Road Trip to Corpus Chrisit, TX

Corpus Christi Bridge at Night

It is time for Spring Break, nationwide, but Shirley and I were ahead of the game.  We went to visit our friend, Debbie, a couple of weeks back, in Corpus Christi.  Because we went prior to the opening of beach season, we were able to enjoy the area without overcrowding.

If you are  one of those people who loves the party scene, then our little trip would not have your cup of tea.  We got to stroll the beach on Saturday Morning barefoot with our coffee and half and half tea from the local Stripes convenient store and greet other people who were out; some were strolling, others were walking their dogs.

Debbie has a great little recipe for half and half tea.  She should call it Three Quarters and One Quarter Tea, because that is what it actually is.  It is 3/4 unsweetened ice tea and 1/4 lemonade from Stripes.  It is very yummy! (See, I got a recipe in this post)

This is a food blog, so you can be sure that I am going to share the restaurants that we visited and all of the delicious food that we ate.  The first restaurant that we went to was La Plaza(#1).  It was so crowded that we had to wait about 30 minutes, but it was worth it.  I had a Mexican style Red Snapper that was covered  in a cream sauce and it was too die for.  It was served with rice and refried beans.  I could have had Charo bean soup but the refried beans in South Texas are sooo good and different than what we are used to in Central Texas, I chose old school and went with refried beans.  In place of using Pinto beans, small white Navy beans are used.  I also had a Mango Margarita, since I had a designated driver.  I would like to tell you what Shirley and Debbie ate, but as I said, I had a Mango Margarita. (he~he)

The next place that we went was to Debbie's granddaughter's birthday party.  Debbie's daughter, Sonya,  and son-in-law, Erin, and his entire family were so gracious.  They fed us fajitas with all of the trimmings.  Sonya has a Meyer Lemon tree in the back yard, which still had lemons on it and was starting to bloom.  I parked myself right by it to enjoy the wonderful fragrance.  Having grown up in the Rio Grande Valley, I miss the air filled fragrance of citrus blossoms, this time of year.  It is like being in an orchard.

The next day we went to Moby Dick's, in Port A,. for seafood.  Shirley and I each had the largest platter of Fried Shrimp that I have ever seen.  I would say that we should have shared but I am glad that we did not.  Debbie had an equally large platter of Fried Oysters.  Additionally, I had a Roasted Colada.  It is a Pina Colada made with roasted coconut.  Yum!

We took the ferry back across the bay.  This ferry ride is only about 8 minutes.  Debbie and Shirley left me securely  in the back with the child~proof lock in place.  Hummm?  I did mention that I had a Roasted Colada, earlier?  I managed to get out in time to see the dolphins swimming along side the boat.  Very Funny, girls ;)

A tour of the old Downtown gave us a chance to enjoy the beautiful architecture from an era of opulence.  While this area has been populated since the 1500's, the downtown has buildings that reflect the late 1800's and early 1900's.  There is a wonderful art shop and coffee shop downtown.  The art shop is the Treehouse and it has fused and stained glass, photographs, jewelry, textiles, and paintings produced by local artists.  You know that I could not resist shopping.  I purchased pairs of earrings and a matted photo. Everything in that shop was reasonably priced.  I can not remember the name of the coffee shop but the barista made me a beautiful Macchiato, complete with a leaf design.  He did however, talk down to me when I ordered it.  He told me that it was not a "Starbucks" version and did I understand.  Really!!!!

Oso bay has a protected bird sanctuary that is so peaceful.  There were several birders out the day we visited.  Debbie could name all of the birds.  Then we walked a trail that was just as wonderful.  Be sure to go, if you visit Corpus.  

The last place that we went to eat was a restaurant that serves the most delicious breakfast.  I had a corn tortilla burrito and a Mexico Coca~Cola.  If you have never tired one, do so, if you have the opportunity.   (Unless, you have high or low blood sugar.  I was wound up for about 2 hours.  And while we were at the Mercado, a Mexican style flee market, my blood sugar crashed.  Wow! Not good.  So keep that in mind.)  Mexico Cokes are made with real cane sugar and taste like a Coke Zero, only better.  Instead of the little 6 ounce size, these were 12 ounces.  What a combination, caffeine and sugar, whew!

The next morning, we had to go.  It was a wonderful visit.  I miss having Debbie around the corner.  She is always so much fun.

We hope you enjoyed taking the food  trip to Corpus with us!

Shirley, Debbie, and Deloris

Champage Saturday~In a Hurry

Yea, It is Champagne Saturday!!! But if you are like me, you are short on time, right now.  This  is an easy way to host a little front porch get together, if you plan ahead. 

Debbie's Caramelized Squash with Cumin and Garlic

Debbie cooked this for us one evening and I forgot to photograph the dish, so  I made this delicious side, again.  Debbie used a combination of yellow squash and zucchini, but I was out of zucchini, so mine just has yellow, straight neck squash.  You can use either type of squash or a combination of both.

4 cups of Squash, sliced about 1/4 inch thick
1/2 of a large Onion, diced
2 Tablespoons of Sepay Groves Olive Oil
1 Tablespoon of Butter, you need real butter.
1/2 teaspoon of Garlic Powder
1/4 teaspoon of Cumin
Salt and Pepper, to taste

Heat olive oil and butter in a large skillet over medium heat.  Once the butter melts, add the squash and onion.  Season with garlic powder, cumin, salt, and pepper.  Flip the vegetables once, to coat with oil-butter mixture.  Then walk away and leave it alone.  Let the bottom of the squash caramelize, then flip it.  Let the other side caramelize.  Yummy! Thanks Debbie for sharing another of your wonderful recipes with us!!!

Enjoy!

Deloris

Debbie's Delicious Deviled Eggs

This is Debbie Robinson's Delicious Deviled Eggs.  I do not  like boiled eggs, prepared any way, normally.  But, I love these. When I asked Debbie for the recipe she said that there is not one.  So I am listing the ingredients.  You will need to just taste as you go until you get the right ratios.

Debbie's New Mango Salsa

Debbie Robinson cooks the best food. Her cooking always has just the right amount of everything. She brought this Mango Salsa over after she had packed up her house and it is fabulous, just like Debbie.

1 container of HEB brand Salsa
1 container of HEB brand Mango Salsa
1 can of Whole Kernel Corn, drained
1 can of Black Beans, washed and drained
1 bunch of Green Onions, cleaned and chopped
1/2 cup of Cilantro Leaves, washed and chopped
1 Jalapeno, finely chopped
Lime Juice.

Combine all ingredients.  Chill before serving.

Enjoy!

Debbie and Deloris

Mango Salsa

I hope that you are fortunate to have an H.E.B. grocery store near you.  I say that because I have been to grocery stores from Florida to Oregon, Tennessee to California to Minnesota and the closest thing I have found to an H.E.B. is Fred Myers.  I never understood why my friends would miss a grocery store when they moved until I started visiting them.  And this recipe is specifically one of those recipes. 

Cranberry Kiss

Cranberry Kiss

At Christmas, this is called a poinsettia, but I like it for Valentine's Day, so I am calling it a Cranberry Kiss.

It is very simple to make and just as wonderful to drink.

In a champagne glass, pour in 1/3 cup of cranberry juice and top with Sparkling Wine.  I purchased my Sparkling Wine from Debbie Robinson.  It has just enough sweetness.  If you want this or any of the other lovely wines that she sells, you can contact her at drwinealittle2@gmail.com.

Enjoy this and a real Kiss with your Honey!

Deloris

Printable Recipe: https://sites.google.com/site/basilandrosemarys/cranberry-kiss

Debbie's Bloody Marys

Debbie is my go-to Wine Girl and she is a wonderful cook, so it was not a surprise that she could concoct the tastiest bloody mary that I have ever had.  It would take a lot to top this recipe.  Debbie was gracious enough to let me post it on my blog. 
It would be great without the vodka, too.

Zest from 2 limes
Juice of 6 limes, about 1/2 cup
1/2 cup of vodka
sprinkle of celery salt
dash of Tabasco
4 cups of Clamato Juice
celery sticks for garnish

Mix the first 6 ingredients in a pitcher. Pour in individual glasses, over ice.  Garnish with celery sticks.

Enjoy!

Debbie and Deloris

Debbie's Spiced Pumpkin and Ginger Soup

Debbie, my wine girl, gave me a pumpkin and this recipe.  I felt like Linus and could not bring myself to cut up my cute little pumpkin, so I substituted a can of  pumpkin.  If you use canned pumpkin, make sure it is NOT pumpkin pie filling. This is very delicious.  She recommends serving it with Wine Shop at Home Chardonnay or Pinot Noir.

1 leek, chopped
1 ounce of ginger root, scraped and chopped fine
1 onion, chopped
2 Tablespoons of Butter
1 teaspoon of Cumin
few sprigs of fresh Thyme
2 Tablespoons of toasted Pumpkin Seeds or sour cream
salt and pepper to taste
1 Chili, chopped
6 1/2 cups of Vegetable Broth
2 1/4 pounds of Pumpkin, peeled, seeded, and chopped

Cook the onion, leek, cumin, chili, ginger, and thyme in the butter in a big pan until they are soft.  Add the broth and pumpkin and bring the mixture to a boil and season to taste.  Simmer for 20 minutes.  Let the soup cool down and then blend the soup, one quarter at a time, in a blender or food processor until smooth.  Reheat and serve with roasted seeds sprinkled on top or do what I did and top with a dollop of sour cream.

Thanks Debbie!  This recipe is a keeper.

You can order Chardonnay or Pinot Noir from Debbie at www.wineshopathome.com/debbierobinson

Enjoy!

Deloris