Feature of the Week: Dec. 27-Jan. 2

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: Ooooooooweeeeeee!!!!! I’ve never had a meatball sandwich before, but I’m having second thoughts now. I remember my mother use to order meatball sandwiches whenever we would visit the sub shops for dinner. I’m so greedy that I’m surprised I never stole a bite. Clearly, I've been missing out on this hardy sandwich. I would love to make my own one day; however, I would use turkey meatballs instead. Once I experiment with some recipes, I’ll post up my version of the famous meatball sandwich. Wonderful feature Grundy!!! ;D

Holiday Madness

HEADLINE NEWS: I’m NOT the sappy type, but I kind of missed posting on my blog. I’ve been SUPER busy, and I’ve been making some major power moves. Currently, I’m in the city with Grandma, and I’m having a great time minus the pneumonia that’s floating around the house. (Side Note: Grandma is sick with pneumonia) Since Grandma is under the weather, I took the initiative to make the whole Christmas dinner for the family. I threw on my cape and transformed into Superwoman. My grandma is my heart, so I would do any and everything for her. The holiday menu consisted of oxtails, honey baked ham, turkey, collard greens, spring peas, dressing, sweet potato soufflé, macaroni and cheese, cranberry sauce, chocolate cake, Dutch apple pie, and red velvet Christmas cake. Yes, I made EVERYTHING by myself from scratch EXCEPT the desserts. I started the holiday cooking at 4:30 pm on Christmas Eve and I did not finish until 4:00 pm the next day. Although I’m working off of 4 hours of sleep, it felt good being able to make dinner for my family. They can get on my nerves at times, but they warm my heart at the same time.                                        

It's Electric!

It’s been a long week, and you’re dying for a break. Well, I have the perfect solution. Every Wednesday I will offer a drink to the viewers for “Whine Down Wednesdays.” 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.  

"You can't see it. It's electric! You gotta feel it. It's electric! Ooh, it's shakin'. It's electric! You gotta know it. It's electric. Boogie woogie, woogie! Now you can't hold it. It's electric. Boogie woogie, woogie!" I know you've heard this song at least twice in your lifetime. For some reason, while I was drinking an Electric Long Island, I could heard this song playing in my head. The cool blue mixture was just what I needed in the Cayman Islands. Normally, I don't drink Long Islands, but the Electric was calling my name. I'm trying to remember the ingredients, but I didn't have time to write it down while I was on vacation. (Side Note: I will upload the ingredients once I make some phone calls). 

FOOD TIP: A traditional Long Island Ice Tea has five different liquors.

Patron Coffee Shots

It’s been a long week, and you’re dying for a break. Well, I have the perfect solution. Every Wednesday I will offer a drink to the viewers for “Whine Down Wednesdays.” 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.  

While in the Cayman Islands, we stopped at a restaurant by the water front. Before we got a chance to see the water, a crew of people stopped us to take some shots. My family can be friendly at times, so we didn't turn them down. I looked down at the wooden table top and saw these miniature coffee shots that were swirling in circular motion. I asked them what was in the tiny cups, and they said it was Patron Coffee shots (Side Note: The formal title is Patron XO Café). My favorite tequila is Patron, so the XO Café was right up my alley. After the cheers, I threw my coffee shot back and contemplated on asking for another. I had already had two drinks before this, so I decided to be conservative. :{

FYI: Patron XO Cafe

FOOD TIP: The Patron XO Cafe would go great in your morning coffee. ;D                                                                              

Brag Away

I know you guys are still feasting your eyes on the chocolate melting cake from last week; but I have a new dessert to brag about. This taste of heaven is old fashioned apple pie with vanilla ice cream and roasted almonds. I've never been a lover of dessert, but I realize that there are some great sweets that exist out there. Apple pie is classic in my book because it takes some of the simplest ingredients and composes them into a slice of heaven. Personally, I love pairing my apple pie with ice cream and caramel drizzles. The warmness from the apples pairs well with the coldness of the vanilla and the powdered sugar seals the deal. Hmm Hmm Good!

FYI: Carnival Cruise

FOOD TIP: I recommend using Granny Smith apples in your next apple pie.  

Looks Can Be Deceiving

Before you turn your nose up, READ!!! I've learned that sometimes the appearance of food can be deceiving. I preach about presentation 24/7; however, there are some dishes that are just plain ugly. Just because those dishes are NOT photogenic, doesn't mean they’re NOT delicious. This taste of heaven is gratinated onion soup. It’s a hot and bubbly mixture with onion, beef stock, freshly grated gruyere, and Parmesan cheese. The little bowl was overflowing with strings of cheese; surprisingly, it tasted better than it looked. The beef stock blended nicely with the cheeses and the bread was perfect for dipping. Today, I’m challenging everyone to try an ugly dish at their next meal (Side Note: Be creative in your selections ;D).

FYI: Carnival Cruise

FOOD TIP: Gruyere cheese originated in Switzerland.

Feature of the Week: Dec. 6-12

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: Can we take a moment and have a brief silence for the warm chocolate melting cake. I am definitely NOT a fan of cake; however, I wanted to swim in this pool of warm chocolate, and then cool down with the vanilla ice cream on the side. My cousin Tafara loves chocolate and she knows the real deal when she tastes it. While we were on the cruise she ordered the chocolate melting cake twice. I noticed every time they placed the little dish on the table, her face lit up with excitement. She was in heaven.

Lost & Found

It’s been a long week, and you’re dying for a break. Well, I have the perfect solution. Every Wednesday I will offer a drink to the viewers for “Whine Down Wednesdays.” 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.  

The story that I’m about to tell you is probably irrelevant, but I know your probably wondering what’s the weird bamboo thing in the picture. While I was in Jamaica the people were trying to sell me everything in the sun. They had so much to offer and we had so little time to buy. There was a man selling carved bamboo cups and I was tempted to buy one, but I wanted other souvenirs instead. He walked off and left one cup and never came back. When we were about to leave, I noticed the bamboo cup sitting without an owner. I asked around to see who it belonged to, but no one stepped up to the plate. (Side Note: I know you’re probably wondering whether I took the cup or not???) I made the executive decision to NOT leave the cup, so I brought it back to Atlanta. Before we exited the island, we stopped to have some drinks, and I ordered a Red Stripe Beer. My uncle was already sipping on one, so I joined the club. I enjoyed my Jamaican beer and I got a free cup out of the equation.

FYI: Red Stripe Beer

FOOD TIP: Red Stripe is a Jamaican style lager beer.

Whole Body

I’m introducing a new terminology called “Whole Body.” From time to time, I experience with my vocabulary, and I love sharing my ideas with A Taste of Heaven. “Whole Body” streams from the common phrase: “You put your foot in it.” Well, when I say, “I put my whole body in it,” then that means it was beyond delicious. This taste of heaven is homemade broccoli and chicken ziti. It’s got five different cheeses and a creamy alfredo sauce in the mix. I was on Instagram and my cousin posted a picture of some ziti, and I was jealous. I went to the grocery store and grabbed everything I needed to make the ziti. Once I got home, I immediately went to work. After I shared with my roommates, I only had a little left (Side Note: I saved some extra for myself).

FYI: Further Details...

FOOD TIP: Broccoli is part of the cabbage family.

Island Breakfast

I call this beautiful spread my Island Breakfast. Its fresh grapefruit, cantaloupe slices, French toast, country ham, and a sausage melody with onions. I loaded all of this on my platter, before I stepped foot in the Cayman Islands. I didn’t want a breakfast that was too heavy because I wanted to eat on the island. However, the spread is loaded with nutrition. I really felt like I was doing something once I put the fresh grapefruit on the plate. I think I’m headed in a positive direction.

FYI: Carnival Cruise

FOOD TIP: Cantaloupe belongs to the same family as squash and cucumber.