Bravo Gelato Available in Memphis

Hey Dogwood Creek! What’s better on a hot summer day than a nice, cool gelato? What about Bravo Gelato? Starting last Saturday, the gelato will now be on the dessert menus of Sweet Grass, Interim, Andrew Michael Italian Kitchen, and Restaurant Iris.

Now, Memphians have a change to get a taste of what Nashville has been raving about for a while. Bravo Gelato brings the flavors of true Italian gelato to Memphis. While it’s not organic, it does contain all-natural ingredients. Bravo Gelato makes a single batch at a time and offer around 180 flavors. They also do a lot of alcohol-based gelatos (which should be an interesting taste).

There are a couple using the Nashville-based beer Yazoo, as well as gelatos using Jack Daniels. There are traditional Southern flavors, too, like apple pie and pecan pie. There’s even a S’mores gelato. So you can see that whatever your taste is, there’s  gelato for that.

The great thing about Bravo Gelato is that they even make requests. There was a chef that ordered roasted parsnips gelato, and Bravo delivered. Parsnips aren’t really my thing, but it’s impressive that Bravo can make a gelato into almost any flavor.

Right now, the gelato is on the menu at the afore mentioned restaurants, and there are talks of them becoming available in grocery stores and maybe even they’re own restaurant. Only time will tell.

Have you ever had gelato?

photo credit: Wikipedia

Groupon.com – Ultimate Deals Around Collierville/Memphis

Hey Dogwood Creek! Are you always looking for a good deal? Whether it’s food, exercising, or shopping, the more money you save the better, right? Well, groupon.com is here to help you with that!

Groupon.com is this great little website that brings you daily deals on restaurants, fitness centers, stores, and other little goodies around town. They’re always offering some money off of some product or service, or giving you the money to make the deal.

How does it work? Well, every day, Groupon posts something cool to do based on the city. In your case Dogwood Creek, the city would be Memphis. (Don’t worry, it finds deals for the surrounding areas as well). Now, you only get the deal advertised if enough people join the site and that campaign that day, so it’d be a good idea to invite your friends. If enough people sign up, you get the coupon and are on the way to major savings! Then, check back the next day for more savings! Please note that the coupons are on a timer.

Today’s deal is $5 for $10 worth of Middle Eastern and American Cuisine at Castle Restaurant on Park Ave in Memphis, which is about 20 minutes from Dogwood Creek. This is the description of the restaurant from groupon.com:

Image via Wikipedia

Castle Restaurant’s tiny, bustling restaurant space is full to the brim with delicious aromas from its menu of classic Middle Eastern and American dishes. Entrees such as the eight-piece falafel plate ($6.99) neatly sate chickpea cravings, while beef shish kebab and chicken shish taouk platters ($8.99) toss meaty protein into the savory mix (each entree is served with a choice of rice and salad or bread and salad). Or take an aquaplane to the States with a fish sandwich ($3.99) or Philly steak sandwich ($4.69). Side orders of hummus ($2.99) and eggplant dip ($2.49) are always ready for the dipping, while lentil soup ($1.99) and tzatziki (with yogurt and cucumbers; $1.99) are available for warming up and cooling down respectively. Fill a cavernous stomach with falafel, hummus, and hamburgers, and celebrate the delicious side effects of globalization.

Sounds good, right? Remember, you must present your Groupon before dining. Hurry to the website now, in order to start saving!

Do you use Groupon.com frequently?

Gus’ Fried Chicken

In your opinion, is it true that Gus’ Fried Chicken is the best southern fried chicken in Memphis/Collierville? You’re hard pressed to find a bad review, and if you do, they are definitely not complaining about the food. What hooks patrons is the crispy skin, and tender, juicy chicken underneath. I’ve had some good fried chicken before, but I can’t really but my finger on what makes Gus’ great. It just is.

In your opinion, is Gus’ the best fried chicken around, or is it someplace else?

Cinco de Mayo Treats

How are you celebrating Cinco de Mayo? I know food will abound, so why not try this yummy recipe to cap off your amazing Mexican inspired meal?

Sweet Empanaditas

Ingredients:

• 1 cup butter, softened
• 2 3-ounce packages cream cheese, softened
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup desired tropical fruit jam (such as pineapple or Hawaiian fruit)
• 1/3 cup sugar
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Directions:

1. n a large bowl, combine butter and cream cheese. Beat with an electric mixer on medium to high speed until fluffy and light in color. Gradually add flour, beating on low speed until combined.
2. Gather mixture into a ball. Divide dough in half. Cover and chill for 1 to 2 hours or until dough is easy to handle.
3. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Line a large cookie sheet with parchment paper or nonstick foil; set aside. On a lightly floured surface, roll out one of the dough portions to an 1/8-inch thickness. Using a round 3- to 3-1/2-inch cookie cutter, cut out dough. Place about 1 teaspoon of the jam in the center of each round. Moisten edges of dough with water. Fold the dough in half to enclose the jam; press edges together with the tines of a fork to seal.

See the rest!

Who needs Shake ‘N Bake, We’ve Got Take ‘N Bake!

Since I was a kid, pizza has always been one of my favorite foods. It’s easily accessible, totally delicious, and you can take it wherever you go! My favorite pizza? A large pan tossed pizza with extra pepperoni, extra cheese, and extra sauce. Can you say heaven?!

Well recently, I had a craving for pizza and decided to try something a little new. That was one of my New Years Resolutions, to get out of my normal routines. This led me to Papa Murphy’s Take and Bake Pizza over in Germantown. A friend recommended it to me.

The most interesting thing about this place, is that you can order whatever type of pizza that you want, they’ll build the pizza right in front of you, and you take it home to bake it in your own oven. I love that! It gives you a chance to eat the pizza as soon as it is taken from the oven, give or take a few minutes. This way, you don’t lose the oven freshness and hotness that delivered or carryout pizzas lose.

So, being the fat kid that I am , I tried the Chicken and Bacon stuffed pizza. This was absolute HEAVEN! It had just enough chicken, bacon, and tomatoes to make it hearty, and just a hint of garlic to not be too much. Best of all, it only takes 12-18 minutes to prepare in your oven. With the smells wafting through your kitchen, you’ll swear you’re in a real Italian pizzeria!

Well, I’m sold. What about you? Have you ever eaten here? What do you think of it?

18th annual City Auto Rajun Cajun Crawfish Festival

Make plans to attend the 18^th annual City Auto Rajun Cajun Crawfish Festival next Sunday, April 18^th. Like any other festival they’ll have live music, but the thing that excites me most is that they’re having a gumbo cooking contest! Now, I don’t make the dish myself, but I know others who do, and that has made me grow to love it! In addition to all the yummy gumbo, there’ll be over 16,000 pounds of Louisiana crawfish in attendance. Okay, who’s mouth just started watering?

The festival will also feature the famous “Zany Cajun” contests, which features events such as crawfish races, a crawfish toss, a crawfish eating contest, and a crawfish bob. The crawfish bob disturbs me very much, but hey, to each their own right?

Vendors will include Bayou Bar & Grill, Cajun Catfish, Pearl’s Oyster House, and fair-food stalls. The event will be held at Wagner Place between Beale and Union, and admission is free. Sound like a little piece of heaven right? Well, except for the whole bobbing for crawfish part.

Are you thinking about attending?

What Do You Eat When You’re Sick?

This past weekend, I was shut up in my room with a fun little stomach bug. Needless to say, while food was the LAST thing on my mind, I knew that I had to eat something, or else I’d waste away to nothing! Okay, I’m exaggerating, but you know what I mean.

In the midst of me trying to eat tomato soup, applesauce, mashed potatoes or Saltine crackers, I asked myself, “What do other people eat when they’re sick?” I know that they say nothing cures whatever ails you like chicken noodle soup, but I don’t think that’s true at all. I personally hate chicken noodle soup. With a passion actually. If that’s the cure all be all soup, then I’d rather be sick for the rest of my life. Maybe if someone made me a homemade variety, but the store brought kind is atrocious.

So, I’m posing the question to you, my faithful blog readers.

What do you eat when you’re sick?

Recipe of the Week: Almond-Honey Power Bar

Hey Dogwood Creek! Always on the move and don’t have time for breakfast, why not make a couple of these to send you on your way?

Almond-Honey Power Bar

Ingredients:

• 1 cup(s) old-fashioned rolled oats
• 1/4 cup(s) slivered almonds
• 1/4 cup(s) sunflower seeds
• 1 tablespoon(s) flaxseeds, preferably golden
• 1 tablespoon(s) sesame seeds
• 1 cup(s) unsweetened whole-grain puffed cereal (see Tips & Techniques)
• 1/3 cup(s) currants
• 1/3 cup(s) chopped dried apricots
• 1/3 cup(s) chopped golden raisins
• 1/4 cup(s) creamy almond butter (see Tips)
• 1/4 cup(s) turbinado sugar (see Tips)
• 1/4 cup(s) honey
• 1/2 teaspoon(s) vanilla extract
• 1/8 teaspoon(s) salt

Directions:

• Preheat oven to 350°F. Coat an 8-inch-square pan with cooking spray.
• Spread oats, almonds, sunflower seeds, flaxseeds, and sesame seeds on a large, rimmed baking sheet. Bake until the oats are lightly toasted and the nuts are fragrant, shaking the pan halfway through, about 10 minutes. Transfer to a large bowl. Add cereal, currants, apricots, and raisins; toss to combine.
• Combine almond butter, sugar, honey, vanilla, and salt in a small saucepan. Heat over medium-low, stirring frequently, until the mixture bubbles lightly, 2 to 5 minutes.
• Immediately pour the almond butter mixture over the dry ingredients and mix with a spoon or spatula until no dry spots remain. Transfer to the prepared pan. Lightly coat your hands with cooking spray and press the mixture down firmly to make an even layer (wait until the mixture cools slightly if necessary). Refrigerate until firm, about 30 minutes; cut into 8 bars.

Recipe of the Week: Super Bowl Party Ideas

Need Super Bowl Party Recipe Ideas! Fear not! Here’s a tasty treat that’s sure to please!

Butterfinger Cupcakes

Ingredients:

1 (18.25-ounce) package chocolate or yellow cake mix
3 2.1 oz. NESTLÉ BUTTERFINGER Candy Bar, chopped – divided use
1 (12-ounce) container prepared chocolate or vanilla frosting

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease or paper-line 24 muffin cups.
Prepare cake mix batter according to package directions; stir in 1/2 cup Butterfinger. Spoon into prepared muffin cups.
Bake for 15 to 25 minutes or until wooden pick inserted in cupcake comes out clean. Cool completely. Frost; sprinkle with remaining Butterfinger.

Makes 24 cupcakes.

Estimated Times: Preparation – 10 min | Cooking – 15 min | Cooling Time – 15 min cooling |