Author: Suzanne Strength

You know all of the shows, "Best Of" magazine, newspaper and internet articles? I want to know if they are really worth the fuss. I'm trying to find out if I'd recommend them to MY friends and family. And as often as I can, I'll give you the source of who gave ME the original recommendation.
Recipe

Shrimp Cakes

Suzanne StrengthLeave a comment

Tonight the kids went to dinner with their dad, so I took that opportunity to make myself something only I would eat (in this house): SHRIMP CAKES!

They were so good, and a different texture than crab cakes.  Next time I’m going to make them in tiny bite size nuggets for an appetizer.

SHRIMP CAKES

INGREDIENTS

  • 1 lb large shrimp, peel, deveined, chopped
  • 1 1⁄2 cups Ritz crackers, crushed
  • 1⁄2 cup Best Foods Mayonnaise
  • 1⁄4 cup panko breadcrumbs
  • 1⁄4 cup red onion, minced
  • 1 stalk celery, minced
  • 1 jalapeno, minced
  • 2 teaspoons brown mustard
  • 1 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon creole seasoning
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • extra virgin olive oil
  • FOR THE HOT MAYONNAISE
  • 1⁄2 cup Best Foods Mayonnaise
  • 1 tablespoon hot sauce
  • 1 pinch black pepper

DIRECTIONS

  • Peel, devein, and finely chop shrimp, leaving a few chunks.
  • In a large bowl add crushed crackers, minced vegetables, all the spices, mayonnaise and mustard, mix well.
  • Fold in shrimp and panko bread crumbs.
  • Form into 4 patties or you could make appetizer size if desired.
  • Heat about 4 tablespoons of olive oil and a little butter in a skillet over medium heat, add patties in brown for about 4-5 minutes per side until nice and golden brown.
  • Patties can also be placed under the broiler and cooked for about 8 minutes per side.
  • Drain on paper napkin.
  • To prepare hot mayo, mix all ingredients together and serve on top of patties.
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Charlotte · Denver

Best of Restaurants: Chicken

Suzanne StrengthLeave a comment

It’s my favorite protein with feet.

Fried Chicken Wings with Winston Salem Sauce at Mert’s Heart and Soul in Charlotte

Pollo Florentine from Caruso’s in Mooresville, NC

Bruschetta Chicken Crepe at The Crispy Crepe in Charlotte

Poussin with sweet pea and summer squash risotto from The Foundry in Denver, NC

 

Charlotte · FL · Gaffney SC · Gainesville

Best of Restaurants: Steak

Suzanne StrengthLeave a comment

Steak is one of my favorite proteins.  The problem for me has always been that my dad and now my son make such good steaks, I find any I have in restaurants to be lacking.  Not the case with these picks:

Filet Mignon at Carolina Cafe in Gaffney, SC

Mills Family Farm Ribeye Steak with beef jus from Heirloom in Charlotte, NC

Pan roasted barrel cut Angus filet with roasted portabellos, puff pastry & a white-truffle sherry reduction from Paramount Grill in Gainesville, FL

Recipe

Swanky Sandwiches

Suzanne StrengthLeave a comment

We’ve all been there.  Wanting to make supper, needing it to be quick but not a tired old sandwich.  Get ready for the swanky sammie.

This delicious creation comes from Blue Apron.  It came together quickly and had a satisfying crunch when we bit into it.  Yum!

PESTO CHICKEN PANINIS

INGREDIENTS

  • 1 1⁄2 lbs chicken breasts, chopped
  • 4 sandwich buns
  • 1⁄3 cup basil pesto
  • 1⁄4 cup grated pecorino cheese
  • 4 ounces fresh mozzarella cheese
  • 2 tablespoons gheeor 2 tablespoonsbutter
  • 1 tablespoon italian seasoning
  • 15 ounces tomato sauce

DIRECTIONS

  • Halve the rolls.
  • Pat the chicken dry with paper towels. Season with salt and pepper. In a large pan (nonstick, if you have one), heat the ghee on medium-high until melted. Add the seasoned chicken in an even layer. Cook, without stirring, 3 to 4 minutes, or until lightly browned. Continue to cook, stirring occasionally, 3 to 4 minutes, or until browned and cooked through. Turn off the heat.
  • While the chicken cooks, in a small pot, heat 2 teaspoons of olive oil on medium-high until hot. Add the tomato sauce (carefully, as the liquid may splatter) and Italian seasoning. Season with salt and pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, 3 to 4 minutes, or until slightly thickened. Turn off the heat. Taste, then season with salt and pepper if desired.
  • Assemble the paninis using the halved rolls, pesto, cooked chicken, mozzarella (tearing into small pieces before adding), and the pecorino; season with salt and pepper. Wipe out the pan used to cook the chicken. In the same pan, heat a drizzle of olive oil on medium until hot. Add the paninis. Place a heavy-bottomed pot (or pan) on top and press down. Cook, occasionally pressing down on the pot, 4 to 5 minutes per side, or until the cheese is melted and the bread is lightly browned (if the pan seems dry, add a drizzle of olive oil before flipping). Carefully transfer to a cutting board and halve on an angle.
Charleston SC · Charlotte

Best of Restaurants: Bread

Suzanne StrengthLeave a comment

We normally don’t think of bread as being that important because too many restaurants give it to you as an afterthought.  But these restaurants made the extra effort to make their bread the very best, and should be commended.

Cornbread from Mert’s Heart and Soul in Charlotte

Milk Bread from Kindred in Davidson

Biscuit from Tupelo Honey in Charlotte, NC

Bread from The Oak Steakhouse in Charleston, SC

Complimentary bread and honey butter from Heirloom in Charlotte, NC

Recipe

Healthy but Yummy

Suzanne StrengthLeave a comment

I’m such a foodie.  I’m a foodie that desperately wants to eat healthier.  But I find that some healthy recipes just aren’t great tasting.  Feels like I’m settling.  These recipes don’t make me feel that way.

HEALTHY ASIAN LETTUCE WRAPS

Source: Apple of my Eye

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