Living 2 Eat |

Another winning recipe that is easy, fun and wonderful… thank you LeeAnn Miller and Walnut Creek Cheese for sharing!

Apple Crisp

4 cups - sliced apples
1 cup - sugar
1 cup - water
2 tbsp - flour

Topping:
1/2 cup - margarine
1 cup - brown sugar
1 cup - flour
1 cup - oatmeal

Put apples in the bottom of an 8″ x 12″ pan.  Mix sugar, water, and flour together; bring to a boil.  Pour over the apples.  Combine the topping ingredients and sprinkle over the top.  Bake at 400 degrees for 20-25 minutes or until golden brown.  Serve with ice cream or whipped cream.

Cinnamon and Honey
Honey is the only food on the planet that will not spoil or rot. It will do what some call turning to sugar. In reality honey is always honey.. However, when left in a cool dark place for a long time it will do what I rather call “crystallizing”.   When this happens I loosen the lid, boil some water, and sit the honey container in the hot water, turn off the heat and let it liquefy. It is then as good as it ever was. Never boil honey or put it in a microwave. To do so will kill the enzymes in the honey.

Cinnamon and Honey
Bet the drug companies won’t like this one getting around.  Facts on Honey and Cinnamon:  It is found that a mixture of honey and Cinnamon cures most diseases. Honey is produced in most of the countries of the world. Scientists of today also accept honey as a ‘Ram Ban’ (very effective) medicine for all kinds of diseases.  Honey can be used without any side effects for any kind of diseases.

Today’s science says that even though honey is sweet, if taken in the right dosage as a medicine, it does not harm diabetic patients.   Weekly World News, a magazine in Canada , in its issue dated 17 January,1995 has given the following list of diseases that can be cured by honey and cinnamon as researched by western scientists:

HEART DISEASES:
Make a paste of honey and cinnamon powder, apply on bread, instead of jelly and jam, and eat it regularly for breakfast. It reduces the cholesterol in the arteries and saves the patient from heart attack.  Also, those who have already had an attack, if they do this process daily, they are kept miles away from the next attack. Regular use of the above process relieves loss of breath and strengthens the heart beat.  In America and Canada , various nursing homes have treated patients successfully and have found that as you age, the arteries and veins lose their flexibility and get clogged; honey and cinnamon revitalize the arteries and veins.

ARTHRITIS:
Arthritis patients may take daily, morning and night, one cup of hot water with two spoons of honey and one small teaspoon of cinnamon powder. If taken regularly even chronic arthritis can be cured. In a recent research conducted at the Copenhagen University, it was found that when the doctors treated their patients with a mixture of one tablespoon Honey and half teaspoon Cinnamon powder before breakfast, they found that within a week, out of the 200 people so treated, practically 73 patients were totally relieved of pain, and within a month, mostly all the patients who could not walk or move around because of arthritis started walking without pain.

BLADDER INFECTIONS:
Take two tablespoons of cinnamon powder and one teaspoon of honey in a glass of lukewarm water and drink it. It destroys the germs in the bladder.

CHOLESTEROL:
Two tablespoons of honey and three teaspoons of Cinnamon Powder mixed in 16 ounces of tea water, given to a cholesterol patient, was found to reduce the level of cholesterol in the blood by 10 percent within two hours.   As mentioned for arthritic patients, if taken three times a day, any chronic cholesterol is cured. According to information received in the said Journal, pure honey taken with food daily relieves complaints of cholesterol.

COLDS:
Those suffering from common or severe colds should take one tablespoon lukewarm honey with 1/4 spoon cinnamon powder daily for three days. This process will cure most chronic cough, cold, and clear the sinuses.

UPSET STOMACH:
Honey taken with cinnamon powder cures stomach ache and also clears stomach ulcers from the root.

GAS:
According to the studies done in India and Japan , it is revealed that if Honey is taken with cinnamon powder the stomach is relieved of gas.

IMMUNE SYSTEM:
Daily use of honey and cinnamon powder strengthens the immune system and protects the body from bacteria and viral attacks. Scientists have found that honey has various vitamins and iron in large amounts. Constant use of Honey strengthens the white blood corpuscles to fight bacterial and viral diseases.

INDIGESTION:
Cinnamon powder sprinkled on two tablespoons of honey taken before food relieves acidity and digests the heaviest of meals.

INFLUENZA:
A scientist in Spain has proved that honey contains a natural ‘ Ingredient’ which kills the influenza germs and saves the patient from flu..

LONGEVITY:
Tea made with honey and cinnamon powder, when taken regularly, arrests the ravages of old age. Take four spoons of honey, one spoon of cinnamon powder, and three cups of water and boil to make like tea. Drink 1/4 cup, three to four times a day. It keeps the skin fresh and soft and arrests old age. Life spans also increase and even a 100 year old, starts performing the chores of a 20-year-old.

PIMPLES:
Three tablespoons of honey and one teaspoon of cinnamon powder paste. Apply this paste on the pimples before sleeping and wash it next morning with warm water. If done daily for two weeks, it removes pimples from the root.

SKIN INFECTIONS:
Applying honey and cinnamon powder in equal parts on the affected parts cures eczema, ringworm and all types of skin infections.

WEIGHT LOSS:
Daily in the morning one half hour before breakfast on an empty stomach, and at night before sleeping, drink honey and cinnamon powder boiled in one cup of water. If taken regularly, it reduces the weight of even the most obese person. Also, drinking this mixture regularly does not allow the fat to accumulate in the body even though the person may eat a high calorie diet.

CANCER:
Recent research in Japan and Australia has revealed that advanced cancer of the stomach and bones have been cured successfully. Patients suffering from these kinds of cancer should daily take one tablespoon of honey with one teaspoon of cinnamon powder for one month three times a day.

FATIGUE:
Recent studies have shown that the sugar content of honey is more helpful rather than being detrimental to the strength of the body. Senior citizens, who take honey and cinnamon powder in equal parts, are more alert and flexible. Dr. Milton, who has done research, says that a half tablespoon of honey taken in a glass of water and sprinkled with cinnamon powder, taken daily after brushing and in the afternoon at about 3:00 P.M. when the vitality of the body starts to decrease, increases the vitality of the body within a week.

BAD BREATH:
People of South America , first thing in the morning, gargle with one teaspoon of honey and cinnamon powder mixed in hot water, so their breath stays fresh throughout the day.

… from Denise S. Plunkett

Sitting high on a hill in the historic town of Warm Springs, Georgia, the Bulloch House looks like a beautiful old house from days gone by.  It is, but it’s oh-so-much-more.  Inside you will find a southern all-you-can-eat buffet that will cause you to eat until you’re in a coma.  This is country cookin’ at its finest.  A recent trip there, the home of Franklin D. Roosevelt’s “Little White House”, reminded me of the food I was brought up eating and the very reason we call it “comfort food.”

Sunday buffet included fried chicken, chicken and dressing, ham, shrimp, butter beans, fried green tomatoes, fried sweet potatoes dredged in sugar, sweet potato casserole, green beans, macaroni & cheese, turnip greens, red skinned potatoes, salad bar (who really eats salad at this place???), cornbread, biscuits, butter rolls.  Desserts are not included in the buffet, but are worth trying - caramel cake, chocolate cake, whipping cream pound cake, banana pudding, lemon meringue pie and chocolate chip pecan pie.  I tried the caramel cake, which was a moist 3 layer yellow cake with thick, sugary-sweet brown sugar icing.

Since my last visit, they have added frozen take-out food, which means you can take home some of their most popular dishes. 

The house is a very old southern house with lots of character.  It’s a beautiful setting for a fabulous meal.  A quaint gift shop sits next door, where you can shop if there is a short wait to get into the restaurant.

If you’re anywhere near the area, don’t miss it.  It’s truly worth the drive!

http://www.thebullochhouse.com/

Restaurant review from dear friend and foodie Robin Spillias…

It was a rare night all around in Tallahassee…my husband Will and I had a date! We went to grab some food before we went to a “film;” yes, not a typical movie theater movie, but an awesome documentary (”Stranded: I Have Come from a Plane That Crashed on the Mountains”) at All Saints, the Tallahassee Film Society’s ultra cool railway station theater. Anyway, we decided to try a new place (at least for us) called Bird’s Aphrodisiac Oyster Shack. And oh my, my … do not let the name keep you away if you do not love oysters … they are a specialty item on a menu that boasts only four singular main food choices. Four! Oysters, hamburgers, chicken sandwiches and grouper sandwiches. It sounds crazy, but like the proprietor told us, “when you only do four things, you better do them all great.” And he did not disappoint.

The menu is set up for you to be able to make hundreds of combinations through their spice, rub and marinade choices and then your toppings. We started with a dozen oysters. Now I am a very picky oyster eater after spending nearly 10 years in Charleston, SC, attending countless oyster roasts and even going out in the intracoastal and chucking fresh oysters into the boat bed … a nice dry heat and they pop delicately and fresh in your mouth.  The Aphrodisiac oysters were delectable and fresh from the Apalachicola Bay. We ordered a half dozen raw with and a half dozen baked with garlic, parmesan and chopped tomatoes. Even an oyster hater would be impressed! We were thinking we should have ordered more, but when the rest of our food came, we were glad we didn’t show our gluttony.

 I ordered the chicken breast sandwich with jerk  spice and the regular lettuce, tomato and mayo toppings. When it came out – with the best seasoned fries I have EVER had – it was spilling over the sides of the soft bun. I had to check to see why they put two breasts on my sandwich – I thought maybe I won a prize .. or maybe the chef peaked his head out and thought I was cute! But the singular breast was the juiciest – without being watery – sinfully aromatic and tasteful chicken sandwich I have ever eaten. A chicken sandwich .. no big deal you are thinking when you order it, but I was almost teary eyed with admiration for its taste and size. I could not finish it (the next day I was remorseful for being a wimp!)

Will, in his quest like Ben to find the very best burger in the world, ordered the $6 hamburger and topped it with ketchup and mayo. Did he come up for air? Barely. It was the thickest and best burger he’s ever had, all for $6.  The meat was grilled medium to perfection, not a dry spot on its delectable outside, and an even flavor through and through. He broke out his phone and started texting the masses about its unmatched taste, all the time wondering whether he was going to take the plunge and try the $9 burger next time we visit!   The onion rings were sweet and fried to perfection, not overly breaded … the tears in his eyes echoed my sentiments of the chicken sandwich.

We washed our food down with a couple of cold drafts in plastic cups as we watched the musician of the night setting up. The ambiance at Bird’s is casual, casual … it feels like a college hangout, but equally caters to middle aged locals like us. For kicks, there is shuffle bowling in the corner, hundreds of photos to look at of friends, family and patrons on the surface of the bar, and friendly owners and staff to talk to before the place gets too crowded.

We hated to leave our new found “place” and vowed to tell everyone about it! Don’t they say “under promise and over deliver?” Bird’s does that and so much more! When you find your way up here in the “Big Bend” of Florida, head downtown and take advantage of the “four best things” to eat in Tallahassee! 

Party Potatoes

  
One eight-ounce package cream cheese
One-quarter cup sour cream
Eight to ten medium potatoes, cooked
One-half cup milk
One teaspoon salt
One teaspoon dried onion soup
One-half cup grated cheese
Two tablespoons melted butter
Paprika
  

Mix softened cream cheese and sour cream at medium speed. Add hot potatoes. Beat until fluffy. Slowly add milk, salt and onion mix.

Fold in grated cheese.

Pour into a two-quart casserole. Brush top with melted butter. Sprinkle with paprika.

Bake at 350 degrees for 30 to 45 minutes until barely brown.  

Country Fried Steak and Gravy
  

One and one-half pounds cubed steak
Flour (to coat steaks)
Cooking oil for frying
One can cream of mushroom soup
One eight-ounce container light sour cream
One-half envelope dried onion soup mix
Water
  
Flour and fry steak (cut steak in small pieces).

Add other ingredients plus enough water to simmer in crock pot for one hour.

Serve over mashed potatoes or rice.

Note: Instead of using crock pot you may fry steak, remove from pan and pour off excess grease. Return steak to pan. Mix remaining ingredients and pour over steak. Cover and cook for 20 minutes or until steak is tender.

Yield: 6 servings 

What happens in Vegas may very well stay in Vegas, however, if you are here and searching for a Krispy Kreme… head to Red, White & Blue (RWB) @ Mandalay Bay Hotel.   For $1.25 each, you can enjoy a fresh (brought in each morning) glazed doughnut that beats anything Dunkin Donuts has ever produced.

If you head north on Las Vegas Boulevard several blocks to the Excalibur Hotel, you will find a Krispy Kreme store that has truly fresh hot out of the grease doughnuts.  These culinary creations will melt in your mouth before the glaze has time to crust.   Wash down with a glass of ice cold whole milk (low fat does not blend well with KK products!).  Ahh, the breakfast of champions!

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I cannot help but chuckle when I think of how only a foodie would track down Krispy Kreme’s in Las Vegas as opposed to showgirls, cheap drinks and best gaming tables!

Growing up in Immokalee, Florida we did not have much excitement, especially during the summer months.   Although we knew everyone in town, entertainment often came in the form of seeing and greeting others.   As kids, we were not allowed to ride all over town on our bicycles, however, we would often ride to the neighborhood grocery store, Shopworth.

The Vickery family owned this small store for years.  Growing up, we would always buy our meats there as they were of the finest quality.   The store probably had a total of five or six aisles and could never compare to the current day Winn Dixie, Publix, Ralphs or Bruno’s.     Shopworth was typical of most small Mom & Pop stores, they issued the green stamps, had bag boys to take groceries to your car, and kept a list of folks having written bad checks at the two cash registers.

Shopworth did have something extra special… a vending machine that kept the bottles freezing cold.   A Coke was our drink of choice and they always had ice crystals inside and it was somewhat akin to drinking a slush.   Best I recall, the Coke’s were only a dime, and if we didn’t have any money, Mrs. Vickery would put it on our charge account.

For those who remember these machines, I think we would all agree that our knuckles were busted each and every time trying to pull the bottles out of their slots.  I feel certain that these machines would never pass the legal departments of today’s cola companies.

The Capital Grille

Legacy Place – Palm Beach Gardens, Florida

561-630-4994

www.capitalgrille.com

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Should you ever find yourself in Houston, Texas there are two things that cannot be missed… Robert Sakowitz and The St. Regis!

First and foremost, Robert Sakowitz is one of the most entertaining people that I have ever met.   The Sakowitz family is legendary throughout Houston, and the State of Texas for their ultra high-end trend setting family owned department stores, Sakowitz.  Although the stores closed during the 1980’s oil bust, Robert remains a celebrity of sorts — his marketing savvy and appreciation for the extravagant comprise the essence of this Renaissance man.  Lunch with Robert is always a treat… he is the type of person you remember for a lifetime although you only met him for a few minutes.

Second, The St. Regis is a five star boutique hotel located between River Oaks and the Galleria.   This wonderful property features The Remington Restaurant’s ‘envelope-pushing’ dishes including only the freshest of sea foods, meats and vegetables.  The décor in this restaurant is light, airy and features outdoor seating when weather permits.  

Although I rarely order a salad as an entree, The Remington Restaurant offers a terrific mixed greens feature that pleases this meat & potatoes guy.    The crowning glory to this salad was an awesome homemade dressing laced with robust herbs.   I ate every bite!   

For me, a visit to Houston is the not the same without this particular combination!