Soaking it all in

In trying to be more vigilant of what I eat on a daily basis I’ve started to read many of the ingredient labels or learn how certain foods are produced. Nobody told me you would need a degree in chemistry just to understand some of the stuff in your foods. Also some of the information on food labels just doesn’t make any sense or are completely misguiding. For example, there is a lot of discussion as to what is best for you in terms of your choices in meats and poultry. Some say it’s more humane to pick meats that are free range or farm raised or natural or organic. They say it’s also best to make sure it’s hormone free or raised without antibiotics. But what does that all really mean? Let’s took a look at poultry. According to Chickopedia (No, I didn’t make that up, it is the nickname for the National Chicken Council), there isn’t a true federal government definition of the term “free-range.” So when a company wishes to use that claim for their label they send their request ...

Sometimes I get these weird cravings and they will not subside until they get fed. There are days where these craving border from somewhere beyond normal. Like when an order of Wendy’s French fries dunked into a frosty will do the trick. For those of you who just thought yuck, try it. It’s much better than dunking your fries in mayonnaise. Then there are the rare occasions when I have to binge down on a big can of Peanut Patch boiled peanuts. Nutty, salty and sloppy goodness. Normally my cravings tend to be more rational, or at least what I believe to be rational. Like when a slice of pizza (or two) will be the only thing that cures the hunger pangs. Or when you just need that home cooked comfort food you grew up with, and for me that always means Cuban food. Lately I’ve been craving two of my favorite Latin side dishes – plantains. I’ve heard some horror stories from some of my friends who have visited Miami and tasted cooked sweet plantains (what we call maduros) and the ...

Did you ever get so involved in your activities that time seems to fly by and you happen to skip your normal lunch break? Suddenly you hear your stomach gurgling out in complaint. The rumbling is so loud people on the opposite side of the building look up wondering where the noise is coming from. It’s a category five hurricane hunger roar from hell. You’re no longer just plain hungry. Nay, at this point you need food now. You are living out the Snicker’s commercial, you know the one where the person is ready to bite your head off until he is fed a Snicker’s bar. It’s that moment when no one should cross your path and even a happy hello gets the evil-eye look in return. You’ve reached HANGRY! So you start to ponder your food choices. Hitting McDonald’s just won’t do, the drive through line is too long, and not quite the fast-food that is required at the moment. That also rules out going to a restaurant where you have to wait on someone to take your order. Then you have to wait...

There is an old saying that circulates among foodies, eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince and dinner like a pauper. The saying is meant to encourage folks looking to stay healthy or lose a little weight to intake the bulk of their calories in the morning and burn those calories throughout the day. This might be true to some extent. The literal translation of the word breakfast came about in the 15th century and meant a break from the fasting period since your last meal of the prior evening. Sounds about right to me. I mean if my last meal was at 7 p.m. the evening before and I get ready to start my day at 7 a.m. the following morning that is 12 whole hours since food has crossed my lips. Today for breakfast I shall eat like a King (King Henry VIII for sure). Seriously if it’s been 12 hours, serve me up some eggs, over-medium, bacon, grits and a side of hash browns covered with diced ham and grilled onions. Don’t forget the toast and it better be buttered. Nothi...

During a recent visit to Miami last fall, I had the opportunity of eating one of my favorite seafood items and best of all it was free. Trust me, free was the right price when you consider that this item can cost anywhere from $15-35 a pound depending on their size. Nope it wasn’t a Florida lobster tail (or what true Northerners call a great big crawfish). It was something much rarer making it a delicacy usually fit for those with deep, deep pockets. The decadent, plump, sweet yet briny lusciousness I was treated to were fresh Florida stone crab claws. There is nothing else like them and the best are plucked right out of the Gulf Coast waters. Stone crab claws are only available Oct. 15 through May 15. The stone crab, Menippe mercenaria, is unique in that the bodies are relatively small but the claws can grow incredibly large and strong enough to break open oyster shells. During their harvest period commercial fisherman trap the crabs and remove one of the two claws and toss th...

Head east on Highway 84, passed Trade Port East, passed the Dorchester Civic Center and follow the signs that point the way to the treasured and long established eatery. When you can pull up to a seafood establishment that is tucked away, yet right on the water with its own marina and purveyors of crabs, oysters and shrimps you know you are pulling up to a great meal. And there isn’t a bad seat in the house. The diner overlooks Blackbeard Creek. The scenic marsh setting is breath taking. Just next door the shrimp boats are docked offering a look at the majestic vessels that go out to pluck the sweetest tasting shrimp from the coastal waters. The family run diner has a staff that routinely go out to bring and catch the blue crabs, oysters and fresh fish. It is farm to table – seafood style. October brought in the beginning of oyster season and I can’t think of a better place to go locally for freshly picked and steamed oysters or a fried oyster basket with a side of their Cole s...

First published in the Coastal Courier Newspaper in December 2015 I never know when a specific food carving will hit me. There are times when I can eat fried chicken every day of the week and it would suit me just fine. Then there are times when pizza can only fill the void. And yes there are times, thankfully when only salads will make due. Then there are the days which can sometimes stretch into weeks and months when nothing but Mexican food will do. I don’t normally cover chain restaurants for my foodie column but I’m not sure that having only two locations in all of Southeast Georgia qualifies as a chain brand like Chili’s and others. Therefore I will take some time to toot the horn of my favorite local Mexican restaurant, Rodeo. I am pretty much on auto-pilot when I’m hankering for Mexican food and ready to order the number 15 combination meal as soon as the waiter walks over with the complimentary chips and salsa. That combo meal is a taco, a burrito and is served with ri...