Conglomerate Cafe

Getting out of the Kitchen

2010-07-14T12:52:00.000-07:00

Every now and then...I get out of the kitchen. This weekend I thought I'd take a look at a couple of things I'd never seen before even though they're practically in the backyard.

The first series of photos were taken at Canyon Falls. Over the years I've neglected walking in on this little gift because the trail begins at a rest stop off of U.S. 41 just south of L'anse. Yea, a rest stop. Who would have thought this treasure was just off the roadway!

Rock outcroppings competed with the falls as to which was more eye-catching. Teenagers were diving into a section of the falls! We just stood and watched for a while as they struggled (yes, struggled) against the current to get to the other side. I'm sure their mothers all knew what they were up to that day.

The next photos were taken at Sturgeon Falls near Silver Mountain. Located on the same river as Canyon Falls (the Sturgeon), these falls are sometimes referred to being located in Michigan's Grand Canyon because of the depth of the gorge they're located in.

Walking into the location is pretty easy...all downhill and a quick trip. That means that it's all uphill on the way back. Not to worry...it really is a quick trip and well worth it.

Interesting features to both locations...rock outcroppings are different...trees and undergrowth are different...but the locations are fairly close to each other. These pictures were taken in the midst of a fairly dry summer. I look forward to seeing these falls again next spring!

All in all, an easy adventure worthy of an afternoon.

Salads....Good Greens!

2010-06-29T14:42:00.000-07:00

Tonight's dinner....the Greek Salad at the Conglomerate Cafe.

It all starts with the greens...this salad is built on a bed of romaine and spinach. The goodies are added from there....black and kalamata olives, red onion, cucumber, tomatoes and feta cheese. I like to serve this with our homemade lemon-olive oil dressing. Garlic croutons would definitely go with.
While I prefer this vegetarian version, you can order it with ham or grilled chicken. Wine is optional. Other salads available: BLT, Taco, and Chef. Coming soon...Caesar Salad.
See, we do salads. Now get ready for more desserts!

First Friday in July

2010-06-27T06:25:00.000-07:00

July 2....First Friday in downtown Calumet

More info to be posted later....

A Relaxing Business....

2010-06-10T12:52:00.000-07:00

Welcome the newest addition to the Calumet Block...it's Energy Massage!

With the understanding that we're all busy people with personal schedules, work schedules, kids schedules and the surprises no one has scheduled, Energy Massage invites you to give yourself a time-out.

A simple one-hour massage designed to reduce stress and pain issues is a great beginning. Some might find they need less or more attention according to the time they have available.

A variety of techiques are used during each session...Swedish, deep tissue, myofascial, pressure and trigger point therapy, even reflexology and hot stone treatments.

Excellent for migraines and sinus problems...ideal for those who hold tension in the upper back and neck...a real treat for those with lower back discomfort and even foot pain.

Massage is the way to give yourself time to unwind, relax and repair... renew your ENERGY.

Located above the Conglomerate Cafe, call 906-369-0094.

Beer and.....

2010-06-08T17:16:00.001-07:00

Well, it was a Saturday afternoon and rather than wash dishes at the Cafe and I decided it was time to taste-test a few of the beers I hadn't sampled before.

Saugatuck Brewing company provided the beer at the front. Don't let the lack of foam at the top fool ya...I sipped most of it off. Good taste...crisp.

Beer in the middle is definitely better than middle-of-the-road. Breakfast Stout...a double chocolate coffee oatmeal stout from Founders Brewing out of Grand Rapids, MI. My pouring was perfect for me...since it's the foam I'm looking for. This beer goes perfect with another little treat at the Cafe...brownie bites. While I avoided the double dipping during the tasting, I highly recommend you try it...

Last but not least...the Golden Cap saison ale from New Holland Brewing...farmhouse ale brewed with spelt, an ancestor to wheat. Interesting taste...spicey. What catches the eye with this beer is the label. Fans of the Wizard of Oz will recognize the flying monkey...no yellow brick road here, just a field of spelt and a winged monkey apparently looking for a cold brew.

So that's beer at the Cafe...at least three of them. On the First Friday of every month we're open late with music, beer and wine. About a dozen bottle beers to choose from .... and we'll uncork any bottle of wine as long as you're willing to take the bottle to the bottom.

Looking to add some tap beer to the line-up sometime in June and a little bit more...you'll have to stop in and check it out.

It Must Be Jam 'Cause Jelly Don't Jiggle Like That

2010-06-06T18:02:00.000-07:00

It's berry season! Well, we're just a little bit away but once you see the flowers the berries aren't too far behind.

At the left...blackberries! Blossoms just starting to burst...this berry patch has traditionally provided a bumper crop of fat, juicy,deep-purple fruit.

Excellent for single berry jam and jelly, the blackberry also makes a great go-together with strawberries, blueberries and raspberries for a multi-berry spread.

And...speaking of strawberries...there are some wild ones just waiting in the wings. Flowers are gone now...mini-berries quietly growing. Still, Mother Nature is taking her time with these local morsels.

Tiny...packed with flavor...these are the pick of many locals for a morning treat. It takes a ton of 'em to make a batch but it's worth every bug bite you get while picking 'em.

Let's not forget the famous berry that makes the Keweenaw famous...the thimbleberry!

Impossible to describe, the flavor of the thimbleberry is one that draws people to the roadside and deep into the woods for picking.

Just like the other berries it's...two for me...one for the bucket...two for me...one for the bucket.

My favorite way to have this in jam or jelly is to combine it with apple.

So you like it all by itself? Welcome to the majority...I'm definitely out of the ordinary on this one.

All in all...it's berry time. So start looking for your pickin' patch....AND STAY OUT OF MINE!

Old Recipes--New Ideas. I Hope.

2010-05-22T19:29:00.000-07:00

Just brought in a couple of boxes of old recipe books, pamphlets and simple flyers. Right now, they smell like the basement, barn or garage they came out of...

Hope the cake (I mean salad) recipes I plan to try make the kitchen smell a lot better!

Every time I look through recipes books like these I want to grab a ruffled apron to match. Something from the 40's or 50's...embroidered--maybe some rick-rack (who uses that anymore!).

Check out these tidbits.....

I Think they might have these recipes "switched-at-birth". Wouldn't you rather have your hops in a glass three times a day? Kind of an interesting little juicy-juice drink mix for the youngsters. Why do the kids get all the good stuff anyway?

Hey, she's got my apron on.

.....have you noticed editing my script is definitely laggin'? Do you think there might be a recipe I could drink out of a wine glass to fix that little glitch? :-)

We Make Salads Too!

2010-05-22T19:16:00.001-07:00

Turtle Cheesecake

Graham cracker crumb crust, creamy vanilla cheesecake with walnuts, dark chocolate and when it's time to serve--warm caramel and whipped cream.

Raspberry Swirl Cheesecake

Pretty isn't it? Tastes good too.

Really--next time I'll post a picture of salads!

Signs of the Season

2010-05-22T18:21:00.000-07:00

Signs of the Season

Vanilla....Chocolate...maybe a Swirl. Sundaes, milkshakes, malts, ice cream cakes, ice cream sandwiches, frozen yogurt...the possibilities are endless. The only thing I need to do now is call the electrician so this power-sucker has somewhere to call home. John Jilbert scheduled to stop in next week to show me the ropes with "Miss Karen".

The Cafe isn't the only thing that blossoming this time of year. I didn't have to look too far to see the creeping phlox in shades of pink that start a dainty white and run into a hue so bright it might work for Lady Gaga's hair.

Wild strawberries that survived the first mowing....

....and a wee little nest with itty-bitty eggs and a little birdie Mama not too far away.

When Company's Coming....

2010-05-15T12:46:00.000-07:00

When Company's Coming...order a cake from the Cafe!

First, we need to name this one. I've been calling it what it is...the flourless chocolate cake....way too functional but it lets the Gluten Free Brigade (love you all!) know it's safe. What this cake needs is a name that describes the dark chocolate, melt-in-your-mouth, "this is so rich I shouldn't eat it but..." yummy that it is.

I know what I call it. Your suggestion is welcome.

Up next, pumpkin. Two layers of moist, spicey cake separated by homemade cream cheese frosting and covered in even more, and drizzled by a thick caramel topping...this pumpkin cake is worthy of picking up the plate and licking it clean of crumbs!

All of our Cafe Cakes are made from "scratch"...simple, fresh ingredients. Baked to order the day you're picking it up--never made in advance and pulled from the freezer.

To complete these cakes or any other yummy you might find at the Cafe...whipped cream! A little extra chocolate or caramel (come on--you're having dessert--DO IT) makes it perfect.

Kick-Start Your Day

2010-05-05T16:41:00.000-07:00

Breakfast.

Fuel to kick-start your day. Make it healthy...make it interesting...make it your own.

I happened to be hungry for an omelet today. One egg...couple of egg whites...that's a good start.

Now add fresh tomatoes since they're starting to taste like something after a long winter. Onions? In everything. Now the spinach...a lot (it wilts)...only the fresh stuff. Cheese? I'll skip in my omelet and go for some sour cream and salsa instead.

Whatever you like for breakfast...we'll make it. Maybe you'll find it on our menu...the Greek omelet, the Veggie Omelet, a super Three Cheese Omelet (add sun-dried tomato pesto and really pump it up)...or just go for some everyday oatmeal with almonds, dried cranberries and brown sugar (NEVER instant).

Healthy...not hungry. That's how to start the day.

Our Daily Bread

2010-05-05T16:28:00.001-07:00

It's how we start the day...everyday at the cafe. Bread. This is a batch of our oatmeal bread just out of the oven. To be honest, I don't know when it smells better...just baked or when it's on the rise.

We make two kinds of breads for sandwiches and toast...this oatmeal loaf and our honey whole wheat. Both recipes are variations I developed from a home-batch of white.

What's the best way to eat it?

With real butter....AND, the homemade soup you'll find everyday at the cafe! This picture features the hamburger minestrone.

My favorite way to tackle a loaf of either bread...the ends please. I'll save the middle slices for everyone else.

Baby Steps in Blogging

2010-02-19T16:53:00.000-08:00

Layer cakes shouldn't stop with the cake. This Strawberry Coconut Butter Cake is filled and frosted with a vanilla cream cheese frosting, then coated on the sides with flaked coconut and finally topped with fresh white chocolate covered strawberries.

Don't worry about a napkin...just lick your fingers...now.