Culinary Hide-and-Seek

Domestic Goddess. This is the title I am awarded on Monday, the day I don’t work outside the home. My favorite are the culinary duties that I enjoy on this day. Today, I am sure to win the “Mom of the Century” award when the kids find out what’s for dinner. Today’s challenge… Hide veggies in everything!

On the foodmotional menu tonight is meatloaf, mashed potatoes, and roasted broccoli… With a twist, of course.

The meatloaf is a recipe that I adapted from here, using Wildtree Absolutely Onion Blend.  (I added carrots and celery to the mix.)  The greens on the side are the delicious roasted broccoli florets included with the meatloaf recipe, using Wildtree Natural Grapeseed Oil. 

 

The mashed potatoes are actually Irish Colcannon, loaded with cabbage and a little onion. I also threw in a dash of nutmeg. Yum!

  

Yep, they’re gonna LOVE me! I don’t have picky eaters, or even ones who especially dislike vegetables. To be honest, it just sounded like a fun idea. And when my daughter asks “Mom, do I haaaave to eat a lot of broccoli?” She’ll be delighted with my reply!

Potatoes for Every Meal

I LOVE potatoes.  No, really.  I LOOOOVE them.  I love them baked, mashed, fried, in soup, curried, cheesy, hot, cold, mushy, crispy, seasoned, plain, red, yellow, brown, purple, breakfast, lunch, dinner… any way they come, I will eat them and LOVE them.

Naturally, someone who loves a spud this much must have a favorite recipe or two, or three, or more. I absolutely do, and today I am going to share one with you.  After much deliberation, I have decided that my #1 potato recipe must be shared.  It just wouldn’t be fair to keep this from my fellow starch-loving friends.

This recipe is the result of many camping trips, and many attempts at making the perfect fried potato to accompany a juicy red steak cooked lovingly over an open fire.  I couldn’t even tell you exactly who added what to this recipe, however in the spirit of how the recipe came to be, my closest friends have named them “Burns Camping Potatoes”.  We recently enjoyed them with these Honey Jalapeno Chicken Tenders (Many thanks to The Right Recipe!)

Please make them, please love every bite, and then share with your friends!

INGREDIENTS: (Serves 8-10)

5 lbs Russet Potatoes sliced (1/4″ thick)

1 large Yellow Onion sliced

3 Tbsp Extra Virgin Olive Oil

3 Tbsp Worcestershire Sauce

McCormick Grill Mates® Steak Rub (Generous sprinkle – at least 2 Tbsp)

2 Tbsp Margarine

METHOD:

Preheat EVOO in large electric skillet or in large skillet on stove over medium heat.  Add remaining ingredients, stir, and cover.  Cook for approximately 25-30 minutes (stirring frequently), or until potatoes are cooked through and have most have nicely browned.  If the potatoes seem to dry out, add more oil, Worcestershire sauce, and margarine one tbsp at a time.

SERVING SUGGESTION:

Serve potatoes topped with Sriracha and a dollop of sour cream.  Pairs perfectly with anything prepared on the grill, or as a side dish with eggs and omelets for breakfast.

Bar Food meets Gourmet

Mammoth Wings on the patio, cold beer, and sunshine. Perfection! The Creek Grill gives the traditional bar menu a gourmet spin, and does it well. These wings are smoked with fruitwood, then fried and tossed in your choice of one of their signature sauces. Served with a heaping side of napkins and wet wipes, they are worth getting your hands dirty!

Let’s Eat… Southern Public House Style

I am not an expert on any kind of food, let alone that which you would find in a traditional Southern Public House. On a recent visit to Florida however, I received a crash course in the most glorious way one could imagine! I was treated to a tour of Southern Public House fare with a gourmet twist… my palate was more than pleased.

Hold on to your hats folks, we’re talking multiple foodgasms!

Cask & Larder of Winter Park, Florida is fascinating. The story behind the inception of this southern kitchen will have you emotionally intrigued right from the start (read about it here). But what “had me at hello” was how excited our server was about our visit. After a warm welcome, he explained how we could expect to see the chef’s menu selections based on the availability of local farm-fresh ingredients. As if great food isn’t enough, they support local farmers too!

Introductions complete, it was time for drinks. Did I mention that this restaurant is also a craft brewery? Now we’re talking! Naturally, I chose a sampler in order to get the most well-rounded experience of the beer profile. (Fine, I love beer and I love to try as many as I can!)  As you can see, I was very happy with my selection.

After tasting their brews, I couldn’t wait to dig into some serious dinner!

Here is a look at our menu selections:

Flounder Crudo: Affectionately described by our server as “an edible Gin & Tonic… He was right on the money. Light and sweet, perfect accompaniment with the craft brew sampler.

Kale Salad: I don’t typically get all excited about salads… This was so good, I was sure a second helping was sinful.

Quail: Delicate and perfectly grilled, I was left completely perplexed and amazed by the chef’s talent. Placed over a bed of succotash with blueberries, atop a cornbread puree, along with a delicious hunk of black pepper sausage. Honestly, where do they come up with this? Genius!

Catfish Sandwich: My husband asked “How do I eat this?” My response “Very carefully” The server’s response as he shrugged his shoulders “It’s Southern Food, don’t be shy, just pick it up and eat it!”.

Every single dish was prepared and presented beautifully, with an equally amazing taste. From food, to service, to décor, this is a place to fall in love with. Cask & Larder mentions “a distinct sense of pride and place” on their website.  In my humble opinion, well deserved!

More Than Just an Attitude

Food is so much more than fuel in my life. Food is a WAY of life. Food is where it all comes together in my world.  Food invokes emotion… daily.  I love food unapologetically, sometimes in a way that many would never understand.

Food matters to me.  Want to know why?  You’ll have to keep reading my posts to catch a glimpse of what happens to my psyche when food is involved.  Who knows?  You might learn a thing or two.  More than likely, I will learn a thing or two.

Have you ever had a conversation that stirred anxiety within you, or even a disagreement that centered around the subject of food?  I would be willing to bet that you have, at least once in your life. For me, it happens several times each week. (That was a confession, by the way.)

The smell of my kitchen when I sauté veggies reminds me of my grandmother. *tear*

I asked what you want for dinner.  I just want to please you.  How can you NOT know what you want for dinner? *sigh*

“Do you like it?”  Your response is a reflection of how satisfied you are with life in general at that given moment.  (Whether or not I made it is immaterial.) If you answer “ok”, or just generally aren’t as passionate about your answer as I am, then the stars are not aligned.  *tragic*

I just burned the bacon. How did that happen? I know better!  I can’t even cook bacon!  Please, don’t speak to me.  You know what? Just don’t even bother to enter the kitchen, ok? *furious*

I wear my heart on my sleeve, and when I become agitated over the subject of food I can easily be accused of “having an attitude”.  Oh my (face-palm)… it is much more important than that.

I don’t have an attitude, I’m FOODMOTIONAL!