Another Reason I'm Glad I'm Southern: Chess Pie Recipe

When you grow up with such deliciousness as chess pie you tend to take it for granted. Much to my surprise I recently learned that many of my friends had never had this wonderful, sugary treat. Seems it's a Southern thing. That led me to ask my mother for a recipe to share. She had a blast looking through all her versions to find my great-grandmother Tootie's version. She said she found coconut and pineapple chess pies, one that called for Damson preserves and a meringue on top (as if it isn't rich enough!), and one that called for "1/2 eggshell" milk!

Here's Tootie's version. It's soooo easy that I might even try it myself!

CHESS PIE

1/3 c. butter
1 c. sugar
2 eggs
2 T cornmeal
2 T milk
1 tsp. vanilla
Sprinkle of nutmeg

Cream butter & sugar; add cornmeal. Add eggs, one at a time; add milk. Add vanilla & nutmeg.
Pour mixture into readymade piecrust, either homemade or purchased.
Bake 375 degrees until brown.

(thanks to RoadFood for the photo that looks most like the ones I remember)

It's Follow Friday! Meet our Tweep of the Week @WineKulers

Sometimes the world of wine can be a tricky one to navigate...  Do I want something oaky? Something floral? Something lush? Or do I just choose the coolest label??

Luckily for you, our tweep of the week Gil Kulers keeps followers and readers on the straight and narrow when choosing the best wine to fill your glass. Between his tweets and his AJC & Golf Digest Index columns, he’s a great guide and stays away from any stereotypical wine pretentiousness. Cheers to @WineKulers!

Georgia Organics "Reclaiming Agriculture" just around the corner

For those of you who have a green thumb or want to learn about farm fresh foods will be delighted to find out that “Reclaiming Agriculture,” Georgia Organics’ 13th annual conference is coming to Athens, GA the weekend of February 19-20. Take part in all the garden-fresh offerings, including tours of farms, ag research stations, gardens and restaurants; presentations and exhibits; workshops and classes on everything from composting to cheese making; and local meals and a “Farmers Feast” featuring keynote speaker Carlo Petrini founder of the Slow Food movement, the “international face of joyful eating and agricultural insight.” Last year’s conference in Decatur topped more than 1,100 attendees from 14 states and nearly every county in Georgia. For the first time ever, the exhibitor’s expo area will be open to the public. Athens is planning film, music and food events to complement the conference. UGA students get a perk -- discounted student rates to attend conference classes.

ServeHAITI Fundraiser at Toulouse

On Tuesday, February 9, Toulouse Restaurant offers a great chance to combine fine wine, fine art and a good cause by hosting a Steve Penley Wine Dinner to benefit the ServeHAITI Foundation. The dinner will feature a five-course meal with two glasses of wine and the chance to meet artist Steve Penley and view his artwork.

Throughout the evening, you'll be able to view and purchase Penley’s paintings, reproduction posters and book with illustrations, as well as view photographs of Haiti from Donna Williams, a photographer who has been working with ServeHAITI. Meet the artist and get books autographed starting at 6:30 p.m. and be ready for dinner by 7:15 p.m. The menu will feature a field green salad with red wine vinaigrette; seared scallops served with broccoli and sundried tomatoes in a rosemary-citrus reduction; wild mushroom ravioli atop arugula sprinkled with gorgonzola cheese, cranberries and pistachios drizzled with a white balsamic sauce; beef tenderloin filet with mushroom cream sauce coupled with grilled salmon in a balsamic beurre blanc; and flourless chocolate cake with chocolate glaze for dessert. The cost is $125 per person and includes tax and gratuity. A portion of the art proceeds as well as a sizeable portion of the nightly proceeds will be donated to the ServeHAITI Foundation. To make a reservation, please call 404-351-9533.

Simply The Best - Metromix Releases Winner List

The votes have been counted and the verdict is in!

This morning, Metromix released the winners of their “Best of Atlanta” contest… and we’re quite excited to see that Woodfire Grill won Best Restaurant and their executive chef/ co-owner/ Top Chef fan favorite Kevin Gillespie won Best Chef! It’s been an exciting year for Woodfire Grill and we’re excited to see what they’ll cook up next.

We're in Love...with the Fish Tacos at Uncle Julio's!

Since it’s the season for love at first bite, we thought you should know about the yummy new fish tacos that will be making an appearance at Uncle Julio's Fine Mexican Food come Monday, February 8: white corn tortillas filled with tilapia, shredded cabbage, carrots and pico de gallo, drizzled with tangy avocado cream sauce and served with black beans. You can get the grilled fish version every day or visit the restaurant on Thursdays and Sundays to snag the fried fish version. At lunchtime, the fish tacos come two to a plate for $8.95; at dinner they’re $11.95 for three tacos.

Uncle Julio's Fine Mexican Food: In Buckhead at 1860 Peachtree Road, NW; 404-350-6767. To-go line: 404-974-2991. In Sandy Springs at 1140 Hammond Drive, NE, Building K, Suite 100; 678-736-8260. To-go line: 404-974-2991.

The Day of Love Lurks Around the Corner

Valentine’s Day is almost here (just 19 days away) and even if you’re not a big fan of the lovey-dovey holiday, Atlanta restaurants have some cool options lined up this year. Whether you’re looking for intimate evening for two or a singles celebration, we’ve got the low-down on this year’s Valentine’s Day deals. Click here for all the information.

Lights! Camera! Flickr at RA Sushi!

They say that a picture is worth a thousand words… make it true with your very own entry in RA Sushi’s “It’s A Hot Mess” Flickr contest starting today until February 28th, and you could walk away with a $100 gift certificate to RA, or a complimentary appetizer card! Just head to RA for their new delicious Hot Mess roll (featuring crispy rice balls topped with spicy king crab mix, baked and finished with jalapenos and cilantro, and strike a pose!

There are four equally fun photo challenges you can aim for: “Hottest Hot Mess,” “Messiest Hot Mess,” “Biggest Hot Mess,” and those with the creative bug can try for “Anything Goes!” Encourage your friends to comment on your picture on Flickr and you could be well on your way to victory and fame – in addition to the prize, winning photos will also go up on their Facebook page.

Extra bonus: during the contest, RA Sushi is having Hot Mess Mondays, where you can share this tasty dish for just $10! Now get to snapping…

Weekend Must-Do: "Beat It" To Center Stage tonight!

We know we usually focus on bringing you the latest culinary news. But it’s Friday, and we could all use a little boogie in our step after this busy winter week, so we’ll digress for a moment about a special duo of events coming up in the next few days!
It’s been less than a year since the King of Pop made his exit from our world, and audiences everywhere were glad that the film “Michael Jackson’s This Is It” gave us all a last glimpse into his world. Tonight, you can celebrate his legacy of music (and get your moonwalk on) at Center Stage Atlanta with Who’s Bad – the ultimate Michael Jackson cover band!
And in an extra special deal for you Michael fans, you can take your ticket stubs from the concert to the Brookhaven Blockbuster for their “This Is It” DVD release party on Monday night between 9 and midnight, and win a prize! There will also be dance lessons for classic routines to Jacko’s hits from Dance101’s Desiree Nathanson, and a glove (and coat) drive held by Atlanta Coats Of Love going on. For more about either event, check out Center Stage Atlanta and the Blockbuster event page. Who’s bad, indeed!

Follow Friday: Our Tweep Of The Week @ATLCheap

Everybody is looking for a way to save a buck or two where they can these days, and Jennifer Maciejewski brings Atlantans a way to hold on to their money and still have fun in the big city practically every day. We love that!

Whether it’s a museum exhibit ticket deal or a way to eat out for less you’re looking for these days, you’ll definitely want to follow her on twitter and keep up with her blog for the best tips on keeping your hard-earned cheddar securely in your wallet!

It's Sublime

Between RA Sushi and Noon Midtown I spend more time than is healthy at the 1010 Midtown building. RA Sushi has become my go to spot for post-work cocktails and delish sushi dinners - seriously, go try the Tootsy Maki and then just try not to go back... But, Noon Midtown has become my favorite spot for breakfast meetings. I love the central location and easy parking, but what I really love is that now I can get my Sublime Doughnuts fix while I'm there. Yep, you heard right; Noon Midtown offers Sublime Doughnuts (ahem, AND Counter Culture coffee) so there is really no excuse to go anywhere else in the mornings. After my breakfast of sugar and caffeine, I'm happy to stay the day working off of Noon's free Wi-Fi until I'm hungry for lunch and then it's hellllloooo roast beef sandwich! Can you beat a day like that?

A festival for feathers?

Do you love chicken, turkey, duck, hen or any other type of feathered meats? If you said yes, then you're in for a treat because it's time for Featherfest 2010. Nearly 40 Atlanta restaurants are taking part in the friendly culinary competition during the week of January 22 - 27 by creating egg-ceptional appetizers, entrées and desserts using poultry meat or eggs. Tweet, cluck or sweetly henpeck your wingman or roost mates to fly the coop and alight with you at participating nests of nourishment, including Ray's in the City, Truva and Fifth Group Restaurants'® Ecco, La Tavola Trattoria, South City Kitchen Midtown and The Original El Taco.

So grab your knife and fork and feel free to join me when I chow down on some of my fallen feathered friends.

Mark Your Calendar: Unite For Haiti!

If you’re like me, the images I’ve seen in the past week from Haiti’s devastation have tugged at my heart in an intense way, and it’s easy to feel helpless when you’re so far removed. This Saturday from 6 to 9 p.m., Atlantans will have an opportunity to help, through a great fundraiser Unite For Haiti! being held at Aurum Lounge in Midtown.

Your check or cash donations get you in the door and will be given to Care International, Partners In Health, and Save The Children. All money raised at the party will be given to these very worthy organizations who are helping in big ways in Haiti.

DJ Y will be keeping the crowd entertained, as will the delicious nibbles from favorite Atlanta restaurants. There will also be a can’t-miss raffle featuring great prizes from fantastic local business like Spice Market, Decatur Yoga, Decatur CD, The W Midtown and more. For more information, check out their Facebook event page. It’s going to be a long road to recovery for Haiti and every penny counts!

What Does Dunwoody Taste Like?

Circle Feb. 5 on your calendar so you can be at the W Perimeter to sample Dunwoody's finest fare. Not only will you be nibbling your way through 25 restaurants' specialties, but it's a benefit for Children's Healthcare of Atlanta to boot. It's always a sell-out event so buy your Taste of Dunwoody tickets this week! The new Uncle Julio’s Fine Mexican Food in Sandy Springs and Roswell’s upscale Aqua blue will be there. Details: 7 – 10:30 p.m. on Friday, February 5 at the W Atlanta Perimeter. Cash bar. Silent Auction. Live music by RELIX . Contact Julianna Rue or call 404-785-7337.

Get Three Courses of Comfort for Only $35 at Ray's Restaurants

Come in from the cold to Ray's Restaurants (Ray's on the River, Ray's in the City and Ray's Killer Creek) where you can warm up with Ray’s Wonderful Winter dinner menu for a sizzling price of $35 per person. This definitely beats curling up on the couch with hot cocoa and a Snuggie! Choose a selection from each of the three menu courses. Start with a soup or salad, with options such as crab bisque with aged sherry or Ray’s house salad. Then move on to the entrée course which features garlic shrimp penne pasta, a six-ounce petite filet, a 12-ounce New York strip or Chef Tom’s award-winning 10-ounce Niman Ranch Frenched bone pork chop. The sweet finale includes the classics: chocolate cake or crème brûlée. Wine is not included in the menu price, but wine pairings are suggested on the menu for those guests who would like to add them to the meal. Substitutions are not permitted for this prix fixe menu, and items cannot be split.

Ray’s on the River: 6700 Powers Ferry Road; 770-955-1187.
Ray’s Killer Creek: 1700 Mansell Road, Alpharetta; 770-649-0064.
Ray’s in the City: 240 Peachtree Street, NW; 404-524-9224.

Throwdown at Le Cordon Bleu Challenge

As a big Top Chef/ Iron Chef/ insert any cooking competition here fan, I was more than thrilled to be able to participate in the Le Cordon Bleu Challenge last week at their school in Tucker, Georgia! The event was held to celebrate the national re-naming of the Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts and to benefit Ronald McDonald House. And as it turns out, it’s just as much fun to participate in a challenge as it is to watch, even though I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t nervous.

We were given the challenge of creating Poulet Sauté aux Fines Herbes (Sautéed Chicken with Herbs) and lucky for me, I was paired with talented local chef Jeff Sigler from River Room, Fox 5’s Blaze, and quite a few VERY capable Le Cordon Bleu students who more than knew their way around the school’s huge restaurant kitchen. We got to work with the clock ticking down from 60 minutes as a hungry audience of more than 60 people watched and waited to judge our creations!

The dish our chef had in mind was inspired by a classic mirepoix combination – the celery, onion, carrot goodness that makes up every delicious chicken stock you’ve ever tasted. Our sautéed chicken sat atop an insanely good celery root cream, accompanied by pearl onions and shaved celery with pickled white beech mushroom salad. Some light and airy carrot foam (that yours truly whipped up) topped the dish off for a little extra flair.

Our hands were flying over pots and pans as the timer quickly counted down… I felt the true sense of stress and urgency the contestants on those shows feel as I piped the last of the celery root cream into our samples for the audience! Luckily, the audience enjoyed our flavor combinations – and our team walked away with the 1st place “Bleu” Ribbon! I’ll have a special sense of appreciation now when I’m watching other challenges, and will always remember my one night as a Le Cordon Bleu chef.

Cast Your Vote

It’s election time at Metromix, with a full ballot of "Best of" categories to be filled. Here are some of our prime picks: Morton's The Steakhouse -- Best Steak Restaurant; AltoRex -- Best Hotel Bar; Uncle Julio's Fine Mexican Food -- Best Margarita; Pacci Ristorante -- Best New Restaurant. We're also excited to see that Woodfire Grill snagged nominations in two categories: one for Best Restaurant and another for Kevin Gillespie for Best Local Chef. Take a look and make your picks today!

Follow Friday Tweep of The Week - @DatealiciousATL

Dating is hard enough in Atlanta without knowing where to go to make it both a special night and a fun time for all parties involved. That’s where our Tweep of the Week comes in to save the day!

Follow @Datealiciousatl and check out her blog to catch all of interior designer Lindsey’s Atlanta restaurant picks and pans. Her suggestions will help you find the best setting to get your love story off to a good start, or if it’s not a love match, you know at the least you’ll have a delicious meal!

Just in time to start planning your Valentines’ Day dates – now that’s amore.

Sneak Peek At Saskatoon

We got a chance to check out new Buckhead restaurant Saskatoon's progress yesterday and wanted to share it with all of you! It's looking great and we are very excited that it's opening soon. Can't wait to try their steak, wild game, and seafood dishes!

In the mood for a "Burger N' Beer"?

With the cold weather you may have decided that standing outside to grill burgers isn’t the warmest idea. If you’re still craving some burgers though, then I highly recommend you try JCT. Bar’s pimento cheese burger. For $10 you can get a “Burger N’ Beer” at JCT. This isn’t your usual college student deal with a budget Natty Light either. JCT.’s deal hooks you up with an ale from Brooklyn Brewery. The “Burger N’ Beer” deal goes on Tuesday through Thursday from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. so make sure to stop by. Just looking at this picture has my stomach grumbling for another one. Hurry up 5 p.m.!

JCT. Bar is located in Atlanta’s Westside Urban Market at 1198 Howell Mill Road, Suite 18, 30318.