Travels in the South

Let me start by saying that this posting has LOTS of food in it with pictures.  You know my mom and dad – they are professional eaters.  They get into trouble every possible way.  They called a field trip this past weekend.  There is a restaurant about 30 minutes away called The Vortex Bar and Grill in an area called Little Five Points.   They say it’s awesome.  First off, it’s a bar and most of the workers have tattoos and no one under the age of 18 can come into the restaurant.  I guess that leaves me out since I’m just over two – snorts.

 This is daddy posing outside of the entrance to the location.  I know I’ve talked about this restaurant before but I’m not sure if I’ve posted pictures of the awesome food – which mom and dad say is awesome…. shuffles hooves… I wouldn’t know because someone didn’t bring me home a piggy bag.

Like I was saying, the front of the building near the entrance has the huge skull that you walk through.  Scary looking huh?  You can see the name of the restaurant on the side to the right of dad’s head.  NOTE: Someone told mommy that it looks like daddy has rabbit ears over his head from the jaw line of the skull.  Snorts – I think it does too.  You?

The day that mom/dad went, there was no line.  Usually the line is out the door.  Inside of the location, it’s dark and cozy.  Mom and dad say the inside is rather small so the tables are tight.  You make friends really quick – snorts.

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 They started off with a Mighty Meaty Chili.  This is how the menu describes the chili – menu wording not mine – just remember that :

“Made with ground sirloin, chipotle & habanero peppers and a secret combination of seasonings but no beans ’cause it’s MEATY.  It’s definitely got some heat to it so please don’t order if you’re a big pussy”

Yep, that’s what it says.  The picture to the left is of the cornbread that comes with the chili.  Daddy says you really needed that because the chili was H.H.O.O.T.T.  Thank goodness mom and dad split a bowl – snorts.

Mom and dad followed the spicy chili up with an appetizer of Cheddar Balls O’Glory.  That’s what I’m talking about – cheese balls.  Licks piggy lips.  And of course, I’m going to tell you the wording off the menu… why?  Because it’s so interesting 🙂

“A plate full of beer-battered, deep fried balls of cheddar cheese, served with jalapeno ranch dressing.  These are by far the tastiest balls you’ll ever put in your mouth.  You know you want some, so just bite our cheesy balls”.

Now with all of this wonderful food so far, you know the main meals have to be out of this world!  And yeah, mom and dad wanted to sample a lot.

Dad ordered what they called a Meat Packer Melt –

“A sirloin patty topped with sliced turkey, ham, American, Swiss and cheddar cheese all griddled together on swirled rye bread.  This is the best patty melt you have ever put in your mouth.”

Dad says this was the bomb!  It was deliciously served with tater tots – one of his favorites.  The last time he came here, he ordered the Double Coronary Bypass and trust me – he almost had one!  He had plenty of leftovers that time.  This is what it is:

“One big half pound sirloin patty topped with two fried eggs, six slices of American cheese and eight slices of bacon served between two grilled cheese sandwiches that we use in place of the regular hamburger buns.”  

And mom, we can’t leave mommy out.  She went grandstand too.  She got the Cubano De Libertad.

“A fresh baked roll filled with slow roasted pork, ham, Swiss cheese, sliced pickles and spicy mustard grilled flat and drenched in Mojo sauce.”

Okay – let me add that this little oinker was not harmed in the making of mom’s lunch.  See, that’s how she does me.  She runs off and eats pork.  Shakes my piggy head. At least she didn’t order the sandwich they call, “Three Little Pigs”… I don’t even want to know what’s on that one – Snorts.

So, that’s my wild humans.  If you want to see more of the menu, look here at Vortex.  It is by far great reading, mouth watering and delicious sounding.  You gotta check it out if you get a chance.  Happy Eats!

 

Shopping Around the World – Mark Your Calendars

Hello friends!!  Wasn’t all of the sandwiches from last month mouth watering?  We got so many ideas here at the Hotel Thompson.  What a blast!  This month we are going to throw a little twist to the Shopping Around the World.

We always concentrate on food but here’s the twist.  For February’s Shopping Around the World, we want a drink and snack food that you love.  Recipes, pictures are awesome and prices to be posted on:

Friday, February 23, 2018.

So mark your calendars and put on your thinking hats.  Is there a nightly ritual that you partake in before bedtime?  Maybe it’s something that you only do on the weekends.  Share with us in February ❤

 

Don Juan Has Done It Now!

How in the world am I going to explain this picture to mommy?  It looks like that little psycho elf has been into mom’s pictures and sent them to a certain magazine which has made its way to the big man and his elves.

Shakes piggy head.  This can’t be good.  Look at their faces?!  Oh dear piggy heavens.  How am I ever going to tell mommy what Don Juan has done this time?!  What will daddy think?

You gotta help me friends.  How do I break it gently to my mom that her private pictures may not be so private anymore and that she might be on Santa’s naughty list… but he might like it?  Snorts.

Don Juan is in deep doo-doo here at the Hotel Thompson. Shakes piggy head and walks away with daddy’s credit card.  I gotta buy all of these off the market so she doesn’t see the cover.

 

Shopping Around the World

Hello sweet friends ❤  For the month of June we are focusing on something that you have cooked lately that you absolutely went bonkers for and everyone enjoyed.  This could be anything – even a cheese cracker.  Just make it the best cheese cracker you ever had and post prices… and pictures are awesome.  That gives us something to drool on while we read your recipe.

Today, I’m handing our recipe over to mom.  Can you believe that me and dad actually got her to cook dinner for us one night?  Now don’t get me wrong.  She cooks for us but she’s been watching her diet lately so we have to say she went overboard with this dinner.  And *we* all appreciated that – trust me.

So without further ado, take it away mom!

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Hello friends.  If you know me really well, then you know here in the south I just can’t get enough of fried chicken – ever.  I’ll admit it.  Usually instead of taking the time to fix it, I will usually just buy it from the store or a local restaurant.  Every once in a while, I will bring out my southern experience and fry some for the family.  Of course when I do, everyone wonders what they’ve done to deserve it – HA!  It just keeps them on their toes I say.  What you will need:

♦ A package of chicken.  We enjoy thighs.  You get whatever pieces your family likes – mixed or whatever.  This date, we bought a package of thighs.  There was 8 of them for $3.23

♦ You should have some of these ingredients on hand:  flour (3 cups – $0.75); buttermilk (2 cups – $0.50); eggs (3 – $0.50); frying oil (4 cups $2.50); salt/pepper/cayenne pepper

Now this is a pretty basic recipe that we have used in our family for years.  You can also use the same ingredients with different types of  meat – fried fish, shrimp and you know that other white meat that we can’t mention on Bacon’s blog.  You can also use different spices that you like.  Be creative and have fun.

Now is the time to get your assembly line going.  It gets a little messy.  You will need two bowls.  One bowl you will put your ‘dry’ ingredients in – the flour, salt, pepper and shake cayenne pepper to your taste.  Now test your taste.  Remember you can add more, you can’t take out.  In the other bowl, put your 3 eggs and beat them.  Add your milk, salt, pepper and more cayenne pepper.  As that is sitting, put your grease in a frying pan (we like to use an iron skillet) and let that start to get hot somewhere around medium/high.  Now while that is getting hot, put about 4 pieces of raw chicken (that you have already washed) into the wet ingredients.  Let the oil get hot.

Once hot, here comes the fun part. You want to take the pieces of chicken out of the wet ingredients and coat them in the dry ingredients.  Get everything coated.  Now repeat that step.  Yep, I believe in double coating for an extra crispy skin on the chicken.  Dip the floured chicken back into your wet ingredients, back into the dry ingredients and then place the chicken in your hot oil skin side down.  Your pan should comfortably hold 4 thighs – don’t overcrowd.  I cook the chicken about 8 minutes and then flip the chicken over to the other side for about 6 more minutes.  Once it is nicely golden brown, put on paper towels to drain and do the remainder of your chicken.

There you go – a classic southern dish from the Hotel Thompson.  Eight wonderful fried chicken thighs for around $7.50 – great for a Sunday meal.  Enjoy ❤

 

Shopping Around the World – Reminder

Hello sweet friends ❤  Did you miss Shopping Around the World in May?  I know we did – snorts.  I tell you things have been going on weird here at the Hotel Thompson for the past couple of months – but I digress.  That’s another posting for another day.

Shopping Around the World is back for June and with a new badge courtesy of Phenny’s dad. (Huge shout out and thanks to them ❤ )  Please feel free to share and use this badge on your blog postings for Shopping Around the World.

For June we are going to focus on something that you have cooked lately that you absolutely went bonkers for and everyone enjoyed.  This could be anything – even a cheese cracker.  Just make it the best cheese cracker you ever had and post prices… and pictures are awesome.  That gives us something to drool on while we read your recipe.

So my friends.  That’s your assignment for June.  We will all post Shopping Around the World on Friday, June 30th.  Remember to link back to my blog so everyone can check your postings out.   Can’t wait to read your recipe!

 

Shopping Around the World – Mark Your Calendars

Hello sweet friends ❤  Did you miss Shopping Around the World in May?  I know we did – snorts.  I tell you things have been going on weird here at the Hotel Thompson for the past couple of months – but I digress.  That’s another posting for another day.

Shopping Around the World is back for June and with a new badge courtesy of Phenny’s dad. (Huge shout out and thanks to them ❤ )  Please feel free to share and use this badge on your blog postings for Shopping Around the World.

For June we are going to focus on something that you have cooked lately that you absolutely went bonkers for and everyone enjoyed.  This could be anything – even a cheese cracker.  Just make it the best cheese cracker you ever had and post prices… and pictures are awesome.  That gives us something to drool on while we read your recipe.

So my friends.  That’s your assignment for June.  We will all post Shopping Around the World on Friday, June 30th.  Remember to link back to my blog so everyone can check your postings out.   Can’t wait to read your recipe!

 

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

Hello my sweet friends.  It’s time to get ready for the next edition of  Bacon’s Show and Tell and Shopping Around the World.  Be sure to mark your calendars so you can participate.  It’s going to be a blast and I can’t wait for the delicious recipes (and hopeful pictures) and laughter to come.

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This month, we are focusing on gifts.  Since Christmas was just last month, let’s focus on that one thing that you received that was absolutely wonderful.  Maybe it wasn’t from Christmas – perhaps it was on your birthday last year.  What is it – why can’t you live without it?

Mark your calendars for Wednesday, January 25th to join Bacon’s Show and Tell.  Remember to link back to my blog – See you here!

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Me and my pal Fozzie will be holding another Shopping Around the World scheduled for Friday, January 27th. 

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

This month we are highlighting items that you are known for.   Do you have that one dish that everyone asks for at a party, at dinner, at the church?  What kind of ingredients do you have in it and what does it look like? Don’t forget to include prices and pictures if you can.

Come join the fun of Shopping Around the World – mark your calendars!

 

Bacon’s Show and Tell and Shopping Around the World – Mark Your Calendars

Hello my sweet friends.  It’s time to get ready for the next edition of  Bacon’s Show and Tell and Shopping Around the World.  Be sure to mark your calendars so you can participate.  It’s going to be a blast and I can’t wait for the delicious recipes (and hopeful pictures) and laughter to come.

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This month, we are focusing on gifts.  Since Christmas was just last month, let’s focus on that one thing that you received that was absolutely wonderful.  Maybe it wasn’t from Christmas – perhaps it was on your birthday last year.  What is it – why can’t you live without it?

Mark your calendars for Wednesday, January 25th to join Bacon’s Show and Tell.  Remember to link back to my blog – See you here!

 

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Me and my pal Fozzie will be holding another Shopping Around the World scheduled for Friday, January 27th. 

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

This month we are highlighting items that you are known for.   Do you have that one dish that everyone asks for at a party, at dinner, at the church?  What kind of ingredients do you have in it and what does it look like? Don’t forget to include prices and pictures if you can.

Come join the fun of Shopping Around the World – mark your calendars!

 

Shopping Around the World

Shopping Around the World

Shopping Around the World is hosted by us and our friend Fozziemom.  This month since it is the Thanksgiving holidays here in the States, we are focusing on Thanksgiving foods.  We have elected to post a side dish that everyone loves here in the south – black-eyed peas.  Yummo!  I admit that even this little oinker loves these peas.  They are tasty… but of course I like mine without the bacon – you know for obvious reasons – snorts and rolls with piggy laughter.  I leave the recipe and other delights of this recipe to mom – take it away mom! ❤

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Black-eyed peas.  Some people hear the name and stick out their tongue making a grimace while others smile and can’t wait to jump in feet first and eat their way out of the bowl.  Which category do you fall into my friends?  You’re not sure yet?  Let me tell you my recipe and then you can make your choice.  You will need the following:

⇔ Two cans of black-eyed peas (you can use fresh peas- I take help where I can) $0.98 each = $1.96

⇔  Four slices of bacon $3.99 pack/12 slices = $1.32

⇔ Cilantro $1.49 a pack; onion $0.49; olive oil $6.99 bottle; red pepper flakes $1.49 bottle = $1.50

Total Cost per Dish $4.78

The first thing we do is get out the old southern iron skillet.  Put a tad of oil in the bottom, cut up the bacon strips and fry them in the skillet.  While the bacon is cooking, dice up your onion and chop up your cilantro.  Once the bacon has cooked, scoop out the fried bacon and put on a paper towel to drain.  Leave the bacon grease in the skillet and add your onions to give them some color.  While the onions are cooking, open your cans of black-eyed peas, drain them and wash them.  Now some people use the juice out of the can, we don’t.  If you like it, by all means use it.  Once the onions have some color, pour in your two cans of black-eyed peas.  Season with salt, pepper and red pepper flakes to your taste.  Your black-eyed peas will have a semi fried taste – awesome.  Trust me.  Once everything is heated through, pour into a serving dish and top with cilantro and your fried bacon.  You will never want black-eyed peas the old way again 🙂

 

Bacon’s Show and Tell

Bacon’s Show and Tell

This month we are sharing embarrassing stories from Thanksgiving or other family dinners.  I’m sure that we have a lot of material to pick from with the Thanksgiving holiday just taking place.

I’m letting mom take this one from a story from way back in the day – take it away mom!

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Many, many years ago we attended a family Thanksgiving get together.  There was snack food, drinks and then the main meal to be served several hours later when everyone arrived.   Me and the hub unit arrived and socialized with family members we had not seen in years.  This was way back in the day during the times that the hub actually had vision.  We got separated at one time and met up at the snack table.  With drink in hand, I was headed to this fabulous looking shrimp platter.  That’s when the hub unit grabbed my hand and guided me away to a quiet corner.  Now I’m thinking, “That’s what I’m talking about, let’s get a little kissy-kissy.”  Boy, was I wrong.

He went in for what I thought was a kiss but instead of a peck, he whispered in my ear.  Might I say there was not enough adult beverage that night to help me from practically rolling around on the floor laughing.  He told me that one of the children (and yes he named names) had been camping out at the shrimp platter.  This child was told not to touch anything.. so he didn’t of course with his hands.  He proceeded to lick all of the shrimp on one side of the platter.  No wonder the platter was still full.  About the same time that Jim told me this, the host saw what was happening.  But the child was right.  He didn’t ‘touch’ the shrimp – laughs.  And Jim did tell the host – all of this happened within minutes but seemed to have been frozen in time.