This blog is inspired by an insatiable appetite for food! Eating food, sharing food and most of all learning about food, will all be topics explored on my blog. So if your tummies are already rumbling you have come to the right place to explore the joie de vivre of food!
Tuesday, November 22, 2011
Thursday, November 17, 2011
Southern Comfort
Have you ever heard that saying...."you can take the girl out the country.... but not the country out the girl. " Well that's me! For me country has little to do with geography and a lot more to do with feelings. I am sure that my southern roots, from both sides of my family, have contributed a little bit to my affection for the country but there is something about chicken fried steak and mashed potatoes, my mom's mac and cheese, late night chicken and waffles and old fashioned biscuits and gravy that make me weak in knees.
For me, Southern foods, include just about anything that's fried, high in cholesterol, fat, sugar and let's face it; anything that puts you about two minutes away from having a massive coronary. However, as my favorite Southern food aficionado, Paula Deen, would say......"It's good y'all."
There are so many places in the South to tempt your palate, but nothing comes close to offering such an array of foods as the State Fair of Texas. When I hear the words "State Fair" I don't think about the numerous exhibitions, cool rides, fun games, football or even the people watching......which in itself can be a treat! Nope, the first thing that crosses my mind is the food (and never mind that you are paying the price of a gourmet meal for one dang turkey leg! Yes, ............I said dang) At the Texas State Fair you will find foods that you can't even imagine. You have to remember one thing when it comes to Texas; everything is bigger and better in Texas! Typically, in the South, people fry some things but Texans have found a way to fry just about everything! Here is just a sampling of some of the things that you, if you dare, can try at the Texas State Fair:
Fried Butter
Fried Oreos
Fried Frito Pies
Fried Bubble Gum
Fried Twinkies
Fried Beer
...and the list goes on. To be continued next year at the State Fair 2012!
Another one of my favorite Southern classics is fried chicken and waffles. Poulet et gaufres. Things always sound more sophisticated when said in French. French Fries- Pommed Frites...... Anyways, not really sure who started this fade but the salty, crispiness of the chicken combined with the buttery, fluffy, sweetness of a waffle is H-E-A-V-E-N-L-Y!
Surprisingly, and somewhat disappointing, I had the BEST chicken and waffles in New York at Buttermilk Channel, a restaurant in Brooklyn. Please check it out and let me know what you think.
For me, Southern foods, include just about anything that's fried, high in cholesterol, fat, sugar and let's face it; anything that puts you about two minutes away from having a massive coronary. However, as my favorite Southern food aficionado, Paula Deen, would say......"It's good y'all."
There are so many places in the South to tempt your palate, but nothing comes close to offering such an array of foods as the State Fair of Texas. When I hear the words "State Fair" I don't think about the numerous exhibitions, cool rides, fun games, football or even the people watching......which in itself can be a treat! Nope, the first thing that crosses my mind is the food (and never mind that you are paying the price of a gourmet meal for one dang turkey leg! Yes, ............I said dang) At the Texas State Fair you will find foods that you can't even imagine. You have to remember one thing when it comes to Texas; everything is bigger and better in Texas! Typically, in the South, people fry some things but Texans have found a way to fry just about everything! Here is just a sampling of some of the things that you, if you dare, can try at the Texas State Fair:
Fried Butter
Fried Oreos
Fried Frito Pies
Fried Bubble Gum
Fried Twinkies
Fried Beer
...and the list goes on. To be continued next year at the State Fair 2012!
Fried Bubblegum
My Southern Comfort
Nothing says southern comfort to me like Pecan Pie. It's like a warm hug for my stomach. The first time I tried it was at my Great Aunt Billie's house in a little town called Streetman, TX. I've been in love ever since. There are so many ways to make pecan pie but here is one of my favorite recipes.
Paula Deen's Bourbon Pecan Pie
Description: Nothing like it on Earth
Cuisine Style: Southern, United States
Ingredients:
1 cup sugar
3 tablespoons butter, melted
1/2 cup dark corn syrup
3 large eggs, beaten
1 1/2 to 2 cups pecan halves
2 tablespoons good-quality bourbon
1 (9-inch) deep-dish pie shell, unbaked
3 tablespoons butter, melted
1/2 cup dark corn syrup
3 large eggs, beaten
1 1/2 to 2 cups pecan halves
2 tablespoons good-quality bourbon
1 (9-inch) deep-dish pie shell, unbaked
Directions:
Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
In a medium bowl, stir together the sugar and melted butter. Add the corn syrup, eggs, pecans, and bourbon, and stir until all ingredients are combined. Pour mixture into an unbaked pie shell, and place on a heavy-duty cookie sheet. Bake for 10 minutes. Lower the oven temperature to 350 degrees F, and continue to bake for an additional 25 minutes, or until pie is set. Remove from oven and cool on a wire rack.
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 35 minutes
Level: Easy
Servings: 6-8 servings
Fried Chicken and Waffles
Surprisingly, and somewhat disappointing, I had the BEST chicken and waffles in New York at Buttermilk Channel, a restaurant in Brooklyn. Please check it out and let me know what you think.
Ending today's dedication to Southern Comfort...I would like to leave you with a song by a pretty incredible artist. You just don't come across voices like this everyday. What makes his music so beautiful is its simplicity, depth and honesty. He is someone that is absolutely true to himself, and it come across not only in his voice but his lyrics. His name is Walt Wilkins and someone very special to me introduced me to his music. Thank you Clint.
The Angels Share
Sooo as you can see my affection for the south runs deep and even though I have called a lot of places home. There is only one place where your heart is and I tried to get back as fast as I could.
I hope you enjoyed reading my blog today. I certainly enjoyed writing it!
Until the next time,
The Foodineasta :)
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