http://www.gtowntimes.com/ en-us http://www.gtowntimes.com/story/Spanish-delights----Find-them-at-nearby-restaurants By Nora J. Raum njraum@msn.com Angel and Rayna Garcia are the owners of Carniceria Y Panaderia Mi Mexico I in Socastee and Carniceria & Panaderia Mi Mexico II in Conway. These two Mexican markets carry many products, so shopping there is a new experience. There are homemade sausages known as chorizo, both mild and hot; special cuts on meats and poultry, both Mexican and Centro-American; cheeses, fresh fruits and vegetables; canned goods; Mexican beer; fried carnitas; all kinds of corn and flour tortillas; and Spanish music. There is actually a fellow who bakes at the Conway store and delivers the finished products to the Socastee store. There is fresh homemade Mexican bread every day. There are ready-to-eat deli meats, pa ... 9/9/2008 http://www.gtowntimes.com/story/Spanish-delights----Find-them-at-nearby-restaurants http://www.gtowntimes.com/story/Devil-s-in-the-details-when-stuffing-eggs By Pervaiz Shallwani For The Associated Press There was a time when deviled eggs lived up to their name. Despite the many impostors that parade about under the name today (whipped tofu, anyone?), deviled eggs once were a simple mash of egg yolk and a fiery ingredient (such as cayenne or Dijon) dolloped into a cooked egg white. "Originally, it was supposed to mean something spicy," says Debbie Moose, the author of "Deviled Eggs: 50 Recipes From Simple to Sassy." "But now it's just a generic term for a stuffed egg." In fact, for many years America's go-to cookbook, "Joy of Cooking," distinguished between deviled and stuffed eggs. It's a distinction mostly lost in today's anything-goes culinary world that too often produces dry ... 9/9/2008 http://www.gtowntimes.com/story/Devil-s-in-the-details-when-stuffing-eggs http://www.gtowntimes.com/story/Before-season-closes--try-some-watermelon-salad- AP -- Part fruit salad, part savory salad, this delicious mix of sweet watermelon and crispy prosciutto from Real Simple magazine is a delicious way to mix up your summer salad repertoire. Watermelon Salad with Mint and Crispy Prosciutto Start to finish: 25 minutes Servings: 4 4 ounces thinly sliced prosciutto 3 pounds watermelon (including rind) 6 radishes, quartered 4 scallions, sliced 1/4 cup fresh mint, torn 1/4 cup salted peanuts, chopped 2 tablespoons lime juice 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil Kosher salt and ground black pepper, to taste Heat oven to 400 degrees. On a baking sheet, arrange the prosciutto in a single layer. Bake until crisp, about 8 to 10 minutes. Meanwhile, trim and disc ... 9/9/2008 http://www.gtowntimes.com/story/Before-season-closes--try-some-watermelon-salad- http://www.gtowntimes.com/story/The-A-B-Cs-of-healthy-lunchboxes (Family Features) With kids heading back to school, many parents are looking for healthy but fun lunch options. Experienced lunch-packing parents know that creativity within a lunchbox goes a long way toward ensuring a healthy and nutritious lunch that is actually eaten, not tossed. Children develop eating habits early that they keep for life, so what seems like a daily decision can actually have a lasting effect. A lot of parents work hard to come up with healthy and delicious new twists on old lunchbox staples because so many school cafeterias still serve meals that are fat and sugar fiestas -- the kind that are producing high blood pressure and diabetes in kids as young as 11, says Dr. Jennifer Trachtenberg, pediatrician, author and ... 9/2/2008 http://www.gtowntimes.com/story/The-A-B-Cs-of-healthy-lunchboxes http://www.gtowntimes.com/story/Spanish-Bar-Cake-linked-to-grocery-chain By Teresa Taylor ttaylor@postandcourier.com June Sageser's request for Spanish Bar Cake intrigued several folks, including myself, who had never heard of such a cake. June remembers the dark spice cake from her childhood in the '50s and '60s and that it was sold in grocery stores. Well, apparently it is an A&P thing. A&P, which stands for the Great Atlantic & Pacific Tea Co., is a 150-year-old grocery store chain now concentrated in the Northeast. At one time, its territory extended farther south and west, making it the first national supermarket chain in the United States. A bit of trivia: In the 1930s, A&P pioneered the concept of self-service, meaning customers selected their own groceries without the assistan ... 9/2/2008 http://www.gtowntimes.com/story/Spanish-Bar-Cake-linked-to-grocery-chain http://www.gtowntimes.com/story/Let-kids-get-in-mix-with-blueberry-granitas Blueberry granita offers the cool, summer refreshment of ice cream in a healthier, easier package. The regular stirring of the granita as it freezes is a great job for the kids. Blueberry Granita Servings: 4 to 6 3 1/2 cups blueberries 1/2 cup superfine sugar 3/4 cup water 1 teaspoon lemon zest 1 tablespoon lemon juice Crème fraîche or unsweetened whipped cream, for serving In a food processor, combine 2 1/2 cups of the blueberries with the sugar. Process until very smooth. Transfer the purée to a mesh strainer set over a medium bowl. Use a spoon to help press the juices out of the pulp. Discard the pulp. Mix in the water, lemon zest and juice. Transfer the mixture to a shallow, nonreacti ... 9/2/2008 http://www.gtowntimes.com/story/Let-kids-get-in-mix-with-blueberry-granitas http://www.gtowntimes.com/story/Fish-tacos----A-speedy-dinner-with-crunch By J.M. HIRSCH AP Food Editor The beauty of Mexican foods such as tacos, nachos and burritos is that just about anything goes. Grab yourself a flour tortilla, jam some meat and vegetables in it (leftovers are a good option), top it with some guacamole or salsa or cheese (or all three) and you've got a winning and speedy dinner, as in these fish tacos. Grill-friendly fillets of mahi mahi are lightly breaded before being set over the flames. The breading not only creates a nice crunchy exterior, it also helps prevent the fish from sticking. Or grab a rotisserie chicken and use the meat on these tacos. Or substitute grilled-skewered shrimp (doused with oil, salt and pepper). And if you don't feel like making the guacamole, there ... 9/2/2008 http://www.gtowntimes.com/story/Fish-tacos----A-speedy-dinner-with-crunch http://www.gtowntimes.com/story/Italian-cooking----Cafe-Italia--Captain-John-s-A-Taste-of-Italy By Nora J. Raum njraum@msn.com Café Italia is a new Italian restaurant at 3901 Dick Pond Rd. in Myrtle Beach, where Bella Napoli used to be. It's actually a few blocks west of Wal-Mart on the same side in Surfside. Todd and Sharon Tavares are the new owners of the restaurant, which opened July 30. They also own Vito's Italian Deli at 2523 Forestbrook Rd. in Myrtle Beach. I like to drive out there not only to see the horses and other animals on the farms but to get a huge Antipasto Salad and a pizza with thin crust with a lot of cheese, the way I am used to it from New York. There also are tremendously huge sub sandwiches, hot or cold, at Vito's, as well as heated specialty subs. The selection is awesome, and the choice ... 8/26/2008 http://www.gtowntimes.com/story/Italian-cooking----Cafe-Italia--Captain-John-s-A-Taste-of-Italy http://www.gtowntimes.com/story/Cooks-send-a-Spamalot-of-Spamilicious-dishes Teresa Taylor ttaylor@postandcourier.com Spam bashing has been around as long I can remember, but the maker, Hormel, is smart enough to be a good sport. The company's marketers know that Spam is culinary kitsch and they're more than OK with it: They celebrate it. Visit the Web site, www.spam.com, and you'll find a Spam Fan Club, which offers a free e-newsletter and "fun" stuff such as quotes, screensavers and more. It invites you to enjoy "that warm fuzzy feeling that comes from truly belonging. You are with friends now." There's a museum, a "Spamalot" game, fairies flying about .... Hormel must be laughing all the way to the bank. Spam sales were up more than 10 percent in March, April and May, attributed in part to cons ... 8/19/2008 http://www.gtowntimes.com/story/Cooks-send-a-Spamalot-of-Spamilicious-dishes http://www.gtowntimes.com/story/Tommy-Bahama-Cafe-has-something-for-everyone By Nora J. Raum njraum@msn.com Tommy Bahama's Café is more than a restaurant -- it is a casual lifestyle for men and women. Whether dining or shopping, you will feel like you are buying clothes and accessories for an extraordinary trip, perhaps even a safari. You will be comfortable enough to enhance your home with Tommy Bahama's furniture, rugs and accessories or stay home and lounge inside or outdoors in your new digs. Once you have tasted the food, you will want to recreate it and cook for your family and friends. I did not try the Tommy Bahama Rums, which are crafted in Barbados. The White Sand Rum is clear and light-bodied and has hints of tangy, tropical fruit which include pear, citrus, vanilla, coconut, lime, oran ... 8/12/2008 http://www.gtowntimes.com/story/Tommy-Bahama-Cafe-has-something-for-everyone http://www.gtowntimes.com/story/Sensational-salad-is-a-potluck-star By Jenny Harper VeryBestBaking.com Easy. Portable. Crowd-pleaser. Potluck recipes for a large gathering need to hit on all marks, but especially the pleasing part. Everyone should have a dish that's a real winner, one we stake our reputation on, with a recipe everyone begs for. We all love to have a dish that's a surefire hit, and I'm no exception. I'm known for my baking, and I love to share my favorite dessert recipes. But I've got a few savory side dishes that are in my "most requested" file. Though I'm often asked to bring a home-baked dessert, I love to share some of my other offerings -- thereby securing my reputation as an all-around great cook. This Oriental Ramen Salad hits the mark on many levels: It's crunchy with ... 8/12/2008 http://www.gtowntimes.com/story/Sensational-salad-is-a-potluck-star http://www.gtowntimes.com/story/Gold-medal-nutrition Wrapped and Rolled Grilled Chicken and Apples Makes 6 one-half wrap servings Grilled Chicken 20 ounces Tyson® Trimmed & Ready Sliced Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts 2 tablespoons light olive oil 1 pinch five-spice powder 1 pinch salt and black pepper Asian Pesto Dressing 1/2 cup sweet basil, finely chopped 1/2 cup fat-free yogurt 1/2 tablespoon fresh ginger, peeled and minced 2 tablespoons apple cider or unfiltered apple juice 1 ounce mint, finely chopped 1 pinch salt and black pepper Filling 16 ounces brown and wild rice, precooked 2 Granny Smith apples, chopped and seeded 1/2 red bell pepper, julienne cut and seeded 1/4 cup golden raisins 3 Tyson 12-inch Honey Wheat Wraps ... 8/5/2008 http://www.gtowntimes.com/story/Gold-medal-nutrition http://www.gtowntimes.com/story/Figs----This-versatile-fruit-serves-up-some-tasty-treats By Nathalie Dupree From pollination to fruition, figs are a magical fruit, some of them conceived in an extraordinary way. My Brown Turkey figs, however, require no fancy shenanigans like the California ones I saw pollinated by hanging wasps in a special cage to attract the opposite gender wasps, who then fertilized the figs by burrowing deep into them and becoming trapped. My figs just grow, nearly the botanical opposite of a strawberry, which carries its seeds on the outside surface. It's been months since figs started appearing on my five-year-old, six-foot tree. It's our first bumper crop, requiring daily picking to forestall beading sugar and holes that appear poked by voracious insects eager for the sweetness. Two of us run ou ... 8/5/2008 http://www.gtowntimes.com/story/Figs----This-versatile-fruit-serves-up-some-tasty-treats http://www.gtowntimes.com/story/The-Healthy-Plate----Try-Curried-Shrimp-Couscous By Jim Romanoff For The Associated Press When summer weather is at its finest, it's natural to want to avoid the kitchen. But easy summer eating doesn't have to rely on takeout (which usually comes at a high financial and nutritional price). For example, this recipe for curried shrimp and summer vegetable couscous combines seasonal fresh produce with virtually fat-free protein and a whole-wheat pasta for a supper entree that is as special a treat as any ethnic takeout food. Plus, the recipe cooks in one pan, so cleanup is fast and easy. The dish gets its predominant flavor from curry powder, a blend of many spices usually including cardamom, cloves, coriander, cumin, chili peppers and turmeric. Since it comes in mild, medium ... 7/29/2008 http://www.gtowntimes.com/story/The-Healthy-Plate----Try-Curried-Shrimp-Couscous http://www.gtowntimes.com/story/Tasty-dishes-take-ramen-up-a-notch By J.M. Hirsch AP Food Editor If you don't happen to live near one of the new gourmet ramen noodle shops popping up in the U.S., you still can enjoy gussied up versions of this inexpensive dorm room staple. Take your bargain package of ramen noodles upscale with this simple sushi-style recipe. Any thinly sliced vegetables, raw or lightly steamed, could be substituted. Nori seaweed sheets are widely available in the Asian sections of large grocers. Ramen Noodle Sushi Makes 6 pieces 3-ounce package instant ramen noodles, seasoning packet discarded 1 tablespoon soy sauce 1 tablespoon seasoned rice vinegar Wasabi paste or powder, to taste 3 sheets sushi nori seaweed, each cut in half 1 carrot, cut into thi ... 7/29/2008 http://www.gtowntimes.com/story/Tasty-dishes-take-ramen-up-a-notch