JakeParrillo.com

Seasoned Pizza Pans - After 2 Weeks

noreply@blogger.com (Jake Parrilllo) — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 05:04:59 PST

Just throwing down a marker her to note what a 'new' pizza pan looks like after a few dozen hours of seasoning in the oven and a few skins baked on it.

Nothing for anyone to see here just yet. We can just move along. By Christmas-time, these babies should have a nice thick coat on 'em.

Detroit-Style Pizza: Getting Closer

noreply@blogger.com (Jake Parrilllo) — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 05:02:33 PST

This was Friday's example. Just going to take a few (dozen) more trials to get it perfect. But...look at that charring/carmelization along the edge. That's-a-nice!

Illinois State Senate Fat Cats Mail Piece

noreply@blogger.com (Jake Parrilllo) — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 07:14:35 PST

Ah yes...it is campaign time once again in Illinois. We have a hotly contested Republican Primary for Elmhurst's representative in the Illinois State Senate. This piece ended up on our front door a few days back. The cover is pretty effective in getting my attention, but the rest of the piece is an absolute mess.

I *do* however think that there is some merit to getting things fixed in politics and restricting how long a member can serve and how quickly they can spin through the revolving door into lobbying. But...the issue needs to be attacked at the source of the problem: money.

As we get closer to the election, we can dig in a bit more on the candidates and issues on the ballots for Elmhurst voters.

Confused Plants Due to the (early) Warm Weather?

noreply@blogger.com (Jake Parrilllo) — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 07:23:38 PST

This is what our French Pussy Willow looks like right now: plenty of new red growth and these big red bulbs ready to burst open full of furry little dots. We planted it this past season, so I'm not sure if this is what these things look like normally at this point in the season or if the plant is confused due to the unseasonably warm weather a week back.

When Nat and I were driving around over the weekend, we spotted a few little flowers springing up, figuring they were just confused. Sad to think that everyone might be loosing some spring growth because it is going to come up too early only to be killed by the certain frost left this winter.

It's early February. Does anyone have any experience with this type of plant/bush? Are we on track and this is normal? Or if not, is there something we can do to help it along and maybe slow down the spring awakening?

BTW...looking through the analytics account for this site and the above-linked French Pussy Willow plant post gets a lot of traffic. But...I'm pretty sure that the creeps that end up here leave pree-tay pree-tay disappointed.

Shamrock Shakes Chicago 2012

noreply@blogger.com (Jake Parrilllo) — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 15:18:27 PST

Hide your kids, hide your wife. There's big news afoot! Attention Chicago and Suburban folks: Shamrock Shakes are NOW available at area McDonald's. The Babe had her first one EVER yesterday and loved every drop of it.

Stop what you are doing and get out to McDonald's RIGHT NOW.

What's that? Giving our daughter a milkshake while she mindlessly watches tv? Sweet parenting!

P.S. Hide your husband, too!

This is why Jesse White Wins...

noreply@blogger.com (Jake Parrilllo) — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 05:42:08 PST

I just renewed my driver's license via the Illinois Secretary of State's website. No visit to the dreaded DMV. No dealing with cranky civil servants. Just a few keystrokes and in a few weeks a sticker will show up that I can stick on the back of my license that keeps me legal.

Thanks, Jesse White. No wonder he keeps getting re-elected by huge margins. This is how government is *supposed* to work.

Pretty Fly for a WiFi

noreply@blogger.com (Jake Parrilllo) — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 07:39:29 PST

Spotted this SSID in Downtown Elmhurst last week. Pree-tay cute.

Elmhurst Chiefs Hockey

noreply@blogger.com (Jake Parrilllo) — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 03:56:08 PST

Yesterday, the three of us spent part of the morning up in Bensenville, watching my nephew play in one of his first full-ice hockey games. He's only 5, but he's already part of the Elmhurst Chiefs Hockey program and lovin' every minute of it. They played well, but on this day were outmatched by the visiting team.

Youth hockey is so foreign to me - mostly because I didn't see a second of ice time during my childhood. In fact, I'm not sure there was a rink that was within 30 miles of my folk's house. With this rink being so close and hockey being a 'big deal' in the neighborhood - based on the other kids on the team including one girl - I'm wondering if the hockey bug will catch on in our house?

More Detroit-Style Pizza

noreply@blogger.com (Jake Parrilllo) — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 04:00:15 PST

Here's my latest pre-baked Detroit-style pizza pie. You'll note the seasoned blue steel pizza pan and the 'signature' diagonal lines of sauce. Although this pic may not make your mouth water , jt turned out pretty great, aside from the 2 spots that stuck to the bottom of the new pans. They just need a big more seasoning, I guess. Off to the kitchen laboratory!

Detroit-Style Blue Steel Pizza Pans

noreply@blogger.com (Jake Parrilllo) — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 06:31:08 PST

After suffering through a few weeks of trial and error with my Detroit-style pizza recipe, I finally decided to get serious and order *REAL* Detroit-style Blue Steel pans - directly from Michigan. Actually...turns out they're made in Mexico, but sold from a restaurant supply shop *in* Michigan!

So, why special pans? Well, the lore around Detroit-style pizza is that these pans were originally intended for the automotive world: they're pans that auto repair/assembly works put the various pieces/parts that they're working on. Detroit being an Auto-Town, the transition to using them in a pizza joint seems quite fitting. They have a higher lip than standard pans and are even a bit taller than my deep-dish pans.

They are Blue Steel 10" x 14" pans and come with a weird grease on them - that I'm assuming is food grade? I seasoned them as best as I could by coating them with corn oil (olive oil won't work for this because it has too low of a burning/smoking point), then putting them in the oven upside down at 450 degrees for 40 minutes. Remember to put some pans or foil on the lower rack to catch the oil dripping or else you'll have a smoky mess on your hands. I did this process of rubbing them with oil, baking them for 40 minutes, then letting them cool back down five times. I probably could have done it 20 times, but I was too impatient. With the workout I gave them, they started to turn a bit brown and a coating was starting to build up. According to what I read on the web, the real key here will be that we can't cut in them (no knives) and that we shouldn't scrub them down after using them either. Just a quick cleaning - maybe even just a wipe out - and certainly no time in the dishwasher.

I was up this morning VERY early to put together the dough and because these pans come with plastic lids, you do the proofing right in the lubed pans.

I'll give the dough a 24+ hour cold rise in the fridge and by Saturday night, we'll know if the pans have made a difference.

Will my Arborvitae Survive?

noreply@blogger.com (Jake Parrilllo) — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 05:59:43 PST

See those four Arborvitae trees starting in the middle of the photo and heading to the right? They're leaner than the ones on the far left side. And 2 years younger.

The older ones are strong and I know they'll be coming back this year to grow bigger. But these? I dunno.

I planted these four in the Spring of 2011 after having the same four die from the previous year. As you can see, these four aren't dark green, but aren't that much lighter than the ones on the left. There are some little orange/brown bits on them, but the bulk of the trees (Are they trees? Or bushes?) are mostly green.

What do you think? Will they survive?

Disney's Magical Express

noreply@blogger.com (Jake Parrilllo) — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 15:16:02 PST

Well, well, well. Look at what arrived in the mail yesterday: the logistical details for the Babe's upcoming trip to "Mickey's House". Can't wait to make even more memories with her and Nat (and just about my entire family).

Pagliacci Crushed Tomatoes

noreply@blogger.com (Jake Parrilllo) — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 06:05:00 PST

Over the weekend I had plans to make some Detroit-style pizza so we went out to Angelo Caputo's to pick up a ingredients. After putting 5 cans of 6-in-1's, I spotted these Pagliacci cans and couldn't pass them up. Between the cute can (great colors that don't totally come through in my ratty photo) and the Seinfeld (Crazy Joe Davola!) connection, I had to give them a try.

I didn't have enough energy to make 2 pies (nor the audience to eat them), so ended up not using these just yet. They'll have their chance this coming weekend. I'll report back if they topple my 6-in-1's and these end up being my tomatoes of choice.

New Illini Football Uniforms?

noreply@blogger.com (Jake Parrilllo) — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 05:30:03 PST

Yes, please.

This photo - sent to me by Equation Boy/Man and spotted on the Illinois Loyalty Forums - sure makes it seem like the days of the ILLINOIS helmets are gone. The entire thread has discussion of the alleged changes including the incorporation of the "zig-zag" trim elements that are already in place on the hoops jerseys. I welcome these new changes including what appears to be a Pro-Combat matte Navy Blue helmet.

The arched "Illini" is the same font/look that's currently on the hoops jerseys, which makes me think that this is a done deal. And brings the program back to something close to what we had on our helmets from 1971 - 1987. Check out the Helmet Project (scroll down to Illinois since there is no permalink) to see the Illinois helmet changes.

The changes will be endless... The endzones. The letterhead for the department. The logo on the floor of the locker room. (or is it the "Lockerroom"?)

Can't wait to see what else Coach Tim Beckman can do to improve the program. Here we go!

The photo above is courtesy of IllinoisLoyalty.com - which it sounds like someone posted from a Facebook page somewhere?

You Too, Caputo's?

noreply@blogger.com (Jake Parrilllo) — Sun, 29 Jan 2012 14:39:17 PST

Even my favorite grocery store has fallen prey to the lure of labeling their goods "homemade".

I sure hope these weren't made in some dude who works in the deli's home. I'd much rather enjoy them knowing they were created in the clean, bright, food-service-approved in-house kitchen on premises.

Housemade Bocconcini, please.

First Softball Mitt

noreply@blogger.com (Jake Parrilllo) — Sun, 29 Jan 2012 14:44:42 PST

On a trip to Menards this morning, we came across this softball mitt and between the Babe's delight and the rock-bottom price, we couldn't leave the store without it in hand.

Sure, I'd prefer a less gender-specific color, but the upside is that we're now one step closer to the day when the Babe asks me to take her out in the backyard and have a catch. Now, that'll be the day. Can't wait!

Gold Max? Really, Elmhurst? Really?!?

noreply@blogger.com (Jake Parrilllo) — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 08:20:26 PST

A few months back Cottage Hill Diamonds moved across York Street to a new location leaving their old spot open. And...we got Gold Max! Yippee! Huh.....I'm guessing I'm not the only one who didn't envision a 'Cash-for-Gold' joint moving in as the best retail tenant we could get in Downtown Elmhurst.

Don't get me wrong, I'm a free market guy most of the time, but when it comes to economic development, I'm open to some government involvement. With space so precious and the environment teetering on success/failure, getting prime tenants into the open storefronts is critical. The question of whether having this space vacant is better than this GoldMax place is - in my mind a valid one worthy of discussion. As of now, I'm of the opinion that I'd rather have vacant spots than more salons, consignment shops, and new-fangled pawnshops. The hit we take for having vacancies is better than the hit we take on our reputation.

Bigger Bin for Roomba

noreply@blogger.com (Jake Parrilllo) — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 05:33:35 PST

With all those new floors in the basement, it was time to upgrade the collection bin for our Roomba. We have a 500-series model that allows for programable use. That means that we can tell it to go out and work at a set time each day and then come back to it's base to recharge. The only issue is that with the normal-sized bin, the robot would fill up in a week(ish). Cheerios, goldfish crackers, dust, dog hair and the like all add up fast.

With this new "AeroVac Upgrade Kit", not only do we get a much larger bin, I've seen some improvement in performance. The rollers are new and there's (apparently) better air-flow due to the new shaped/sized filters. I haven't figured out exactly how long the new bin can go (because I check it too often and thus empty it before it gets full), but in time we'll know the full results.

Basement Trim Finished. Finally

noreply@blogger.com (Jake Parrilllo) — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 06:05:00 PST

We finally finished installing all of the trim in the basement - including these baseboards in the bathroom. Still plenty of work to do including most of the caulking and painting, but at least the construction phase of the space has concluded.

There are (obviously) a few more touches like shower doors to finalize, so we'll get those things sorted soon. Funny how projects like this go like nuts for weeks/months, but as soon as it is "good enough" to occupy, everything slows down. Once we moved in and unpacked the toys it seems like I forgot that I had all this extra work to do. At least with caulk and paint, I can do it in batches with one section at a time. With Spring right around the corner, I have just a few months to get this done or else my attention will wander to the garden and backyard. Time to focus.

Bruce Weber Thank You Note

noreply@blogger.com (Jake Parrilllo) — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 06:36:00 PST

After the big Illini win over the Ohio State Buckeyes a few weeks ago, I sent Coach Bruce Weber a congratulatory note in the mail. I've been a big Weber supporter since day one and was pleased that with the win, he had the team headed in the right direction. And some of the "Fire Weber" folks would calm down.

He sent me back an email note that includes his photo - which was kinda weird. Guessing that this is what they must use to send out notes to recruits and the like? He (or...at least his secretary) actually read my note because he referenced it in his response, which I suppose is nice.

Unfortunately, the last 2 games since the note arrived (both losses) didn't turn out as Coach Weber had hoped. There's been just as many 'downs' as there have been 'ups' this season. If not more.

Such is the life of an Illini fan.

151 N. York Street, Elmhurst

noreply@blogger.com (Jake Parrilllo) — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 06:32:00 PST

On my 'downtown building' walk last week, I found myself of the east side of York and took some time to peek in this building at 151 N. York. Here is the real estate listing from Inland. It has been vacant for a while as there was (I think?) a salon of some sort that occupied the storefront most recently. It is in MUCH better shape - and a better location - than the neat building I saw at 126 N. Addison Street last week.

This is right in the heart of our downtown (Or...as they like to call it: "City Center") directly across the street from the York Theatre. It has 2 large front sets of windows that have been totally underutilized by the previous tenants.

For a sense of where this is, see the rendering below. The location in question is #15 space here on the drawing below. Right between the Chase Bank and BW3. For a salon, it is HUGE - and based on the size of BW3, it may be sized properly for a sit-down restaurant.

Sit down restaurant? Or big retail shop? We can hope, right? Come on Elmhurst, let's just say "no" to more salons/nail places. I'll keep my eye on the spot and if someone moves in, we can revisit the post. When you look in the front windows, the entire space is chopped up into little rooms with glass doors? So, whomever moves in, there likely will have to be a significant buildout to adapt the space to their needs.

Great Snowman Weather

noreply@blogger.com (Jake Parrilllo) — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 04:00:54 PST

Thanks to the Babe's Uncle Bill and Granddad, we have (for now at least) a pretty cute snowman friend out in our front yard. They even made him 2-faced, so we could see him from the comfort of our front room.

With the temps rising and a little bit of rain coming down, the conditions couldn't be more perfect for snowman-making, or as we called it as kids: "packing snow".

Snowy Back Porch

noreply@blogger.com (Jake Parrilllo) — Sat, 21 Jan 2012 16:49:47 PST

Last night the snow came in and piled up to the tune of almost 8 inches. Half way through the storm, I went to let Maisy out the back door when we came across this snow-art on our back deck. The snow was so fine and light that it was spilling through the cracks in the deck boards.

Bieber Birthday Cake (Wreck?)

noreply@blogger.com (Jake Parrilllo) — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 06:53:00 PST

I spotted this cake at the local Jewel (when I was snooping around for one of those free day-old cookies that they often have out for you to take) and while the decorating is more than adequate, I'm going to rule that due to the HUGE Justin Bieber keychain of some sort this qualifies as a CakeWreck. What happened to sugar flowers? First came the kids getting cell phones. Now they're skipping over the sugar flowers on their birthday cakes? Get off of my lawn! (Sorry...old man Parrillo came out there a bit.)

Anyway....What's the tween going to do with that enormous keychain? I guess an 11 year old doesn't really have that many keys, so perhaps this straps on one's backpack?

Back Yard Rink - Down the Block

noreply@blogger.com (Jake Parrilllo) — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 06:12:00 PST

My sister and brother-in-law (Equation Boy/Man) installed a backyard rink this season and with the recent snow and temperature drop it is finally time to get out and enjoy it. It is pretty impressive and their kids are having a great time almost every night. My sister has been very generous in inviting just about the entire neighborhood down for a skate and lots of kids have enjoyed their hard work.

Recently, I took the Babe down there to check it out and get up on the ice. She's not quite skating, but with her new snow boots on, she had a lot of fun stomping around with her cousins. And falling down.

I, on the other hand, took to the ice (in my new skates - Thanks, Nat!) to dominate with my stick handling, dekes, and one-timers. It wasn't easy. Just look at the competition!