A Morning Worthy of Muffins

I awoke this morning to a lulling patter, the clearest of indications I was to stay inside. There were stairs to sweep, and some dishes to wash. And of course, a bit of homework I might drag myself to finish. There were, in essence, plenty of normal, morning-ly things to be done.

But just as I sat down to read the newspaper, a waft of decomposing bananas hit me. That, coupled with the blindingly green grass and itsy-bitsy violets bursting in my yard, led me astray. Clearly, the pre-noon hours had to be spent baking and breathing in the bliss that is spring. Breathing in from under a roof, mind you.



So as the rain coaxed fuschia blossoms from my neighbor's magnolia tree, I took to some butter and flour. Within just a few minutes my house smelled of cinnamon-infused bananas. Birds chirped, my roommate cooed. And a harmonious eau de magnolia/lilac/violet/rain mingled with the muffins browning in the oven. How nice.



Rainy Morning Banana Muffins
Adapted from Epicurious

1 1/2 cups all purpose flour
2/3 cup sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup mashed ripe bananas (about 2 large)
1 large egg
1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, melted
1/4 cup milk
1 tsp. vanilla
1 tsp. cinnamon

Preheat oven to 350°F. Line twelve 1/3-cup muffin cups with foil muffin liners. Mix flour, sugar, baking powder and salt in large bowl. Mix mashed bananas, egg, melted butter, milk, vanilla and cinnamon in medium bowl. Stir banana mixture into dry ingredients just until blended (do not overmix).

Divide batter among prepared muffin cups, filling each about 3/4 full. Bake muffins until tops are pale golden and tester inserted into center comes out clean, about 32 minutes. Transfer muffins to rack; cool.

The Smell of Charcoal

Is there anything better than the smell of charcoal on a spring evening? (Food-wise, that is.) After deciding against leftover pasta for dinner, there was only one thing floating through my mind: It's 80 degrees outside, I haven't fired up the grill since last summer, and there's cold Blue Moon in the fridge.

A quick journey to Hyvee later, and I returned with half a dozen brats, a gigantic bag of Doritos (the bag is marked "FAMILY" for a reason), and hot dog buns. The total cost: 80 cents each for the brats (Hyvee carries four varieties of them, including pineapple), $3.50 for the chips, and about a dollar for the hot dog buns--of course, you can divide the total by three since there was a trio working on eating the food. Also keep in mind, however, that you'll have to buy charcoal the first time around (the Hyvee brand will suffice) and lighter fluid. And, if you haven't already purchased one, a grill. Of course.

Since I have the last three things on the list already, the total cost for each person was around $3.50.

So, once you get home, it's time to fire up the grill and get started. Now, I'm no expert when it comes to charcoal (but please don't switch to gas, because the food just doesn't taste the same), but my strategy seems to work all right: Don't use too much charcoal, get a good flame started in the middle, and when they're smoldering, close the lid and let the trapped heat do its thing. This may not be the best way to do it, but it works for me--if it doesn't for you, play around a little. Don't worry that it might take a little while--sit back, drink a beer (or three) and play catch with your roommates.
















After about half an hour, I was ready to throw the brats on. Before I did this, I boiled all six on the oven in advance. I'm not sure if this takes away from the quality at all, but they sure cook a lot quicker on the grill--after they're completely steamed through (they'll look gray as they float in the water), take them out, throw them on the grill, and listen to the sizzle. Burn them on each side (a crunchy brat is a good brat), add condiments, and enjoy.

It's not the fastest meal you'll ever make. In fact, it's probably one of the slowest. But on a beautiful spring evening, time doesn't matter, does it? Turn off the TV, leave the iPod inside, and listen to the sounds of nature--or, if you live near me, motorcycles, passing cars, and the sorority girls on their way home from class. ("Oh my God, we should totally grill out tonight, you guys!")

Good idea, Kappa Kappa Gamma.

Taking a Trip

So I'll admit that I haven't eaten the food yet. In fact, I just recently heard of the place. We'll call this a food preview--and perhaps an analysis of, you know, stepping outside of downtown Iowa City for a good meal.

A coworker, who lives in Tiffin, Iowa (just a few miles west of Coralville), recently argued that John's Ice Cream Store & Restaurant has the best pork tenderloin in Iowa. Now, I'm no expect on the tenderloin, but I've had them a time or two, and I'll admit: They're tasty. But am I going to go all the way out to Tiffin just to try one? Of course not.

As it turns out, however, Tiffin is about a three minute drive from the Coral Ridge Mall. Literally. If you're brave enough to venture down Hwy. 6 (past the mall, past Lowe's), you'll find small-town Iowa in all its glory: A gas station, a neighborhood, and a restaurant/ice cream joint. For a city-dweller, I get a kick out of such places.

Last weekend I made the journey to Tiffin in search of the alleged "best tenderloin in Iowa," and was disappointed...not at the food, no, but because I didn't even get a chance to eat there. It seems that Tiffin natives, unlike their Iowa City counterparts, don't need their local eateries open at 3 AM. It's a shame, I know. Now, I didn't expect them to be open at 3 AM, but the late evening hours seemed appropriate; unfortunately, they were closed when I arrived. So what's a food writer to blog about? Dairy Queen? I think not!


I was wholeheartedly against the trip when I first heard about John's. Sure, it might be good, but I'm not going all the way out there for food. As it happens, it's not that far away after all. See, in the land of fast food (that would be downtown Iowa City, folks), we're afraid to step outside of our comfort zone and try something different. Hopefully we've done that on occasion here at Lord of the Fries, but I really wanted to review an eatery outside the borders of our sheltered university community--somewhere accessible, mind you, but not a regular destination for UI students.

So here's my promise: I'll go to John's before next Wednesday and report on the food. I'm excited to try it now, even if I'll have to drive just to get there (Has anyone checked gas prices lately?) But if I'm going to go, you need to go too. No, not to John's (though you can if you like). Try something other than downtown Iowa City or Coralville. When you're hungry and on the road, stop at the first place you see, especially if you've never tried it. Thai? Give it a try!

Next week: John's Ice Cream Store & Restaurant. In case you'd like to beat me to it, the directions area displayed below for your convenience:

231 W Marengo Rd, Tiffin, IA (Find your way to Hwy. 6, head west, and keep going!)
(319) 645-2558



UPDATE: John's doesn't seem to be open when I can make it out there, so I've replaced my journey this week with a "take to the yard and grill" piece. I still haven't given up home, though--this weekend could (finally) be the one.

A letter to Iowa City about hot dogs

Dear Iowa City,

Hello old friend. It's been a while, I know. I'm sorry for being so distant lately, but lately I've had some things on my mind. I didn't know how to tell you, but, well, okay enough beating around the bush. I'm just going to come right out and say it, and I'm sorry if it hurts, but it needs to be said.

You've got a problem with your hot dogs.

You see, as we move closer towards spring and further into the baseball season, I can't help but think of the season's perfect edible companion: a Chicago-style hot dog. The thought of one makes me salivate like Pavlov's dog in a bell tower.

So Iowa City, what's the deal? Tell me why you can't provide this simple service. And don't try and tell me they have them at the Skybox, located at 124 1/2 Washington St. I've been there, and those hot dogs cost $5.00 - $6.00, and that's without fries. Are you kidding me? For a hot dog? A hot dog should cost no more $3.00, maybe $3.75.

Also, in Chicago, a place that sells Chicago-style hot dogs sells much, much more. I'm talking gyros, Italian beef, sausage, ribs, and burgers. These are places like Portillo's, Nicky's Red Hots, Superdawg, etc.

I mean, you have a place called Old Chicago, located at 75 2nd St. in Coralville, and it doesn't even have hot dogs, let alone anything else I just listed, except for hamburgers. But what place doesn't have hamburgers? That place is pathetic.

Listen, here's a good description of a Chicago-style dog from Wikipedia. Maybe you can learn something:

A Chicago-style hot dog is a steamed or boiled all-beef hot dog on a poppy seed bun, which originated in the U.S. city of Chicago, Illinois. The hot dog is topped with mustard, onion, sweet pickle relish (usually neon green), a dill pickle spear, tomato slices or wedges, sport peppers, and a dash of celery salt; but never ketchup.

So Iowa City, there you have it. That's all I wanted to say. I'm sorry if it hurt, but you need to be aware of the dire hot dog situation that you have let get out of hand. I don't blame you because you didn't know any better. Now I hope that you will go and right this horrible wrong.

Love,
Kevin