I have a lot of fond memories of these biscuits as an eight-year-old on humid summer days in my Dad’s kitchen, but I hadn’t picked up the recipe since 2005, when I began experimenting with it. Vegetable shortening was the first item on the list (I can hardly abide it). I started by reducing it [...]
Posts under ‘Birmingham’
First Bite: Kool Korner Sandwiches (Vestavia Hills)
Recently, I have wondered how one could possibly go wrong eating a hot pressed sandwich with melty cheese, roast pork, ham, pickles, and a few other choice toppings. I am sure it’s possible, just not at Kool Korner, located in the Publix shopping center in Vestavia Hills.
IIldefonso Ramirez, the shop’s Cuban-born owner, arrives each morning [...]
The Taco Truck
I’m not quite sure what it is about food from a truck that makes it so completely irresistible. This truck, the Taqueria Guzman, parks in a run-down Texaco parking lot on West Valley and turns out some of the best tacos in town.
Check out my article in this month’s Birmingham magazine (or, while I’m shamelessly [...]
Fall Favorite: Spooning Persimmons
I picked up these pretty persimmons at the Oak Street Market a few days ago. When they’re red and soft (probably overripe) I like to cut the top off and eat them with a spoon. After a very brief wikipedia read, I learned that underripe persimmons could cause goo buildup in your stomach and result [...]
Market Update: What’s Hot at Pepper Place
October 10, 2009
64 degrees and light rain (at 8:15)
Apples (McIntosh, Cumberland Spur, Red Delicious, Golden Delicious, Matsu, winesap, granny smith, jonagold, rome)
Basil
Beets (Chiogga and red)
Bok Choi
Broccoli
Cauliflower
Cilantro
Collard Greens
Cucumber
Eggplant (white, Japanese)
Escarole
Market Update: What’s Hot at Pepper Place
October 3, 2009
54 degrees and sunny
Apples (McIntosh, Cumberland Spur, Red Delicious, Golden Delicious, Matsu, winesap, granny smith, jonagold, rome)
Arugula
Basil
Beets (Chiogga and red)
Broccoli
Chestnuts
Collard Greens
Cucumber
Eggplant (white, Japanese)
BottleTree to Show Food Inc.
I am so pleased to know that BottleTree Cafe will show the documentary Food Inc Saturday, Sept 5 and Sunday, Sept 6. As excited as I am that viewers will not have to travel, as I did, it is disappointing and sobering that this excellent film, highlighting the current crisis into which our food system [...]
Market Update: Holding Pattern
I’ve been terribly pleased with the response to the Pepper Place Market Report since its introduction back in May. It’s been a lot of fun talking with the farmers and providing the produce list, but I will be heading to pasture, so to speak, and won’t be able to publish the report for the remainder [...]
Local Produce: The Sun Jewel Melon
When I picked up my first pair of Sun Jewel melons back in early July, I have to say I was underwhelmed. They were beautiful, smelled vaguely of banana and mango (as advertised) but they lacked a definitive taste and were somewhat mealy. Snow’s Bend Farm doesn’t usually disappoint, so when they suggested that I [...]
Market Update: What’s Hot at Pepper Place
Week 13: August 8, 2009
Weather: 80 degrees and sunny
Apples (Ginger Gold, Red Delicious, Ozark gold, and gala)
Arugula
Basil (green and purple)
Blueberries
Cilantro
Cantaloupe (Athena)
Carrots
Corn (peaches and cream, and silver queen)
Cucumber (long green, pickler)
Eggplant (Italian, white, Japanese)
Figs (LSU Purple, Lemon, brown turkey)
Leeks
Melon (Sun Jewel)
Okra (green and red)
Onion
Parsley
Peaches (Flame Prince, Encore, Tyler)
