Sunday, December 16, 2018

Drunken onions in Groves

 



            The Collection
            I know I'm not the only one who finds a sample of spiced cider greatly enhances the luxury of holiday shopping. The Collection in Groves offered sweet and savory bites during my recent excursion and another shopper directed me to the hallway for a bite of "Drunken Onion" dip. Not only is the title a fun conversation starter, the product is full-on delish. You can buy the seasoning package and whip up your own at home. Across Lincoln Avenue, The Courtyard Café featured a display of Mexican Vanilla. I was just at a party where a baker brought out her stash and let guests sniff the alluring aroma from her stash of bottles. One guest was not aware that Mexican vanilla is a "thing" and the baker let her know that this Groves stop has some.

                             Press Club
                            A chocolate-merlot sauce topped my “Angel San Juan Food Cake” at the Press Club of Southeast Texas holiday party. This cake didn’t take the cake, as in a gift card to Bruno’s, but my mom’s bread pudding with bourbon sauce did. My husband asked her to make it for his entry and the general populace voted it as their favorite. Another winner, I got the leftovers. What little there was…

            Spot flowers on foodie road trips
            Ever been searching for jackass-clover or spectacle fruit? Keep an eye out for devil’s tongue or walking stick? Scrambled eggs? The Chisos Mountain Hedgehog is a cactus. “Texas Wildflowers: A Field Guide” is a book as thick as the state is big that will guide you right to them. Campbell and Lynn Loughmiller must have had a blast compiling this new edition from Texas Natural History Guides. Here’s the thing. Maybe you didn’t know you love wildflowers until someone gives you a book like this. It’s surely an opportunity to flip through beautiful photos and learn some natural tidbits. Now, if you’re willing to brave the sun and cold and ants, etc. you can hunt for these beauties yourself. And that’s why a Culinary Thrill Seeker would be totally into this book. You can also hunt for Texas barbecue, tacos and pecan pies all along your journey.
 Darragh Castillo is a Port Arthur area foodie wishing readers the best of holidays. Reach her at darraghcastillo@icloud.com,

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