Fine Dining at Rhinehart's

A couple of weekends ago, I celebrated my birthday with a few friends by going to Augusta, GA, to see AVATAR 3D The IMAX Experience. It was great. Afterwards we went to eat seafood at Rhineharts. This place was a total shack. I was a couple classes below a roadside BBQ joint. Cinder block walls covered in graffiti, greasy wooden picnic tables, cement floor, old prostitutes at the bar, etc. It's ramshackled atmosphere was actually part of it's coolness. The seafood, however, was superb. I had the best fried oysters in years. Alan ate a snow crab plate served on a 5 gallon paint bucket lid. If you're ever passing thru Augusta at mealtime, I recommend eating at Rhineharts, just don't sit at the bar.

Happy Birthday Blythe

My baby girly turned 9 years old today. Happy birthday sweetie!

Monday

Today was one of those long Mondays that ends with you getting home and drinking 2 big glasses of wine (from regular glasses) and eating a whole can of Durkee's French Fried Onion Rings that was being saved for a green bean casserole. Oooh.

I Got the Blues...

While visiting my grandmother today I went outside with the kids for about an hour and we picked about a gallon of blueberries right off the bush. At one point I excitedly thought I'd go inside and show Papa how much we'd picked. But then reality kicked back in and I continued picking berries through teary eyes. I picked way more than we needed. As weird as it may sound I think I was trying to make myself forget again that he's gone. That momentary lapse of reality sure was nice...even if it was only for a moment. I sure do miss my Papa.

Above: The actual blueberries we picked. (Eat your heart out Charlotte.)

Beaufort Stew

Several of my friends have been posting recipes on their blogs, so I thought I'd try one. This is a simple Beaufort Stew recipe that is perfect for a big crowd or a small family meal. Someone gave us a mess of fresh shrimp recently so I made a smallish Beaufort Stew for our family dinner this week. Here's how I do it:

Ingredients:
Kielbasa Sausage (turkey or pork)
Corn on the cob (frozen works just fine.)
Shrimp (still in the shells is best)
Shrimp Boil Seasoning
Salt (optional)
Vinegar (optional)
Beer (recommended)

Step One: Have lots of fun (just like while assembling a grill). Seriously, the first step is to bring a large pot of water to a boil. Go ahead and add your shrimp boil to the water. I prefer Zataran's liquid seasoning, but everyone has their own favorite. You may want to add some salt and vinegar to the water for additional flavor. I sometimes pour in some beer, depending on what's left in the bottle I'm holding.

Step Two: Toss in the Kielbasa. Let it boil until it floats, then take it out. The Sausage will further season the water.
Step Three: Put in the corn for about 10 to 12 minutes, then take it out.
Step Four: Dump in the Shrimp. This is the part you have to be most careful with, as it is east to overcook shrimp. Two minutes is plenty of time. They actually continue to cook in their shells after you remove them from the water.
Step Five: Dump it all together in a big bowl and serve.

Step Six: Eat yourself into a real hurtin'.

Caution: One year I cooked up a BIG Beaufort Stew outdoors in my turkey fryer. Afterwards I thought I would just dump the water on the ground. It was like mine enemies had snuck in and salted the earth. I had a huge section of dead lawn that never grew back. I eventually had to dig up all the sod and soil and replant. So, be sure to either dump it on your weeds or on your neighbors lawn.

20th Waffle House Anniversary

On March 21st, 1988, Jennifer and I went on our very first date...to Waffle House. Actually, our first "planned" date was supposed to be on March 25, at PC's annual Shag-Fest (in case you are from the UK, "shag" is a dance her in the Southern, US). We were taking 2 weeks of shag lessons together in preparation for the big dance/date, when afterwards one night I said, "Hey, wanna' grab something to eat?" Since we went to college in Clinton, SC, in the 1980's the only late night place to eat was Waffle House. As we sat there clogging our arteries we realized that we were actually on our first date. Almost every year since we've gone to Waffle House on March 21st to celebrate the anniversary of our real first date.

What's in a name?

I realize that beverage names like Pepsi, Gatorade, Sprite, etc. don't really make alot of sense, but it seems to me that some of these new drink names are pushing the boundaries of ridiculousness. Below are two I saw advertised at the gas pump this week. They ain't exactly cheap either.

Gravy Fries

I had to go to Baltimore last week, for work. While at dinner one night, I tried the local fare...Gravy Fries. I know what you're thinking, but in fact they were not the most wonderful thing ever created. Not bad though.

Over The Hill

Woke up this morning suddenly feeling twice as cool as I was when I was 20. Apparently 40 is Awesome. Either that or senility kicked in overnight.

How to Eat Fried Turkeys

Here I am on Christmas morn, frying up some lunch.

Start with the best oil, squeezed fresh from a batch a sandwiches from Dukes Sandwich Shop.
Fry your whole bird for 3.5 minutes per pound at 325-350 degrees.
Provided you didn't burn down you house, take the fried turkey inside for carving, or just eat it whole. Yum!

Mmmm, That's ... Questionable!

I was picking up dinner at Sonic the other evening and saw their ad for "Mac & Cheese Snacks". Apparently, these are fried rounds of Macaroni and Cheese. Now I realize that I recently sang the praises of Fried Pickles, but even I have to question this culinary invention. I asked the curb-hop if they were any good and she said all her friend love them. So this Christmas, forget making Crock Pot Mac &Cheese and just swing by Sonic for an even faster way to clog your arteries. (Note: Supposedly, they're even better with a Dr. Pepper.)

Mmmm, That's Good Fried Pickles.

Rick and I met at D's today for what is quickly becoming our standing Friday Bloggers' Lunch. We celebrated Todd's 40th birthday by partaking of a plate of fried pickles. Unfortunately, Todd was unable to attend. Apparently, he was out and about enjoying his last free Friday before starting his new job next week. Happy Birthday, Todd and congrats on your new gig.

Mmmm, That's Good Coca-Cola Ribs!

Today my parents hosted a birthday lunch for my brother Jay, who turned 35 on Friday. My Dad grilled up Jay's favorite meal...ribs. However, since I had told him about Kyle's special marinade, this time he coked up those baby-backs. When it came to sauce time, we had Maurice's Honey Gold (mustard-based), Bone Suckin Sauce, Bone Suckin Dry Rub, and Dry. A good meal was had by all!

PS: Happy Birthday, Jay!