Relax . . . go ahead, you've earned it, relax for a little while.
What I’m Watching Now Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives, The Food Network Of course I love hearing about the food, but I also like seeing the diversity of the restaurants. The show does a great job giving the background story of each location. Whether it is family owned, ethnically unique, or a story of someone making the most of what they were given, the stories make the show. Guy Fieri is also pretty darn funny. He is also a dad and even has his family on the show from time to time. I recall once he was at a restaurant and there was an attractive looking woman eating there. He went up to her and said something like, “I like what I see” and planted a kiss on the woman. It turns out that it was his wife and he was just having a little fun with his audience. This show can give you great ideas for places to eat when you travel (or in your own hometown). I saw an episode when Guy went to Pink’s Hot Dogs in LA. While staying in LA with my vegetarian bother and sister-in-law, we decided to try it out. The line took about 45 minutes, but it was well worth it. The SPICY POLISH DOG with mustard, chili & onions was fantastic. The kids enjoyed their meals and Pinks even had a decent selection of food for the veggie-lovers. Without this show, I wouldn’t have known to check it out. The Food Network link below gets you to the website, so you can look up places that you missed writing down while watching the show. I’d prefer it list restaurants by State, rather than by episode, but it’s a start. Pawn Stars, The History Channel I know the name sounds like it is something dirty, but really this is a pretty awesome show for dads. You could even watch with your teenagers, although I am no parent viewing advisory board. The show revolves around the daily dealings of a pawn shop in Las Vegas, Nevada. I love this show because there are so many cool items coming and going through the shop. Many of the items have historical significance and value, and some of them are complete junk. Each show revolves around figuring out which it which. It’s kind of like ‘Antique Road Show’ with a more interesting cast of characters. I mainly love this show because of the family dynamic. The shop is owned by Richard Harrison, a.k.a, The Old Man, and his son Rick. Rick’s son Corey, and his good (but not-so-bright) friend Chumlee, also work at the pawn shop. The family interactions are where the bleeped-out swearing comes in. The Harrison’s really let it fly! Watch the show and remember you heard it here first . . . The Old Man for President in 2012. It would be great if politicians operated like The Old Man. Every decision starts with, ‘what is it worth and what are we going to get out of it?’ Finally, I really enjoy the historical items that come in. Rick lights up when something cool comes through the door and he is almost always ready for a fascinating historical background story. He also knows a ton about art, weapons and vehicles. Rick is a high school drop-out, but he has made up for schooling with experience. I think he would make a decent history teacher or at least an interesting guest speaker for schools. Check out the show at http://www.history.com/shows/pawn-stars. 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 time; enjoy! Stumps Hot Olive Update One of my favorite cookbooks is the
What I love about this show: Food, family owned businesses, and travel ideas.
http://www.foodnetwork.com/diners-drive-ins-and-dives/index.html
What I love about this show: Historical artifacts, family-owned, and bleeped out swearing.
Holy Cow! It’s only January and I have already read a whole book this year.
If you know me, this is quite a feat. I am usually asleep by 10 p.m. as I wake up early to work. I guess I have the mental capacity to read, it’s just that I get tired and I have three kids and … well you know all the excuses. 
By Dan O’Brien
Afternoon Relaxation at Penzeys Spices
What do you like to do to relax? Did you say go to a spice store and look around for barbecue 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 barbecue.
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, Barbecue 3000, and Rojo Taco Seasoning. I made country style ribs with the Galena Street Rub and seasoned my buffalo wings with the Barbecue 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.
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.
