Bar Flies - The GOOD Kind

This is not my dad.

Now, I imagine that the term "bar fly" originates from the way bars get so sticky with liquors, sugars, cheap beers and dirty hands attracting actual flies to bars. Since the women in my family were always swatting and swearing at flies, I knew they were nasty creatures. When I first heard my dad refer to someone as a "bar fly" when I was a child, I assumed it was some kind of mild insult comparable to calling someone a "turkey" or a "cow." Later, I heard "you have to be one to know one" on the school bus and wondered if my daddy was a "bar fly."  

Much much later, I began to understand the appeal of socializing while gathering up to a bar for a cool drink when I discovered the charm of my city's most authentic Irish public house. I learned that I liked the feel of pubs (bars) very much, but didn't want to spend my life in them, so I decided that having a kitchen bar wherever I lived was a very important feature.

Kids love the bar!

A place to think...

As a result, I've had a bar in almost every house and this is what I've noticed...we are ALL BAR FLIES! I'm telling you...young and old, family, friends, formal visitors, neighbors, even repairmen will end up like magnet to metal standing or sitting at my bar if they are in my home for more than 5 minutes. This I love. It means that the most feel good place in my home (and in several homes of various fanciness over the decades) is the kitchen, and I get to be the bartender! On any given day, I may be signing field trip permission slip forms at the bar, making ginger tea to serve for a tummy ache, toasting a success with a glass of wine, sharing the wonders of kombucha from a wildly fermenting scoby with a neighbor, and signing a grandparent's birthday card. Just last night the last thing I did at the bar was listen to my daughter's new favorite song that she wanted to share with me as I finished washing up a few stray cups (precious times that are flying by). And this very moment, you guessed it, I'm writing at the bar! Overall, the best parts are the sharing, the conversations, the laughs, the cries, the beautiful transformation of hunger to satisfaction, and the absolute lovely warmth that radiates from this most sensual place. It's a tapestry of smells, tastes, sounds, and sights so of course everyone is drawn to it. Even when the kitchen is closed, all dark and quiet, people linger at the bar for final words before turning in to read or heading off to wherever is next. And by the way, I keep my bar clean - unsticky and uncluttered - there are no flies to swat and swear at.

Sleepover Breakfast: Simple Spread for Oatmeal Toppings 

So to capitalize on bar magnetism for certain meals where there are varying picky eaters to satisfy, I choose a base (baked sweet potatoes, corn chips, tortillas, chili, oatmeal, lettuce, etc.), which is the same for everyone eating. But the trick is to then have an array of prepared goodies with which to dress the base! You can call them toppings. I like to spread pretty and funky bowls and/or mason jars all over the bar, filled with a variety of both mainstream and unusual toppings for eaters to pick from and dress their own base. It feels like I'm creating a work of art when I do this because it's such an interesting visual. I find that people love this! It's like the thrill of choosing from a buffet selection without the disgusting "trough" effect.

Here's an example... (Remember: Always the freshest, wholest, realest, plainest, unmolested ingredients you can get!)

Base - Oatmeal 
Toppings for the Bar:

• Honey
• Maple Syrup
• Butter/Ghee
• Cinnamon
• Nuts (walnuts, almonds, cashews)
• Seeds (pumpkin, sunflower, hemp, cumin)
• Herbs (mint leaves, basil, cilantro)
• Nutritional Yeast
• Turmeric
• Scrambled eggs
• Cheese (cream, feta, cheddar)
• Course Salt
• Greek yogurt whole and plain
• Fresh or frozen berries
• Dried fruit (raisins, pineapple, papaya)
• Apples
• Bananas
• Olives
• capers
• tomatoes

You realize this could go on forever...but you get the idea. The fun and flavor is in the variety. You may be surprised at the choices people try. Many tend to make a "safe and comfy" version first then come back for a "new and wacky" combination because they are curious to taste things that look interesting but are not forced on them. With this example, it's awesome to realize that oats can be sweet or savory based on the toppings you choose. I much prefer mine with a sunny egg on top and all the salty flavors.

Color & Texture...YUM!

You can apply this idea to many types of meals, and it really does work well with crowds. A very familiar application is the baked potato bar. Just get a bit wilder with the options and see how it feels!

More to come on how to make sure a college kid (or any kitchen slacker) gets some veggies: SOFRITO!