Birthday Party at Niche Wine Lounge

You MUST, MUST, MUST experience The Niche Wine Lounge in Holly Springs,NC

If you're a resident of Holly Springs, NC, live in the surrounding area or passing through, you absolutely must visit the local wine bar! The Niche Wine Lounge is a special place. When I say special, I mean that emphatically. Most people think when they read special. It's just an adjective placed in a sentence. And sometimes I do that too! But not here and it demands special attention! lol See, I did it again! Anyway, on with the specialness of the Niche!

There are only two people who work there, Ted and Aldo. What's cool about that? They know everyone by name! You get superior attention and customer service EVERY SINGLE time you go in. Unless of course you become a staple at the bar.  Then, instead of pretzels you're offered dog treats! That's a joke. But it does bring to mind another cool thing about the Niche. If you have a dog you can bring it, sit on their gorgeous Mediterranean inspired patio, sip a glass of wine and soak up the sun. And if that's not enough, Ted may even bring your dog a treat on occasion! How cool is that!

The ambiance at Niche transcends you into your happy place. I've heard people actually use that term about the Niche and I can empathize. The establishment is very nice and they decorate elaborately for the holidays. There's yet another important word. I am actually laughing as I write this because I have to emphasize it! They really decorate people! Their Halloween party is off the charts every year and Christmas is magical. If that's not enough, they host special parties and fundraisers all the time. Not just once in a while so they can say they did something nice! They do this type of thing all the time. They have bands, D.J.'s, painting classes and more. I am sure I missed something. Sorry Ted! But really, please, you must visit. Before I let you get into your car and drive over to the Niche, I need to give you the address and talk about the people that run the place. I'll list Niche's contact information below! So, if you're sick of listening to me ramble and just want to go get a glass of wine, skip to the bottom!

Ted, the owner is a genuine, caring guy with a big heart. He loves the Niche, his patrons and his wine! There really isn't any other way to describe Ted. He connects with his patrons and is a true professional. You really need to experience it fully to understand. Great guy!

Aldo, hmmm.... I really don't even know what to call him. This guy knows everything about wine. He does bar-tend, but to say he's only the bartender, would be an untruth. But to say he's the only bartender would be true! Get it? Sorry, I digress! He's much more than that. I'm not sure of all his duties, but they are many! How many wine bars have you visited where the bartender asks you a few questions and 99% of the time he serves you a wine you love? I'm not kidding. He knows people's tastes and all of the wines they carry. Which is a gazillion. Another nice guy and very professional!

Before I give you the information you need to visit Niche, please know this. I don't work for them and wasn't paid by them to write this! I genuinely love the Niche, Ted and Aldo. I have been a patron there for the past 2 years and will continue for as long as they let me live there, HAHA!!

So go visit them! I promise you'll be happy you did! While you're there tell Ted and Aldo I said hello and put a glass of wine on my tab! Ok. That was a JOKE!

Grace
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Niche Wine Lounge
109 North Main Street
Holly Springs, NC 27540
919.552.2300
Hours: Sun-Sat - 4:00 P.M. - 2:00 A.M.
www.nichewinelounge.com
Facebook: Niche Wine Lounge - Go like them!!!!

THE BEST RECIPE EVER - Chicken Scampi!

I seriously cannot believe I'm sharing this dish with you. It feels like sacrilege! it's a family favorite and no other person on earth has this exact same recipe. Well, I don't think so at least! (Scratching head) hmm... Anyway, I've never viewed it on a restaurant menu either. So, for real people... I am giving up one of my biggest secrets ever! The power of the Chicken Scampi!!

This stuff has the power to make a family, love you more, sit down for dinner when you call them... YES! The first time! It has the ability to transform your children into mommy loving zombies and husbands into little play doe balls in your hands! If you're a man reading this however, please ignore that last sentence! Let me say this for you my friend, if you love to cook, you will love this recipe. Furthermore, man or woman, if you don't like this recipe you need to call a therapist, because something is seriously wrong with you! But I love you "dough". Sorry, I'm a mom and my kids say it that way. Ok. I'm digressing, lets move on to the recipe that will change your life forever! I wish you could see my face. I know Im ridiculous but play along!!!

Chicken Scampi Ingredients:
-Two chickens from the farm that you shot and killed yourself.
-Sorry... lol... kidding. I am starting over!

-1 pound chicken breast cut into bite size pieces.
-2 cloves fresh garlic, minced
-1 lemon
-2 tbs fresh chopped parsley
-1/4 cup butter
-1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
-1 teaspoon salt
-1/4 teaspoon pepper
-1 box pasta. I like linguini
-1 container italian bread crumbs
-2 eggs
-1/2 cup milk
-Canola oil - enough to cover chicken because you are going to fry it. I use an electric fryer but you can do this in a frying pan! Either way is fine. I just don't like the splatter the frying pan tends to produce.

Directions:

-Put eggs and milk into a bowl. Mix them up! Place the cut up chicken in the mixture, move it around and let it sit for a minute while you prepare the rest!
-Place the bread crumbs into another bowl. Take the chicken out trying not to get all the goopy egg with it and place it into the breadcrumbs to coat.
-Take the fresh squeezed lemon, garlic, parsley, butter, olive oil, salt, pepper and place it into a pan and cook it on low heat for about three minutes, until the butter is melted and flavors have blended.
-Heat canola oil on medium high heat until it starts to sizzle. I normally give it about 5 minutes. Place the chicken in the pan. Please BE CAREFUL. If you're a rookie fryer put the chicken in slowly or it will splatter the oil and it will hurt you! Honestly, it burns. Again. I like the deep fryer basket thingy, for this very reason.
-Fry the chicken until the pieces are golden brown.
-As the pieces are cooked, place them on a serving tray and keep them warm on the stove. If you can! I have a warm button. That's the best invention since sliced bread and I feel blessed to have it! YAY. Sorry. I get excited sometimes!
-Ok, next you cook your noodles and place them in a casserole dish. Pour the scampi sauce mixture over the pasta.

To serve: Simply plate the pasta, put a few pieces of chicken over the pasta with some grated parmesan cheese. Add a few drips of melted butter on that chicken and eat your heart out baby!

Grace

Authentic Italian Red Sauce a la Bean Pot!

 

Here we go guys! You are absolutely going to love this sauce! The Bean pot's special. It's not a crock pot. Let me repeat. It is not a crock pot! LOL! For those of you who are reading, who don't have a bean pot, Let me explain. It can be a slow cooker or not! It goes into the oven or can be used for cold salads. It stays cold or hot for a very long time outside of the oven and refrigerator. Which makes it great for parties and is easily transportable! It's also microwave and dishwasher safe! Beyond that, there's something special about the bean pot that cooks your food in an amazing way. I have been making my Italian red sauce for over 20 years in a crock pot and there is a distinct difference in the flavor cooking with the bean pot vs. the crock pot. The sauce comes out much richer. I'm full blooded Italian, and I can say, this sauce is the bomb! Now, don't take my word for it, try it yourself! But please, cook it in a bean pot! I promise you won't be disappointed!  Get your bean pot here!

So let's get on with the recipe shall we?

Ingredients:
*Put the following ingredients into the bean pot!
-1 28 oz can of crushed tomatoes
-1 28 oz can of tomato sauce
-1 small can of tomato paste
-1 pound ground sausage. I prefer mild. You can experiment and use hot. I like johnsonville sausage best! Brown the sausage in a frying pan before you place it into the bean pot.

More Ingredients:
*Put these ingredients into a food processor. Do not puree them. Give them a few pulses so they are chopped into small pieces and place them into the bean pot!
-1/2 red pepper
-1/2 green pepper
-1/2 yellow or orange pepper
-1/2 jalapeno pepper. If you like it spicy you can put the entire pepper in. Make sure you seed it.
-2 Leeks - They are a milder version of onions.
-1 handful fresh basil
-1 handful fresh parsley
-4 fresh garlic cloves

Now you're ready! Isn't that easy?  Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Put the top on the bean pot and place it in the oven to cook for 4 hours.

Of course you can use the sauce for spaghetti or whatever type of pasta you prefer. I made baked ziti here and it's delicious and easy! After the sauce is finished cooking, you do the following if you choose to make ziti.

-place cooked ziti in a casserole dish put two table spoons of butter in and mix until blended.
-top with your sauce and mix it into the ziti so it's well coated.
-place a thicker layer of sauce on top of the ziti.
-finish with grated Mozzarella cheese, some fresh Parmesan and a few parsley leaves. Then place it in an oven at 450 degrees until the top has browned! If you like, you can also add a layer of ricotta cheese before putting the thicker sauce on top! Sometimes I do, sometimes I don't! That's the fun part about cooking!

So, I hope you enjoy this family recipe and keep it in your heart, on your table and in your cupboard for years to come! Let me know how you like the bean pot too!

Grace

HELP from Seasoned BLOGGERS (Pretty Please)

I'm new to blogging! Help, I need input! So, I am thinking about hosting a Mother's Day contest. Basically, people write an essay about their mothers. I post the top 10 essays on my blog. The contestants get people to comment on their essay. The one with the most comments wins and they receive a really nice present! I like this idea for two reasons.

1) I think it would be a cool way to honor these mothers publicly on Mother's Day.
2) It would be great visibility for my blog.

I would also like to include something where they need to subscribe to my blog, but not sure how all that fits! SEE! I told you I'm a newby! Anyone out there willing to give some input?

Thanks in advance!

:o)Grace

Easter

Easter's on its way y'all and so is the bunny rabbit! What does Easter mean to you?

How to get your kids to eat veggies!

It's the question on every parents mind. How do I get my kids to eat vegetables? I tried everything! Cut them into tiny pieces, made colorful presentations on small plates and stood on my head at the dinner table.  Nothing worked!  UNTIL, my obsession with mason jar salads happened. Then poof! Magically, Both of my kids want and love salads now. Oh dear, I sound like an infomercial.  Sorry!  I'm so excited about this though. I say, "Realaaaaay"? Is that all it took? YES!  I'm so happy I stumbled upon this amazing thing that worked for our family. I hope it helps you too! Read below for the miracle!!!:o)  Mason Jar salads are easy to make and delicious!  For some reason, way more delicious than just putting together a bunch of veggies in a bowl and mixing them up.  I think it's the veggies working together in the sanctity of the jar environment!  The best part is, they preserve for about 5-7 days. If you are interested in the mason jar salads in detail, you can read about them here on my blog!  Anyway, let me get on with the rest of this story. I did exactly this:

1) Sat down with each child as if I were interviewing them. Made it official with a pen and pad!
2) Told them I needed a new salad recipe for my mason jar salads and I wanted to name it after them. They loved this part!  I will be posting their recipes on this blog soon!
3) I asked them what veggies, fruit or other items they would like to include? Furthermore, it would have to be something they would eat and stand behind if it was going to be a real recipe!  
4) The List: They made a list of of things they would like included in their salad.
5) We shopped together, washed the veggies, fruit and other items together, cut together and layered their mason jars! Put the cap on and placed them into the refrigerator.
6) I prayed they would love their creations! I honestly did this. I really wanted them to get something out of this exercise. I was somewhat skeptical since nothing I had ever done excited them enough to eat veggies. But guess what?

 They both ate their entire salads!

My little girl was so excited about her salad she wanted me to take a picture and told me to put it on my blog! Perfect I say!

:o)Grace