It's mocking me even now.
Hoo boy. I’ve met my spice match, in the form of a blackened catfish fillet at Chef Wayne’s Big Mamou in Springfield.
I just want to make it clear that I’m not a total wimp when it comes to heat. I’m somewhere in the middle between my Irish ancestors, for whom cracked black pepper is exotic and scary, and people who enjoy food that makes them sweat as they consume it, like a certain spouse of mine. But that blackening spice kicked me hard in the taste buds.
Blue Moon's special-edition Grand Cru
The world will see the first ‘blue moon’ on New Year’s Eve since 1990 this Dec. 31. – defined as the second full moon in a calendar month.
To mark the rare occasion, Blue Moon Brewing Company has released a special-edition Grand Cru beer, described as having “…rich, creamy notes, with subtle hints of orange peel and coriander.” The beer is 8.2 percent ABV and retails for about $10 per bottle.
“Just like Blue Moon, it should be served with an orange slice garnish,” said Blue Moon’s brewmaster Keith Villa in this press release.
I adore Blue Moon brews, but I’m not sure if I’m enough of a beer connoisseur yet to crack one of these open on New Year’s instead of bubbly.
What say you? And what do you like to drink on New Year’s Eve? “Everything but the kitchen sink” is an acceptable answer.
Yes. That's four slices of cheese.
It took me the better part of four-and-a-half years, but I finally tried Shady Glen’s notorious cheeseburger. Maybe it would have been more fun if I didn’t know how it was constructed, because I’d probably still be speechless now.
Jason Hawkins, host of CPTV's "Eating Connecticut"
If you’ve ever enjoyed a meal in the Nutmeg State, then you’ll love “Eating Connecticut,”
CPTV’s increasingly popular show focusing on local restaurants. Fun With Carbs recently sat down with its host, Jason Hawkins, to find out more about the delicious show and just how Hawkins landed such a fantastic job…
In-n-Out Burger in Irvine, Calif.
After my colleague Sandy shared her Sonic Drive-In experience with Fun With Carbs yesterday, she and I got to talking about chains she’d like to visit in the near future. On her list: In-n-Out, White Castle, Chick-Fil-A, Pinkberry, Qdoba, Chipotle and A&W.
I’m sure at this point, my South-dwelling friends are scratching their heads. But none of these chains are in Connecticut. A few of them haven’t even entered New England.
A La Carte
Leeanne Griffin is a freelance writer and food enthusiast.