I recently drove a car to Florida for my in-laws. This is my first cross-country road trip. Of course for me, it’s all about the food. Just another way to say I ate my way across four states.
In Iowa I tried bacon jam and garlic bread. This might sound odd but it was amazing. The chef generously offered to mail the recipe to me. It has all the qualities I like in a recipe, a sweet and salty mix.
In St. Louis, Missouri I ate Italian. I had chicken Marsala, Caesar salad and a fantastic appetizer that was a house specialty. Deep fried ravioli. My mouth is watering…it’s crispy pasta that is filled with meat and cheese. Then you dip it in homemade marinara sauce. Amazing dinner with a couple of glasses of Mascato wine…life on the road is wonderful!
Our third night on the road I stopped in Chattanooga, Tennessee. I know you are thinking good old Southern cooking but I went out for Hibachi! Chicken with rice and yum yum sauce. After a long day on the road it’s nice to have a fun diversion. Hibachi is the best entertainment. For my Annandale friends I highly recommend Fugi Steakhouse in St. Cloud.
The last night I stayed with friends and had some wonderful homemade chicken soup with Amish noodles. It was amazing. Just what I needed after all those miles. The next morning I tried grits. You would think I would have tried these before but somehow having them for breakfast is a new one. Made with butter and garlic and a soft egg on the side…. it was even better than the traditional hash browns.
Finally in Florida
I stayed a few days with Mike’s parents. There I introduced them to empanadas, honey bell oranges, fish tacos, Monte Cristo sandwiches and key lime pie. Can you believe that they have never tried key lime pie? If you are in the category too, please try this as soon as possible! It tastes like sunshine and the beach all rolled up on your tongue.
It’s obvious now that I will need to eat salads and veggies for the next eight weeks to get my health back before I make the trip to bring the car home…. road trips might be my new favorite thing. Enjoy 2016!
Blessed are the curious,
for they shall have adventures.
Lovelle Drachman
Taste of Home columnist Sandy (Anderson) Holthaus lives on a farm in South Haven, MN with her husband, Michael, and their children Zoe, Jack and Ben. Her heart remains on the North Shore where she grew up with her parents, Art and LaVonne Anderson of Schroeder. She enjoys writing about her childhood and mixes memories with delicious helpings of home-style recipes.
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