River Street Sweets – Savannah Candy Store Review

(c) Wednesday Elf

The Sweet Taste of Savannah!

On historic River Street in Savannah, Georgia you will find a candy store that has been renowned for their world famous pralines for 44 years.  Everyone who walks into River Street Sweets will be enticed to try a sample of the pralines or fudge or other candies on display. 

A simple taste of these delicious handmade candies will also find you purchasing a bit of this, a little of that…. and of course a few pralines. So many sweet treats to choose from.  One whole wall is filled with every flavor of saltwater taffy you can imagine.  I have yet to go into the store without leaving with at least a few tasty tidbits. 

Oh Fudge – How River Street Sweets Came About

Chocolate Fudge - River Street Sweets

Stan & Pam Strickland had a gift shop on River Street called The Cotton Bale where they sold knick-knacks and Christmas ornaments.  In 1978 they were at a gift market trade show in Atlanta with their daughter Jennifer and son Tim looking for new items for their store .  Tim, age 11, found a fudge pot and begged his parents to put it in the store.  

They finally agreed and a week later, on St. Patrick's Day, the first batch of chocolate mint fudge was made. It sold like crazy and soon it became obvious that candy was much more popular than the gifts they had been featuring.  Within six months, River Street Sweets became a full-fledged candy store.

Today, they are known worldwide for their gourmet southern sweets. On a visit to River Street Sweets you can watch candy makers dip pralines onto a giant marble slab Stan bought from a gravestone company. You can also see them stir glazed pecans in  huge copper kettles and see the 100-year-old saltwater taffy machine in action. They make their sweets in the stores and also ship them out around the world.

Come on a video tour of Savannah Street Sweets

The Savannah store is run today by grown-up Jennifer and Tim, while just down the street Stan "The Candy Man" operates Savannah's Candy Kitchen, the largest candy store in the south since 1990. 

If you cannot make it to Savannah, other River Street Sweets stores can be found in the Mall of Georgia in North Atlanta, in two places in Charleston, SC, and in Myrtle Beach, SC, as well as Key West and Lancaster Maryland. New locations will soon be coming to Texas, New Jersey and South Carolina.  You can also order them online from Amazon or through their catalog or website.  

Holiday and Gift Baskets

Office Party Basket - River Street Sweets

The wicker gift baskets are popular with tourists for taking home to friends & family.  They are irresistibly filled with delights such as pralines, bear claws, glazed pecans, hand-stretched peanut brittle, nougat log rolls and creamy chocolate fudge. Or grab a box of your favorite sweets (mine is fudge with walnuts). 

All candies sold by River Street Sweets are made using their own family recipes to make the finest and freshest handmade Southern candies around.  Not surprising, their best sellers are the glazed pecans, their bear claws and the oh-so-delicious pecan pralines.

How the Pralines are Made

A Sweet Treat you'll love. 

(c) Travel Review written by Wednesday Elf (12/22/2018)

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How to Make Super Easy Gingerbread Cookies

If you have wanted to make gingerbread men but are too intimidated or short on time I have a great kitchen cheat for you! Even I was able to successfully bake these cookies with Wilton Gingerbread Man Cookie pans and Betty Crocker Gingerbread Cookie Mix. However, please note that the Betty Crocker Gingerbread Cookie mix is "limited edition". Perhaps it is only seasonal. So stock up now for your future gingerbread cookie-baking adventures.

Betty Crocker Gingerbread Cookie Mix

I depend on cookie mixes. And have had really good luck with the Snickerdoodle and the Peanut Butter flavors. So it was an easy thing for me to buy the Betty Crocker Gingerbread Cookie Mix.


I followed the directions on the bag to make the cookie dough. The ingredients list is super short:

• bag of cookie mix 
• stick of butter 
• one egg 
• tablespoon of water.

I split the dough in half - using one half for each pan - and dropped by small spoonfuls into the pans. 

Wilton Gingerbread Man Cookie Pan

When I saw these adorable cookie pans at a local big box store, I could not resist. I'm not at all skilled with baking, but I really wanted to try these shaped cookie pans. I have had a great time making these cookies and I think these would be fun pans to use when baking with a child.

The pans are nearly 12" tall! They are non-stick (I still used a very light coating of spray cooking oil). And the pans have raised details that create slight indentations in the finished cookies. The indentations can be guides for icing placement. I left mine plain (I tell myself that because I left the frosting off the cookies were a "healthier" version of cookie!)

Big Gingerbread Man cookie pans by Wilton

Super Easy Gingerbread Cookie Pros and Cons

The best things about these super easy gingerbread cookies are that they are quick, easy, and tasty. Minimal time is spend in the kitchen and the cookies are oh so good.

When the pans are filled using the "dropped by small spoonfuls" technique the cookies are big and soft (similar to a brownie). I prefer that type of cookie.

My picky-eater friend said that the flavor was very good. I agree.

The possible "cons" of these cookies are that these are not the gingerbread cookies your grandmother made. If you are looking for original gingerbread men, this may not be what you are looking for. 

These cookies were not the "crispy"/"crunchy"  original style of gingerbread men. 

I have made these cookies using these pans three times. I have learned that the gingerbread dough does not "spread" during baking as much as some other cookie dough. So my first attempts resulted in the hands and feet not being fully formed. On my most recent attempt, I dropped small spoonfuls of dough in the cookie pans feet and hands. That created fully formed hands and feet.

My next attempt will include pressing the dough down into the pan to see if the result with be the thinner and more crunchy cookies. 




Related Link:

Do you love Snickerdoodles? 
Do you prefer super thick, cake-like cookies?  

Me too! 

Check out my Easy Snickerdoodle Cookie Pie recipe. 

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Pinto Beans Latin Style Reviewed

A Little Spice Is Nice

Pinto Beans image from public domain

A discovery at the grocery store of pinto beans Latin style is what I would like to review with you today. I had asked my husband to pick up a brand of pinto beans that I had seen on a television commercial. He called to tell me that they did not have that brand in stock but they had Bush's Cocina Latina and they looked pretty good. I told him to go ahead and get some and we would try them. Oh my goodness! These beans are really good!

As I mentioned a while back in an article about soft foods, I really like to eat pinto beans. They are a wonderful source of fiber and protein and a good substitute for meat. They are low in saturated fats and offer a source of manganese and folate along with being helpful in lowering HDL and LDL cholesterol. Besides the health benefits, they just taste good!

So, my husband brings home his little discovery and I decide that they might be good as a topping for a loaded potato. I baked a couple of potatoes, heated up the can of pinto beans and voila we had a meal!

Pinto Beans Latin Style

We sprinkled just a little bit of cheese on top and the results were absolutely delicious! The pinto beans are in a tomato sauce with onion, garlic, serrano peppers and just a touch of bacon. The flavor on top of the potato was really awesome!

I have decided that a can or two of these beans will now be a staple on my pantry shelves. There are so many ways that they can be served. Alone as a side dish is an obvious choice. I plan to add a can the next time I make chili because I think they will add a little kick to the dish. I also, think they might be really good if I make them into refried beans.

You might worry that the serrano pepper will make these pinto beans pretty hot. It is true that the serrano is hotter than the jalapeno but to be honest I didn't think these beans were too hot. I like spicy foods but I don't like the heat level to be much more than medium. Honestly, these beans had just the right amount of heat for my palate. They were a little hot but not so much that I had to grab water or wipe tears from my eyes. I wouldn't like that.

So, if you are looking for something new to add to your menu I suggest you give these pinto beans with a Latin style of flavoring a try. We liked them so much that we plan to try the other flavors that the company offers in this line called Cocina Latina.

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Reviewing McCormick Smokehouse Maple

Smokehouse Maple by McCormick

McCormick's Smokehouse Maple has become one of my favorite spices. Living in the Baltimore area, I take it for granted that everyone is familiar with McCormick spices. Realizing that not everyone may be aware of this sweet, smokey blend I thought I should stop keeping this little secret to myself. 

Smokehouse Maple by McCormick

Smokehouse maple is an excellent spice that is recommended for pork and chicken. Some people use it on fish and I regularly use it on burgers. Just a small amount of this seasoning (dry rub) goes a long way in adding a sweet, smokey flavor to your meal.

Ingredients list: 

salt, cane sugar, brown sugar, molasses (refinery syrup, cane molasses, caramel color), garlic, onion, spices (including paprika, chili pepper), orange peel, red bell pepper, maple syrup & natural flavor (including smoke)

If you are looking for recipes, McCormick provides a selection of recipes and meal ideas that use Smokehouse Maple specifically. I hadn't thought of using it on grilled corn on the cob! What a great idea.

 Why I prefer the Smokehouse Maple

When I am camping at The Shack, all of my hot meals are prepared on the grill, in the smoker, or in hobo packs in the wood stove. My land is on what had previously been an apple orchard. So my wood stove and my smoker are fueled with apple wood from my yard and hard wood from my woods. 

I prefer grilled foods and smoked foods. That smoked flavor is my preference. When I return to the apartment, I do not have an access to a grill and am not able to smoke my foods.

I typically fry or bake a pork chop with a light sprinkle of this seasoning. Or I add a bit to my burgers. McCormick's Smokehouse Maple takes care of my grill cravings when I am unable to grill. 

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Kerrygold Butter Review

Butter? Yes, please! Make it a triple! As you can surmise I am a fan of real butter and not the imitation. Butter fans will absolutely enjoy Kerrygold butter which I enthusiastically recommend; your potatoes, vegetables, muffins and baking dishes will thank you!

Kerrygold Butter Review

Grass fed cows throughout Ireland contribute to a golden, creamy butter that deserves its' place among premium butters whether in the United States or United Kingdom.  I have found a huge difference in taste between brand name and store brand butters and now I must add a third comparison category for the premium butter.

The butter is premium in taste, but I was pleasantly surprised the price is not at a premium. The cost of Kerrygold butter is comparable to brand name sticks and tubs of butter! Kerrygold has also entered the big box stores and grocery stores and the prices can be even less expensive than brand name butter.  Kerrygold is also available online as are other Kerrygold dairy products.

The fat content of Kerrygold is slightly higher than comparable butters which contributes to the creamy, melt in your mouth taste and golden color. A quick nutritional comparison finds Kerrygold butter slightly less in salt and slightly higher in fat content. The remaining nutritional comparisons do not differ. A non salt version of Kerrygold butter is also available for those who prefer to bake with unsalted butter or are watching their sodium intake.

Kerrygold Products

I have long been a fan of Kerrygold Dubliner cheese and was pleased to see more products offered by this brand in my store. Just as I recommend Kerrygold butter I enthusiastically recommend Kerrygold Dubliner cheese.

This is a white cheese with a wonderful texture that tends toward the hard side, but is mild in flavor with a very slight nutty flavor. Dubliner cheese is a nice twist for your mac n cheese dishes and melts wonderfully for any dish that needs a cheese that melts well. I always include Dubliner on the cheese and cracker appetizer plate and time after time this is the cheese that disappears first.

I am obviously a fan of the Kerrygold line of dairy products and love a product that is grass fed!

My Favorite Recipes To Use Kerrygold Butter

Grandma's Irish Soda Bread Recipe
Old Fashioned Bread Pudding
Grandma's Mac N Cheese Recipe

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IKEA Food Reviewed

And You Thought It Was A Furniture Store!

IKEA image courtesy of pixabay.com

We recently visited the new store that just opened in our area and were surprised that IKEA food was even an option. My husband and I were prepared to see interesting types of furniture in the huge store. Well, let me rephrase that. We had heard from others that we should be sure to try the meatballs while there.

To be honest, I had envisioned something like Costco or a weekend at any given grocery store where there are people offering samples of food to try. I wasn't sure why IKEA would offer samples other than a sort of hospitality type gesture. Perhaps I thought that it was a way to celebrate the Swedish culture and their style of meatballs. Was I in for a surprise? You bet ya!

It seemed like there were miles and miles of furniture. The place is huge! Let me tell you the place is a virtual maze of interesting vignettes of ideas for the home or office. I oooed and ahhhhed at every corner, but I digress. There are signs overhead to guide you to different areas and at one point I noticed that the sign showed that we were on a path that would lead us to the restaurant. I said to my husband, "These people have thought of everything! Since this place is so enormous, they know a person can get hungry from all of this walking. So, they feed you too!" I should probably mention that upon entering the store we saw an area for parents to drop their children off so that they could shop in peace. Anyway, we headed for the restaurant...

It appeared that others had entertained the same thought, the place was packed with people. We got in the cafeteria style line and quickly got waited on. I chose the meatball dinner and my husband chose the salmon dinner, both were very reasonably priced. Oh my word! The food was really good. My meatball dinner included five or six meatballs, mashed potatoes and a vegetable dish of carrots and cauliflower. The potatoes and meatballs had a gravy like sauce over them and there was this other stuff next to the meatballs that almost looked like cranberry sauce. Well, I was in heaven! 

I really liked the gravy like sauce that covered my mashed potatoes and some of the meatballs. I said to my husband that I would really like to get some of it to use at home. Turns out, I could get some right there in the store along with frozen meatballs and all sorts of other food items. Who knew, right?

IKEA Cream Sauce

For some reason I only purchased one packet that day. Silly me! I was delighted to see that there is an option to get the cream sauce online!

Oh, and that stuff that looked like cranberry sauce on my plate. First of all, it was extremely good and tasted great when I dipped a piece of meatball in it. It was not a Swedish version of cranberry sauce but instead it was Lingonberry jam. This stuff is awesome! Kind of sweet but also tart much like cranberry sauce. I enjoy it with meat but it is also good on a piece of toast in the morning.

So, here is the deal. If you find yourself close to an IKEA store, you need to go inside. Prepare to spend some time there because there is a lot to see. Treat yourself to some of their food! I'm telling you; you will not be disappointed! By the way, the salmon that my husband had was wonderful. You can buy it frozen in the store, too. 

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Reviewing Barbacoa Sauce by Frontera

Barbacoa Sauce by Frontera

I have just returned from a camping trip. During that camping trip I used the Red Chili Barbacoa Slow Cook sauce with roasted tomato and chipotle by Frontera. These little packets of sauce are my favorite. I use it in roasts, soups, tacos, quesadillas, and tamales. If you like Mexican foods and Mexican inspired recipes, I think you would like this barbacoa sauce.

Beef Barbacoa Red Chili Slow Cook Sauce

I learned about these sauce packets from my son, who typically likes food that is spicier than what I can tolerate. However, he thought I'd like the flavor of the soups he makes with this sauce, and he was right. It is spicy but not too spicy - the label lists it as "mild". In my opinion (and I am not a chef) it has a smokey, spicy, rich flavor.

He calls them soups, but to me they are thicker and richer, more like a beef stew. We both make these soups with a variety of ingredients; beef, carrots, hominy, potatoes, yams, onions, peppers, and so much more. Basically, you start with a base of beef and the barbacoa sauce, then add what you have on hand.

While camping, I only brought along the packet of barbacoa, and roast, and some potatoes. I slow cooked it in an enameled pan on top of the wood stove. What a wonderfully easy and delicious meal.

Delicious barbacoa roast with potatoes

Frontera Foods

Frontera Foods may or may not sound familiar to you. But the

click for more information

name Chef Rick Bayless may sound more familiar. He appears on a public television cooking show called Mexico - One Plate at a Time. Also, Chef Bayless has written several cookbooks. 

I enjoy watching his shows, I like his recipes, and am very thankful for this sauce that helps me easily create meals with an authentic Mexican flavor. In fact, thanks to a lesson from my son and this wonderful barbacoa sauce, I recently made tamales in my own kitchen. 

Where to Buy Frontera Beef Barbacoa Sauce

I have trouble finding the sauce in the stores local to me. I am fortunate that my son always stocks up on packets and saves them for me. He easily finds them at his local Target store. They are available on Amazon and the Frontera Foods website has a list of participating groceries. My local groceries, that are not on the list, carry the Frontera products in a hit and miss fashion.

Side Notes: 

For more information about The Shack (my current camping trips and my future retirement/homestead plans) take a peek at my blog Treasures, Travel, and Tales. Also, the pan in the photo may look familiar. I purchased it for The Shack and wrote a review about it in February 2016. I still believe that Enameled Cast Iron - Pricey but Worth It. Unfortunately, it looks like these little pans by Martha Stewart are a little more difficult to get. Good thing there are many other brands still easily available.

A few of the cookbooks by Rick Bayless on his Amazon author page

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Ghee Butter Reviewed

The Recipe Called For Ghee

Image of butter courtesy of pixabay.com

After Santa brought me my InstantPot pressure cooker, I noticed some of the recipes called for ghee butter. I will admit right here in front of all of you that I had no idea what that meant. So, of course I looked it up.

Turns out it is used often in Indian cuisine but has found a place with cooks around the world. The short answer would be that it is basically clarified butter to use in cooking. 

That was the simple explanation and really doesn't do ghee justice. To make this improvement (my opinion) on regular butter the butter is melted and simmered until all of the water evaporates and the milk solids fall to the bottom. In essence a butter oil is created in the process. 

Organic Ghee Butter

Not only does this taste like butter (it is actually) but it supposed to be better for us. The bad fats have been removed and most folks who have a problem with lactose intolerance find that ghee doesn't bother them. What I like about it is that it doesn't burn like regular butter does when you are trying to saute items. The burn temperature is much higher with ghee. No smoking problem or burnt taste if you aren't careful. That is one reason it is recommended when making InstantPot recipes.

 It has a long shelf-life, too. Out of the refrigerator it should be good for two to three months and if kept in the fridge it should be good for about one year. As much as I have started cooking with it, I won't have to worry about it going bad. I'll use it up before it has a chance to expire!

Personally, I think the foods that I have used it in taste better. That might be my imagination but it is my opinion none the less. There has been no noticeable loss of taste to me or my husband and we love our butter!

I'm glad that I took the time to research what the recipes were calling for and then ordered it to try. It is now something that I will keep in my pantry from now on. How about you? Have you tried ghee? 

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How to Grill the Perfect Steaks - Beginner Tips Reviewed

Learning to Grill the Perfect Steaks

I decided to learn how to grill steaks myself after reading so many great recipes and ideas for the grill written by my fellow online writers. 

In our family, it has always been the man's job to cook out.  Previously, I just accepted the gift gratefully and I was content to defer to my dad, one of my brothers, or to my husband's expertise on the grill.  However, with visions of kebabs and grilled pound cake, I was inspired to learn how to use the grill. 

I photographed all of my husband's steps to preparing the grill and preparing the food.  Now I will be ready to grill our next steaks.   I am willing to share my new knowledge.  Perhaps, this article will help you get started too.  

So, let's have some fun!

Choose your Steaks Carefully

Although they were expensive, we chose to cook 4 USDA Choice Rib Eye Steaks.  They weighted 3.82 lbs total weight.  They were purchased the same day we cooked them and they were never frozen.  In this photo, they have already been seasoned and are ready to grill, but I have included our steak preparation instructions below. 

 

What You Need to Cook the Best Steaks You will Ever Eat!

In our family, grilling steaks was always man's work. 
After decades of relying on my father, brothers and husband,
I decided to learn how to grill steaks to perfection myself. 
Let me show you how!

• A Grill
• Charcoal
• Chimney Grill Starter
• A Sheet of Newspaper
• A Match or Lighter
• Food ~ We chose 4 Rib Eye Steaks ~ Total weight: 3.82 lbs.
• Seasonings ~ We only use salt, pepper and olive oil lightly rubbed on steaks 

Setting up the Grill

Slide Through the Photos using the Arrows at the Bottom of thia Google Slides Frame

• Start with a clean grill
• Stuff a sheet of newspaper in the bottom
  of your chimney grill starter
• Turn over starter and fill the chimney grill starter with Charcoal
• Light the paper at the base of the chimney grill starter with a match or long lighter
• Wait for charcoal to get ready. It will be mostly gray. This takes approx.
  35 - 45 min.
• When the charcoal is ready, use a pot holder on the handle of your chimney grill starter and dump the charcoal into the grill.
• Carefully place the grill rack in place over the hot charcoal on the lowest level closest to the charcoal.

The grill we used is named Maude.  She is my dad's grill and she is over 30 years old - Her handles are gone and her paint is worn, but she still cooks! 

Using a Chimney Grill Starter

  The Chimney Grill Starter is a lot safer than flicking a lit match at lighter fluid doused charcoal.
Food tastes better without the use of lighter fluid too!

 Charcoal Companion Stainless Steel Chimney Charcoal Starter Summer Multi-Purpose Lighter

 

Preparing Your Steaks to Grill

If you do it our way, it is really easy and absolutely delicious!  Do not poke or pierce the steak with a fork, knife or any utensil at any point in the preparation or cooking process.  This will allow the meat to retain all of it's flavor and juices.

• Rub Olive Oil lightly on both sides of each steak
• Salt and Pepper both sides of each steak
• Place seasoned steaks on the grill rack
• Cover grill and steaks for 9 minutes
• Turn steaks ~ ONLY ONCE
• Cover grill again and cook an additional 7 minutes for medium or 12 minutes for medium well.
• Remove steaks from the grill and wrap in aluminum foil.  Allow to rest in the aluminum foil for 5 minutes before you eat.

Step by Step Photos of the Grilling Process

Turn Steaks Only ONCE

Cover grill again and cook an additional 9 minutes for medium rare or 12 minutes for medium well.

Remove steaks from the grill and wrap in aluminum foil. Allow to set for 5 minutes before you eat.

This is my cut steak. I like mine cooked medium well.
I thought you might like to see the inside color of one of
our finished steaks.
This one grilled for a total of 21 minutes.

Now, Isn't that easy!  These steaks are quite delicious too.  They are best you will ever taste anywhere.

 

More Cooking & Grilling Fun

Join me at Cooking for the Holidays for More Cooking Tips & Recipes

You may also wish to try Grilling Shrimp on the Grill with this Easy Recipe from Sam's Place
For a Recommended Grill, check out this review of the Char-Griller Duo 5050 written by Dawn Rae

Check Out More Recipe & Food Reviews at
ReviewThisRecipes.com

How to Grill the Perfect Steaks - Beginner Tips Reviewed Written by:

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Review of Byrd's Famous Cookies

The Byrd Cookie Company has been an established company in Savannah, Georgia since 1924.  At that time, Ben T. Byrd, Sr. began baking small batches of cookies from his bakery, packing them in wooden crates, and personally delivering them to neighborhood markets in his Model T Ford.

Later, Ben's son, BT Byrd, Jr. had the idea of packing these bite sized confections in tins, so that they would travel better.  It wasn't long before Byrd became a gourmet food company, shipping cookies to other markets outside Savannah. By then, Byrd, Jr. had become known as "Cookie" Byrd!

Cookie Byrd's daughter Kay, and her husband, were the third generation of the Byrd family to run the company and today their daughter Stephanie continues with the 91 years of baking the famous Byrd cookies.

Each generation has developed new recipes and innovative ideas and the company has expanded its marketplace worldwide.  Their “recipe for success” includes its continued tradition of hard work, superior product quality, and outstanding customer service. They continue to bake in small batches to deliver the superior cookies their customers expect. 

Scotch Oatmeal Cookie

The classic Byrd Cookie is it's Scotch Oatmeal cookie currently available.

A Few of Byrd's Famous Cookie Flavors

Key Lime Cooler

Byrd's Key Lime Cooler

To this day, the Key Lime Cooler cookie remains the company's best selling cookie. It is the first cookie to ever win the Dessert of the Year award at the NASFT Fancy Food Show. 


The Key Lime Cooler is a thin bite-size cookie bursting with the same deliciously tart-but-sweet flavor as key lime pie. This classic cookie has a powdered sugar coating.

Georgia Peach Cookies

 

Byrd's Georgia Peach Cookie

This award winning 'Flavor of Georgia' cookie has a sweet Georgia peach taste. Byrd takes the tangy goodness of a tree ripened peach and coats it with powdered sugar with a flavorful sweet cream taste. 

 

 

Favorite Bite Sized Cookies of the Low Country

Byrd's Famous Cookies from Savannah's Iconic Cookie Bakery

This famous Savannah company is located virtually across the Savannah River from the South Carolina Low Country, which includes the coastal area from Myrtle Beach to Charleston and Hilton Head. Thus, having a Byrd cookie named for the Low Country fits right in with this area.

Byrd's Famous Cookies Of Savannah include these favorite bite-sized cookies of the Low Country. They come in a gift ready Post Card style 6 Oz.Tin and include the Key Lime Coolers, Georgia Peach, Benne Wafers, Almond Shortbread, Chocolate Chip, and Scotch Oatmeal.

For a list of all the current flavors of Byrd's Famous Cookies, Click here on their Website.

Byrd's Famous Cookies Stores

Byrds Famous Cookies at City Market

The flagship store is located at the bakery at 6700 Waters Avenue in Savannah and other stores are located in City Market in the Savannah Historic District and on the famous River Street located along the Savannah River.  You can shop for a selection of gifts, gourmet items, and curated selection of boutique wines. In addition, of course, to all the cookie flavors Byrd is famous for.  

Bakery Tours

Take a tour of Byrd's Bakery when you visit Savannah, Georgia.  You will be able to smell the cookies before you even enter the door.  Whether you are a tourist visiting the city or locals who want to arrange field trips for school children and Scout troops, it's a fun tour. You'll get to know the history and legacy of this multi-generational cookie company on your guided tour and delight in lots of cookie tasting!  Tours are available  Monday-Friday 10AM-4PM and a tour can be booked in advance by emailing stacy@byrdcookiecompany.com or call 912.721.1551.

May your cookie jar never be empty!

 

Byrd's Famous Bite-Size Cookies

 

  A yummy Article written by Wednesday Elf  (c) 5/27/2017

 

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Hidden Valley Pasta Salad Mix Reviewed

I rarely get very excited over boxed food, but this Hidden Valley Pasta Salad mix caught my eye when I was in the grocery store a few weeks ago.  

With the hot weather of summer fast approaching, the idea of a cold pasta salad was very appealing.  I thought, why not?  I'll give it a try.  Worst case, I wasted a few dollars and end up tossing it in the trash. 

However, I was pleasantly surprised!

Hidden Valley Pasta Salad - Original Ranch

HIDDEN VALLEY PASTA SALAD ORIGINAL RANCH 7.9 OZAs it turns out, this is by far the best pasta salad I have ever tasted, bar none.  It took less than 15 minutes to cook the pasta, stir in the sauce and add the required mayonnaise and milk.  With the first bite, I was absolutely shocked at how delicious it tasted. 

I couldn't eat all of the pasta salad I made that day all at one time and I wasn't about to throw it away.  I put the leftovers in the refrigerator.  For the next two days I ate the leftover pasta salad for lunch.  In fact, it was even better the second and third day after the ingredients had "married" overnight.  Plus, after being refrigerated, it was cold and made for a very nice lunch on the warm days that followed. 

I'm pretty excited about the discovery of the Hidden Valley Pasta mixes.   For this first adventure, I made the Original Ranch pasta salad. But, I will definitely be trying the Southwest Ranch next. 

Not only is it great for my own lunch, but I would willingly serve the pasta salad for the holidays, at a ladies luncheon, or as a side for dinner.  It is always nice to have something fast and easy to prepare whether I am cooking just for myself, feeding my family, or entertaining guests. 

Add Vegetables or Meat to Your Pasta Salad

For lunch, I prefer pasta salad without meat, but you can add ham, bacon, chicken or other chopped meat in with the pasta to make a fabulous dinner.  Or, you might want to add fresh vegetables instead.  How do I know it would be fabulous?  Because the base pasta salad is fabulous, so adding a tasty meat or fresh vegetables would simply give it a new twist.
 

 HIDDEN VALLEY PASTA SALAD ORIGINAL RANCH 7.9 OZ

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Other Recommended Pasta Recipes

Easy Pasta Recipe from Cooking for the Holidays
This is likely to be the easiest pasta recipe ever! My grandmother originally introduced all of us to this fast and easy recipe decades ago.

Buttery Pasta and Shrimp Recipe Review - On Review This!
This shrimp/pasta buttery combination has become a standard for company dinners and has also become a family favorite for Christmas Eve dinner every year.

TexMex Lasagna Recipe Reviewed on Review This!
Typically one thinks of lasagna as a classic Italian dish. Today I want to share a recipe that I created for TexMex Lasagna. It is a little twist to an old favorite

Hidden Valley Pasta Salad Mix Review Written by:

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Best Tasting Stevia

 The Best Tasting Stevia~A Review of Kal Stevia

Stevia is an ancient herb that is very sweet and has zero calories, so it's come to the forefront in the diet industry since it seems we're always searching for sugar substitutes . Because I have trouble metabolizing sugar, (and many people do and don't know it) I ditched sugar a long time ago. 

But that doesn't mean I ditched my sweet tooth at all. No I still love sweet stuff, even though supposedly if you stop eating sugar your cravings will subside. Not in my case! For years I have been searching for a sugar substitute that is healthy for me and has no calories or carbohydrates.

So when I first heard of Stevia I got all excited. It's from a plant and is all natural and tastes sweet with no bitter aftertaste like so many artificial sweeteners have. But my excitement soon turned to disappointment because when I decided to embark on a quest to find the best Stevia, I found that most Stevia is not that sweet tasting unless you use gobs of it, and it's expensive. 

But that all changed when I found Kal Stevia. Kal Stevia is the best tasting brand of Stevia hands down. I've tried them all so I can tell you that without a doubt Kal is the best brand of Stevia. Read on for my review of it, and to get your hands on it!

Stevia, How Do You Pronounce It?

I actually get a little irked about this sometimes. If I go into a Health food or Vitamin store and can't find the Stevia by myself, I will ask someone for it. Since Stevia is actually from the leaves of a South American plant, it makes sense that the original cultivators of it get to name it. They pronounce it Steh(with a soft e like eh-vee-ah with the emphasis on the second syllable. So Steh-vee-ah. (because i is pronounced ee in Spanish)

Our Anglicized version of these types of Spanish words would render it Steh-vee-ah, same letter pronunciation, but the emphasis switches to the first syllable. (Don't ask me why we do this, I don' t know, it's just a curiosity of translation, I guess.) So it would be Steh-vee-ah.

But somehow someone decided to really change it up and pronounce it Stee-vee-ah with the emphasis on the first syllable..Now they even say it wrong on the TV commercials too. 

So even though I'm a Certified Herbalist and know exactly the origin and pronunciation of it, they will shoot back at me :"It's Stee-vee-ah."  And I never ask how to pronounce it, they just feel compelled to correct me. 

So if that happens to you, feel free to give them an etymology lesson, that's what I sometimes do. Hey, they asked for it when they corrected me without my asking. It's really Steh-vee-ah, not Stee-vee-ah.

*From here on out, all the products can be purchased from Amazon by simple clicking on any photo.

Best Stevia Products
Best Tasting Stevia Sweetener

The incredible Kal Stevia powder makes all food taste sweeter and not bitter. You only need a tiny amount. In fact, if you are used to other sweeteners and having to use way more than the box tells you is necessary to get that sweet taste we crave, you are in for a sweet surprise because Kal Stevia actually tells the truth on its bottle. You don't need very much at all! 

I use it on everything and a bottle lasts me 2 to 3 months. I even use it in my No-Cookies, which are no bake cookies (and now they are diet cookies!). I just use 1/4th of the sugar called for, and use the equivalent amount of Stevia for the other 3/4ths. I find you do need a little sugar in baked goods to get the right texture.

Kal Pure Stevia Extract Powder -- 3.5 oz

 This is the brand and bottle of Stevia that I use. Delicious, and you only need a tiny amount, so it lasts a long time!

 Kal Pure Stevia Extract Powder, 3.5 oz

Kal Stevia Extract Powder, 1.3 oz powder

If you're not sure, you can buy it in the smaller size and give it a try. I buy the larger one because I already know I love it and it's cheaper that way. But this one is great for traveling.

 Kal Pure Stevia Organic Extract -- 1.3 oz

Kal Stevia Extract Powder

If you like extra fiber in your diet, this one has added fiber in the form of FOS. 

 KAL - Pure Stevia &  Fiber, 4 oz powder

Best Stevia Liquid Sweetener

Kal also makes incredible liquid Stevia products. For coffee and hot cocoa lovers, they have now added flavored Stevia to make it easy to get your "Starbuck like" coffee drinks and it's way less expensive that way too. I love the Vanilla one! But now that they have Chocolate Cardamom, that's next on my list!!!

These liquid sweeteners are great for cold drinks, but would also work great in recipes. My hint about that is to put the Stevia in last, no matter what the recipe says. And if you are baking a dessert using Stevia, it seems to take a little less than you would think. But if you make a mistake and your recipe is not as sweet as you would like, quickly make a glaze to put over it. 

A simple syrup made from Stevia poured over your dessert will make it more elegant and solve the sweetener problem. Just boil a cup of water and a half teaspoon of sugar, turn off the heat and add a teaspoon of real butter, and Stevia to taste. Stir for a simple syrup. Poured on a dessert it's delicious! Or add some Kal Stevia Syrup on top. Even easier! (purchase below)

Pure Stevia Liquid Extracts 

 I carry one of these around in my purse because it takes up less room, and being liquid, it dissolves faster in iced tea. Click on a bottle to see more flavors. 

 Kal - Pure Stevia Liquid Extract - 8 oz. Pure Stevia Extract Vanilla Kal 1.8 oz Liquid Stevia Extract, Pure (Chocolate Cardamom) Kal 1.8 oz Liquid Stevia Extract, Pure Caramel Cream Kal 1.8 fl oz Liquid

Kal~Best Brand of Stevia

Another natural sweetener is Luo Han which is extracted from a fruit tree in China and made into tea or a paste from which the sweetener is manufactured. Some people think that bringing Stevia and Luo Han together makes the best tasting Stevia products. I like Luo Han, and the Kal version of this marriage of sweeteners is also the best one in my opinion. 

 Pure Stevia Extract Plus Luo Han Powder - 100 Packets

I still prefer pure Stevia, but my sister-in-law uses the combination here and says it's much better for baking. I don't bake that much any more. But her diet cookies are really delicious, so if you bake and want to make diet versions of your favorite baked goods, try the Stevia plus Luo Han. (pronounced low hawn)

Now you can have sweets without guilt any time you want! 

Note: The author may receive a commission from purchases made using links found in this article. “As an Amazon Associate, Ebay (EPN) and/or Esty (Awin) Affiliate, I (we) earn from qualifying purchases.”

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