Sampling various wines and shopping throughout the beautiful town of Highlands, North Carolina, with my husband – made for one of the most pleasant Saturday’s ever! Sip and Shop Saturday was just one of the events at the 2017 Highlands Food and Wine Festival. Edible Upcountry and Edible Asheville Magazines partnered with the Highlands Chamber of Commerce arranging for local businesses to showcase a wine from Tryon Distribution. Each wine was paired with a particular gourmet food, courtesy of Gourmet Foods International. Ticket buyers were given a complimentary glass and a tasting program at the box office. We were free to stroll up and down Main Street with our glasses and…
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Food Trucks Roll In at Highlands Food and Wine Festival
The 2017 Highlands Food and Wine Festival presented some of the best food trucks Western North Carolina and Upstate South Carolina has to offer. Appropriately coined, Truckin’, the four-hour event allowed patrons to sample a wide variety of flavorful dishes, prepared by some of the most talented restaurants on wheels. To complement the savory samples, were several beverage options being prepared in catering vehicles, even one mini-motor home. Foodies enjoyed contemporary, folk rock sounds of Futurebirds, from Athens, Georgia and Los Angles natives, Dawes. Mountain Vibe Alive Truckin was set in a wooded lot off Old Creek Circle, near downtown Highlands, North Carolina. Large sofas and cushioned chairs were scattered among…
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Streamline Your Cooking With Frozen Vegetables
Have you ever considered buying frozen vegetables? Frozen vegetables are a convenient, time-saving short cut when preparing meals at home. Perfect for soups and stews (where the vegetable is NOT the primary ingredient), these packaged foods sometimes hold flavor better than their fresh counterpart, especially when the vegetable is out of season. I would never recommend using frozen vegetables in a fresh salad; or frozen onions in a French Onion Soup, however, they work well in hearty dishes cooked in a slow-cooker, such as the Bachelor Beef Stew below. Which frozen vegetables are the best to buy? Not all vegetables are worth buying from the frozen food department. Vegetables with…
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Autumn Leeks Elevate Mashed Potatoes
Leeks can be intimidating but they capable of making borning mashed potatoes and elevating them to something extraordinary. Usually harvested in the autumn months, they are easy to grow from seedlings and are ready six months after planting. Much like an onion, they form a bulb and a long bundle of leaves above the ground. The soil must be loose and well-drained. The bulbs of the plant do not tolerate wet soil. As a very hearty vegetable, some varieties can survive during the early winter months, extending their harvest season. Most agree, prolonging harvest will intensify the flavor. Unlike its sister, the onion, leeks have a sweeter, milder flavor, and…
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Autumn Flavor Filled Chicken and Dumplings
Being an avid home cook, over the years I have tried many chicken and dumplings recipes; including both of my grandmother’s versions. Although this recipe is simple, it does take about 90 minutes but the deep, full flavor will be so worth it on a cool autumn evening. The key is cooking not only thighs but also wings. If you prefer white meat, you can substitute the thighs for breast, however, you will sacrifice some flavor. My husband is NOT a fan of leftovers; however, THIS chicken and dumplings, he REQUESTED to take for lunch leftovers. To make the stew: 2 ½ pounds bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs 1 teaspoon table…
