Strawberry Season!

It's Springtime here in the South and that means it's strawberry time!  Honestly, this is really the only time of year that I even like strawberries.  There is just something different about locally grown fruit. 

Near our house is Cottle Farms, which has been growing strawberries in Columbia pretty much my entire life. Maybe even longer than I've been around, I'm not sure.  It's a huge operation and our kids love going out to the farm to pick their own berries.  If you've never gone, you should.  A word of caution though.  Don't let yourself get carried away and bring home 3 buckets full. It's easy to get all excited and keep on pickin' but remember, the berries go bad if they hang around too long and you can always go back to the farm when you need more!


We went out after school on Monday and the strawberries are gorgeous.  Bright red, glossy and plentiful.  Years ago, I came across one of the kookiest recipes ever.  It was in a magazine, although it's been so long now, I couldn't even begin to tell you which one it was. It was for a turkey and strawberry panini.  I know, I know.  Sounds insane, right?  Well, it's not.  It's been years since we made these sandwiches, but when I saw this year's crop, I decided it was time to bring back the panini.

Here's the skinny...Get a loaf of fresh Italian bread from the bakery.  Give it a layer of pepper jelly. Yes, you heard me.  Then layer really smoky, sliced turkey with some brie, sliced strawberries and fresh basil leaves.  Press and grill it with a panini press, waffle iron, in a pan, whatever your usual grilled cheese-technique is.  Prepare to be amazed.  It's the craziest combination of flavors and IT WORKS.  I told our friend Dottie about the sandwich and when I saw her yesterday in the school yard...well, suffice to say, she was raving about it.  Her husband loved it, kids loved it, she loved it.  I'm so glad she tried it because in the past when I've told people about this recipe, I get that sideways "okaaaay, right, Elizabeth" look. 

Dear readers, food fanatics, culinary daredevils, good food consumers, take my advice on this one.  Get thee to the farm!

My new favorite PIZZA!

I've said this so many times, I should put it on a T-shirt.  Pizza is the world's most perfect food:  all food groups are deliciously represented all in one pie.  Is it fattening?  Yes, it can be.  Is it healthy? Yes, it can be.  Is it a most magnificent creation?  Yes, it is.

And, speaking of creation and creativity, let's talk about Columbia's new 

Uncle Maddio's Pizza Joint.

 

 

Thank you to my buddy The April Blake , who clued me in about the Uncle Maddio's premiere party that took place this past Friday.  The restaurant is located in the Adesso building on the corner of Blossom & S. Main. Neil and the Vivver and I attended and had a great time.  

It was a special occasion, so I let her wear lipstick

First, we met the owners, Ted & Marcia who are super nice people.  We chatted with them and they gave us the rundown on how the restaurant works.  It's such a cool concept:  You proceed through a line to order your pizza.  You choose your crust (traditional, whole wheat, or gluten-free) then choose your sauce (Tomato-Basil Sauce, Zesty BBQ, Buttermilk Ranch, Spicy Buffalo, Herb Pesto, Olive Oil). Then the real fun begins: so many meats, cheeses (mozzarella doesn't count, it's a given) and vegetables to list.  So, you choose everything you want on  your pie and the pizza maker constructs it right in front of you.  From there, you order your drinks, and find a table.  Their slogan is "Served with Love" and that's just what the nice man who delivered ours to the table said as he presented it to us.

Very generous goodie bags

 Uncle Maddio's also has some Signature pies to choose from if you're not in the mood to create your own masterpiece.  The salad menu looks awesome too.  I can't wait to try the chopped salad.  And, there are paninis as well. Click here to see the menu.  

So many choices!

 The pizza was, in a word, fantastic.  Viv went with the all-time kid's classic "cheese."  Neil ordered one of their signature pizzas, the "Steak & Blue," which is a heavenly creation consisting of olive oil, mozzarella, blue cheese crumbles, grilled angus steak, roma tomatoes, garlic, spinach, fresh basil and balsamic glaze.  

The Steak & Blue

My creation

Vivian's cheese pizza

Tasty little side salad; croutons made of pizza dough!

I opted to build my own which was eggplant, feta, olives and tomato.  The three of us shared and tried all three.  None of them disappointed at all.  The crust is really crispy but not brittle and fragile.  The toppings were all fresh and the pizzas just looked pretty, quite frankly.  They serve 9" individual sizes, which I couldn't finish.  They also have an incredible deal for kids:  a 6" pizza made to their liking with a drink for $3.50. Those of you with kids know that the choices for children can leave a lot to be desired and they usually aren't a very good value.  This way, the kids can have control of what goes on their pizza which is a great way to engage them and get them excited about their meal.

Kids will fall in love with this place

Yum Yum, eat 'em up!

Here's another detail that I think is noteworthy:  The price of the pizza is the price of the pizza.They don't nickel and dime you with the old "per topping" additional charges. That's huge to me and it's little touches like this that win my loyalty.  I am excited that Uncle Maddio's has come to Columbia.  The USC students are going to be in hog heaven since they are right smack in the middle of campus.  And I suspect everyone else in town who tries them out will love this restaurant as well.  My family sure does! 

 

They don't make them like they used to!

Yes, it's a cliche, but it's a really good one.  Know why?  Because it's the one pure steady truth in today's world.  Nothing's built like it once was...with pride of workmanship.  I've probably gone off on this before, but it's worth repeating.  What got me thinking about it today is my waffle iron.  Actually, waffle irons.

My parents were married March 26, 1966.  Like most couples, they received their china, crystal, flatware, and small appliances as gifts.  But you know which one we're all still amazed by?  That's right; the GE waffle iron.  

I love this little work horse!

This thing is like no other.  It has waffle plates that clamp on and bake perfect waffles.  But, what makes it truly invaluable is that the plates flip over and become flat griddles.  Picture the perfect grilled cheese, panini or pancakes.  And, it's operation is so simple, it's genius.  Slide the lever to low, medium or high.  Novel concept.  When it reaches temperature, a clever little red light illuminates on the top and viola!  you're ready to roll.

Why is she telling me all this?  BECAUSE THE ONE MY PARENTS GOT AS A WEDDING GIFT IN 1966 IS STILL BEING USED TODAY.  Yeah, I yelled that at you.  This waffle iron is so solid, built well and keeps on truckin'. I actually asked my mom if I could have it when she dies.  Then, along came that fateful day that I happened to end up at the Jamil Temple Shriner's garage sale (I know, I know.  I'm still not exactly sure how this happened.)  But what Divine Providence!  As I meandered through the rows and rows of "treasures" I came across a miracle.  I called to mom.  She hurried over.  I pointed.  We stared.  We squealed with delight.  (Any of you who know us know that it takes a lot of doin' to get us to actually "squeal" at all.)

Yes, friends, there was a GE waffle iron with changeable flat iron plates and it was in great shape.  Even better was the price tag.  A whopping 5 bucks! I snatched it up and ran to the check out.  Major score.  An appliance from the 1960's!  Because after all, they don't build 'em like they used to.

Fast forward now several years.  I happen to walk into the Salvation Army to donate a bunch of miscellaneous stuff.  When you donate, you go in the back where they process all the stuff they receive.  As I waited for my receipt, I casually glance around. There was a flash of light, I heard a loud Hosanna, and there it was.  A 1960-something GE waffle iron.  This one looked like it had never been used.  It shone like a new DeLorean.  When the man came back I asked him how much it was.  He looked over at it and said, "I don't know, we just got it.  Haven't even checked it in yet."  So, I said, "I love it.  I need it.  How about five bucks?"  He agreed and I skipped off happily.

Now, you're probably asking yourself.  Why in the world does this kooky broad need two 1960-something GE waffle irons? Well, I'm glad you asked.  #2 is a back up for when #1 dies.  Of course!  But here's the really amazing thing.  Recall that mom's from 1966 is still very much alive and kicking. I bought my #1 around 1993.  It's still going strong and the only time I've ever used #2 was when I was making panini for a crowd.  At this rate, I'll be able to give the second one to Vivian as a wedding present.  That should be about 2036.  Between the two of us, we'll be able to serve up magnificent waffles and grilled cheese well into the next century.  I'd love it if someone from GE would get their hands on this.  But, rather than inspire him/her, they'd probably celebrate that the old days are over because this means they'd only sell a person a waffle iron once every 70 years or so.  Sad but true...quality construction and pride in workmanship has gone by the wayside in most aspects of the modern world.  But, I've got my killer waffle/grilled cheese/panini/griddle until the day I die and beyond!

P.S.  What got me thinking about this today was the amazing pressed Cuban sandwiches I made for supper.  Hoagie roll, roast pork, ham, sliced Claussen's pickles, mustard from Asheville, NC,  provolone (I was outta Swiss) and a little mayo. Thanks GE! 

Delicious Delucca's

It seems that all I'm blogging about lately is eating out.  I do still cook, I promise.  It's just been one of those out on the town kinda weeks.

Today I was having lunch with my mom and dad.  Since mom and I work together and my dad is retired, the three of us lunch together quite often.  As we went through the "what are you in the mood for" conversation, Delucca's came up.  

We hadn't been there in awhile, so off we went.

Easter Weekend Feasting Plans

Yummmmm   Ham

I wish my crust came out this pretty

Uncle Charlie would be proud

The Easter Sunday feast is always one of my favorites.  Sometimes I just picture the perfect pink-osity of a baked ham.  Or, my mind goes Greek and focuses on lamb; usually Uncle Charlie's souvakia recipe.  Or, other times, I have visions of light, fluffy quiches dancing in my head.  As I have been contemplating the Easter meal for this year, my mom just sprung into action and said, "Here's what we're having this year."  Dottie's sauerbraten, pickled red cabbage, mashed potatoes and green beans.  Jawohl!  Wir sind auf das Alte Land gehen!  This is one of my favorite meals of all time.  I am way excited. 

Sauerbraten...Get in my belly!

So, I'm merely charged with dessert.  I don't mind doing desserts.  I'm just not a big dessert eater, so I don't get as excited about it.  Anyway, I'm leaning toward a lemon tart with a coconut crust.  However, it is strawberry pickin' time, so if Vivi and I can get to the farm tomorrow or Saturday, that plan will change.  Get this:  I called the farm today to ask if they'd be open on Good Friday.  Not only are they open, they're working Easter Sunday too.  That's some hardcore strawberry commerce going on over there.  No holiday for you!  Must sell berries every day!  Get back to work!



Speaking of strawberries, I must share with you one recipe that I discovered 2 strawberry seasons ago.  I can't remember what magazine I found it in, otherwise, I'd totally give credit where it is due.  The recipe is for a panini that at first glance sounds pretty far out.  But, trust me.  You do, right?  Of course you do...this sandwich will make you exclaim "Franklin Delano!"  (I love that old man in the the new Oreo commercial!) 

So, here's how you make Smoked Turkey-Strawberry paninis...


Fresh bread (I used the Cuban from Publix's bakery)
smoked turkey breast
brie cheese with the rind removed, sliced
fresh basil leaves
beautiful local strawberries
pepper jelly


Spread the pepper jelly on one slice of bread.  Layer on the turkey, strawberry slices, brie, and basil leaves.  Top with another slice of bread (duh).  Spread good quality butter on the outsides and grill, press, or panini-maker it until the cheese is melty and gooey.


Take a bite, yell out "Franklin Delano", slap your mama and have a good, cathartic cry.  Yep, it's that good.  I prefer warm, personal, hand-written thank you notes please.  :-)

Enjoy and Happy Easter to you and your family.