Midwestern Cusine: A Photodocumentary from an Iowan Family Reunion
Here it is, Midwestern Cuisine as documented from my 2007 family reunion in Keokuk, Iowa.
Much type as been pressed about Cajun food, California Cuisine, Tex-Mex, and Southern-Fried-Anything, but what about food from the belly of our great nation? It might not not be the stuff of Saveur or Gourmet but Midwestern Food is created, above all things, to feed the family. And food ideals can’t get any loftier than that.
Dishes are often in one pot. No fancy knifework, techniques or trendy spices. Ingredients often number less than 10.
Warning! The photos below are not censored for meat content; the Midwest is still a meat-and-potatoes place. But the generous amount of yummy side dishes and some locally-purchased Boca Burgers kept a hungry vegetarian pond-swimming volleyball-champion like me more than satisfied.
Friday’s Dinner featured a Trio of Meats: Ham, Smoked Turkey and Deep Fried Turkey. Please note the Sterzings, (bottom middle) the cultish potato chips only found in Iowa - truly salty, greasy, and fantastic. Sterzings event got a shout out in the Fourth of July issue of the New York Times in an article entitled, The Best Chip? The First One Out of the Bag:
“Jean Fuller is 71 and lives in Dallas with her husband, Dale. Anyone who visits from Iowa, her home state, must arrive with a bag or eight of Sterzing’s, which markets itself as the maker of “the most popular potato chips in southeast Iowa.” Cartons arrive for Christmas. Mr. Fuller got a supply for Father’s Day.”
1. BBQ’ed Potatoes, 2. Berry Cobbler, 3. Broccoli Salad, 4. Cheese n Meat Plate, 5. Cheesy Crockpot Potatoes, 6. Cherry Pie, 7. Chocolate Apricot Squares, 8. Corn Souffle, 9. Crudites, 10. Deep Fried Turkey, 11. Garbanzo Zucchini Rice Salad, 12. German Coleslaw, 13. Grandma’s Apple Cake, 14. Ham, 15. Olive-Pasta-Salad, 16. Pickles, 17. Pineapple Souffle, 18. Pork Loin, 19. Salad with Ranch Dressing, 20. Saurkraut, 21. Smoked Turkey, 22. Sterzings!, 23. Strawberry Rhubarb Pie, 24. Three Bean Salad
And then we went to Stock Car Races to see my cousin (who is 15 and does not have a drivers license) race.
1. Grandstands, 2. Beautiful Night at the Stock Car Races, 3. Fast Car, 4. Flag Guys, 5. Gatekeepers, 6. Good Luck, 7. Yellow Flag Lap, 8. I think he’s here every week, 9. Seth Drives Fast!, 10. Seth’s Fanclub, 11. Trophies, 12. Wrong Way, 13. Sunset at the Races
Breakfast was leftover Ham and Potatoes Grilled outdoors, plus Biscuits and Spicy Sausage Gravy (my vegan adaption is here.) I ate fruit and muffins.
1. Biscuits, 2. Cream Horns, 3. Blueberries, 4. Grapes, 5. Spicy Sausage Gravy, 6. Ham, Sausages, and Potatoes on the Grill, 7. Mini-Quiches, 8. Muffins!
I’ll go into a little more detail about Saturday’s lunch because Maid-Rites are an Iowan institution. Basically crumbly ground beef cooked up with onion and served loose (not in a patty) on a bun. My cousin pointed out that the Loose Meat Sandwich Restaurant from the Roseanne show was probably based on Maid-Rites. Fascinating. You can dig up more fun facts - and franchise info! - on Made-Rite Restaurants here.
I myself ate a Loose Veggie sandwiches (crudites stacked carefully on a bun, laced with dill dip.)
1. “Maid Rites” - an IIlinois/Iowa Specialty, 2. Beefy Con Queso, 3. Buns, 4. Red Velvet Cake, 5. Cereal Pretzel Mix, 6. Dill Pickle Chips, 7. Fruit Salad, 8. Kettle Pops, 9. Maid-Right Filling, 10. Pasta and Bell Pepper Salad, 11. Pot-o’-Dogs, 12. Saurkraut, 13. Crudites
Saturday Dinner was Iowan Beef Burger and Wisconsin Brat night. This is when I broke out the veggie burgers.
1. A Discriminating Eater, 2. 7-layer Dip, 3. Baked Beans, 4. Burger Patties, 5. Fruit and Nut Salad, 6. Fruit Salad, 7. Grilled Homegrown Zucchini, 8. Pastachio, 9. Spinach Dip, 10. Strawberry Rhubarb Pie, 11. Buns, 12. Wisconsin Beer Brats, 13. Saurkraut
Thank you to my wonderful family for arranging this weekend. It was perfect. I am particularly grateful for the strength and grace of our hosts for putting up with air mattresses, beer cans, and assorted strange requests from 70+ of us relatives. Didn’t mean to scare you by setting up our tent in your garage.
You all have an open invitation to stay in Brooklyn anytime - I’ve got an open kitchen, bathtub, and air mattress that’s all yours.
July 22nd, 2007 15:52
Thanks Ness! I wasn’t able to make it, but I don’t feel like I misssed out as much with this all inclusive recap. B/c fam reunions are all about the food.
July 22nd, 2007 21:44
My in-laws live in St. Louis, and I’m wondering if I should give Missouri cuisine a second glance… I feel a need to detox every time I get back from there, but your photos are so beautiful. Hmmmm.
July 23rd, 2007 13:07
Beautiful–makes me miss Iowa! Give me a brat, a bag of Sterzings and a Leinie and I’m very happy!
July 24th, 2007 12:12
Vanessa — your pictures are beautiful. Your grandmother called me to let me know that they were up. She loves them but wants the ones you can hold in your hand and show to your friends.
July 25th, 2007 17:14
April- Well, we missed YOU! Wish you and B could have made it. We missed your sibs too - but at least we got to see your mom and dad. It had been way too long!
Bazu- To be perfectly honest, I needed a detox from the picnic goodies, but a visit to the Midwest was a cleanse for my system - beautiful, and back to life’s basics… nice to feel free from the pomp and importantness of NYC!
Lisa- So right! I could eat a whole BAG of those things!
Pat- I’ll do what I can! Maybe we can get some of the other photos together and made a “real” album.
July 27th, 2007 08:49
oh man I miss the mid-West. part of my family lives in Ottumwa and one glorious summer my cousin and I went there for the entire break and just rode horses and went to rodeos and watched the sun set. it was GLORIOUS. I often make fun of Iowa, but I think that’s just because I’m jealous. Thanks for the memories
July 28th, 2007 11:57
Wow… that almost makes me a little homesick.. I don’t know if you knew this, but I grew up in Fairfield… so this is all very familiar to me. hehe.. and wow, do I miss the skies in Iowa.. they are just spectacular!
… and sterzings chips.. omg.. I am actually feeling a little sick to my stomach just thinking about them. They are truly the grease and salt king of chips!
ahhh.. Ann up there, Ottumwa… all of these places are so close to home.. My poor son was always traumatized seeing the huge semi’s full of pigs going off the the slaughterhouse in Ottumwa.. he’d look at them and say, “Poor pigs, going to Ottumwa, gonna get killed.”
March 3rd, 2008 16:55
Vanessa,
A whole weekend in the midwest and not a single Jell-o salad? I’ve been to dinners where there are two different types served.
In case you’re wondering who I am, I’m one of Molly’s (from Pennypack Farm)roommates. We met up in Brooklyn once. Anyway, she showed me your website and I love it.
Lillian
May 27th, 2008 23:41
I was born and raised in Keokuk and this brought back so many memories. I found this entry from a google image search.
I’m also a vegetarian, became one as a teen in Iowa (this wasn’t a popular decision with my family) and spent a few years back there with my kids in the 80s. I couldn’t really eat out and had to rely on cooking simple foods for myself since there were no health food stores for any exotic ingredients. But I miss the country side so thanks for sharing your pictures. I remember the maid rites from my childhood, also “scalloped corn” which was a sort of corn pudding made with creamed corn, eggs, and saltine crackers and baked, velveeta mac n cheese, jello salads, barbecue baked beans, german potato salads, and plates of fresh tomatoes from the garden. My grandparents had a wonderful garden–we also had fresh strawberries. Their farm was in Montrose, 12 miles out of town from Keokuk near Argyle.
Of course Sterzings are the best potato chips. My grandma also made sauerkraut from scratch and we had biscuits and white gravy like any southerner would enjoy. Home made bread and pies were also staples of the family kitchens. I make whole wheat bread and I do have my Aunt Gin’s pie crust recipe too. I recreated my mom’s potato pancake recipe, made with mashed potatoes and eggs with just a little flour. I’m working on a family cookbook to preserve some of the old recipes.
Thanks for sharing!