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Showing posts from 2015

The Palmetto State cooks things up Southern Style

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Ahh the joys of southern cooking. Their really is nothing like it. Tons of butter, grease and love, you really don't have a losing combination. Now what I am about to share with you is one of the most southern dishes of all time, and you can guarantee you will find it on most traditional southern tables during any meal (except breakfast obviously).  Now for this recipe you are going to have to pull out your crock pot. Y'all know me and this kitchen appliance; I am in love with it and think it is the most under utilized appliance in the kitchen. So after you pull your crock pot out of the back of your cupboard, make sure you spray it really well with cooking spray (or you can use one of those bags that make cleaning up super quick and easy). Now whose ready to grab some ingredients and start cooking?!  Wait wait wait... y'all don't even know what we are cooking. Keep reading and I'll tell ya as well as show you a picture. Then we can start gathering ingredien...

The Palmetto State ends it's food tour of the Happiest Place on Earth

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First things first, if you haven't read Part 1, Part 2 or Part 3.. I highly advise it... it is not recommended but highly encouraged. Anyway, our culinary adventure through Walt Disney World is coming to an end, but not until we hit these must go-to Disney dining locations. Whose ready to see the must go-to places at WDW? Well keep reading and see what my final food destinations were.  If you have not been to Walt Disney World in a while, I highly recommend you go and soon because so much has changed (especially since I left working for the company a year ago). Disney Springs (aka Downtown Disney) has tons of new shops and restaurants, and pictured left is one of its new locations. The Boathouse is located right on the water and is an amazing place to sit down on the water and have a nice glass of wine and some fresh seafood.  Still a little unsure of this location? Keep reading and take a look at my amazing meal and drink pairing to that went with it. Trust me, af...

The Palmetto State goes to the Happiest Place on Earth Part 3

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First things first, if you haven't read Part 1 or Part 2.. I highly advise it... it is not recommended but highly encouraged. Anyway, our culinary adventure through Walt Disney World continues, and we are still walking around the World Showcase for the Epcot International Food and Wine Festival. Whose ready to see more amazing eats from this amazing festival? Keep reading to see my final stops eating around the world. I promise these are ones you will not want to miss. Bonjour  and welcome to France. France is probably one of my favorite stops around the World Showcase, and by just looking at the picture to the left, how could it not become one of yours either? This famous classic french eat was made famous by one great chef... any guesses? Anyone know what it is? Well i'll give you a hint; it was made by Julia Child and in her cookbook Mastering the Art of French Cooking. Know it now? No idea, well i'll tell ya... it is  beef bourguignon.  Smothered in sauce, this ...

The Palmetto State goes to the Happiest Place On Earth Part 2

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First things first, if you haven't read Part 1.. I highly advise it... it is not recommended but highly encouraged. Anyway, our culinary adventure through Walt Disney World continues, and it isn't just to any old place... but to the Epcot International Food and Wine Festival. This is one of my favorite times at WDW not only because I got to work the festival last year, but you get to try all this amazing cuisine from a plethora of countries and it really opens your palate and taste buds to other cultures and their food! Now lets get to the food, shall we?! Alright, when you first walk into the World Showcase, you have two options: you can either go right and start off in Scotland, or you could go left and venture into Farm Fresh and other great eats. Well I went right and started in Scotland and let me tell you, it was a great choice to start off my culinary adventure around the world.  Looking at this Scottish menu, you have many things to choose from, but what caugh...

The Palmetto State goes to the Happiest Place on Earth Part 1

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Alright y'all, I have been on one crazy culinary adventure this month. Traveled to Orlando, Florida twice and experienced many amazing eats. During the next few posts, the food adventure I will take you on is through Orlando and like I did, you will get to experience the amazing eats that you can find there.  So whose ready to travel around the happiest place on earth and eat some good food? Well come on, let's go! So for the first stop on this culinary adventure, I take you to a British- style tavern called The Pub. The music, atmosphere and employee uniform, you are transported to a real British- style tavern, and not only that, but the food and drinks do not disappoint. Reading through their long drink menu, you can immerse yourself in beers from all around the world, or just popular, every day beers; but for me, I decided to be adventurous and try something I have never had before.  A popular beer of Ireland, Smithwick's is a smooth mixture of aromas of roast...

The Palmetto State stays indoors for homemade Chicken Noodle Soup

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In case y'all haven't heard, currently the Palmetto State is covered in rain up and down the coast. With flooding everywhere, roads closed and no way I can make it to work, I stayed snuggled up indoors and cooked. Now what meal can we pair up with a rainy day? I'm going with the obvious answer, homemade chicken noodle soup and my famous grilled cheese.  Now if y'all have been reading my blog, you can refer to my grilled cheese article for the delicious recipe. Trust me, with my homemade chicken noodle soup, this sammie pairs perfectly with it. My friends here in the Lowcountry should be sad they missed out. But shall we continue on with the soup recipe. Taking only 4 hours to make in the crock pot, this is one recipe that anyone can make, and I mean ANYONE! All you have to do is throw the ingredients in the crock pot, set it to cook for four hours and boom you have your own homemade chicken noodle soup. Keep reading for the recipe. As y'all know, we always s...

The Palmetto State dines during Restaurant Week

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Oh y'all, you need be so sad that you missed Restaurant Week here in Charleston. It took place September 9 - September 20 throughout the low country and it was a week that you definitely did not want to miss and you need to mark on your calendar for next year.  Now I could list for y'all every single restaurant that participated in Restaurant Week, but it would be a very long list; so i'm just gonna cut to the chase and let you see what I got to indulge in.    Located in Downtown Charleston on Queen Street sits this amazing, down the alley local spot called 82 Queen. Situated in a small court yard and tucked off, down the alley lies the most amazing place that I can't wait to go back to.  With their low country cuisine and fine dining atmosphere, it is the ultimate place to go for date night or a treat yourself meal... so for me it was a little of both, Twin sister date night and treat myself meal. So on to the food shall we!  So for t...

Mexican flare comes to the Palmetto State and to my kitchen Fajita style

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Alright y'all, this post is going to have a little mexican flare to it. I'm not sticking to my southern roots and making a classic southern dish, but this is one dish that I deem worthy of staying in my southern kitchen. How do chicken fajitas sound? Add some seasoning, onions and peppers and you have yourself one perfect dish and one kitchen that smells amazing. Keep reading and i'll share with you this amazing recipe.  Oh the joys of using the crock pot; I find this one kitchen appliance that is not utilized enough, but definitely one I will start turning to more and more.   Now the dish that I have created here took only four hours in the crock pot and one that you can put on in the morning and leave to cook all day. Keep reading y'all.. the recipe is coming up next! As y'all know, I like helping you gather your ingredients and then getting you on your way towards a great recipe.. so why change that now.. lets go gather our ingredients. In...

Pull up a seat at Eli's table and let them serve up breakfast in the Lowcountry

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Y'all know of the most important meal of the day... breakfast, but I bet you have never been to a place as amazing as this; especially in the low-country.  Well travel down to Charleston, South Carolina and let this amazing restaurant serve you up some low country breakfast. Located at 129 Meeting Street, Eli's table is a local favorite for breakfast, lunch and dinner. With outdoor patio seating and live Jazz music on Wednesday night, this is the place to get a great taste of Charleston. Breakfast, which is served everyday from 7 am-3 pm, you will have to make the time to have breakfast here and have some Eggs Benedict or sweet potato pancakes.  Now y'all are probably staring off to your left at that amazing plate of food. Yes you can stare, but aren't you curious about what it is? Well keep reading and I'll tell you exactly what it is and the other great breakfast dishes I encountered on my trip to Eli's table. Pictured left is a Low country...

Grilled Cheese takes a twist in the Palmetto State

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Now tell me, who doesn't like a good grilled cheese? Nice golden bread filled with ooey, gooey cheese. But what if I told you I found a way to make it even better? Yes y'all that is possible... trust me! Keep reading and I'll share with you how to take a classic grilled cheese and take it up a notch to something that will be your go-to sammie again and again. Y'all know my love of the Food Network, so I have to thank the Barefoot Contessa for this amazing find. Grilled cheese stuffed with bacon, gruyere cheese and a parmesan and dijon mustard spread.  Ready for the recipe? I thought you would never ask! So keep reading and I'll share it with you. Ingredients you will need: Dijon Mustard Parmesan Cheese Mayo Bacon or Bacon Bits Gruyere Cheese                                                                  ...

The Palmetto State paddles down Shem Creek to get good eats

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Hey y'all! It has been quite some time since I wrote last, but I have had some awesome food adventures and I can't wait to share them with you! So let's dive in shall we! Red's Ice House, which sits right on Shem Creek is the place to be on a nice summer night. With outside seating and a bar, rooftop deck and water views of Shem Creek, you definitely want to add this to your list of must have restaurants. Also like the menu says, "It's as local as it gets!!" One look at the packed parking lot, you will know that you have made the right choice. With a casual, beach atmosphere, pull up a seat at the bar and indulge in some of the best food in Shem Creek. Keep readin' y'all to see the great eats and drinks I indulged in at my most recent visit. Open up the menu and you will see everything from Sea Scallops to Lobster rolls and a southern classic Lowcountry boil. Now please tell me y'all know what a Lowcountry boil is... if you d...

The Palmetto State scallops tomatoes with parmesan cheese

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Hey y'all! I know that it has been a while since I last wrote, but I have been testing out a lot of new recipes and discovering new places to go eat and I can't wait to share them with y'all! This one I am about to share with you is one that I got from my favorite Food network Chef Ina Garden! Ever tried her Scalloped Tomatoes?! If not this is one you will make over and over and one you will be craving each and every week!  Ready for a picture and the recipe?! Well keep readin y'all! Toasted bread in olive oil and sprinkled with parmesan cheese, this is one side dish that you will not want to pass up, and wont last long so you really won't have to worry about left overs!  This recipe has a serving size for six people and takes a total of 35 minutes to make. Whose ready for this amazing recipe?! Well keep reading and I'll share with y'all! What you will need: 2 cups of french bread sliced and cubed 16 plum tomatoes diced 1 tablespoon of diced ga...