Keeping it simple... keeping it real

Hello Friends!

Today, I'm going to write with my 'Southern' hat on.  I experienced something this weekend when we were dining in Newport that I can't shake.  So naturally, I need to write about it to get it out of my head and into yours.

To begin, I need to make a few sweeping general statements:
1) We live in the United States (by 'we' I mean me and most of you)
2) I come from the Gulf Coast of Florida, raised by fine Southern folk, so I know thing or two about what's going to be shared.
3)  I am not impressed by restaurants or people who attempt to fancify (is that a word?) southern cooking into something it isn't. 

So let's get to it... Shrimp and Grits are THE SAME THING as Prawns and Polenta.  I'm not talking about dishes, I'm talking about actual little shrimps and actual corn grits.  We do not live in Australia or Spain, and unless a restaurant or cuisine is specifically themed so, I feel that the more commonly used words here in the old U. S. of A are shrimp and grits.

I did a simple Google Images search and got the following:

GRITS

POLENTA

SHRIMP

PRAWNS

I'd love to know if you can spot any noticeable differences in the above pictures that would help you determine one from the other.  I'm guessing NO.

Now for my Low Country friends, you know a thing or two about a proper bowl of Shrimp n' Grits... this just isn't two random ingredients thrown together hap hazzardly.  This is an amazing combination of flavors and texture that comes together as an explosion of goodness in your mouth.  It's also a very commonly understood phrase in the South.  You'll see Shrimp n' Grits on many a menu or in many a Mema's or Nana's kitchen.  This dish is a staple for breakfast, lunch, or dinner.

That said, I feel that in other regions of the country, folks try to turn this low country (if you don't know what low country means, click here) favorite into some high class, over priced, fine-dining entree by calling the shrimp "Prawns" and the grits "Polenta".  Now I know that in Spain, it's really called polenta and that there is actually a slight difference in the particular corn grain used between grits and polenta.  BUT- these names shouldn't be swapped out just to sound more sophisticated or worldly.

You can imagine my dismay when I sat at a restaurant in Newport this weekend, one we LOVE and visit often, and as I scanned the menu I saw "Shrimp and Polenta."  What the... seriously?  Don't try to church it up by substituting polenta for grits.  If you want to try your hand at a southern dish... you darn well better keep the Southern in it!

OK. I feel better now. I have a feeling that some proper shrimp n' grits will be happening in my home in the very near future.

Yours in southern pride,
Whitney

Blast from the past

A Thursday quickie

Last week I was in Target buying more dog stuff for the little miss and decided to grab a few grocery things too.  Our Target, and likely yours too, have these new lights near the freezer food that turn on as you approach and off as you walk away.  It's like a disco of freezer food if you move quickly.  Anyway, I was drawn in by the lights and ended up going home with a bag of tater tots.  After the stress of the new dog, new routine,and boat load of money I spent on her last week, I thought I'd treat us to a good old blast from the past... cafeteria style.

And, these babies are gluten free to boot!  I know white potatoes aren't paleo, but they are very good for bone density in women so I figure you win some you lose some.
Last night we finished the bag, which is surprisingly a lot of tots for the $.  They were as great as I'd remembered and I think we'll be set for another 10 years before we need to have them again.  It's funny how sometimes in your dark moments you revert back to your old comfort foods from childhood, or whenever.  But one bag is enough to remind me why we work hard to eat healthy and only indulge every now and again.


-whitney

Say it ain't so

Well, the day has come. A friend to some, a secret treat to others, and an enemy to even more is going into retirement.  This morning during my work commute, NPR reported that Hostess, maker of Twinkies, HoHo's, and Wonder Bread is going to be closing up shop.  They've filed for chapter 11 bankruptcy, according to this article: By by Twinkie

Tim Boyle/Getty Images

I remember hearing stories as a kid of people saying you could bury a twinkie for 20 years and dig it up and it'd be edible and in the same form... which is both alarming and fascinating.  I'd like to think that Hostess was doing away with these treats because they were interested in making healthier food for the masses.  It's certainly sad to see another US company that dates back to long before my 32 years failing and unable to meet it's commitments. 

Perhaps there will be some savior to swoop in and buy Hostess.  Perhaps Twinkies will live on and we will still have grilled cheese sandwiches on Wonder Bread... who knows.  This is a paleo eater's dream, and a second grader's nightmare.

Stay cool, Twinkie.  K.I.T. 

-wd

BUSTED... at the seams

Happy New Year!  Warm wishes to you for a year of joy and prosperity.

Like everyone, I can't believe another year has gone by and I'm sitting here at day 3 of 2012!  Dang. I'm gettin' old.  And you know what else I'm gettin'?... too big for my britches... literally. 

I don't know how people make it through the holiday season still clothed.  I feel like the last two weeks have caused me to nearly bust the seams of most of my form fitting garments.  Not to worry, it's nothing two weeks of some good old fashioned crossfit and vegetables won't fix, but it still feels crazy to think that when the holidays roll in to town, I have to be rolled out the door.  Sigh.  Willpower, where have you gone? 

I do love a good fresh baked treat, and egg nog, and wine, and cheese, and stuffing, and... and... and.  It's so easy to choose lounging and football over spin class.  Or drinks and dessert with friends over crossfit.  But just like Christmas, those things come and go and what's left is the bad feeling of guilt and discomfort as your jeans cut into you like the knife you used to spread that extra pat of butter.  Mmmm... butter.

So here's to a New Year.  A new start.  Getting back to the gym (this is NOT a resolution- it's for real).  Cooking at home.

Until next year chocolate pretzel bark with your salty and sweet allure, magic bars with your coconut temptation, Godiva gift box with your map of chocolate goodness, egg nog with your ability to make my coffee so much tastier, bejgli with your special Hungarian way of reminding me of Christmas baked goodness, and homemade cookies with your sweet decorations and sparkly sugar on top.  You are all locked in to the memories of 2011.

I hope you all had a wonderful holiday season and that the New Year has kicked off in style for you.

with love,
Whitney

Treat Yourself Tuesday

Well, friends. I've made a discovery. Not in the way Columbus supposedly discovered America, but a discovery at Whole Foods. Yep. The grocery store.

Today, I write to tell you about the Japanese Sweet Potato.  This is no ordinary sweet potato- there's no bright orange center, and the skin on the outside is darker and rougher (is that a word?) than the average SweetPot, but I think that's all part of they mystery of this wonderful food.

I had finished swim practice for my swim across the sound ( https://give.stvincents.org/sslpage.aspx?pid=564&tab=0&frsid=1187 my shameless plug for support), and I stopped in to Whole Foods to grab some groceries for the week. I saw a fellow CrossFitter checking out these mystery potatoes so I followed along. Boy, am I glad I did.

Behold, the Japanese Sweet Potato!  While this little baby looks similar to a buttery, yummy baked potato, I assure it's not! Not even close. This potato has more sweet and delicious flavor than it's bright orange counterpart, and is definitely more nutritious than it's Idahoan cousin. 

SO... treat yourself!  Check out your grocery store or Whole Foods and see if they have them. No butter necessary, although a sprinkle of cinnamon might be lovely.  If you find them, let me know what you think and how you prepared them.  In the pic above, I wrapped it in saran wrap and microwaved it for 5 minutes for my lunch at work. Quick, easy, and wonderful.

yours in sweet love,

Whitney

A girl and her grill... a love story.

We recently purchased a grill. A real, official, grown up, GAS GRILL!!!  Sadly, I think I was more excited about the grill than Mike was, but he was gracious enough to set me free at Lowe's in search of 'the one.'  With Mike's truck keys in hand and a taste for a grilled burger in mind, I was on a mission.

After a 30 minute Q & A session with Jim from Lowes, I was loaded up and on my way home with this new baby:

Ain't she a bute?  There are so many things to consider when making a purchase such as this.  I think gas is a given, or is it?  And- do you need the side burner, or does it take up space and get used rarely?  What's the difference between infared heatingand just regular gas burners?  Does it matter?

I was blown away by all of the options available for a novice griller. I mean, seriously- Lowe's even sells BBQ sauce and cook books in the grill section. I'm sorry, but I'll save my edible items for a store that remotely resembles a grocery. But, I did fall victim to the allure of the scrubby bruch/scratch pad thing and the matching set of tongs, prongs, and spatula. Mike made me return them for 'smaller' ones because we don't have Go-Go-Gadget arms, apparently.

Soooooo... with that said. I'm working on capturing some of my grilling masterpieces on digital film to share with you. Stay tuned for that.  I only wish I could share the wonderful smells of cooking hunks of meat and veg with you through this blog.  If any of you have a spare white grilling chef hat (You know, Like at Long Horn and Texas Road House) feel free to mail it to me at the beach  :)

Yours in grill marks,

Whitbo

Sponsored by the letter 'F'

Recently, Mike and I had a small group of wonderful people over to our sweet little condo on the beach to enjoy some food, friendship, and F-U-N!  It was Memorial Day, and although not a day of 'celebration' per se, we enjoyed having some people we hold dear over for a little playtime in the sunshine.

I've found that at 31 years and counting, I have so much more appreciation for the aforementioned 'F' words and realize how valuable they are.  As a youngster and adolescent- even as a college student- I think I (really, we all) took forgranted the fact that friendships won't always be as close or strong or easy to keep.  Fun gets better and takes on new meaning as a hard-working adult.  And, I have to say, my food horizons have been greatly expanded since the days of Boston Market side items and left over Panera sandwiches. 

I'm so thankful for the wonderful friends I've made here in the Nutmeg State and on my journey to end up here.  I'm reminded of so many great Memorial Days past and the wonderful friends old and new that I've spent them with.  In reflection, I realize how much this mean as an adult.  How much work they take, and how steadfast they can be despite time and distance.  Instead of a class of 400 of my 'closest friends', I'm now able to maintain friendships that are meaningful, built on mutual interests and activities, and able to withstand differences, debates, and periods of quiet and time apart.  Ahhhh...

Gathered 'round the table

Ryan and Sarah- yeah!

Thumbs up for Adam and Liz

Back to the food.  Mike put together our new, grown-up GRILL the day before the big day-o-fun so we were able to grill it up with some of our favorite cook-out foods.  I made some delicious burgers (if I do say so myself) and BBQ chicken, and we grilled up the other favs including brats, dogs, corn on the cob, and so much more.  Nothing kicks off the start of summer like a good grill shesh.  I love a good cookout where people brign a dish or two because it's a great way to try new and interesting food, experience other people's traditional cookout food, and most importantly... chow down! 

Some of the yummy food

The day was spent playing in the sand here at Walnut Beach in Milford.  We had a little frisbee action, some ladder ball,  splash time in the ocean, a lovely walk on the boardwalk, and several rounds of Flugel and Beer Pong to round out the evening.  It's funny how the simple, inexpensive, outdoor things are the go-to fun these days. I'm happy to exchange elaborate plans, expensive trips or tickets, and stress of must-have fun for the simplicity of a beach towel, a frisbee and a deck of cards.  These are the things our parents always told us about, right? It's not the places or the stuff... it's the people and the experiences.

I'm looking forward to a summer filled with more Food, Friends, and lots of F-U-N!  Cheers to the incredible 'F' words in your life!

All the best,
Whitney