Montgomery, my old hometown, called itself the Cradle of the Confederacy and the Birthplace of the Civil Rights Movement—how far apart is that?
Chicago goes by several names like this too. Of course, everybody knows it’s the Windy City, although my mother always swore Oklahoma City was windier. The City of Broad Shoulders is a good one. Thank poet Carl Sandburg for that one. Second City is another nickname for Chi-Town you might have heard.
Philly is the City of Brotherly Love. I like that one. There's far too little of that and oh to be in a city of peace and love of fellow humankind. Does anyone know if they have much crime there? Wouldn't think so with a nickname like that, would ya?
Although, I’ve never been to the Big Apple, everyone knows where it is without me saying so.
Several cities like the Queen City moniker. Cincinnati does. My new hometown, Springfield, Missouri, is known by some as the Queen City of the Ozarks. I’d like to propose that the city’s fathers and mothers make the official nickname, Home of Cashew Chicken. There’s a cashew chicken joint on every corner. But please don’t make the mistake I did and think that this is a typical Asian-style cashew chicken. This is a uniquely Springfieldian way to serve what are in essence fried chicken nuggets in brown gravy.
More later about the road trip along parts of Route 66.
15 comments:
Philadelphia has plenty of crime. Trust me on this.
If you're ever headed to the Big Apple, contact me and I'll tell you where to stay at reasonable cost.
Fried chicken nuggets in brown gravy? Oy veh!
we drove sections of 66 when we went from the Grand Canyon to Las Vegas, their major industry is ROUTE 66.
Jay,
I'll remember that. One day, I'd like to go there. You'll hear more about the Cashew Chicken because I've researched it and found a whole history of it's origin. I think I got a bastardization of the dish. I might give it another chance, although I generally like my chicken southern-style.
Sarge,
I think you are right since many businesses along Springfield's section of the route do the same thing.
I always thinks its funny how states in the U.S. go by these nicknames Sheila. It's like how you call New Orleans "The big easy" and Los Angeles "City of Angels" - not sure what that means! We don't really do that here in England. The cashew chicken sounds delicious Sheila. I've only had the Chinese style kind here in England.
Ahhhh, Carl Sandburg. It takes an intelligent mind to put so much thought and meaning into such few words (most of us do just the opposite) as Sandburg did when he penned these words:
FOG
THE fog comes
on little cat feet.
It sits looking
over harbor and city
on silent haunches
and then moves on.
Hey, anybody here got grits????????
Not anymore. I used up my supply from my last run south. chicago don't sell no grits that I can find. well, other than instant.
Naomi,
That's interesting that you Brits don't like to give your cities nicknames like us. I think it must be a distinctly American thing. Well, if it's not, write me and tell me so any other international readers. I think of President Bush and his fondness for nicknames for people. We won't soon forget "Brownie." We all seem to do it here. I came across a nickname for the Prez the other day--Shrub. Oh well.
Don,
Thank you for a lovely poem at the end of a tiring day of driving. So few words--yes, you are right. I, and others like me, rattle on and say much less. It's a goal for the coming year--make the words count.
Sarge,
I know they got grits where you are.
Dana,
I do remember buying grits when I lived in Glen Ellyn. They weren't the instant kind either, which I don't consider authenic. Maybe it's harder the closer you get to the city to find them.
Hi Shiela! Stopping by to see how you are doing. I like my chicken southern style as well. Although a good Asian dish of Cashew Chicken is great for a change!
Oh Janey, so good to hear from you. You would probably wonder what Asians had cooked up this chicken if you ever tried it. But in my research, I discovered the founder or creator or whatever you call the person who thinks up a recipe was an Asian fellow. Apparently, the version now being served has deviated from his original one.
Would love to be cruising on Route 66 right now after a good meal of fried chicken.
That makes two of us, Wendy!
Yard bird isn't my favorite dish, but I've been known to indulge in a breast or two.
8-)
This was a great addition to the carnival. Thanks, Sheila, for playing along.
Cheers!
"chi-town"
i love it!
Hi Sheila! That dish still sounds great to me. I am visiting via the Carnival of Cities goes GONZO! Carnival! I hope that you are doing well.
Evening,
It's definately not brown gravy.
And the recipe given looks more like Southern Fried Chicken batter.
The Cashew Chicken we eat is, I'm guessing, from 40 years of cooking, a parboiled or something chicken (white or dark) and simply dredged in cornstarch and flash fried. It's not heavily battered.
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