Watermelon is an iconic symbol of summertime. When I learned it could be incorporated into a cake, I was super excited to get in the kitchen and bake it. Pretty in pink and sweet as can be, this cake is bursting with watermelon flavor, light and airy, and comes together quickly. Continue reading “Summertime Watermelon Cake”
A Smashing Good Cocktail
Recently while visiting Dutchmans Designs, a quaint little shop on the Georgia coast, I picked up Porch Parties by Denise Gee, a fabulous book containing cocktail recipes and easy ideas for outdoor entertaining. Right away, I wanted to try this Blackberry Smash. Made with my favorite fruit and refreshing ingredients like mint leaves and lemon juice, it’s definitely a keeper.
You’ll need a cocktail shaker. Muddle 16 fresh blackberries and 10 fresh mint leaves. If you don’t have a fancy muddle tool, just use a wooden spoon. Add rye whiskey, lemon juice, simple syrup and 1/2 cup of ginger ale. Then drop some ice cubes in and stir, don’t shake.
Pour into a tall cocktail glass and top off with ginger ale to taste. Garnish with blackberries and fresh mint. It’s cold and fruity, the perfect complement to summer.
Here’s the recipe:
10 Fresh Mint Leaves
16 Fresh Blackberries
1/2 Cup Rye Whiskey
1 Tablespoon Fresh Lemon Juice
2 Tablespoons Simple Syrup
1/2 Cup Ginger Ale, plus more for topping off
Skewers of blackberries for garnish (optional)
Let me know if you try it!
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Best Breakfast Buffet in Town
Sandcastle Cafe & Grill
St. Simons Island, Georgia
It was a sunny Saturday morning and 81 degrees when I strolled over to Sandcastle Cafe & Grill for breakfast in the St. Simons Island Village. By 9 a.m., many islanders and tourists had beat me there, already seated reading The Brunswick News, sipping on piping hot cups of coffee. I made my way through the crowd and happily opted for indoor seating in the A.C.
The cafe opened in 1989 and has since fed many a hungry tourist and locals alike. With exposed brick throughout and an eclectic mix of decorations, the atmosphere is casual and the food comforting.
For just $8.50, you’ll get the “Glorious Breakfast Buffet” including just about any breakfast food you can conjure up. You’ll also receive unlimited pancakes, french toast and waffles. Or, feel free to order from the menu, where you can test your ticker with their signature Eggs Aorta–biscuits topped with gravy, scrambled eggs, sausage and cheddar cheese. Saving room for lunch? Try the lighter fare–the Fruit Plate with fresh seasonal fruit and homemade muffins. Check out the menu.
I got the breakfast buffet so I could pick and choose a few of my favorites–hash browns, fresh fruit, grits and sausage. The coffee mug was just the right size.
Guests help themselves to the wide array of buffet options. Sandcastle Cafe & Grill is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. I don’t know of any other place on the island where you’ll get more for your money.
The fresh, cold fruit and orange juice are a welcomed relief from the summer sun.
Black and white images fill the long brick wall. Framed by the owner herself some 20 years ago, the pictures depict St. Simons Island in the 1950’s and local families whose descendants still eat at Sandcastle Cafe & Grill today.
Located at the end of the strip mall in the St. Simons Island Village, the cafe faces the recently renovated Neptune Park and is just steps away from my favorite island feature…the pier.
After breakfast, or any meal for that matter, we always take a walk on the pier to see what the fishermen are catching, watch the shrimp boats or see if we can spot some dolphins swimming out in the ocean.
These are only some of the beautiful sights you might see on a visit to St. Simons. Pleasantly full from breakfast and feeling the sunshine on your skin, what a peaceful view.
Have you been to Sandcastle Cafe & Grill?
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New Restaurant A Hit for the Golden Isles
Island Chop House and Seafood Grill
St. Simons Island, Georgia
UPDATE 3/27/13 – Island Chop House and Seafood Grill Has Closed
It takes a lot of persuasion for my family to branch out and try a new restaurant, especially in the Golden Isles. We have our favorites, and you know how it is when you’re hungry–you want to go somewhere that’s guaranteed to be good, somewhere you know. On the Saturday night of Memorial Day weekend, we decided to take a chance on Island Chop House and Seafood Grill, a new St. Simons Island dining establishment that just opened this spring. The food was exceptional, the decor tasteful and I appreciated the fresh take on their inventive side dishes.
Call me a snob, but I typically prefer to dine in stand-alone restaurants. Located on Frederica road smack dab next to the Cleaners, there it was. Though I hadn’t expected the restaurant to be in a strip mall, it stood out among the other stores with an inviting exterior. Mom and dad waited in the car while I went in to scope out the scene. I came back with a thumbs-up, having been impressed with the clean, sophisticated decor, friendly host and desirable menu.
Upon greeting us, the hostess informed us that there’d be a 30 minute wait. It was 7:15 p.m. and we were hungry, so we weren’t thrilled about the news. Then 10 minutes later, she led us to our table. There we sat and waited until a cheery fellow appeared from the kitchen with three tall glasses of cold water garnished with lemon wedges–a welcomed sight after a long day in the summer heat. Our waiter was as nice as could be and immediately apologized explaining that he was waiting on clean glasses, as the restaurant had been so busy that night. There was a party of 20 at the table to our left and I could see he was right. He told us about the specials for the evening, asked if we had any questions and took our drink and appetizer order.
We began with a classic southern menu item: Fried Green Tomatoes. They were lightly fried Georgia green tomatoes layered with goat cheese combined with balsamic-tossed arugula. The presentation was reminiscent of an ice cream sundae. Stacked high, garnished with strawberries and drizzled with what reminded me of chocolate syrup, the tomatoes were crispy and the balsamic dressing provided a sweet tartness with the creamy goat cheese.
As I looked the menu over, I narrowed my decision down between the Smoked Gouda Shrimp & Grits and the Wild Coastal Shrimp. I chose the shrimp & grits for $18.95 with the mixed veggie medley: zucchini, carrots, onions and yellow squash. The dinner entrees come with 2 sides, so I also got a caesar salad. The grits were cheesy and hot, seasoned just right. The sausage was spicy and plump and the shrimp had a Cajun kick. Island Chop House and Seafood Grill offers the usual sides in addition to some pretty cool interpretations of basic carbs and vegetables with the volume turned up. Examples? Grilled Asparagus, Horseradish Roasted Garlic Mashed Potatoes, Sautéed Mushrooms or Blue Crab Mac-N-Cheese. Mom got the Blue Crab Mac-N-Cheese and man alive, it was Some Kinda Good y’all. It’s fried and spicy!
Maybe to maximize space, the restaurant seating is mostly tables. There is one booth in the rear of the restaurant reserved for larger parties.
The restaurant is open 7 days a week from 11 a.m. – Until, with Happy Hour from 3 – 6 p.m. daily. I predict it’ll soon be a local favorite and yet another place my family visits to experience fine food on the beautiful St. Simons Island.
Have you been yet? What’d you think?
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Homemade Summer Fruit Jam and Bread
I’ve officially arrived in the kitchen. I made jam. JAM, I tell you! Successfully, and on my first try at that. If I do say so myself, I was pretty impressed. Making jam has always seemed like an arduous process that I never wanted to conquer, but with a little time and determination, the Summer Fruit Jam recipe from my cookbook, Homemade gave my Mother’s Day gift baskets just the right touch. Take away? Never let over complicated directions or words like sterilize intimidate you in the kitchen or squelch your efforts. Continue reading “Homemade Summer Fruit Jam and Bread”
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Sweet Vidalia Onions On the Grill
I never thought I’d enjoy eating a stand alone onion. That was before I met the Vidalia Onion wrapped in bacon and grilled.
Vidalia Georgia, The Sweet Onion City located in the Southeastern part of the state, hosts the annual Vidalia Onion Festival each year. This spring, I met a few friends there and picked up a five-pound bag of the famous onions.
The following weekend while watching Trisha’s Southern Kitchen on Food Network, I discovered Uncle Wilson’s Grilled Onions featuring, you guessed it: Sweet Vidalia Onions. I knew then just how I’d use mine.
Peel the onions, then cut a small hole in the tops of them large enough to hold about a tablespoon of butter. Then cut small slits in the onion along the top in a complete circle.
Place your onion in a piece of aluminum foil large enough to cover it. Add a tablespoon of butter to the tops of the onion and season with salt & pepper. I also drizzled mine with a little olive oil.
This is the best part! Bacon absolutely makes everything better. Am I right? I took a cue from Trisha’s Uncle Wilson here and added two slices of bacon to each onion. Secure the bacon with toothpicks.
The onions are ready for the grill! Close your tin foil up around the onion leaving a small hole at the top for venting. I was low on foil, but I made do. Watch my video below to see how they turned out!
The pictures below tell you how long to let them cook and how to serve them up.
I grilled the onions with the lid closed over medium heat for one hour.
When the onions have cooked, the butter melts and the bacon gets crispy. The onions get that charred look and the flavor is out of this world! When I tasted the grilled onion, the first thing out of my mouth was, “It’s like eating dessert!” The flavor doesn’t taste like an onion at all—it’s very sweet and mild, and the bacon really compliments it nicely.
Serve the grilled onions in the aluminum foil. It’s like getting your own little package and unwrapping a present right on your plate (plus, the foil helps keep the heat in). Be sure to eat the onions while they’re hot.
Have you ever eaten a Vidalia Onion? If so, what did you think and how was it prepared?
New to Some Kinda Good?
Rebekah Faulk Lingenfelser
Georgia native Rebekah Faulk Lingenfelser is a freelance writer, entertainer and food enthusiast who writes and speaks about her love of good food and the Coastal South. A Season 2 Contestant on ABC’s “The Taste,” she is the Statesboro Herald food columnist and host of SKG-TV on YouTube. She appears regularly as Celebrity Chef at the Statesboro Main Street Farmers’ Market and has written as a guest blogger for Visit Savannah, Savannah Taste Experience and The Local Palate. A public relations graduate of Georgia Southern University, Rebekah also attended Savannah Technical College’s Culinary Institute of Savannah. To learn more, connect with Some Kinda Good on social media, or visit RebekahFaulk.wix.com/RebekahFaulk.
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White Zinfandel and Wild Georgia Shrimp
Sting Ray’s Seafood Restaurant
Tybee Island, Georgia
It’s the kind of place you drive by and think, “We have to go there!” Maybe it’s the sound of live beach music that lures you in or the colorful umbrellas and white lights. For me, it was the idea of strolling over from the beach, sun-kissed and sandy to enjoy some wild Georgia shrimp on the patio in the ocean breeze.
Around 7 p.m. on a Saturday night following a great day at the beach, we joined the crowd at Sting Ray’s Seafood Restaurant located just across the street from the Atlantic ocean.
Wearing a little powder and lip gloss, dressed in my swimsuit cover-up and sparkling flip-flops, I ordered a cold glass of white zinfandel and enjoyed the music. The casual, laid-back atmosphere is such a nice change of pace from the everyday office environment.
The menu was full of good food and it was hard to make a choice. You can order seafood by itself or as a meal, which is great if you don’t have a huge appetite.
I ordered a 1/2 pound of steamed, peel & eat wild Georgia shrimp for $9.95 with a house salad.
Nothing fancy here-just simple, familiar ingredients with a cold drink.
I wish y’all could reach through your computer screen and taste one of these. They were the most plump, succulent shrimp I’ve ever eaten. Served with melted butter and seasoned with Old Bay, the shrimp were swimming in the Atlantic just two days before they were served to me. Fresh at its finest. I squeezed the lemon juice right over the top and dunked them in cocktail sauce.
I don’t know this fellow’s name, but he entertained everyone well with classic beach tunes: Sittin’ on the Dock of the Bay, It’s 5 O’Clock Somewhere…you get the idea. Jam on my friend, jam on.
Sting Ray’s sits at the intersection of Butler Avenue and 14th Street.
Every table was full but the wait wasn’t long. Who’s counting minutes anyway when you’re on island time?
After dinner, we took a walk on the pier to listen to the waves crash and say goodbye to the Atlantic one more time. It really wasn’t goodbye though, only see you later–because I’ll be back soon, and very soon.
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Farmers Market Fun and One Souped-Up Strawberry Shortcake
Few things get me out of the house before Noon on a Saturday morning, but fresh ingredients and a fantastic recipe was all I needed to get motivated over the weekend. I packed up my Shih Tzu, Ewok and off we went to the Statesboro Mainstreet Farmers Market for some locally grown strawberries. We returned home to make Ina Garten’s Strawberry Country Cake featured in the cookbook, Barefoot Contessa Parties. Watch the video below to get the highlights from our trip!
Continue reading “Farmers Market Fun and One Souped-Up Strawberry Shortcake”
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Harbour Town at Dusk
The Crazy Crab
Hilton Head Island, South Carolina
Nestled in the heart of picturesque Harbour Town in Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, The Crazy Crab is a popular seafood house where you’ll always find a crowd.
With two waterfront locations on each end of the island, The Crazy Crab features lunch and dinner menus with selections like broiled and fried seafood, steamed shrimp and seafood pots, and of course The Crazy Crab Boil including snow crab legs served with baked potato and corn on the cob. Not only do they serve seafood, but chicken and steak too!
The menu design suits the relaxed atmosphere to a tee and the prices are adequate for the portion sizes.
After a day on the beach followed by shopping at Harbour Town, listening to the live entertainment and enjoying a cocktail at sunset on the marina, nothing says ‘Take a seat’ like the welcoming, nautical table above.
I couldn’t visit The Crazy Crab without ordering something showcasing crab. I chose Crab Cakes from the Broiled Seafood category for $23.95. Served with a spicy chipotle sauce, they were filled with jumbo lump crab meat and it was a shame I was too full to eat them both. Some Kinda Good y’all!
There wasn’t an empty table in the place! The windows surrounding the restaurant provide gorgeous views of the yacht basin in the casual, friendly atmosphere.
The bar area is always a happening spot!
If you ever visit Harbour Town, be sure to dine at The Crazy Crab, and let me know how your experience goes! I’m sure it’ll be a meal to remember.
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The French 75
Meet The French 75. Perfect to serve at an elegant dinner party, it’s festive and fun with a touch of elegance. You’ll need fresh lemon juice, some good quality gin, chilled champagne and some simple syrup. To make simple syrup, just dissolve equal parts water and sugar in a small saucepan and let simmer until thick, about 15 minutes. You can also pour the mixture in a blender to help it thicken faster.
Don’t forget the garnish–a maraschino cherry and a twist of lemon. It’s cold and I love how it fizzles.
Some Kinda Good® 