Massachusetts - The Old Colony State

♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ M A S S A C H U S E T T S ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ M A S S A C H U S E T T S ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

Massachusetts is known for Clam Chowder, Cranberries, Boston Cream Pie, Toll House Chocolate Chip Cookies and Samuel Adams Beer.  I used Emeril's Boston Clam Chowder, it was delicious.  I used canned clams rather than whole clams. 

The Menu

Boston Clam Chowder

Fried Clams

Boston Bibb Cranberry Walnut Salad

Parker House Rolls

Boston Cream Pie

Toll House Chocolate Chip Cookies

Samuel Adams

Cranberry Juice

We celebrated Massachusetts with the Warrens (Louise and all 3 kids home from Auburn), The Pilmans and the Wilsons.  It is always a great time when we are together.  The soup was easy to make and turned out great, everything was good, with the exception of the Boston Cream Pie.  I had one bite, which fro me was one too many.  I hate custard so it makes sense that I wouldn't like the Boston Cream Pie.  Only the adults ate the Boston Cream Pie, I think they were being polite by eating it, who knows maybe they like custard.

As good as the meal was, the best part of the meal was the company and the conversations.  Pete showed us videos of a recent trip to Chicago where the band was staying at the same hotel as a Furry Convention. 

We are going to take a few weeks off and start up in the new year with Michigan.  I have no idea what Michigan is famous for but I sure it will be fun!

♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ M A S S A C H U S E T T S ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ M A S S A C H U S E T T S ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

Maryland - The Old Line State

♥ M A R Y L A N D ♥ M A R Y L A N D ♥ M A R Y L A N D ♥ M A R Y L A N D ♥

Made it to Maryland... I lived in Maryland for 14 years, longer than I have ever lived in any other state. The best food there, hands down are the crabs and crab cakes. If you have never had crabs with Old Bay, done Maryland style, you are missing out on a culinary treat. Allen took Sydney to Maryland and introduced her to crabs last year, she has been waiting patiently all year for us to get to Maryland to have them again. The crabs found off the coast of Maryland are called blue crabs and they are hard to locate in Seattle. I found some at Ranch 99 at the last minute and attempted to cook them in Old Bay. They were OK, but something was missing.

The Menu

Crabs with Old Bay  

Crab Cakes

Maryland Style Potato Salad

Asparagus with Old Bay

Smith Island Cake

Black-Eyed Susan's

The crab cake recipe I used was Shirley Lowrie's recipe. Her son was Allen's roommate in college and one of his best men at our wedding. Everything but the cake and the Black Eyed Susan's had Old Bay in it. I loved the asparagus, I can't wait to try Old Bay on other vegetables now. The potato salad was OK, it went well with the crabs.

The Smith Island cake looked like a stack of pancakes. The icing didn't turn out and I thought it was going to be a failure. It ended up being yummy and I will definitely try it again but with a different icing (maybe caramel). My favorite cake is Caroline's Cakes in Annapolis, MD.  My sister in law has sent it to me for Christmas several times, maybe I will try and re-create that one next time.

I looked for Natty Boh (National Bohemian Beer) which is the beer of Baltimore but couldn't find any.  I decided to make Black Eyed Susan's, which is the drink of the Preakness.  I went to the Preakness numerous times while living in Baltimore and never had one.  The Black Eyed Susan's were a hit (for Louise and I, the kids had raspberry soda). I changed the recipe and added kiwi strawberry juice instead of orange juice and added less alcohol. I will definitely try them again! 

I met Allen in Maryland, Sydney was born in Maryland and I still have some of the dearest friends living there. A piece of my heart will always remain in Maryland but my stomach is moving on to Massachusetts and Chowda!

♥ M A R Y L A N D ♥ M A R Y L A N D ♥ M A R Y L A N D ♥ M A R Y L A N D ♥

M A I N E - The Pine Tree State

♥ M A I N E ♥ M A I N E ♥ M A I N E ♥ M A I N E ♥ M A I N E ♥ M A I N E ♥  M A I N E ♥

Let me start out by saying I LOVE LOBSTER. Allen and I spent a week vacationing in Maine in 1993. I had lobster everyday, mostly lobster rolls, which is lobster with mayonnaise on a grilled hot dog roll.

Lobster rolls are sold at McDonalds in Maine (it is called McLobster). 

Maine is also known for blueberries, baked beans and whoopie pie. 

The Menu

Lobster Bisque (from Costco, it's fantastic)
Lobster Roll
Maine Baked Beans
Bar Harbor Salad with Blueberry-Maple Dressing
Beatrice's Chocolate Whoopie Pies

I tried to make baked beans from scratch (not open up a can).  You are supposed use a bean pot (?) and check them every hour or so for 6-8 hours.  I found a recipe to do them in a crock pot so I didn't have to take the day off of work to cook a pot of beans.   The beans turned out OK, I left out the salt pork to make them a bit more healthy, unfortunately fat = flavor. 

The lobster rolls didn't turn out as I remembered them.  I bought the lobster already cooked, and I think it lost some of its flavor...fresh = flavor. 

The whoopie pies were delicious and really easy to make.  I will definitely make them again and have already thought of some variations that I am looking forward to trying.

It was a good night, Ted and Louise joined us for dinner.  It was Louise's first time eating lobster.  I am looking forward to returning to Maine someday and having an authentic lobster roll. 

Next week is Maryland, which is definitely going to be crab cakes or Old Bay Crabs.

Louisiana - The Pelican State/ The Bayou State

    ♥ L O U I S I A N A ♥ L O U I S I A N A ♥ L O U I S I A N A ♥ L O U I S I A N A ♥


We could probably spend the whole year eating famous food from Louisiana.
I love Louisiana cuisine!

 

My only experience in Louisiana is going to Mardi Gras in 1988.  I only needed to experience Mardi Gras once, but the cuisine should be experienced over and over again.

The timing worked out perfect for this meal, my niece and nephews were back from Auburn, on break from college.  Nothing brings me more joy than being with Leslie, Sam and Joe! 

The food was wonderful.  The jambalaya was different than what I have made before but good.  Leslie made the cajun shrimp (and scallops) and the red beans and rice, both were delicious.  The yam corn bread was good, as usual I thought it was too dry.  The greens were fantastic, Conner earned himself $20 by eating 2 helpings.  It turns out that Ted has been paying the boys to eat green things.  Going green has taken on a whole new definition by the Daniel boys, they get green by eating greens.

The Hurricanes were good, we served them in red cups in honor of Bourbon Street.  The wort part of the meal was the King Cake.  I admittedly messed up the recipe and added too much sugar.  I am not sure whether it would have been any better if I had followed the recipe.  No one found the baby in the cake, although Will checked every piece.  Sydney's friend Lauren joined us for dinner too.  She was gracious and didn't appear too shocked by the conversation. 

My son Conner is the biggest New Orleans Saints fan I know.  He loved the Saints when they were the Aints.  Conner supplied us in Saints Jerseys.  Ted had everyone tell there favorite New Orleans story, if you have been to New Orleans, you will have a tale to tell.

 

The Menu

Andouille and Chicken Jambalaya

Louisiana Yam Cornbread

Louisiana Style Greens with Sausage

Zatarain's Red Beans and Rice

Cajun Shrimp

King Cake
Hurricanes for the over 21 and  French Market Lemonade for the others

♥ L O U I S I A N A ♥ L O U I S I A N A ♥ L O U I S I A N A ♥ L O U I S I A N A ♥

Kentucky - The Bluegrass State

K E N T U C K Y  ♥ K E N T U C K Y ♥ K E N T U C K Y ♥ K E N T U C K Y ♥ K E N T U C K Y

I have only been to Kentucky once and that was to go to the Breeder's Cup in 1988,  I don't remember the food but I do remember the Mint Juleps. 

I decided to make a traditional Kentucky Derby meal this week.  I made Burgoo, which is Kentucky's version of Brunswick Stew.  Traditionally, Burgoo is made with possum, squirrel or whatever roadkill is around, I decided to use beef, pork and chicken.  The Burgoo was OK, I am not a big fans of stews.  I also had a bucket of KFC, which made Conner and Will really happy.

Ted, Louise, Karen and Soren came for dinner.  They are our NW family and it is always fun having them over, it doesn't matter what we are eating.  Louise brought us Derby hats to wear and dressed up like a jockey (she was adorable). 

The Menu

Burgoo

Bucket of KFC
Benedictine
Kentucky Strawberry Spinach Salad
Kentucky Cornbread
Virgin Mint Juleps and Mint Juleps
Mint Julep Cake
Derby Pie

Benedictine is a cucumber dip served at the Kentucky Derby.  The cornbread was OK, I prefer a sweet cornbread (this one had no sugar in it).  The salad was really good.  Conner actually said he would eat the salad again,  Soren and Ted had Mint Juleps.  I reaffirmed that I hate Bourbon.  The Virgin Mint Juleps didn't taste anything like a Mint Julep but it was good.  The Mint Julep Cake was delicious, it turns out I like Bourbon in cake, just not in a glass.  The Derby Pie was good too.

Kentucky is the Bluegrass State so we listened to bluegrass music.  All in all Kentucky food was good.  The company was fantastic!  One of my favorite things about the meal was that Will did all the dishes and cleaned up the kitchen, so sweet!

  

 

K E N T U C K Y ♥ K E N T U C K Y ♥ K E N T U C K Y ♥ K E N T U C K Y ♥ K E N T U C K Y 

Kansas - The Sunflower State

♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥

Kansas is famous for beef, corn and sunflowers, so we will be incorporating all three into the meal.  When I think of Kansas I always think of the song "I'm as Corny as Kansas in August" and the Wizard of Oz.

We are having the Pawlings for dinner, they aren't from Kansas, but Gretchen has family from Iowa and Illinois, and we really wanted to have them over for dinner.

The Menu

Chicken Fried Steak
Kansas Corn Scallop
Asparagus with Roasted Almonds and Garlic
Vienna Party Rolls
Kansas Sunflower Cookies and Sunflower Cake
Sun Drop Soda

 

It turns out that Kansas is Conner's favorite state.  He loved the Country Fried Steak (I thought it was too tough).  The Kansas Corn Scallop was delicious, I think I would add jalapenos to spice it up a bit, Conner said if if had bacon in it it would have be perfect.  The asparagus was OK, I don't think I would make it again.  The rolls were really yummy and were definitely a crowd pleaser.   The Sunflower Cookies were great I substituted chocolate chips for coconut.  The Sunflower Cake looked perfect and was a big hit with Owen and Bryce (my two favorite 4 year olds).

It was a fun night with Scott, Gretchen, Owen, Bryce and Emory.  Next week we are finally moving out of the Mid West and headed to Kentucky.  Kentucky should be wonderful, I am thinking of Burgoo or Kentucky Fried Chicken and definitely Derby Pie and Mint Juleps.

♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥

IOWA - The Hawkeye State

 

I O W A - I am so excited for Iowa.  Steve and Meredith are from Iowa and they are coming for dinner along with Louise (whose sister lives in Iowa) and Diane (who could be from Iowa).  Sydney met Meredith 3 1/2 years ago when she moved from Iowa to Washington.  We ♥ the Larsons and I think we are going to ♥ Iowa food too.  I found a great website called IowaGirlEats.com, it has fantastic recipes and is very entertaining.

The Menu

Maid Rite Loose Meat Sandwiches

Iowa Corn Casserole

Corn on the Cob

Sweet Potato Fries

Pabst Blue Ribbon (not exactly from Iowa but it is what Iowans drink - Steve assured me)
Blue Bunny Ice Cream

Dutch Letter Cookies

It was a great night.  We learned a lot about Iowa and I really want to visit one day.  Steve brought the Pabst Blue Ribbon (PBR) and the Blue Bunny Ice Cream.   Steve said the Maid Rite sandwiches tasted just like he remembered them.  The corn casserole was good (I think a pound of bacon helps) and the sweet potato fries were yummy and really easy to make.  The Dutch Letter Cookies were delicious and I will definitely make them again.

Iowa was a great night, although I am a little bit tired of meat sandwiches and corn.  Wonderful friends and good conversation made the night go by too fast.  I played the Music Man sound track which brought back a lot of memories from my childhood.  We are now finished with the letter I states and are moving onto Kansas. 

Indiana - The Hoosier State

I have never been to Indiana, but I love their food.  Indiana's state motto is "The Crossroads of America", which seems appropriate. 

Hoosier Menu
Traditional Indiana Breaded Tenderloin Sandwich
Indiana Succotash
VanCamp Pork and Beans
Sugar Cream Pie

Indiana proved to be the easiest state to find recipes for the famous Hoosier cuisine.  Everywhere I looked I came up with the same food, breaded pork tenderloin sandwiches and sugar cream pie.

Indiana is the home of VanCamp Pork and Beans, popcorn and John Mellancamp. The state drink is water, which the boys thought was boring (they were hoping for soda).

         

Ted and Louise joined us for dinner.  The pork sandwiches were really good.  Will didn't eat anything but the sandwich, he ate half of mine and some of Sydney's as well.  I had to make the sugar cream pie twice.  The first one didn't set up, the second set up but still didn't turn out great.  The consistency was not very appetizing.  I will have to try it again, with a third recipe.  I have been told sugar cream pie is delicious, so far I am not convinced.  The Indiana Succotash was my favorite, Indiana Succotash is with green beans and corn and spices.  It was a great meal and an easy one to put together.

Illinois - The Land of Lincoln

We have made it to the Mid West.  I have only been through Chicago once and it was in December.  I loved everything about it and the food.  We were pretty fast to jump on Deep Dish Pizza and Chicago Style Hot Dogs for Illinois.  It was not an easy task to find other food from Illinois.  I did find that Frango Mints have a history in Chicago so we are having Frango Mint Brownies. 

We are having the Pilmans, the Wilsons and the Warrens for dinner tonight.  Soren Pilman is from Illinois and the Warrens have been through the Chicago airport many times.  It is always a fun night with the Pilmans, the Wilsons and the Warrens.

The Menu

Deep Dish Pizza

Chicago Style Hot Dogs

Illinois Salad

Frango Mint Brownies

Cracker Jacks

It was a great night!  We had 5 different types of deep dish pizza.  I used a Martha Stewart recipe to make them individually in muffin tins.  They were really easy to make and you can make all different kinds.  I made a large spinach and feta and then individual smoked mozzarella and chicken, pesto and sun dried tomato, Italian sausage and a cheese pizza.

 

 

Conner grilled the dogs and then we loaded them up with mustard, relish, onions, tomatoes, pickles and celery salt.  You are supposed to use poppy seed rolls but I couldn't find poppy seed hot dog rolls in the NW.  I liked the salad and will definitely do it again.

The brownies were OK, a bit dry (I made them a day early).  We celebrated Soren's birthday, which made the brownies that much sweeter.  Louise brought cookies, which were delicious.  There was also Cracker Jack for dessert, which originated in Chicago.

It was a fantastic night, with wonderful friends.  Indiana is next... I can't wait to see what the menu will be.