2013 . NEW YEAR / NEW FOOD-GASMS!

Good Morning Everyone!

It's been quite awhile since I've posted.  Wipe your tears.  I'm Baaaaaaack!  LOL

Last season here at the inn was, as always, busy and we're looking forward to 2013 season here in the beautiful Ozark Mountains!

So do ya'll watch DUCK DYNASTY?  Well, Chris and I not only WATCH it, we're kinda IN LUV with it!  Miss.Kay, the family matriarch, makes some rockin' good-lookin' biscuits and she's kind enough to share the recipe on line.  Well, we made them. Well, they ROCK!

With it being low season right now we are not busy with guests but are busy taking reservations for the upcoming season.  We use this time to "chill" and do maintenance at the inn and ....try to come up with new recipes to create more award-winning breakfasts!

After we made Miss. Kay's biscuits (they're a food-gasm) we started trying to come up with a recipe that would be less expensive because her recipe calls for Pioneer Baking Mix and, as busy as we are, we'd spend a lot of $$$ on the mix.

Well, guess what?!?  We stumbled across a recipe in a restaurant cookbook that is no longer in business.  These biscuits are food-gasm worthy!  Bake Them!  Eat Them!  Share Them!  Bake More!  Eat More!  

We debuted them last weekend  ~ dressed with our homemade pork sausage gravy and guests RAVED!!!   Enjoy!!!


TWO INGREDIENT BISCUITS
Preheat Oven To 375

4 Cups Flour
4 Cups Softened Ice Cream (we used vanilla - you can use any flavor and add any ingredients!)

Mix ingredients ~ form biscuit shapes.  Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper and place biscuits on baking sheet.  Bake for 30 minutes or until done.

(makes 10)


 XoXo . Lisa
A Girl Cook
"Always Push The Parsley"

OkraLogic . A Girl Cook: SPRING-LIKE WEATHER = MY MOM's ROCKIN' BURGERS!

OkraLogic . A Girl Cook: SPRING-LIKE WEATHER = MY MOM's ROCKIN' BURGERS!: Good Morning! The sun is shining!  The birds are singing!  Green buds are popping on the trees!  The first day of Spring (03.20.12) is ar...

SPRING-LIKE WEATHER = MY MOM's ROCKIN' BURGERS!

Good Morning!

The sun is shining!  The birds are singing!  Green buds are popping on the trees!  The first day of Spring (03.20.12) is around our corners!  The temps over the next ten days in the Ozarks are crazy!  http://www.weather.com/weather/tenday/Eureka+Springs+AR+72632

SO, what does Spring-like weather mean to YOU?!?

Spring means so many things to me.  Spring means tulips.  Spring means Easter.  Spring means rain.  Spring means gardening.  Spring means fabulous sandals.  Spring means bermuda shorts.  Spring means fresh veggie pasta salads.  Spring means grillin' and chillin'!  Spring means A LOT of things!

Growing up, I have to say Spring mostly meant Easter was coming.  It meant I was dressed in a ridiculously frilly dress (with matching bonnet or hat) with white lace trimmed ankle socks and shiny patent shoes.  It meant I endlessly searched for hidden eggs on the lawn.  It meant we would put the top down on my Mom's red, shiny VW Bug.  It meant sundresses.  It meant hundreds of tulips (my fave flower in the world!) popping up on both sides of my Pappy's driveway.  It meant the ice cream truck would come down 412 Grace Street once a week.  And, finally it meant .......grilling!      http://www.tulips.com/

Present date, at the inn, we grill on The Big Green Egg.  Back then, it was a simple charcoal grill.  My Mom (to this day, I'm amazed she didn't burn Pappy's house down) loved to grill.  She grilled fruit.  She grilled vegetables. She grilled meat.  She grilled bread for appetizers when she hosted bridge parties.  She grilled e-v-e-r-y-t-h-i-n-g.     http://www.biggreenegg.com/

It was quite a production and quite a sight.  It began with the cleaning out of the bottom of the grill from the previous grilling extravaganza.  This meant she would scoop out the ashes and sprinkle them throughout Pappy's flower beds.  This usually involved her (a) dropping half of the ashes on the lawn on her way to the flower beds, (b) tripping up or down the brick steps from the patio to the upper lawn or (c) being chased by a beyond determined bee.  As I said, it was quite a production and quite a sight.  Mostly, I think Pappy encouraged her to grill as it kicked the chaos in the kitchen down a few notches.

I have to say, she was an excellent grill master!  As with anything she did, when she was determined, the end result was fabulousness.  Some of my best memories as a child are those spent on Pappy's back patio on "grill nights."  It was just all out good times.  It was the three of us being together.  It was being in the outdoors and taking it all in.  It was the smell of the charcoal and the grill.  It was sitting on the patio watching fireflies.  And, of course, it was the excitement of knowing something wonderfully delicious would soon be served!

My all-time fave thing my mom grilled was .....hamburgers!  I know what you're thinking...."Wow, Lisa ....that's so ....uncommon.  LOL  Trust me, my Mom's hamburgers WERE uncommon!  They were unique and delicious.  As I got older, she even let me in on her "secret recipe" and I helped her make them!  Below is the recipe.   I hope you find them as delicious as I did and still do!  Enjoy!

"Always Push The Parsley"
Lisa . A Girl Cook


RoCkIn' GoOd HaMbUrGeRs

It all starts with the bun!  My Mom used big, delicious onion buns!  These were spread with a VERY thin layer of mayo (both sides) and toasted on the grill during the last 5 minutes of grilling.  Don't forget this step!!!

For Four:

2lbs. ground beef
1 bunch scallions (diced)
1 large clove garlic (diced)
1 large tomato (diced)
12 fresh mushrooms (diced)
1 cup dill pickles (diced)
1 cup blue cheese
1 Tbsp. pepper
Hearts of Romaine Lettuce


Fire up your grill!

In a bowl, mix all ingredients together  - except the ground beef and lettuce.

Make 8 (not too thick)  hamburger patties.

Take two patties, at a time, and spread a layer of the mixed ingredients on one hamburger patty.  Place the other hamburger patty on top of the hamburger patty with the layer of ingredients and press the sides together, making seams.  You're making a stuffed hamburger!

For medium-well hamburgers, grill approximately 5 minutes on each side.  Depends on how hot your grill is, how far the coals are from the heat, etc.

Dont' forget - the last 5 minutes of grilling, toss your buns on the grill!

Place your lettuce on the bun and then your delicious hamburger patty on top of the lettuce.

We never added catsup, mayo or mustard as these are just a party of flavor in your mouth without the condiments!   :)

OkraLogic . A Girl Cook: SUNDAYS!

OkraLogic . A Girl Cook: SUNDAYS!: Good Morning Everyone! Hope your Sunday is off to a good start!  It's a slow, rainy morning in the Ozarks which is FINE by me because I'm...

SUNDAYS!

Good Morning Everyone!

Hope your Sunday is off to a good start!  It's a slow, rainy morning in the Ozarks which is FINE by me because I'm one of those chicks that LOVES the rain!  As a child I would be SO stoked when it rained!  I would put on my raincoat with matching hat and galoshes and go outside and jump in puddles until my legs couldn't jump anymore!  My Mom realized early on that it was futile to fight me on this!  This morning I'm enjoying some delicious java, checking email and listening to the rain.  It's a good Sunday morning!

I've always loved this song and, in my opinion, it's the perfect way to start off "your" Sunday!  Sing it Lionel Richie!  :)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R83A4CU1pus

Sundays were always eventful growing up.  Sometimes, Sunday was my favorite day of the week.  Sometimes....not so much.

If we were in Iowa, Sunday meant breakfast at SAMBO's!  I would order pancakes with extra "weiner sausages" which is what I called sausage links.  I would proudly wear my SAMBOS's t-shirt and I remember always being kinda sad when we left.  http://sambosphotos.com/   We'd get home and I'd either endlessly ride my Big Wheel up and down the driveway (until my Dad came outside to tell me it was hurting his head) or retreat to the basement where I had a playroom the size of a small village.  Mostly, I liked to organize my toys by genre.  What can I say?  Not the usual kid.  On a scale of 1-10 I'd rate Iowa Sundays a "5."

If were were in Suriname, South America it meant my parents slept in late and then drug me to the club where I had to endure riding around on the back of a golf cart totally embarrassed by their matching golf outfits.  My Dad's outfit was this neon blue and white shirt with white stripes and matching pants that, frankly, were too much for even the wild and wardrobe challenged Al Czervik in "Caddyshack."  My Mom sported the same shirt as my Dad's (designed for a woman) but it was red and white and she pranced around in a skort that emphasized her white chicken legs that she chose to accent with white socks with red pom-poms on the ankles.  Oh, I almost forgot - - - they had matching white golf hats - his had a neon plue pom-pom on the top and hers had a red pomp-pom on top.  Did I mention the pom-poms on these hats were the size of coconuts?  As I said, it was totally embarrassing.  Sundays in Suriname were definitely not my fave.    On a scale of 1-10 I'd rate Suriname Sundays a big 'ole fat "0."
http://www.worldgolf.com/golf-humor/caddyshack-quotes-golf-chase-murray-dangerfield-3331.htm

If we were in Brasil, South America it meant we would go to the downtown art fair where I always got something small and fabulous and then we walked down the block to CAFE AMERICANA and ate sinfully delicious cheeseburgers.  After that, it was back to the house and off to the club where I got to swim! Swimming was one of my faves.  I was actually a really good swimmer.  Good enough that I was on the swim team when I attended camp in the summers at CAMP SEQUOYA in Virginia.  Unfortunately, I had to sport a totally unflattering black Speedo and white swim cap but, hey, I kicked #@* in the butterfly!   :)    OR, we'd ride the cable cars to visit the Jesus statue.  That was always cool since, as I child, I was fearless of heights and it was funny to me that my Mom became a shade of pistachio.  Unfortunately, I'm no longer fearless of heights.  Basically, I'm a "heights wimp."
On a scale of 1-10 I'd rate Brasil Sundays a fabulous "10."
https://www.google.com/search?q=pocos+de+caldas+brazil&hl=en&prmd=imvns&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ei=MLFcT_v9FYXc2AXW15HzDg&ved=0CIQBELAE&biw=1515&bih=718

If were were in Mobile, Alabama it meant I'd spend the day in the backyard in the pool.  If it was raining then I'd play my records (Duran Duran, Huey Lewis & The News and Journey were my faves) over and over and over until my Dad came knocking on my door and said, "the neighborhood called and asked that you turn your record player off."  Yeah, he was always a warm and fuzzy kinda guy.  On a scale of 1-10 I'd rate Alabama Sundays a "4."

Well, you get the picture of some of my SUNDAYS!   This morning, I was checking email and had an "Okralogic . A Girl Cook" fan request the recipe for the chocolate cake that's shown on my Blog (there's a picture of it at the bottom of my Blog).  Of course I sent her the recipe and decided to make one on this rainy Sunday in the Ozarks.

So what's your Sunday going to involve?  Brunch pancakes?  Golf?  Swimming?  Baking? Napping? Cooking? Movie Watching?  ....all of the above?!?

For me, a decadent chocolate cake will be part of my Sunday.  So far, on a scale of 1-10 I'm going to rate this Sunday a "6."  Why not make a decadent chocolate cake a part of your Sunday too?!?

Below is the recipe!  Enjoy!

"Always Push The Parsley!"
 A Girl Cook

CHOCOLATE MADNESS CAKE 
 
 
cAkE iNgReDiEnTs 
1 pound bittersweet chocolate, chopped 
1 pound butter 
2 tablespoons Grand Marnier 
11 eggs yolks 
1 3/4 cups sugar 
11 egg whites, beaten until stiff 
2 cups dark chocolate chips (set aside) 
gAnAcHe InGrEdIeNtS 
8 ounces dark chocolate chips 
1/2 cup heavy cream 
gAnAcHe DiReCtIoNs 
Cook the chocolate chips and heavy cream in the top of a double boiler over 
simmering water until smooth and warm, stirring occasionally. 

cAkE dIrEcTiOnS
Preheat the oven to 300 degrees F. Butter and flour a 12-inchspringform pan. In 
a double boiler, over medium heat, melt the chocolate and butter together. Stir 
in theGrand Marnier. Remove from the heat and cool to room temperature. In an 
electric mixer, on medium speed,beat the egg yolks until pale yellow and ribbon 
like, about 6 to 8 minutes. During the last 2 minutes, add the sugar in a steady 
stream. With the machine running slowly add the chocolate mixture and blend 
until all of the chocolate is incorporated. Fold in the stiff each whites. Pour 
the batter into the prepared pan. Place the pan on the rack, in the center of 
the oven. Bake the cake for about 1 1/2 to 2 hours or until the center of the 
cake comes out clean with a toothpick. Remove the cake from the oven and place 
on a wire rack. Cool the cake for 15 minutes. Remove the sides of the pan and 
cool completely. Invert the cake onto a serving plate.   Spread the chocolate 
ganache evenly over the cake.  Sprinkle the dark chocolate chips over the cake 
and ....ENJOY! 
 

GET YOUR PICNIC ON!

Happy Saturday everyone!

It's been a minute since my last post.  It truly is my goal to blog every day.  As my followers know, Chris and I own a very busy B&B in the Ozark Mountains and it, more times that not, takes me away from OkraLogic . A Girl Cook.   But in 2012, I'm truly going to try and touch base every day! :)  www.mountvictoria.com

It's Saturday.  It's a beautiful Saturday.  The sun is shining on this beautiful Saturday.  I'm sitting here looking out the window amazed at how blue the sky is.  It's seriously like an oil painting.    On a day this beautiful it got me thinking about picnics I used to go on as a child.  Well, let me re-phrase that.  It got me thinking about FABULOUS picnics I would go on as a child.  Everyone loves picnics, right?  We offer picnic baskets at the inn that are a HUGE hit with guests - they just can't get enough of them!  http://www.mountvictoria.com/picnic.shtml

What do YOU think of when you hear - "let's go on a picnic!" - ?  I think MOST people think ~ sandwiches, cold pasta salad, paper napkins, brownies, fruit, cheese .......

Well, not my Mom.  They were a true original one-of-a-kind production.  She would start planning the picnic on a Monday.  She'd get her "lists" going on the kitchen table. You couldn't even see the top of the kitchen table.  Frankly, she looked a little nuts with a pencil over each ear wildly pouring over endless magazines and cookbooks with her glasses perched on her perfect nose.  It was a flurry of pure determination.  I learned early NOT to disturb her if she was "making a list."  We lived with my Grandfather and Pappy would say, "Leesie, dont' go in the kitchen.  Your mother is making a "list."  Yeah, I'm serious!  LOL  There were "lists" for appetizers.  There were "lists" for desserts.  There were "lists" for cheese.  You see, each "list" had (at least) 4-5 options.  That was on Monday.  On Tuesday there were 2-3 options.  On Wednesday, the "list" had been finalized with the category winners proudly displayed on a pice of paper where the cursive writing seemed to boast a little more flourish than on her previous "lists."  I assume this was due to the "list euphoria" she was experiencing.

In case you think this was the end of "the list", silly you!!  See, on Wednesday the "grocery list" would be created.  On Wednesday the "alphabetized grocery list" would be created.  On Thursday after work she'd go to the grocery store to fetch all the supplies and walk through the front door with a smile on her face like she had just won the lottery.   On Friday evening she'd stay up cooking 'till the wee hours prepping and dancing around the kitchen like a kid in a candy store for our super special and super fabulous Saturday afternoon picnic.

To this day, I am obsessed with making "lists."  Clearly, a genetic shortcoming.  And, yes, I alphabetize my grocery lists too.  HaHa!

The picnics were incredible.  The picnics were fun.  The picnics were one of a kind.  The picnics were a true one of a kind production.   One time we had a picnic on the front lawn under this enormous tree I loved to sit under and play Barbies.  One time we had a picnic at a lake where I fed the ducks ....who, chased me trying to bite my bottom ....but that's a whole other blog.  (haha)  Some picnics we'd build Play Doh animals.  Some picnics we'd have bubble blowing contests which I never won.  Some picnics we'd paint our faces like fairies.  Some picnics we'd catch worms and have worm races.  Some picnics we'd make necklaces by braiding flowers.  Like I said, these picnics were a true one of a kind experience.

My fave picnic of all time was one winter day.  I was 5.  We had a picnic in the living room in front of a fabulous roaring fire and toasted marshmallows....before we even opened the picnic basket.   I remember it was snowing.  I loved, and still love, the snow.  I wore my favorite green coat with the faux fur around the hood to the picnic.  The fact my Mom forgot to open the flue and the living room filled with smoke.....well, that just led to the whole one-of-a-kind picnic experience.  Pappy didn't seem to find it as funny as I did.  I remember I went upstairs and fetched my Fireman hat out of my toy chest and came back down and watched the chaos of my Mom running around the house opening all the windows and doors and fanning the air with a broom. I remember Pappy was running behind my mom closing all the windows and doors because, well, it was below freezing outside and snowing.  I remember I offered to get the hose from the backyard but my generous offer was quickly shot down.  Mostly, I remember that winter picnic in front of a fabulous roaring fire.

Are you wondering what we had at that fabulous winter picnic in the living room when I wore both my favorite green coat with the faux fur hood AND my shiny red fireman hat?  It was awesome!  It was incredible!  It was incredibly awesome.  And it all is below.  I attached a few recipes as I don't have all of my mom's recipes.  I still have her recipe box and all her cookbooks.  I still have a few of her handwritten recipe cards tucked away.  I still love picnics.  And, yes, that winter picnic is still my all time fave picnic!!

Go!  Get Outdoors!  Stay Indoors!  GET YOUR PICNIC ON!
"Always Push The Parsley!"
 ~ Lisa . A Girl Cook


MY ALL TIME FAVORITE PICNIC . WINTER, 1973

BEFORE THE PICNIC (I like mine when they have black on the edges!)
Toasted Marshmallows

APPETIZER (so much fun as a kid!  I have made these as an adult and they're always a hit!)
Black olive cream cheese penguins with carrot feet & red pimento scarves
http://allrecipes.com/recipe/cream-cheese-penguins/

CHEESE  (we both loved blue cheese!)
Blue cheese mini cheese balls
http://allrecipes.com/recipe/olive-and-blue-cheese-ball/

FRUIT
Papaya  (my fave fruit of all time!)
http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/dave-lieberman/papaya-smoothie-recipe/index.html

Bread (my fave bread in the entire world!)
Sourdough
http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/emeril-lagasse/basic-sourdough-bread-recipe/index.html

Entree (I love peanut sauce!)
Beef skewers with peanut sauce
http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/emeril-live/spicy-peanut-sauce-recipe/index.html

Dessert  (I am in love with coconut!)
Coconut cupcakes
http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/neelys/coconut-cupcakes-with-coconut-cream-cheese-frosting-recipe/index.html

HAPPY 2012 EVERYONE! NEW YEAR = NEW FOOD!

HAPPY 2012!!
I hope everyone ended 2011 on a rockin' good note!  It's been a LONG time since I've posted and no sense in going through all the blah-blah-blah as to why.

Most importantly, here I am!  It's a New Year!  New Food Ahead!  New Stories Ahead!  New Food Stories Ahead!

So I woke up this morning and was unusually hungry.  I really don't know why because we had fallen asleep to the Food Network and when I woke up two chefs were trying to come up with a recipe / figure out how to cook a cow tongue the size of a small Winnebago reminiscent of Cousin Eddie's RV in "Christmas Vacation."   ME:  :30 Fuzzy Stare At The TV ...."Really?"   http://www.hookedonhallmark.com/2009-Cousin-Eddies-RV--MAGIC-_p_30639.html

Regardless, I was hungry.  As I think most of us do, I walked into the kitchen, opened the refrigerator and stood there for a good :45 taking in all the options and letting all the cold air out.  ((I can't tell you HOW many times as a child I heard ...."Lisa-Margaret, close that door - you're letting all the cold air out."))  Clearly, that really resonated and "stuck" with me.   I shut the door, stared at the pantry shelves, opened the refrigerator again, stood there for a good :45 again taking in the options (like something had magically appeared since I last closed the door) and let all the cold air out again.

Nothing.  I got nothing.  I had nothing.  I was still hungry ....and a tad annoyed.

I started my coffee and stood in the kitchen staring out the huge kitchen windows into the sky .....and I saw our town's toddler-sized turkey buzzards circling in the sky.  A lightbulb went off - a kitchen lightbulb if you will.  Actually, an egg lightbulb.  I felt like MacGyver!  No, not really.  I mean, come ON.  We all know "MacGyver" would have created a human cannon machine to project himself into the sky where he would have then grabbed a toddler-sized turkey buzzard with his bare hands and used a pair of "Spiderman" web-like  cuff links he invented ((which could clearly double as cuff links to a swanky dinner soiree)) to swing in the sky - historic home to historic home - until he landed back at the B&B and cooked the toddler-sized turkey buzzard over a pile of sticks he ignited with, I'm sure, a swiss army knife and roll of duct tape.  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MacGyver

The town's toddler-sized turkey buzzards circling in the sky made me thing of ....EGGS!   It's not like they were circling the sky and dropping eggs.  It was more like  - what came first?  The bird or the egg?  It all came together in my head within minutes (I must admit, it was a little overwhelming with no java in my system) and I lunged for the skillet.  No, not really.  I just put the skillet on the stove.  Childhood memories came to me of my Mom cooking "birds on bread" for me if I had been what she called "a good behavior" the previous day.  Needless to say, this breakfast wasn't prepared often for me.  No, not often at all.  Actually, hardly ever.  http://web4.audubon.org/bird/BoA/F1_G1b.html

"Birds on Bread" was what I called two pieces of bread with circles cut out of them and an egg cooked in the middle.   My Mom was hosting a bridge party one weekend and, as I always did, I sat in the kitchen watching this beautiful, energetic "Betty Crocker had NOTHIN' on her" woman flutter around and create amazing dishes for her parties - - -  and this day she was making "birds on bread" but fancy-style with swiss cheese and chives and spinach and a Bechamel sauce.  My mom told me this was a "Birds Nest Casserole" to which I replied ...."No, it's not.  It's birds on bread."  Always the defiant one, I think my Mom had basically decided early on which battles to attempt to win and which to just admit defeat.  She smiled - with her perfectly coiffed hair and pink lipstick and an apron we would all die to have because it was just so pink and perfect - and said, "Yes, Lisa-Margaret those certainly are birds on bread. You're so smart to think outside the box and call it that."  To which I replied, "I know."  What can I say?  I wasn't a good child.   http://www.ebay.com/itm/VINTAGE-60s-Feminine-Sexy-Pink-Chiffon-Sheer-Apron-Flower-applique-/110786088148

I grabbed a skillet and 2 slices of Light Wonder Wheat bread.  I cut two circles out.  I cracked two eggs. I sprinkled sea salt & fresh ground pepper over this amazing creation in the skillet and waited.  Three minutes later, all was well in the world.  I slid those beauties out of the skillet and on to a plate, grabbed a fork and had a serious sit down with "birds on bread", smiling as I remembered that afternoon my Mom was fluttering around the kitchen with her perfectly coiffed hair, pink lipstick, and an apron we would all die to have  now because it was just so pink and perfect.

It's been a great morning.  You see, I had breakfast with my Mom

Xo .  A Girl Cook
"Always Push The Parsley!"

A LAZY PERSON IS LIKE A BOWL OF SOGGY CEREAL - IT'S JUST BAD

Hey!

Some of you might be thinking ....."where have you been?"  or "you're so lazy not to post every day."  LOL ~ I assure you I haven't been being lazy ~ just insanely busy!!  Busy is good cuz a lazy person is like a bowl of soggy cereal it's just BAD!  I can't even fathom eating a bowl of soggy Lucky Charms.  It would just be painful.  http://www.generalmills.com/Brands/Cereals/LuckyCharms.aspx

SO much has been going on!  Chris and I decided to convert half of the lower level of our inn, MOUNT VICTORIA BED & BREAKFAST INN into a store!!  We're anxiously waiting on our fabulous web designer to update our web site and Facebook page, which will each have a link to SHOPPE MOUNT VICTORIA!!  www.mountvictoria.com   http://www.facebook.com/pages/Mount-Victoria-Bed-Breakfast-Inn/113534055351711

The name ~ SHOPPE MOUNT VICTORIA!  Play on words - get it?!? :)  The store will reflect our love of home, antiques and life! :)

The grand opening is Friday, August 5th and we are beyond excited!  We have partnered with over 80 AMAZINGLY TALENTED artisans across the U.S. and Europe that has resulted in a large, eclectic array of unique handmade items not found elsewhere in Eureka Springs or in the United States as a collection.  From super kewl organic alien glow in the dark soap for kiddos to upcycled wine racks made from wine crates to .....SO much fabulous stuff!!   http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=171984989532094  "Yes!  We Ship!"

We're opening the doors at 11A on August 5th with SHOPPE 'N SIP from 5P-8P!  You can shoppe, nibble on the gourmet cupcake bar (made by our pastry chef, Lori Renko of  "Eureka Sweets") and sip on my bubbly champagne punch!  http://www.eurekasweets.com/

Thirsty?  Here's the recipe for the bubbly champagne punch we'll be serving!!!  Yummmy!!!  http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/drink/views/Pomegranate-Champagne-Punch-240761

There will also be a photo booth area with a DIVINE banner welcoming people to have their picture taken and grab one of the red rubber clown noses to be silly and fun!  (I'll post lots and lots of pics!!)

Gotta run - tons of merchandise to tag today - it's like Christmas every day here but Santa drives big delivery trucks, not a sleigh!!  http://www.squidoo.com/top-christmas-gift-ideas

Talk soon!  Have a faboosh day!
~ A Girl Cook
"Always Push The Parsley!"

What Happens When "Social Hour" Isn't ...."Social?"

SOCIAL:
adjective
marked by or passed in pleasant companionship with friends or associates

HOUR:

noun

the 24th part of the day : 60 minutes

Basically, we started "Social Hour" at the B&B to add to the already phenomenal value we offer our guests and to offer our guests something no other B&B in E-Town offers ~ a true, full-blown Southern hospitality "Social Hour."  Oh, and we wanted our guests to have FUN!  Oh, and we wanted out guests to be SOCIAL!

"Social Hour" is held on Wednesday and Saturday afternoons at five o'clock ~ delicious hors d'oeuvres, cocktails and fresh lemon iced tea are served as (usually) jazz flows through the inn.  Guests can chose to mingle with other guests and talk about the adventures and discoveries they experienced earlier in the day, "get the goodies" and find a secluded spot on one of the verandas or for the ultimate privacy, "get the goodies" and go back up to their suite.  The choice is theirs!

SO...what happens when "Social Hour" isn't "Social?"  Well, let me put it this way...I'd rather be in Hell with a broke back.  I was introduced to that charming saying by a couple who stayed at the inn a few years ago (and who have since been back) and who, frankly, make me LAUGH OUT LOUD.  And, I mean...OUT LOUD! 

I remember a "Social Hour" last Fall where we served divine meatballs (my Grandmother's recipe), homemade roasted garlic bread, and a butter lettuce salad tossed with candied cranberries, blood red oranges and toasted almonds.  I remember we served hot buttered rum.  I remember a guest from Texas monopolized the entire "Social Hour" by talking politics.  I remember she became more animated as the number of buttered rums she consumed increased.  I remember 7 other guests (one of them being her husband) looking at her like she had 3 heads. The look on MY face ~ I can't even begin to imagine.  People have always told me I would FAIL at poker b/c I "speak with my expressions.  Fortunately, we were not playing poker that day.  However, the food was a flaming success! :)

I remember a "Social Hour" where we served bacon wrapped scallops with a side of fresh pineapple habanero salsa, roasted red pepper / peppered bacon / gruyere cheese muffins, and juicy watermelon drizzled with a balsamic reduction.  I remember we served my ROCKIN' fresh fruit sangria.  I remember a guest, who was not quite playing with a full deck, brought her photo album of her dog (a miniature chihuahua named LuLu) dressed in various colorful, lacy outfits to share with the other guests.  I remember I started coughing to mask my laughter.  My laughter that was due to the expressions on the other guests' faces.  I remember one couple excusing themselves saying, "we need to call our nanny to see how our son is doing."  Ummm, that couple had no children.  However, the food was a flaming success! :)

I remember a "Social Hour" where we served bite-sized barbecue sandwiches, paper thin sliced red potato salad, and grilled pineapple skewers.  I remember we served pitchers of cranberry vodka fresh lemon lemonade.  I remember we had eight guests who made me want to go paint a wall and watch the paint dry because, frankly, it would have been more exciting.  I remember one couple arriving and the husband knew the wife of another couple but his wife did not and apparently that was not, as Martha Stewart would say, "a good thing."  I remember wifey glaring at Miss. PYT across the room with shooting daggers.  I remember thinking ...there is a major "story" here!  However, the food was a flaming success! :)

SO, let's talk food!  Today's Social Hour is our vine ripened fresh garlic bruschetta on fresh garlic rubbed bread, watermelon skewers with a reduced balsamic reduction for dipping, and NY Super Sharp Cheddar & Monterey Jack cheeses with water crackers.  We're also serving my ROCKIN' fresh fruit sangria (a guest favorite!), a copper tub filled with a variety of iced beers and fresh lemon iced tea.

SO, how about my bruschetta recipe?!?  Here it is!  It's super fresh, super healthy and super delicious! Go make some faboosh bruschetta and raise a glass ....in hopes that our "Social Hour" today is "social!"  

LISA's BRUSCHETTA

2 vine ripened tomatoes (diced)

1/4 cup purple onion (diced)

2 cloves fresh garlic (diced)

12 turns of fresh cracked pepper

Juice of 1 lemon

2-3 tosses of sea salt

3-4 shakes of extra light virgin olive oil

1 handful of fresh parsley (minced)

1 small loaf of bread ~ your choice (I use sourdough cocktail bread)

  ...brush with EVOO and pepper - bake at 400 for 14 minutes  ~ remove and set aside until ready to dress

Mix all ingredients in a bowl and refrigerate for at least an hour so the flavors can macerate.  Top your bread with the mixture and DIG IN! :)

OkraLogic . A Girl Cook

"Always Push The Parsley!"

Better Late Than Never, Right!?! :)

Yup ~ I'm SUPER beyond late with a post.  Ummmm, like 3 months late! LOL

Sorry ~ so much has been goin' on not only at the B&B (www.mountvictoria.com) but also personally.

Where do I even start?!?  Let's start with the B&B  ~ we're only in the month of May and we have been full 24 out of the past 27 days.  Most folks in E-town don't consider high season to really be high season until June  ~ we've just been rockin' and rollin' along and are looking forward to a phenomenal 2011 season!  Prior to the month of May we were busier than usual as well - knock on wood....it's a great problem to have! :)

At the inn, we modified Social Hour ~ we host Social Hour on Wednesday & Saturday afternoons with delicious hors d'oeuvres, cocktails & fresh lemon iced tea ~ we moved it from four o'clock to five o'clock in the afternoon.  http://www.mountvictoria.com/socialhour.shtml

We incorporated badminton on the lawn  ~ we have yet to have some serious players but have definitely witnessed some "unusual efforts!" :)  (zoiks!) Let's see, what else....we recently made AY Magazine's "AY's 2011 Best List" in the category of Hospitality / Bed & Breakfast Inn!! This was / is truly exciting as this recognition was / is 100%  voter submitted.  So, "Thank You!" to everyone who voted for us - we had no idea until we were contacted that we made "the list!" www.aymag.com

Personally?!?  WOW!  So, so much!  Last month I met my two brothers (who I "found" in January), divine sister in law and beautiful 7 week old niece!  Enough said ....there really are no words to describe this ....any word I can think of just simply is not fantastic enough of a word!  I spent a week re-learning what the term "family" is about / what it means.  I came home and was filled with so many emotions ~ I was so emotionally raw yet simultaneously so ecstatic - it had been a long time since I opened myself up so much and put myself out there into the unknown ...willingly so.  It meant enough for me to find out so I did it ....a decision I will never regret.  A decision that has left me believing clouds truly do have silver linings! :)  Better Late Than Never, Right!?! :)  Mostly, I'm counting the days 'till I go back in September! (smile)  Oh, and did I mention I'm going back ON my birthday!??!  Rollin' in a birthday with family ....the best birthday present I could ask for.  Ever.  Period.  http://www.cafeastrology.com/zodiacvirgo.html

Moving on ~ let's talk FOOD!  Ate some ROCKIN' sushi last month when I was out of town.  Came home and was still craving it so much I decided ....against my better judgement....to give a sushi place located about 10 miles from E-town a whirl.  Not such a great decision.  I kinda got the feeling it was truly one of my worst decisions when I bit into my first sushi roll and it was HOT.  We'll just leave THAT there.  Never would have been better.  LOL  Here's a super kewl link with the faboosh Anthony Bourdain and ....sushi! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yuhu4QZJZyw

Let's see what else ~ I re-vamped our strata recipe at the inn ~ carmelized onions is just one of the "new" things.  Gave the strata a whole new vibe / kick vs the raw diced onions I was putting in it.  I also omitted the green apples ~ Chris and I had been going round and round about the apples since the inception of the strata and I finally came around to his way of thinking.  Better Late Than Never, Right!?! :)  http://simplyrecipes.com/recipes/how_to_caramelize_onions/

I remember my Mom loved her some onions.  Onions were a large part of my life growing up.  Surprisingly, as with most things my Mom attempted to "entice" me with, I didn't oppose the onions.  Now, I don't mean I chomped on a raw onion for breakfast but I did like onions and, present day, carmelized onions are my fave way to enjoy the good 'ole onion.  I remember her past food battles she lost with me ~ the green pea, pickled herring, liver, grapefruit.....well, you get the idea.  I can still hear her..."Now Lisa Margaret this (insert the food here) is good for you and will make your hair long and shiny."  I can still remember thinking..."REALLY crazy lady?  I've already GOT long, shiny hair!" LOL  At least I have good taste, right? Oh, and present day, I chose to indulge in cheeseburgers with mustard, cheese, pickles and ONION. :)  If I'm feelin' wild and crazy I'll toss some lettuce on there and butter lettuce is my fave!

Here are some fab strata recipes ~ if you'd like MOUNT VICTORIA's strata recipe, please shoot me a message and I will happily send it to you! http://www.foodnetwork.com/search/delegate.do?fnSearchString=strata&fnSearchType=site

Gotta get back in the groove of my daily postings but I'm back and I'll talk to ya'll tomorrow!
 Better Late Than Never, Right!?!" :)

"Thank You!" to each and every one of my followers ~ I appreciate ya'll so much! :)

OkraLogic . A Girl Cook
"Always Push The Parsley!"

Winners! Worst & Best! Breakfast!

Good Morning Everyone! :)

Here is a complete list of last night's Oscar winners!   http://www.moviefone.com/oscars-academy-awards/nominee-winner  Were you / are you surprised?

And here are last night's "Worst Dressed" ~ looks like I was COMPLETELY wrong about Sharon Stone as she was described as a "black swan gone mad."  Ouch. That's just mean!  http://www.moviefone.com/oscars-academy-awards/photos/worst-looks

And here are last night's "Best Dressed" ~ personally, I think Halle Berry, wearing a gorgeous Marchesa gown and 10-carat diamond Neil Lane earrings, stole the show!

So what's for breakfast this morning!??  I wonder what the rich and beautiful in Hollywood are having?  Heck...I bet half of them haven't gone to bed yet!!

We don't have any guests at our B&B this morning (we do have two couples checking in today) so Chris is sleeping in with our dog Molly and I'm pondering some options!

*My Banana Dark Chocolate Chip Pancakes Drizzled With My Peanut Butter Syrup
*Kashi Go Lean Crunch With Slender Soy Milk + Blueberries & Strawberries w/ Sugar Free Honey
*An Egg White Omelet With Feta, Purple Onion & Grape Tomatoes w/ Fresh Garlic Turkey Bacon
*Go Back To Bed  (LOL!!)

Any thoughts?  Comments?  Feedback?  Let Me Know!  I really DO want to hear from ya'll!  :)

Always "Push The Parsley!"
~ A Girl Cook

Oscar Worthy ~ Roasted & Toasted! / The Best & The Worst!

First, an apology to my followers ~ I am SO sorry I have not been consistently posting every day ~ the B&B biz has been kah-ray-zee lately!  To my new followers, ("Welcome!!") , my husband Chris and I own a B&B nestled in the Ozark mountains. Be sure to check it out in the right hand column of my Blog page and become a Facebook fan!

Don't misunderstand - I'm not complaining about how low season is slowly coming to an end - we're just busier than normal - again, "a good thing!" as Martha Stewart would say!

So tonight is the biggest entertainment event of the year!  The 83 Annual Academy Awards Ceremony, hosted by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, will be presented by James Franco and Anne Hathaway at the Kodak Theatre in Hollywood.   ABC will air a live telecast at 8 p.m. ET.  Personally, I can't see Franco and Hathaway doing a better job  than Alec Baldwin and Steve Martin last year but, hey, that's just me!  http://www.nj.com/oscar-awards/index.ssf/2011/02/oscars_2011_james_franco_and_anne_hathaway_crank_up_the_charisma_as_hosts_watch_the_video.html

The first Academy Awards were officially presented at a black tie dinner at The Roosevelt on May 16, 1929.  It seems as though the "stage was set" for elegance on that date via the formal attire.  One would hope the stylish Oscar traditions would have continued throughout the years but...not so much!  There have been some Oscar fashion disasters to say the least!  How is it these A-List Actors have F-List fashion sense?!!?

My personal top three Oscar fashion disasters are:

 (1) Sally Kirkland's in 2007  ~ she looked like a hundred year old butterfly that had mated with a hundred year old vampire, tossed on a Dolly Parton wig, forgot to wear a bra and called it a day.  Just gross.

(2) Bjork in 2001 ~ I don't even know where to begin ...a swan dress?  I mean, come on.  I feel she personally desecrated the beautiful, elegant swan that year.  I firmly believe any children or tweens that were watching that fateful night in 2001 were permanently scarred.  I firmly believe mothers of these children or tweens had to spend hours explaining to their distressed offspring that, no, that was not a real dead swan wrapped around that lady's neck.  I mean, what did Marjan Pejoski's dress even MEAN?  What a complete and utter FAIL.

(3)  Faith Hill in 2001 ~ reminded me of a tie die t-shirt but worse. I wondered if her children had dipped her dress in three different pitches of Kook Aid.  I wondered if she had been drinking "special Kool Aid" when she was getting dressed that night.  Mostly, I wondered ....do you own a mirror?   Such a beautiful woman.  Such a talented woman.  Such a Oscar fashion disaster!  

These three were roasted & toasted!  They were some of the worst!  Hopefully, they each immediately fired their fashion consultants that evening!!...via phone while they were AT the Academy Awards!!  LOL!!
http://www.toofab.com/2011/02/23/oscars-academy-awards-fashion-disasters-worst-oscar-fashion-bjork-cher-photos/

So who's considered to have been Oscar fashion stars?  My personal top three Oscar fashion stars are:

(1) Sharon Stone in 1999 ~ no one else could pull off pairing a lavender Vera Wang ball skirt with a white Gap button down from her husband's closet!!! And I mean....NO ONE!!  This chick is beyond cool in my book - she not only made headlines but she made everyone's best dressed list!

(2) Audrey Hepburn in 1954 ~ when she accepted her Best Actress award for "Roman Holiday." She wore a sweet, floral adorned belted Givenchy gown and could not have looked more beautiful or more elegant.  Her classic, elegant style is still main stream today.

(3) Farrah Fawcett in 1978 ~ this was during the prime of "Charlie's Angels" and she was, of course, the "IT" girl married to the very handsome Lee Major.   Her dazzling smile, golden locks and all American California good looks were matched that evening with a slinky gold mesh drop-waist gown and shot her to stardom!

These three were some of the best!  Sadly, Audrey Hepburn and Farrah Fawcett are no longer with us.  Miss. Hepburn lost her battle with cancer on January 20, 1993 and Miss. Fawcett lost her three year battle with cancer on June 25, 2009.  Both truly beautiful and talented women.  I don't know if Miss. Stone plans on attending the Oscars tonight but if she does, I'm confident she will be an Oscar fashion star!

So what about tonight?  What do we have in store for us?  Who will be roasted & toasted?  Who will be the best and the worst?  Check out what PEOPLE magazine is saying!
http://www.peoplestylewatch.com/people/stylewatch/package/redcarpet/0,,20449766,00.html

So what about you?  Are you going to watch the Oscars tonight?  Are you going to have friends over to watch the Oscars tonight?  Are you having an Oscar themed watch party?  If so, what will you be wearing?  If so, what will you be serving?

Me?  Yes, I'll watch them.  No, we're not having friends over for an Oscar themed watch party - sounds fun though!  I'll be chillin' out in a cashmere sweater and yoga pants on the couch with Chris.  Who will be Roasted & Toasted tonight?  Who will be The Best & The Worst Tonight?   I don't know!  It's Greek to me!

However, food is a different story! I'm whippin' up an Oscar Best!!  Below is the menu!

OSCAR MENU
____________

To StArT: Sourdough toast points brushed with fresh roasted garlic and served with a fresh, diced organic grape tomato and English cucumber "salad."

To TeAsE:  Soft butter lettuce mixed with organic grape tomatoes, purple onion, organic Mediterranean capers, English cucumbers & Feta cheese - drizzled with my fresh, homemade oil free herb vinaigrette.

To EaT:  Butterflied Greek chicken served with fresh oregano couscous and topped with Kalamata olives and delicious Feta cheese.  I love Feta cheese!  :)

DeSsErT:  Organic strawberries topped with freshly whipped vanilla bean cream


You see anything you like?  You see anything you'd like a recipe for?  Give me a shout out!  Post a remark and let me know!  Let me know what YOU are going to be doing and wearing and serving tonight!

Always "Push The Parsley!"
~ A Girl Cook