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…]

Whew! What a week we have enjoyed. We just returned from the International Housewares Show in Chicago, working with Select Brands, Inc., the company that introduced the Babycakes Cupcake Maker and ultimately the entire Babycakes treat line. We had many days filled with grocery shopping, prepping and preparing for this huge event. We even carried 400 premade cake pops with us on the plane, not to mention the display cake pops that piggy backed along in the overhead compartment. We have enjoyed the Housewares show for decades and each time we attend and work the demonstration counter we have a great time!

Not only were our days filled with excitement, enthusiasm, smiles and giggles galore, we got to enjoy some fabulous dinners with our friends from Select Brands. It is so difficult to capture our experiences in words, so we thought a picture would represent 1,000 words.

This is a picture of the new booth introduced this year. It was beautiful….two stories tall, with products, our demo counter and our new, improved large back kitchen! The second floor is expansive and takes your breath away with the meeting rooms and new product ideas.

Here we are with Bill Endres, the President of Select Brands.  We have worked with Bill for 3 decades! Did we really reveal that bit of trivia? He is a gem, an entrepreneur and the best salesman in the business. We are so humbled and honored to be able to continue our relationship with Bill after all these years.  The three of us worked together at Rival (the Crock Pot Company) and that relationship has continued for many, many years. It would be a Guinness book of records entry if we had only counted how many laughs and great times we have enjoyed with Bill.

Our big news at this show was the introduction of two more books we are writing that will be available in the fall. We have had so much creative time in the test kitchen and truly, had more than 200 recipes that wouldn’t fit. That’s how versatile the Babycakes Cupcake Maker and Cake Pop Maker can be.

Don’t you love these creations? Many of the directions are found in our current book, 175 Best Babycakes Cake Pops Recipes and here’s a sneak peak of the second cake pop book….Goldilocks and The Three Bears!

As the lights dimmed on the show and we returned to Kansas, once again we are pinching ourselves. Thank you Select Brands for your confidence in us and for counting us as part of your team. Thank you, our friends, family, colleagues and loyal followers, for your support, for believing in us and for making Babycakes appliances part of your lives. We are humbled and in awe beyond belief.

One of my adult daughters came by last night and commented that many of her co-workers wanted to take “Christmas Class” next year. They envision a class, taught by Roxanne and I, where we will share every taste, treat and tradition of the season. They asked if it might be taught in September so they would have plenty of time to get ready for the holidays.

They were dreaming, but what a  fun class it would be– yet let me share a secret. The Electrified Cooks really don’t have a corner on all things Christmas—we just love it. Every part of the season is something to embrace and cherish. From the decorating and first candle of Advent, through the wrapping and baking, to the final toast of the season—it is all magical and it is packed with love. Each activity can become a favorite family tradition.

When planning a recipe to share today, my mind was filled with all things Christmas. Should it be gingerbread cookies, or that great glaze for the ham, or candy or what? Then I realized that you, like me, plan and dream in the fall—then crazy days of last-minute scrambling take over. There is just not time to add another new recipe to the plate. So next year maybe we will teach that Christmas class and we will certainly share more holiday recipes here, in our blog, but for now, let’s just share the magic and love of the season.

Most of all, let us take this time to share the warmest of wishes to each and every one of you. We are so grateful for the opportunity to have you stop by and hope you will come often. We love to share our favorite recipes with you and always have a story or tip to share. We are always eager to learn what you cooked or would be happy to answer your cooking questions.

We are blessed to be the best of friends and are thankful to include you in our circle of friendship.

Have a very Merry Christmas.