Good Stuff - 7/22 & 7/23

On Tuesday, I was inspired by the Mary Mac's picture that Erin sent me to make some southern food. I had some fresh black eyed peas on hand, so I made Hoppin John. Hoppin John (or at least the recipe that I used) involves sauteed onions and garlic simmered with stock, bacon, cumin, jalapeno and habenero peppers all served over white rice. OMG, this was a delicious meal! I made mac & cheese as well. Yummy.

Tonight I made tortellini and spinach soup. This was pretty much the best thing that I've cooked since... well, since I made Hoppin John on Tuesday. I sauteed garlic and onion in olive oil and added crushed red pepper, fresh basil, sea salt, cracked black pepper, chicken stock, and crushed tomatoes. Then I threw in a pound of cheese tortellini and a pound of fresh spinach, served with a little grated Romano cheese on top.

Guest Contributor - Erin Foy reporting from Mary Mac's in Atlanta!!! 07.18.2009

This photo comes from the lovely Erin Foy, reporting from Mary Mac's Tea Room in Atlanta Georgia. She dined there earlier today.

Mary Mac's is an Atlanta institution that serves home cooked meals using real lard and animal fat. Erin tells me that she had the veggie plate, featuring a choice of any 4 side dishes. She had "fried green tomatoes, kick ass mac n cheese, hoppin john (black eyed peas with rice) and sweet potato souffle. Peach cobbler for dessert!" The peach cobbler isn't pictured here.

Just looking at this picture makes me want to run to the kitchen immediately and make mac n cheese. I've never had Hoppin' John but it sounds right up my alley. In all likelihood, you will be seeing homemade mac & cheese and Hoppin' John on my blog in the next week.

Thanks Erin!