Bring on the Fried Pickles!

My oldest daughter, Savannah, is home from college this summer doing what many college students spend their summers doing... sleeping, and "looking" for a job!  This week we are thrilled to have her dear friend, Vikky here visiting.  They have been BFF's since their middle school days in Costa Rica.  Vik flew in from Philly last week, and we love having her here.  

Last year, Vikky, and her precious mom, Karen, passed through town and spent a little time with us.  They were making a road-trip from Texas to Philly in Vik's well-loved truck, Henry (as in Ford)!  Vik's goal along the way?...well, she was determined to eat in as many southern BBQ joints as possible!  She's a barbecue LOVER!   Just before Karen & Vik came to town in 2010, another family you may know was in town...  Barrack & Michelle?  They live in the big White House at the end of the cul-de-sac!  :-)  So before heading back to the land oh Philly Cheesesteak sandwiches, we decided to take the girls to the BBQ joint the First Family had visited here in Asheville, 12 Bones.  

Karen, Me, & Vik at 12 Bones (April 2010)

12 Bones, serves absolutely fabulous food!  Their specialty is their baby-back ribs which are served in a half dozen or so different seasonings, rubs or sauces, that change from time to time.  My favorite is their blueberry-chipotle, which may sound a little bizarre, but it's just the right balance of heat and sweet for the fork tender ribs.  12 Bones is one of those new, funky, Southern-fushion foods type places, where tradition has been thrown out the window, but the basics that make delicious barbecue are still in good standing.


 Our barbecue joint of choice for Vik's visit this year was Okie Dokies BBQ , where they just happen to serve some of the South's finest fried pickles! One of the best things about eating barbecue (in my book, as well as Vik's) are the ridiculously delicious little nuggets known as fried pickles!   Okie Dokie's is the traditional small, southern town BBQ joint, complete with wood floors, and pig decor!  The  sweet tea, mac-n-cheese, and baby-backs are my favorites, but I would make the drive for the fried pickles!  They're insanely good!


My incredibly talented cousin, Jean wrote all about Okie Dokies (and fried pickles) in her blog, "Gommin & Yowing",  a couple of years ago.  You will enjoy this read! Gomming and Yowing


Vikky & Karen, I hope that 2012, once again finds you and Savannah hanging out at our house for a few days, and catching up over some delicious NC barbecue... complete with fried pickles, of course!

Keep Shining, 

The Woo-Hoo Gal

P.S.  The owner/management of 12 Bones Smokehouse, nor Okie Dokies BBQ, are not affiliated with me, and they did not compensate me for my comments.  

They are strictly my opinions.  

Vikky and Savannah

Whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

Green Goddess Recipe

I was asked if I had a good recipe for Green Goddess salad dressing to accompany my delicious "Carolina Cobb Salad", and in fact, I do have a fabulous recipe!
I will confess two things up front:
1.  This is totally not my recipe, but in fact is the creation of Ina Garten, the Barefoot Contessa, herself.  Ina is my almost 11 year old daughter's hero!  I think if she met her she would melt in a puddle like hot Jello, but that's another post!
2. I have only made this one time.  I am usually in a hurry, and occasionally lazy, so I most often serve my Green Goddess straight from that good ole' Kraft bottle, and it is really good, but this... this is DIVINE!  
Try it sometime when you're in one of those moods...you know the creative, "I-am-the-next-Martha-Stewart"  (well, all except for the going to prison part, but that too is another post!) moods.  (you get those too, right?)


Ina's Green Goddess Dressing
Ingredients:

• 1 cup good mayonnaise (Ina uses Hellman's.  I'm a Duke girl, but only when it comes to mayo!)
• 1 cup chopped scallions, white and green parts (6 to 7 scallions)
• 1 cup chopped fresh basil leaves
• 1/4 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice (2 lemons)
• 2 teaspoons chopped garlic (2 cloves)
• 2 teaspoons anchovy paste (don't be afraid of this...it makes for a delicious salad dressing full of flavor!)
• 2 teaspoons kosher salt
• 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 1 cup sour cream
• Directions
• Place the mayonnaise, scallions, basil, lemon juice, garlic, anchovy paste, salt and pepper in a blender and blend until smooth. Add the sour cream and process just until blended. (If not using immediately, refrigerate the dressing until ready to serve.)

Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

Hope In A Jar...that's my Philosophy!

If you know about the skincare line that I call my favorite, then you understand the play on words in my title...  Philosophy Skincare is absolutely my favorite, and the one product of theirs I can't live without is "Hope In A Jar", 

(well, maybe I could live but I would look realllllllly bad!).  

Don't you love that title?

All Philosophy products have some "words of wisdom" on their labeling.  

 This one reads: where there is hope there can be faith. where there is faith miracles can occur.

 I love their simplistic, clean approach to packaging... black & white with simple lettering.  No fancy graphics or gimmicks needed... that's good stuff in there!  Hope In A Jar is a lightweight daily moisturizer, and it leaves my normal/combination skin feeling refreshed, smooth, and non-greasy.  If you're in the market for an awesome daily moisturizer, give Hope In A Jar a try, I think you'll love it!  This is my can-do-without-it product from their line, but I'll share a couple of others I love soon.  This stuff will make you say "woo-hoo"!

*  Just so you know, Philosophy isn't paying me to hawk their stuff, I just love it!  

(of course, if they WANT to, they can make the check payable to...)

www.philosophy.com

Keep Shining!

Woo-Hoo Gal

Whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

A Perfect Summertime Supper!

If you're a child of the 70's you should remember "Green Goddess" salad dressing.  I told my kids it was the "Ranch" of my generation.  My kids would eat bark and burnt bugs if they were served with Ranch dressing to dip them in!  This "Carolina Cobb Salad" is one of my "go-to" meals when my family is hungry, and I want to serve them something healthy and in a hurry.  It can be prepared in just a few minutes. It's a great any-night family meal, but it's special enough that I've served it at a nice luncheon.  Go retro and serve it with the Green Goddess dressing... your family will love it!


I'll give you the basics of how I usually prepare this dish, but honestly it is different each time.  Don't you love when there isn't really a right or wrong way to fix something?  This is absolutely full of meats and proteins, and by all means it's not necessary to include them all.  You can be creative and use what suits your family's taste, and what you happen to have in the fridge at the moment.  
Let me know if you try this and enjoy it!

Carolina Cobb Salad

• Romaine hearts & baby spinach (or any mixed greens you like)
• 4 Boneless prepared chicken tenders (instructions below)
• 2 hard-boiled eggs
• 4 slices of prepared bacon
• 1 flank steak, marinated and cooked in a grill pan  (marinade recipe & instructions below)
• crumbled blue cheese
• cheddar cheese cubed or grated, or small slices or well... you get the idea!
• avocado slices
• tomato wedges
• shredded carrots
• cucumber slices
• bell pepper rings
• Green Goddess salad dressing

Arrange the greens in the center of a large platter, and simply arrange the proteins and vegetable slices around the greens.  Serve with the dressing on the side.  Dig in!

Boneless chicken tenders:  Heat a medium size skillet on medium-high heat, with a tablespoon or so of olive oil.  Add your washed tenders when the oil is hot.  Season with salt, pepper and Italian seasoning.  Allow to sear, and then turn over.  After a nice browning begins, turn the heat down and allow to cook until juices run clear and they are done.  Don't overcook, or they will taste like little leather strips.  Mkay?


Beef flank steak:  Marinate for 30 minutes in the following:  2 Tbs. white wine vinegar, 2 Tbs. olive oil, 2 Tbs. Worcestershire sauce, a dash of hot sauce (I use Texas Pete), a good steak seasoning (I use Angelo's), and salt & pepper to taste.  Use a small grill pan (or your "real" grill!)  and cook on medium-high heat to your liking.  I sear mine and serve medium rare.

Keep Shining,

Woo-Hoo Gal!

"What makes you say Woo-Hoo?"

woo–hoo

 interj \ˈwü-ˈhü, ˌwü-\

—used to express exuberant delight or approval

My friend Cynthia has always teased me about how often I used the phrase "woo-hoo"... I suppose I stay a little exuberantly delighted about things!  Sometimes it's the smallest thing that makes me happy.  The reason I started this blog is to have a place to share those things that make me say "woo-hoo" with you!

Among those things, expect to see:  

A delicious, family-friendly recipe *  a thrift store find refurbished and repurposed *  a decorating idea to make your space a place you love  *  a fashion or make-up tip for "real" women  *  A fun, but not too complicated craft project  *  a tip on a great product, or shopping experience  *  a fabulous new song, book or movie *  practical advice from a been-there-already-goofed so try it this way Mama *  

Thank you for joining me...reading my ramblings, and being my friend.  It's nice to meet you.

What makes you say "woo-hoo"?  I want to know!

Keep shining,

Woo-Hoo Gal

Whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.