Nifty Recipe: Cinnamon Rolls

Ingredients:

Rolls:

• 1 cup warm fat-free milk (100° to 110°)
• 6 tablespoons melted butter, divided 
• 1/3 cup granulated sugar, divided
  
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• 1 package quick-rise yeast
• 16 22/25 ounces all-purpose flour (about 3 3/4 cups)
• 1 large egg, lightly beaten 
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• Cooking spray
• 2/3 cup packed brown sugar
• 1 1/2 tablespoons ground cinnamon

Icing:

• 3 tablespoons butter, softened
• 2 tablespoons heavy cream
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 cup powdered sugar

Preparation

1. To prepare rolls, combine milk, 3 tablespoons melted butter, 1 tablespoon granulated sugar, and yeast in a large bowl; let stand 5 minutes. Weigh or lightly spoon flour into dry measuring cups. Add egg and remaining granulated sugar to bowl. Stir in 4.5 ounces (1 cup) flour; let stand 10 minutes.
2. Add 11.25 ounces (about 2 1/2 cups) flour and salt to milk mixture; stir until a soft dough forms (dough will be sticky). Turn out onto a lightly floured surface. Knead until smooth and elastic (about 6 minutes); add enough of remaining flour, 1 tablespoon at a time, to prevent dough from sticking to hands. Place dough in a large bowl coated with cooking spray; turn to coat top. Cover and let rise in a warm place (85°), free from drafts, 35 minutes or until doubled in size. (Gently press two fingers into dough. If indentation remains, dough has risen enough.) Punch dough down; cover and let rise 35 minutes or until doubled in size. Punch dough down; cover and let rest 5 minutes.
3.  Combine brown sugar and cinnamon. Turn dough out onto a lightly floured surface; roll dough into an 18 x 11–inch rectangle. Brush remaining 3 tablespoons melted butter over dough; sprinkle evenly with brown sugar mixture. Beginning at one long side, roll up dough tightly, jelly-roll fashion; pinch seam to seal (do not seal ends of roll). Cut dough into 18 (1-inch) slices. Arrange 9 slices, cut sides up, in each of 2 (8-inch) square baking dishes coated with cooking spray. Cover and let rise 35 minutes or until doubled in size.
4. Preheat oven to 350°.
5. Uncover rolls. Bake at 350° for 22 minutes or until lightly browned. Cool 10 minutes in dishes on a wire rack. Turn rolls out onto wire rack; cool 5 minutes. Turn rolls over.
6. To prepare icing, combine 3 tablespoons softened butter and cream; stir with a whisk. Stir in vanilla. Gradually add powdered sugar; stir until blended. Spread icing over rolls; serve warm.

Not to Eat: Burger King, White Knoll (Lexington, SC)

Location: Burger King at White Knoll (Lexington, SC)
To Eat or Not to Eat: Only if you have days to wait for your food.....

Fast Food? Not at this Burger King location...... It's so sad for these guys that the new McDonald's coming in took all of their business and, evidently, their zest for life, too. After waiting in line for 15 minutes (while I was only car #2 out of 3), I finally arrived at the window and said to the young guy, 'Competition getting the best of you?'...... His reply was priceless....'yeah, we haven't seen very many cars tonight, that's for sure.' My response: 'You wanna know why?' (With a BIG cheesy grin). The dumbfounded expression on his face said enough. I drove off with probably what is the last order of food from that Burger King that we will eat for quite some time. Serves me right.....should be feeding the family healthy stuff anyway, right?

Sooooo......its simple. No Bon Appetite, here!! Sorry, guys.

Not To Eat: Libby's of Lexington, SC

Location: Libby's of Lexington, SC
To Eat or Not to Eat: You would be better off going somewhere else

It is with such sad displeasure and disappointment that I write this review. On 03JUL2012, I raved and raved about Libby's in Lexington, SC. I was so proud of them for overcoming a bad moment a few days before that and for always being the place my family asks to go to eat. But when  a month ago, you overlook something as major as cheese being hand picked off of a burger after it's already been served and that same burger being served again after the cheese was hand picked off, it's really REALLY disturbing to experience the kind of visit I had this past Saturday (11AUG2012).

Saturday midday (not EVEN during lunch or dinner rush) around 2:30, my family and I (a group of 5) went into the restaurant with our taste buds absolutely salivating at the thought of an Asian steak wrap or pizza or steak and cheese sandwich. What we walked into was a very dirty restaurant, a manager eating pork with his hands right out of the tray it was cooked in out in the middle of the kitchen in plain sight, no air circulation in the dining areas, very SLOW moving staff that were also clumsy enough to drop more than one tray of food in the first 15 minutes we were there (probably because they couldn't stand upright on the greasy floor), and just an overall very disappointing look at the great Libby's that we had grown accustomed to. Orders not even prepped the way they were requested, one sandwich completely left off of the order and delivered 15 minutes after everyone else at the table had been served, and 2 trips to the kitchen myself to see what was going on.

After talking to Clint, (and some of you already know he plays a very important role in this restaurant's hierarchy), I was still very disappointed that the attitude of the day was not to fix the situation and try harder, but instead to make excuses for why the ship was running astray. I don't get it. I just don't get it. I'm so, sooo disappointed with Libby's right now. I almost take it personally that they could disappoint me sooo much. What a shame.

Long story shortened for you, I would give Libby's a while to clean up their act before even bothering to spend your money or your time. You'll only be frustrated with yourself for going right now.

No Bon Appetite here for a while..... :(

TO EAT: TakoSushi, Columbia, SC

Location: TakoSushi, Columbia, SC
To Eat or Not to Eat? Oh yeah, baby, BRING IT ON!!!

So far this place gets my highest marks!!  Nice casual atmosphere. Great Food. Friendly service. As Guy Fierri would say, this place is "Spot On". (Guy, you need to come check this place out!!)

Have a family of picky eaters? Can't try new places because you're afraid there will be nothing your crowd will eat? Think you get too noisy to eat out? Think again. TakoSushi is the one place where everyone can chow down on something they like. From awesome sushi to fantastic fish tacos, you won't go wrong here. And you won't upset your neighboring table with a little loud chatter. I HIGHLY recommend it. No. I take that back. I absolutely INSIST you try it.

Long story short, To Eat or Not to Eat? No question about it.....it's a MUST DO.

Bon Appetite!!

TO EAT: Zesto, West Columbia, SC

Location: Zesto, West Columbia, SC
To Eat or Not to Eat?  MOST DEFINITELY TO EAT!!!!

So it's been a while since I've blogged. Of course, that's mainly because it's been a while since I left my home to go anywhere. The family has left me alone for a few weeks off and on now this summer, but that's ok...I can hold my own!! Last night I went out with the ladies on a whim....decided to go somewhere I had heard about in the local area but had never tried. BOY!! Did I not know what I was missing!!

It's called Zesto, ladies and gentlemen. It's located in West Columbia, SC. Its been in business since 1949 and it is well worth the stop! They're always busy and now I know why..... you want some AWESOME southern fried chicken?  Just stop by Zesto! You want a really good homemade butterscotch milkshake? Just go on by there and get you some!! :)

You know me, I can't comment on a joint without giving you the full low down....so, rest assured, it was clean, they were efficient, the staff was personable, and they were gettin' it done!!! I would suggest you leave now so you can beat the lunch crowd!!!!

To Eat or Not to Eat?? Absolutely BON APETITE!!!!

TO EAT: Cheddar's in Greenville, SC

Location: Cheddar's in Greenville, SC
To Eat or Not to Eat???? Sure...why not.

On our way to summer camp this past weekend, we stopped by a chain 'casual cafe' that I had never heard of before. It's called Cheddar's. This particular one is in Greenville, SC. Let me tell you, it was HOPPING. People E-V-E-R-Y-W-H-E-R-E!!!  That's usually a good sign. And it held true to the expectation.

Service was good. Food was tasty and priced ok. They were a little too busy to keep the floor swept to my liking, but it wasn't dirty or anything. Just a few napkins and straw papers floating around here and there. And for those of you that know me well, this next comment holds a lot of water.....the Bathrooms were nice AND clean. Individual walled stalls with real doors, nice flooring and counter tops, nice sinks.....grade A set up. The rest of the restaurant was just as nice with palm fans, nifty lighting, comfortable booths and tables.....all together a pretty nice look. I was impressed.

So, if you're near a Cheddar's, I would definitely say stop by and try it. If it follows suit with the Greenville, SC location, it is a 'TO EAT'.

Bon Apetite!!!

Nifty Recipe: Crab Cake Hush Puppies

Nifty Recipe Alert...Crab Cake Hush Puppies

Don't these just look Y-U-M-M-Y ????    To Eat or Not to Eat?     Oh yes!!!!

Crab Cake Hushpuppies

Ingredients

• 1 cup self-rising white cornmeal mix
• 1/2 cup self-rising flour
• 3 green onions, thinly sliced
• 1/2 cup finely chopped red bell pepper
• 1 tablespoon sugar

• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 8 ounces fresh lump crab meat, picked
• 1 large egg
• 3/4 cup beer
• Vegetable oil

Preparation

Stir together cornmeal mix, flour, green onions, bell pepper, sugar, and salt in a large bowl. Stir in crab meat, egg, and beer until just moistened. Let stand 10 minutes. Pour oil to depth of 2 inches into a Dutch oven; heat to 360°. Drop batter by tablespoonfuls into hot oil, and fry, in batches, 2 to 3 minutes or until golden brown, turning once. Serve with your favorite rémoulade or cocktail sauce.

Bon Apetite!!