By Kelley Nelson

It may seem elementary but don’t move your tassel before learning your ABCs. Here, we’ve complied a list of the top 26 foods from some of the area’s best eateries, all outlined from A to Z. So kick your TV tray habit, break the Ramen rut, and go explore what Northeast Kansas has to offer. Welcome to your tastiest four-year plan yet.

A is for apple cider at Louisburg Cider Mill.

APPLE CIDER. Louisburg Cider Mill, Louisburg. 135 miles. The mill has been around since the ‘70s and owners Tom and Shelly Schierman have been busy perfecting their cider ever since. You can tour the mill itself, but if you’re just there for the food, head straight to the Country Store where you’ll find fresh cider and donuts. Of course, in the 34 years since swingin’ open the barn doors, the Schiermans expanded. Now take your pick of regular, sparkling, or flavored ciders—a pack of four 12 oz. bottles is $9.95.  Or try their own Lost Trail sodas, whose recipes come from Shelly’s great-great-grandfather.

BLACK COWS. Mr. K’s Farmhouse, Abilene. 46 miles. After being deserted for almost two decades, the Kuntz family breathed life back into the old “Farmhouse on the Hill.” Formerly called “Lena’s,” the establishment has served former President Eisenhower and even has a paddle signed by him displayed on the wall. Try their black cows, more commonly known as root beer floats. The Kuntzs were gracious enough to list these as a drink instead of a dessert so pair it with the regular cows they serve and enjoy.

CINNAMON ROLLS. Mrs. Powell’s, Manhattan. 2 miles. In the corner of the Manhattan Town Center food court, many might mistake this gem for just another chain bakery. In reality, the counter serves a wide variety of food for cheap, not least of which, the locally renowned cinnamon rolls. You can also grab a quick lunch of sandwiches or soups, usually finished off by a homemade cookie all for around $5. The only downside is that their menu changes daily, so you can never count on a favorite dish to be there. Their newest addition to rotate through? Chocolate chip cookies with pieces of pretzel right in the mix.

DUCK-FAT FRENCH FRIES. The Burger Stand at The Casbah, Lawrence. 74 miles. Or truffle, or drowned in cheese and gravy.  All in all, The Burger Stand serves six varieties of fries to accompany their mouth-watering burgers. Lawrence natives swear by the Black & Blue, whose tart granny smith apple chutney mixed with crumbly Maytag blue cheese sets it apart. Customer Leslie Reece says, “it’s beyond delicious.” Not ones to be exclusive, co-owners Robert and Molly Krause and Simon and Codi Bates recently expanded their menu for the less-carnivorous. With lentil, falafel, or Asian tofu burgers now vegetarians can feel included, too.

ELK RIBEYE. Bunker Hill Café, Bunker. 126 miles. The abandoned-looking limestone building might make you want to run the other way. But give its no-frills attitude a chance. A true shrine to hunting, the deer, fish, and bobcats along the walls keep you company while you enjoy meats from the surrounding area. The elk is from Scott City’s herd but you can also get buffalo or traditional beef. If you can’t make up your mind, get the mini portions and try all three. It’s only open Wednesday through Saturday if people are willing to fill their tables, so call ahead for a reservation.

F is for the fried chicken dinner at the Brookville Hotel in Abilene.

FRIED CHICKEN. Brookville Hotel, Abilene. 43 miles. The historic restaurant that used to reside in, you guessed it, Brookville, flew the coop in 1999 to re-nest in Abilene, a mere 127 years after its grand opening. It was 1915 when Helen Martin, the owners’ daughter, perfected the menu you still enjoy today. The meal of good ol’ boy favorites like fried chicken, whipped coleslaw, baking powder biscuits, creamed corn, and more is served up family-style. Waitresses clad in blue-striped dresses and frilly white aprons still buzz around to offer a glimpse of old fashioned charm.

GREEN RIVER. Bankes’ Soda Fountain, Abilene. 45 miles. One of only a handful of old fashioned soda counters left in the whole state, Bankes’ (pronounce Bank-ees) hides out in the back corner of a Health Mart. Refuel from shopping with their classic Green River, made with Sierra Mist and lime syrup, or make a Phosphate of club soda and a flavor of your choice. The ‘50s style vinyl booths make a nice place to sip your drink or you can take your soda to go. Just remember, the styrofoam cup will cost you an extra quarter.

H is for hamburger at Big D's in Manhattan.

HAMBURGERS. Big D’s Burger Shack, Manhattan. 2 miles. Owner Ewing Evans, affectionately known as “Big D” takes great pride in his shack. Everything he serves is fresh. Thecheese hails from the Alma creamery and the beef arrives straight from Clay Center. It’s not just his local ingredients that draw people to Big D but his larger-than-life personality. As a customer grabbed her brown paper bag, which had already started showing hints of grease seeping through the bottom, she leaned in and whispered, “Don’t tell my heart doctor about this, but I just can’t resist.” With a sly smile Big D responded, “No worries, we keep a strict confidentiality policy. Plus, doctors don’t know anything, that’s why they have to ‘practice’ all day long.” The whole restaurant—if you could call the two tables and three barstools that—let out a lighthearted chuckle before happily settling back into their delicious burgers.

ICE. Tad’s Tropical Sno, Manhattan. 2 miles. Well, fancy ice, really. Tad’s makes theirs lighter than air before drizzling it with any combination of 40 flavors. Not for the indecisive customer, Tad’s also gives you upwards of 100 pre-tested combinations to get your creative juices flowing. These range from the tame Berries ‘n Cream to the more daring concoction, Tiger’s Blood.

JERK CHICKEN. The Little Grill, Manhattan. 5 miles. One word comes to mind when thinking of The Little Grill: atmosphere. When you’re in the open-air seating, relaxing in the warmth of the sun, close your eyes and let your mind drift to somewhere tropical. Owner Kenrick will help you get there by entertaining you with live reggae-style performances before serving you fresh, authentic Jamaican food. The Jerk Chicken is the local recommendation, and rumor has it goes on special every Tuesday.

K is for Kung-Pao Chicken at Teagarden in Olathe.

KUNG-PAO CHICKEN. Teagarden, Olathe. 126 miles. Next to a Pizza Hut and a liquor store, the red sign advertising this Chinese restaurant makes it seem relatively unassuming. However, the food is a far cry from the usual greasy Chinese most establishments seem to serve from giant, metal buffet baskets. Instead, Teagarden lightly batters their meats and let the sauces do the work of creating a flavorful meal. The chicken in this dish is soft and spicy. A combo plate runs for around $10 and comes with unlimited rice. Another bonus? The service here is impeccable. Go more than twice, and the host greets you by name.

LASAGNE. Basil Lead Café, Lawrence. 82 miles.  For most people, Phillips 66 gas stations conjure up images of over-used restrooms or maybe a sad, forgotten hot dog forever spinning on its warming rack. However, the one off of 6^th street in Lawrence has its own claim to fame: Italian food, served fresh from the oven. True to its convenience store locale, though, the food can be taken to go or even ordered via drive thru. The five-layer lasagne is a local favorite, but the true treasure is the breakfast version. Owner Brad “Walt” Walters no longer opens early, but this holy grail of a dish still makes an occasional appearance in the lunch specials.

M is for Marcon pie, made in Washington but available throughout Kansas.

MARCON PIES. Mayberry’s, Washington. 66 miles. MarCon pies still salutes its roots by purposely keeping the operation small, despite their growing popularity. The factory only has about 20 employees, who all “act like family,” according to one of the bakers. Regardless to their 500 pies-per-day output, the women in the kitchen still “carry on like they would if they were cooking at home.” They ship their pies anywhere within a 150 mile radius and now offer 90 different flavors. For the freshest slices, go to Mayberry’s, which also resides in Washington, and get one for $2. To step out of the box, try the gooseberry or sweet potato. Don’t forget to make it a la mode.

NUT ROLLS. Tasty Pastry Bakery, Clay Center. 39 miles. Locals line up as early as 5:00 to be the first to snag these homemade doughnuts when doors unlock at 6.  Even if you’re a late riser, the rolls are just as warm and soft well into the afternoon.  The bakery itself is a plain, serve-your-own coffee sort of joint, so just assume they’re focusing on making delicious pastries instead. Before you head out, pick up a loaf of  butterflake bread or a dozen cream-filled nut rolls and you’ll be the new residence-hall hero without breaking the bank: a whole breakfast for two cost under three bucks.

O is for Orange Slice Cookies at Our Daily Bread.

ORANGE SLICE COOKIES. Our Daily Bread, Barnes. 49 miles. The Drebes family put their sleepy Kansas town of under 200 people on the map with the launching of Our Daily Bread. Initially, they ran the bakery through their two car garage, but after a wildly successful first year, the family moved it to its current location on Main Street and opened The Garden eating area and event center where the family also hosts a monthly supper club. Their orange slice cookies are just one of about 10 different varieties the bakery whips up regularly.

PEANUT BUTTER AND BACON BURGERS. Tomfooleries, Kansas City, MO. 125 miles. Just hearing the name will start clogging your arteries.  Like it sounds, the half-pound of beef is slathered in creamy peanut butter and garnished with crispy bacon strips. For those watching their weight, you can also sample the peanut butter fried chicken “salad.”

QUICHE. The Friendship House, Wamego. 17 miles. Maroon wallpaper and fake floral wreaths might evoke memories of Grandma’s house. If you find yourself feeling anticipation for homemade goods, don’t worry, you will be rewarded here. Signatures include the quiche with its flaky crust, warm eggs, and veggies. The breakfast bierock, with melted cheese, eggs, and your choice of sausage, bacon, or ham enclosed in a pocket of pastry is another hit. In the fall of 2010, they decided to save students the drive to Wamego by serving their goods at most home K-State sporting events.

RASPBERRY CHIPOTLE BEAN DIP. So Long Saloon, Manhattan. 1 mile. Maybe the worst-kept secret in all of Manhattan, the restaurants’ Dia de Los Muertos themed décor and cowboy-like lingo makes for an odd combination that somehow comes off as more comfortable than tacky. The ceramic plate of piping hot cream cheese, chipotle raspberry sauce, and black beans is a local must. You can track down a do it yourself recipe but nothing beats the original. One Manhattanite claims she eats it at least once every time she flies home from California. So go on already…git.

STUFFED FRENCH TOAST CUPCAKES. Cupcake A La Mode, Kansas City, MO. 125 miles. Just like their website says, “cupcakes aren’t just for kids anymore!” At the Country Club Plaza’s newest bakery, these designer cupcakes are certainly made for an adult crowd. Here, it’s okay to have cake for breakfast with the stuffed French toast cupcake. It’s topped with maple and cinnamon buttercream icing and a dusting of powdered sugar. Go ahead and have two. It is the most important meal of the day.

TERRA SOL. Radina’s, Manhattan. 1 mile. Terra sol is one of Radina’s more darkly roasted blends, and an easy customer favorite. Anymore, coffeehouses are a place for people to sip, study, or socialize. Radina’s is no exception and now offers four different locations, including their newest spot nestled downtown. They do all of their own roasting and blending. The massive roaster can be seen in the Aggieville shop. When the beans circle through, the whole neighborhood can smell the strong aroma seeping through the air.

UNAGI. Sakura, Shawnee. 121 miles. The fresh-water eel isn’t the only thing worth trying on the menu but it’s a good start for those who are new to the sushi scene (and if you grew up in Kansas, you probably are). The mild-tasting rolls absorb more flavor from the soy or wasabi sauce you pair them with than from the actual eel. If eel weirds you out, Sakura has an expansive offering of sashimi, nigiri, and rolls to sample. But if you’re feeling more adventurous, try iidako, which is baby octopus, or even the unisea urchins.

VEGAN COOKIES. Blue Planet Café, Topeka. 49 miles. An environmentally-conscious bakery isn’t something you see everyday but the Blue Plant Café aims to be just that. Their Facebook description reads, “maybe we can’t change the world, but we can put a smile on your face.” Here, vegans can chose from yummy baked goods or even delicious mac ‘n’ cheese to fit their lifestyle. You can take your treats to go and grab a cup of coffee guilt-free since the top lid is now fully compostable.

W is for Wild Thing ice cream, available by the cone or the carton at K-State's Call Hall.

WILD THING ICE CREAM. Call Hall Dairy Bar, Manhattan. On Campus. This flavor is modeled off of a banana split and blends five different fruits: banana, cherry, peach, pineapple, and strawberry for one wild ride. Milk used in the Dairy Bar ice creams is from cows housed at the university. Food science students can even compete in a product development class to create the newest flavor. Call Hall also stocks milk, cheese, eggs and a variety of meats produced on campus.

XXX CHILI AND PICKLES. C.W. Porubsky Grocery, Topeka. 61 miles. The chili is so hot that the Porubsky family refuses to even serve it during summer months. You can always  gnaw on one of their legendary (and super spicy!) pickles to fill your thrill. The little restaurant has been around for 65 years and is still in the original building in “Little Russia” under the rule of its first family. To cool your palate, get a plate of cold cuts which includes a variety of deli meats, cheeses, and bread, served on a plastic plate.

YELLOW BRICK ROAD BURRITO. Toto’s Tacoz, Wamego. 17 miles. The owners agree there’s no place like home, which is why they brought their Baja cooking with them to Wamego. It doesn’t get much more shameless than this: Tex-Mex meals, brightly colored décor, and the Wizard of Oz. After you try their cheese sauce-covered Yellow Brick Road Burrito you’ll be clicking your heels three times to come back. Plus who can resist terriers and Tex-Mex? Remind me, Toto, are we still in Kansas?

ZITI PIE. AJ’s NY Pizzeria, Manhattan. 2 miles. Ziti pasta is dumped over the crust before a blanket of melted mozzarella cheese is carefully laid over the top. The dough recipe originated in the Mastandos’ kitchen in Brooklyn, NY but has been tweaked since its journey from the Big Apple. AJ’s consulted American Institute of Baking’s Tom Lehmann, the “dough doctor,” to ensure their pizza fits Little Apple appetites. Slice prices range from $3 for basics to $5 for specialties. There’s both a Poyntz location and a station in Aggieville that’s only open from 10 p.m. – 3 a.m. for late-night snackers.

Distances are rounded to the nearest mile, starting from the K-State Student Union.

By Ben Marshall

Scott Benjamin speaks to Food Writing students about the history of cocktails. Benjamin is owner and executive chef of 4 Olives Wine Bar in Manhattan.

Propped up on a bar stool, Scott Benjamin watches intently as bartender Griff  Letch carefully bruises a few sprigs of mint at the bottom of a mixing cup containing simple syrup.

“You don’t want to rip or tear the mint leaves, because if you tear the leaf of an herb, it releases a foul taste as a defense mechanism,” Benjamin said. “That’s where you get a bitter flavor.”

So Letch sure-handedly presses the leaves with a pestle-like tool, called a muddler, gently releasing the aromatic flavors. Next, he takes a wooden mallet to a canvas bag full of ice, beating it for about 30 seconds.

“The material of the bag soaks up a lot of the excess water, so this technique gives you a nice fine, dry ice,” Benjamin said, “almost like a Sonic ice.”

Adding Knob Creek Bourbon to the mint, syrup combination, Griff stirs deliberately for another 20-30 seconds. He pours the concoction over a classic julep metal cup teeming with ice, garnishes it with a few more sprigs of mint and passes it off to Benjamin for a sip. Benjamin swallows, satisfied.

“We stir our classic cocktails, rather than shake them. They’re just not as good shaken – it waters them down,” Benjamin said.

As owner and executive chef at 4 Olives Wine Bar in Manhattan, Benjamin brings an extensive passion for and knowledge of cocktails to his tiny and tucked-away fine dining restaurant. He said initially he was drawn to the study of cocktails because, out of all food inventions, he considers the cocktail “completely, uniquely American.”

With a stack of notes in hand, Benjamin spilled the history of great American cocktails, from pre-colonial times to post-prohibition. As Benjamin talked,  Letch concocted – pouring, stirring, zesting and serving; from a classic 1790s mint julep, to a fiery Blue Blazer from 1850, to a fruity 1940s Mai Tai and, fittingly, a Manhattan from the 1870s.

Benjamin said he likes to study the way cocktails were made in the past to provide a more classic drinking experience at his restaurant. And diners have responded positively. Prior to this year, the classic cocktail menu was only available behind the bar at 4 Olives. The drinks had become so popular, however, Benjamin decided to include the classic cocktail menu on all restaurant tables.

In addition to adhering to classic techniques, 4 Olives also makes a lot of its cocktail components in house, including many of its own bitters, ginger ales, tonics and brandied cherries.

Griff Letch the bartender bruises sprigs of mint leaf as he prepares a classic mint julep.

As Letch prepares another cocktail, Benjamin explained how, in pre-colonial times, water-purification techniques were not yet mastered and the water was unsafe to consume. So people drank alcohol as a means to survive. Today, drinking alcohol is less about survival, and more about unwinding and having a good time. Or – in the case of 4 Olives – celebrating the end of Prohibition every year.

“Drinks at 4 Olives are made classically, they’re made with a lot alcohol, they’re made with a lot of heart,” Benjamin said, “and it’s a lot of fun.”

(Editor’s note: Scott Benjamin was host and guest lecturer in the Food Writing class on March 3 at his restaurant, the 4 Olives. His topic was the history of the cocktail.  Students chose how to cover the afternoon.  Chef Benjamin served a light lunch, too.)

Spring at the Lazy Heart D Buffalo Ranch.

By Brett Ziegler
WESTMORELAND – The North American Bison, commonly known as buffalo, still roam the Kansas prairie. Ed Dillinger operates Lazy Heart D Buffalo Ranch, the family’s ranch brand that started in the 1960s and is located northeast of Manhattan.

Dillinger grew up on a farm near Brewster in western Kansas. When he and his wife, Susan, moved to Westmoreland in 1994, they started out with beef calves and horses, but Dillinger also had an interest in bison. After extensive research and talking with other ranchers, the Dillingers started the Lazy Heart D Bison Ranch.

Dillinger’s herd began with five heifer calves that he purchased from Circle 3 Ranch in Longford. A year later he purchased five more, and eventually another five. That was all he could afford at the time.

Rancher Ed Dillinger

So, how does Dillinger run the operation by himself?

The secret, he says, is to understand the bison. They are gentle creatures; bison love their space and are athletic, smart and strong. On average, a bull can weigh between 1,600 and 2,000 pounds compared to the average cow, which can weigh between 1,000 and 1,200 pounds.  Bison can run up to 35 miles per hour and leap up to six feet in the air.

Time is another key ingredient. Dillinger says bison are a low maintenance creature. He has a saying, “Whatever time it takes, that’s buffalo time.”

Dillinger characterizes his “buffalo philosophy” with the quote, “Take what you can get and figure out how to use it.” This comes from his experience in working and sorting his bison.  They are too smart, fast, and strong to impose a single plan without well-designed facilities.  He is always ready to adjust his plans at any moment.

Dillinger’s bison graze on cool season grasses like brome and fescue during the months of March to April and after November. Bison prefer native grass between the months of May and November. The bison also enjoy small amounts of hay during the summer.

Health is a big concern when it comes to livestock, especially internal parasites. There are currently no bison vaccines available, but some ranchers used bovine vaccines as a precaution.

On the other hand, bison do benefit from treatment for internal parasites.  Ivomec and Cydection are two examples of treatments. These treatments can be poured on the back, injected, or fed. Dillinger uses the pour method at least once a year and believes there is additional benefit in utilizing two treatments spaced over the year.

Dillinger thinks the future in bison will fluctuate depending on the demand for meat. “The interest comes from the consumer,” he said. “There are not enough bison to make money compared to cattle.”

There are roughly 100 bison ranchers in Kansas and 70 are part of the Kansas Bison Association. The number of bison on each ranch range from five to 200 head.

Regulations for bison are similar to those of cattle. Meat inspectors and buffalo certificates are required and Dillinger says ranchers in Kansas work closely with the Kansas Department of Agriculture.

The purchasing and demand of bison has increased over the past several months.  There has been approximately 50 percent increase in price. In the fall of 2010 the price was $2.60 to $2.75 a pound. This spring it was up to $3.50 a pound.

Although the price of bison seems expensive, the nutrition profile makes it worth the cost.  Bison is full of nutrients and high in protein while low in fat. The fat it contains are “good” fats—mono and polyunsaturated fat. Bison also contains omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids. Lastly, bison is a good source of vitamin B12 and iron.

Dillinger’s main goals are providing fun and eventful tours to complement the industry and have meat available for those who wish to purchase it. He enjoys the opportunity to interact with others as his schedule permits.

On tours, it takes tourists approximately 15 minutes to realize the difference in bison interaction. The bison will greet visitors, waiting for feed. This is a great way to have a close up experience and is one of the many reasons the job is heart-warming and rewarding.

When asked if he would change anything, Dillinger responded, “If what I did took me where I am now, I’d do it the same.”

Dillinger laughed when asked how much longer he would like to stay in the business, “I’ll go until I am pushing up daisies.”

Dillinger can be reached at lhdranch@wamego.net

By Kirsten Lee

America the Beautiful, written in 1893 by Katherine Lee Bates, sings of amber waves of grain. Upon driving through Western Kansas in June, many sightseers will see field after field of this amber wheat. Wheat grown in Kansas has a rich background filled with stories of heritage and multiple settlements.

Wheat is not native to the Kansas plains and valleys. What is this story?

The railroad company used posters such as this to recruit immigrants to Kansas.

It begins in the 1700s when 25,000 German settlers moved into Russia along the banks of the Volga and Karaman rivers. The settlers were first attracted to Russia by Czars who promised independence and exemption from military services. They became known as Volga Germans. Their close-knit colonies flourished, maintaining strong German customs and language within the Russian prairie lands.

Volga Germans came to the United States in 1874 after much encouragement from Carl Bernhard Schmidt, a German-speaking Santa Fe railroad agent, and  the promise of farmland and free living accommodations from the Santa Fe Company which would assist them in settling in Russell, Rush, and Ellis counties.

After the Russian Czar Alexander II withdrew his promises, the German settlers were looking for such an opportunity as this, and took it.

Bring Russian plains agriculture to Kansas

With this move to Kansas, Volga Germans brought their years of experience in Russian prairie agriculture and expanded the wheat production exponentially in Western Kansas.

The Kansas Historical Society states that Volga Germans “In 1874 alone added an estimated one million dollars to the Kansas economy.” In June 1902 the Kansas City Star remarked upon their success saying, “They refute the statement so often heard in Kansas that a farmer cannot make money growing wheat alone. They have grown nothing except wheat for twenty-five years and are prosperous.”

Janice Dinkel, a professor of social work at Kansas State University, who shares this Volga German heritage and the desire of carrying on their traditions, stated that “with this mass production of wheat, many Volga recipes show flour and grains as a staple ingredient.”

Dinkel also stated that it was a norm to see larger families in Roman Catholic Volga communities. “Everything had dumpling, bread, or flour in it. This really allowed it to stretch and feed the many mouths of the family,” she said.

One recipe that Dinkel remembers is called Pudding and Dumplings, which she found to be “chocolate pudding served over dumplings.” “It was a Friday staple for my ancestors. Yuck! But it was cheap and since they couldn’t have meat on Fridays, it was what worked,” she said.

Professor keeps family food heritage alive

There were several other recipes Dinkel brought to the table. One was a family recipe for bierocks. Dinkel said that her Aunt Butch bequeathed the recipe to her and now it her responsibility to make them for every Christmas.

She said that one Christmas she tried something different with the recipe and her whole family knew it. “Believe me, they rejected it. I can’t get away with anything different. They are just that much of a tradition in our family.”

Another recipe Dinkel described was one for galuskies, also known as cabbage rolls.

In her family, these rolls are made for every Thanksgiving, which is once more a strong tradition that can’t be changed or knocked. These recipe calls for steamed cabbage leaves filled and rolled with a mixture of hamburger, pork, rice, onion, garlic, salt and pepper. After being prepared, the rolls marinate in a crock with sauerkraut for about an hour and a half.

“These rolls do not have the flour base, but they were known for being an inexpensive meal that still carried on the strong German ties of sauerkraut, pork, and hamburger,” she said.

Festivals dot the landscape

If one is not advantageous enough to try out one of the many Volga German recipes from scratch, one way for Kansans to get the taste of this delectable food heritage is to visit Hays Kansas for their Midwest Deutsches Oktoberfest, not to be confused with the Fort Hays State University Oktoberfest.

The Midwest Deutsches Oktoberfest Associates started this separate festival due to the digression from the original celebration of Volga German heritage, to a celebration surrounding the homecoming festivities of Fort Hays State University.

The Midwest Deutsche Oktoberfest is an annual celebration of the Germans from Russia heritage of Ellis and Rush County. Admission is free, and is held at Ellis County Fairgrounds. Festivities include abundant varieties of food booths, refreshments, beer, crafts, and activities for guests alike to enjoy.

As they state on their website www.midwestdeutschefest.com, “The immigrants who settled in this area during the 1870’s used recipes that evolved from Germany to Russia and now America.  Although some of the ingredients and names for the foods they prepared varied from village to village, if you had eggs, flour, potatoes and cream, then you could always make a delicious meal!”

Bierocks Family Recipe
From Janice Dinkel

For dough
2 ¼-ounce packages  yeast (proof with some of the water and a little sugar)
6 – 6 ½  cups flour
½ cup sugar + 2 tablespoons
2 cups warm water
2 eggs, well beaten
½ teaspoon salt
½ cup butter + 2 tablespoons, melted

Combine proofed yeast, 2 cups flour, sugar, water, eggs, salt and butter. Then add 4 to 4 ½ cups flour to make a sticky dough. Knead and let rise 45 minutes or until double.  Roll out a little thicker than a pie crust.  When ready to fill, cut in 3-to 5-inch squares.

“The filling consists of hamburger, finely chopped onions, cabbage, salt and pepper.  Sometimes I add garlic salt.  Cook all of this until the hamburger is browned and the vegetables are very soft.  Drain, drain, drain – filling can’t have much fluid in it when you put on dough,” Dinkel said.

Bake at 375 for about 20 to 22 minutes (golden brown).

Galuskies Family Recipe
From Janice Dinkel

1 large cabbage
1 pound ground beef, 85/15 lean to fat ratio
1/3 pound ground pork
1 cup rice
1 medium onion chopped fine
Garlic salt, to taste
Black pepper, to taste
2 pounds sauerkraut

Steam cabbage until outer leaves are soft.  Remove from pot and cut out core.  Remove soft leaves and return to pot to soften inner leaves, continue process.  Drain leaves.

Combine beef, pork, rice, onion, garlic salt and pepper. Shape into ovals.  Wrap ovals tightly in cooked cabbage leaves.

Put sauerkraut in large crockpot. Add cabbage rolls and cook until meat is done and rice is cooked, about 1 1/2 hours.

By Annarose Hart

PAOLA – Find a way to get to the county seat of Miami County home of 5,000 people. Stop by the town square and walk around the park. Take Pearl Street from the square, and there will be boutiques, antique shops, several banks, and an art gallery. Walk another block to a building with an old fashioned burnt orange sign proclaiming Molly’s Table.

The Paola restaurant keeps its customers satisfied.

Inside there is a warm glow that streams into the dining room from a lime green kitchen. Sit down on one of the dark stained wooden chairs and prepare your taste buds.

“My mouth is watering right now! I wish I was eating Molly’s Table instead of the Derb,” Johanna Ryckert, freshmen in agricultural education, said. “I eat at Molly’s Table every time I come home.”

Molly’s Table is home of an evolving menu, and always has the edge on the next food trend, energizing and entertaining locals and tourists.

Donna Nagle created Molly’s Table, named after her daughter Molly, as a catering business, market, and deli for the local community. Her son J.T. comes home from college often to assist with the daily activities.

Nagle has more than 20 years of experience in the food business. Good friends and high school students create an enthusiastic staff. Dressed in all black, they are friendly and efficient.

“I always feel welcome walking into Molly’s Table,” Ryckert said.

Donna Nagle named her restaurant after daughter.

Before Molly’s Table existed several cafés and restaurants attempted to create a similar energy in Paola, but all failed. Nagle started out as a self-taught hobby chef who catered on the side for friends. The reception hall, Evergreen Events, approached Nagle with an offer to do in-house catering. Nagle accepted and created many opportunities for the future.

After several successful years mentors, clients, and friends encouraged Nagle to expand her catering business. “I thought there was a need in downtown Paola,” she said.

Chef Michael Hursey, owner of Casa Somerset, a local bed and breakfast, blogged about his excitement when she opened, “I have been waiting for Donna Nagle to open her dream.” Chef Michael writes, “We have been friends for years; she and her husband Bill are such good, wonderful people.” Engaging the community is a top priority for Nagle.

Local celebrities come to cook their specialty dish at Molly’s Table during the annual Local Chef Celebrity Week. It is held the week of Spring Break so everyone can participate. Profits are donated to the celebrity’s favorite charity. A different celebrity is invited each day. Mike Dumpert, Paola High School head football coach, served last year’s favorite dish of fried macaroni and cheese. “It was amazing,” Ryckert said.

Molly’s Table will have 150 – 200 catering events in a year; 40 will be wedding events.

“My menu was brisket with rolls, potato chips, fruit salad, and coleslaw. Perfect in my opinion for a hot summer July night,” said Kelsie Kirk, a wedding client of Molly’s Table. Nagle does wedding menus from fancy picnic foods to gourmet wedding dinners of sea bass and sushi.

New experiences are always happening at Molly’s Table. “My boss is amazing. I get to try all kinds of new foods, like today I just tried a date filled with blue cheese and baked with prosciutto ham on it!” Nathan Laudan, employee since October of 2008, said. He suggests ordering the blackened chicken sandwich or strawberry turkey wrap at the restaurant, or the chipotle chicken and horseradish mashed potatoes for the catering.

“I like to get the daily quiche and soup,” Ryckert said. “Deloris, her pie lady makes the curst for the quiche. It is so flaky and delicious!”

This summer Ryckert will work at Molly’s Table. “I am excited to learn all the secrets of Donna Nagle,” she said.

One of Nagle’s favorite events was a wine tasting with Somerset Ridge Winery. It was difficult, because Molly’s Table does not have a liquor license, so Nagle had to fill out lots of paperwork to secure a two-day city wine permit. In the future Nagle hopes to include a local wine and beer list as a part of her menu.

Nagle dreams of a more organized network to purchase the local ingredients she needs for her menu. She uses as much local ingredients as she can, but sometimes it is difficult to find enough of specific ingredients. Nagle enjoys using local farmers markets, and other local producers. “Donna just bought over 22 pounds of our asparagus,” Julie Zoller, avid gardener and local real estate agent said. When she cannot access enough local ingredients she uses a variety of stores such as US Food Service, Cosco, Price Chopper and Sam’s Club to complete her menu.

Nagle looks forward to working with new food trends. “I would like to play with grass fed beef,” Nagle said. For now she will focus on planning menus seasonally using as many local ingredients as possible.

Her website is http://www.mollys-table.com/

Richard Pallucca

By Allie Coulter
FRONTENAC – In 2012, Pallucca and Son’s Super Market will celebrate its 100 year anniversary. In 1912, Attilio Pallucca, an immigrated from San Pellegrino, Rome, opened the Italian shop in Southeast Kansas.

The meat market and grocery store is located off highway 69 in Frontenac, a town of around     3,000 residents. Within a 4 mile radius of Pallucca’s stands a Wal-Mart superstore, Dillions and a Walgreens. These are all large corporate stores that have forced many small, locally owned stores out of business. But not Pallucca’s.

Pallucca’s success over the years could be “hard work and customer loyalty,” said Pallucca, 72, although, he admits “a lot of times I wanted to say the hell with it.”

The store originally opened by Pallucca’s grandfather and partner Enrico Moriconi. Later the family bought Moriconi’s share. It has been passed down three generations in the Pallucca family:  grandfather Attilio, Joe, and now Richard.

Frontenac is filled with Italian heritage.  Pallucca’s offers a large selection of Italian foods.  They are known for Italian sausage. Pallucca learned to make sausage from his father. The recipe was derived from Richard and his uncle Mannoni.  They experimented until they came up with something that was exactly what they wanted.

In 2009, Pallucca decided it was time to scale back because business was slowing down and he was reaching his 70s. “I have been working 80-90 hour work weeks since as long as I can remember and had been a butcher for around 50 years,” he said.

He is tired.

The grocery part of Pallucca’s down-sized.  Currently, the store focuses on the meat department and catering.  They also have small area with five tables for daily lunches.  For the lunch crowd, they serve anything from paninis to rigatonis.

The majority of Pallucca’s meats come from a wholesale. Angus beef the only beef that is used in their store.

Will Pallucca’s survive another generation?

He has two sons, Bill and Joe, and a daughter, Becky. Both of his sons work in Kansas City while Becky is a police officer in nearby Pittsburg.  “If anyone takes over the store it would likely be Becky,” he said. She helps close the store some nights when she is not on duty.

Keeping Pallucca’s in the family is something that is important to him. If someone in the family is not able to take over the store he said, “I’d lock her up and go home or die in here.”

By Melissa Short
As I bit into my first juicy, satisfying  meat-free soy burger I knew that this vegan experiment was going to be ok. As an omnivore I have always been fascinated by vegans and the things they go without-like macaroni and cheese.

I spent a few weeks eating nothing containing meat or animal products to find out what vegans eat, the creative ways they make meals, and what health benefits they might enjoy. I ate delicious meals, mediocre meals, and a whole lot of bread.

This blog is about a college student trying to eat vegan in a town known for burgers and Call Hall ice cream. There are recipe ideas, local restaurant guides, and honest opinions about each dish. Follow my journey from dairy-free cookies to veggie sandwiches and so much more.

Link to Melissa Short’s Blog:

http://wheatstatevegan.wordpress.com/

Mint Julep

By Kelley Nelson

Scott Benjamin, owner of 4 Olives Wine Bar, is an artist.  To him, a cocktail isn’t a drink; it’s an experience.

Take a rather simple drink: the mint julep.  With its short ingredient list (simple syrup, mint, ice, and brandy), many bartenders don’t give it a second thought.  At 4 Olives, however, it is meticulously perfected.

Ice is frozen water: unassuming and unnoticed. Except when it’s destined for Benjamin’s bar.  Then it’s placed in canvas and pounded with a small mallet.  The porous bag ensures what Benjamin calls “dry ice”—ice without excess moisture, the kind that keeps a beverage cold without diluting the flavor.  His crushed “sonic ice” also gives the mint julep the look of a sophisticated, adult sno cone.

Mint is carefully used, too.  “Mint,” Benjamin says, “is like any herb.  If you tear it, it releases a defense through a bitter, foul taste.”  To pull out pleasant, refreshing aromas instead, Benjamin gently “bruises” the mint.

Even the mint julep’s presentation was perfected. True to its southern roots, Benjamin serves the drink in a silver tumbler.  He says, “With silver, the cup forms a frost.  Glass is too poor a conductor to produce the effect.”

Once the drink is assembled and the mint garnish is slapped and planted in the ice, Benjamin takes a sip, gives a sly smile, and says “Well, it’s five o’clock somewhere, right?”

With a drink that perfect, it certainly is.

(Editor’s note: Scott Benjamin was host and guest lecturer in the Food Writing class on March 3 at his restaurant, the 4 Olives. His topic was the history of the cocktail.  Students chose how to cover the afternoon.  Chef Benjamin served a light lunch, too.)

Courtesy of McCarty Dairy

By Amanda Rall

REXFORD – Four generations of McCartys have owned and operated the family dairy business over the past century.  Though when Tom McCarty heads out for his morning chores the smell might be the same, the view is much different than what his grandfather before him might have seen.

When McCarty’s grandfather plotted the location of their dairy in Pennsylvania there was an abundance of open, green pasture.  A few generations later, the family found themselves fighting traffic with their tractors. Outside industry was suffocating their ideas of advancement. “To bring the boys in, we had to get bigger,” says McCarty about their four sons.

Tom, along with his wife and business partner, Judy McCarty, decided to leave their northeastern Pennsylvania home in search of land, lots of it. The solution to their stifling situation was a move to the plains of northwest Kansas. They sold their livestock and equipment and brought along only the essentials- family.

The couple, with their four young sons, hoped to make the best out of the change in scenery. The motivating force for the migration of the McCartys was to give their sons an opportunity to make a livelihood in the same way their great-grandfather had.

The four McCarty boys have all had their hands in the dairy business. David manages a dairy near Syracuse while Mike, Clay and Ken took on the McCarty Dairy in Thomas County and most recently the Bird City Dairy in Cheyenne County. The expertise of the veteran dairy farmers made the difficult transition possible.

After some debate on where to relocate, the family bought an existing farm five miles west of Rexford. The construction of the dairy began from scratch. With help from Kansas State University agricultural engineer and dairy specialists, plans for the free-stall barn, milking parlor and lagoon soon developed. Recent changes have been made to the diary including a heifer yard, where the family raises 3500 head of heifers at one time, according to McCarty.

The farm is not the only thing expanding. The McCarty family has grown since their 1999 move to Kansas. With four daughter-in-laws and eight grandchildren, and the ninth on the way, it seems the family business might be stay in the family for another generation. When Paeton, the oldest grandchild, was asked what he wants to be when he grows up, he says, “A dairy farmer, like my dad.”

Others have joined the McCarty family that do not carry the trademark last name. Of these include the dairy’s 20 employees. The first person employed at the McCarty dairy, Lionel Loya, is still with the operation over 11 years later.

Economic stimulus: Welcomed outcome of the dairy development

The main priority of the McCarty’s business move from Pennsylvania to Kansas may have been in the best interest of their family but the move turned out to be in the best interests for their new community.

The McCarty Dairy has made an impact on the surrounding area’s economic status, initially through the building process where local merchants and contractors profited from the demand for their services. Now, years after its development, the dairy continues to stimulate the area’s businesses.  Enrollment at local school districts has grown.

From ongoing feed and material purchases to hiring silage crews the dairy is always finding ways to put money back into the community. The dairy has not stopped growing either. Since the initial construction plan was finished, the dairy has added four open lot pens of milking cows, cool water misters, shades and a heifer yard, all of which required either hiring contractors or buying significant amounts of material from lumberyards and other local merchants.

The dairy workers’ families have helped the Golden Plains School District in Rexford thrive while other schools in northwest Kansas are at high risk for consolidation or even closure. Most of the employees from the dairy live in the Golden Plains School District and of the 20 employees, 15 have families that make up about 40 children, according to Mrs. McCarty.

As residents with Hispanic heritage moved to Rexford, drawn by employment at the dairy, the need for bilingual educators at the school became evident. In 2000, the district hired the first bilingual interpreter. During the 2000-2001 school year, four of Golden Plains’ teachers began work on their English as a Second Language endorsement.

The Golden Plains School District will receive state aid and a bilingual weighted full-time equivalency rating for each bilingual child. The Kansas Legislative Research Department describes the weight as being determined by multiplying the full-time equivalent enrollment in bilingual education programs approved by the State Board of Education by a factor of 0.395. Revenue generated by the weight must be spent either for bilingual or at-risk education.

Following in their footsteps

The positive results from the development of the McCarty Dairy of Rexford did not go unnoticed by other Kansas residents. The Bird City Century II Development Foundation, aware of the benefits Rexford was gaining from the close proximity to the McCarty dairy, asked the family to expand into a second dairy at Bird City.

“The boys took on all the responsibilities of the Bird City expansion,” McCarty said. Their past experience of moving across the country gave them a good idea of what to expect in their venture. The Bird City dairy is a partnership between Mike, Clay and Ken McCarty.

The community of Bird City hoped that bringing in a dairy would also bring an influx of business to their community and add kids in the classrooms of their diminishing school system. The U.S. Department of Rural Development, providing additional loan money, along with private credit offered the McCartys the support they needed to help bring added jobs to a remote area of the state.

By the summer of 2006, the dairy’s design was completed and 19 new jobs would soon be offered through the new dairy development. On Sept. 13, 2007 the dairy began milking cows. The Bird City Dairy, like the McCarty Dairy, is efficient. The operation runs 24 hours a day and milks 1800 cows three times a day.

Troubles to overcome

Dairies across the country, like the McCarty Dairy of Rexford, have seen the price of commodities grow to outstanding ratios to the price of milk. During the lowest milk prices the family had seen within the decade, they luckily had contracts out for milk at a higher price, the family reports. They feared that if the situation did not improve by the time those contracts expired, the development would face a large revenue deficit.

Recently, milk prices have steadily increased, with much relief to dairy farmers. However, dealing with the volatile market of milk, the McCartys never get to comfortable and always plan for the unexpected.

The fourth generation of McCarty dairy farmers has also been faced with new challenges that dairy farmers a few decades ago never had to experience.

Since the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, there has been a government mandate for increased food safety and defense against agroterrorism. “Each truck is equipped with a safety seal that has to be broken before milk is loaded onto the truck, then resealed and must be intact in order for the load can be delivered,” McCarty explains. This insures that no tampering has occurred with the product during shipment.

The McCartys may be successful businessmen and women; however, you will rarely see them in a stereotypical suit and tie. They prefer to work alongside their employees and will always know the meaning of hard work.

Browne's, Irish in Kansas City since 1877.

By Stephany Moore
KANSAS CITY – There is a steady buzz of noise in the air, marked with laughter, jubilant conversation, and a few voices that have surpassed a socially acceptable volume, most likely due to one too many draws of Guinness, even though it’s just past 11 a.m.

People of all ages sit shoulder to shoulder inside the cozy restaurant. Even more are seated along plastic foldout tables beneath a large white tent outside.  None seem to mind as they eat their traditional Irish breakfasts of bangers and rashers and drink [those of age] their traditional Irish beers.

Periodically, John Feehan, clad in an authentic kilt, will bring out his bagpipes and plays a jig for daughters Nellie and Shannon to dance to.  This is a tradition started when they were toddlers and continues 17 years later.  Enthused customers at Browne’s Irish Marketplace clap and cheer.

For many Kansas City dwellers, St. Patrick’s Day is a day to spend listening to Irish music, watching the parade, but most importantly, drinking excessive amounts of Irish beer.

But for the extended family that has owned and operated Browne’s for the past 124 years,  it is a day to honor the family heritage and play host to loyal customers. According to the Irish Trade Board, Browne’s is North America’s oldest Irish business.

Ed and Mary Flavin, immigrants from County Kerry, Ireland, opened Browne’s Irish Marketplace in 1887.   Flavin’s, as the store was named back then, was a quaint grocery store and corner butcher shop.  The store was renamed Browne’s after Falvin’s daughter, Margaret, and husband, James R. (Jim) Browne (also an immigrant from County Kerry), took over the store.

Browne’s evolved into an Irish delicatessen and marketplace.  They are rated by several Kansas City magazines and newspapers as the best sandwiches and cookies around.  The Browne’s Reuben was No. 9 placed on the Top 10 KC foods to eat before you die list.

The 4th generation is now at work in the family business.

Browne’s continues to sell an assortment of imported foods from canned Ambrosia Custard to Odlum’s Brown Bread Mix, continuing the tradition Ed and Mary Flavin started.

In 2008, Kerry Browne, 4^th generation owner and operator, made a big change.  She transformed the adjoining apartment, where previous owners had lived, into an Irish and Celtic gift shop.  Most of the clothing, homewares, and jewelry are imported directly from Ireland to maintain the Browne’s proud authenticity.

The business philosophy remains the same. “Our store was founded on family values and trust in our customers,” says Browne, “and we still run the store the same today.”

According to Browne, during the Depression local businesses and neighbors had to help each other out to make it through.  Jim Browne often let customers pay what they could for meat and groceries in exchange for their loyalty.  This generosity is still prevalent today.

“Other businesses pride themselves on being owner-operated, but here at Browne’s you see the proprietors every day interacting with the customers and forming relationships with them,” Browne explains.

The aroma of freshly brewed Roasterie coffee ( “1887 Blend” named after the founding date) and freshly baked soda bread fill the air, worn oak floors creak softly, family pictures testify to a respect for the past. A visit to Browne’s is like going to Grandma’s house; at least that is how fifth generation sales manager, Nellie Feehan, explains it.

“Our family has such a close bond because of the store. Usually when a grandparent dies, you lose a lot of contact with distant relatives, but the store brings us all together. It’s like a living legacy,”  Freehan adds. She is Brown’s niece; most of the family is involved with the store.

Nothing brings the family together more than the holiday that celebrates their family heritage.

To say St. Patrick’s Day is a big deal for Browne’s is a vast understatement. “I can’t remember a year when we woke up later than 5 a.m.,” says Feehan.  The entire extended family works together in the early morning hours to get breakfast ready and start preparations for lunch.

At the end of the day, the hard work pays off.  “Stack ‘em high, watch ‘em fall,” is the old saying of Feehan’s grandpa, James R., Jr. (Bob) Browne regarding the rapid inventory turnover.  Browne’s Irish Marketplace has made it through rougher times, but has remained standing strong, and will continue to host memories for future generations to come.

Browne’s Irish Marketplace is located at the corner of 33^rd and Pennsylvania in midtown Kansas City, Missouri.  They are open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Thursdays until 7 p.m., and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, with seasonal extended hours.