Eat these.

I made pancakes for dinner last night from a recipe I found online. They were the best pancakes I've ever had. Now I'll always be able to find the recipe.

Milk Marketing

I'll never understand the California Milk Advisory Board's decision-making processes behind airing its Happy Cows commercials in Wisconsin. Who do you think they're convincing with those smug cows anyway?


On the other hand, there're the ad campaigns of the Wisconsin Milk Marketing Board, which are usually amusing and highbrow, but rarely seen. Now they've gone and shown me 30 burgers I want to be eating right now. Make sure you take the time to meet Camembert(!) on burger #16—The Camelot.

From the pages of GQ...

GQ gave us their latest installment of the requisite semi-regular Men's magazine ode to breakfast this month. Their angle: "Breakfast, it's still regional!" They made at least one really good decision: Sophia's Bakery (a.k.a that hipster joint on E. Johnson). Famous for both outdoor dining and Breakfast Scrabble, they serve nothing that is not the best thing you've ever had. As long as you're ok with the tattooed Sophia judging your every move. And her ridiculously cute daughter touching your food before you eat it.

On the other hand, they seem to have made an editing error in their scrapple recommendation. Any fan of greasy ground pig parts knows that Pete's, not Little Pete's, is the best place to get your triglyceride fix. It's an understandable mistake though; Phila. has seemingly 50 eating establishments with "Pete's" in their names within a 3 mile radius of City Hall. And these two are in the same block of Fairmount; crazy‽ A rower would never had made that mistake; nor would one of Pete's waitresses who love when the rowers come in after morning practice.

Limburger‽ I don't even know her!

My Cheese of the Month delivery arrived yesterday and proudly proclaimed itself to be "for Valentine's Day!". Along with a wedge of Farmhouse Cheshire and a chunk of red pepper cacio de roma was a 1/2 lb. brick of limburger. Really? Limburger for Valentine's Day?

My defining limburger memories come from the ill-fated experience David and I had with a bottle of limburger we bought from Ghetto Weg's, c. 2002. It was a terrible decision and I think we're still both slightly embarrassed by our youthful naïvité. I wish I could move on, but that 'cheese' still haunts my dreams on occasion. And it still makes me very hesitant when dealing with even well respected limburgers like this one from Wisconsin. Luckily I have 4 months to get up my nerve. 

I already know what mustard I'll be using, I just need to stock up on pumpernickel and liverwurst.

Someone's in the kitchen with Whitney

Today's Jobonga's birthday. Here I am doing the dishes while I whip up some birthday profiteroles for the rumored Iowa City Pastry Duel taking place later tonight.

You've seen this sweater before, but not since last year. Although it's impossible to tell from this picture it's actually a blue and white stripe, which makes me feel like either a sailor or a frenchie when I wear it.


# of Frames: 15

Sm'ked H'ck'ry

I got back from 12 days in California Monday. Madison was nice enough to welcome me home with some light snow, 10° weather, and a bag still stuck in Minneapolis for the night. Luckily, what Madison did not have waiting for me was an Original Hick'ry Pit. That fact is currently my favorite thing about this city.

David and I made the unfortunate decision to walk into this elided crap-basket Sunday night because we were moderately curious about what was going on in there. We should have known better. If its Bayside color scheme wasn't a big enough tip-off, the single digit dinner crowd should have been. This restaurant is not recommended for anyone who likes meat, vegetables, non-downtrodden ambiance, or who has not successfully completed a course in Algebra I. Before I tell you about our "dinning"experience, I'd like to share some reviews I've found on the interwebs with you:

The Campbell Reporter, 1999

That quote needs to be flipped and reversed, Missy Elliot style.

Next up we've got Bobby U. Despite his endearing photo and charming tagline he's an idiot. That food comes so quick because it doesn't take long to open up a can and dump it onto some poor John's plate. And who thinks that wood smoked meat soup sounds good anyway? I'm mostly sorry for his family. 

Angela L.- there's nothing crowded, or tender, in that place except for that waitress's surprisingly well-kept stern end. 

Yes, Nichole W., that dried out pork loin and salmon hued tri-tip... if only the portions were larger.

And now for some good news:

That James C., is exactly what we said.

Pie?

Curried tuna melt with goat's milk brie and dill

I made this for dinner last night. And I feel really good about it.

Asian Shopping

It turns out that Asian shopping is much more difficult than regular shopping. So many small little containers, in small little aisles, with small little carts. And all those crazy languages. It can all start to get a little stressful, especially when you can't find the Japanese mayonnaise and there's a China-USA Friendship rally going on outside. Or when you get home and realize that it's Sushi Sunday and you don't have any soy sauce.

Here I am deciding between mini cucumbers (look how small!) and the Pigeon Brand fermented mustard greens. The Pigeon Brand may also have manufactured typewriter ribbons in its the past. Weird.

I'll bring the Unagi.

Last weekend I received an email from my brother Evan proclaiming the next Barnebey Family Ethinic Eating Event Sushi Sunday. It went something like this:

I know everyone has been waiting and wondering about the continuation of the EEE machine. There have been some questions about whether an August EEE took place. August was a bit differeent as the Barnebey clan went north and created a ruckus in Maine. The entire week was EEE themed and we have pictures and menus to prove it. That being said...

Next Sunday September 28th has been officially designated Sushi Sunday. The impetus for this event is the Tuna fishing trip being taken by EEE members Taylor, Alonzo, and Larry. So there will be Tuna that has been dead for a handful of hours, what better excuse for Sushi could there be.

Additionally, this is the going away party for Taylor, who has offically worn out his welcome in the tri-state area. So come celebrate the Taylor-free future.

Bring your saki!!

I'm going to have miss the actual tuna hunt, but I'm not going to miss all that freshly caught mercury. Because yesterday I bought a ticket back to Phila. Despite the promise of jugbands and backyard snacking in Iowa City. Sorry Joanna, I hope I didn't make a terrible decision. There's already been some second guessing. My (United) flight from MSN is delayed for 2 hours, meaning I'd miss my (US Air) flight from ORD to PHL. So I got myself onto a(n) (American) flight that leaves in 30 minutes that should get me to Chicago in time for a (United) flight to Philly at 9:15. That means I won't get in until past midnight though, after train service from the aeroporto stops for the night. I had to ruin the surprise and tell Papa Barnebey I was coming so he could pick me up. He's going to try to sneak out without letting my mom in on the secret though.

Also, it's raining in Philadelphia.

On the upside: the Phillies only have to beat the Nationals, and on Sunday I'll be chatting up the fishmonger while he kills a couple of fresh water eels for me.

Thanks Joanna 2.0

The first bite was trixie. I came back to it a day later and couldn't get enough of its bacony parts in and around my mouth.

Maine Menu

You've probably already seen pictures, and maybe pictures, of the latest Barnebey (and Friends) Vacation. The '08 event was located in Maine and featured a week of Ethnic Eating Events (EEEs) as well as The Barnebey Family Olympics on Friday. Despite getting egg on my face, the Olympics were a good time. Except for the Speed Scrabble event, which is my least favorite variety of Scrabble. That was a terrible experience.

What we're really most proud of though is the menu:

Who's Salty Now?

Back in the idyllic days we spent living in the little pink house at 161 Crittenden Blvd. in Rochester, NY, we always had a bowl of kosher salt sitting by the stove ready for seasoning at a moment's notice. One of the best things about that house was how often we cooked and ate together. And the salt bowl always reminds me of our post-practice egg sandwiches, our adventures in broiling, and roasting whole chickens. Sometimes it makes me think about the bean pot too, but less often. Also it reminds me of The Barnebey kitchen, where there aren't cabinets, and everything is out in the open. When I came to Madison in August of 2004 and moved in with Schwenn, Blatts, and Batman, I bought a box of kosher salt and started my own salt bowl. I used this little red bowl, part of a larger 6 piece dinnerware set, on permanent loan from the U of R dining center that I may or may not have stolen from Joanna (my set is green, not red). And it made me have happy thoughts whenever I went to salt things. Today, after 3.9 years of consistent use, I finished off the last of that 1st box of salt. And now my salt bowl is empty.

Notes from Philadelphia

I've been here for a week and a half already, and still haven't finished any papers. As far as I know I'm still a student at the University of Wisconsin, but I also might not be.

Anyway, some other things have been accomplished:

1. Wednesday night a Barnebey family meeting was called. We met at The Urban Cafe over dinner. Here's a postcard:It may look like it's in the middle of the Cultural District of Germantown Philadelphia, but infact, there is no Cultural District of Germantown Philadelphia. Instead it's across the street from the former neighborhood middle school, and between the chinese takeout place and the car wash. Not classy, but very Germantown. And there's always someone in there we know, somehow.

First on the agenda was the Barnebey Family Vacation 2008: Mucho Maine-o, which takes place the 1st week of August. Nobody really knew how they were getting there yet. Darcy's apartment figured prominently in several people's plans, although she didn't really know it yet. Surprise! We also finalized the menu for the week, which will be as follows: Maine Monday, Tuscan Tuesday, Oaxacan Wednesday, and French Friday. Next up, when is Welsh Wednesday occurring? Wednesday June 4th. Easy. And finally, what are we going to do with all the buffalo meat that the Morman contingent sent us? Answer, Wild West Wednesday, Wednesday May 28th. Here is Kermit, dressed for the occasion:Tap root beer and whiskey served as the drink for the evening, a surprisingly good mix. It has been christened an Old West. Try it. Also on the menu were biscuits, blue-cornbread, a spicy coleslaw, and baked beans, along with the buffalo steaks and buffalo burgers.

2. Memorial Day with the brothers was survived. See pictures and videos here of people you may or may not know, drinking and cavorting in The Poconos for 4 days. 7's, 11's, Double's was introduced to the group early in the weekend and proved to be a hit. Saturday we started the power hour at 11:30 AM. We drank a bottle of both Abosult APeach and Absolut Pears, which seems to be some type of Memorial Day tradition with these people. And finished a baby keg of The Golden Monkey, a 9.5% beer. Of course there were Keystone Lights on hand to aid in the completion of the Keystone Challenges. Being in the Keystone State, these were mandatory.

3. I baked a strawberry-rhubarb pie from scratch, preparing for my next career once I get kicked out of school.

4. Tonight, we will be cooking dinner on the wood grille for the 5th time this week. My greatest success!

Today in Pennsylvania...

Well, not Today today, but today as in March 20th, when I started this post. And the day that there were 2 interesting news bits out of the Keystone state. The first was from the Fair unfair city of Philadelphia, specifically from Geno's Steaks. Geno's, along with Pat's King of Steaks directly across the street, forms the nexus of the cheesesteak universe at 9th and Passyunk. To be clear, it's not that either Pat's or Geno's actually makes the best cheesesteak in the city, but they do serve the most cheesesteaks in the city. By far. Also, their almost identical steaks, on identical Amoroso rolls, with identical topping options (provolone, american, or whiz, fried or raw onions), engender surprisingly strong loyalties. Personally, I'm a Pat's guy. They chop their steak a little bit more, which I like, and don't have all the glitz and glamor of the Geno's storefront, which comes off a little too Wildwood, NJ for my taste. Also, their name is "Pat's King of Steaks", so they must be the best.

Anyway, a couple of years ago Geno's posted in their window a sign that read: 'This is America when ordering "Speak English"'.
Right above their long time pledge of customer satisfaction: "Management Reserves The Right To Refuse Service". When charges of racism and discrimination inevitably arose, Mr. Geno claimed he had never actually refused service to anyone because of the language they were speaking. That's probably true, I suspect any non-English speakers just got a stronger dose of the general assholery always being thrown about by the staffs of both Pat's and Geno's to all of their customers. Regardless, the sign quickly became the center of a debate over free speech/signage vs. immigrant rights, and resulted in a formal complaint to the Philadelphia Commission on Human Relations. On March 20th, after 21 months, they finally decided that no, the sign is not discriminatory. Just sort of douchy. To the best of my knowledge, as of yet there has not been a lawsuit demanding that the unnecessary quotation marks around "Speak English" be removed. But there probably should be.

Story #2 was a NY Times dispatch from Johnstown, PA, deep in the heart of the 'tucky portion of Pennsyltucky. As part of their continuing series proving how in touch they are with the common folk, the Times reported on the general apathy among the small town Pennsylvanian electorate towards the upcoming primary vote. In a proud moment for all Pennsylvanians, they conclude with a quote from a local business leader:

Peter Contacos, 42, the fourth generation of his family to own and operate Coney Island Lunch, [...] will not vote for Senator Barack Obama, “because his name is Barack Hussein Obama — case closed.” Mr. Contacos, an avid hunter who proudly displays pictures of himself with a magnificently maned lion he killed in Botswana, said he considered Mr. Obama “a terrorist.”

Overall, not a good day for Pennsylvanian in general.

Oh, hello .blogworld, I didn't see you there. I've been busy eating eggs all week. On Monday, Joanna and I ate these two eggs over pizza at Pizza Brutta. The green Chevy coup would be released from the mechanic in a matter of hours, until then we enjoyed our unexpected day together over gray yolks and homemade soda mixes.


On Tuesday I brought this little green beauty with me for lunch, which, per usual, I ate at my desk while doing the crossword. Immediately preceding eating this egg I spent 95 minutes in a meeting talking about the phonological inventories of baby Hmongs. The egg was much more eggciting, and its yolk was much less grey than Monday's eggs.


Wednesday lunch found me back at my desk at lab with another green egg. This one loudly proclaimed "BANG!", in homage to Status Quo from America's Best Dance Crew. If you haven't watched this show you've missed some seriouzly hard dance, the always prescient commentary of Lil Mama, and some outrageously inappropriate video effects.


I briefly contemplated the vast agro-industrial complex that had yielded to me this non-free range egg, before enjoying the little baby chicken embryo inside.




Thursday's egg [not pictured] was eaten during my office hours in the linguistics department. I was interrupted mid-egg by a student confused by α-notation. I'm still unsure of the proper etiquette for this situation. Should I finish my egg before talking to you, or leave my partially eaten speckled egg sitting on the desk while we talk linguistics? I chose the later.



Friday's egg was my Lady Rapper Egg, subtley emblazoned with my moniker "Morning Glory Wood". I ate this egg while contemplating the ellusive El Dorado of Lady Rapper-hood: the Lady Flip. Joanna, Darcy, have you been practicing?

Sweatering Thru Lunch

It's been a busy morning. As you can see, some things have changed around here. What hasn't changed is my regular double-decker PB&J that I have for lunch almost every day. The double-decker technique (BREAD - jelly - peanut butter - BREAD - peanut butter - jelly - BREAD) was perfected long ago at the Gainesville, GA Super 8 Motel and results in the ideal balance of fillings:breads. I've been bringing this for lunch for about 4 years now. That sounds boring and childlike I guess, but I still look forward to my sandwich (and a yoghurt, and sometimes a fruit of some type) everyday. So I don't see any reason to change my routine just yet.

The Sweater: another in my series of blue v-necks.


mmmm...

Days of the Week

Because of the general agreement among attendees that Mexican Monday was a great success, Tuesday was quickly declared Thai(/Tie) Tuesday at the Barnebey house, shortly before midnight on January 14th. Coming up with our Mexican Menu was a fairly routine affair: guacamole, tortilla soup, stuffed poblanos, fish tacos, a punch bowl of margaritas, and coffee flan for desert. The only challenge there was making sure I made enough for all 12 of us. But Thai is a bit more opaque than Mexican. At least to me. I mean I like Thai, it's one of my top 5 food ethnicities, but I don't really understand it. So what do you make for Thai Tuesday? And more importantly, what's the correct drink for Thai Tuesday (note: Mai Tais is not a valid response)? These were all questions that were eventually answered by spring rolls, coconut curry soup, green curried chicken shrimp and pork satay, Dark and Stormy's with our homemade ginger soda served in coconuts (with umbrellas), and tapioca pudding for dessert. Oh, and Singha beer to fill up the boot.

Unfortunately, I'm leaving for Wisconsin in a matter of minutes. And that means that Welsh Wednesday, Thirsty Thursday, French Friday, and Sloppy Saturday will have to wait for the next Barnebey Family gathering.

And, as should come as no surprise to anybody, Kermit over did it again. Now I have to get him onto a plane. hopefully he can hold it together until he makes it to Madison.

Sweater(!), with Frog

It's been a busy 2 weeks, and for most of it I didn't have my camera. This is unlike me. To compensate I had to have my way with other people's photographic devices. Unfortunately, I did not get to document Sweater Thursday last week. I promise I did wear a sweater. This week I am coming back en masse (with a frog). Tonight is the 2nd in the series of (Occasionally) Traditional Bi-Weekly Barnebey Family Friday Fish-Fries (OTB-WBFFFFs). Needless to say, we are both excited. Untraditionally, this Friday Fish Fry is happening on a Thursday since I'm going to visit the A-Dog in D.C. tomorrow.