Holy Deliciousness, Batman!

I have to tip my proverbial hat to my friend and fellow foodie, Patti Young. She was responsible for securing a fantastic venue and menu for the RE/MAX Preferred Christmas party this year. For those of you who haven't tried Cherry Bomb, the new restaurant that took the place of Joe's Place on the corner of Martin and Dawson streets, put it on your wish list.

I'm a sucker for deviled eggs, but these made me weak in the knees. On the menu as "Huevos Diablo", these puppies are a refreshing twist on a classic. Secret ingredients include bacon fat and cumin...

Another DEE-licious treat was Chef Scott's fried green tomatoes. Nice, sturdy batter, topped with homemade melted pimento cheese (uh, YUM), and pickled onions. Suffice it to say I ate WAY too many. While they are not on the menu now, I impressed upon Chef Scott that my life would be slightly off kilter until I was assured I could access these mouth-watering morsels on demand. We may be in luck, Raleigh, because it sounds like there is a revamped menu coming...

And if I haven't sold you yet, Cherry Bomb has 66 beers on tap. So scurry on down and check it out!

Hard Candy

Those of you who know me from way back (if you call me "Jenny", not "Jennifer"), will remember the magical thing known as Hard Candy. It's a McCann tradition (my mother's mother). The mere sight of it will whip some of you into a frenzy, complete with weakened knees and a sugar high.


You start with sugar. Three cups. Plus a cup of Karo, also know as liquid sugar. And water. You know, just so it's not ALL sugar. Boil that all up to about 290 degrees, stirring well.



Next, you will take the pot off the stove, continuing to stir, and add food coloring of your choice. You want to make the different batches and flavors different colors so you can identify your favorite! Then, after the mixture has cooled a bit, add the flavoring. I repeat, ADD THE FLAVORING. (Sometimes we forget, and have a sugar-flavored batch!) This would be Lorann Candy Oil, in a 1 dram (tiny) bottle. Stir stir stir. Then pour over a sheet pan with edges with a THICK layer of powdered sugar covering the pan.




Sprinkle the top with powdered sugar, and then as soon as you can stand to touch it, start cutting up. Candy should be pliable, and hot enough that you can just barely stand to touch it. Bite-sized pieces! Best to do this over a vinyl tablecloth. Powdered sugar gets everywhere!


Do not put into a bowl until pieces are cooled completely, or they will stick together into big clumps. After multiple batches, mix them all together and put in small glass jars to give as gifts. Do not be surprised if people return the jars wanting a refill!

I *heart* Trader Joe's

I know it's Thanksgiving, and I have lots of yummy things to say about that, but I'll come back to that later.

Trader Joe's is what is on my mind now. Just back from seeing Burlesque with the fam, we needed a snack. Mom pulled out Soy Sesame Crackers from Trader Joe's and boursin cheese. YUM.

I almost feel guilty eating my mom's TJ spoils, since she doesn't have one nearby. For that matter, neither does Bertha, my aunt. Can you imagine? We should observe a moment of silence and pity for those poor souls who don't have easy access to that magical of stores.

My Trader Joe's Top 5

1. Soy Sesame Crackers
2. Cheese. Any and all cheese.
3. Sparkling pinot grigio. Not sure what it's called, but it has a screw off top, bubbles on the label, and it's $4.99. Need I say more?
4. Frozen green beans
5. Thin almond cookies. You can taste the butter. Mmmmm....

Chicken and Mashed Potato Quesadillas

This is a easy but yummy recipe that kids and adults will love! I first made these years ago, based on a menu item at a restaurant where I worked in college. Sounds a bit odd, but GREAT, and you can often make them with leftovers!

Chicken and Mashed Potato Quesadillas
From RedSky in Duck many moons ago

2-3 Chicken breasts, marinated in teryaki, cooked and shredded/chopped
Rosemary garlic mashed potatoes, or whatever kind you have leftover
Colby and pepperjack cheeses, sliced
Large flour tortillas

Spread the potatoes on slightly less than one half of the tortilla. Arrange chicken on top--it doesn't take a lot. Lay slices of colby and pepperjack cheese over that, and fold quesadilla over. Repeat until you are out of guts! Bake on a cookie sheet in the oven until cheese is melted and ingredients are warmed through. These will keep several days in the fridge unbaked, and I've even frozen them individually wrapped. Serve with salsa and sour cream. Enjoy!

I Almost Cried In Public

Since last winter, I've been not-so-patiently waiting for... drumroll, please... Trader Joe's beer bread mix. This moist and yummy treat is SO easy to make, and a super delicious addition to any fall or winter meal. One box of mix, one 12oz beer, mix together, throw in the oven topped with a little melted butter and 40 minutes later, HEAVEN.

Today was the third time since the weather started getting cool that I stopped in to TJ's with the express purpose of buying at least a dozen boxes of mix, only to be told it's been discontinued. WHAT!?! I nearly threw myself to the floor and stiffened my body, twisting and turning in the queen of all tantrums. I may have to write a letter to someone about this.

Worst of all, I've been talking about it and thinking about it for a year, and now, NO beer bread. Dammit. Anyone know of any other brands of beer bread, or recipes that may help hold off the fit that is welling up in my belly?

Meet New People at Monthly Wine Tastings

Love wine? Love to meet new people? The Epicureans at the Cardinal Club are a great way to do both! The Cardinal Club is a business and social club in the Wachovia building downtown. The location, amenities and club events are second to none, and offer a fantastic outlet to grow your personal and business relationships. One of the member-run clubs-within-a-club is the Epicurean wine club. They host a wine tasting the last Thursday of every month, as well as quarterly wine dinners. If you are interested in hearing more, let me know!

The Pioneer Woman

Though I'd heard about the Pioneer Woman several times over the years, I only recently figured out what everyone is excited about. And boy am I excited! Her story is good... she was a city girl who wore black heels everyday, until she fell in love with a cowboy and moved to his ranch. That story is coming out as a movie in the near future, and she's written a cookbook also. I got to see her last weekend at the National Book Festival in Washington, D.C. She's a bit shy, but it comes across as charming. Her recipes are REALLY good, and have lots of pictures so you don't screw up. She is also not afraid to use butter, which always makes for a delicious experience! Defintely a go-to place for recipes.... http://thepioneerwoman.com

I love kitchen gadgets!

Just a little tip for you kitchen people... Check out United Restaurant Supply on S. Saunders Street in Raleigh, between the beltline and Tryon Road. Great prices on cutting boards, knives, and all sorts of fun kitchen stuff. I like the squeeze bottles for olive oil and veg oil... makes it easier to control volume for pouring and drizzling, and the are about a dollar each!

No Vampires Here!

My new favorite and easy side dish: roasted sweet potatoes with garlic honey glaze. Just cut sweet potatoes into 1 inch chunks and roast at 425 degrees for about 40 minutes. Mix of 1/2 honey, 1T olive oil, salt and pepper, and 2-3 sections of fresh pressed garlic, and toss with potatoes when they come out of the oven. So yummy, so easy, and so good for you!

Penang in Chapel Hill

What a nice surprise! After a spur of the moment trip to Southern Season in Chapel Hill Sunday afternoon, James and I cruised down Franklin Street on the motorcycle and randomly chose somewhere to eat. Penang (one of our favorite Asian dishes) was the name of the restaurant that jumped out at us. We were NOT disappointed! The penang curry was maybe the best I've ever had--and the coconut rice our waiter recommended was on point. James's response was "Of course the penang is good at Penang. It would be like eating a great cheeseburger at a restaurant called Cheesburger!"

If you are ever in Chapel Hill and hungry, check them out... Penang, 431 W. Franklin Street, www.penangnc.com.

Raving Over The Produce Box

What can be easier than fresh fruits and vegetables delivered to your doorstep?!? After hearing about The Produce Box from several people, James signed us up. For a mere $22 a week, we get juicy peaches, beautiful tomatoes, shiny eggplant, scuppernong grapes (didn't last 24 hours!) and other yummy produce. It's given me a chance to be creative with cooking dinner, reduce my trips to the grocery store, eat healthier and feel good about supporting local agriculture.

I know the summer is winding down, but it's not too late to sign up. The Produce Box is going to deliver through mid-September, take two weeks off and then deliver again October through December.

The News and Observer highlighted two local CSA (community-supported agriculture) groups this weekend, including The Produce Box.

Summer Whites

Labor Day, Smaybor Day. I say drink white wine whenever you want. Of course, I do lean toward a nicely chilled white more often in the summer than the winter, but that's a personal choice. Most recently, Whitehaven Savignon Blanc from New Zealand has caught my attention. I found it at a wine tasting at the Cardinal Club, and it's whipped me into a frenzy! Crisp, bright and a not-so-subtle note of grapefruit makes it a fun and exciting summertime wine.

Food, Wine, and Other Good Stuff

I've never been a stranger to good food--or good wine, for that matter! Cooking it, eating it, looking for it, finding it... And best of all, I'll share my findings! So if you, too, like good food and good wine, follow along and I'll take you places.