Feature of the Week: May 31-Jun. 6

A Taste of Heaven would not exist if it were not for the audience, so I want to show my appreciation by dedicating Thursdays to the fans. If you eat or make a dish of your own and its camera ready, then you can email me your photos. I will review and post them on Thursday.  It’s important to remember presentation, style, and taste. I look forward to seeing your Taste of Heaven.

FYI: Email Pictures

Description: This taste of heaven is spicy jambalaya over linguini pasta. It’s blackened jumbo shrimp, sweet crawfish, spicy chicken-andouille sausage, blackened red & pasilla peppers, and a Cajun tomato cream sauce. I wish that I could jump through the screen, so I could try this feature of the week. It’s filled with seafood, color, spice, and adventure. My favorite part about this dish is that you have the option of having the jambalaya over pasta or rice. It gives the dish variety and it satisfies the rice lovers as well. I have to admit, Kenya convinced me on this. She deserves two thumbs up!

Above the Rim

It’s been a long week, and you’re dying for a break. Well, I have the perfect solution. I’m introducing Whine Down Wednesdays. Every Wednesday I will offer a drink to the viewers. You don’t have to wait until the weekend arrives to enjoy a great drink. Take a break and have a sip of A Taste of Heaven.  

This taste of heaven is called the Frozen Bahamarita. The fruity mixture contains Cuervo Gold Tequila, strawberry, kiwi, and mango ices. It’s served in a cocktail glass and it’s filled above the rim. I enjoyed the Frozen Bahamarita with a signature entrée from Bahama Breeze. This drink was wonderful for the Memorial Day holiday. The weather was hot and this frozen drink cooled me down. Bahama Breeze offers a wide range of specialty drinks, so I recommend trying something new every time you visit.

FYI: Bahama Breeze

FOOD TIP: Kiwi is native to China.

Mimic: “Sharing Is Caring”

I love mimicking restaurant dishes at home. It’s a fun way to experiment in the kitchen, and a great way to add variety to your meals. This taste of heaven is nachos with shredded cheese, lettuce, lean ground beef, tomatoes, and a big dollop of sour cream. I was in a Mexican mood, so I wanted nachos like the “Sharing Is Caring” post. Although I used lean ground beef instead of chicken, these nachos came out delicious. It’s perfect for a movie night, lunch with friends, or a fiesta. I enjoy making nachos at home because you can get creative with your toppings and the guests love it too!

FYI: Further Details...

FOOD TIP: Tomatoes contain a great source of biotin.

Feature of the Week: May 24-30

A Taste of Heaven would not exist if it were not for the audience, so I want to show my appreciation by dedicating Thursdays to the fans. If you eat or make a dish of your own and its camera ready, then you can email me your photos. I will review and post them on Thursday.  It’s important to remember presentation, style, and taste. I look forward to seeing your Taste of Heaven.

FYI: Email Pictures

Description: This taste of heaven is a Nestle Butterfinger Milkshake. It’s a hand-dipped milkshake that’s loaded with Butterfinger candy and topped with whipped cream and a cherry. A milkshake is perfect for a midday snack or for a sweet tooth. Butterfingers are one my favorite chocolate candies, so I know this milkshake was awesome. I like that Tony did not shy away from ordering the biggest milkshake on the menu. I think he is living his life to the fullest with this feature. Yum!

FYI: Steak n' Shake

Newbie

It’s been a long week, and you’re dying for a break. Well, I have the perfect solution. I’m introducing Whine Down Wednesdays. Every Wednesday I will offer a drink to the viewers. You don’t have to wait until the weekend arrives to enjoy a great drink. Take a break and have a sip of A Taste of Heaven.

There are tons of drinks that are labeled with funky names. This particular taste heaven is called the Sex on the Beach. It contains peach schnapps, cranberry juice, Vodka, and orange juice. The popular drink was one of my favorites when I first started drinking. People used to always ask me, “What do you want to drink?” I never knew what to get because alcohol was not good to me, unless it had a distracting fruity taste. Once I claimed the Sex on the Beach as my main drink, I was hooked. I had never made it on my own, but it’s was a nice drink to have when I visited the bar. It’s not too strong, and it has a delicious taste. I recommend the Sex on the Beach to anyone who is newbie to drinking scene.

FYI: Shout

FOOD TIP: Georgia is known as the "Peach State"

Traditional

Sometimes I just want a meal with the basics; none of the fancy stuff, just a good meal with flavor. This taste of heaven is baked lemon pepper chicken wings with mashed potatoes and string beans. The chicken is cooked with a lemon pepper seasoning, which goes perfect with the string beans and the homemade mashed potatoes. I peeled the potatoes, boiled them, and mashed them with some secret ingredients. Then I plated the dish for its photoshoot. After I got a couple of shots, I sat down and enjoyed my hard work. I love dining in restaurants, but cooking at home is a tradition in my family. We express ourselves in the kitchen and we share the best moments at the dinner table.

FYI: Further Details...

FOOD TIP: Green beans are an excellent source of vitamin A.

Mable in Town

Every time my grandma comes to town, I create a list of dishes I want her to make for the family. This taste of heaven is a turkey leg with gravy, ham, collard greens, rice, and cornbread. My grandma knows how much I love gravy and rice, so she makes a large pot of rice to smother with her homemade gravy. I am the smallest one in the family, and I make the largest plate at the dinner table. Grandma always says you’re not going to eat all of that, but I always prove her wrong. I eat everything on my plate, and I come back for seconds. My grandma is retired; however, she is still working in the kitchen. I love her southern flavor and her country style. She makes every dish with love and soul because she is an All-Star. I love you Mable.

FYI: Further Details...

FOOD TIP: In India, rice is associated with prosperity.

A Deck of Cards

Fried lobster tail, asparagus, avocado, mango, spicy mayo, red Tobiko, teriyaki, and soybean wrap make up the Langosta roll at Prime Restaurant. The sushi roll is cut and scattered like a deck of cards, then it’s drizzled with spicy mayo and masago. These vibrant rolls are one of my favorites. I am a big lover of lobster, so its special appearance was a treat for me. Prime Restaurant is known for their beautiful scenery, sushi, and prime steak. Their dimmed lighting and the table setting are sexy touches in the restaurant as well. I held my graduation dinner there and my guests enjoyed the atmosphere and the cuisine the most. It's the perfect place for a romantic outing, a business lunch, or for any foodie adventure. I can’t wait to visit again.

FYI: Prime Restaurant

FOOD TIP: Lobsters shed their shells to grow.

Hearts & Souls

I love experimenting in the kitchen and creating new recipes. The day after my graduation, everyone woke up hungry and ready to eat. We didn’t want breakfast, but we decided on having brunch. This taste of heaven is shrimp and grits. Its creamy grits flooded with shrimp, andouille sausage, green bell peppers, onion, and a creamy coral sauce.  My sister, Eunique, came up with the idea, and she showed me how to make this popular dish. I can’t give you the recipe, but believe me when I say it’s out of this world. I used to eat grits with sugar when I younger, but my love for them faded. However, I gained a new respect for them after eating this southern classic. Whenever Eunique and I cook in the kitchen, we put our hearts and souls into every dish. She shares the same passion for food, and she pushes me to be a better food critic. I love her support and her big appetite as well. I can’t wait to make our next masterpiece together.

FYI: Further Details...

FOOD TIP: Grits can be used as a pesticide for ants.

Feature of the Week: May 17-23

A Taste of Heaven would not exist if it were not for the audience, so I want to show my appreciation by dedicating Thursdays to the fans. If you eat or make a dish of your own and its camera ready, then you can email me your photos. I will review and post them on Thursday.  It’s important to remember presentation, style, and taste. I look forward to seeing your Taste of Heaven.

FYI: Email Pictures

Description: This taste of heaven is a combination of salmon, steak, onion tanglers, mashed potatoes, and broccoli. The steak and the salmon are grilled to perfection and they are complimented with crispy fried onion tanglers, two dollops of mashed potatoes topped with bacon, and steamed broccoli. This feature has got it going on; everything looks delicious. I love the portion sizes of each item, and the surprise appearance of the onion tanglers. This dish definitely has my vote. Nice selection Jumal!

Silent Creeper

It’s been a long week, and you’re dying for a break. Well, I have the perfect solution. I’m introducing Whine Down Wednesdays. Every Wednesday I will offer a drink to the viewers. You don’t have to wait until the weekend arrives to enjoy a great drink. Take a break and have a sip of A Taste of Heaven.  

This taste of heaven is called The Godfather. It’s a margarita that contains Patron Silver, Grand Marnier, sweet n’ sour, and orange juice on the rocks. The Godfather is a silent creeper, so be aware before you order this drink. I only ordered one, but I was thinking about ordering a second. It’s the perfect drink to have after a long day at work or if you just want to Whine Down on a Wednesday. Regardless of the occasion, it’s worth your bucks, but just remember to drink responsibly.

FYI: Mama Maria's Italian Grill

FOOD TIP: Patron Silver has a 40% alcohol content.

Healthy at Home

It’s hard to eat healthy when you’re surrounded by fast food and unhealthy snacks; however, you can eat healthy at home. Pictured is a homemade salad with spinach leaves, baked chicken, bacon bits, croutons, boiled egg, almonds, sliced apple, shredded cheese, and fresh ground pepper. You can choose your own dressing; personally, I like creamy French, ranch, or balsamic vinaigrette. It’s a quick meal that can be eaten for lunch, dinner, or snack. The best part is you don’t have to worry about using a lot of pots and pans to make this dish. Its healthy, filling, and perfect for your diet.

FYI: Further Details...

FOOD TIPS: Spinach leaves are rich in vitamin A.

Breathtaking

Imagine crab fingers, shrimp, asparagus, and tomatoes tossed in egg linguini with a spicy parmesan sauce. It’s to die for. The flavor, consistency, and presentation are winners in my book. My favorite food is seafood, so I was in heaven when I ate this dish. The best part is the quantity of meat given in the pasta; it’s loaded with crab fingers and shrimp. I ordered the full portion, so I had some leftovers to take home. I recommend the full portion, so you can enjoy it a second time around. The next day, I popped open a bottle of wine, so I could finish off this tasty entree.

FYI: Capers

FOOD TIP: Asparagus is a member of the lily family.

Mr. Popular

I’m always cooking something whether it’s for myself or for my friends. I enjoy cooking for large gatherings and special occasions. Usually, I make baked chicken wings for every function because my friends always request it. It’s perfect for a finger food event or for a homemade meal. Regardless of the occasion, there are never any wings to spare. I bake the chicken until its tender and falling off the bone. Sometimes I throw barbeque or hot sauce in the equation, but they taste great original. It’s a healthy way to eat chicken and it goes great with any side item. I recommend making baked chicken wings at your next friendly gathering. I can guarantee it will be a hit.

FYI: Further Details...

FOOD TIP: Base the chicken while its cooking to avoid dryness.

A Hot Summer Day

Its blazing hot outside and you want something that will cool you down. Ice cream is the perfect choice for this scenario. This taste of heaven is a chocolate ice cream cone. The smooth chocolate flavor melts in your mouth and cools you down at the same time. It’s relaxing and perfect for being on the go. I love having ice cream before I go to bed or if it’s a hot summer day. Chocolate is one of my favorite ice creams, but you can experiment with different flavors on your next cone.

FYI: The Commons

FOOD FACT: The largest ice cream sundae ever made was 24 tons from Alberta, Canada.

No Regrets

It was late and hadn’t eaten dinner, so I wanted to make a dish that was filling. I chose steak, broccoli, and rice. First, I made the steak medium well, then I sautéed onions and mushrooms for my topper. The broccoli was steamed and drizzled with shredded cheese, and the rice was buttery with a few onions on top. Once everything was finished, I sprinkled mozzarella cheese on the steak and complemented the dish with a dinner roll. I ate everything on my plate, and I had cinnamon rolls for dessert. Clearly, I had a big appetite last night, but I ate with no regrets.

FYI: Further Details...

FOOD TIP: A healthy way to make steak is by grilling, broiling, or roasting.

Feature of the Week: May 10-16

A Taste of Heaven would not exist if it were not for the audience, so I want to show my appreciation by dedicating Thursdays to the fans. If you eat or make a dish of your own and its camera ready, then you can email me your photos. I will review and post them on Thursday.  It’s important to remember presentation, style, and taste. I look forward to seeing your Taste of 
Heaven.

FYI: Email Pictures

Description: This taste of heaven is homemade strawberry shortcake. It’s a shortcake loaded with slices of fresh strawberries and sweet strawberry syrup. This feature is perfect for breakfast or for a late night snack. It’s simple to make, and you can show off your creative side with extra toppings. I would love to experiment with this dish by incorporating powder sugar, wild berries, or whipped cream. I have not had strawberry shortcake in a while, so I’m craving for some now. I think I know what’s for breakfast tomorrow. Great idea Sundiata!

Fruity Delight

It’s been a long week, and you’re dying for a break. Well, I have the perfect solution. I’m introducing Whine Down Wednesdays. Every Wednesday I will offer a drink to the viewers. You don’t have to wait until the weekend arrives to enjoy a great drink. Take a break and have a sip of A Taste of Heaven.  

This taste of heaven is called Tangerine Grapefruit. It’s a signature margarita, from O’Charley’s, that’s loaded with sweet flavor. At first, I was a little hesitant about ordering this particular drink; however, it was better than I imagined. The tangerine and the grapefruit were a perfect combo. The drink was refreshing and it went nicely with dinner. My favorite part was the skewer of fresh fruit propped on top of the margarita; this was a nice touch for presentation. I recommend the Tangerine Grapefruit to anyone craving a fruity delight. Cheers!

FYI: O'Charley's

FOOD TIP: Grapefruits are a great source of vitamin C.

Open Sesame

Its looks are little deceiving, but once you take the first bite, you’re hooked. I went to a Mexican restaurant, and ordered chili relleno. It was delicious, but I wanted to make it better. I used a green bell pepper instead of a chile to make a stuffed Mexican pepper. First, I cleaned out the pepper, and then I roasted it in the oven until it was soft. I stuffed it with yellow Goya rice, sautéed shredded chicken, salsa, and four different cheeses. After I finished stuffing, I inserted the pepper back in the oven for melting action. Once the stuffed pepper was cooled, I was able to say the magic words “open sesame”. I grabbed my knife and cut the Mexican pepper open. The insides oozed out onto the plate, and it looked amazing. I could not wait to take the first bite, so be careful if you try to make this dish because you will get scolded. Enjoy!

FYI: Further Details...

FOOD TIP: Green bell peppers are considered fruit.

Celebrating 100 Posts!!!

This taste of heaven is called the Black and Blue Catfish. Its blackened catfish sandwiched between two buns with blue cheese crumbles, lettuce, and tomato. Then on the side are crispy tatter tots. While eating this dish, I felt like I was going back in time. It’s been a minute since I’ve had tatter tots, and it was worth the wait. I’m glad I chose tots over fries because it went perfect with this catfish sandwich. The blue cheese crumbles blended nicely with the fish and it added great flavor to the equation as well. I enjoyed every bite, and I plan on making the Black and Blue Catfish in the future.

FYI: Steamhouse Lounge

FOOD TIP: Tater tots were born in 1953.

Thanks for supporting A Taste of Heaven. It’s been a fun adventure for everyone, and it continues to get better. I love sharing my experiences and ideas with all of you. The blog has had great success, and I appreciate the help from YOU. Without the audience none of this would be possible, so THANK YOU!!!!

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Showtime

Starting a meal with a hot appetizer sets the night off right. Plated is a dip with Georgia white shrimp, green onion, bacon, and parmesan cheese served with grilled crostini. This cheesy dip is loaded with shrimp and bacon flavor. The light crunch from the corstini and the flavors from the Shrimp Casino were a perfect marriage. Usually, I have chips with dip, but the crostini was a nice touch for this appetizer. The next time you dine out, order a hot appetizer because it’s a great way to start the show.

FYI: Sun Dial

FOOD TIP: Crostini means "little toast" in Italian.

Feature of the Week: May 3-9

A Taste of Heaven would not exist if it were not for the audience, so I want to show my appreciation by dedicating Thursdays to the fans. If you eat or make a dish of your own and its camera ready, then you can email me your photos. I will review and post them on Thursday.  It’s important to remember presentation, style, and taste. I look forward to seeing your Taste of Heaven.

FYI: Email Pictures

Description: This taste of heaven is pan seared chicken with beet spaetzle, asparagus, and morel cream sauce. Where should I start? The color scheme, the white plating, and the design are beautifully presented to its customer. I am not a big fan of beets, but I would love to give it another try for this dish. The warm colors are inviting, and the chicken is making my mouth water. I love the creativity and the style that was put forth into making this dish. Great choice Kenya!

Pineapple Upside-Down Cake

It’s been a long week, and you’re dying for a break. Well, I have the perfect solution. I’m introducing Whine Down Wednesdays. Every Wednesday I will offer a drink to the viewers. You don’t have to wait until the weekend arrives to enjoy a great drink. Take a break and have a sip of A Taste of Heaven. 

I was eating lunch with my aunt, and our waitress offered me a shot on the house. I asked her the name of the drink and she said Pineapple Upside-Down Cake. I took a little sip, and I was sold. I ordered another one because it was surprisingly good. Normally, when I take shots, I do not look forward to the taste; however, the Pineapple Upside-Down Cake was on point. It contains UV Vanilla Vodka, pineapple juice, and a splash of grenadine. I’m thinking about being a bartender this weekend, so I can make my own Pineapple Upside-Down Cakes.

FYI: Ray's New York Pizza

FOOD TIP: Unripe pineapples can be poisonous.

Strings of Cheese

After a long graduation, the family ventured off to O’Charley’s for dinner. This taste of heaven is cheddar broccoli soup. When I say delicious, I mean it. It’s creamy, cheesy, and loaded with broccoli. I am one of the biggest broccoli fans, so this soup won me over. My favorite part was the strings of cheese that came from dipping my spoon in the creamy mixture; this made the dish exciting to eat. O’Charley’s serves warm dinner rolls, so I would recommend using them for dipping and extra flavor. Remember to plan your meal accordingly because this cheddar broccoli soup will steal your appetite.

FYI: O'Charley's

FOOD TIP: Broccoli is extremely high in vitamin C.