What's on the Grill: West Coast Edition
One of my favorite things to do is travel and with summer, we pack in as much as we can. I believe in quantity versus size, too. I would rather go three different places over a week, than just one. So, to maximize our experiences, we plan a number of three night get aways. An added enhancement? My siblings all fled the midwest for the coasts and the south. We have great places to visit with the all so added benefit of free lodging!
Our first getaway was to Anne's in LA. True to form, even though it was 11 PM at night, I had to go to In-N-Out Burger...immediately, like minutes after leaving LAX. Although I opted not to order off the secret menu, I did marvel at the machine process like kitchen procedures and savored every last bite of their out of the world burger and fries. It was a magical treat.
Free family lodging really means "lodging in exchange for manual labor". Earlier this year, Matthew and I installed Anne's new kitchen. We left things 90% done, but 100% awesome (or so we believe). Since then, Anne was able to get the floor, countertops and appliances in. They look great. There is still some work outstanding, but for the most part I consider the project a success. Success, that is, noted by the fact nothing has fallen off the wall causing property damage or personal injury.
With the kitchen complete, Anne still had time to add one more culinary enhancement: a grill.
She is the proud of owner of a Weber Genesis. Although I was miserably depressed with the location she stored it, I am more than impressed with her use of it so far. I can proudly report that since this picture was taken, she has rectified the "grill in a field" motif she originally created. It now sits on a weed free pad.
Anne really likes grilled deep dish pan pizza. She even made her own dough, which brought tears to my eyes...or wait, was that when Matthew took off his shoes? Regardless, she is doing more than I could have imagined. So, in honor of the new grill, we made our own Mexican Deep Dish Grilled Pizza.
I made dough and than added a base of sour cream mixed with diced chipotles and adobo sauce. The base was topped with grilled chicken, onions, grilled corn, black beans and topped with cheese. It took about 20 minutes to cook. Speaking of, I really like how the new Genesis has the burners running perpendicular to the front of the grill versus their old parallel route. It makes indirect grilling and burner awareness much easier, at least in my opinion.
The other highlight of the trip, was my first visit to Disneyland, where memories begin...and your money disappears, as in before you are even out of the parking lot. Somehow, we managed to spend 12 hours at both Disneyland and California Adventure...on a Saturday.
You know Saturdays, those days were everyone stays home because the weather is great and can only be enjoyed indoors and not at a popular theme park. So, how did I survive? Beer.
Although only served in California Adventure, it was a fabulous treat. As I sipped and enjoyed, I realized the best way to see the parks was either in a stroller, which isn't entirely practical for a "normal" adult, or on a scooter, which I could definitely get away with. I wouldn't have to walk and I would have a great place to store my lightsaber.
All in all, we had a fabulous time. I love visiting Southern California and the fact Anne now has a grill, simply adds yet one more incentive to make a return trip. Hopefully Anne's next phone call is inviting us back for a visit and not lamenting over a kitchen cabinet that detached itself from the wall.
Our first getaway was to Anne's in LA. True to form, even though it was 11 PM at night, I had to go to In-N-Out Burger...immediately, like minutes after leaving LAX. Although I opted not to order off the secret menu, I did marvel at the machine process like kitchen procedures and savored every last bite of their out of the world burger and fries. It was a magical treat.
Free family lodging really means "lodging in exchange for manual labor". Earlier this year, Matthew and I installed Anne's new kitchen. We left things 90% done, but 100% awesome (or so we believe). Since then, Anne was able to get the floor, countertops and appliances in. They look great. There is still some work outstanding, but for the most part I consider the project a success. Success, that is, noted by the fact nothing has fallen off the wall causing property damage or personal injury.
With the kitchen complete, Anne still had time to add one more culinary enhancement: a grill.
She is the proud of owner of a Weber Genesis. Although I was miserably depressed with the location she stored it, I am more than impressed with her use of it so far. I can proudly report that since this picture was taken, she has rectified the "grill in a field" motif she originally created. It now sits on a weed free pad.
Anne really likes grilled deep dish pan pizza. She even made her own dough, which brought tears to my eyes...or wait, was that when Matthew took off his shoes? Regardless, she is doing more than I could have imagined. So, in honor of the new grill, we made our own Mexican Deep Dish Grilled Pizza.
I made dough and than added a base of sour cream mixed with diced chipotles and adobo sauce. The base was topped with grilled chicken, onions, grilled corn, black beans and topped with cheese. It took about 20 minutes to cook. Speaking of, I really like how the new Genesis has the burners running perpendicular to the front of the grill versus their old parallel route. It makes indirect grilling and burner awareness much easier, at least in my opinion.
The other highlight of the trip, was my first visit to Disneyland, where memories begin...and your money disappears, as in before you are even out of the parking lot. Somehow, we managed to spend 12 hours at both Disneyland and California Adventure...on a Saturday.
You know Saturdays, those days were everyone stays home because the weather is great and can only be enjoyed indoors and not at a popular theme park. So, how did I survive? Beer.
Although only served in California Adventure, it was a fabulous treat. As I sipped and enjoyed, I realized the best way to see the parks was either in a stroller, which isn't entirely practical for a "normal" adult, or on a scooter, which I could definitely get away with. I wouldn't have to walk and I would have a great place to store my lightsaber.
All in all, we had a fabulous time. I love visiting Southern California and the fact Anne now has a grill, simply adds yet one more incentive to make a return trip. Hopefully Anne's next phone call is inviting us back for a visit and not lamenting over a kitchen cabinet that detached itself from the wall.
Mike Lang
