wordless wednesdays

...because words just can't describe how awesome this pizza was.

summer corn salad

Summer is finally coming to an end and even in Georgia we are starting to feel the cool (and awesome) fall air in the mornings. Now is the best time to use up what summer tomatoes and basil you have left growing out in the back!

I used to make this corn salad on Sunday or Mondays of every week to bring as a lunch side at the hospital. It's fast, gets better as it sits in the fridge and a healthy way incorporate veggies into your diet. This is how I make the corn salad but you can always change up the veggies so it fits your or your family's tastes.

Summer Corn Salad

Ingredients:

- 1 can of black beans, rinsed

- 1 can of corn, rinsed

- 2 to 3 plum tomatoes, deseed and diced

- 1/2 medium red onion, diced

- 1 large lime

-  2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil

- salt, pepper

- bunch of basil

1) Rinse black bean and corn through water. Pour into a big bowl.

2) Dice up tomatoes, red onion - toss into big bowl.

3) Add lime zest and juice to the same bowl.

4) Season with salt, pepper (to taste) and add olive oil.

5) Chiffonade basil and mix everything together until evenly distributed

the shed - sunday dinner (atlanta, ga)

The Shed at Glenwood (spearheaded by Chef Lance and Cindy) offers a delicious and economical, prix fixe dinner on Sundays. For just $20, you get an appetizer, entree and a dessert!

Every table starts off with a big bowl of popcorn with a touch of salt - a great way to get your appetite going.

The appetizers on this particular Sunday were the fried banana pepper with goat cheese and iceberg wedge salad with bacon and blue cheese dressing. The fried banana pepper is filled with creamy goat cheese and accompanied by a basil pesto and tomato confit - almost too pretty to eat. It's spicy, tangy, sweet and refreshing. The light, fried batter on the pepper adds a crunch as well.

As for the wedge salad, the crisp, cool iceberg lettuce and the thick, crispy bacon on top of the creamy blue cheese dressing makes for a delectable starter. Simple and surprisingly filling even though it's just a salad.

The main entrees (free range chicken breast and The Shed's version of shepherd's pie) were comforting and hearty. The moist chicken breast with crispy skin sits on top of a tasty sweet potato puree and even the pickiest of onion eaters will like the sweet, grilled onion accompanying the dish. The Shed's version of shepherd's pie has tender, juicy beef brisket instead of ground beef and has this really smooth and buttery mash insulating the delicious brisket. A fine example of comfort food.

Just when you think you're done and too full to eat -- BOOM (John Madden style) -- the dessert comes out. Did you know? The panna cotta above was one of our favorite foods of the evening. The custard is just set - not too gelatinous like Jello but almost like a thick yogurt. It's creamy and not too sweet making it a perfect ending for any Sunday supper. The cheesecake was also quite delicious. I usually hate cheesecake because some of them remind me too much of cream cheese or they're too sweet but The Shed's is just right. Not too sweet and it doesn't taste like cream cheese spread on your morning bagel.

...of course, The Shed's greek yogurt with medjool dates, candied pecans and orange blossom honey is always there to silence your inner sweet cravings.

If I were to buy this at regular menu price, the wedge salad, shepherd's pie and dessert would've been $30. Instead, it was only $20. That's $10 cheaper. Or 33.3% cheaper if you're into percentages.

So what are you waiting for? Head down to Bill Kennedy Way and grab some tasty Sunday supper! The prix fixe selections changes on a weekly basis and you can see what the current menu is by visiting The Shed's website.

(I hear Cindy is working on a new tea using chef's dehydrator in the back so look out for that on the menu when this mad alchemist perfects her drink!)

country's barbecue (columbus, ga)

After my pharmacy orientation at the Medical Center, a group of us went to Country's Barbecue North to grab some lunch. Being completely new in town, we followed the advice of Columbus native (and classmate) Dorchak to this Columbus institution.

Founded by owner Jim Morpeth in 1975, it's no wonder why this barbecue joint is labeled as a Columbus must visit to first time visitors and residents alike. What started out as a dream of this former computer programmer and systems analyst is now a bustling local franchise attracting tons of customers everyday.

We got the fried pickles with remoulade to start as a group (tasty, might I add) and I got the barbecue pork starter as my entree. The chopped pork was quite juicy with a great, smoky flavor. Their homemade bbq sauces finish the already good plate of pork into a great one. And...the delicious, crispy, burnt pieces of pork are always welcome on my plate! The slaw and brunswick stew I got on the side were yummy as well with the slaw being a vinegar based not mayo (+1 awesome point).

I also had the pleasure of eating catered Country's Barbecue a couple of times in the pharmacy. All I have to say about their catering is that it comes hot and it's the excellent quality you'd expect straight from the kitchen at the restaurants. Both the white and dark meat barbecue chickens (not pictured) did come in a bit dry but I want to try it again at the restaurant before I make any conclusions.

TL;DR - a great barbecue joint and a reliable go-to for silencing your inner barbecue cravings

mcdonalds smoothie giveaway (ATLANTA ONLY)

You there. Yes -- YOU! Do you like free drinks? 

Good, because I have some free mango pineapple smoothie coupons from McDonalds to give away!

Andra from MSL Atlanta has graciously given me some smoothie vouchers that can be redeemed at any greater Atlanta McDonald locations. This new smoothie from McDonalds is a refreshing pineapple drink with a gentle mango undertone.

Now, how do you ENTER to WIN?:

In the spirit of football season...write a poem about anything football related (college or NFL) in the comments section and I'll pick 4 of the best ones. 

Each winner will receive 5 vouchers. That's like 5 smoothies to keep you cool in traffic for the entire workweek bros! Don't forget to leave me a valid e-mail so I can contact you if you win.

CONTEST RULES: (CLOSED)

• Does not matter what type of poem
• Ends September 19, 2011. Winners will be notified via e-mail.
• Open to Atlanta residents only...because the coups are only good in Atlanta