I happened to be attending a conference in New Orleans in October of 1991, and found myself in the hotel bar after a long day on my feet. I was happy to find the World Series on the TV, and my Twins giving the Braves all they could handle. As I took my seat at the bar, my face must have belied my indecision on what to order, as when the barkeep approached me, he called out, "You look like a guy that needs a Bloody Mary."
Now there is an inherent problem with Bloody Marys: either they're outstanding or terrible, and more times than naught it is the latter. Immediately my mind went there, so I inquired if they were good. "What the hell do you think?" responded my southern barman. He immediately went to work on creation of the cocktail, complete with a draw on the side as a chaser.
Not only was the drink good, it was outstanding. I was informed that the recipe was for a Cajun Bloody Mary that the bartender invented, and to my delight he was quick to turn over the formula when I asked. I share it here:
96 oz. good tomato juice
1 cup ketchup
1/2 cup worcheshire sauce
1/2 cup lemon juice
3 - 5 heaping tablespoons of spice mix (below)
fresh ground horseradish to taste
Spice mix - equal parts
black pepper
white pepper
celery seed
celery salt
cayenne pepper
paprika
garlic salt
Cajun spice (2 parts)
Combine all liquids and sauces together, then mix in 3 tablespoons of spice mix. Shake thoroughly to mix ingredients and taste. Note that taste will not be as spicy as when the mix is allowed to settle over time, so make sure that additional spices are added with this understanding. Once liquid has reached the desired spiciness, add fresh ground horseradish to taste.
Mix well with good vodka over the rocks, and garnish with olives, homemade pickles, pickled asparagus, peppers, or other vegetables as desired. Serve with a tasty beer on the side.
This recipe has been in my family ever since, and has been shared as it has been requested. In fact, at a family dinner about 15 years ago, I shared it with the then owner of the Calhoun Beach Club; a swanky Minneapolis bar located in the Uptown area. Lo and behold, when out for drinks there one night, I happed to order the Bloody Mary, and found that it was indeed mine. No permission, no royalties, just a complete plagiarism of my drink.
Except the drink wasn't mine. It was a generous New Orleans bartender's.
Upon realization of the full situation, I swallowed down my indignation with a strong pull on a spicy drink, and said a private toast to southern hospitality.
Sunday, June 13, 2010
Friday, June 11, 2010
Twins Champions' Club Seats - Rubbing Elbows with the Well-Heeled
Two nights ago. Vera and I were lucky enough to be invited by our friends to join them at the Twins game. Unbeknownst to us, the tickets we had were in the vaunted Champions’ Club area. I didn’t exactly know what that meant precisely, but I would soon find out. It started with us taking a private elevator down to the lowest levels of the stadium – floor minus two. When the doors opened, we were greeted by a gauntlet of ultra-polite but efficient security, got outfitted with a wrist band, and got this photo of our hosts and Jack Morris.
We were then politely ushered inside to what can only be described as a baseball fan’s heaven. The first stop was a bar area, outfitted with accessories like full leather lounge chairs, multiple flat-screen TVs, and little knick knacks like, oh, just the 1987 and 1991 MLB Championship trophies. Here's Vera with the '87 trophy.
We ordered up a drink from our bartender and were ushered into the next room. This large area consisted of a massive private bar, huge open fireplace, tables galore, and a buffet spread that would rival Minneapolis’ finest. Our bill of fare this night included a huge baron of beef, Cajun fish, freshly grilled sirloin, salmon and chicken, and braised beef ribs. And that was just the entrees. The sides were incredible, as were the salads (either prepared or made to your order). The entire time the well appointed staff was flittering about making sure you had everything that you needed and that you were happy. Now the best part. The cost for dinner? Nada. Ditto the cost for tap beers and wine.
We loaded up on this incredible meal, entertained by the pre-game festivities that were being broadcast on the dozen or so HD big screen TVs when it came time to head out to the game. Our waiter made sure our next beer order was in stadium-friendly plastic glasses, and we made way to the exit. Along the way were strategically placed “snack stations” for any of the ballgame goodie needs on might have. Peanuts, candy, Cracker Jack, ice cream, nachos, hot dogs were all available for the taking; no charge. We grabbed some goodies and headed out to the stairs to take us to the field.
Our seats are the ones that are immediately behind home plate – they are oversized, padded, and as comfortable as a living room lazy chair. They were exactly 7 rows behind home plate, and the view was absolutely incredible. Here's the view of the plate.
As you can see, we were way close to the action, and I’d like to think that I was responsible for the lone Carl Pavano strikeout of the night. Jose Guillen of KC was batting, and took an incredibly close curve ball for a ball with two strikes on him. I had enough free beer in me to boom,” Guillen, you better swing at the next one because you’re never getting that call again.” Sure enough, Pavano comes right back with another yacker, but this one in the dirt, and Guillen chases it. Put me down for a K in the book, those of you scoring at home.
During the game, folks in the area are welcome to go back to the man cave and eat more, watch TV, get something from the bar, or hit the private bathroom. Should you not want to leave your seat, ushers work the entire game, bringing you free beer or any other goodies that might strike your fancy. Indeed, this is how the rich live, and folks, it doesn’t suck.
The Twins played great, the night was beautiful, the beer cold , the company outstanding, and we wanted for nothing. I even met up with an old friend, and was witness to one of Nicky Punto’s patented slides into first base (he was safe!). In fact, this picture was taken immediately after the play.
In my day I’ve been lucky enough to attend games in suites in 6 different stadiums. I’ve done two different rooftop parties at Wrigley. I’ve been wined and dined at the finest that different stadiums had to offer. And in all of those episodes, I’ve never, ever, experienced something as first class as this. Not even close.
I’m not sure we’ll ever get the chance to do this again, but, at least for one day, we peeked behind the curtain that only the upper, upper crust see. As stated before, it didn’t suck.
We were then politely ushered inside to what can only be described as a baseball fan’s heaven. The first stop was a bar area, outfitted with accessories like full leather lounge chairs, multiple flat-screen TVs, and little knick knacks like, oh, just the 1987 and 1991 MLB Championship trophies. Here's Vera with the '87 trophy.
We ordered up a drink from our bartender and were ushered into the next room. This large area consisted of a massive private bar, huge open fireplace, tables galore, and a buffet spread that would rival Minneapolis’ finest. Our bill of fare this night included a huge baron of beef, Cajun fish, freshly grilled sirloin, salmon and chicken, and braised beef ribs. And that was just the entrees. The sides were incredible, as were the salads (either prepared or made to your order). The entire time the well appointed staff was flittering about making sure you had everything that you needed and that you were happy. Now the best part. The cost for dinner? Nada. Ditto the cost for tap beers and wine.
We loaded up on this incredible meal, entertained by the pre-game festivities that were being broadcast on the dozen or so HD big screen TVs when it came time to head out to the game. Our waiter made sure our next beer order was in stadium-friendly plastic glasses, and we made way to the exit. Along the way were strategically placed “snack stations” for any of the ballgame goodie needs on might have. Peanuts, candy, Cracker Jack, ice cream, nachos, hot dogs were all available for the taking; no charge. We grabbed some goodies and headed out to the stairs to take us to the field.
Our seats are the ones that are immediately behind home plate – they are oversized, padded, and as comfortable as a living room lazy chair. They were exactly 7 rows behind home plate, and the view was absolutely incredible. Here's the view of the plate.
As you can see, we were way close to the action, and I’d like to think that I was responsible for the lone Carl Pavano strikeout of the night. Jose Guillen of KC was batting, and took an incredibly close curve ball for a ball with two strikes on him. I had enough free beer in me to boom,” Guillen, you better swing at the next one because you’re never getting that call again.” Sure enough, Pavano comes right back with another yacker, but this one in the dirt, and Guillen chases it. Put me down for a K in the book, those of you scoring at home.
During the game, folks in the area are welcome to go back to the man cave and eat more, watch TV, get something from the bar, or hit the private bathroom. Should you not want to leave your seat, ushers work the entire game, bringing you free beer or any other goodies that might strike your fancy. Indeed, this is how the rich live, and folks, it doesn’t suck.
The Twins played great, the night was beautiful, the beer cold , the company outstanding, and we wanted for nothing. I even met up with an old friend, and was witness to one of Nicky Punto’s patented slides into first base (he was safe!). In fact, this picture was taken immediately after the play.
In my day I’ve been lucky enough to attend games in suites in 6 different stadiums. I’ve done two different rooftop parties at Wrigley. I’ve been wined and dined at the finest that different stadiums had to offer. And in all of those episodes, I’ve never, ever, experienced something as first class as this. Not even close.
I’m not sure we’ll ever get the chance to do this again, but, at least for one day, we peeked behind the curtain that only the upper, upper crust see. As stated before, it didn’t suck.
Thursday, June 10, 2010
Wednesday, June 9, 2010
Strasburg: The Only Good Thing to Come Out of Washington DC
I know it is one game, but the pitching the Washington wunderkind put up against Philly last night was a sight to behold. I came of age in the era of Ryan, Carlton, and Clemens, and I've always loved the utter dominance a power pitcher can bring to the game. With this first outing Strasburg takes a step in that direction. More interesting, though, is his wicked curve ball. How a right hander can stay on that pitch after taking a high hard one inside at 98mph the previous pitch is impossible.
I know it is only one game, but for the first time in a long time, the hype coming out of Washington DC is as advertised.
Tuesday, June 8, 2010
Nick Punto Watch - With Added Coverage of The Harris Embarrassment
With the lineup without Cuddy, Morneau, Hudson, and Hardy, two things became evident: 1) Nicky was going to play a lot more and 2) Our lineup stinks without those four guys. In case you're wondering, #1 and #2 above are likely related.
Nicky is batting a solid .225, the real story this update is the Harris situation. Trust me, nobody wanted to see Harris succeed more than I, but I've reached a point where I need to get my big butt off his bandwagon. The dude is batting .162! .162! There are pitchers in the National League that eek out enough bunt singles to do better than that. Michael Jordan did better than that (OK, he was just in AA ball, but damn, .162? Come on.).
Hence, if Harris does not catch Punto this week, I'm completely reworking this column. You've been warned, Brendan...
Monday, June 7, 2010
Leech Lake Fishing Report, Late May 2010
The bite on Leech has been fantastic. All species are hitting, and the action fabulous. Here's my wife with a nice 24" boated on a Rapala at sunset.
Fish are literally everywhere, but if you can find an actively feeding school, things get really fun. Here's my buddy Don with a nice 22" that was among a school in which we landed 10 fish in about 2 hours.
The funny thing was that on this spot we landed a broad spectrum of fish - too small, too large, and in the slot. It has been a fantastic year on Leech Lake thus far, and I can't wait to get up there again.
We close with another shot of my wife. While some guys are married to a "fashionista," I'm happy to be married to a "fishinista."
Saturday, June 5, 2010
Time to Blame the Jews. Again.
For the life of me, I've never understood the Left's hatred of Israel. I don't know if it is rooted in their disposition to an aversion of organized religion, hatred of an aggressive military mindset, or if it is just simple, undiluted anti-Semitism. Judging by self-espoused Liberal "journalist" Helen Thomas, I'd say it is the latter. You judge for yourself.
An additional corollary to my befuddlement is the propensity for Jewish-Americans to vote Democratic. Those that would like to neuter the Jewish state, and ultimately the Jewish people, are the same ones that are blindly supported voted into office by the very people that would be harmed the greatest. I don't get it. Not at all.
In the middle of all of this comes a great article by Charles Krauthammer that gets to the real heart of the matter. He closes thusly:
An additional corollary to my befuddlement is the propensity for Jewish-Americans to vote Democratic. Those that would like to neuter the Jewish state, and ultimately the Jewish people, are the same ones that are blindly supported voted into office by the very people that would be harmed the greatest. I don't get it. Not at all.
In the middle of all of this comes a great article by Charles Krauthammer that gets to the real heart of the matter. He closes thusly:
The world is tired of these troublesome Jews, 6 million -- that number again -- hard by the Mediterranean, refusing every invitation to national suicide. For which they are relentlessly demonized, ghettoized and constrained from defending themselves, even as the more committed anti-Zionists -- Iranian in particular -- openly prepare a more final solution.I encourage you to read the entire article by clicking here.
Tuesday, June 1, 2010
Deadliest Catch - Leech Lake Edition Epilog
As I headed out, I wondered if I'd see any remnants of the big wind storm of the week prior. I didn't have to trek very far to have my questions answered. This photo represents one of probably a dozen trees that littered the trail.
I'm not sure if the straight line winds were centered in the area or not, but there is no questioning that they clearly had a impact. The damage this wind wreaked was awesome, and reiterated to me how lucky we were to be on the lake when it hit and to come back unscathed.
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