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.