smells, talk to the friendly folks at each booth and buy my treasures.
We have been really busy and totally focused on a new project (and we will make an exciting announcement on it soon) but for now, it is fair to say that my walk in the market these last few weeks has been far too rushed and brief. This last weekend, I finally got to meander and savor it. Oh it is hard to limit my purchases to what I can honestly use in a few days—but I try. (Well, true confession, I browse farmer’s markets when I travel and can’t cook the produce—and love the memories of markets in Italy, France, and across the USA.) [Read more…]
