Category: food

Farm Market Easy Dinner

by sswagler, posted in food, recipes, restaurants

What to do with our beautiful abundance of farm-fresh peppers and tomatoes? Add some potatoes and fragrant green curry broth to them. Then put an egg on it. After doing the fantastically easy drive-thru farmers' market at Pepper Place, I was looking to make something special with my plump, beautiful cherry tomatoes from Penton Farms … Continue reading Farm Market Easy Dinner

Full Moon Shines Across Our State

by sswagler, posted in food, restaurants

During times of unimaginable uncertainty in the restaurant industry, Full Moon Bar-B-Que continues to cook. Low and slow, of course. But steady, too. Even during a pandemic, it seems, people still want their ‘que.  In the 23 years since the Maluff brothers—David and Joe—purchased Full Moon Bar-B-Que from Pat James, they have grown the business … Continue reading Full Moon Shines Across Our State

Pizza

by sswagler, posted in food, restaurants

Thank you, Birmingham Breadworks, for getting me out of my house. At an acceptable distance, of course. Because I ate a full half of one of your pizzas, I felt compelled (really compelled and fueled) to walk five miles in my hilly neighborhood today. I really am grateful. That pizza with its savory bacon and … Continue reading Pizza

Sticky Onion Tart. You’re gonna want to make this.

by sswagler, posted in food, recipes

Jamie Oliver's Sticky Onion Tart is a real treat. My friend Beth Wilder made it recently and shared a picture that made my mouth water. So I found the recipe and decided to make it myself. It calls for things you probably already have on hand: onions, garlic, thyme, brown sugar, apple cider vinegar. I … Continue reading Sticky Onion Tart. You’re gonna want to make this.

Still Serving: Crestline Bagel Co.

by sswagler, posted in food, life, restaurants

We've been baking bread here at my house. Well, my husband has been baking bread, and I've been really enjoying it. Here's my blog post with the tried-and-true, no-knead, made-in-a-cast-iron-dutch-oven recipe. The original recipe is from Sullivan Street Bakery. But one bread we always buy: bagels. We just can't do them like my friend Jennifer … Continue reading Still Serving: Crestline Bagel Co.

National Attention, Local Efforts

by sswagler, posted in food, restaurants

Our state’s James Beard Foundation semifinalists should be enjoying a boost to business, but this is not business as usual.  When the James Beard Foundation announces its highly anticipated best-of semifinalists, our state usually has plenty of nominees.  This year started out no differently with restaurants from across our state named semifinalists in a number … Continue reading National Attention, Local Efforts

Curbside Service has Become the New Normal

by sswagler, posted in food, restaurants

Social distancing has changed our food-centric state in ways we never imagined. Curbside service has become the new normal for many eateries. Others are relying heavily upon delivery services. Still others are altering their business models in more significant ways.  While lives depend upon safe interactions, livelihoods depend upon businesses remaining in business. I wrote … Continue reading Curbside Service has Become the New Normal

Drive-Thru Farmers Market at Pepper Place

by sswagler, posted in food

The Market at Pepper Place has, for decades, promoted a “know thy farmer” way of doing business full of meaningful human interaction and conversations that make buying fresh produce and enjoyable and entertaining. In light of the COVID-19 crisis, the market is taking a different approach these days with a Drive-Thru Farmers Market and a … Continue reading Drive-Thru Farmers Market at Pepper Place