DadSpa.com's first Cigar Review I once heard a quote attributed to Winston Churchill where he said: “I am easily satisfied with the very best!” While I agree with the sentiment, affording the very best is a very different story. My name is Dan O’Brien and my brother Matt (creator of this web-site) has asked me to share my thoughts on cigars in a monthly column for the readers of this web-site. While I love fine cigars (and wine for that matter), I also love a good value. In Minnesota a state that has the highest % of taxes on tobacco in the country; value buys are not always easy to come by. As a result I try to buy my cigars on the internet. One source I use on a regular basis is Tinderbox.com This month’s selection is the CAO sampler. At the time of this column this sampler was priced at $39.95 for seven different cigars. This sampler offers the smoker a truly wide ranging variety in taste. In this sampler you will find cigars ranging from a CAO Gold, a smooth and mild Nicaraguan with a rating to 90 by Cigar Aficionado to the bold CAO L’Anniversaire Maduro another Nicaraguan beauty with a 90 rating. In addition, you’ll find my favorite of the bunch; the CAO Barzilia Samba. It is 6 ¼” with a 54 ring gauge and Cigar Aficionado rating of 91. As an added bonus you’ll also receive a DVD highlighting the history and philosophy of CAO International. If you’re interested in how cigars are made, you’ll really enjoy this well crafted DVD. Until next month; enjoy! Stumps Hot Olive Update
By Dan O’Brien
Afternoon Relaxtion at Penzeys Spices
What do you like to do to relax? Did you say go to a spice store and look around for barbeque rubs and spices? Well, that’s what I like to do!
A friend from work was raving about a spice-rub she received as a wedding gift. She made country style ribs with the Galena Street Rub, from Penzeys Spices and said they were excellent. They did not require any sauce. The mere discussion of food makes me hungry and I am always looking for new ways to cook, especially barbeque.
After work, I investigated this “Penzeys Spices”. I found that they are based in Brookfield, Wisconsin and have close to 40 retail locations throughout the United States. The closest location to my home was in Glendale, WI, so I packed up a couple of the kids and headed out.
When I first arrived with my children, the first thing that caught my eye was all the glass jars. Not to worry though, one of the helpful sales associates asked them if they liked to color and they shuffled off to color in the pirate themed coloring area.
With the kids occupied, I was like a kid in a savory smelling candy store. I asked where the Galena Street Rub was and was pointed in the right direction. I was given a full color spice catalog complete with many recipes and product descriptions.
Unlike the grocery aisle, where you have to trust that the spices are fresh and are something you may actually want, Penzeys has glass sample jars that you can open, smell, and then decide if you want to buy the item. To me this all seemed to make sense. Food is all about aroma.
I bought the Galena Street Rub, Barbeque 3000, and Rojo Taco Seasoning. I made country style ribs with the Galena Street Rub and seasoned my buffalo wings with the Barbeque 3000. Both were fantastic. The great thing about Penzeys is that they sell the spices in jars or, for a nice discount, they sell the spices in a bag. Buy a jar, keep the jar, and refill by buying a bag. What a great idea. They also have no salt based seasonings, so if you have any health concerns with salt, you don’t have to have flavor free food. The only thing I thought could be improved upon would be . . . more locations. Luckily they are on the internet at www.penzeys.com. I want to try the Brady Street Cheese Sprinkle and the Sandwich Sprinkle next.
* Just a moment of disclosure, I am not receiving any payment from Penzeys. I am attempting to bring valued added ideas to help those who find cooking to be a fun and relaxing part of being a dad. Also, I like to help hometown companies out. They are headquartered near the Milwaukee, Wisconsin area.
Steaks from Omaha Steaks
click the image below!
I have received word from the Stumps themselves that they also produce Stump’s Hot Olive Brats, but they are in limited stores. I have not located these delicious rarities, in any of my local stores, but if you come across them email me at food@dadspa.com. In the meantime here is the recipe for the
Hot Stump Burger.
8-10 Stump's Hot Olives finely chopped 1 lb. lean ground beef or turkey ¼ lb. Pepper cheese 1/8 tsp. garlic salt and pepper to taste Combine above ingredients reserving the cheese. Divide meat into four patties. Grill, fry, or broil on both sides. Place on hard roll or hamburger bun, top with salsa or hot sauce (optional). For more recipes and to purchase Stumps hot Olives online go to:
http://www.stumpshotolives.com
The one thing I dislike the most about preparing hamburgers is the mess of pressing burgers into patties. The Home Market Place has great items to make cooking easier. Click the image below to see their burger press or order any of their other kitchen products.
Hammocks
Who's ready for some relaxing? A hammock is a great gift idea for dad. What better way to relax after intense yard work than to lay in a hammock? He can listen to the baseball game or nap the afternoon away. Several friends own hammocks, so I will warn you they are a contagious relaxation device. Keep dad’s hammock for him, but you may have to order one for mom on Mother’s Day. At Hammocks.com they have a great selection including everything from tree mounted to stand based models.
Fish from Omaha Steaks
click the image below!
One of my favorite cookbooks is the
Better Homes and Gardens Gas Grill Cookbook.
It is simple and easy to use. My favorite thing
about this book is the grilling timing chart on the inside cover. It also has great and simple recipes.
