Bowler Man Confections: A Michigan City Gem

 

It was only a couple weeks ago that I first learned of Bowler Man Confections and low and behold the other day I was gifted with a gift card to this fine establishment. Although I live and work in Michigan City I had no idea that this gem of a place existed! Because I am like a kid in a candy store with a nickel in my pocket ready to spend, I had to use my gift card before too much time passed. I literally planned my entire day around my sojourn to the Uptown Arts' District located on Franklin St., in Michigan City. Just down the alleyway of the ArtSpace building sits this humble establishment. It is a lively, friendly place with evidence of "Santa's Culinary" elves working around the clock to fill the orders. As their website claims, it is "...Hidden In The Ally Of The Artspace Building 717 Franklin St. Michigan City, In 46360"

I had the pleasure of speaking with the pastry chef and owner of the Bowler Man aka Michael who shared that he has been a pastry chef for many years including many of those years as the head pastry chef at Four Winds. Anyone who has ever had the pleasure of eating at Four Winds knows this is no easy feat and the quality is well known. Today he proudly makes culinary delights such as house made croissants, chocolates, highly regarded carrot cakes, cookies and other amazing bakery treats including savory items such as galettes and quiches. Michael shared that Saturday mornings are a very special time and it is important to remember that if you don't get there quickly you will not get! They cannot keep their cases filled with savory and sweet treats. 

What is a truly amazing sign of quality? Word of mouth! There has been very little advertising. Small crew Mike, (Michael) Amanda, and Arthur keep patrons happy and that happiness is spread by word of mouth and by the gastronomical joy that they deliver on a regular basis. 

Although it is too late to get in on the Christmas ordering, orders are being taken for the New Year's weekend. Bowler Man Confections is not just a holiday experience, it is a year round celebration where only the finest delicacies will do! 

Bowler Man Confections 

717 Franklin St

Michigan City IN 46360

Crep-Pannies! Yummy Simple High Protein Breakfast!

So, today is Sunday and it is a day to feast for most people. It is the day when the cold cereal, fast grab breakfast of the work week is replaced with a more leisurely approach to gastronomic satisfaction. Well, I was faced with a dilemma, to have another protein shake, plain eggs, or be a little more extravagant? Well, in keeping with ME, Mary E., I gave in to extravagant...sort of. I found what I believe is the perfect way to meet half way on both sides of the dilemma. I made "Crep-Pannies" In other words, a cross between a pancake and a crepe with a special high protein, lo-carb twist. That is right, I did it. In my typical, "a little of this, and a little of that" whimsical, carefree approach. I rarely write recipes down as it is not my style. I do as my senses tell me when it comes to most things and especially cooking! Here is my recipe, just for you!

Caution: I really believe you must approach your cooking endeavor in the grand style of this Crep-Panny Chef, do it barefoot, with a robe on, hair wild tossed about your head and nothing but a hungry fire in your soul!

Begin with a nice size mixing bowl, you will need it! Secondly do not bother with a hand mixer, but, rather use a whisk to keep with the whimsical, carefree approach of this chef :D. Cook these pancakes on either a flat griddle or a crepe pan. I personally used a flat round frying pan, about 13 inches in diameter. INGREDIENTS:

• One juicy lemon
• One fresh apple
• 3 eggs
• oil, 1 tablespoon or so...
• About 1/2 to 3/4 quarters cup of flour
• a dash or 2, baking powder
• a dash or 2, baking soda/ Just enough to make it look temporarily like a grade school science project :D
• Vanilla a tsp or so
• Milk, 1/2 cup
• Protein powder - 1 scoop, I used GNC brand
• Honey 1 tsp to counter lemon, and for sweet love
• Pure maple syrup

Begin by squeeze the juice of the lemon, set it aside. Next grate your apple, peel and all, add it to the lemon. In a mixing bowl, crack your eggs into the bowl. Using your whisk, beat the heck out of the eggs. Use any fear of calories on the eggs...go ahead beat em' up...they can take the aggression! Now, add the lemon and the apples to the eggs, mix it up real good. Add vanilla, blend it in. Add oil, next add the baking powder, seriously no more than a teaspoon, mix it in and then add the baking soda. Now, watch it, here comes the pseudo-science experiment! Add a little of the flour, mix it in, add the milk, mix it in, add the rest of the flour and protein powder, add the honey, and mix it all together. It should be the consistency of a really nice milk shake.

Spray your cooking surface generously. Let it get hot enough that when you begin to pour your batter on it, it sizzles! When adding the batter to the surface, spread it around and try to make it equal to the size of a crepe and as thin as you can. To flip something this size, take a spatula gently around the edges loosening it. Then carefully slide your spatula under the crep-panny when it is evident that it is cooked more than half way through and with one quick, careful lift turn it over. It will only take a minute after the flip to be done. Place the cooked crep-panny on a plate waiting for the rest to be done. Repeat this step until all batter is gone.

Serve the crep-panny with whatever topping tickles your fancy! I put a light blend of butter, and pure maple syrup, (no maple flavored corn syrup allowed in my kitchen!) I spread it lightly over my crep-panny and rolled it up. I heated it for an additional 25 seconds in the microwave. This step infuses the syrup and butter. Doing it this way will give you a light buttery sweetness and you will use only 1/6th of the typical dousing of syrup on pancakes. Saturday Night Steve, well, he likes his without any additional nonsense.

Enjoy! This recipe makes about 3 nice size crep-pannies!

I am looking forward to hosting my first Meal Sharing event soon! Check out my site and the many others from around the world! http://www.mealsharing.com/users/artsees-d