Grilled Cheese, American Style (2)

Reposting in honor of a revisit to the Lincoln Diner today, setting right what once went wrong - sat in the actual diner thanks to Pennsylvania's new no smoking law. Great grilled cheese.

 Maven, connoisseur, aficionado - all terms that could be used to describe me when it comes to best sandwich ever, the grilled cheese. If I were to request a last meal (which I recently read is being eliminated from some prisons due to cost cutting) I would have a grilled cheese sandwich. I have travelled far and wide in search of the best, and believe to have found it in Red Hook, New York at the Village "Half-Way" Diner. First, let me say that the visit there was part of a week long road trip of diners from Michigan, through Pennsylvania and into New York and back, so a lot of sandwiches were consumed. Along the way, we stopped at Doc's Little Gem Diner, which was anything but, in Syracuse. The Chief Martindale Diner in Craryville, New York, the West Taghkanic Diner (guess where it is?), which had a very decent grilled cheese. The Cooperstown Diner, which was just a little brick building across from the Baseball Hall of Fame that looked like it had been there since time began. The Lincoln Diner, in Gettyburg, Pennsylvania which was most unfortunate because they had added on to the original "diner" and that is where the non-smokers were seated. I guess the smokers have less time on our earth and deserve a better view. I was pregnant at the time, so sadly we couldn't grin and bare it to enjoy the diner kitsch. Good food was had at all (except Doc's, which was also in such a bad neighborhood we weren't sure our vintage sports car would be in the parking lot when we returned). But heaven on earth was found in Red Hook. Apparently, the diner has had several incarnations, thus leading to it's quirky name. It is now known as the Historic Village Diner, but the building actually says "Half-Way Diner" on the side, it's previous name. We ate there more than once to partake not only in the grilled cheese (on the east coast they make them with white American cheese, which has a slightly higher fat content - thus the luscious creaminess of each savory bite). They also serve real carved turkey and the hot turkey sandwich is what dreams are made of. Back on earth, here in Michigan, my fav is Don's of Traverse City, original location or the one in Novi (which at least looks like a diner). Mmmmmm.

Truer than the red, white and blue. Love, American Style - one of those shows I am sure my parents, had they been home or sober, would never have let me watch. But, oh how I loved it - even though I barely got the entendres, let alone the double entendres. Behind the back drop of the groovy theme song and giant heart and fireworks, the show was basically made up of a series of vignettes highlighting the hip, swinging '70s culture in the good old U.S. of A. Most were about sex, as it now turns out - little did I know. Others were about relationships in general and family, like the Happy Days pilot that Gary Marshall could not sell to a network, but aired on L, A.S. It was about the Cunningham family and their first television set and featured Harold Gould (aka Rhoda's father) as Mr. Cunningham. It was such a hit, ABC finally bought the series. But most of the vignettes were titled in the same manner: "Love and the (fill in the blank)" and ran the gamut from nudist colonies, to birth control to marriage and divorce. It also highlighted some of the best character actors of the day (ie, Joey Heatherton, Wally Cox and Schecky Greene), as well very young, yet to be stars like Harrison Ford. The show, in many ways, was like a precursor to "The Love Boat" both for it's "racy" story lines and as a vehicle for has-been actors. But, we know the Love Boat was "exciting and new" so the comparisons must end there. Love. American Style... that's me and you.

The Recipe:

Good sliced bread, some cheese (try it with the white American - you'll thank me), a fat source, and a hot griddle (yes, don't do it in a pan). You do the math.

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In The Summertime Pasta Salad

Originally posted on August 28, 2012. This is my favorite pasta salad. Try it, you'll like it.

A true test of my mettle as a cook and a hostess. Having been out of town for four days and the cupboards bare, a phone call - from a friend for lunch. In 30 minutes. Tired of eating out, the intrepid hostess suggests the friend come over. She accepts. Now the only question is what to make? First lucky discovery - a block of feta cheese in the fridge. Good start. To the pantry, where pasta choices always abound and a box of tri-color rotini is discovered (the recipe calls for farfalle, but desperate times call for desperate measures). Good, we have the makings of my stand-by pasta salad, but what about a veg? The freezer gives the gift of a bag of frozen broccoli florets courtesy of Trader Joes (yes, fresh is always a better choice, but when one has been on vacation....). Now we are cooking with gas, literally. A simple French vinaigrette (olive oil, red wine vinegar and Dijon mustard) and voila - summertime pasta salad (oh, and a few garbanzo beans found in a container in the salad drawer thrown in for good measure and a bit of fiber). More good news from the freezer - half of a baguette (when warmed in the microwave it is quite yummy). All made in under 10 ten minutes once the water reached a boil. Whew!

Few songs embody a season the way 1970's Mungo Jerry's hit "In the Summertime" does. Now mind you, I am a big Sly and the Family Stone "Hot time in the Summertime" fan, but a listen to Mungo Jerry just makes me feel good. Ironically, this song was written in just 10 minutes, the same time it takes to make my pasta salad. So, you decide - yummy pasta salad or a seasonal ditty. Take a listen while you make up you mind.

The Recipe: (for a perfect world when there is time to plan and shop)

1 pound broccoli, trimmed to bite sized florets
1 pound tri-color bow tie pasta (technically any pasta will do, but their is definitely better flavor with the tri-color)
1/2 cup olive oil
1/4 cup red wine vinegar
1 tbsp Dijon mustard
1/2 tsp dry basil (if you have it)
1/2 can red kidney beans, drained and rinsed
1/2 can garbanzo beans, drained and rinsed
Crumbled feta cheese to taste

Cook pasta. Drop broccoli into boiling water and cook just until it turns bright green (1 to minutes). Drain pasta and broccoli, rinsing with cold water and drain well again. Combine oil, vinegar, mustard and basil. In a large bowl, add pasta and dressing and mix well. Add beans, mix gently. Add feta and mix again.
Serve immediately if guests are about to arrive, or chill until you need it.

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Dean Martin Roast-ed Cherry Tomatoes

This is one of my summertime favorites, although I'm not sure why since it involves a 425 degree oven, which is not a good mix on a hot summer day. Nevertheless, I ripped this recipe from the New York Times food section many years ago. I think it was in the "Minimalist" column - as it only involves five ingredients and it very basic in preparation. It specifies cherry tomatoes, although this time I bought "mini pearl" grape tomatoes (which sounds like fodder for another post), but really any smallish tomatoes will do. They are halved, drizzled with olive oil, bread crumbs and Romano cheese (although I use Parmesan 9 times out 10) and roasted in said hot oven for 20 minutes. When done, cooked penne and a little pasta water is added to the dish (and it makes a lovely sizzle), stir the pot  (a nice little sauce is created) and serve. Likely intended as a pasta course, we eat it as a main. You know what they say - if you can't stand the heat, get out of the kitsch-en.

The Dean Martin Celebrity Roast was a 1974 off-shoot of the Dean Martin Show, which was lagging in the ratings and needed a boost. For ten years at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, Martin, with friends like Don Rickles, Joey Bishop and Dan Rowan skewered the rich and famous the likes of which included Truman Capote, George Washington (posthumorusly), Ralph Nader, Zsa Zsa Gabor, Hubert Humphrey and Mr T (I pity the poor fool who makes fun of him). Anyway, not being a believer that many a truth is said in jest, it seems being the "Man (or Woman) of the Hour" was quite an honor. I mean who doesn't like being judged and severly burned by a jury of their peers? Now packaged and sold a a DVD set, it is one of the best selling home videos of all time - proof once and for all that what happens in Vegas, does NOT stay in Vegas.


The Recipe:

1 pound cherry tomatoes, halved (or Minnie Pearl, but remove price tag first)
1/3 c olive oil, plus 2 to 3 tblsp for tossing
kosher salt
freshly ground pepper
1/4 c freshly grated Romano cheese
1/4 c bread crumbs
1/2 pound penne pasta

Preheat oven to 425 degrees.

Line the bottom of a casserole dish with tomatoes in a single layer, halved side up. Pour oil on top, season  with salt and pepper. Sprinkle cheese and bread crumbs on top. Bake until tomatoes have wilted, about 20 minutes. Meanwhile, bring a large pot of water to a boil. Season with salt. When tomatoes are just about done, add penne to water and cook until al dente. Scoop (Brady) and reserve a cup of pasta water. Drain and add to casserole. Place over medium heat and fold tomatoes and pasta together, adding olive oil to coat, If dry, add a little reserved pasta water. Serve, passing more grated cheese (politely) at the table.  Serves 4 as a first course, 2 as a Primi. Now that's amore.

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Chorizo and the Man

Much like celebrity deaths, good food blog posts come in threes. And so, here is the third and final recipe from my rebel high school reunion weekend. This one comes via Anne (who lives in Milwaukee) via her brother-in-law Pedro (who lives in Washington DC, but is from Puerto Rico) who picked this one up in Spain. Still with me? Good. Chorizo (Spanish, not Mexican),  hard sparkling cider, and an onion.  The good news is, we found the chorizo at my favorite gourmet market, Folgarelli's, and it included a mandatory trip to the best cidery (not to be confused with a cider mill) in Northern Michigan, Tandem Ciders. Located just North of the 45th Parallel, it is a terrific little place that uses local apples from a grove that specializes in antique varieties (which is not to say that they are old apples, just old seeds). Anyway, we served up this tasty treat with some pizza bianca (see What You Talkin' bout Pizza Bianca), but any good crusty bread will do. Have food, will travel.

Chico and the Man, NBC's 1974 answer to CBS' All in the Family. A unique storyline of a west-coast bigot named Ed (played by Jack Albertson) and the young Chicano Chico (played by Freddie Prinze) who shows him the sunny side of  Mexican (not Spanish) East LA. Set in an auto garage, not to be confused with a junkyard (that's another cantankerous old man/young man storyline), courtesy of Jame Komack- who brought us the endearing Courtship of Eddie's Father- after being inspired by a Cheech and Chong skit aptly titled "Pedro and the Man." In the first episode, Chico moves into an abandoned van on Ed's property - I guess we should be glad they didn't name the show "Chico and the Van". Anyway, the show was a hit until Prinze's untimely suicide in 1977. And sadly, the producer's felt the show must go on, and it did for a time but was never the same.


The Recipe:

12 oz Chorizo (if you didn't get the message - Spanish NOT Mexican)
1 large onion, sliced thin
1/2 bottle Cidre (Spanish, NOT Mexican sparkling cider)

Slice the chorizo about 1/8 inch thick (or thin as the case may be) on an angle. Saute in a large pan with the sliced onion until the onion is soft and the chorizo is lightly brown. Add the cidre and simmer a  loooong time until liquid is mostly reduced (30 minutes - hour). Serve with toothpicks and crusty bread. Buen Provecho.

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Joanie Loves Chi-Chi Beans

A by-product of a great girl's/high school rebel reunion weekend is good food. Last year we made beignets (see Beignet There, Done That), this year we decided to do an all app (appetizer, that is) dinner. Regular readers know that our bevy included freshly hunted and picked morels (see Mary Tyler Morels). Next up is a chickpea feta salad, courtesy of my friend Ann via her friend Donna. I met Donna once at a New Year's Eve Party, but because it was a very good party I don't really remember her. That said, her salad is divine. I do love chickpeas, aka chi-chi beans. aka garbanzo beans - whatever you want to call them. I will eat them in salads, I will eat them in soup. I will eat them mashed as hummus. I will eat them on a roof. Eat them, eat them, I will. Add some olive oil, feta cheese (which makes anything better), parsley and garlic and you have a recipe simple in ingredients, complex and satisfying to taste. This would make a perfect go-to salad for any pot luck (you should be so lucky) or summer BBQ. Try it, try it you will.

Joanie Loves Chachi, the most unfortunate spin off of Happy Days (post shark jump, literally and figuratively). In fact, TV Guide named it one of TVs 25 Biggest Blunders ( also on the list, Cousin Oliver, just sayin). Anyway, the premise for the 1982 disaster was Joanie and Chachi move from Milwaukee to Chicago to make it in the music business. Apparently, they didn't go far enough. As a punishment, ABC cancelled the show and made Erin Moran and Scott Baio (BTW, this Joanie really did love Fonzie's nephew) go back for the final season of Happy Days. Lucky for us, Scott Baio bounced back to go on to Charles in Charge. Poor Erin Moran wasn't so lucky, I'm not even sure she ever made it to Battle of the Network Stars. Play this clip and you'll never wonder why they were a flop...

The Recipe:

Serves 6-8 as a side dish

• 1 medium onion, diced
• 3 cloves garlic
• 1 1/2 tbs olive oil
• Pinch red chili flakes
• 2 400g (14oz) tins of chickpeas
• 4 spring onions (scallions), green part only, chopped
• 1 cup chopped parsley
• Juice of one lemon
• 150g (5 ounces) feta
• Salt and pepper

Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil and cook the red onion till lightly golden. Add garlic and chili and cook till the garlic is fragrant. Set aside to cool so it doesn’t melt the feta when you mix it in.

Drain the chickpeas, rinse and place in the salad bowl. Add crumbled feta, spring onion, parsley and lemon juice, season with salt and pepper. Add the cooled onion and garlic mixture and remaining oil and mix well (like at a party where you don't know anyone). Serves 6 to 8 as a side.

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If You Build It, They Will Come

So an amazing event took place in Detroit last week - a grocery store opened in the city. A Whole Foods in Mid-town, to be exact. In no other place on the planet would such an opening be so anticipated (the hype has been rampant for over a year), ballyhooed and celebrated (with marching bands, no less). Lines formed blocks long, TV news crews covered it like a presidential visit, and it was, by all accounts,  truly a circus. Why so much fuss? It's the only grocery store, with fresh meat, organic produce, a cafe and a salad bar in the city. Only in Detroit. And did I mention that the people came in droves? I will admit to being a nay sayer about the whole thing since it was announced - I don't particularly care for the chain in question, and in an economically downtrodden urban area, a store better known as "Whole Paycheck" didn't seem the right fit.  I'd rather have seen a Trader Joe's (but my regular readers know about my on-going affair with Joe). And as such, I stayed away on opening day, but curiosity got the best of me and I went the following morning. The store was still packed, although the lines had abated. People seemed genuinely pleased to be grocery shopping. Maybe I was wrong. Maybe this is the start of something. Is this heaven? No, it's still Detroit.

Field of Dreams, Kevin Costner's (when he WAS Kevin Costner) 1989 baseball film par excellence. In a Iowa cornfield, a farmer down on his luck and about to lose everything, listens to a voice in his head telling him to plow his land into a ball field. Much to the chagrin of his wife and financial advisor, he listens and creates a place for dead major leaguers to reunite and play. At first only he can see the eight men out, but over time his family and friends become believers as well. Of course, it is really all about Costner's character and his unresolved feelings for the father that abandoned him, with a little Shoeless Joe Jackson thrown in for good measure. Nevertheless, a classic baseball film that I watch every time there is a rain out and Fox Sports has to show something (okay, we will get to Bull Durham another time, I promise but never The Natural, I still don't get that one). If you build it, he will come.


The Recipe:

Hope
Faith
Trust
(And, a little pixie dust)

Don't stop believing in Detroit Rock City. Serves 700,000

Mary Tyler Morels

Tis the season for morel mushrooms. Now, I had never moreled before (to the extent I thought we might need a pig to sniff them out, but that is truffles and a totally different head, totally). Anyway, cue high school reunion girl's weekend up north (Michigan, for those not in the know). Luckily, we had an expert on our team (she had harvested some fine Wisconsin specimens the weekend before) so we knew to look in the forest, near dead or dying elm or oak trees, either in the sun or in the shade. There is a reason these things sell for $35.00 a pound! If a needle in a haystack, except with swarming mosquitoes comes to mind, then it was like you were there. Oh, and here's a tip: watch for the poison ivy (and not the cool Uma Thurman kind). Yeah, my first bout with the three leaves of death. Again, luck was on our side as our intrepid hostess had a very good remedy skin scrub (albeit, expensive at $35 dollars as well. Coincidence? I think not). At the end of the day we had a very tasty appetizer and everything came out in or as a wash.

Who can turn the world on with her smile?. Mary Tyler Moore, that's who. From 1970-77, arguably the sweet spot for television,  The Mary Tyler Moore Show was the epitome of situation comedy. Plucky (or should I say spunky?) Mary Richards, a 30 something single woman, was determined to make it in the cut throat world of Minneapolis television. Armed with the best cast ever to grace a sound stage, Mary, Murray, Ted, Lou, Rhoda, Phyllis and Sue Ann graced our TV sets every Saturday night for seven glorious years. Through two apartments, many many boyfriends and even a stolen kiss with Mr Grant, Mary flung her beret much to our delight. And, in going out on top of the ratings, set the tone for every successful show that followed to quit before they jumped the shark. Even the memorable final Kleenex huddle sob scene showed that Mary could take a nothing day and suddenly make it all seem worthwhile.With each glance and every little move, it's MTM and you know it.



The Recipe:

Really expensive, hard to find morels; as many as you can stand to find
Butter


Special Equipment: Buji  poison ivy scrub.; Damp wooded area. Keen eye

Rinse and slice each morel lengthwise, removing any lingering slugs (yes, I said slugs). Put in a bowl and cover with a damp paper towel and refrigerate until ready to cook. Heat saute pan. Melt butter and add morels, cook over medium heat for about 6- 8 minutes. Allow them to melt in your mouth. Serves 1, unless your are overly generous.