Bobbi McCrea Serves Food Sprinkled with Blessings
I first met Bobbi McCrea at a party a few years ago. I was immediately attracted to her enthusiasm and vibrant personality. Bobbi is a tall thin brunette who exudes confidence and warmth. She revealed a passion for food and wine that rivaled mine. That did it for me. We have been friends ever since.
Bobbi is an amazing person, who listens when I talk and takes me into her home when the weather makes it scary to drive. She has offered me a comfy couch to rest and a glass of wine while my kids were at a party nearby. She cares about being a mother and preserving the planet. She cares about the community. I’ve seen how she adores her teenage daughter, Abby, and runs around after her toddler, Savanna Grace. I’ve seen her compost heap and her recycling bin. I’ve seen her at every community event I have attended and she’s in photos of those I’ve missed. So, who would be better to run a Bed and Breakfast than one of the most loving, compassionate and fun people I know?
Me and Bobbi
Bobbi McCrea is the proud owner of The Bohemian Bed and Breakfast located at 304 S. German Street. It is a beautiful white Victorian with seven guest rooms.
Each room is designed down to the tiniest detail to provide the comforts of home while maintaining the luxury and feeling of being away. I have been lucky enough to have spent the night in a couple of these rooms and the experience was not only comfortable, but magical. I have been at The Bohemian while Bobbi welcomes in guests, many of whom are repeat visitors. I knew the guests felt comfortable in Bobbi’s presence, as if they were family. I have been fortunate to be at The Bohemian when Bobbi prepares food for her guests and have sampled quite a few things myself.
The Bohemian B&B
I was delighted to hear that on the evening I planned to visit Bobbi to prepare for this article, she was having The Red Hat Ladies over. Bobbi was giving them a tour and providing them with samples of food she prepares for her guests. Perfect, because I came to talk to her about the food. That evening, she made a quiche and for desert, scalloped bananas with blueberries. As she sprinkled the sugar over the ramekins of bananas, she told me that she was also, “sprinkling good blessings”. Everything she prepared for The Red Hat Ladies looked mouth wateringly delectable. You can see a video of Bobbi making this meal and the arrival of The Red Hat Ladies at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xTbWOBP80Jk.
My favorite dish that I have eaten at The Bohemian, so far, is a breakfast dish Bobbi made for me about a year ago called Hoppel Poppel. The name Hoppel Poppel doesn’t actually mean anything but is taken from an old children’s rhyme called “Pottkieker”. The title translates to, “The person who peeked into the pot”. The rhyme reads, “Mummy, mummy, what’s in the pot?” The mother rather impolitely replies, “Hoppel, poppel, appelreis, mach’ dich fort, naseweis” This translates to, “hoppel, poppel, apple rice, now get lost, nosy child”. It is even fun to say, “hoppel poppel”. Seriously…try it.
When she told me she was making this for our breakfast that morning, I was intrigued. I had never heard of it. When she served me a plate of it, I was instantly impressed. First of all, she had me with the melted cheese. I am a huge fan of cheese. Then, I saw sausage, potatoes, sauerkraut, vegetables, and eggs. Once I took the first bite, I knew I would have seconds. I had to have more even though the real guests had not yet been served. I’d help her make more if I had to. Typical Bobbi, she let me have as much as my heart desired and she had plenty for her guests.
That morning the plate of Hoppel Poppel made me feel satisfied and content; much like the sensation I get every time I come over to The Bohemian, whether we have Hoppel Poppel or just visit and chat. She probably sprinkled the cheese with blessings that day too. Bobbi always has some delectable food to sample, or some new wine to sip. She has a natural ability to make people feel warm, full, happy, and at home. I am always at ease walking through her door. In fact, I feel it the minute I pull up to that big white house and, I believe, so do each and every one of her guests. If you would like to experience being a guest at The Bohemian, please call 507-354-2268 or visit www.the-bohemian.com.
Bobbi McCrea’s Hoppel Poppel
Prep time: 30 minutes
Total: 1 hour
Servings: 10
1 C. Sauerkraut, drained
6 large potatoes, peeled, boiled and diced
6 large pre-cooked sausage links
1 carrot, grated
½ tsp. dill or 1 sprig fresh dill
Pepper to taste
¼ C. whipping cream
8 large eggs
1 C. Swiss Cheese, grated (or your choice)
Boil peeled and diced potatoes until tender (can be easily pierced with a fork), about 15 minutes. While these are boiling, cook sausage links. Strain the potatoes and mix together gently with the sauerkraut. Spread in bottom of greased 9×11-inch pan. Slice sausage links and place over potato mixture. Add carrots, dill, pepper and cream. Beat the eggs in a separate bowl. Pour the scrambled eggs over the rest of the ingredients in the dish. Sprinkle grated cheese. Bake at 325 degrees for 25 minutes, or until set. Enjoy!
This dish is easily modified. For example, I made it with vegetarian sausage. Also, for over ninety different recipes for scrambles, please visit: http://www.mrbreakfast.com/recipe_collection.asp?subcategoryid=2
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It didn’t take long before I realized that Connie is just as much fun to be around as Kathy and that I should be spending more time with these women. Connie told me that her Golden Retriever, Gracie, brings the sweet corn up to the house and shucks it on the doorstep when it is ready to pick…how convenient! 
However, since I already had so much sweet corn without any added ingredients, I decided it would be nice to have some varieties in the freezer. Sweet corn loves butter…or do I love butter? I get so confused. Well, sweet corn tastes fantastic with loads of butter. So, I made several bags with sweet corn, butter, salt and pepper…simple but delicious. Here are two different ways you can prepare the sweet corn, either to freeze and have in the cold winter months or for tonight’s dinner. The stir-fried version is better for those who may be trying to avoid the butter. The creamed corn is a great alternative to mashed potatoes.
