White Dishes and Why Does This Always Happen To Me???

Okay...the good news first. I have more white dishes!!!! They are the KA-yutest little things. I have the mama sized version and the babies have joined the party. Thank you for allowing me to carry on about such nothingness, but I am one excited chicklette.
Just look at how tiny the little baby is.

Now for the rest of the story...

I've come to realize that I have a real knack for discovering food items and falling head over heels in love with them, only to have them discontinued. What gives?? My Aunt Maxine and I had this discussion a few days ago and we listed several items that have fallen along the wayside that I enjoyed tremendously.

Here's a short list of gone but not forgottens:

1. Ruby Tuesday's bread sticks (some of y'all may be too young to remember these).
2. Bonnie shortbread cookies by Lance.
3. Lemon and Strawberry powdered sugar by Domino.
4. French Vanilla Creme coffee (the manufacturer escapes me - it's been almost 15 years and I STILL remember the oh so perfect taste of this coffee).
5. Cabot's Horseradish Cheddar. Mind you, I just discovered this in 2009 and could only find it in Publix stores in Macon. I was recently shattered to hear that it will no longer be available (per Mr. Publix Man).
6. Tostitos Sweet & Spicy Summer Salsa. I purchased a jar at Big Lots in Valdosta YESTERDAY only to do a little Googling tonight to find out that it's discontinued.

WHYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY do bad things happen to good people??? Okay, I know I'm being bit dramatic, but I'm heartbroken once again. I'll enjoy this one little jar and will be on the lookout for it in every nook and cranny of ALL the Big Lots in the state of GA.

This stuff is tasty, tasty, tasty. If you don't believe me, maybe you'll believe this guy. From what I've read about him so far, he's quite the guru on all things hot and spicy and he is definitely right about this salsa.

I think I'll try it on blackened fish tacos this weekend. Stay tuned...


Sheila Denise

306 North - Valdosta, GA

Happy New Year y'all!!! I'm finally back to blogging. I've been MIA for quite some time and I'm excited to be back. I thought I'd start with my first business trip of the year and in my EXTREME excitement, I didn't bring my camera along for dinner. It was taking a nice siesta in the hotel room. I do apologize for not having photos, but at least I'm blogging again, so please be happy for me.

I'm in Valdosta for a few days and I was on a mission to find great food and tonight I hit the jackpot. I discovered a very nice little gem, 360 North. I love everything about this restaurant from the bar to the wonderful food to the outstanding service. Oh, the name 306 North is also the address--306 Norh Patterson Street. Kinda cool huh??

Since I don't have photos, I'll describe dinner the best I can. My work boy bestie, Charles, and I, started with cocktails, of course. I had my usual Lemon Drop and Chuck had his usual Ketel One and tonic. We were both very happy with the outcome. They each had just the right amount of the necessary ingredients.

Now let's move on to dinner. I ordered the Roasted Pork Butt Quesadilla and Chuck had the Frito Misto (calamari). The quesadilla was served with Chipotle Salsa and Cilantro Creme Fraiche and the calamari was served with a Tomato Lemon Aoili. Both were very tasty, but I personally think the pork butt needed barbeque sauce to jazz it up a bit and the calamari was a wee tad on the crispy side.

The entrees, which were FABULOUS, were spot on. We ordered Chicken Cordon Bleu (early bird special and only $10.95) and Pan Seared Scallops. Both entrees came with a salad. I had a Spinach Salad and Chuck had the Mixed Greens Salad. The chicken was served open faced with a very nice mustard sauce and two sides (sweet potato mash and broccoli). An interesting deconstructed version of Cordon Bleu. The oh so succulent scallops were complemented with garlic mashed potatoes and the best grilled asparagus I've eaten in a very long time. Everything was perfectly prepared and beautifully presented. Y'all already know that I'm an all day sucker for presentation, so I was a very happy camper.

We managed to leave a little room for dessert and decided on the Caramelized Angel Food Cake with Raspberry Sorbet and the Pumpkin Pie Creme Brulee with Apples. I must say, I was pleasantly surprised by both dishes--in a very GOOD way. I've never been a huge fan of pumpkin, but this dessert may change my mind. Creme Brulee is one of my all time favorite desserts and the pumpkin twist was a nice change. The angel food cake was a crispy, sugary package on the outside with fluffy softness inside. The sorbet was just the right combination of sweet and tart. They were both a great way to end tonight's meal.

306 North is definitely a spot you should check out if you find yourself in the Valdosta area. I'm very happy that I discovered it and am thrilled to pass along my dining experience. Stop in and tell them Sheila sent you...they won't know who I am, but it kinda has a nice ring to it.

Sheila Denise

Crabcakes!!

I simply see no reason to limit myself to celebrating on just the actual date of my birth, so I celebrate from August 1 through Labor Day. Needless to say, the celebrating has completely interfered with my blogging ability. Having fallen off the blogging wagon, I'm attempting to redeem myself after being MIA for weeks. I've been caught up in the excitement of summer/my birthday. So here I am, on the last day of a five day hiatus from work and thought I'd clear a few photos from my camera.

At some point during August, I did manage to cook a meal or two and I actually have proof and thought I'd share a few photos with you.

I had a container of Phillips Seafood Lump Crab meat and decided to make crab cakes. I used this recipe from their website and I must say, they were just what I wanted. Crab cakes with minimal filler--what more could I ask for??

Here they are ready for an hour of refrigeration. I didn't want to take any chances with them falling apart.
In their olive oil and butter bath:
They didn't fall apart during the "flip" episode:
Out of the tub, drained and ready to eat:
On a comfy bed of black bean and mango salsa (with red onion, jalapeno, avocado and lime juice):
This was truly one of many high moments of August.

Sheila Denise

Georgia Peaches...One Of My Many Loves

OMG y'all!!! I just realized it's been a month since I posted. I do apologize, but I haven't had very much "home" time lately. I've got alot of making up to do.

As a peach lover, I think I need to dedicate a post to this deliciously versatile fruit. I'll continue to add peach-related photos, so check back periodically. I always anxiously await Georgia Peach Season and take a few trips to Lane's in Fort Valley, GA every year to take in the whole peach experience. My daddy, was a peach entrepreneur, so I've been exposed to "good" peaches all my life. Today, instead of traveling to Lane's, I "traveled" to my neighborhood Publix. I was pleased to see they had Lane's peaches AND they were on sale. I grabbed about 10--hopefully I won't eat them all today. I don't like super soft peaches, so I only purchase a few fairly firm ones at a time.


I was feeling rather lazy today, and decided to have a very light lunch while deciding what to have for dinner. I immediately knew it would include peaches but still wasn't sure what to eat. My go to option is often a salad and today turned out no differently. I decided to have a small, simple summer salad with arugula, peaches and goat cheese with a balsamic reduction drizzle. The bite of the arugula was a great backdrop to the sweetness of the peach and the creamy tartness of the goat cheese. The bitter-sweet notes of the balsamic reduction brought it all together beautifully. My taste buds were singing. It was absolutely delicious.


Balsamic Reduction:

1 1/2 cups balsamic vinegar
A few tablespoons to 1/4 cup brown sugar

Whisk vinegar and sugar in saucepan and bring to a boil. Lower heat to simmer and allow mixture to reduce and thicken.

Can be used warm, room temperature or cold. I store mine in a squeeze bottle in the fridge.

Sheila Denise

Ed McMahon, Farrah Fawcett, Michael Jackson

Condolences...

March 6, 1923 - June 23, 2009

February 2, 1947 - June 25, 2009

August 29, 1959 - June 25, 2009

Sheila Denise

Stacked Crab Salad

I was feeding my electronics habit at COSTCO a couple of days ago and left with a new mini laptop and a container of Phillips Lump Crab Meat. I don't know which excited me more, but I do know that I was on a natural high.

I tossed around the idea of making crab cakes, but decided I wasn't much into sauteeing anything for dinner, so I decided to make crab salad. Then I discovered that I had no crackers or crispy bread sticks in the pantry. So what was a girl to do?? Well, there was bacon and a small piece of iceberg in the fridge and I had tomatoes and an avocado. My meal was coming together!!

I do apologize for not having an actual recipe, but I rarely measure when I'm in my "what-will-I-eat-tonight" mode, but this is what I combined to make the crab salad:

Some crabmeat
A piece of celery, chopped
A piece of red pepper, chopped
A smidge of sour cream (didn't have mayo)
A squeeze of lime
Fresh cracked pepper

Then I began the stack in a large can on a plate. Covered with plastic and placed it in the fridge and allowed it to set for about 30 minutes. I zapped the bacon while the salad chilled and crumbled it and topped the salad. Dinner was served with a couple of drizzles of olive oil.


Sheila Denise

Caprese...Oh How I Love Thee!!!

This entry is dedicated to the onset of summer and the simple, yet oh-so-delicious Caprese. It's is a great way to welcome the season. Words aren't necessary for this, so I'll simply post various versions as I enjoy this wonderful salad over the next few months.


Sheila Denise