Hot dog

(The following represents the opinions of just one member of the Gruber family.)
Hot dogs are not really meat. Everyone knows that. They just aren't fit for human consumption. BUT what about ballpark hot dogs--Dome Dogs in Mpls. to be specific? Yes, I really did try one, just one bite. There is proof. And (drum roll please) it was pretty tasty.

Buffalo Wild Wings and more

I read in the paper a few days ago that Dubuque will be getting a Buffalo Wild Wings soon! Yes, it's a chain, but we like it, having been to one in Flagstaff, AZ and one in Cedar Rapids. The wings are pretty good and there are lots of different sauce choices. The boneless wings are more meat & less hassle to some (AM), but others (Nate) consider them not really wings...

In the same suburbia building in western Dubuque, we'll also be getting a Joey's Seafood restaurant. We'd never heard of it but are looking forward to trying it. Too bad for all those holding out for a Red Lobster in D-town.

Quick breads

A friend requested a recipe today, so I'll include it here, along with another favorite. These are both so easy and good. And they freeze well.

Cinnamon Swirl Bread
I have no idea where I got this recipe, but I've made it for weekend guests several times, and it always gets rave reviews.

Mix together:

• 1 cup sugar


• 1 egg


• 1/2 cup oil


• 1 cup milk


• 1 tablespoon vinegar


• 1 tsp. baking soda


• 2 cups flour


• 1/2 tsp. salt

In a separate small bowl, mix together 1 tablespoon cinnamon and 1/2 cup sugar. Spray a loaf pan with cooking spray. Layer batter & cinnamon mixture, alternating until both are gone. Swirl with a knife, making sure to get all the way to the bottom. Bake at 350 degrees for 45-60 minutes, until a knife comes out clean.

Nana's Banana Bread
Believe it or not, this is from those recipe cards that come in the mail to entice you to buy more recipes. "Current resident" included mailroom employees back in the day...

• 5 tablespoons butter, softened


• 1/2 cup granulated sugar


• 1/2 cup brown sugar (recipe calls for light, I use dark)


• 1 large egg


• 2 egg whites


• 1 tsp. vanilla


• 1 1/2 cups mashed ripe bananas


• 1 3/4 cups flour


• 1 tsp. baking soda


• 1/2 tsp. salt


• 1/4 tsp. baking powder


• 1/2 cup heavy cream


• 1/3 cup chopped walnuts (opt.)

Beat butter in large bowl at medium speed until light & fluffy. Add both sugars & beat well. Add egg, egg whites, & vanilla and blend well. Add banana and beat on high speed 30 sec.

In separate bowl, combine flour, baking soda, salt, & baking powder. Add to butter mixture alternating with cream. Add walnuts if desired and mix well.

Pour into sprayed loaf pan. Bake at 350 degrees for about 1 hour 15 minutes, until knife comes out clean. Cool in pan 10 minutes, then remove to cool completely.

Dubuque is tasty!

The 11th Annual Taste of Dubuque was a smashing success, and a great opportunity to become part of the city's food universe. The best thing we had: barbequed pork sandwich from Sugar Ray's BBQ. Very tasty, with a nice sauce--just the right mix of tang and spice.