Food Adventures with Aunt Fern and Uncle Buster in the Mount

I come from a family of great cooks. My Aunt Fern is no exception to this heritage. For many years she was the head baker for Shimer College (once located in Mt. Carroll). But I’ve got to tell you, she has exquisite taste in all things related to food. Now my Uncle Buster has spent over 50 years enjoying everything that has come from their kitchen. His culinary tastes are finely tuned. He is famous (at least to me) for being able to smell if the pork being served in a restaurant has come from an old boar. Now that’s talent! When we go to a restaurant together, I’m always watching what my Uncle Buster is ordering…he knows what is good.

Every time my mother and I visit my Aunt Fern and Uncle Buster, they plan a day of adventure for us of all things nearby. This last visit was especially close to my porky (no old boar here) foodie heart. A lifetime of discerning taste lead us to the best of the best when it came to food procurement. I thought I’d write it up for all of you to enjoy.

Our first stop of the day was for a bit of Eagle watching near Fulton Illinois Lock and Dam Number 13 http://www.cityoffulton.us/visit-fulton ... river.html On your way in (there is only one way in) look to your left for eagle nests. They are about as big as a VW Beatle car. Once you get to the lock and dam on the Mississippi, scan the sky over the river. The Eagles ride the air currents looking for fish. On your way out (just as you hit the main highway) on your right you will find Schafer Fisheries http://schaferfish.com/theSite/ Stop in, it is quite the unique place. They smoke their own fish, much of it right from the Mississippi. I love the smoked salmon and sturgeon, Uncle Buster likes the catfish and carp. Sometimes their indoor tanks are full of flopping fish. Just about everything fish is available here, including minced Asian Carp.

Next we headed into Fulton. There is a lot to explore in Fulton IL. You can take a gander at the working windmill located right in town. There is even a windmill museum. Our goal on this trip however, was to score the perfect fabric needed to complete a quilt I’m making for a wedding gift for my niece. So we stopped in at Susan’s Calico Creations. http://www.cityoffulton.us/visit-fulton ... woods.html With two levels of fabrics and a friendly staff, it was a great experience. While we are on the subject of quilting, as you take this tour, stay on the lookout for barn quilts (painted quilts on barns). They are everywhere, and are unique as the people that painted them.

Now we were feeling just a bit hungry, so we decided to try a new place in town called Krumpets. https://www.facebook.com/pages/Krumpets ... 4155556871 This is a place where they cook from scratch. The food is great, but oh my, the desserts are stellar. You can’t go wrong with anything you chose. My mother and I had coconut cream pie, Aunt Fern had the chocolate pie and Uncle Buster had the custard pie.

Next, we stopped in at Fulton Meat Market on 11th Ave. Best dried beef, says Uncle Buster. I picked up a pound of it, and see creamed chipped beef over toast points in my future.

It was now time to move on to another state, Iowa! If you like bacon, have I got a place for you. It’s called Preston Meats located in Preston, IA http://prestonmeats.com/ My Aunt Fern describes it best. When you cook it, there isn’t all that black stuff that you normally see collecting at the bottom of your skillet. In addition, the bacon is generous in its length and thickness, and absolutely delicious with a hardwood smoked flavor. If you buy in bulk (15 lbs.) it generally is a dollar less per pound. Yes, I bought 15 lbs. for $2.99/lb. Just to let you know, if you use a credit card, you pay a 4% convenience fee. I brought along cash.

Just a few more places left on the tour, but the next place had something I’ve been thinking about for over two years. There is a place in the middle of the Mississippi called Sabula. Technically it is in IA, but it is an island. There is a restaurant that has had several names over the years, now called the Sandbar. Created from an old filling station, it is a treasure from the past. Two years ago I watched my Uncle Buster order one pancake, and I instantly regretted my own food choice. One thin pancake, as big as the plate, with the edge of the pancake so crisp it waved its ruffles at me. I thought about that pancake…for a long time. Finally it was my time to consume it. It was, without a doubt, the best pancake I’ve ever eaten. I’m already thinking about my next visit.

Well before you cross back into Illinois, fill up your gas tank. The gas is always cheaper in IA. The next stop on the tour was Torkelson Cheese http://www.torkelsoncheese.com/ located in Lena IL. They carry of selection of Wisconsin Cheeses, and their own creations. My mother loves the Apple Jack cheese. The description is as follows, Apple Jack is a semi-soft cheese that has a smooth and supple texture. Its flavor is mild and sweet. Apple Jack’s already savory creamy taste gets even better with age. I agree!

The last stop on our tour was in Lanark, IL. at the Carroll County (Meat) Locker https://www.facebook.com/carrollcountylockercompany . Are you ready for it? The destination was for lard. As previously mentioned, my Aunt Fern is one great baker. She has a killer pie crust recipe, but the essential component is lard from this locker. I don’t know what they do different from any other meat locker, but it is different. It is the best. Trust me on this.

Enjoy!

Lovely post Razbry--thanks for sharing your family treasures!!

razbry wrote:

Our first stop of the day was for a bit of Eagle watching near Fulton Illinois Lock and Dam Number 13 http://www.cityoffulton.us/visit-fulton ... river.html On your way in (there is only one way in) look to your left for eagle nests. They are about as big as a VW Beatle car. Once you get to the lock and dam on the Mississippi, scan the sky over the river. The Eagles ride the air currents looking for fish. On your way out (just as you hit the main highway) on your right you will find Schafer Fisheries http://schaferfish.com/theSite/ Stop in, it is quite the unique place. They smoke their own fish, much of it right from the Mississippi. I love the smoked salmon and sturgeon, Uncle Buster likes the catfish and carp. Sometimes their indoor tanks are full of flopping fish. Just about everything fish is available here, including minced Asian Carp.

nice road trip there.

Schafers is a pretty cool spot -




stopped in there back in a year ago january on the way up to Galena - Shay enjoyed all the live fish in the tanks - I liked the fish and other items I got there -