Love Those Itty Bitty Hole in the Walls of Arkansas...

Was in the Clinton area the other day and had the opportunity to check out this adorable little hole in the wall designed just right for "food & friends" eatin' in Arkansas. Located in the small and cozy town of Leslie, the Skylark Café was a foodie's delight! My party tried a tad of everything and from a group of eight, there were no registered complaints! Just had to experience the Chili with Buttermilk Cornbread Muffin and sooo glad I did. Chili was spiced just right with subtle blends of different herbs and chili powders and loaded with various cheeses on top. The cornbread muffins were freshly baked with coarsely ground whole wheat grains. Once you go freshly and coarsely ground with whole grain corn kernels you never go back to plain ole store bought corn meal! From the freshly baked bread and desserts to the vegetarian offered delights, I can't wait to trek on back to the city of Leslie and try some more homemade goodies at the Skylark Café.

Beans & Cornbread...A Southern and Grandma Kinda Thing

If you are ever in Eureka Springs and want to taste a true Southern tradition, you must visit Grandma's Beans & Cornbread. For just under 5 dollars you can gobble up a heaping bowl of beans of choice, yellow and delicious golden baked cornbread, and all the necessary fixins! In case you don't know about cornbread fixins', then mosey over to the fixin bar and see what I mean. A bountiful array of sauces, butter, sweet pickle relish, hot peppers, and ONIONS! Can't have beans & cb without a side or two of plain ole sliced white onions. Sorry if I'm talking above your head...it's a Southern thing...

Grandma's was facilitated by a pop and daughter who were working hard at trying to be nice to each other as I placed my order. Seems like Grandma's can accommodate up to a bus load of folks all at one sitting and a bus load had just stopped by about thirty minutes earlier. Luckily the multiple orders had been taken and served, however the daughter was at her wits' end (Southern talk for sick and tired of nobody helping) accommodating all the elderly folk with their refills and such.  But, I got my order right on target and all was well with me and #3 as we munched away. (It was heck trying to get into the bathroom later, though.) Click the link above if you wish to check the other menu items at Grandma's but, that's like ordering fish at a fine steakhouse. Anyway, the beans were correctly cooked and seasoned (yes, there is a correct way of cooking beans). No ham or meat was to be found...fine with me. And the scrumptious piece of cornbread was simply...to Di for! We also enjoyed side orders of coleslaw and topped it all off with the Cran-Apple Pie.  Simple, yummy, and down home delicious...squabbling cooks in the kitchen and all.

Blueberry Season Brings Buttermilk Blueberry Scones

The Natural State boasts such a variety of growing seasons and fresh berries are always exciting treats to await! This year we got the best blueberries at our favorite roadside stand, Holland Bottom Farm in Cabot. And, because I always have buttermilk in the fridge (always ready to make cornbread), I made some scrumptious Buttermilk Blueberry Scones. They were delicious warm right out of the oven with lots of butter slathered all over. You can also eat them at room temperature, store airtight for up to three days, or freeze for a later date. You're gonna love this recipe...

How to make Buttermilk Blueberry Scones:
Yields: 10-12 scones
Ingredients:
2 cups all purpose flour
1/3 cup sugar
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
6 tablespoons butter
1 egg
2/3 cup buttermilk
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
1 cup fresh blueberries(frozen will do in a pinch)

Directions:
1. In a bowl, combine flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda and salt.
2. Cut butter into the dry ingredients using a pastry cutter until mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
3. In a separate bowl combine the egg, buttermilk, and vanilla.
4. Add the blueberries to the dry mixture and coat them.
5.Create a well in the center of mixture and add buttermilk mixture all at once to the well.
6.Combine just until moistened. Pour onto a slightly floured flat surface.
7. Spray hands with cooking spray and pat the dough out to about 1/2 inch thickness.
8. Cut into shapes and place on a parchment lined baking dish.
9. Brush the tops with extra buttermilk and sprinkle with more sugar.
10. Bake in preheated oven at 400 degrees F for about 15 minutes or until golden brown.

First Friday Lunch @ Our House

On Friday June 3, 2011 we are doing community service @OurHouseShelter. Mike and I will shop, cook, and serve for about 30-50 people at Our House. We do this not only because we have a passion for cooking, eating, and socializing, but because we are striving to help the homeless in our community. We will be preparing and serving the following to the residents of Our House:

• Salmon Croquettes with Homemade Dilled Tartar Sauce & Lemon Wedges
• Mashed Potatoes with Fresh Herbed Butter
• Corn, Tomato, & Pepper Trio
• Southern Skillet Cornbread
• Carrot Cake Cup Cakes with Creamy Cream Cheese Frosting garnished with Fresh Mint Leaves
• Freshly made Iced Tea with Lemon Wedges & Fresh Mint Leaves

If you are interested in helping with First Friday Lunch @ Our House, please contact me or there are plenty of other ways to get involved...check out the Our House website today! 

Have You Dropped By The Oak Street Bistro In Conway? If Not, You're Missing Something Super Special!

 

The Oak Street Bistro in Conway is a wonderful place to eat, drink, and enjoy all the green and artistic surroundings. Me and #3 stopped by the other day since Conway is just a hop and skip down Interstate 40 from Sherwood. This cool and trendy place is snuggly located off the highway and adjacent to the Tipton Hurst Florist which provides lots of lush green ambience as you relax and enjoy a really good family or date night meal inside or out.

The house soup, White Cheddar and Dill was absolutely scrumptious as the Bourbon Shrimp with Crostini! The Mushroom Chicken Breast drenched in Cream Sauce was to Di for as well. Will return soon to try the Wine Tasting $15 for 5 Samplings on the last Thursday of each month with 15% off  dinner that night. Ask for Matthew who is a really great server!!

Exciting food, great service, and beautiful surroundings...try it for sure.