tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-72576887814716216122024-11-08T10:39:10.439-05:00By~Lander~Sea Food TalesRestaurant Reviews, Recipes and Ramblings from Debi LanderBylanderseahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01198078306634238437noreply@blogger.comBlogger208125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7257688781471621612.post-66180173754466544632021-12-30T11:09:00.001-05:002021-12-30T11:09:18.696-05:00 Colonial Williamsburg Gingerbread Cookies It was the summer of 1956; I was a young girl. My family and I were touring Colonial Williamsburg for the first time. I immediately fell in love with the old Virginia town, a place I have returned to many times. I adored the guides' colonial costumes and hats. I wanted to take a carriage ride and sleep under a canopy bed. I wanted to live there!My first trip to Williamsburg We were finishingBylanderseahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01198078306634238437noreply@blogger.com0Williamsburg, VA, USA37.2707022 -76.70745718.9604683638211569 -111.8637071 65.580936036178855 -41.5512071tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7257688781471621612.post-16783176298613755732021-12-17T15:43:00.000-05:002021-12-17T15:43:01.454-05:00Dry Brine for the Best Turkey Ever I debated whether to take the extra step to brine my Thanksgiving turkey. I'd encountered several disasters in previous years, yet the process yielded deliciously succulent meat. The first time I brined, I did not have a brining bag, and the only way I could get the turkey covered and refrigerated was to use one of the vegetable bins. I didn't have a bucket or container that would fit in myBylanderseahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01198078306634238437noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7257688781471621612.post-57275391559138726502021-11-28T09:17:00.001-05:002021-11-30T09:34:03.823-05:00 A Thanksgiving Cocktail: Cranberry Pisco SourIf you know me, you know I love a Pisco Sour! I found this recipe flipping through a magazine, and I just had to try it. Glad I did because it will now become my annual Thanksgiving cocktail. (My Christmas cocktail is the Pomegranate Martini - recipe found on this link.) The Cranberry Pisco SourI first encountered the frothy pisco sour on a trip to Peru. The tangy, not Bylanderseahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01198078306634238437noreply@blogger.com0Sarasota, FL, USA27.3364347 -82.53065269999999-0.97379913617884384 -117.68690269999999 55.646668536178851 -47.37440269999999tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7257688781471621612.post-90318184066652880752020-11-23T08:18:00.004-05:002020-11-23T08:21:01.843-05:00Reviving the Impossible Quiche In my memories, brunch means quiche. I invited a friend over for brunch and thought, I’ll pull out that quick quiche recipe I made many years ago. I recalled one using Bisquick, and a pie that almost magically formed the crust. In fact, there are numerous versions of this impossible pie recipe, I also recall a rendition that made cheeseburger pie, a quick and inexpensive dinner.&Bylanderseahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01198078306634238437noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7257688781471621612.post-54881202062202080742020-07-23T12:18:00.001-04:002020-07-23T12:19:31.365-04:00Showstopping Flag Ice Cream Cake for the Fourth of JulyI love fireworks, but this year, 2020, proved different. With the Covid-19 mandate to avoid large crowds, most destinations canceled their annual event. I needed something to make the fourth seem like a holiday. Then, a photo of this Flag Ice Cream Cake caught my eye, and I made a plan. Fortunately, I started early (on July 2nd) because I knew this project would take a long timeBylanderseahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01198078306634238437noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7257688781471621612.post-89392915065800188832020-06-15T11:13:00.001-04:002020-06-15T11:13:36.689-04:00Yummy African Peanut Stew from Baton Rouge Baton Rouge, Louisiana, was the last destination I visited before the coronavirus lockdown. I went for a travel conference, and honestly wasn't expecting too much from the city. But I was wrong. The revitalized and clean downtown really impressed me. I found fantastic interactive museums, an old and new capitol building, and a lively spirit that flowed through the city, likely due to Bylanderseahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01198078306634238437noreply@blogger.com0Baton Rouge, LA, USA30.4514677 -91.1871465999999912.141233863821153 -126.34339659999999 58.761701536178848 -56.030896599999991tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7257688781471621612.post-42357627219742207432020-05-27T13:48:00.000-04:002020-05-28T10:42:34.277-04:00Cheering on the Fighting Okra and the Lowly Green Vegetable
As a child, I never encountered okra unless disguised or unknowingly snuck into something like canned soup. I was simply unaware of its existence. I grew up in the 1950s, and my mother served us basic meat and potato meals, plus the popular Campbell's soups: chicken noodle when sick, tomato soup when eating a grilled cheese sandwich and vegetable soup during the winter. Mom admittedly was not Bylanderseahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01198078306634238437noreply@blogger.com0Cleveland, MS 38732, USA33.7440023 -90.724818733.6911878 -90.8054997 33.796816799999995 -90.6441377tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7257688781471621612.post-59189585468351739952020-05-20T09:48:00.000-04:002020-05-20T09:48:14.872-04:00Out of this World Shrimp Saganaki
Although no one is cruising during the coronavirus pandemic, I know many folks are ready to get back on a boat. Hopefully travel will return in the summer or fall of 2020.
Celestyal Cruise Chef is ready for a cooking demonstration.
One morning not too long ago (but in many ways, the trip seems years ago), I was in the Mediterranean aboard the Celestyal Crystal on their Bylanderseahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01198078306634238437noreply@blogger.com0Athens, Greece37.9838096 23.727538837.8836966 23.5661773 38.0839226 23.888900300000003tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7257688781471621612.post-22597914606597656502019-11-19T13:18:00.000-05:002019-11-25T15:19:02.432-05:00When You've Got Apples, Bake an Apple Raspberry Pie
When it comes to apples in the South, a visit to Hendersonville, North Carolina, is in order. The small city near Asheville ranks as the seventh-largest producer of apples in America. Who knew? Apparently, William Mills, one of the original settlers to the area, planted hundreds of apple trees around 1800. The fertile fields helped nurture the crops, and for decades growers sold Bylanderseahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01198078306634238437noreply@blogger.com1Hendersonville, NC, USA35.3187279 -82.46095279999997335.2150859 -82.622314299999971 35.4223699 -82.299591299999975tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7257688781471621612.post-80206785632391610662019-04-01T08:30:00.000-04:002019-04-01T17:03:52.301-04:00Springtime Color: Turkey Meatballs with Carrots and Yogurt Sauce
A colorful photo in an email caught my attention, and I decided the recipe looked so good, I just had to make it.
Turkey Meatballs with Carrots and Yogurt Sauce as made by Debi Lander
I purchased the ingredients and began using the recipe from Epicurius by Anna Stockwell as the basis. I modified it slightly deciding to make round meatballs instead of the suggested freeform lookBylanderseahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01198078306634238437noreply@blogger.com0Lakewood Ranch, FL 34202, USA27.4117037 -82.42851510000002727.3553207 -82.509196100000025 27.4680867 -82.347834100000028tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7257688781471621612.post-59333348500436614342019-03-26T10:45:00.000-04:002019-03-26T10:45:01.271-04:00Discovering North Carolina's Sonker Trail
Ever heard of Sonker? I hadn't until I visited the Yadkin Valley in Surry County, North Carolina. I went there to explore Mount Airy, Andy Griffith's hometown and the model used for his television series The Andy Griffith Show. Throughout his life and Hollywood career Andy Griffith, and his role as Sherrif Taylor, portrayed a down home friendly feel.
Statue of AndyBylanderseahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01198078306634238437noreply@blogger.com0Mt Airy, NC 27030, USA36.4993007 -80.607285836.3971922 -80.7686473 36.6014092 -80.4459243tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7257688781471621612.post-31506458726306863062019-03-17T13:11:00.000-04:002019-03-17T13:11:07.406-04:00Best Ever Corned Beef Brisket, Carrots and Potatoes
St. Patrick's Day calls for corned beef and cabbage. Since my son Steve's birthday is also St. Patrick's Day, I often cooked the meal for his party. However, Steve is now the head of his own household, so I haven't fixed the dinner in a few years.
It's time to return to tradition. I found a new recipe that calls for oven-roasting for about four hours and then topping the brisket Bylanderseahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01198078306634238437noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7257688781471621612.post-52812389572002121372017-05-25T11:46:00.000-04:002017-05-25T16:14:08.415-04:00Lively Luna Fresada Cocktail at El Conquistador Resort
I recently flew into San Juan on the island of Puerto Rico. “Our country is shaped like a pig,” said my guide as she handed me a map.
“I see a turtle, not a pig,” I responded.
“No, no. Definitely a piggy,” the guide insisted. Pig or no pig, the airport bestowed a vibrant tropical feel, and that made me happy.
I hopped aboard a shuttle bus for a 45-minuteBylanderseahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01198078306634238437noreply@blogger.com1Fajardo, Puerto Rico18.3257869 -65.652383818.2654959 -65.7330648 18.3860779 -65.5717028tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7257688781471621612.post-28460532636244507232016-08-09T02:13:00.001-04:002016-08-09T02:13:17.237-04:00The French Fry Museum in Belgium
I visited the Belgium Friet or French Fry Museum in Bruges and wrote the story for Real Food Traveler. Please click on the link below.
http://www.realfoodtraveler.com/2016/08/the-belgium-friet-french-fry-museum/
Bylanderseahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01198078306634238437noreply@blogger.com0Bruges, Belgium51.209348 3.224699500000042550.891377999999996 2.5792525000000426 51.527318 3.8701465000000423tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7257688781471621612.post-53275786924458959652016-06-27T03:43:00.002-04:002016-06-27T03:43:51.537-04:00Finding the World's Largest Baklava
While on a trip to Ljubljana, Slovenia I ran into a group of women trying to set the Guinness World Record for the largest baklava.
You can read my story about this delightful experience on RealFoodTraveler.com:
http://www.realfoodtraveler.com/2016/06/discovering-slovenia-and-the-worlds-largest-baklava/
Bylanderseahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01198078306634238437noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7257688781471621612.post-21543482954057174562016-05-18T13:30:00.003-04:002016-05-18T13:31:33.866-04:00Slovenia's Lake Bled and their famous Cream Cake
I loved scenic Lake Bled in Slovenia and wrote a story about their famous cream cake for RealFoodTraveler.com.
The tiny island on Lake Bled in Slovenia.
Photo @Debi Lander
Please use this link to read my story on Real Food Traveler: http://www.realfoodtraveler.com/2016/05/13-million-cream-cakes-cant-be-wrong/
Bylanderseahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01198078306634238437noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7257688781471621612.post-29353497679221110922016-04-07T06:33:00.000-04:002016-04-07T06:33:17.518-04:00A Pumpkin in Turkey
Guest post from Judy Shulman
No, I am not going to talk about stuffing a turkey with pumpkin. I’m
writing about a restaurant in Göreme, Turkey called Pumpkin Göreme Restaurant
and Art Gallery. Dinner in this cave-strewn landscape in Cappadocia became a
delightful treat.
Pumpkin Göreme Restaurant and Art Gallery
Hot Air Balloon ide are very popular in Cappadochia.
From theBylanderseahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01198078306634238437noreply@blogger.com0Göreme, 50180 Göreme/Nevşehir Merkez/Nevşehir, Turkey38.643056 34.82888900000000413.121021500000001 -6.4797049999999956 64.1650905 76.137483tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7257688781471621612.post-5080753043258500702016-03-21T10:34:00.001-04:002016-03-21T11:50:31.056-04:00Fried Sage Leaves in Italy
Like Bubba Gump and his endless variety of shrimp, Southern cooks like to fry just about everything. I’ve sampled more than my share of fried pickles, fried okra, fried green tomatoes, fried oysters, fried catfish, fried turkey, fried peanuts, fried apples, fried cheese, corn dogs, fried hand-pies, fried onion rings, fried Oreo cookies, fried sweet potatoes and, of course, fried chicken.
Bylanderseahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01198078306634238437noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7257688781471621612.post-35554318994765024822016-02-13T17:06:00.000-05:002016-02-14T08:23:57.337-05:00Crustless Quiche Interrupted
Ever since I returned from Flagler Beach, I’ve meant to bake a crustless spinach quiche. I loved the dish so much that I asked Carol Fisher, owner of the Beach House Beanery and Café, to give me the recipe. But, as things go, the holidays and my move interfered. It was when I began reviewing my Instagram account that I came across the quiche photo. The food photo garnered many likes,Bylanderseahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01198078306634238437noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7257688781471621612.post-44832834571790151262015-12-19T10:31:00.001-05:002015-12-19T10:31:28.233-05:00Upside- Down Gingerbread for the Holidays
I'm a fan of gingerbread, be it cookies, muffins, gingerbread men, or gingerbread houses. But, my favorite is gingerbread cake because it is so moist and gooey. I like to believe the molasses adds some healthful iron benefits, but that's likely wishful thinking.
With the Gingerbread Man
Here is an easy and decorative gingerbread cake that you can serve by itself, or with Bylanderseahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01198078306634238437noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7257688781471621612.post-31336279129373188002015-11-11T14:39:00.000-05:002015-11-11T14:39:27.757-05:00Product Testing: Hoisin Garlic Sauce
Stir-fry is one of my favorite meals to fix because I live alone, and one preparation often contains enough leftovers for a second or third meal. I also find its a great way to use up whatever veggies I have in the house: peppers, broccoli, carrots, green beans, spinach, garlic and onions.
I rarely have asparagus, but bought some specifically to try this recipe. You see, I received a Bylanderseahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01198078306634238437noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7257688781471621612.post-29959116688661889682015-10-17T13:04:00.004-04:002015-10-17T13:04:56.906-04:00Fabulous Finds: Boise Fries and Guru Donuts
Flying to Boise from St. Augustine became a long journey. I left my condo at 4:15 am to drive two hours to the Orlando Airport for a flight to Minneapolis-St. Paul. After a layover in Minnesota, I caught a flight to Boise. Twelve hours from my start, I was met by Tony Harrison representing Taste Idaho. Tony graciously treated me to a late lunch at Boise Fry Company.
Bylanderseahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01198078306634238437noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7257688781471621612.post-14616847386327852542015-08-16T11:43:00.005-04:002015-10-17T13:05:50.311-04:00Sensational Seafood Chowder and Lobster
I've been to Nova Scotia three times, and each visit gets better than the last. It’s a Canadian province on the east side of Maine, and the name means New Scotland. I fly into the capital city of Halifax and find mystical greenery and shimmering blue lakes all around. The people are friendly, the towns are clean, and visitors and residents find a diverse range of options and Bylanderseahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01198078306634238437noreply@blogger.com0Nova Scotia, Canada44.681986599999988 -63.74431100000003938.96431059999999 -74.071459500000032 50.399662599999985 -53.417162500000039tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7257688781471621612.post-38011093184219996262015-08-04T10:26:00.003-04:002015-08-04T10:26:41.270-04:00Vodka or Tequila: Florida Mule versus the Mexican Mule
In March 2014, after many red-tape delays, a distillery finally opened in St. Augustine, Florida, my hometown. The St. Augustine Distillery makes vodka and gin from locally grown ingredients and Florida grown sugar cane. They offer free tours to the public and anyone over 21 can taste a sample. Their products have earned grand reviews and numerous awards. I love taking visitors to the Bylanderseahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01198078306634238437noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7257688781471621612.post-76042341154626362432015-07-27T14:54:00.003-04:002015-07-29T11:08:03.209-04:00History Tastes like Chocolate at Charlton's Coffee House in Colonial Williamsburg
Colonial Williamsburg, America's oldest and largest living history experience, remains near and dear to my heart. At times, I have felt like I lived and walked along Duke of Gloucester Street when Williamsburg was Virginia's 18th-century capital. That street runs from the late 17th-century "Wren building" of the College of William and Mary to the reconstructed Capitol. "The Revolutionary City" Bylanderseahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01198078306634238437noreply@blogger.com1