It’s almost BBQ season, almost. So a simple side might be in order. Cole slaw works with almost any BBQ main dish. It should be something to cut the richness of the meat and stand on its own. If you are working hard on the main dish, it should be easy to do the cole…

This is a flavor bomb. The tartness of the currants, sweetness of the elderberry jelly from Erin’s Elderberries, earthiness of the lamb from American Heritage, and the spice of the guajillo chili. Then the addition of the balsamic vinegar brings all the flavor together. I hope you like it. 16 ounce lamb tenderloin (American Heritage…

This is another of the hidden gems. The Julia Belle is a Southern themed restaurant in Florence, SC, with a casual cheerful atmosphere. The menu is a list of southern favorites from catfish, fried green tomatoes, chicken and waffles, and red chicken stew. I had the chicken and waffles, and it was some of the…

Did I say what island? Well, it’s confusing. Lamb makes me think of Ireland, but it’s Merguez sausage, so maybe Corsica, but the plantains would lead us to think Cuba. The spice might bring us Puerto Rico, so this really is a hash. It starts with onions, garlic, and poblano peppers. Then the spicy sausage…

This is a cookie that wants to be a peppermint patty. Ok, not quite because it has a crunch factor. But peppermint and chocolate have both been represented; then there is a crispy cookie involved. I hope you like it. 1 stick butter1/3 cup sugar 1 tablespoon basil, minced1 tablespoon mint, diced1 teaspoon vanilla1 teaspoon…