Cookbookaholic

This Gal Walks Into a Burger Bar

A few weeks ago, I got an email from Bad Daddy’s Burger Bar introducing their new weekend breakfast menu. Hold on there…breakfast menu at a burger bar?

We’ve visited their Birkdale location several times and really enjoyed their fried pickles and burgers. It’s a great location and at night, that joint is jumpin’. So what in the world are they doing serving breakfast? Not to mention what in the world would they actually serve? They have a burger on the menu that is served with a fried egg—will it be just an endless variation of those?

The email went on to list the menu and my jaw dropped and drooled as I read through the items: French toast, pancakes, eggs Benedict and bacon. I’m a huge fan of breakfast and brunch—so this is something that is looking good to me.

I immediately showed the email to the hubby and suggested that he wake up early one Saturday morning and, as a family, we’d give the breakfast at Bad Daddy’s a try. Of course, this would all have to take place after I finished yard sales.

For two Saturday mornings in a row, I came home after the sales around 8-ish and attempted to wake everyone up to join me for breakfast. No one would budge. The first Saturday, I let it go. That second Saturday? Forget them, I decided to go solo. This gal isn’t letting this brunch get away.

Take a look at the menu:

I think you can probably guess where I started.

That’s Bananas….with a side of bacon.

And let me tell you…it was absolutely amazing. Hands down, this was the most incredible French toast I’ve ever had in my life. It was piled high with sliced bananas (was it a whole banana? It sure looked like it!) while swimming in a rich, thick and warm caramel sauce—dotted generously with chopped walnuts.

That first bite was game-changing. I treated that first slice like it was made out of gold. If you’re familiar with the amazing-ness that is Moravian Sugar Cake, then this tasted like a thinly sliced (almost deep fried?) version. I was so bowled over by the taste that I only ate the top slice and brought the second slice of French toast home for the hubby. He needed to experience this mouthful of heaven.

Needless to say, on my next visit a few weeks later—I kept both slices to myself!

 

Bad Daddy’s Burger Bar

Birkdale Village Location

8625-A Lindholm Dr.

Charlotte, NC  28078

 

Weekend Breakfast Hours:

Saturday: 8:00 am – 11:00 am

Sunday: 8:00 am – 11:00 am

 

Who’d Have Thunk It?

So, last night, the hubby and I went out to dinner. After some discussion, we ended up at the nearby mall and Firebirds Grill.

It’s a bit pricey and I had ordered The Desert Pear Margarita for myself—which was not cheap, so I wanted a less expensive entrée. Salmon seemed like a really good idea instead of steak and I am happy to report that I may have just found the most amazing dinner ever!

There were two salmon options and I went with the Sesame Crusted Salmon. The salmon was covered in a nicely crunchy sesame crust, topped with a ginger-mustard sauce and diced tomatoes. But the real reward for this meal was discovering the side of Fried Spinach.

You heard me….Fried Spinach. I know…I couldn’t believe it myself. But, it was the most amazing thing I’ve tasted in a long while. Paper thin, flaky, buttery—this is not your traditional side of leafy greens.

I couldn’t get enough…it even has a taste reminiscent of fried okra. It was such a revelation that I didn’t even pay any attention to the mashed potatoes. And that’s saying something!

Next visit, I’m asking for two helpings of Fried Spinach and hold the potatoes.

Review: The S’mores Cookbook

True confession: I never went camping when I was growing up. I was not in Girl Scouts. My very first s’mores experience was by the light of the microwave in my kitchen. Remember when microwavable s’mores were sold in little plastic packs at the grocery store? Would Nabisco have done something like that? Well, that was my first s’mores experience. And it was so goooooooooood!

I’d always loved the three parts separately: graham crackers, Hershey’s chocolate and marshmallows. You’re reading a blog by a gal that still keeps a jar of marshmallow crème in the cabinet. So, when I saw that The S’mores Cookbook (Adams Media, 2013) by Susan Whetzel (www.doughmesstic.com) was coming out, I jumped at the chance at getting a review copy.

  The S’mores Cookbook by Suzan Whetzel, Copyright © 2013 by F+W Media, Inc.

Used by permission of the publisher. All rights reserved.

If you’re wondering how someone can make an entire cookbook out of graham crackers, marshmallow and chocolate—strap yourself in for an amazing ride. We’ve got everything from S’mores Cereal Bars to S’mores Frappuccino. There’s even a Homemade Graham Crackers recipe that, alone, is worth the price of admission.

How about throwing off the traditional and stretching our expectations for a s’more? There’s a recipe for Reese’s Cup Fluffernutter S’mores that sounds like a really great idea. And you can roll this one right on over to me: Chocolate Carmel S’mores made with Rolos. Although, I think I would switch that up and use one of my favorites, Nestle Treasures Milk Chocolate Caramels. Although, I’m hearing a nasty rumor that those have been discontinued? Perish the thought! If so, I’m sure any of those caramel filled Ghirardelli squares will do just fine.

If you can find some graham flour at your grocery store, wouldn’t you love to try Graham Waffles? That sounds good even without topping it with chocolate syrup! Although there’s a recipe for S’mores Stuffed French Toast that looks awesome as well.

For more fancy schmancy desserts, I think the tall, three-layered S’mores Layer Cake, with its thick, gooey Marshmallow Frosting and coffee-infused chocolate cake, would cut an impressive figure at any gathering. And on a personal note to myself: the next time I have refreshment duty at church, I think I’ll have to try out the S’mores Puff Pastry Mini Tarts.

Check out Chapter 6 for “Grab-and-Go Treats,” I’ve already made the S’mores Cereal Bars with my childhood favorite Golden Graham cereal. The S’mores Turnovers and S’mores on a Stick aren’t far behind on my to-do list.

Remember when marshmallow-flavored vodka showed up about a year ago? And we all wondered, why? There’s a “Drinks” chapter that starts off with a S’more-tini featuring the flavored vodka and chocolate liqueur…so there you go.

The “Giftable S’mores” Chapter has a S’mores Popcorn Bag idea that had me at “hello,” well…more like they had me at caramel popcorn. It’s meant as a “giftable” treat, but I think actually sharing them is optional.

This cookbook contains a lot of delectable and interesting incarnations for the pretty simple ingredients of graham crackers, marshmallow and chocolate. Look to the final chapter, “Essential S’mores Recipes,” for Homemade Marshmallows, Marshmallow Meringue, Chocolate Ganache, Marshmallow Frosting, Homemade Chocolate Syrup, Simple Marshmallow Syrup and the previously mentioned Homemade Graham Crackers. These are certainly fantastic basics that could be easily transferred to other desserts to jazz them up a little.

So, raise your personal kitchen torches high in honor of Susan Whetzel and The S’mores Cookbook. I think we’ve got a must-have addition to any cookbookaholic’s collection. There are too many amazing recipes ideas in here to not have at quick reach!

 

p.s. I just got back from the grocery store and Nestle Treasures are now known as DeMet’s Treasures. Same packaging, just a change in the name.

Arby’s Salted Caramel Shake

Let’s be honest about this whole wave of salted caramel craze. I think it crested in popularity with salted caramel chocolates around Christmas of 2012. We’ve had a few proven hits (Salted Caramel Cupcakes at Sweet Bakery in Florence, SC) and some huge misses. Side eye honors go to you, Red Robin, and your chunky Salted Caramel Milkshake…so thick with rock crystals, I thought I was drinking the ocean in the form of a slushie.

Recently, Arby’s has been touting their brand new Salted Caramel Shake. If you received that sheet of Arby’s coupons in the mail recently, then you noticed it took up the bottom third of the page. Also notice that there was no coupon for the shake? Oh well…. It looked interesting, so I decided to give it a try.

For the price, you get a very large portion. The cup is generously coated with swirls of caramel along the inside. The shake itself is smooth, buttery, creamy and sweet. And when you get that combined with the small pink Hawaiian salt crystals—it’s really amazing. The salt is literally sprinkled on top as more of a treat and not overpowering. In fact, I found myself hoping for a little more salt to fold into the shake.

But let’s jump back for a minute to that very generously-sized cup. For all of my best efforts, I couldn’t make it through a whole shake! I really did give it the ole college try and only conquered half before I finally gave up. But I’m not deterred…I will try it again. That caramel shake is an unexpected delight!

I’m Obsessed: Orange Ginger Lemonade

Have you tried the new Orange Ginger Lemonade from LongHorn Steakhouse? Oh have mercy…

Last week, several of us on the marketing team went to lunch at LongHorn Steakhouse in Salisbury. They’ve got some new items featured on their summer menu. I was intrigued by the listing of an Orange Ginger Lemonade and decided to give it a try. I loved it…

When the glass arrives, the lemonade is practically glowing with the lemon and orange hue. Plus, there’s a thickly sliced wedge of orange that you can squeeze in for some extra juice. When you first take a swig, you can really taste the orange along with a deeper hint of the ginger flavor. Then, you get the strong tart lemon finish. It’s really flavorful. And did I mention addicting?

I tried the drink on a Tuesday. Thought about it all day Wednesday and went back for lunch again on Friday. And then again for Sunday lunch down in Huntersville. In the days in between, I even attempted to make a homemade version. That wasn’t too bad, either!

Come to think of it, I’ve been noticing a bunch of new twists on lemonade. Hubby recently ordered a Peach Lemonade at East Coast Wings which was a savory sweet followed by the lemon tartness. Plus, I’ve been seeing Watermelon Lemonade recipes popping up all over the place. Nice to see the summertime staple getting some makeovers!

Bonefish Grill Brunch

At last! I finally made it to Bonefish Grill to try out their new Brunch menu. When I first heard about this through a Bonefish Grill sponsored Twitter event several weeks ago, I was really excited to give it a try. Seeing Crème Brulee French Toast as a selection was enough to get me going.

So this Sunday, Dunc and I headed over to the Huntersville location. The brunch is available only from 11am to 2pm, so we got there right after they opened. As we were being shown to our booth, the host grabbed the regular lunch menu and the brunch menu as well. I was so happy to finally see it and hold it in my hands.

As you know, as a Southerner, I’m a huge fan of breakfast at any time of the day. Brunch is just a nice way of allowing me to have bacon yet again and something smothered in syrup. Yummmm.

I ordered the Crème Brulee French Toast with bacon. When it arrived, the presentation was really nice.

The bacon was thickly sliced and very flavorful—as you probably expected, I started with those two slices first.

The French Toast was served in three slices. You could taste the crunchy sugar glaze on top of the toast. You honestly didn’t need any syrup (but they’ll still bring you some, if you request). The mascarpone whipped cream, topped with fresh mint, gave the French toast a nice creamy taste. I ate every single bite and loved every morsel. Plus, when I had cleaned my plate, I didn’t feel overloaded—it was just the right amount of food.

I know that when I go back—and I will go back to Bonefish Grill for another brunch—I should venture out and try the omelets and frittatas…but I’m really loving the Crème Brulee French Toast! I would love to order and then line up the French Toast, Oscar omelet, California omelet and a chocolate croissant—and just sample each of them. That sounds like a great way to spend a Sunday. Happiness, indeed.

Interested in seeing what else they have to offer? Here’s a link to the Bonefish Grill locations offering brunch and the menu:http://www.bonefishgrill.com/Content/brunch-menus

Review: Tony Luke’s Philly Cheesesteak

As part of my job, I get to travel up to some great cities like Philadelphia and Pittsburgh. I’ve always heard amazing things about the Philly Cheesesteak sandwich but never really had much in the way of anything authentic. Unless Steak-Umms are authentic? Maybe not.

Now, don’t get me wrong. Of course, I’ve made a point of getting a Philly cheesesteak sandwich before. In fact, I ate my first “real” one at a restaurant inside the Philadelphia airport…but I was not impressed.

I’d heard that Tony Luke’s was a local favorite and I was definitely willing to give it a try. During a trip to Philadelphia this past summer, I finally made my way over to Tony Luke’s Old Philly Style Sandwiches. It was after 2pm, I was starving and ready to get the real deal Philly Cheesesteak.

Tony Luke’s Old Philly Style Sandwiches at 39 E. Oregon Avenue is a not your usual sit down eatery. You walk up to the window, place your order, pay and wait under the metallic roof/awning for your name to be called. And I do mean called loudly!

I opted for the Original without onions and slathered with Cheez Whiz.

A handmade sign advertised Chipotle BBQ Fries for a limited time. I took a chance and ordered them as my side. When my order was ready, I was amazed at how delicious the simple combination of bread, steak and cheese could be.

 

The bread was so soft and tasted like a cross between an Italian loaf and a biscuit. I honestly think half of the amazing taste experience is from the roll itself! I saw a delivery truck from Liscios Bakery dropping off a ton of rolls earlier; I bet this was fresh off the truck.

The steak and Cheez Whiz was a perfect blend of meat, cheese and saltiness. The Cheez Whiz is warm and melty and runs down your arm as you take a bite of the sandwich. Seriously, who would’ve ever thought you’d chase the Cheez Whiz to lick it off your hand? For someone who was ready for the real cheesesteak experience, Tony Luke’s did not disappoint. Why can’t they all taste this good?

Remember those Chipotle BBQ Fries? Amazing. Imagine the sweet, salty, smoky flavor of your favorite BBQ potato chips. Now, imagine it on a hot french fry. Mmmhmm…Yummy goodness. I know that sign said they were for a limited time only, but I think I’d go ahead and make Chipotle BBQ french fries a permanent selection to the menu.

I’ve had the opportunity to get back to Philadelphia a couple more times this fall. Luckily, every trip has also included a trip to Tony Luke’s. And come to think of it, I don’t think I need to bother with any other Philly cheesesteak joint. I’m good with Tony Luke’s.

Krispy Kreme's Key Lime KREME Pie Doughnut

For the last day of school, I decided to bring home some Krispy Kreme doughnuts for the boys to have before grabbing the last bus ride of the school year. When I was walking into the Krispy Kreme near my office, I noticed a door cling that featured their Fruit Stand Flavor doughnuts. The one that caught my eye? Key Lime KREME Pie!

I'll admit, when it comes to Key Lime Pie—I’m a fan. The online description of the doughnut touts it as “a tangy blend of key lime and KREME filling, white icing and graham cracker crumble.” This was a really intriguing flavor and I couldn’t wait to give it a try.  

The doughnut is filled with a light key lime pie flavored cream…sorry, kreme…then topped with white icing and graham cracker crumbles.

I gotta hand it to the Krispy Kreme chefs, they really know how to nail a flavor. The kreme really does taste like a light key lime pie. Emphasis on the word “light;” because once you get past the initial familiar lime tang, you wish for it to be a little stronger. 

The Krispy Kreme website also mentioned that this doughnut would go perfectly paired with one of their new fruit chillers. Their “Chillers” are slushies that melt really fast into what closely resembles a liquid lollipop. They offer lemonade, cherry or a blended version. I had actually purchased the cherry chiller and sipped it on the way home. It was super sweet and I couldn’t finish it…and keep in mind it takes me an hour to drive home.

I began to wonder if the super sweet chiller combined with the key lime kreme pie doughnut would’ve made some awesome cherry limeade concoction. So, of course, I went back the next day!

It was okay, but that chiller is supremely saturated in sugar. I spent a good part of the afternoon on a sugar buzz. Nice thought, but I think I’ll keep the Key Lime KREME Pie doughnut as a nice dessert treat this summer. This one is definitely not just for breakfast anymore!

 

It’s Always Cinco de Mayo Somewhere, Right?

The things I do for you people. I took it upon myself to test out two margarita options in honor of this Cinco de Mayo. Usually, I shy away from bottled mixes. Can we all agree that those usually taste like bad cough syrup? But I got an email from Williams-Sonoma focusing in their “All-Natural” Margarita mixes. So, I decided to pit bottled mixer against a recipe using fresh ingredients. For the fresh version, I used a very traditional margarita recipe from the Viva Margarita cookbook in my collection by W. Park Kerr.  And for the bottled mix, I made a trip up to Williams-Sonoma and snagged the All-Natural Key Lime Margarita Mixer.

For my Viva Margarita selection, I chose “The Ultimate Margarita, or Uber-rita.” It called for fresh limes, tequila and Cointreau. I substituted Gran Marnier and also added in a splash of fresh orange juice (per the “Tequila Tip”). It was mind-blowingly strong. Instant buzz even…

With the Williams-Sonoma mixer, the one liter bottle professed to being made in small batches for fresher flavor. It contained key lime juice, tangerine juice (both from concentrate) and sweetened with agave syrup. All I had to do was just add tequila. It was sweet and, with half the booze, it was easier to drink. I easily had seconds (and thirds even).

Who knows if Williams-Sonoma will keep this product beyond Cinco de Mayo? If not at the store, I would hope it would always be an available online option. There were two other flavors, Morello Cherry Pomegranate and Mango Passion Fruit, in addition to the more traditional Key Lime flavor. It seemed a little pricey at $14.95 a bottle, but I think you could get more than three generous batches for the cost. For special occasions that call for an easy drink with a sweet margarita, I think I would definitely splurge and grab another bottle. What’s that old saying? It’s always Cinco de Mayo somewhere, right? Wait….that might be the tequila talking!

Surprise Hit at the Big Game Celebration

We had a surprise hit during our Big Game celebration. As Mr. Colin is on a strict no-gristle diet, his usual meal plan includes grilled cheese, nachos & cheese and cheese pizza. All perfectly normal choices for a picky young man.

For the Big Game spread, Mr. Colin only asked for Papa John’s Breadsticks and the garlic butter dipping sauce. As I did my shopping at Food Lion, I found this in the frozen section.

Breadsticks with a garlic butter already on it. Plus, the price was super low at $2.49. I decided to give them a try. After scooting by Papa John’s and snagging a couple of garlic butter tubs, I heated the breadsticks in the oven and served them up on a platter with the dipping sauce. Very tasty and gone by the time halftime rolled around!