The funniest guy on the planet talks about KFC's Famous Bowls.
Saturday
Crosstown Station is officially open
KC's newest music venue is now open. Brody Buster kicked it off last night. Check out their website here. You should go down and check it out.
Wednesday
Yummy Au Gratin Potatoes
I made some potatoes today to accompany the standing rib roast my mother is making for dinner tonight. It's a very simple yet delicious recipe. Here is how I did it.10 or so red potatoes (enough to fill your large casserole dish 3/4 of the way)
44 oz. shredded sharp cheddar cheese (I bought a 32 oz. bad and a 12 0z. bag)
40 oz. sour cream (I bought a 24 oz. container and a 16 oz. container)
salt
black pepper
Thinly slice enough potatoes to fill your baking dish. (I like to slice them into about 1/8 inch rounds) Salt and pepper sliced potatoes liberally.
Add cheese and sour cream to potatoes. Add more salt and pepper. Mix well.
Sometimes at this point I will fill the dish 1/4 the way with milk for creamier taters.
(reserve 12 oz. of cheese to put over the top near the end of cooking)
Bake at 400 for 1 1/2 hours or until potatoes are very tender.
I like to cook them until the cheese burns a little around the edges. The burnt cheese and potatoes is the best part.
Sunday
I made the family red sauce last night
It turned out very good. This recipe is the reason I cannot order red sauce at a restaurant. It is much better than what you will find dining out. Here is how I did it.4lbs. pork neck bones
2 106 oz. cans tomato sauce
1 16 oz. can of tomato paste
1 giant onion
*8 cloves garlic (or more)
*1/3 cup oregano (crushed between palms to release it's oils)
*1/3 cup basil (crushed between palms to release it's oils)
*crushed red pepper to taste (I use 10 or more shakes)
*olive oil
*salt
*black pepper
*pinch of sugar
*splash of Balsalmic vinegar
Heavily salt and black pepper the neck bones. Then, in a large stockpot, brown them in a good amount of olive oil. I like to brown them very well. ( you will have to do this in batches to avoid over-crowding the pot, resulting in braising them, rather than browning them) When finished browning, remove bones from pot and reserve.
Add the garlic and onion to the pot, then add red pepper, salt and black pepper to them. (add more oil if needed) Saute at med-low heat 2 minutes.
Add oregano and basil (crushed between palms to release their oils) to the onions and garlic.
Saute for 2 minutes or until onion softens.
Add the tomato sauce, tomato paste , salt and black pepper. Add splash of vinegar and pinch of sugar. Stir to combine and to help dissolve the tomato paste.
Add the neck bones back into the pot.
Cover and simmer on low for 1 1/2 hours. (don't burn the sauce on the bottom of the pot)
Taste the sauce and reseason. It will always need more of something at this point. Let your taste tell you what it needs. (mine needed another small splash of vinegar and more salt and pepper)
Cover and simmer for 2 more hours or until the bones become tender and start to fall apart.
Remove bones from sauce and RESERVE! The bones are highly prized in my family. For a snack, take a fork and pick the tender meat from the bones. It's the best.
The sauce is now ready for some al dente pasta of your choice. (I use thin spaghetti)
* I really didn't measure any of these ingredients, I'm kinda guessing what I added. Use this as a guideline and let your taste tell you what to add, if anything.
Wine Cellar Sorbets
"These wine sorbets are definitely a nice twist for the ice cream connoisseur. The wines used in each sorbet are hand selected by the company's sorbet sommelier. What a great job: tasting wine and sorbets. "$62 - $78 - $146 for a 4, 6, or 12-pack
A Sorbet Sommelier? Funny. Wait...what? That's like $15-$12 a pint. Dang! I would like to try one though. Send me pint of the Pinot Nior please.
Saturday
Friday
Thursday
Corinthian Hall to close Jan. 7 for renovations and won’t reopen until at least 2010
Did you even know that Kansas City had a museum? Well we do.... sort of. This place is a joke and it has been for decades. The last time I visited the museum was last winter... it was horrible. As an historic house it is pretty damn cool. But as a museum bearing the city's name it is embarrassing.I've always contended that Union Station is the obvious place to house the Kansas City Museum. I'm all for restoring this wonderful house but let's get the museum out of there.
The museum's website is even hosted on Union Station's site. WTF? It just seems obvious the museum should be moved into the building. KC seems to screw up everything.
"The city-owned structure, called Corinthian Hall, and the carriage house behind it will get new windows and doors and be cleared of lead paint and asbestos. Then next year officials hope to install a new climate-control system in the 1910 buildings so they can professionally exhibit objects in the museum collection."
"The Awesome Ruben"
After reading about "The Awesome Ruben" I went over to the The New York Bakery and Delicatessen at 7016 Troost to try it yesterday. Wow.... that is one hell of a sandwich. It's served on three slices of rye bread stacked up like a Big Mac. I should have taken a picture of it. At nearly 6 inches tall it is almost impossible to consume the entire thing. Go get one, it is "Awesome".
Gary Forsee to be named new University of Missouri President
That's right, the UM system has a new leader. I had a feeling this was going to happen."Barring unforeseen surprises, the 22nd president of the University of Missouri (UM) is expected to be formally selected and introduced on Thursday, Dec. 20, in Columbia, Missouri, according to a UM media advisory released today."
Tuesday
Friday
Get off your recliner this weekend
Here is what is going on this weekend. Here is where you should be Friday night! I would be at the Roo's game Friday but I have to bartend a party in Mission Hills.... poor me. Literally. I will be at the game Wednesday... come join me will you? I'll be the guy with the beer in his hand.
Roos to Kemper?
18th and Vine just took another kick in the nuts
It's a sad day for the Vine. They have just lost one of their biggest/only tenants. The Peachtree Restaurant is moving to the Power and Light District. (Thanks Dean)What is the Jazz District Redevelopment Corp. doing? The answer is very little, if nothing.
Here are the area businesses they list on their website. Wow...3?
-American Jazz Museum
-Negro League Baseball Museum
-Historic Gem Theater
They haven't attracted any tenants since the Peachtree moved down there 5 years ago.
Thursday
People in Hong Kong are crazy!
A guy in Hong Kong paid 1.7 million dollars to have the number 12 on his license plates. Here is a list other plate numbers and the amount paid for them at auction.They also pay way too much for gas!
Wednesday
Tuesday
Boozing Through a Breakup
Here you go guys and gals. Read and learn.
Your guide to using hooch to slay that heartache.
This is a fact: A broken heart hurts worse than a broken leg. The pain of lost love is that itch, that horror that no drug can touch. Except one.
Your guide to using hooch to slay that heartache.
This is a fact: A broken heart hurts worse than a broken leg. The pain of lost love is that itch, that horror that no drug can touch. Except one.
Sweet, ever-loving booze, and plenty of it.
On the same note... read the article below. "Backing Up Your Buddy".
The 7 Wonders of ultramodern Dubai
Hey. Let's all go to Dubai! Man this place is blowing up. I would love to go sometime.The tallest building in the world is going up.
Check out his underwater hotel:
Hydropolis, the world's first underwater luxury resort, brings new meaning to the "ocean-view room." Situated 66 feet below the surface of the Persian Gulf, Hydropolis will feature 220 guest suites. Reinforced by concrete and steel, its Plexiglas walls and bubble-shaped dome ceilings offer sights of fish and other sea creatures. It's scheduled to open in 2009.
Mike Tyson's Greatest Quotes
This guy is the biggest idiot ever to walk the planet. Click on the top movie for a series of unforgettable quotes.More quotes here and here.
“Lennox Lewis, I'm coming for you man. My style is impetuous. My defense is impregnable, and I'm just ferocious. I want your heart. I want to eat his children. Praise be to Allah!”
Monday
S. Pellegrino World's Best Restaurants of 2007
50 of the worlds best restaurants. Only 8 are American. Thomas Keller takes #4 and #9 for The French Laundry and Per Se. What a badass. Also Chicago got #30 and #36 for Charlie Trotters and Alinea (highest new entry) Check out the list here.
Friday
Thursday
Jay's files bankruptcy
These chips are the best!"Jay's Potato Chips?
A snack-food junkie named Al Capone developed a taste for the chips while betting on the ponies in New York, and asked his supplier to start making them for his speakeasies."
"Word is the Jays Foods potato chip plant on Chicago's South Side is set to close Dec. 5. The brand may survive, under the prospective ownership of Pennsylvania-based Snyder's of Hanover, but I wonder if the chips will remain the same taste wise and symbolically. There was something about eating a Chicago-made potato chip in Chicago that always sat right with me.
What do you think? Should I stick with Jays or switch my allegience to C.J. Vitner Co., maker of Vitner's brand chips? Vitner bills itself as "home of the Chicago style snack," but the plant is in Freeport, about 100 miles northwest of Chicago. At least the company is still headquartered in the city, at 4202 W. 45th St., and family owned."
Wednesday
Is the Entree Heading for Extinction?
This guy thinks the end is near. I think he is right. Read the article here."O.K., so maybe it’s not quite time to write the entree’s obituary. But in many major dining cities like New York, San Francisco and Chicago, the main course is under attack.
Although the entree’s ills were first diagnosed in the late 1990s, when the rise of small plates kicked off the tapafication of American menus, the attacks have become more serious lately."
YES! I'm a Bud Light. What beer are you?
| You Are Bud Light |
 You're not fussy when it comes to beer. If someone hands it to you, you'll drink it. In fact, you don't understand beer snobbery at all. It all tastes the same once you're drunk! You're an enthusiastic drinker, and you can often be found at your neighborhood bar. You're pretty good at holding your liquor too - you've had lots of experience. |
Top 100 drinking songs
The list is here.I like #s
68. Give Me A Red Hot Mama and An Ice Cold Beer - Smiley Maxdon
69. The Whiskey Makes You Sweeter - Laura Cantrell
77. I'm at Home Getting Hammered(While She's Out Getting Nailed) - Banjo and Sullivan
Check out these little ditties. I guess this guy just died. I wonder how?
Hank Thompson: A Six Pack To Go (mp3)
Hank Thompson: On Tap, In The Can, Or In The Bottle (mp3)
Hank Thompson: Hangover Tavern (mp3)
Hank Thompson: Smoky The Bar (mp3)
Pat Metheny in KC?
That's right folks. Pat Metheny will be in town....well, almost in town. His brother Mike writes about it here. (thanks Plastic Sax) Metheny Music Foundation
Favorite Chef of the moment: Todd English
This guy is a culinary bad-ass. I had dinner at one of his restaurants a few years ago in Boston. Kingfish Hall was the name of the place.
The last JAM of '07
That's right kids, the last Jazz Ambassador Magazine (JAM) of the year is out. Don't miss Dean's annual roast and toast. You can find it in Hampton's Hot Licks."Roast: KC Jazz Community. We are the ones who are going to the jazz events. However, we are doing a very poor job of growing the community, the audiences, and the support. It's easy to say that we don't know how to do it any better. That's a cop out! I challenge all of you get with it, get creative and do you part in ‘08 to expand the jazz audience. Help educate those who are on the music genre fence."
Tuesday
Monday
World’s Most Famous Men/Women in a Single Artwork
Here is a cool painting of a bunch of famous people. How many can you name? I got all but one. Can you find Bin Laden?Here is a discussion page where people try to identify them.
Friday
Fun weekend ya'll
Howdy! Here's ya some of what's going on around KC.Here is where I'll be. Why don't you join me?
Friday night at 5 is the smoke-out at Stroud's north. Join us in celebrating the last day of smoking in this northland destination. After that I'm gunna scadadle on down Toby Keith's. My friend Shannon is having a birthday celebration. Yeee Haw..... get along little doggies!
Saturday some local bloggers are a meet'n at the Harvesters for some good ol' helping out. It will take place from 1pm-4pm. Be there cowpoke. After that it's a ho-down in the West Bottoms for a night of bartend'n. It chaps my hide I have to miss the big Mizzou game. M-I-Z..... say it.... Z-O-U!
Sunday let's mosey on down to the Tower for a game on the picture box. After the game we can gitty up to Jardine's for the debut of Todd Wilkinson's newest band "The Goombahles". He says their hot.... you can bet your boots they are.
Well... that's the plan. What about you?
123,452 people sat on the couch all weekend after reading this.
Thursday
New for '88
"The most affordable portable anywhere!" This thing weighs almost 2lbs and, "fits in your briefcase".
Wednesday
List of one-liners
Some of these are pretty funny.
- A clear conscience is usually the sign of a bad memory.
- A conclusion is simply the place where you got tired of thinking.
- A day for firm decisions! Or is it?
- A day without sunshine is like, you know, night.
- A drunk mans' words are a sober mans' thoughts.
Food Network pulling plug on ‘Emeril Live’
Food Network is kicking Emeril Lagasse down a notch. The celebrity chef’s “Emeril Live,” which has been on the air for 10 years, will cease production December 11, Food Network publicist Carrie Welch told The Associated Press.
“However, Emeril is under contract with Food Network,” Welch said Tuesday. “We love him, we support him and look forward to a long partnership with him.”
Tuesday
Ask Sister Mary Martha
Check out this site..... very funny stuff."Life is tough. But Nuns are tougher. If you need helpful advice just Ask Sister Mary Martha. She'll help you. Just don't expect any sympathy."
from her profile:
Interests
- dusting pews
- scrubbing floors on hands and knees
- hours of comtemplative prayer
- terrorizing children
Favorite Movies
- the singing nun
- the song of Bernadette
Favorite Music
- the Vienna Boys choir
Favorite Books
- the Bible
- the Baltimore Cathechism
Sunday
Busy week
It has been a busy week.Tuesday I attended the 2007 inductions into the Kansas City Elder Statesmen of Jazz. I couldn't believe this event was entirely overlooked by the local media. WTF? After the inductions we went to Anthony's downtown. I guess this is our favorite hangout as of late. After dinner I drove a whole half-block to meet Teddy at his place downtown, Arun. We sat at the bar drinking and talking until sometime in the morning.
Wednesday a big group of us met at Kelly's in Westport for the annual Gobble-Off. Gobbling for prizes is good clean fun. The event is put on by Jeff's Uncle Paul, and held the night before Thanksgiving every year. Be there next year. You'll be glad you went.
Thursday the family met at the Golden Ox. We were hesitant to go back since we had each experienced horrible service and inedible food recently. We heard the place changed ownership yet again so we decided to risk it. I'm glad we did. The service was much better and the food was excellent. Of course we all had beef. The folks had the strip, I had the Prime Rib. It was one of the best cuts of meat I have had in a long time. Man.... those cheesy potatoes are awesome! The Ox is back!
Friday I tended bar at a Mizzou rally party. The party was held at the home of a very prominent ex-CEO of a giant, local telecommunications company. It was definitely the biggest house I have ever been in. The event was complete with valet parking and personalized name tags given at the door bearing the Mizzou Tiger logo. Among the attendees were Carl Peterson and the Athletic Director for the University of Missouri, Mike Alden. It was a veritable who's-who of who cares. The host insisted that no cola or red wine be served for fear his carpet might be stained. His severance pay is valued as high as 55.5 million and he is worried about coke on his carpets? And of course...... I didn't get a tip.
Saturday was the Border War at Tower Tavern! It was crazy in there. We did a little boozing. Missouri to Kansas......... suck it!
Congratulations!!!
Congratulations to the 2006-2007 inductees into the Kansas City Elder Statesmen of Jazz.I would like to extend special congratulations to Dean Hampton, Elder Statesman of the Year. Thank you for everything you do to promote jazz in Kansas City Dean. Your tireless efforts spanning many decades have no doubt impacted the local jazz scene in an immeasurable way. You are among greatest of jazz legends, you deserve it.
Tuesday
Super high tech cooking gadgets
"Just put your ingredients—say, strawberries and black pepper—in a glass evaporation flask, which heats them by rotating in a bath of hot water. A vacuum pump reduces the air pressure in the flask, which drops the boiling point of the water inside to as low as 112ºF. As moisture seeps out of the strawberries and reaches a boil, vapor rises into a condenser. There it cools, collects as a clear liquid, and drips into another flask. The distillate adds flavor to dishes without changing the color or texture."Wait....what?
Exploring the Geography, Glories of Oysters
Man I love oysters..... Check out this article."That food is exactly the same as it was when it was pulled out of the ocean," he says. "It's come to you on a plate somewhere and nobody's done anything to manipulate that food. In fact, the food was alive until just moments before."
Monday
Groovy Girl
Here's a strangely mesmerizing video of a girl dancing to one of my favorite eletro groups, Daft Punk. They should release this as their next video.I found another one with her here.
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