Food

Dining Outside the Home: T.G.I. Fridays in Indianapolis, Indiana

Dining Outside the Hone: T.G.I. Fridays in Indianapolis, Indiana! It’s not often you hear the story of a restaurant owner opening a bar that would help him meet women. But that’s exactly what happened in 1965 when Alan Stillman opened the first T.G.I. Friday’s in New York City. He probably figured a cocktail-style atmosphere with a unique décor would be more appealing than a dark tavern. He was right. Today, no matter the location, everyone has a good time for drinks and a casual meal. An upscale menu provides tempting appetizers that are a meal in itself, like the Spinach Florentine Flatbread. It’s A+, in my opinion. For a heartier appetite choose a popular entree such as the Half Rack of BBQ Ribs. Either way, you may find yourself unable to resist a nibble of everything on the table. Just remember to save room for dessert. The Brownie Obsession is exactly that!

Eating My Way Through the Holidays! Yuletide Favs: Yellow Bloomin’ Onion!

Eating My Way Through the Holidays! Yuletide Favs: Yellow Bloomin’ Onion! Nothing is more fitting for cold weather than an appealing appetizer that resembles a winter flower, in my opinion. Now you can make a healthy version at home by baking the breaded onion instead of deep-frying it. The last few minutes under the broiler give it a crispy finish that adds extra crunch to the delicious petals. And the dipping sauce….oh my gosh, you have to try it!

YELLOW BLOOMIN’ ONION

Ingredients:

1 large yellow onion

2 tablespoons flour

1/4 cup Italian bread crumbs

1/4 cup Panko crumbs

1/4 cup Parmesan cheese, grated

1 tablespoon Cajun spices

2 eggs, beaten

1 tablespoon milk

1-2 tablespoons butter, melted

Seasoning salt to taste

Instructions:

Preheat oven to 400°. In one bowl, combine the flour, bread crumbs, Panko crumbs, Parmesan cheese, and Cajun spice. Mix well. Set aside. In another bowl, combine beaten eggs and milk. Whisk together. Set aside. Cut the top side of the onion. Turn over and carefully cut the root side just enough to peel the outer skin of the onion. Leave the root intact as this will be the base and hold the onion together. Discard onion skins. In order to give the appearance of an open flower, 16 sections are made. With the root side up, place the knife 1/8″ away from the core and slice straight down. It is best to begin with quarters and then make 3 slices in each quadrant all the way around. Carefully turn the onion over and spread the “petals” apart. Dip the onion in the milk bath and wash it completely using a pastry brush. Carefully transfer the onion to the bowl filled with breading. Beginning at the bottom, cover each petal with dry coating. Again using the pastry brush, continue coating the petals until the egg wash is gone. You may alternate the egg mixture and dry coating to cover the petals. Transfer the onion to an oven-safe pie plate or dish. Cover with foil and bake for 15 minutes. Using hot pads, take the pan from the oven and remove the foil. Using a pastry brush, coat the onion with melted butter. Return to the oven. Bake 10 minutes longer, or until crispy. I set the broiler on High and broiled it for 4-5 minutes to make it extra-crunchy. Watch carefully so it does not burn. Remove from oven. Sprinkle with seasoned salt. Place on a serving platter. Serve with dipping sauce.

DIPPING SAUCE

Ingredients:

1/4 cup mayonnaise

1/4 cup Greek yogurt

3 teaspoons ketchup

2 teaspoons Lea and Perrins

2 tablespoons horseradish

1/2 teaspoon paprika

1/8 teaspoon cayenne

Instructions:

Combine mayonnaise, yogurt, ketchup, Lea and Perrins, horseradish, paprika, and cayenne. Mix well and refrigerate for one hour. Pour into a small cup and place in the center of the onion.

Dining Outside the Home: St. Elmo Steak House in Indianapolis, Indiana

Dining Outside the Home: St. Elmo Steak House in Indianapolis, Indiana! Known as the oldest steakhouse in its original location, a mere stone’s throw from the Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Monument in downtown Indy, is none other than St. Elmo’s. This is a place where people come to satiate their appetite for outstanding steaks, impressive shrimp cocktails, and a superior wine list that promises to complement any occasion. If you’re lucky, the award-winning wine cellar may be available for private dining and celebrations. I know, because I’ve been there. Not only is the atmosphere charmingly romantic being surrounded by thousands of bottles, but the professional waitstaff’s attention to detail is intoxicating. For the ultimate dining experience, choose St. Elmo Steak House.

Eating My Way Through the Holidays! Yuletide Favs: Norwegian Jarlsburg Cheese Spread!

Eating My Way Through the Holidays! Yuletide Favs: Norwegian Jarlsberg Cheese Spread! Sometimes you feel like a nut, sometimes you don’t. Jarlsberg cheese originated in Norway as a buttery mild cow’s milk cheese with a sweet nutty flavor. In some photos it may appear similar to Swiss cheese, full of holes, but in essence it is much smoother and richer. Don’t believe me? Order a grilled cheese sandwich made with semi-soft imported Jarlsberg cheese sometime and try not to faint when you are asked to pay a much higher price for this gooey better-than-generic extravagance.

NORWEGIAN JARLSBERG CHEESE SPREAD

Ingredients:

4 ounces Neufchâtel cheese

4 ounces Jarlsberg cheese, shredded

2 tablespoons mayonnaise

2 tablespoons red onion, chopped

1 can (4 ounce size) stuffed green olives, sliced

Sea salt, to taste

Cracked black pepper, to taste

1/4 cup chives, chopped

1/4 cup pecans, finely chopped

Instructions:

Mix together Neufchâtel cheese, Jarlsberg cheese, and mayonnaise until well blended. Stir in red onion and green olives. Add sea salt and cracked black pepper to taste. Form into a log. Wrap in plastic wrap. Refrigerate 1 hour. Roll cheese ball in chopped chives and pecans bits before serving. Spread into crackers or bagel chips.

Dining Outside the Home: El Nopal Mexican Restaurant in Louisville, Kentucky

Dining Outside the Home: El Nopal Mexican Restaurant in Louisville, Kentucky! Be bold. Slide into a booth as the staff quickly appears with a basket of salty, warm tortilla chips and a couple carafes of Mexican salsa. This is how to get the evening started at El Nopal. In a matter of minutes, two lime margaritas are delivered to the table. One sip reveals a burst of freshness followed by a citrusy finish. Why do we like Mexican food so much? Perhaps it’s the family atmosphere, the kick of spice, or the sizzling fajitas. More than likely, it’s the queso cheese! Am I right? Between the fresh veggies, the guacamole, and the refried beans, it all comes together for the perfect combination.

Eating My Way Through the Holidays! Yuletide Favs: Easy Energy Balls!

Eating My Way Through the Holidays! Yuletide Favs: Easy Energy Balls! Do you ever get those mid-morning blahs where all you want to do is go back to bed? Well, here’s a way to get a tasty boost of energy without the guilt of a candy bar. By choosing pure and organic ingredients, you not only reap the health benefits, but you also gain the satisfaction your tummy needs in order to feel full. Make up a batch in minutes, store in the refrigerator, then Grab and Go!

EASY ENERGY BALLS

Ingredients:

1 cup organic creamy dark roasted peanut butter

2/3 cup pure honey

2 cups flaked coconut

2 cups old fashioned whole grain oats

1 cup organic flaxseed

1 cup dark chocolate chips

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/2 cup ground nuts

Instructions:

Warm peanut butter just enough to blend well with the honey. Remove from heat and add coconut, oats, flaxseed, and chocolate chips. Mix well. Sprinkle in cinnamon and vanilla extract. Mix thoroughly. Roll into 30 bite-size balls, coat in ground nuts, and store in the refrigerator in a sealed container.

Dining Outside the Home: Germantown Commissary in Germantown, Tennessee

Dining Outside the Home: Germantown Commissary in Germantown, Tennessee! Housed in once stood for 60 years as an old country store, Germantown Commissary is now a famous joint for serving up Memphis-style barbecue. Known for its slab of mouthwatering ribs and pulled pork, with a side of deviled eggs, the portions are large enough to share or take home. And plenty of people do just that. Carry-out seems to be as popular as dining in. For me, the allure of being closed in at a cozy table amongst authentic memorabilia lends to the experience. After all, people used to come in to buy blue jeans and household items here. Nowadays, celebrities search them out to satisfy the urge for good old southern cooked comfort food.

Dining Outside the Home: Felicia Suzanne’s in Memphis, Tennessee

Dining Outside the Home: Felicia Suzanne’s in Memphis, Tennessee! Tucked comfortably at a corner table is like feeling on the edge of a party, in my opinion. The intimate atmosphere at Felicia Suzanne’s feels festive as distant conversations emit a slow buzz. This is Friday lunchtime, when 25-cent martinis set the stage for an unforgettable weekend prelude. Order it your way: shaken, stirred, or slightly dirty. No matter the choice, it all works well with the specialized menu of southern cuisine from local sources. I guess you could describe it as farm-to-table, with a white linen finish. Fresh lump crabmeat boulettes tempt the palate with a saucy kick of pepper jelly. In a word, delectable. Coming from a seafood lover, the BBQ Gulf Shrimp was a no-brainer as well. Every item has the stamp of Project Green Fork on it, but one visit doesn’t begin to complete the truly southern experience.

Memphis is Aglow with Holiday Spirit

Memphis is Aglow With Holiday Spirit! Take a romantic stroll down historic Beale Street where twinkling lights of towering Christmas trees become the backdrop for ancient evenings and distant music. The clip-clop prancing of horse-drawn carriages fulfill childhood dreams with fairytale endings. If you’re lucky, you may sneak a peak at whimsical gingerbread displays where marching ducks waddle in tune down gilded staircases lined with curiosity seekers. How do they do that? Outside again, parades abound. Holiday happenings and light shows illuminate the night with plenty of fanfare. Soak up the allure before checking out live entertainment in open-air courtyards filled with soulful blues. Dance a little. Laugh out loud. These are memories that linger on. Well done, Memphis, Tennessee.