Travels in the South

There are some things in life that you can never get too much of – like back rubs and cheese.  Really think about it.  Don’t those two things make you smile and feel good?  Me too!  Well recently mom and dad took nana out to lunch.  Mom saw this on the restaurant menu and they all just *had* to try this wonderment.  What is it you ask?

“Wisconsin cheese bites.  Hand-battered and lightly fried to order.  Served with a side of homemade marinara sauce“

Of course it’s going to be friend.  We are in the south where we fry everything.  But fried cheese bites.  I’m licking my piggy lips now.  See the gooey cheese on the picture coming out of the lightly battered bite?  The cheese was wonderful and hot and so stringy!  I’m not sure who enjoyed these more – mom, dad or Nana!

So the next time you see fried cheese on an appetizer list, try it.  You might just fall in love too!

 

Travels in the South

 Welcome my friends to another week of Travels in the South. This past weekend, daddy was craving his favorite – pizza.  It doesn’t matter what kind or where, daddy loves all kinds and doesn’t discriminate – snorts.  Mom/dad went shopping this past weekend a couple of towns over from the Hotel Thompson.  After a long day of spending money and daddy lugging all the bags (like a perfect southern gentleman), both were ravished.

So mom saw this darling little pizza shop and thought she would bless daddy cause you know his hard work of (A) pulling out the credit card often this date and (B) lugging said packages everywhere.  Let me start by saying that this is *not* a meal that mom/dad would splurge in often because of their new way of eating; however, today was a special date night of sorts.

.

Mom/dad started with buttered garlic knots.  Now there were more buttered garlic knots in the bowl but someone conveniently forgot to take a picture before diving head first into that wonderful dish.  Not that I’m pointing hooves mom but it’s so hard to train humans.  Those two humans of mine acted like they had never eaten before and the next thing you knew – the dish was empty except for buttery/garlic goodness on the bottom of the bowl.

And of course, mom wouldn’t give that bowl up for all of the money in the world.  She told dad they would keep it.  Why?  So they could swipe their pizza crust up all in that concoction.  Yep, it was that good.

.

Now for the main star.  The pizza.  Not just any pizza.  Dad said it was probably the best pizza he has ever had – and that is saying a lot!  Look at all of that cheesy goodness.

This is called the white pizza (one of mom’s favorite pizzas to order anywhere).  It has a blend of ricotta, mozzarella, provolone, parmesan cheese and minced garlic.  Then they sprinkle MORE fresh parmesan cheese on top before bringing it to the table.

Can you see the cheese dripping everywhere?  Okay, maybe this picture of dad eating slice shows you how cheesy and wonderful this pizza was.

 

 

 

Travels in the South

Welcome my friends to another week of Travels in the South.  Today we wanted to share with you one of mom/dad’s favorite appetizers.  A couple of weeks ago, mom/dad was craving this delicious dish and went to the restaurant ordering and splitting just this plate.  What is it you ask?

Let me present to you Carrabbas Italian Grill Calamari.  It’s hand breaded to order and normally served with a marinara sauce.  But mom/dad, they like to get the lemon butter sauce on the side with the sliced peppers for just a little heat.

For those that don’t know what calamari is – it’s squid.  Now before you go eeww, don’t know it until you try it.  Honestly.  Even I have tried it and I like it.  Like in this dish, it’s fried crispy and is wonderful.  Sometimes it can be a little salty but for the most part it’s an awesome dish.

So the next time you are at  Carrabbas Italian Grill, give it a try.  I bet you will fall in love with it as well.

 

Travels in the South

Welcome friends to another Travels in the South.  This week mom/dad went seafood.  At our local Joe’s Crab Shack, they have an appetizer that mom/dad like to get and share.  Pair it with a salad and you can say perfect meal.  What is this appetizer?  Joe’s Crab Shack calls it Crab Nachos.  Mom/dad call it a little heaven.

It has almost everything in it – lots of delicious crab dip, pico de gallo, black beans, lettuce, corn, cheese and an awesome avocado lime dressing.  And there are plenty of nachos to scoop everything up with and enjoy.  And the bonus is that the nachos don’t get soggy.  You know how sometimes they get limp and wet with regular nacho toppings.

So the next time you are craving something seafood but with a curb of delight, check out your local Joe’s Crab Shack for this delicious appetizer… or make it a meal like my mom/dad do.

 

Shopping Around the World and Bacon’s Show and Tell – Reminder

Hello sweet friends – 

Don’t forget about our important dates next week – after the holidays.  Keep these in mind while you enjoy your holiday 🙂 ❤

---

Shopping Around the World

Shopping Around the World is hosted by us and our friend Fozziemom.  This month it is scheduled for November 30th – after the holiday so we can all make plans.  Since it is the Thanksgiving holidays here in the States, this month we will focus on Thanksgiving foods.  So, you can post appetizers, side dishes, salads, soups, main entrees or desserts.  What is something that you look forward to once a year at Thanksgiving.  I mean yes we can have it throughout the year but having it at Thanksgiving screams the holiday?  This gives you a wide variety of foods you can come up with.  Fix whatever your dish is, take pictures and post it with recipes and prices on November 30th on your blog.  Remember to link back to my blog posting so people can see yours.  This is a wonderful way to (1) meet new friends in blogville and (2) get some wonderful recipes.  And I’ll admit it.  This piggy has been known to visit on these days and lick the computer screen at some of your awesome dishes.  I’m just sayin’ – some of pictures look out of this world!!

---

Bacon’s Show and Tell

To me, what better time of the year to share some embarrassing stories from Thanksgiving.  Did you gather as a family for dinner and someone do something hilarious?  Did you have a mishap and spill your plate or cut the turkey in a strange way?  Go ahead my friends, let’s talk about something funny our humans do or did during their Thanksgiving holidays.  I know these stories will be good!  Bacon’s Show and Tell is scheduled for November 29th due to the holiday.  Remember to do your blog and link back to my blog so we can all see what everyone shares.  Thanks my friend – can’t wait for some great stories.

 

Travels in the South

 Welcome my friends to another edition of Travels in the South.  Being in the south, we do have some great barbecue restaurants that come up with some wonderful creations.  This is something that we have actually highlighted here before.  In fact, when our friends Bill and Jean (with Canadian Cats) came for a visit, we introduced them to these as well.  Every once in a while, we crave these… and it helps that mom had a coupon for a free appetizer. 🙂

Let me introduce you my friends.  These are called Redneck Egg Rolls.  The restaurant takes egg roll wrappers and adds slow smoked pulled pork, coleslaw and jack cheese.  They then deep fry the egg rolls until they are crispy.  They are served with a ranch dipping sauce but mom/dad like to eat them with a spicy barbecue sauce.  They are hot, delicious, gooey and you will crave more and more!  Just ask Bill and Jean.  They will tell you.

So when in the South, eat barbecue Redneck Egg Rolls.  ❤

 

Shopping Around the World – MARK YOUR CALENDARS

Thanks to everyone for another great edition of Shopping Around the World last month.  It’s so awesome to see the various prices around the world – and the pictures with recipes!

Me and my pal Fozzie will be holding another Shopping Around the World scheduled for  Wednesday, May 25, 2016.  Do a posting on your blog linked back to mine.  That way we can keep track of all of the different prices and recipes.

This month we are opening the floor for you.  You can post ANYTHING (desserts, appetizers, snacks, entrees) that you want to share.  Just remember pictures and prices.  So what will you post my friends?  We can’t wait to see.

Please share this posting with your friends – the more the merrier.  Come join the fun of Shopping Around the World – mark your calendars – Wednesday, May 25th!

 

Shopping Around the World – REMINDER

Thanks to everyone for another great edition of Shopping Around the World last month.  It’s so awesome to see the various prices around the world – and the pictures with recipes!

Me and my pal Fozzie will be holding another Shopping Around the World scheduled for         Wednesday, March 30, 2016 

Do a posting on your blog linked back to mine.  That way we can keep track of all of the different prices and recipes.

This month we are highlighting appetizers or snacks.  Is there a particular appetizer that you fix that rocks your household?  Or is there a nightly snack that you fix that just makes your night?  Please share your recipes, prices and pictures with us this month 🙂  Have fun!

 

Shopping Around the World – Mark Your Calendar

Thanks to everyone for another great edition of Shopping Around the World last month.  It’s so awesome to see the various prices around the world – and the pictures with recipes!

Me and my pal Fozzie will be holding another Shopping Around the World scheduled for         Wednesday, March 30, 2016 

Do a posting on your blog linked back to mine.  That way we can keep track of all of the different prices and recipes.

This month we are highlighting appetizers or snacks.  Is there a particular appetizer that you fix that rocks your household?  Or is there a nightly snack that you fix that just makes your night?  Please share your recipes, prices and pictures with us this month 🙂  Have fun!

 

Shopping Around the World

Thanks to everyone for participating in this month’s edition of Shopping Around the World.  It’s so awesome to see the various prices around the world – and the pictures with recipes!

Me and my pal Fozzie are hosting this month highlighting items of Thanksgiving.  Appetizers, main courses, side dishes or desserts.

Most people will look at moms side dish and go no way in heck am I eating those. Dad was like that too. BUT I have to say don’t knock it until you try it. Now this is one of the side dishes that we all look forward to on Thanksgiving – or any time during the year for that matter. 

So let me present moms creation of fabulous Brussel sprouts. That’s right – yummy, buttery Brussel sprouts topped with fried pancetta. I got your attention now?  First up – excuse all piggies from the room which means it’s now time for mom to finish this posting. Take it away mom. 

Okay friends. This is a no place for my boy Bacon to be with this recipe. You will need the following for this recipe:

• Basket of delicious Brussel sprouts 
• Butter and/or olive oil
• Salt/pepper to taste
• Pancetta

Pancetta is an Italian style bacon that is salt cured and seasoned. You can usually get it from your butcher. I always keep some in our freezer here at the Hotel Thompson. Cube up about a 1/3 of a pound and put in a skillet on the stove medium heat. You are looking for a crispy consistency. 

While that is working, clean and cut your Brussel sprouts in half. Once pancetta is done, remove from skillet and put on a napkin to drain the grease. Leave the bacon grease in the skillet and add either a spoonful of butter or drizzle of olive oil. Add your Brussel sprouts, stir into your bacon drippings and season with salt and pepper. Note: go light on the salt because the pancetta is already salty. 

Once they have become softened, remove to a bowl and top with your crispy pancetta. Enjoy and then tell me if you like Brussel sprouts or not.