Review This Reviews!

Showing posts with label Food Review. Show all posts

Saturday, October 26, 2019

Restaurant Review of Go Fish Marina Bar and Grill

A collage of views from the Go Fish marina Bar and Grill in Iowa

On the banks of the Mississippi River in Princeton, Iowa sits a delightful and delicious restaurant called Go Fish Marina Restaurant and Bar. Or simply “Go Fish” as the locals call it.

The Go Fish restaurant in Princeton, Iowa

Go Fish is built up on stilts like a lot of coastal property due to flooding. It has a good size indoor seating area, a bar, and a lovely outdoor deck. The deck has tables with umbrellas and a covered Cabana. The restaurant bar also opens to the outside deck.

The outside deck overlooking the Mississippi River at Go Fish restaurant in Princeton, Iowa

On warm days, the outside deck is an especially delightful place to eat ~ the food is very good and the scenery is charming. Last week my son & I had a birthday lunch there. The sun was shining, the sky nearly cloudless, the temperature a warm Fall day, and the river mesmerizing to watch. A very pleasant and peaceful place to eat.

Go Fish Menu

The menu has a wide variety of options with many items made from scratch with fresh and local ingredients. The dishes range from chicken to steak to seafood, and from pork chops to burgers.

The Go Fish Cowboy Burger is a filling treat. It's a half-pound of flame-grilled Black Angus Iowa Beef topped with pepperjack cheese, crispy bacon, sauteed mushrooms and onions.

The pork chops are wonderful. They are the Iowa Pork Chops our area is known for. I've never had better pork anywhere – not just that served in restaurants, but any you buy at the grocery stores. Iowa pork is terrific!

On this particular day, I had the batter fried fish & chips and they were delicious. Their 'chips' (french fries) are listed as Crispy Battered Fries and they were outstanding! The fish consisted of two good sized Haddock filets and the batter was fantastic. Served with cole slaw, the fish & chips was a very tasty dish for sure.

Oh, did I mention the desserts? Homemade ice cream and Key Lime Pie.

Check out the Go Fish Website here for more culinary delights.

Go Fish Location

The Go Fish Marina Bar & Grill is located at 411 River Drive in Princeton, Iowa. They also state that they are located in Pool 14 of the Mississippi River at Mile Marker 502. That terminology is new to me (being a new Iowa resident), but I looked it up. The term Pool (or Navigation Pool) is used to describe the area between navigation dams on the Mississippi River. For instance, Pool 1 begins in the Upper Mississippi River at St. Paul, Minnesota.

Boat docks at Go Fish Restaurant Marina Bar and Grill

Most probably the reason Go Fish specifies the river location on their website is because you can approach by river, dock your boat and walk up to the restaurant.

Their operating hours are seven days a week year round.

Mon-Thu : 11am-10pm
Fri-Sat: 11am-11pm
Sun: 11am-9pm

Summary

Dockside dining at the Go Fish Marina Bar and Grill

So if you find yourself traveling through Iowa or taking a boat ride up or down the Mississippi River, consider stopping at Go Fish Marina Bar & Grill for lunch or dinner. The restaurant is only a few miles north of the Quad Cities almost straight over from Chicago. Dining on the banks of the Mississippi is a charming experience.

If you do not live near rivers, lakes or oceans where you can enjoy delightful 'dockside dining', create your own at home with the delicious recipes in these cookbooks on Dockside Dining.

For more food and restaurant reviews, check out

Food Reviews on ReviewThisReviews

Quick Links:

Go Fish Marina Bar & Grill website

More Places to visit in Iowa:

Field of Dreams - Dyersville, Iowa
Tycogo Vineyard & Winery - DeWitt, Iowa
Figge Art Museum - Davenport, Iowa

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.”

FOLLOW US ON:

Monday, August 12, 2019

Nonni's Biscotti Reviewed

Looking for a light and airy snack? Perfect to accompany a nice cup of tea or coffee? Nonni's biscotti is a yummy alternative to the after meal cookies and sweets or a mid afternoon snack.

Biscotti The Alternative Snack

The biscotti are made with real butter, eggs and sugar. No preservatives or artificial flavors are used in Nonni's recipe.

Each biscotti is individually wrapped which is very user friendly and keeps the biscotti fresh. The biscotti are light and airy yet crispy. These are perfect for those who like to dunk a crispy treat in their coffee, tea or milk.

These are a very nice alternative to sweets and cookies, but remember that biscotti does translate to a crisp cookie or biscuit. Biscotti is the plural of biscotto and biscotti are traditionally twice baked to obtain the light and dry consistency.

Who Is Nonni?

Nonni is the grandmother of the founder of Nonni's Bakery. The lore of the biscotti recipe began with Nonni in Lucca, Italy an area of Tuscan. The family recipe was then brought to America over a century ago.

Flavors Of Nonni's Biscotti

There are quite a few flavors for the Biscotti!

The Originali
Cioccolati
Dark Almond Chocolate
Limone
Salted Caramel
Toffee Almond
Turtle Pecan
Triple Chocolate

Where To Buy Nonni's Biscotti

The Biscotti are not inexpensive at our local independent grocer or brand name grocery store. I have found the selection and prices are much better on Amazon. If you'd like to look for Nonni's in your area, check the retail store locator here.

Amazon has a very nice variety pack of Nonni's Biscotti which has four flavors of the Biscotti: Originali, Limone, Turtle Pecan and Cioccolati. The biscotti are much lower priced online than I found locally.

Biscotti are a nice change of pace for those who like sweets and snacks. The flavors are subtle so no need to be worried about being over powered by the flavors.

As they used to say, "Try it - you may like it!" The tagline of Nonni's is Nobody treats you like Nonni's!

FOLLOW US ON:

Friday, February 15, 2019

Swiss Miss Hot Cocoa K-Cups Reviewed

When I am chilled to the bone by the winter cold weather, I seek out my Swiss Miss Hot Cocoa k-cups for my Keurig coffee maker. There isn't anything better than a cup of hot chocolate on a cold day, especially when I need it fast!

I was hesitant to try the Swiss Miss Hot Cocoa simply because I don't normally like hot cocoa. In most cases, I much prefer hot chocolate. But, I really wanted a hot chocolate k-cup that I could make quickly when needed to warm up. So, I kept tasting and testing. My search is now finished and I extremely surprised that it has ended with a hot cocoa k-cup instead of hot chocolate. Regardless, I am thrilled the search is over and I have a k-cup that meets, and exceeds, my requirements.

Swiss Miss Hot Cocoa K-Cups

Swiss Miss Hot Cocoa K-Cups, Milk Chocolate, 72 CountCheck PriceI tried several different brands of hot chocolate k-cups, but most of them tasted like nasty hot water. As I said, I was hesitant to venture into the hot cocoa k-cups. I really didn't wish to waste my money, again. However, the Swiss Miss cocoa is a real winner!

The Swiss Miss Hot Cocoa from the k-cup has a nice rich and delicious taste. Plus, it really does have a milk chocolate flavor just like the package states. Since it is made with water, and not milk, it isn't as thick as a homemade cup of hot cocoa, but it doesn't have that cocoa aftertaste.

Now, when I come in from the cold, I have a fast and easy hot drink to warm me up. Oh, and it is extra delicious with those little marshmallows added.

The Snow Leopard Mug

Snow Leopard Coffee MugCheck PriceThe snow leopard mug you see filled with the Swiss Miss Hot Cocoa in the photo, is available on Zazzle. It is one of my own personal photos that I have made available on a variety of Zazzle products. The Snow Leopard mug does seem totally appropriate for warm hot cocoa on a cold day.

Visually, I think the marshmallows bring out the beauty of the Snow Leopard's gorgeous fur.

My mug is a little different from the one that is offered on Zazzle. In my desire to feature the snow leopard face, I didn't realize I had off-centered the image until I got my own mug in the mail. At that time, I went back into the Zazzle mug image set-up and centered the image on each side.

Grab Your Mug of Swiss Miss Cocoa & Join Me Today!

Swiss Miss Hot Cocoa K-Cups Reviewed Written by:

FOLLOW US ON:

Friday, February 8, 2019

Stonewall Kitchen Pancake Mix, Maine Syrups & Gift Set Reviewed

Stonewall Kitchen Pancake Mix, Maple Syrup & Gift Set Reviewed

I love cooking for my family, therefore a gift for my kitchen is always the right gift.

When I received my Stonewall Kitchen gift set this year from my husband, I was immediately thrilled by the pretty blueberry batter bowl. I admit, my one weakness is mixing bowls. I love them, especially if they have a spout.

I was also pretty excited to try a new pancake mix. Turns out, I prefer the Stonewall Kitchen pancake mix to any other that I have ever tried. That is rather surprising since I have used a popular grocery store brand for decades and have always liked the flavor and texture of the store brand. However, the Stonewall Kitchen pancake & waffle mix has a better taste.

The gift set also came with Wild Maine Blueberry Jam and Wild Maine Blueberry Syrup. By now, you have probably guessed it was a blueberry themed gift set. He also gave me a bottle of Wild Maine Maple Syrup separately. Actually, he probably bought that for himself, but it was included with the gift.

Stonewall Kitchen Farmhouse Pancake & Waffle Mix

Stonewall Kitchen Farmhouse Pancake and Waffle MixCheck Price If you love pancakes, and you prefer using a mix, you will want to try the Stonewall Kitchen Farmhouse Pancake & Waffle Mix. As I said in the introduction, I was extremely surprised to find that I prefer it to the brand that I have used for a lifetime.

The mix requires that an egg, milk & melted butter be added, but I always have those on-hand, so no problem. I quickly whipped up the batter and made our first batch of pancakes. I wasn't sure what to expect since the batter was a lot thinner than other pancake batters, but my fears were unfounded. The pancakes were delicious.

When we sat down to eat, neither one of us was talking, we were too busy eating!

My Preferred Method for Cooking Pancakes

Black & Decker SK1215BC Family Sized Electric SkilletCheck PriceIt is important that I note how I cook the Stonewall Kitchen mix pancakes. I use my electric skillet, set to 350°, with about a half-inch of Crisco vegetable oil covering the bottom of the skillet. In effect, I am frying my pancakes in oil, uncovered. I turn the pancakes when bubbles start to form on the side that is up. I only turn them once.

Because the clean-up is easier, the second time I made these pancakes, I used my Cuisinart Griddler. I can also cook more pancakes at one time since the Griddler opens out flat which allows me to cook on two grills at the same time. I didn't expect there to be much difference, but there definitely was a difference. The pancakes were simply not as good. They still tasted okay, but after the first batch cooked in the electric skillet, they were disappointing.

Therefore, from now on, I will always cook my Stonewall Kitchen pancakes in oil in my electric skillet.

The Stonewall Kitchen Syrups

I am a huge fan of blueberry syrup when it is really good, but I hate it if it tastes artificial. My husband prefers Maple syrup, but like me, he is selective. It has to be real maple syrup.

Few blueberry syrups live up to my standards. Stonewall Kitchen Wild Maine Blueberry Syrup is, by far, the best I have ever eaten!

Believe it or not, my husband has said that the Stonewall Kitchen Maine Maple Syrup is the best maple syrup he has ever tried. Big wins there for Stonewall Kitchen! We are both very picky when it comes to our pancake syrup.

Oh, and the bottles are really cute too!

Stonewall Kitchen Wild Maine Blueberry SyrupCheck Price Stonewall Kitchen Maine Maple SyrupCheck Price

Stonewall Kitchen Breakfast Gift Baskets and Sets (5 Piece Blueberry Gift Set)Check PriceMy Stonewall Kitchen Blueberry Gift Set

Yeah, I know. Now you all want my gift set too. Well, you can't have mine, but you can have one like it. I can tell you from experience, this is a great gift for the cook.

Do note though that the blueberry set comes with blueberry syrup. You may also wish to purchase the Maine Maple Syrup separately like we did.

The gift set includes everything you see in the picture and comes wrapped in the cellophane bag tied with a Stonewall Kitchen ribbon like mine in the top photo.

Gift Set Includes:

Farmhouse Pancake & Waffle Mix
Blueberry Batter Bowl
Wild Maine Blueberry Jam
Wild Maine Blueberry Syrup
Blue Spatula

Related & Relative Articles

I am not the only blueberry loving Contributor! Olivia has previously revealed her love for the fruit too. Plus, you may have recognized the phrase I used in the introduction, "my one weakness". That is actually a quote from Lark Rise to Candleford. Dorcas Lane uses that descriptive phrase several times in the movie and it always tickles me to hear her say it.

You may have noticed the Stonewall Kitchen Pancake Mix is also for waffles. Literally, it is named Farmhouse Pancake & Waffle Mix. You can make those waffles in a really cute heart-shaped waffle maker that was reviewed here by Bev Owens.

It's National Blueberry Month All Around the World

Olivia reviews some of the best recipes, as well as a cookbook recommendation, for all of us who love to consume this delightful bit of heaven on earth!

Lark Rise To Candleford Review

Enjoy Lark Rise To Candleford the BBC series which inspires, enlightens and entertains the entire family. The Lark Rise to Candleford series is based on the semi-autobiographical novels by Flora Thompson

Mini Muffins- Bake Ahead and Freeze
Mary Beth shared her own personal recipe for blueberry apple oat muffins here. She also gave us the basic recipe for her bake and freeze muffins which could include many different fruits & nuts.

Heart Waffle Maker Reviewed
Bev reviewed this heart shaped waffle maker to make our waffles in the shape of a heart as an expression of our love. Small and lightweight this heart shaped waffle maker can be a fun addition to any kitchen.

See More Gift Reviews On
ReviewThisGifts.com

Stonewall Kitchen Pancake Mix, Maple Syrup & Gift Set Reviewed Written by:

FOLLOW US ON:

Saturday, February 2, 2019

Review of Cafe Du Monde in New Orleans

Cafe Du Monde in New Orleans. (Source: Wikipedia)

Cafe Du Monde is a famous coffee shop in the French Quarter of New Orleans. It was opened in 1862 and is famous for it's chicory-blend coffee and Beignets. It is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, except for Christmas Day (and the occasional hurricane). Luckily, this famous cafe suffered only minor damage during Hurricane Katrina.

I've visited Cafe Du Monde twice on visits to New Orleans. It has a charming atmosphere and the Beignets are the most delectable pastry you will ever taste. I do have to admit, though, that I personally find the famous chicory coffee 'undrinkable'. I do not like the taste of chicory and I dislike strong coffee. But if you love chicory coffee or Vietnamese-style iced coffee, you will love the Cafe Du Monde coffee, particularly their Cafe au lait.

Cafe au Lait

Cafe au Lait (Image Source)

Cafe au lait is coffee with hot milk added. This is different from coffee known as 'white coffee', which has cold milk or other whitener added. Cafe au Lait simply means “coffee with milk”.

Beignet

Beignets (Image Source)

Beignet is a French pastry that is deep fried and served topped with powdered sugar. It is so light and flaky and is downright irresistible!

The allrecipes site has a recipe for you to make your own Beignets at home if you are not able to visit Cafe du Monde in New Orleans.

The ingredients in the Beignets recipe include dry yeast, white sugar, salt and 2 eggs, plus evaporated milk, flour and shortening. You will also need vegetable oil for fying and confectioners' sugar to shake on top of the hot beignets. Serve warm.

There are also box mixes of Beignets available if you do not care to go to the (delicious) trouble of starting from scratch.

Sylvestermouse has an interesting article about the Café Du Monde Coffee & Chicory and Beignet mix available for home use. Check it out here: Cafe Du Monde Coffee & Chicory Reviewed.

The word Beignet, of course, means donut.

Visit Cafe Du Monde

Cafe du Monde New Orleans restaurant, and map collage

The original Café Du Monde Coffee Stand is located at 800 Decatur Street in the French Quarter of New Orleans. In 1985 a second café was opened and today there are 8 Café Du Monde locations in the New Orleans Metropolitan area.

The Café Du Monde coffee stand is a 'must-see' and very tasty attraction for any New Orleans Visit. The literal translation of Café Du Monde means “Coffee of the World”.

Monday, January 14, 2019

Reviewing Sam's Pizza Crust Recipe

Pizza crust from scratch is easier than I thought.

Over the years I have tried to make homemade pizzas. And over the years I have repeatedly failed. But today I made homemade pizza, just the way I like it, using a pizza crust recipe from Sam's Place. My little pizzas turned out great and I can't wait to bake some more.

Sam's Homemade Pizza Dough Recipe

Sam's Place is a blog site with a collection of recipes. Sam's recipes are generally easy and tasty. He writes about his passion for "preserving family recipes and creating new ones". I visit his blog regularly and see that he shares quick and easy recipes.

When I decided to try to make pizzas at home again, I went directly to his blog. I found his dough recipe here. I only needed yeast, oil, water, flour, and salt.

I spread the dough out on the pizza stone - baking stones are great! I pressed the dough into a thin crust with my fingers. I didn't worry that they weren't round. On each pizza, I added sauce, mushrooms, cheese, and coarsely ground black pepper. Yes, that is one of my little pizzas in the photo above.

Old Stone Oven Round Pizza Stone

Why I Tried Making Pizzas Again

Recently I was watching a cooking show on television. Lidia was making little pizzas for the grill. She gave me a craving for pizza. Grocery store pizzas are okay, but not my favorite. Pizzas delivered from a local restaurant are divine but expensive. And I never end up eating the entire pizza. Even if I try eating all the leftovers, I either forget or I grow tired of eating pizza and inevitably I end up wasting food.

In the past I have tried making my own pizzas. I don't remember making any pizza that tasted better than the cheapie pre-made pizzas in the freezer section. Frankly, I eventually gave up.

But after watching that television show with the grilled pizzas and remembering Sam's easy dough recipe, I gave it a try. I dug out my baking stone and started up my KitchenAid mixer. Also, I have had good luck using SAF instant yeast. Previously, I failed when baking anything with yeast. But between using the SAF yeast and the fact that my water comes out of my tap at just over 100 degrees, I have been successful making breads. And now I'm successful with making homemade pizza crust.

Imagine making your own pizzas, personal sized or extra large, thin or thick crust, just exactly the way you like them!

The second pizza I made today. Doesn't it look tasty?

Related Links:

Cynthia reviewed the Kitchen Aid Pizza Wheel. She recommends it because it is "strong, durable, and ergonomical". Take a peek at her review for more details. I need one of these.

I bought my KitchenAid mixer two years ago. I had always thought it was an extra and over-priced gadget that I didn't need. But since I have it, I LOVE IT! This is a purchase I've never regretted.

Heather has been a KitchenAid Artisian mixer fan longer than I have. In fact, her review helped convince me to get one of my own. Heather's article also includes information about the annual timing of sales on these mixers. Get that important information here.

Sam also has a Fresh Tomato Spinach pizza recipe. I'll try that next.

Because Lidia's Kitchen show is what started this recent pizza craving, I'm including a link to her Grilled Pizza recipe. Yum!

FOLLOW US ON:

Saturday, December 22, 2018

River Street Sweets – Savannah Candy Store Review

River Street Sweets Candy Store in Savannah, GA

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 Gift Basket from River Street Sweets

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.

FOLLOW US ON:

Monday, December 17, 2018

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.

FOLLOW US ON:

Tuesday, April 10, 2018

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.

FOLLOW US ON:

Monday, April 2, 2018

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.

FOLLOW US ON: