Spotlight : Lawrence, Kansas

Lawrence, Kansas. My hometown and fifty percent of my blog's namesake. I swear I'm not making this up, but the first thing the person giving my college campus tour said to me after I said I was from Kansas was, "You're not in Kansas anymore!" I could retire at the ripe old age of 27 if I had $100 for every time someone in South Carolina told me that I was the first person they've ever met from Kansas. I take it as a compliment.

My parents raised Sadie and I under the "give your children roots and wings" philosophy. My mother's side of the family is from Kansas and she somehow successfully convinced my dad to move from Napa to the middle of nowhere to raise a family. Located in the northeast corner of the sunflower state, it was indeed the best place to grow up and I am grateful. Muddy "beaches" at Clinton Lake, rats in the locker room because our school was in the middle of a corn field... they may be crazy roots, but they're my roots.

Lawrence is like the little unknown family/college town oasis in the middle of all those "square states." A town that takes pride in small shops, local restaurants, and is home to the cathedral of basketball, Allen Fieldhouse. Dorthy doesn't actually live there, tornadoes don't actually plow through town, and there are actually hills... big hills. Although I haven't physically called Lawrence home for nearly nine years, it will always be home and the Kansas Rock Chalk Chant will always equal March Madness.

My sister and I living the simple life out on the farm. 

We didn't have chickens, or a farm,
but we had friends that lived in the country
and those are most definitely our coveralls.
(1988)

Rhett in Lawrence where the buffalo roam (state animal).
(2006)


Kansas summers are hotter than yours
and the winters are colder than yours
except if you live in Canada or Russia or something.
This was taken last week during a winter storm in March
which ended up dumping 6 inches or so.
NBD.

Also taken last week, my first time watching March Madness at home since high school.
Kansas basketball is magical, impossible to understand unless you've lived it,
and is Lawrence's #1 import.

Quick! Trivia question:
Who invented basketball?

Answer:

James Naismith in 1891 with a pair of peach baskets.

Naismith also founded the Kansas basketball program.

Allen Fieldhouse, home of Kansas Jayhawks
and Mecca to basketball fans everywhere.


During a recent hometown progression lunch at some Mass St. favorites.
Mass St. (Massachusetts Street) is where everyone gravitates for
food, shopping, and adult beverages.
First course: Spinach and artichoke dip at Quinton's.
Second course: Wings at Jefferson's.
Third course: Pizza "as big as your face" at Papa Keno's.
Dessert: Darts at Harbour Lights.


An institution in every sense of the word:
Free State Brewing Company.
How do I love thee? Let me count the ways.
Photo featuring the menu art with description below,
infamous bottle in the wall at the entrance,
and the man himself: James Naismith.
The place smells of hops and their infamous cheddar ale soup.


If you don't know this saying, you don't know Lawrence.
The back of Free State's t-shirts.
Excuse my small edit.

"Oh, give me a home where the buffalo roam

Where the deer and the antelope play.

Where seldom is heard a discouraging word

And the sky is not cloudy all day."

-"Home on the Range"

State song of Kansas

Funny story: my aunt Sandy Praeger has been in the politics scene my whole life, including the Senate, Mayor of Lawrence, and she's currently insurance commissioner. One year at a statehouse dinner, the main course was buffalo. Rude.

[photo sources: My Hero, Mrs. WRCIV]

Trader Joe's is coming to town!

GRAND OPENING
March 22nd!

It IS a beautiful day in the neighborhood! Trader Joe's is about to expand their "cult-like following" to the people of the Midlands- Forest Drive to be exact. Only a mile away from my office, thank you very much. Hours will be Monday-Sunday 8am-9pm.

Before we begin, I have learned of some sad news. "Two Buck Chuck" has gone on to that big vineyard in the sky. Charles Shaw Wines (known to friends and family as "Two Buck Chuck") were introduced to Trader Joe's 11 years ago and have since sold over 600 million bottles of wine. Due to unavoidable cost changes, Two Buck Chuck is no longer with us. It is survived by it's new $2.49 and up relatives (price varying due to state laws, taxes, and shipment fees).

Trader Joe's began as a small chain of convenience stores in the 1950s and has since grown to be a full-blown, privately held chain of specialty grocery stores that focus on great food, great prices, and value. They have nearly 400 stores and 80% of their items bear one of their own brand names. Because they cut out the middle man, their prices are hard to beat, but it doesn't show in their products. And they're super, duper friendly.

...and maybe you'll run in to Anna Faris while you're there?

My parents live next to a Trader Joe's in Kansas City and have some tried and true favorites. If something in the house isn't homemade, most of it is from Trader Joe's because it's "Oh my gosh, so good." I love giving credit where credit is due and when I love something, I'll probably tell you about it, then ask you again next week, "Did I tell you about..[it]..?" I asked my mom to send me a list of her favorite stuff. She's big on their frozen items so she can just pop them in the oven when friends stop by or kids are home.

Frozen

• Chicken and cilantro mini wontons (serve with Gyozo Sauce, on the aisle with soy sauce; warning: we inhale these)
• Mini Sprizzico di pizza
• Potato pancakes
• Mini chicken pot pies
• Mushroom turnovers
• Organic brown rice (microwave in bag for just 3 minutes)

Food

• Smoked almonds
• Dark roast coffee
• Boxed broth
• Salad dressings
• Produce is always fresh and they carry unusual items, too

Wine 

(In loving memory of Two Buck Chuck)

• Wide selection and prices are competitive
• And I quote my mother: "For real bargains, you can't beat their boxes of chardonnay ($9.99)"
• Favorite cheap bottle: Benefactor Cellars from Australia ($4.99)

Household

• Flower market
• Everything from cut flowers to orchids to potted herbs
• Prices are best in town and blooms are fresh every day
• Disposable sponges
• Make up remover packets (just as good as the cosmetic counters at 1/3 of the price)

I am chomping at the bit to learn my way around their store and find my favorites (although now we'll never be without those dang wontons). We already got an über creative "Trader Joe's Fearless Flyer" in the mail. I also learned they wear Hawaiian shirts because they don't think grocery shopping should be another chore. I happen to love grocery shopping, but appreciate their attention to detail.

[photo sources: Trader Joe's, Business Insider]

A Savannah Bachelorette Party

The bride's favorite holiday is St. Patrick's Day. 

The groom proposed the day before St. Pat's in 5 Points. 

We had no choice: Savannah for a St. Pat's Bachelorette!

The day after their engagement during St. Pat's in 5 Points 2012.

Along the Georgia/South Carolina coast lies a little leprechaun haven known as Savannah. Millions of visitors come each year for its architecture and history. It is the birthplace of Juliette Gordon Low, founder of the Girl Scouts of America, home of Paula Deen, and downtown is one of the largest National Historic Landmark Districts in the US.

Savannah also boasts 364 days a year of planning to celebrate the patron saint of Ireland. For the 189th time, Savannah held their annual parade and festival and we headed south to see if the rumors were true. In four words: yup, and then some...

Straight from the car to a pre-shower spin around downtown.
The streets were overflowing with green plastic.
I gladly spent $3 on the above item.

The Friday night left-work-early crew at Garibaldi's.


A pre-piano bar cocktail to stimulate the senses.

Singing a little number into a femur bone at Savannah Smiles Dueling Pianos.


Safety first.
Shout out to the fantastic Savannah law enforcement team.

Sarah's pantie game: Everyone bring the bride a pair and she guesses who bought which.

My mini bottle exchange game*: Everyone chooses a number out of a cup.

Number one picks a mini bottle first, then number two can steal number one's or pick from the pile.

So on and so forth until everyone has one.

Wait until everyone has theirs, then choose blindly out of a cup either:
"Chilled", "with a chaser", or "straight up".

*For optimal enjoyment, please play responsibly and in the afternoon/evening.

Not over the moon about "gin" + "straight up."

Showtime.

For breakfast, it was hot dogs.

Fully benefiting from Savannah's no open container laws.

Laura's Bachelorette Party! (minus Sam)

For lunch, it was a walk-up window McDonald's.

Different strokes for different folks.
I give the people-watching an A+ for originality and creativity.

Afternoon delight at B&D Burgers with our new best friend, Torri.

Saw a ton of people, but no burgers.

For dinner, it was Vinnie Van Go Go's.

The hardest working guys in town: valet.

Bonus points for finding Tyler's keys in less than 15 minutes.

To polish off our weekend of under-indulging. 

Stay far, far away from the Hardeeville/Jasper Highway Burger King.

Among the many things they did not have during our 30 minute wait,

ketchup packets were one of them.
Ketchup packets.

We did it. We planned, we executed, and we're back in the office with the only evidence being no voice and chipped hot pink nail polish. It was a McAmazing O'Fantastic time and more pics will come soon on Facebook. In closing, the main takeaways from the weekend would have to be:

1. The buddy system is 100% successful when used properly.

2. Don't assume you'll see more than 4 blocks of Savannah-  or the river - just because you're in Savannah.

3. Remember the power of the "Bachelorette" sash. 

Once our sunburns have healed and our energy levels have stabilized, Savannah St. Pat's: The Reunion planning can commence! (Please message for details; serious inquiries only).

Love you, Laura and Tyler,

and thank you to all of the ladies for your enthusiastic participation!

A Charleston Wedding

...coming in May!

[photo sources: Holy City Catering, Saint Patricks, Mrs. Chermely, Mrs. WRCIV]

How to : Hibachi at Home

日系アメリカ人夕食

Would it be too much if I said this was "easy shmeasy Japanesey"? (bashful face). Back when my mom's office was next to an authentic Asian market, one day she came home with a rice cooker, a lifetime supply of rice, and a complete setting of Asian-style dishes so I could make hibachi at home. I've probably made it 100+ times since.

 

Miso soup > Asian salad > Stir fried veg > Fried rice

The hibachi dinner is to Japan as Taco Bell is to Mexico. We hosted some Japanese exchange students when I was in elementary school (sister city exchange: Lawrence, Kansas and Hiratsuka, Japan) and I asked them if they did hibachi like this and they we're puzzled. To be fair, they had just seen a garage door open for the first time. They didn't realize they were staying with magicians. Hibachi, meaning "fire bowl" in Japanese, is a traditional open-topped heating device.

The ingredients for this hibachi dinner are easy to find, but you could step it up with some real deal items from an authentic market that would make it taste more like the restaurants. I make the soup first, then cut and prep everything down to scrambling the eggs so it's all ready to go, otherwise I'm eating it cold or solo.

Hibachi at Home

Serves: 4

Everything you'll need

• 4 T. miso paste (I use Miso & Easy from World Market)
• 1 bunch green onions, sliced thin
• 1 pint white mushrooms: 1/3 of the container sliced thin (for soup), quarter the other 2/3 (for veg)
• 1 bag Romaine lettuce
• Asian style- ginger, sesame, miso, etc.- dressing (I use miso-scallion vinaigrette from Williams-Sonoma or go to an Asian restaurant and ask to buy some of theirs. Most will let you.)
• 1 medium zucchini, sliced
• 1 medium yellow squash, sliced
• 1 medium onion; slice half of the onion (for veg), dice the other half (for rice)
• 3 T. sesame seeds
• 1 T. dark sesame oil
• 4 cups cooked rice
• .5-1 lb. chicken, diced and stir fried in a stir fry or teriyaki sauce
• 3 eggs, scrambled
• 1 cup frozen mixed vegetables, cooked
• 3+ T. butter
• Soy sauce
• Salt and pepper
• A wok or large, wide pan and a sauce pan
• Glass of wine

Directions

Miso Soup and Salad

Add sliced mushrooms and 1/3 of the sliced green onions to 3 cups of boiling water. Stir in miso paste once mushrooms become soft. Serve with salad.

Vegetables

Heat sesame oil in wok over med-high, then stir fry zucchini, squash, sliced onion and quartered mushrooms until done (about 6-7 minutes). Everything should cook in the same amount of time. Toss in 1 T. of the sesame seeds and salt and pepper to taste.

Chicken Fried Rice

1. Cook rice as directed.
2. Stir fry chicken until done, then set aside.
3. Melt a pat of butter over med-high and cook the diced onion until soft, then set aside.
4. Melt a pat of butter over med-high and cook scrambled eggs until done.
5. Mix in rice, chicken, diced onion, the remaining green onion, the remaining sesame seeds, and mixed vegetables.
6. Add soy sauce, salt, pepper and butter to taste.

*This can all be vegetarian by losing the egg and chicken (or substituting stir fried tofu). 

Japan has been on my bucket list for as long as I can remember. I've always wanted to go to a country where they use symbols, not letters. You could say I like to be a little uncomfortable when I travel. I suppose that means I'm learning.

The above Japanese symbols say, "The American Japanese Dinner."

[photo sources: Decor Arts, Mrs. WRCIV]

The incredible, edible artichoke

Anyone else get a little twinkle in their eye when they see an artichoke? Just me? That's cool. And I'm going to write about the artichoke now.

Growing up, our family vacationed in Vail, Colorado, every summer and every year my first stop had to be the Ore House to get a steamed artichoke. Much as Vail has changed dramatically through the years, apparently so has their menu. I went to their website to confirm they hadn't let this delicacy die, and while the artichoke is still on their menu, it is now a "gluten free grilled artichoke with toasted bread crumbs." They've still got the roasted garlic mayo going on though.

I don't remember the first time I ever had a steamed artichoke, all I know is I don't know life without it. It has been, and always will be, my favorite food. As you can see in the anatomy above, the artichoke can be quite the complex vegetable, sometimes intimidating to those who don't know how to work one, but I consider it the "lobster" of the vegetable world... fitting since it's often dipped in melted butter. They're best in the spring through summer and should be free from scratches, bruises, and split leaves

Without further adieu, a step-by-step pocket guide if you will to the magnificent:

ARTICHOKE

Thorns: NO! Don't go! We're just getting started. They won't bite, but use a sharp knife to trim off the pointy tops of the leaves and move along.

Outer leaves: These are the appetizer to the heart. Once the artichoke has been cooked, slide the bottom half of the leaf between your teeth to scrape off the meat.

Inner leaves and choke: On a fresh artichoke, these need to be scooped out with a small spoon (if soft enough) or sliced out with a pairing knife and thrown in the trash, not the garbage disposal. These are edible on canned artichokes.

Heart: This is the artichoke's money-maker. Enjoy slowly.

Stem: Although I wish this could be cooked and enjoyed as an extension of the heart, it's just can't. The stem, if not sliced off near the base of the heart, gets stringy and bitter.

To cook an artichoke

• Wash and cut off stem about 1/2 inch from base
• Remove small bottom leaves and cut off thorny tips
• Stand artichoke upright in a deep saucepan with 2-3 inches of water
• Cover and boil gently 35-45 minutes or until base can be pierced easily with a fork
• Drain and serve with a dipping sauce (garlic butter is legit)
• Sit back, relax, and enjoy

Spinach Artichoke Dip
Serves 6-8

-10 oz. package frozen chopped spinach, thawed and drained
-2 cans artichoke hearts, drained and chopped
-1/2 c. mayo
-1/2 c. sour cream
-1/2 c. cream cheese (optional)
-1 c. freshly grated Parmesan cheese
-1 c. grated pepper jack cheese

1. Preheat oven to 350 and grease casserole dish with nonstick spray.
2. Combine all ingredients except pepper jack in a large bowl and stir well.
3. Transfer to the casserole dish and sprinkle pepper jack on top.
4. Bake for 30 minutes or until hot and bubbly.

Serve with bagel chips, crackers, or Italian bread. I kid you not, the Food Network wine suggestion for this recipe: chardonnay.

Heart-y Salad
Serves 2-3

-1 bag of romaine hearts, chopped
-1 can artichoke hearts, chopped
-1/2 can hearts of palm, chopped
-Dressing (a vinaigrette or balsamic and olive oil is best)

Evenly divide the artichoke hearts and hearts of palm on a bed of romaine and drizzle with dressing.

Artichokes can also be marinated, grilled, roasted, etc. etc. Saki Tumi Grill and Sushi Bar in Downtown Columbia's Vista District has the best fire roasted artichoke... although to be fair, every artichoke is the best artichoke. Theirs is marinated in olive oil, balsamic vinegar and garlic, then roasted and served with a garlic aioli sauce for dipping.

They say taste buds change every seven years or so and mine are guilty of this. I pray to the food Gods that really, really good tastes stand the test of time. So far, so good.

[image sources: Rookie Cookie, Taste of Home, Food Network]
[recipe sources: Food Network, Mrs. WRCIV]