Fried Pies

I would like to introduce you to the fried deliciousness that gave my favorite cherry long johns a serious run for their money.

On a drive from Dallas to Oklahoma City, I passed several billboards advertising "The Original Fried Pie." Some of you know that my rule on the road is: If you see more than 3 billboards for the same place, it's worth a stop. Well, I missed the exit, so I made sure I didn't miss it the next day, on the way back to Dallas.

It is everything you hope a stop on a roadtrip will be: yummy. Oh, and clean restrooms.

It was obviously a tough decision when it came to selecting a filling, but I chose coconut (oh my mercy) and apricot (terrific). They also fill their 'pies' with breakfast items, pizza fillings, spinach and cheese, etc. You can read more about them at http://www.denosfriedpies.com/dinnerpies.html

I read a quote from Reba (the country singer/actress) recently. She said a friend once told her, "No food tastes as good as thin feels."

I bet that friend hasn't had one of these fried pies.

Thank You, Sam's

Sam's gave me a gift of yum this week: Individually frozen portions of sliced meat for Philly steak sandwiches.

However, I'm reminded of what I heard Elmo say on the Food Network this week when talking about cake: it's a Sometimes Food.

These sandwiches should also be a Sometimes Food. We've had them twice this week.

That's sometimes, right?

Here's what's been going on in my kitchen.

A little bit of olive oil and salt/pepper.

These can be thrown in with the onions if no one in your house objects. Not the case around here, but no big deal.

You stick them in the heated skillet for 30 seconds (we added low sodium soy sauce and garlic salt) then turn the pieces of meat over. Now the magic begins to happen.

After about two minutes, you just stir the meat apart. Add the onions back in and some of this, if you like a kick.

I don't care what the judges of Chopped say, sometimes you gotta have it.

These are Pepperidge Farm and highly recommended, toasted in the skillet, of course.

A food stylist I am not, but had I known that was an option at Texas Tech in 1991, I might be.

So here's to Sometimes Food that you have every day until you are sick of it.
Go get your yum on.

THE Salad of Summer

I'm obsessed.

Baby Spinach
Goat Cheese
Sliced Almonds
Red Onion
Fruit (Mango or Strawberries are great)

And this. Ken's Steakhouse Raspberry Walnut Vinaigrette.
Mmmmm.
(Thank you, Helen.)

An Old Bicycle, Vinyl Seats and Good Pie

I photographed this old bicycle outside a pie shop in Fredericksburg, Texas. I love everything about it: the crooked basket wired on the back, the busted lights, the old metal parts...


...and the cracked, torn vinyl seat. It reminds me of the seats in my first car--my grandmother's 1976 bright blue Monte Carlo with white vinyl seats. By the time I was given the car to drive, those seats were cracked pretty good. When I looked at this bicycle seat, I could still feel the pinch those white vinyl seats would give my legs in the summertime.

I know you are wondering if I took a picture of the pie.

How could I not take a picture of the best-tasting pie I've ever, EVER had? The crust was as close to my grandmother's as I've found. (Same grandmother that passed down the Monte Carlo, by the way.) This chocolate cream pie made me moan with every bite. So much so, that I'm pretty sure I made my fellow travelers a teeny bit uncomfortable. I didn't even care. That pie was amazing.

Here are a few of my favorite shots from the weekend:

And, if I ever open any kind of shoppe, I want this sign hanging in it:

So, take a road trip to Fredericksburg and have some pie. You'll be glad you did.

Some New Favorites

I just wanted to share a few of my latest favorites in the "quick eats" category.

If you can't see too well, it's a bag of corn, a bag of potatoes and a roast.
The corn is sweet and in a butter sauce. The potatoes take 10 minutes to steam in the microwave
and then you can add butter, milk and spices of your choice. (Mine are always three from
the Lawry's line up: Season Salt, Seasoned Pepper and Course Garlic with Parsley.)
The meat is from Hormel and can be found in the refrigerated section with the bacon and cold cuts.

Here they are on my favorite Robin's Egg Blue Francoma (thanks Mom):

Now, if you are lucky enough to have a Maui Wowi in your town,
STOP EVERYTHING and go get a Mocha Coco Loco.
Seriously.

A Percolator

I want one of these. Why? Well, I just spent a week with my dad and this is what he used to make coffee every morning.

Delicous, hot coffee. Mmmmm.

Grand Lux Cafe

If you are a fan of pot roast, might I recommend the Braised Short Ribs at Grand Lux Cafe.
I had the pleasure if eating them in Houston and Denver last week, Houston winning with more of the delicious red wine reduction.
Also, if you like chocolate cake...order their chocolate molten cake when you order your entree. They prepare each one individually and it takes 20-30 minutes. It's just the best.

Those Donuts...

Okay, so I promised some pictures of my favorite donut shop and its donuts.

I walked in with my camera, taking shots of the racks and racks of donuts and the manager on duty (working the register) said, "There are no pictures allowed....." I really felt bad for a minute...thinking she was serious...and then she finished with, "...unless I am in them!" And she gave me a great big smile.

I'm sure her smile was no match for mine after I rushed to my car and sunk my teeth into that rectangular piece of cherry delight. Double yum. I wish I had another one right now....

Special Edition Oreos

Just an FYI. These are yummy. Taste just like a strawberry shake. Go try some.

Countdown to Deliciousness

Two very exciting things are going to happen next week: I will get to visit a great diner in Kansas City and I will get to have my favorite cherry donuts in Amarillo. Lets talk about the diner first. It's 39th Street Mama's and I saw it featured on Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives (on Food Network, Mondays at 9pm Central) with host Guy Fieri. Love that show---it's perfect for me, because I travel for my job so much and I LOVE DINERS! I'll be in Kansas City next week to teach some classes...I can't believe my luck, really. I'll have to go to the diner for dinner to eat breakfast, but I can handle it. For sure. I'll take pictures and report back.
My next exciting event will take place in Amarillo, Texas at The Donut Stop. There is a link to their website under my "For Travelers" section where you can watch a video the owners of this fine establishment of tastiness have put together. They have 7 locations in a town of 200,000 people, so you know they are killer donuts. My top pick is the bright red cherry long john. If you can catch them when they come right out of the fryer...mmm...even better. You barely have to chew. They are so yummy. If you are ever in Amarillo, visit the location right off of I-40 and Bell. You'll be glad you did. I'll take some pictures of this place, too. Don't be surprised if you find yourself booking a flight...

The Commissary

I'd like to introduce you to the third best barbeque place in the country. For those of you that are curious, my dad's bbq is number one (homeade coca-cola sauce with his brisket), Rudy's bbq in Texas is number two...and much to my surprise, a little place called The Commissary in Memphis, Tennessee made it into my top three.
It's in old town Memphis and was actually the town general store (commissary) starting in the 1920's. A guy came along in the 80's and wanted to turn it into a bbq joint...he liked the name, so he kept it.
You know it's going to be a great meal when the waitress starts by saying, "Do you know what you want, sweetheart, or would you like some help?" I asked for help, to which she responded, "Well then, honey...you gots to have th' ribs. With slaw and then banana puddin." So, that's what I had of course...and I would recommend them all...highly. Fantastic. And the sauce...it gives my dad's a run for it's money.
In fact, I've got to go....I need to order some more of The Commissary's sauce...I'm almost out. I wonder if they ship?