Jennifer's Travel Journal- Georgia-a Southern Fried Vacation!

When you think of the south, maybe you think of sweet tea, fried chicken, biscuits & gravy, pulled pork, magnolias & tea time. Well during a recent visit to Atlanta and Marietta, Georgia we got to enjoy them all!

After an early flight we started with lunch in the cute town of Roswell at Red Salt @ 952 Canton Street.  A funky place filled with young people for lunch. I enjoyed at 7 onion soup-shallots, garlic, yellow onion, Bermuda onion, Vidalia onion, chives and scallions. Then we strolled along the charming downtown and stopped in antique shops and galleries.

Then we headed off to DeKalb Farmer's Market- This large market includes a wide variety of produce, spices, cheese, meat, flowers, baked goods, jams and more. There were people from all nationalities buying and selling. It was a real experience that is worth the drive.  (No photos indoors) http://www.dekalbfarmersmarket.com/

That night we went down to Atlanta to South City Kitchen! This place is really cool and the southern food was fabulous with great service.  http://www.southcitykitchen.com/midtown/index.htm  

We started with a She Crab soup appetizer.  I enjoyed buttermilk Fried Chicken, green beans, mashed potatoes, other choices- Salmon, Meatloaf, Ribs, BBQ pork crepe, Jambalaya, Pecan Pie, Banana Pudding, and Chocolate Bread Pudding.

Across the street is the nightclub... Opera Night Club Midtown! My niece says it will get really packed and wild late at night! I'll be fast asleep!   On the way home we drove through Buckhead. She said another fun club is Twist!  http://www.h2sr.com/twist/ 

Early the next morning we headed to the Atlanta Botanical Garden@  Piedmont Park.  It was beautiful with lots to see and a great Gift Shop. A great trip for gardeners! I had a wonderful time! http://www.atlantabotanicalgarden.org/home.do

I was excited to go to Johnny Gabrielle's for lunch. She is Paula Deen's cousin who started out as a caterer, then opened a bakery and now also serves lunch & dinner. She also has a cook book! http://www.gabrielsdesserts.com/

I had chicken pot pie along with blue cheese macaroni ! Can anyone say Carbs? Look at all the desserts above!! Oh yes, and the KFC Chicken!

My niece performed in her Senior Orchestra Recital and then we went to  Red Sky Tapas & Bar-a Spanish, Caribbean Restaurant  http://www.redskytapas.com/ We had a lot of fun sharing tapas- bbq chicken pizza, fried plantains, risotto, bruschetta, lobster dip, cucumber & papaya.

Next morning we had breakfast at the Flying Biscuit http://www.flyingbiscuit.com/  A great meal including grits and pancakes with pecan & peach compote. below

Then we had a lot of fun shopping at the North Mall Outlet - Worth the trip! http://www.premiumoutlets.com/outlets/outlet.asp?id=16

Next month Th. May 13 will be the Taste of Alpharetta- http://www.alpharetta.ga.us/index.php?p=195  Last year it was packed when we went. It is a big block party where you buy tickets to purchase restaurant's  specialty items including cheese steaks, pizza, pulled pork, ribs, quiche, French toast, Gelato, Bread pudding and much more...Th. May 13 - 5 - 10 pm.

I have been to Stone Mountain many times and Six Flags over Georgia. Fun for the whole family! Not to be missed! Stone Mountain has a cool light show on a huge mountain.  http://www.atlanta.net/visitors/stone-mountain.html

Six Flags Over Georgia is a fun amusement park!    http://www.sixflags.com/overGeorgia/index.aspx

Some other attractions on my list for my next visit:

Georgia Aquarium http://www.georgiaaquarium.org/

Altanta Zoo  http://www.zooatlanta.org/

Gone With the Wind http://www.margaretmitchellhouse.com/

Walking Tour http://www.preserveatlanta.com/

Coke http://www.worldofcoca-cola.com/

CNN  http://www.cnn.com/tour/atlanta/

Antiques and Art http://www.bennettstreets.com/

Tea- Woodstock's "Tea Leaves and Thyme" http://www.tealeavesandthyme.com/tlt/home.htm 

Roswell's Tea House http://www.roswellteahouse.net/ 

Buckhead http://www.simon.com/mall/default.aspx?ID=210

MLK, Jr. Home -  http://www.nps.gov/malu/index.htm

My cousin Mary Louise is a Civil War Buff and she recommended 2 places to go to learn more about Civil War History.Located in Kennesaw is

http://www.southernmuseum.org/visitor_info.htm All about The Great Locomotive Chase in the Civil War and

be amazed by the world's largest painting @ Atlanta Cyclorama.  http://www.atlantacyclorama.org/ about the Battle of Atlanta. (next  to the zoo)

Golf, tennis and church life are very important actvivites in the south. My sister lives right on a golf course and is very active with tennis and golf. The churches in the south are also very large, 10,000 members. My sister goes to church with some of the guys from the Weather Channel.Their Sunday School has 100 members!  A fun thing to do on a Sunday would be to visit one of these large churches. The North can learn a lot from their Southern Hospitality!

Jennifer's Travel Journal- Great Day Trip

The Philadelphia Zoo- New &  Improved

The Philadelphia Zoo has been around since 1874 and is the oldest zoo in America. To our delight the zoo has kept up with the times with modern attractions and about 1300 animals. The Zoo is open from 9:30 am to 5 pm. There is a Picnic area. Pack your lunch or purchase there.

 Adults $18, Children $15, under 2 free. Swan boat $6. Carousel $3. Train $3. Parking $12.

Year round Family passes include free parking.

http://www.philadelphiazoo.org/

Opening April 10 - New Exhibit Creatures of Habitat

Monkey

Polar Bear

Tiger

Puma

Lions

Flowering Trees by the lunch area

Giraffe

Cool Fountain

Gorilla

Easter Dinner

Ham

Pepperoni Bread

Pineapple Stuffing

Rigatoni Mac & Cheese

Cole Slaw, Green Beans

Corn Pudding

Candied Yams

Peach Cobbler

Pepperoni Bread

Let frozen dough thaw and rise.

Knead and roll thin with dusted flour.

Melt 4 T. butter. Spread on top of bread.

Layer sliced pepperoni and Am cheese on top.

Roll like jelly roll.

Brush mixture on top- 1 egg, 2 t. parsley, water, pepper and parmesan cheese.

Place on greased cookie sheet.

Bake 350 degrees for 30 - 40 min.

Pineapple Stuffing

Cream 1 c. sugar and ½ c. butter

Add 3 eggs.

In a separate bowl 4 c. bread cubes and pour ½ c. milk & toss.

Combine the bread mixture in the butter mixture.

Mix all together then pineapple last.

1-20 oz. can crushed pineapple and juice.

Pour in 13 x 9 pan.

Bake 350 45 min - 1 hour

Rigatoni Macaroni and Cheese

1 box Rigatoni-cooked

8 oz. sharp cheddar cheese, grated

1 pt. sour cream

1 pt. mayonnaise

Mix all together then add 1 Quart of Milk.

Pour into 13 x 9 pan.

Sprinkle with salt, pepper and paprika.

Bake uncovered 350 45 min - 1 hour

Mrs. Wilke's Corn Pudding

1 lb. can creamed corn 1 T. sugar 1 t. salt

2 T. flour 3 eggs, well beaten

2 T. melted butter 1c.milk

Mix in order given. Pour into greased casserole. Bake 350 degrees 1 hour 

Candied Yams

Melt 3 T. butter

Add ½ c. brown sugar

3 T. milk

Heat, stirring constantly.

Add drained 40 oz. can Sweet Potatoes until warm.

Peach Cobbler

Mix 2/3 c. sugar 1 T. cornstarch in sauce pan.

Add 1 c. boiling water. Boil 1 min.

Add 3 c. sliced peaches or (39 oz. canned peaches)

Pour into 13 x 9 pan. Dot w butter and cinnamon.

In separate bowl make Bisquick shortcake recipe.

Drop by spoonfuls on peaches.

Bake 375 degrees 30 min.

Delicious Meatless Soups for Lent

Some people abstain from meat during Lent or skip meat on Fridays, although some eat seafood. (I am not legalistic about chicken broth considered meat) Here are some delicious soups to enjoy!

Delicious Meatless Soups for Lent

Manhattan Clam Chowder

Crab Soup

Tomato Bisque

Sweet and Sour Cabbage Soup

Creamy Potato Soup

Cream of Asparagus Soup

Broccoli Cheese Soup

Recipes

Manhattan Clam Chowder

Diced onion, celery, carrots,

16 oz tomatoes

8 oz. tomato puree

¼ t. thyme

½ t. pepper

¼ t. minced garlic

8 oz. potatoes

1 Qt. water

1 Qt. chopped clams

Opt. cooked Bacon.

Place water and vegetables in pot. Simmer 20 min.

Add bacon, tomatoes and spices.

Simmer 45 min. Add clams simmer 15 min more.

Crab Soup

5oz. flour

5 oz. butter

8 c. milk

½ t. paprika

¾ t. salt

¼ t. pepper 1/8 t. cayenne pepper

2 T. sherry

¼ t. old Bay Spice

1 lb. crab meat

Melt butter, add flour. Make roux, Cook 3 min, Add Milk, cook 10 min, Add spices and crab.

Heat slowly.

Tomato Bisque

1 T. olive oil  ½ shredded onion

8 lg tomatoes, peeled and seeded or 32 oz. Crushed or Pureed Tomatoes

2 c. chicken stock

1 t. sugar

1 c. heavy cream s & p

Cook onions in olive oil. Add tomatoes, stock, sugar. Boil, simmer 20 min.

Cool. Puree the soup.

Strain. Add heavy cream, s & p to taste.

Sweet and Sour Cabbage Soup

3 T. olive oil

1 Lg onion chopped

2 cloves garlic, minced

1 t. crushed red pepper flakes

¼ c. balsamic vinegar

2 T. brown sugar

6 c. finely chopped red cabbage

6 c. chicken stock

Sautee onion in olive oil. Add garlic & red pepper flakes.

Stir in vinegar and brown sugar. Simmer.

Add cabbage, tomatoes & stock.

Simmer 30 min. Add more balsamic & brown sugar as needed.

Creamy Potato Soup

2 lb. potato, peeled and diced

1 small diced onion 8 oz chopped celery

3 Qt. Water- 2 chicken bouillon cubes S & p

Combine and simmer 20 min.

Add 1 ½ Qt. Milk

In a separate bowl combine 4 oz. melted butter & 1 c. flour. Add some of the soup broth.

Slowly add back to pot. Simmer 20 min.

Cream of Asparagus Soup

1 lb. Asparagus

3 ½ c. chicken broth

¼ c. butter  ¼ c. flour

½ c. light cream

½ t. salt 1/8 t. pepper

Cut asparagus into 1 inch pieces. Combine w  1 c. broth. Simmer 15 min.

Remove 1 c. asparagus for later.

Puree remaining asparagus & broth in blender.

Melt butter in pan. Add flour. Add remaining 2 ½ c. broth . Cook.

Stir in cream, s, p, pureed asparagus. Add remaining asparagus & heat.Save a few stalks for garnish.

Cream of Broccoli

½ c. butter

½ c. flour

2 c. chicken stock

2 c. milk

¼ t. salt 1/8 t. pepper

2 - 24 oz. Frozen Broccoli Florets or fresh

3 c. Shredded Cheddar Cheese

Melt butter. Add Flour. Cook 2 min. on medium heat.

Add chicken stock, milk, s & p. Simmer 10 min. Add cheese until melted.

Cook broccoli separately or microwave. Add to soup. Cook 5 more min. Serve.