Getting 'messy' in The Valley

 

Frito Pie is a Texas classic that never gets old. Your Texas-based Frito bag is slit open on the side and layered with chili, cheese and lots of chopped onions and jalapenos. That’s how my fantasy goes, anyways. This scenario takes me back to the Eugene Field Elementary School carnival. Tastes like fall.

Visiting my husband’s family in the Harlingen area of The Valley yielded a new-to-me treat.

Enter the “Marranada.” In Rio Hondo, Cousin E. directed us to a “hole in the wall” eatery painted bright yellow. Just walk up to the window. The menu is painted on the wall. Cheetos are a favorite of mine, but I went for big, round corn chips this time. The bag, slit on the side, had creamy white cheese and corn ladled onto the chips. Just get a fork and dig in there.

What does this name mean, Cousin said it translates into “messy,” because you can easily drip this goodness all over you. But, YOLO, in The Valley. You Only Live Once, so get messy

 

Icy Donuts – Jennifer Chang Icy Donuts in Groves makes me smile. So does her breakfast eggrolls. This Groves eatery is a popular hit I hope you’ve tried. Ms. Change was discussing her fresh ingredients and how they heat up the sausage to bring out the flavor. She gave me a comment about their business technique and said I could quote her: “We never do lazy.”

Come over for a …. Do you go grilling or to a cookout. Or a barbecue? I read a trend report that found Texas leads in use of the term barbecue. That’s no surprise, but Hawaii came in second with New Mexico and California next. I’d pack up for a barbecue in Hawaii. They grill in Minnesota, South Dakota, North Dakota, Wisconsin and Michigan. Cookouts are likely in the Carolinas, West Virginia, Tennessee and Georgia. It’s all good to me if there’s onions, peppers and pickles set out in each state.

 

Darragh Doiron is a Port Arthur area foodie who’d love some barbecued SPAM in Hawaii. Reach her at darraghcastillo@icloud.com

ICY Donuts Groves, stocking stuffers make spirits bright

 

‘Tis the ICY Donuts Season

 

    

The ICY Donuts Groves sign caught my eye and I had to drive in. I love the breakfast eggrolls they bring to Greater Port Arthur Chamber of Commerce events. I’ve already bragged about their food,  but had never been there in person. Jennifer Chang set me up with "one of those eggroll things" people love. The skin is so delicate and crispy...... Then there was the hot, fruity tea they're known for hit the It hit the spot on a windy day.  She also coaxed me into a fritter, which is already my favorite. I think all those menu offerings have the extra ingredient of "love" mixed in there.  Ms. Jennifer's super-friendly face is just one more added bonus. Groves foodies, you are so lucky.

            Let’s get Latin – Movéo is Latin for “to move” and the name of a company that has brought straight-up style to resistance bands. I’m rocking a mermaid pattern and there are artsy florals, peaches and (I couldn’t do it) junk food styles. They just feel good in your hands and you won’t mind popping one out of your bag just so people will ask about it. Style and function on much equipment/accessories, with an attitude that everyone of every size ought to feel better about getting fit is what you’ll find at www.moveofitco.com

Thena – Turmeric and colloidal oatmeal I get. The arnica in Thena Natural Wellness products threw me. I looked up the daisy-like flower from Europe, used for bruising, and found it’s also call wolf’s bane. It’s the stuff fairy tales or made of, but Thena uses very natural stuff to treat eczema and a host of other sink issues. www.thenabiz.com connects you to reviews from satisfied users and I’m another from the feel-good foot balm soothing from tea tree, eucalyptus and lemongrass.

Mighty Good – Superior dippability may be provable (and I’d be happy to try) but Zack’s Mighty Organic Tortilla Chips do have a “first” claim regarding regenerative agriculture. That’ a combo of conservation and rehabilitation that begins with soil and involves crop rotation, so Zack waited a long time to get these chips right. When I made turkey nachos with Thanksgiving leftovers, I dipped to him. They’re mighty corny, from heirloom stock; mighty sturdy from being a rested tortilla first; and come from mighty land. I was super proud to enjoy the lime and the sea salt versions. Nacho style, I’m coming for you. www.zacksmighty.com

Devoted to Freshness – At the end of the day it’s a culture and lifestyle, says the creator of Devoción coffee. At the beginning of the day it’s fresh beans from Columbia to your door in as little as 10 days. They haven’t been sitting around for months in a warehouse. I’ll spend extra morning moments grinding this batch until my bag is empty. It’s a time of awareness and gratitude that’s worth it. I’m savoring Holiday Blend with notes of mulled wine, blueberry and dark chocolate. www.devocion.com shares the beany journey. 

Plant puff – Have you ever touched a soft, cool petal to your skin?  The Japanese Organic Konjac Face sponge puff is like that, because it’s from extracts of konjac plants of Yamamoto Farms in Japan. Full of minerals and antioxidants, it cleanses and exfoliates in the freshest way. They’ve been doing this for a hundred years because it works. Something different, once activated with water, keep it in a lidded container in the fridge. RisingSunBrands.com. 

Darragh Doiron is a Port Arthur area foodie happy to sample all the flavors of the holidays this season. Converse with her via darraghcastillo@icloud.com

Babies have it good these days. Organic foods, and a chic Bibbrella to pose for high chair pics. My sister got excited over the soft fabric printed with a world map, prominently featuring – by chance – Galveston. Black and white stripes on elastic sleeves you can push up make a baby look like a little French traveler. A slit for the chair and straps so you can fold up that mess make this BPA- and PVC-free product practical for hungry, messy little cuties aged 6 months to 3 years. She promptly put this selection from www.bibbrella.com to work on her Alabama grandbaby, who I must say could charm the bibb right onto herself for second helpings.

Icy Donuts Groves I’m already a fan of this new place’s foods, even though I haven’t yet been in person. Some avocado smoothie, breakfast eggrolls with an amazing crunch, creamy, fruity drinks and donuts came into my life. I’m hearing they strive to create healthy versions of all these goodies and they’re also famous for Vietnamese coffee. The Icy folks are at 3855 Main Ave., Groves. Lola’s Fine Hot Sauce Lola means grandmother to the family that brings the heat from Des Moines, Iowa. Fresh and natural ingredients start in the original, with red jalapenos, habanero, garlic, lime juice, vinegar and salt. Now, are you ready for Lola’s progressions? Because of “extra” ingredients I’m better able to enjoy the Trinidad Scorpion and Carolina Reaper versions. This time I’m saving the Ghost Pepper for last. Green Jalapeno? My fave. I’ve established I’m all about the hot, but I want to exit a Taco Tuesday believing I’ll live to see another. So, the verdict is, like they say at www.lolasfinehotsauce.com, the mission is to use the world’s hottest papers for flavor, not intense heat. Delicious and doable. Who doesn’t? Surprise. There are gummy bears in my chocolate bark. Or peppercorns or edamame. Oh, you go for more traditional options? If a friend loves you enough to send a Chocogram, chances are they’ll order the flavors, message and tin that’s perfect for you. Birthday Cake and Kitchen Sink are also hit-the-spot combos from Jessica Cadenelli, who has crafted an experience that has to make you smile. Order from www.iloechocograms.com because, who doesn’t? Darragh Doiron is a Port Arthur area foodie who melts at the thought of babies, doughnuts, hot sauce and chocolate. Don’t you? Connect to her at darraghcastillo@icloud.com