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salt

How To Spend a Day in Hutchinson, Kansas

March 4, 2021 by Vanessa Whiteside Leave a Comment

The town of Hutchinson is a hidden gem located about an hour from Wichita, Kansas. Known for its history of salt mining, it is actually a pretty sweet town to visit. Just as you would expect from a quaint Midwestern town, its downtown district is lined with antique shops, eateries, and gorgeous public art.

If you’re only in town for the day, the best way to maximize your time is to start at Scuttlebutt’s at The Clayworks for a cup of coffee and a warm pastry. There are a number of coffee shops in town, but this is one is highly rated for its selection of coffee and fun atmosphere. The employees treat patrons as if they are close friends. Be sure to walk around the facility and check out the beautiful, handcrafted pottery and artisan gifts at The Clayworks. The studios and gallery are a “creative hub” for artists with disabilities. Their work is simply incredible and is available for sale in the retail store.

I was “Caught in the Act” wearing my mask at Scuttlebutt’s, so one of the employees gave me a sticker. Oh and that sour cream donut? It lasted about five seconds.

Afterward, make your way to the downtown district to make the most of your morning. Keep your camera handy as you will spot numerous public art sculptures and building murals during your walk. I thoroughly loved catching a glimpse of new murals at every turn. Hutchinson is unapologetically authentic, so it’s no surprise that the town celebrates local artists’ talent with pride.

This eye-catching mural is just one of many painted on the sides of buildings in the downtown Hutchinson district.

During a downtown stroll, you’ll stumble upon one antique shop after another. I particularly enjoyed The Toy Depot, one of 15 toy stores in the nation that only stocks vintage toys. Before I knew it, I was exclaiming with delight like a child admiring toys that I had enjoyed in my younger years. Love locomotive history or collect toy trains? Make your way to the back of the store for an immersive experience. The owner, Mark Buckley, has his personal collection of model train cars on display. Be sure to interact with the working train set by pushing its buttons.

You’ll easily work up an appetite ducking in and out of stores along Main Street. I know just the place to curb your cravings! A well-known staple for dining in Hutchinson is The Anchor Inn, a Mexican restaurant with a festive interior and a delicious menu. While I was shopping downtown, a Hutchinson resident recommended that I try the restaurant’s grapefruit margarita, a refreshing cocktail that paired well with a chimichanga dinner.

With half of the day ahead of you, there is still plenty of time to check out more of the town. I recommend driving to the Dillon Nature Center to do a little bird-watching and exploring. It’s an ideal place to take the family and children will especially love the indoor education center for its exhibits. There is no cost if you want to simply walk through the education center and adjacent gardens. The grounds have three miles of developed trails.

Afterward our walk at the nature center, we spent the rest of the afternoon sitting among locals at two of Hutchinson’s breweries. If you’re a craft beer fan, definitely make a point of sipping suds at Sandhills Brewing and Salt City Brewing, which are located a short drive from one another. Each brewery serves a long list of craft beers that appeal to every kind of beer enthusiast. I enjoyed a small batch, seasonal beer along with free popcorn while watching sports on TV at Salt City Brewing.

Speaking of bird-watching, Sandhills Brewing’s taproom is decorated with photos, murals, and references to Kansas birds — the beers are named after them! You can place your order online and pick it up or order at the counter. The small microbrewery and tasting room is a family-friendly space with some overflow seating in the adjacent private event room. Don’t forget to take a photo in front of the building’s magnificent mural.

The beer menu at Salt City includes four flagship beers and a rotation of seasonal brews. Ask the bartender for a sample or two before making your selection.

No visit to Hutchinson is complete without making a stop at Smith’s Market. A downtown landmark since 1933, the store specializes in “old fashioned grocery goodness” selling fresh produce, retro candy and sodas, whimsical gifts, and a large selection of teas and coffee. This is a great place to shop for Kansas-made gourmet foods. It’s impossible to not leave with bags of fresh taffy or pastries. Make sure to dedicate time at the end of your day to cruise the aisles of Smith’s Market.

What was your favorite candy from your childhood? Smith’s Market probably carries it!

If you find yourself in Hutchinson for more than a day, I recommend you experience the town’s most well-known attraction, the Cosmosphere: International Science Center & Space Museum. This ever-popular site is ideal for families looking for a hands-on experience while learning about space. Ask about the All-Access Mission Pass that “puts the universe in your hands.”

Visitors also appreciate touring Strataca: Kansas Underground Salt Museum where you can take an elevator 650 feet down to view where salt was mined. I suggest purchasing tickets to go on the Salt Safari Shuttle, a ride through miles of tunnels to learn more about the geological space.

No matter what you decide to do while in Hutchinson, there is something for every kind of visitor! Do you have questions about the places listed above? Ask me in the comment section below. I’d love to help you plan your visit to one of the best towns in Kansas.

 

 

 

Filed Under: Kansas, Travel, United States Tagged With: antiques, antiquing, breweries, brewery, candy, Cosmosphere, Hutchinson, Kansas, Midwest, nature center, public art, salt, Salt City, Strataca, street art, toys, trains

How to Make Basic Barbecue Sauce

June 4, 2017 by Vanessa Leave a Comment

One condiment this Kansas girl is never without is barbecue sauce. Well, except that one time when the ribs were ready and yep, I was out of the liquid gold. Not one to run to the store for only one condiment, I decided to make my own sauce.

Since it’s summer I tend to use quite quite a bit more barbecue sauce on burgers, ribs, and even inside lettuce wraps. So, in case you’re like me, here’s How to Make Basic Barbecue Sauce when the bottle stuff just won’t do or you’re out of it. This recipe is ketchup based and is more of a Kansas City barbecue sauce.

Barbecue is a staple food group when you live in Kansas. We smoked this rack of ribs on our Traeger Tailgater low and slow adding barbecue sauce at the end of cooking.

Once you’ve combined all of the barbecue sauce ingredients using a whisk in a saucepan, turn the pan to low heat and simmer for about 15 minutes. Be sure to stir often. Remove the pan from the burner and allow to cool before pouring the barbecue sauce into a Bell jar and sealing it. Your sauce will keep for about two weeks in the refrigerator.

While there are many kinds of barbecue sauce varieties from Carolina style vinegar based to Kansas City style tomato based, I prefer the later on everything from smoked pulled pork and ribs to cheddar cheeseburgers. I’ve also included the links to a few of my recipes that use can this sauce. You might enjoy: Grilled Blooming Onion with Barbecue Sauce , Barbecue Chicken Spring Rolls, and Ultimate Summer Hot Dog Toppings List. 

Making your own sauce is incredibly simple and takes very little time. Give it a try! Do you have a summer grill recipe that you love to sauce up? Share it in the comments section below.

onedelightfullife.com

3 cups

How to Make Basic Barbecue Sauce

This Kansas City style barbecue sauce is easy to make and better tasting than the bottled variety.

10 minPrep Time

15 minCook Time

25 minTotal Time

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Print Recipe
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Ingredients

  • 2 c. ketchup
  • 3 T. dark brown sugar
  • 3 T. cider vinegar
  • 2 T worcestershire
  • 2 tsp salt
  • 1/2 tsp onion powder
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper

Instructions

  1. Combine all ingredients in a small saucepan.
  2. Stir the ingredients well on a low simmer until fully incorporated.
  3. Simmer for about 15 minutes stirring often.
  4. Remove from heat and allow to cool.
  5. Pour sauce into glass jar and seal with a lid.
  6. Refrigerate jarred sauce.

Notes

You can also use smoked paprika instead of regular paprika. Want a more Memphis style sauce, add more vinegar and molasses for sweetener.

7.8.1.2
75
https://onedelightfullife.com/how-to-make-basic-barbecue-sauce/
onedelightfullife.com

Nutrition

Calories

111 cal

Carbs

27 g
Click Here For Full Nutrition, Exchanges, and My Plate Info
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Filed Under: Taste Tagged With: barbecue, basic, bbq, blooming onion, brown sugar, Carolina, cheeseburger, chicken, condiment, garlic powder, hamburger, homemade, hot dog, Kansas City style, ketchup, marinade, onion powder, paprika, pepper, pork, ribs, salt, sauce, spring rolls, topping, vinegar, worcestershire, yellow mustard

Cantaloupe Margaritas

May 4, 2017 by Vanessa Leave a Comment

Read about the seven health benefits of eating cantaloupe by clicking on the photo.

In honor of Cinco de Mayo and my love affair with margaritas, I created a refreshing cocktail recipe – Cantaloupe Margaritas! I was equally inspired to try a new version of the standard lime Mexican cocktail by using up a ripe cantaloupe that was sitting on my kitchen counter and some leftover silver tequila. You’re going to love this recipe!

Read about the 7 health benefits of eating cantaloupe by clicking on the photo.

This cocktail reminds me of the fresh cantaloupe smoothie I ordered once at an authentic Mexican restaurant in our city. Imagine a backdrop of festive music, multi-colored decorations, and authentic food with a fresh drink to go with it. It was like a time warp back to our fabulous visit to Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. You can read my travel tips from that vacation here.

We’ve also spent time in Playa del Carmen, my favorite spot in Mexico, thanks to the beautiful turquoise color of the water and soft sand beaches.

This cocktail, made by first blending fresh cantaloupe, is a slight variation of the traditional lime cocktail thanks to the added honey, lemonade, and refined sugar. The sweet additions counterbalance the acidic citrus taste of the freshly squeezed lime juice and lemonade, giving the margarita an easy finish.

After blending the cantaloupe until very smooth, pour it into a cocktail shaker and add the tequila, lime juice, lemonade, honey, and sugar. Shake and strain into ice-filled glasses rimmed pre-rimmed with lime juice and kosher salt. If you want to garnish each glass with more cantaloupe, use a melon baller to form several circular pieces of melon and skewer them with a toothpick. I added fresh mint and a wedge of lime for added color. One look at your finished cocktail, and you’ll quickly take a sip – it’s refreshing and delicious!

As you know, I love to celebrate a holiday or host a party. Inspired by the Cinco de Mayo holiday, my Cantaloupe Margarita is the essential cocktail to accompany sizzling fajitas or savory tacos. Let me know in the comments section how you prepare your favorite party cocktail. I’m always ready to try a new recipe! Cheers.

onedelighfullife.com

4 small cocktails

Serves 1.5 cups

Cantaloupe Margaritas

This new take on the traditional margarita is refreshing and will wow your party guests on Cinco de Mayo.

15 minPrep Time

15 minTotal Time

Save RecipeSave Recipe
Print Recipe
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Ingredients

  • 2 cups blended cantaloupe
  • 1/2 cup silver tequila (I used Camarena Tequila)
  • 1/4 cup fresh squeezed lime juice
  • 2 T lemonade
  • 1 T honey
  • 1 T sugar
  • cubed ice
  • Garnish:
  • 1 T kosher or maragarita salt
  • lime wedge
  • sprig of mint
  • 2 cantaloupe melon balls
  • 1 toothpick

Instructions

  1. Rim the cocktail glass with a lime wedge and then salt.
  2. Blend cantaloupe in your blender on puree setting until very smooth. This may take a couple minutes.
  3. Pour blended cantaloupe in a large cocktail shaker.
  4. Add tequila, lime juice, lemonade, honey, and sugar.
  5. Shake vigourously.
  6. Strain into a cocktail glass and garnish.

Notes

Tip: Spray your measuring spoon with a little cooking spray before measuring the honey. The spray helps the honey pour from the spoon leaving very little extra on the spoon.

7.8.1.2
73
https://onedelightfullife.com/cantaloupe-margaritas/
onedelightfullife.com

Nutrition

Calories

114 cal

Carbs

29 g

Protein

2 g
Click Here For Full Nutrition, Exchanges, and My Plate Info
ESHA Logo

 

 

 

Filed Under: Cocktails, Drinks, Taste Tagged With: agave, Camarena, cantaloupe, Cinco de Mayo, citrus, cocktail, drink, fajitas, fresh squeezed, happy hour, herb, honey, juice, lemonade, lime, margarita, martini shaker, melon, melon baller, mexican, mint, party, salt, shaker, silver tequila, sugar, tacos, tequila

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Hello! I'm Vanessa. Welcome to One Delightful Life, a blog created to add more delight to your life with delicious recipes, travel destinations, and lifestyle improvement ideas. Thanks for exploring my blog!

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