Lisa Jeffries Nobling – Raleigh, NC

Category: Food

  • Brunch at Tazza Kitchen: No Syrup Needed

    Johnnie Bud and I have been big fans of Tazza Kitchen since it opened in Cameron Village earlier this year. They’ve got a great cocktail menu and and a foodie menu made for sharing each other’s plates, so of course we were excited to hear they were adding Sunday brunch to their tasty lineup.

    We called ahead around 12:30 p.m. on Sunday and were thrilled to hear there was no wait to seat two, so we drove over to Cameron Village, sat at the bar, and quickly ordered a Sunday afternoon staple – mimosas, please! (Very happy to report that they used fresh squeezed orange juice and a very generous pour of prosecco at $6. Next time, we’ll go for the $12 1/2 liter carafe option.)

    The brunch menu wasn’t super vegetarian-friendly, but still super appealing nonetheless.

    • Johnnie Bud ordered the French Toast: house-made brioche, cashew praline butter, blueberry vincotto sauce, basil, whipped mascarpone – $9.5
    • I chose the Broccoli Rabe & Smoke Mozzarella Sandwich: oven roasted tomatoes, smokey tomato mayo – $9.5

    Neither disappointed, but Johnnie’s choice was clearly the brunch champ this go around. The blueberries and praline butter made a great sweetener – no syrup required!

    My sandwich was a good choice with the mayo on the side, but would have been a better breakfast item with a fried egg or egg over medium/well added in between the ciabatta slices.

    We got plate envy watching the Huevos Rancheros (corn tostadas, chorizo, sofritto, baked eggs*, salsa verde, pico de gallo, crema, cranberry beans, hash browns – $10.5) and Breakfast Pizza (béchamel, bacon, mozzarella, grana padano, baked local eggs – $13) being delivered to nearby tables, so you can bet we’ll be back in the coming weekends to try those options A.S.A.P.

  • Manfriend Meals: Stuffed Flank Steak

    Although I’m a vegetarian, I do still cook meat dishes for others from time to time.

    A few weeks ago, I treated my manfriend and Little Sister’s manfriend to a home cooked dinner featuring these Stuffed Flank Steaks:
    Stuffed Flank Steak

    The grocery store I stopped at on the way home from work (Carlie C’s) didn’t have any “flank steaks” specifically, so I purchased two different types of steak in the thinnest cuts I could get. Here’s where the vegetarian in me strikes: I don’t remember what they were. Sorry!

    The guys loved them, especially with the spinach and blue cheese stuffing.

    Feel free to check out my latest Pinterest board, Manfriend Meals, for more ideas that are sure to please any hungry man.

    Images and recipe via FamilyCircle.com

  • Really Tasty Retreats Happening at O.Henry and Proximity Hotels in Greensboro

    By far, two of my favorite boutique hotel concepts in NC (and the country), O.Henry Hotel and Proximity Hotel in Greensboro will play host to a few very innovative, and tasty, weekend getaways this summer and fall.

    Savor the South Weekend: September 26-28Authors from UNC Press Savor the South Cookbook will join Quaintance-Weaver Restaurants & Hotels Chef Leigh Hesling and Chef Jay Pierce for an evening of what is sure to be incredible food and beverage, and highly entertaining conversations, at the O.Henry Hotel. One-night package includes accommodations, two tickets to Friday’s farm-to-fork dinner, breakfast on Saturday, Saturday’s Tasting Extravaganza lunch, and a cookbook is $295/person, double occupancy. A two-night package is also available and includes additional meals and entrance to the Bourbon & Bluegrass Bacchanal Dinner for $449/person.
    (Image via OHenryHotel.com)

    Sustainable Summer Weekend Getaway: May 30-September 1Check in at 2 p.m. at the Proximity Hotel (or earlier if available) and spend the afternoon traveling nearby greenways via complimentary bicycles or lounging by the property’s infinity-style pool. A $30 voucher for breakfast or dinner at Print Works Bistro is included. Available Fridays and Saturdays, May 30-September 1 (some blackout dates apply) for $219, plus taxes.
    (Image via ProximityHotel.com)

    Weekend Rail Getaway PackageRide the Amtrak train to Greensboro and Proximity Hotel will pick you up at the historic depot! A sustainable weekend getaway at America’s first LEED Platinum-certified hotel and restaurant includes overnight accommodations in a Loft King Room on a Friday, Saturday or Sunday night, as well as a $50 dining voucher for Print Works Bistro, as well as breakfast in bed the following morning, for only $249, plus taxes.

    If you can swing the investment in these weekend indulgences, my personal experience from a quick visit to both properties’ restaurants back in March says “ABSOLUTELY! DO THIS!” Enjoy.

  • Roasted Cabbage

    My mom presented a new item at Sunday Family Dinner a few weekends ago:

    Roasted cabbage.
    It was amazing! And she swears it was as simple as: slice cabbage, drizzle with infused olive oil (your savory flavor of choice), sprinkle with salt and papper, and roast in the over until light caramelization.
    Little Sister and I were head over heels for it. That simple side will become a staple in the Jeffries household.
    Enjoy!
    (Image via http://www.gimmesomeoven.com/roasted-cabbage-wedges/ on Pinterest.)

  • And Tonight’s Super Bowl Menu Includes….

    The manfriend and I have been hard at work in the kitchen this morning. Here’s what we’ll be taking to tonight’s ITB Super Bowl gathering. Drumroll please…

    Four mildly healthy, but certainly better for you than the norm, appetizer-sized items, including:
    Deviled Eggs
    Mexican Roll-Ups
    Spinach Balls
    Dry Rub Grilled Wings

    I’ll be cheering for the advertisers tonight – the Super Bowl ads are my favorite part of one of America’s most-watched sports programs all year. This pre-released spot already has my heart: #BestBuds – with nearly 33 million views in just four days, I’d say it has also captured the hearts of many, many others, as well.

    What are you serving at or bringing to your Super Bowl gathering?

  • I’m Still Here…

    …just doing a lot of working (and I do mean A LOT), social events and weddings, tailgating, and the like. It is that time of year, again. I’ve also been DVRing a lot of 5 Ingredient Fix with Claire Robinson on Food Network. (I promise I’ll explain next why that’s related.)

    Back to the tailgating!
    I served up these two recipes, courtesy of Claire, for the NCSU vs. S. Alabama tailgate last weekend:
    Brie and Onion Puff
    Memphis Banana Bites

    They went so quickly, I didn’t even get pics. One suggestion? On the Memphis Banana Bites, I cut down on time in a big way by spreading the banana chips out on wax paper in the bottom of a 9×13 glass pan and poured the chocolate and peanut butter melt all over the top. I let it cool and then let my fellow tailgaters break off pieces (like a bark) to enjoy at their own pace. Perfection!

    I think I’m going to take these next week fr the NCSU vs. GT tailgate (before I leave early for Brandon and Tiffany’s wedding!): Spicy Baked Chickpeas.

    What are your meatless tailgate favorites?

  • The Hushpuppies are a Big Deal

    I almost laughed out loud when I read this line from George Cox’s review of Garner’s (somewhat new) Shuck ‘Em Shack:

    Hushpuppies are not bad for a commercial product, though the Southerner in me cringes at paying $1.99 for a dozen.

    I can remember going to Dockside at some point in college, one of the best locations in Wilmington for a great coastal view – paired with a bite to eat and a tasty drink. only to find out at that point they had decided to not offer hushpuppies at all. (Something about space for the fryer or it being the off-season… clearly I was in no mind for any excuses.) Everyone at our table heavily considered just leaving before ordering anything. What’s a Po’ Boy sandwich with a no hushpuppies? (The answer: not much.)

    Same situation with the ill-fated Sunny Side Too, which also called Garner home. (I can name more than a handful of reasons this local restaurant didn’t last, sadly. But I won’t.)

    My point is this: in Carolina, and much of the South, hushpuppies are expected. And we more often than not expect them to be yummy and a complimentary part of the Southern seafood meal.

    You can read Greg’s entire report on the Shuck ‘Em Shack online at http://www.newsobserver.com/2011/01/14/917251/where-you-can-shuck-to-your-hearts.html.

  • Happy New Year!

    Nick and I went to Nashville this past week/weekend for a few days, so I didn’t get a chance to wish everyone a Happy New Year’s Eve… or even New Year’s Day. However, I don’t believe January 2nd is too late to start the year off right!

    We have dinner at my parents’ house every Sunday, so of course tonight we had to have our traditional New Year’s dinner: pork, greens, black-eyed peas, potatoes, and cake. Nom, nom, nom – it is by far my favorite meal of the year!

    When Nick and I were driving back to Raleigh from Nashville yesterday, we were curious about the tradition behind the New Year’s meal and found this great resource on Epicurious (thank you, Google), that I wanted to share: Lucky Foods for the New Year.

    Greens and black-eyed peas (or legumes) are symbolic of economic good fortune or wealth, pork symbolizes progress, and so on. Next year, I’m adding wine to the menu since the article covers the superstition of grapes, too!

    Welcome to 2011 and best wishes for a wonderful year, y’all!

  • Breakfast with Santa for FIVE Great Causes!

    Dr. Tinney Railey sent me an email this week asking me to help spread the word about this Saturday’s fundraiser and how could I not with so many great organizations benefiting?

    The Third Annual Charity Breakfast Buffet with Santa
    Saturday – December 11, 2010, 8-11am
    at Spice Street Restaurant in Chapel Hill

    This event is organized by the resident physicians at UNC and this year we are supporting 5 charities: Ronald McDonald House, SECU Family House, NC Children’s Hospital, NC Food Bank, and Toys for Tots. Last year we had a great event with over $1,000, 400 canned goods, and almost 500 toys donated. This year same great venue and price but we added an additional organization. We are also bringing awareness to Kayla’s Closet, an organization that provides formal dresses to ladies who could not otherwise afford them.

    Kids can take pictures with Santa (skip the mall lines and prices), make ornaments, and enjoy face painting all while benefiting the community. Spice Street will make a monetary donation to be divided between the Ronald McDonald House, SECU Family House, and NC Children’s Promise for every buffet purchased. We are asking people to bring canned goods or new toys. Adults $10 and kids $5 including tax and gratuity (cash, check and credit cards accepted)!

    Happy holidays, y’all!

  • Put the Boys to Work… at Hardly Working

    I realize Thanksgiving has just come and gone, but Christmas dinner is right around the corner. I love Andrea Weigl’s suggestion of putting the boys to work!

    Thursday when I serve Thanksgiving dinner to a small group of friends, everyone will contribute. I will bake a pecan pie and a pumpkin cheesecake. My husband will cook leg of lamb on the smoker. (One tip for holiday sanity is cooking the meat outside on the grill, in the smoker or in the deep-fryer. Luckily, many men who like to cook don’t mind spending the day outside, drinking a beer and minding the meat.) A friend will make stuffed acorn squash and the homemade noodles that are his family’s tradition. A third will clear the table.

    She’s right – it’s not at all an up-hill battle to suggest that the man (and his buddies) hang around outside with beer, a fried turkey, and perhaps even a fire pit.