Blog > Blogs > Archive by category 'Dish it Out'

NORTH LIBERTY -- Iowa basketball players said Tuesday night they were surprised Cedar Rapids Jefferson senior Jarrod Uthoff spurned the Hawkeyes and instead chose Big Ten rival Wisconsin. "I was definitely a little bit surprised," Iowa sophomore point guard Cully Payne said. "I know Matt (Gatens) talked to him the other night, and I talked to him the night before. I know he made a decision that was best for him and his family, and I guess what he thought the style ... continue reading

NORTH LIBERTY - The second time was a charm for Shuey's Restaurant and Lounge from Shueyville. After placing second last year  - and winning the coveted apron - at the Liberty Centre Blues and BBQ contest in North Liberty, this year Shuey's won the contest and took home the first-place plaque Sunday, May 30. "To sum it up, we were ecstatic," says Jeannetta Williams, who co-owns Shuey's with Terry Ely. Shuey's rib connoisseur, Lou Connelly Thompson, learned everything she knows about Southern cooking from ... continue reading

WEST DES MOINES – For the 47th year, the best grillers in Iowa will gather to compete for the title “Iowa Cookout Champion” at the Iowa State Fair. The contest showcases the state’s best outdoor chefs working their culinary magic with some of Iowa’s finest meat products. The search for a new champion begins this summer when county Farm Bureaus host local contests to determine winners in several categories. Local finalists will compete for the state title on Iowa Farm Bureau Day ... continue reading

When I graduated from high school in 1989, there were no such things as texting, Twitter or Facebook. These days, students can send out mass invitations to their graduation parties on social media sites and receive hundreds of positive responses within a few hours. Jeff Mumm, owner of Dostal Catering in Cedar Rapids’ Czech Village, says he has talked to more than a few frantic parents wondering how they are going to feed 300 guests. His answer? If you have 300 people who ... continue reading

MARION - Along with all the wonderful art at the Marion Arts Festival in City Square Park on May 15, delicious food was served. Hoopla "Clean Plate" writer Andrea Dietzenbach and I were chosen as food judges for the event. We sat at a table in the park and were served a "sample" of what each vendor was preparing. The samples were more like full meals, but we soldiered on, tasting everything. We tried everything from pulled pork, potato salad and brats to carmelcorn, bite-sized ... continue reading

CEDAR RAPIDS - Lines started forming at least 15 minutes before the Taste of Czech and Slovak feast at St. Lumila Catholic Church on Friday night, May 14. A half hour into the event featuring more than 30 samples of Czech and Slovak cuisine some of the dishes were running low thanks to the capacity crowd. After days of blustery weather, the sunshine - and the great food - brought out the large crowd ready to kick off the annual Houby Days ... continue reading

Former West Delaware all-stater B.J. Hermsen threw five good innings in his Midwest League debut Friday night, a 2-1, 10-inning win for his Beloit Snappers at Wisconsin. Hermsen was promoted from Minnesota Twins extended spring training earlier this week because of promotions and injuries on the Beloit pitching staff. He allowed four hits and one run, walking two and striking out four, getting a no decision. Hermsen was a sixth-round draft pick of the Twins in 2008 and was signed to a ... continue reading

This weekend is shaping up to be quite tasty around here. Czech Village’s Houby Days  kicks off Friday night with the 10th annual “Taste of Czech and Slovak” event. The feast, 5 to 7 p.m. Friday at St. Ludmila Catholic Church Social Hall, 211 21st Ave. SW, will feature about 30 samples of Czech appetizers, soups, meat dishes, side dishes and desserts. In past years, the food was provided entirely by National Czech and Slovak Museum and Library Guild members. This year, Czech ... continue reading

My dining room looks like the backroom of an old bookstore. So my husband tells me.  During the past several weeks, the cookbooks donated by generous Eastern Iowans have been transferred from the office near my desk at The Gazette to the dining room in my house.  I have been appraising and pricing nearly 10 boxes of books and pamphlets for a sale this Saturday at Maifest in Amana.  Among the items are Jim Loyd “Open Line” books, vintage Better Homes and Gardens, ... continue reading

As I was talking to the folks at Frontier Natural Products Co-op in Norway for the main story on this page, I once again realized the error of my ways. One of the big no-nos with spices is storing them above the stove where they can be exposed to heat and moisture. Of course, that’s exactly where my spice and seasoning supply is stored in my kitchen. The small cupboards above the stove seem like the perfect place to put the little containers. ... continue reading

While in Indianapolis last weekend, I caught up with a pair of Big Ten coaches who have competed directly against new Iowa Coach Fran McCaffery. Purdue beat Siena 72-64 in the first round of this year's NCAA Tournament. Purdue Coach Matt Painter said recruiting will be crucial for McCaffery at Iowa. "First of all, the most important thing is recruiting," Painter said. "That’s the most important thing in anybody’s program, and at Siena they had great players. They had a great point ... continue reading

I need your help. Again. Last December, I wrote about a Cedar Rapids woman who lost her cookbooks in the Floods of 2008. I was hoping to catch you in the holiday spirit the week of Christmas, asking for donations to help replenish Phyllis Kriz’s collection. You didn’t disappoint. By the end of that day, I had more than enough cookbooks for Phyllis and plenty to give to other flood victims. Last week Dennis Irey of Cedar Rapids called and said he had four ... continue reading

The Ceramics Center and Zins Restaurant are teaming up April 26 to bring a one-of-a-kind fundraising and dining event to Cedar Rapids. Zins, 227 Second Ave. SE, will be serving a prix fixe five-course meal on unique, handmade ceramic dishes made by the Artists in Residence from The Ceramics Center. The dishes will all be auctioned off to benefit The Ceramics Center and their Artist in Residence program. The evening begins with a cocktail hour from 5 to 6 p.m. where the dishes ... continue reading

Woodford Reserve®, the Official Bourbon of the Kentucky Derby, honors the country’s favorite horse race with a limited-edition Kentucky Derby commemorative bottle. The 2010 bottle features the work of nationally-acclaimed, Louisville-based artist Jeaneen Barnhart. “When creating this special painting, my intent was to reveal the energy and emulate the figures through loose interpretation of uninhibited line and depth,” said Barnhart. “It’s the heart, the bones, the muscle and the mind that open my eyes to deeper expression.” Barnhart’s striking work depicts the ... continue reading

The POV (Point of View) series invites you to get your pots, pans, televisions, computers and friends ready for the special broadcast of the Academy Award®-nominated documentary "Food, Inc.", on Wednesday, April 21 at 9 p.m. on PBS, in celebration of Earth Day. Food, Inc. asks: How much do we know about the food we buy at our local supermarkets and serve to our families? Though our food appears the same as ever, it has been radically transformed. Producer-director Robert Kenner ... continue reading

CHIPPEWA FALLS, Wis.  – Summertime adventurers, outdoor enthusiasts and beachgoers rejoice! The Jacob Leinenkugel Brewing Company has announced that popular summer seasonal brew, Leinenkugel’s Summer Shandy, will be introduced nationwide in 12-ounce cans for the first time in 2010, making the brewer the first to offer a canned “shandy” style brew, which as originally developed in Europe as a thirst quencher for parched cyclists, to U.S. drinkers. Available April through August nationwide, Leinenkugel’s Summer Shandy’s new canned offering will provide the ... continue reading

CASTROVILLE, Calif. - Artichoke lovers have reason to celebrate this spring as mid-March is the beginning of peak season in California where the country’s artichoke crop is grown. Low in calories, artichokes are an excellent source of fiber (more than 10 grams per artichoke) and vitamin C, and a good source of folate, magnesium and potassium. In addition, a study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found artichokes have more antioxidants than all other vegetables.* "Artichokes provide many health and nutrition ... continue reading

NORWAY, IOWA  – Simply Organic is introducing three new southwest-style seasoning mixes – Enchilada Sauce, Mole Sauce and Salsa Verde. Each of the new mixes is vegan and has the USDA organic certification. Simply Organic’s Enchilada Sauce Seasoning mix is blended with garlic, paprika, cumin and roasted red chilies. “Our combination of spices provides optimal flavors without the heat that can drown out a chili’s flavor,” says Kory Kazimour, Simply Organic Senior Brand Manager.  Simply Organic’s Mole Sauce mix gives the home cook ... continue reading

Yes, the calendar already says it’s spring. But for me, the true sign of the season is Easter Sunday. Some of my fondest childhood memories are of Easter with my grandparents in Kanawha in north central Iowa. The day began with a 5:30 a.m. sunrise church service led by the youth group. Although it was much earlier than I was usually awake, I always enjoyed the group’s interpretation of the resurrection. Afterward, of course, was the breakfast served in the basement after the ... continue reading

Cheryl Marks, who helps prepare Passover meals at the University of Iowa’s Aliber Hillel Jewish Student Center, 122 E. Market St., Iowa City, takes Jewish dietary laws very seriously. She also knows first hand that following dietary restrictions during Jewish holy days like Passover can be challenging for Jews in Eastern Iowa. That’s why the student center holds a Seder — a ceremonial feast — the first two nights of Passover, giving the UI’s nearly 800 Jewish students a place to gather, ... continue reading

It’s March Madness for foodies on The Food Channel ® with a Munch Madness Recipe Tournament – the perfect complement to an office basketball pool or for those getting together to watch the college games. Food Channel editors have selected 16 recipes to battle it out, divided into four categories: pizza, sandwich, wings and chili – with each category having four competing recipes. A Munch Madness article  explains the entire voting process and visitors then click on the Launch Bracket tab to be transported ... continue reading

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — A recent study by the Innovation Center for U.S. Dairy revealed that the fact that milk delivers much more than calcium to the diet is new "news" to consumers. "Many consumers know about milk's calcium benefits, but most are unaware that dairy foods deliver eight other dietary nutrients considered ‘essential' by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)," says Stephanie Cundith, a registered dietitian with the Midwest Dairy Council. Consumers know they need to eat healthy, but often focus strictly ... continue reading

WASHINGTON, DC - The unsettled economic outlook is sending Americans into the kitchen, according to a new survey commissioned by the American Institute for Cancer Research (AICR). Forty percent of Americans say they are cooking at home more often as a result of the current economic situation. In the same survey, Americans report making other changes linked to better health and lower risk for cancer and other chronic diseases. Nearly half of Americans (48 percent) report eating fast food less often ... continue reading

When Boston Fish reopened last March after rebuilding from the Flood of 2008, customers were lined up at the front door. “We were in the throes of Lent,” says Sue Zoll, co-owner of the restaurant and market at 804 Fifth St. SE, Cedar Rapids. Traditionally, Catholics and other Christians abstain from meat on Fridays during Lent — a time of reflection between Ash Wednesday and Easter Sunday — making fish and seafood in high demand. Rather than getting in the rut of ... continue reading

When Iowa City writer Jeremy Jackson attended Vassar College in Poughkeepsie, N.Y., he was surprised at the lack of knowledge of cornbread on the East Coast. After writing several novels, he decided it was time to educate the general public about one of his favorite childhood favorites. “I thought there should be an entire cookbook about cornbread,” he says. “It’s American and deserved its due.” So the Iowa Writer’s Workshop graduate did his research and began testing recipes. The result was his first cookbook, ... continue reading