Kowalski Heat Treating Blog - Kowalski Heat Treating

My Favorite Green Dip

July 18, 2025/0 Comments/in Friday Afternoon /by Steve Kowalski

When it comes to snack foods, I gotta admit I’m a champion. And if it involves dipping, just move aside, as I rock. You name it – cheese, veggie, fruity, chocolate, spicy, sweet, creamy – I pretty much like ‘em all. But, during the summer, for me, there’s nothing quite like all kinds of salsas and guac. I must admit I’m not a guac on wraps, toast, burgers kind of guy, simply just out of the bowl with chips. And, I like how it gradually can turn brown – sort of a built-in timing device that tells me I gotta eat more and faster (cause, of course, you would not want it to go to waste – called enzymatic browning. Now, on to the open debate (one in which I’m sure you have an opinion – the right chips to use to dip, here in America we have SO many options: Corn, blue corn, purple, white, Fritos, sesame, lime, round, triangle, scoops … the list goes on). Guacamole has roots as deep as an avocado tree. So, for my foodie buds out there, here’s some fun info below. And be sure to email me YOUR favorite recipe – I know I’ll try it!! (skowalski@khtheat.com).

Slurpee

July 11, 2025/0 Comments/in Friday Afternoon /by Steve Kowalski

All of us have those special childhood times and events we remember that bring great memories. So, here’s one for you… Where were you (and who were you with) when you had your first Slurpee (and associated brain freeze)? For me, it was at K-Mart back when they were called Icee’s, pretty sure, with some of my brothers and sisters (in full disclosure, there are days that by noon I don’t remember what I had for breakfast that morning, soooo keep that in mind!) I can still remember the refreshing taste, drinking it too quickly, and waiting for the impending brain cramp (see below to learn why). Today marks a wonderful special day, celebrated at over 8,000 locations across the country (and at spots around the world) … “7-11 Day,” when 7-Eleven stores hand out millions of free cups of the frozen Slurpee goodness. When you pull the lever on a Slurpee machine inside any 7-Eleven store on the planet, the fizzy, fluffy frozen beverage likely tastes just like the first one you ever tried. Introduced to the market in 1966, the Slurpee is arguably the world’s most popular (non-alcoholic) frozen drink. Here’s some fun information about Slurpees that I’m sure will take a whole bunch of you folks back to your childhood (or most recent visit to the convenience store). Enjoy! And many thanks to Amy McCarthy, a reporter at Eater.com, for her insights on Slurpee!

Freedom, Fireworks, Family & Friends

July 3, 2025/0 Comments/in Friday Afternoon /by Steve Kowalski

The Fourth of July isn’t just a day off; it’s a celebration of everything that makes America unique: our freedom, our resilience, our sense of community, our families, and our friends. From early morning parades to late-night fireworks, the day is filled with moments that bring us together in meaningful, memorable ways. “The 4th” is a time to pause and reflect on the freedoms we enjoy. It’s about gathering with loved ones, whether at a big public celebration or a quiet backyard cookout. Fireworks, food, and festivities remind us of what we share as a nation and how far we’ve come together. From Thomas Jefferson’s first draft to the edits of John Adams and Benjamin Franklin, it has survived to become a bedrock of our democracy. We are truly blessed to live in the United States of America. In my humble opinion 😊