What's in your Astros cup?

I’m going all Astros for the second week in a row. It’s been fun to see people in their jerseys around our area and Houston supporting the team in the World Series. Through a relative, I actually got to attend the World Series opener and that was crazy fun. This week, Culinary Thrill Seekers, let’s talk about what you can put in your Astros cup:

Scapegrace Premium Black Gin – A friend recently introduced me to the subtle botanicals of gin. People tend to associate “clear” gin with a light feeling. And now for something completely different: Scapegrace Black Gin gets coloring from extracts including Aronia Berry, Saffron, Pineapple, Butterfly Pea and Sweet Potato. But hang on: It fades from black into reds and purples when you mix it with, say, tonic water and a slice of green apple for a signature serve. Is this crazy? Well, it’s a conversation starter, for sure. I can’t wait to share what I’ve already enjoyed. The sleek bottle design is a keeper.  think they can say it better than I can, so here it is, from the New Zealand makers:

Palate: Full bodied florality with a menthol like crispiness, naturally chilling with a balanced citrus freshness and a hint of spice.

Aroma: Resinous with Juniper and dry earthy notes, slight tropical sweetness swooping towards the end of the breath. 

Finish: Candied sweet potato and pineapple finish, mouth feel is luxurious and velvety and full of natural citrus oils. www.scapgracedistillery.com 

Fire Grounds Coffee Co. – It’s from first responders, and from Dallas, and I was right about the Bubba Brew. Texans ought to love it. Fragrance and body are also found in Rescue Roast and Bury Up Black. Count on this Firefighter and Veteran-Owned company to come through with what you need at all hours. Subscribe to the Caffeine-A-Station if you are as serious as they are. Challenge on for the good stuff. www.firegroundscoffeecompany.com

Fruit Forward – Watermelon is the fruit focus of a kosher blend that dropped this June. Down south we’re always down for this flavor and MYX Fusions Watermelon Moscato is my favorite-so-far experience with Moscato. It’s light, fresh and effervescent by my description. It’s crisp with a clean finish, according to the experts. It puts me in mind of bridal parties. www.myxfusions.com

Italian Style – Oat Barista is a thing, but I’m currently trying organic almond, coconut an almond coconut plant-based milks with extreme success. Koita blends are a product of Italy and I’m enjoying cool flavors by the carton. I don’t usually indulge in these dairy-free products but when they come my way, I’m all about it. Italian almonds are giving the body and flavor. www.koita.com

Darragh Doiron is a Port Arthur area foodie ready for cups overflowing with abundance. Tis the season to be grateful. darraghcastillo@icloud.com

Astros snacking

 

I’m hoping that by the time you read this, my Astro’s snacking tips are still newsworthy. Not noted for my sporting knowledge, I can certainly get behind fan support and of course, the goodies. I actually went to an earlier church service so I could see more of this past Saturday’s game. The popcorn was ready to go at my house with a nice Parmesan topping and I made cocktails in orange and blue. I sliced up orange bell pepper to tie it all together.

Readers, if you’re willing to share the hits at your house on game night, I’d love to give our readers here. Type them up and send them to my e mail, below. Let’s get thrill seeking!

Movie Credit Good – You stay past “the end” to watch movie credits, right? You’re often rewarded with a tease for the next edition of a story. At the bottom of a Sam’s Famous Salsa carton, I found this message: “See? We told you it may be addictive.” I’d eaten it all in one sitting, but that’s not behavior uncommon in Texas. It’s extremely fresh and satisfying on its own and you can also try it on: eggs, burritos, chips and guac with rotisserie chicken, chicken noodle soup, as a marinade, etc.  The family recipe is from the Tarahumara Indian Tribe with Hispanic, Latino and Native American flavors. Get yours at www.samsfamoussalsa.com 

Box of Fall – The Chief Gift Guru at Eku Box can handle the rest of the year for you, but I’m gonna share the secret. The “anatomy of these knock-out gift packages is “’use plus keep plus eat.” So For the Love of Olives includes keeper plates, a usable wooden board and the eatable oil. The list goes on and your set for gifting and hosting. I’m blown over by a fall box with cookies and candies and a lidded candle that looks like orange cut glass. It’s the keeper for me. Herbal sprigs and ribbon make it look over-the-top fancy and get this, there’s a note informing that even the bubble wrap is made from recycled content. www.ekubox.com to the rescue. 

I Do – The question is www.douoohlala.com.  A strive toward better health inspired Ooh La La Skin Care’s creator to incorporate fruit, green tea, honey, etc. into butters and cleansers that are “Made with Nature. Blessed by God!” Who doesn’t want that? One of those butters is saving my lips this season.

Darragh Doiron is a Port Arthur area foodie still trying not to say Super Bowl when she means World Series. Reach her at darraghcastillo@icloud.com

Isn't shrimp a treat?

 

Doesn't seafood mean a little something extra in our Cajun, coastal town? We spread out newspapers to catch shrimp and crawfish tails when it’s messy and we also dress up to dine out.

We go out of our way to get it fresh and take care with cooking and seasoning. Shrimp can be a light dish or luxuriously breaded, friend and served buttery or creamy. We can’t get enough.

Remember the shrimp festival on Pleasure Island and the famous shrimp calling contest? Call up your go-to shrimp favorites and share them with readers. Here’s what I’m craving: With the sensation of the viral butter board – spreading butter and topping it with various herbs to rake your warm bread through – here’s a shrimp twist. Cream cheese that board and top it with minced shrimp and garlic.

More life of luxury options:

Noa Lux – If you even understand the following sentence, you don’t need me to be telling you about luxury. Bundles of premium candles, face masks, etc. with good ingredients. Think of “The Waterboy” saying “high quality.” You know those silk pillowcases everyone raves about for good hair and stuff? Theirs are made with 100% 22-Momme OEKO-TEX 6A grade silk. I looked all that up and believe me, its fancy. It feels like a cool bit of heaven as you lie down for pleasant dreams. The candle will enhance your evening further. www.noaluxco.com

Clearly Good  - Fleuri –Enjoy a good artichoke? Wash up with some inFleuri Clear Gel Cleanse. A dermatologist created this line for long-lasting skin care. Japanese water, hibiscus rosa-sinesis leaf extract, some citrus and artichoke leaf extract are clear wash in this tube. Natural product lovers will enjoy the earthy stuff in this line that’s already famous in Japan. www.fleuribeauty.com

Moxi – My Moxi clarifying shampoo is also clear to remove nasty pollutants from natural, curly and other hair. Superfruits, science and nerve make up “fun” products. Moxy means pep, courage and determination are definitions for “moxi,” one of my favorite little-used words. Posted reviews show I’m not the only one who likes it.

Redneck  and Crans – For those who work hard, camo hard but don’t want to stink hard, give them The Redneck Bourbon and Oak soap, triple milled and small batch from Walton Wood Farm. Man, women will love it, too. It’s old-fashioned good soap that can laugh at itself. Want to make cranberries the new pumpkin spice? It’s a thing and Warm Cranberry Shea Butter Soap from the same company is on it. Their whole site is full of humorous, inspirational ways to present really quality items. Their backstory involves the Canadian wilderness, barn reconstruction and this soap includes inspiration from the Arctic Fox on pausing and breathing.

Dr. Wells – Dr. Sherian Wells was completing her Master’s Program in Aromatic Studies when her mom was prepping for knee replacement. She went to work on Dr. Wells’ Magic Cream. Now we can all share her line of holistic, natural, products “that actually work.” I’m sold already by trying just one product: Healing Skin Repair Wash with rose water and oil, tea tree oil, shea butter extract and Castile soap. www.drwellsproducts.com can close the deal for you. Healing is her family business. 

Henna Sooq - Khadija is your guide through Henna Sooq info on hair and body oils with organic amala, golden jojoba and camellia oils. Want to use henna to color your hair or adorn your body? Navigate to one video or the other but hey, she’s there for you to take care of natural and curly hair and soooo much more. This fall, experiment with the aromas and scents that have healed for centuries. Must I pick a fave? I confess, we have camellia here, but I’d never have thought that there was such use for the beautiful flower. But there is, naturally. www.hennasooq.com

Darragh Doiron is a Port Arthur area foodie who loves the simple things. And the luxurious things. Share with her at darraghcastillo@icloud.com

Proceed with caution. It’s “hotter than blazes” season

 

 

 

Does your fall décor feature sunflowers, burlap and orange leaves? Or super-scary-creepy things for All Hallow’s Eve?

Of course, I do things differently. I’ve got a bunch of shiny discarded cds making beautiful rainbows as they spin from a magnolia tree. It’s a fall tradition that seems to amuse and get compliments from neighbors walking their dog.

On the inside, it’s a different story. Sugar skulls in the Dia De Los Muertos tradition adorn my house from candles and towels to salt and pepper shakers. People give me these colorful pieces of Mexican heritage.

That’s how I got hot sauce in a skull jar. My original intent was to go through the store-bought stuff so I could always make my own and keep it in the jar. Spooky right? It’s a warning to others: I like it hot. I usually go red, but I’ve gone green of late.

 

One hot green version:

Simply cut up fresh jalapenos and run them through the blender with garlic and a little vinegar. The green stuff can be mixed in to yogurt to cool it down.  Play around with that. Have Fun. Don’t be scared.

 

 

Monkeys and Sea Creatures – Laid-back monkeys, skulls and sea creatures announce some tasty canned beverages that will take you into the season. No reason to say goodbye to island flavors in our mild winter area. Osena is spiked coconut water cocktail as close as a pop of the top Lush Dragon Fruit, Exotic Pineapple and Pure Original are smooth flavors that allow you 100 calories of beachy feeling. The electrolytes just come naturally. Cute little monkeys are sharing a coconut drink with straws on the label. @drinkosena

Our friends at Fire Dept. Coffee have always meant businesses. The skull in a fire hat just calls me in for some adventure. Now Nitro-Charged Shellback Espresso with a dual-trident armed sea king is taking no prisoners. There’s no alcohol in Spirit-Infused Irish Coffee and Nitro Latte is right in there with the new cans that aren’t for novice coffee drinkers. It’s in good fun and based on the concept our fire fighters need to stay alert. Read at www.firedeptcoffee.com how efforts help those hurt on the job.

Soil to shelf and not sketchy – I truly enjoyed a meal of Chi, which is “fake meat” to haters. To Culinary Thrill Seekers looking for new flavors and some healthy fun, I say give this 100 percent plant-based meat a go. It impressed a guest who found the good texture and flavor “familiar.” He guessed that nuts played a role in the good texture. I served it with tortilla and beans and we all felt good about our choices. It cooks in 4 minutes and the box says there’s “No Sketchy Stuff” like genetic engineering and artificial flavors or dyes. I can’t wait to see how a box of  CHI-rizo upgrades my next Taco Tuesday. Italian Herb comes after that. Join in the fun from www.chifoods.us Pork Yeah! It’s Plants.

 

Darragh Doiron is a Port Arthur area foodie looking for her one sweater she pulls out each of our brief autumn seasons. Share your foodie finds with her at darraghcastillo@icloud.com

Fall feelings draw us to nature, and the birds.

 

Pumpkin spice is more than a flavor. It’s a feeling. From church pumpkin patches to sunflower wreaths, we’re ready to get out our sweaters and take long walks in nature. All of this area’s spring migration is just a plus.

World Bird Migration Day is Oct. 8 and a Bird-Friendly Port Arthur event will be from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. Saturday at the Pleasure Island Commission office. Bring the children for activities with Sea Rim Park and Shangri La representatives to learn more about the birds in our area. We’ll also be discussing native plants for local yards to draw birds and pollinators. For more information, call 409-985-7822.

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 Here's some more thoughts on fall feelings:

 

Fall road trips to the country – or big cities – are my thing. A bistro lunch at a small table sounds heavenly. What I didn’t know about bistros could fill a book.  This one, from America’s Test Kitchen: “Modern Bistro: Home Cooking Inspired by French Classics.” The style came about as French families took in renters and fed them simple fare, and expanded to neighborhood eateries. What sounds fancy after all these years has simple roots based on necessity. Duck confit was a preservation method. Fresh nettles were foraged in season. Now we can eat more thing more often, so why don’t we? And fold those omelets ourselves while we’re at it. Southeast Texans grow figs, but have you ever considered them on Bistro Burgers with Pate, Figs and Watercress? We love the Groves Pecan Festival. Celebrate with Wilted Spinach and Shrimp Salad with Bacon-Pecan Vinaigrette. Our Cajuns speak French. French Onion Soup will warm us as much as gumbo. Get in on the “mush” trend with Roasted King Trumpet Mushrooms. This fall, open your own bistro.

 

 

Like those little pancakes because you can eat more of them at a time? Who are you kidding? Here’s the deal. Step One Foods has a packet of blueberry cinnamon oatmeal that works as you’d expect and tastes better than you’d expect. The creating doctor has a packet of oats and walnut pancake mix that works the same way and it is heavenly. Mix the contents with water, rest it 5 minutes, and grill up three little yummy little pancakes that will keep you full. Even easier? A pecan cranberry mix is one of their bars and a sprinkle mix is great for your lunch box to mix into yogurt. Fiber, Omega-3, plant sterols and antioxidants help with lowering cholesterol, migraines, etc. Sometimes women are more into healthy foods than men so I’ll say my husband let me have most of his dark chocolate crunch bar, which I did enjoy very much. He gave big thumbs up to the little pancakes. You’ll feel good about yourself after nourishing with their offerings.

 

Were you wondering about thermogenesis? Or how white kidney bean extract would taste in your coffee? Plantee Nutrition wants to become your new morning ritual with offerings like packets of Lean Coffee. Imagine a weight management coffee with premium Columbian Arabica that is additionally plant powered with gymnema, vanilla, Vitamin , etc. Creamer is also on the go, with powders of whole oat, coconut milk and water, vanilla, arrow root, etc. Makers want Plantee to become your new morning ritual. I’d say that instead of sugared up coffee with doughnuts you could switch to creamy Plantee and yogurt and be on your energized way. www.plantee.com

 

 

Darragh Doiron is a Port Arthur area foodie looking for her one sweater she pulls out each of our brief autumn seasons. Thanks go to local photographer/artist Darlyne Hartman for sharing her pumpkin photo with Culinary Thrill Seeking.  darraghcastillo@icloud.com