Guinness Irish Steaks



      I haven't posted many special camp meals on this winter's journey.  For us this one is a classic.  Of course this is a dish that pairs very well with St. Patrick's Day, but can actually be enjoyed anytime.  This year I forgot all about it till well after SPD, but I still had a hankerin' for it.  We are near the end of this winter's travel circuit adventure and I'm trying not to waste a single opportunity to celebrate with a good meal.
      You'll want to use a smaller quality steak preferably without bone, such as a New York Strip.  First, you can tenderize it anyway you prefer.  I sprinkle Montreal Steak Seasoning on both sides and then pierce the steak several times with a fork.  I don't want to pound these out cause a full, thick steak captures the flavor of the brew nicely.  Who doesn't love a thick steak?

       Then in a bowl combine a bottle of  Guinness beer, 1 diced shallot, 1 small diced red onion, 1 teaspoon Rosemary, and 6 cloves of garlic.  Mix well and place steaks in marinade.   The recipe calls for Guinness Draught, but you can use nearly any DARK beer you wish.  Refrigerate marinade for a day, turning steaks occasionally. 

       Remove steaks to drain and rest at room temperature and reserve marinade.  Heat skillet (I use cast iron) to medium high and add 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil.  Add steaks with onion slices (I used chives) and sear for 1 minute each side.   

      Return marinade to skillet and reduce heat to medium low and simmer for 30 minutes, hopefully reducing mixture by about half.  If you're looking for a thicker reduction stirring in corn starch/water is always an option.    

      When done, plate steak topped with 2 tablespoons of melted Gorgonzola cheese, then either ladle over the marinade or serve 'au jus' on the side.  I accompanied this with Steamed Cauliflower and Smashed Sour Cream Yukon Gold Fingerling Potatoes. 

      I don't know what it is about a good steak marinated in a dark, malty brew and then seared in a hot skillet, but the taste is without comparison.  Topped with a nutty, savory cheese such as Gorgonzola followed by pan sauce this meal is one to remember.....

"There is only one right way to eat a steak....with greed in your heart and a smile on your face"

                                                                            Soumeet Lanka





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Lambert's Cafe Sikeston, MO



      This place is already famous, having been featured on several media outlets including both the Food and Travel Channels.  In existence since 1942 Lambert's is the home to the famous "Throwed Rolls"....yeah, this would pique anybody's interest.  It is exactly as it sounds......you order a meal, you get fresh rolls.......hand thrown to you!  In 1976, Norman Lambert, son of the founders and original owners, Earl and Agnes Lambert, threw the first roll. At the original location, he would walk around and hand out the rolls. One day it was really busy and when Norman couldn't get through the crowd, one of the customers yelled to him " Throw the D*** thing!". And with that the only HOME OF THROWED ROLLS was born.  We found Lambert's to be the home of 'SIMPLE DOWN HOME DELICIOUS GOOD COOKING'! 



Photo showing Norman Lambert throwing rolls in 1981.  He still throws about 200 dozen during the weekdays and over 300 dozen on the weekends. Photo courtesy of the Southeastern Missourian newspaper.



      Sikeston, Missouri is located on US 62 just a mile west from Interstate 55 in extreme Southeast Missouri, often referred to as the 'Bootheel'.  This is the area from which my wife hails, an area of flat, rich agricultural land used to plant and harvest cotton, soybeans, corn, rice, and winter wheat.  Folks here are as authentic as any you'll find anywhere on Earth.  They are hardworking, earnest, honest people who have no time for bullshit.  Lambert's is their restaurant.
      This is not some regional eclectic eatery.  Lambert's offers a simple menu served well.  You can order Chicken Fried Steak, Catfish, Chicken Gizzards, Livers, Polish Kraut, Ham, Steak, Ribs, Shrimp, Frog Legs, Chicken Pot Pie, Chicken & Dumplings, Wings, and Roast Beef to many more selections including a children's menu.  http://www.throwedrolls.com/sikestonmenu/#1  In fact their fame now extends to 3 total restaurants:  Sikeston, MO, Ozark, MO, and Foley, AL. 



      The day we visited the line was out to the front door, but not to worry as they move it along pretty smoothly; we were seated within about 15 minutes.  Barb and I were a bit tardy in ordering our meal as everything looked and smelled so darn good!  We were graced with our first rolls within 2 minutes of being seated.  Barb decided on Polish Sausage and Kraut while I went with my personal favorite:  Fried Gizzards. 





    
      You not only get a choice of sides, but servers are constantly visiting the tables offering you Black Eye Peas, Fried Taters, Fried Okra, and Apple Jelly or Molasses for your throwed rolls.  Which, by the way come around about every 5 minutes.  Beware, cause as warm, aromatic, and delicious as these rolls are.........they don't leave you much room for dinner.  Barb loved her sausage and kraut, but my gizzards were only average.  The breading tasted like a combination of wheat flour and oatmeal and there was no seasoning.  Thank goodness for table salt.  The rest of the meal was delicious.  The service was incredible to say the least.  Our server, Tristan, was new to the job, but he was always within range whether we needed anything or not.  A good kid. 
      Meals range from $9.99 to $22.99 and kids meals 10 and under range from $5.99 to $7.49.  Lambert's does not take credit cards, but personal checks and cash are welcome.  There is an ATM in the lobby. 
http://www.throwedrolls.com/

"We hope you come hungry, leave full, and hopefully have a laugh or two"

Norman Lambert 

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Viva la Texas: Wild Hogs, BBQ, and Good Friends

      No trip ever goes as planned and the last half of our winter circuit has been no exception.  We had planned on spending a few days on the Gulf Coast near Cameron, LA , but that was not to be.  Suffice it to say that due to the 'Poltergeist Check Engine Light' we diverted our itinerary to Lake Charles and another Chevy dealer appointment.
      Once fixed (hopefully) we again set our sails west back into Texas and Palmetto State Park near our hog hunting destination of Gonzales, TX.

      This is a lovely Texas State Park with acres of trails filled with large oaks, elms, sweet gums, saw palmettos, and of course shade sitting next to the San Marcos River.  It is only $21/day for water, electric, and sewer.  We stayed at the ranch last year for our hunt, but it is $40/day for just a parking space and water/electric.   

NOTE:  Unfortunately after 2 days we were forced to move camp to an RV park the other side of Gonzales, but nearer the ranch.  The state park was 'reservation full' for the weekend and we didn't have one.  We moved our camp to the 4L RV Ranch.  This is a very nice park with lots of amenities, but with it's share of problems.  It is a bit pricey at $35/day, the office is only sporadically open, the WiFi (although with several towers is weak), and there were NO dumpsters of any type.  We had to take our trash to town daily to dispose wherever we could find.  But to be fair, there are nice men's and women's showers, a good laundry room, and a very nice pool.  This was still a good place from which to stage 'base camp', and butcher shop afterwards.  We always butcher our own game. 

      Independence Ranch is a private ranch that offers hunts for a variety of exotic game, but hogs are #1.  I was only looking to harvest a single hog so I chose the single day hunt.   Their prices have gone up this year, but a three day hunt/2 hog hunt with lodge, meals, guide, etc. runs $399; still a good deal.  My single day hunt runs $250.   Additionally, the Texas non-resident license is $48. 



      I have already fulfilled my ambition of bagging a boar with a handgun so this year I utilized my standard big game rifle, Remington 700BDL in 7mm Rem Mag.  I was looking for a bit bigger tusker. We have the standard RV freezer, but also an extra Engel 43 quart DC freezer I added a few years ago for stocking up for boondocking purposes.  The morning of the hunt dawned bright and pleasant with mid 70s forecast.   This hunt was very much like last year's in that there wasn't much activity in the morning, but midday resulted in 'hogs-a-plenty'.  After several episodes of pigs side stepping my blind I was finally able to connect with another very nice 105 lb. feeder hog.  Not the biggest or meanest, but certainly a fine eating animal. 



       After the ranch staff did a nice, neat job gutting and quartering, they put the beast in the cooler.  These kids do a very nice job.  Just like my pork I chilled for a couple of hours before collecting my booty and heading back to camp.  I was able to chat at length with the Ranch Chef about his preparations of Wild Boar.  I learned some very interesting tips.  Last year I found that younger hogs are the best eating as long as they are cooled quickly after butchering.  They are quite tender, but there isn't much taste.  I injected and marinated my hams in Morton Tender Quick for two weeks before cooking.  This produced a very tasty ham.  The chef taught me that injection is the key with your choice of ingredients.  Then a good dry rub before cooking adds all the flavor you're looking for.  I really do love a finishing sauce of Peach Habanero, but others will work as well according to your tastes.  Barb and I have always prided ourselves in processing our game from kill to freezer.  As such, I brought the pig quarters back to the RV and we finished the process resulting in 46 lbs. of very nice vacuum sealed and frozen hams, ribs, stew meat, tenderloin and tenderloin medallions, a shoulder roast, and fajita meat. 



       When we departed Gonzales we headed NW to set up camp at the BBQ Capital of Texas.  However, the state park at Lockhart was booked and once again we were left to procure our own RV park site.  We stayed at Leisure RV Resort in Fentress, TX very near our destination.  Although a very nice park on the banks of the San Marcos River, the cost here was even higher at $40/day after our Good Sam Club discount.  It is a very nice park.  After setting up Barb and I chilled with Roux down by the San Marcos River for a bit then we went to dinner at the only BBQ joint we didn't hit last on our trip through;  City Market in Luling, TX. 

  

       This is another of the highest ranked BBQ places not only in Texas, but the nation as well.  They only serve brisket, sausage, and ribs.  They have several sides:  beans, jalapeno peppers, pickles, pickled eggs, onion slices, or potato salad.  There is, of course your choice of beverages.  Barb and I had the ribs and sausage.  The ribs were WONDERFUL; crunchy on the outside and moist on the inside.  I thought the sausage was very nicely flavored as well, some of the best I have ever had.  The food is served typical Texas style:  on butcher paper with napkins and white bread.  Napkins consist of a roll of paper towels.  Simple presentation, great food! 

      We also picked up our forwarded mail in Lockhart and I got to dabble once again in chicken gizzards for lunch!  Yumdoggees!   We got our absentee ballots in the mail.  Once we filled them out they were back in the mail home the next day.  The next day we stepped out of our comfort zone for a few hours and ventured into the legend that is Austin.  I haven't been to Austin, TX for many years and couldn't believe how BIG it has become.  A megalopolis!  Thanks to IPhone GPS we found Whole Foods, Petco, Verizon, Spec's, and a stylist for Barb's hair without spending too much time battling TRAFFIC.  I did upgrade my IPhone (mostly due to Barb being sick and tired of me complaining about my old one) 



      Spec's, you ask?   It is the Texas liquor store equivalent of Sam's Club........huge, (about the size of a Best Buy) and they have everything!  Interestingly, Spec's does have several isles of specialty items including foods, condiments, and sauces.  I didn't find the exact brand of Peach Habanero Sauce I was looking for, but did find a very nice substitute.   It is THE BOMB for the last hour of a roasted Wild Hog Ham!   We kicked back for the evening enjoying leftover meatloaf and watching "Spotlight", the Oscar Winner for Best Film.  What a profoundly incredible film.  It is troubling and a bit difficult to watch at times, but certainly qualified for it's Oscar win.    

      The next day we were fortunate to spend part of the afternoon visiting with fellow USAF retirees Jesse and Anna Shanks in San Marcos.  We not only got to meet their son James, but Miss Anna served a Cajun Boil complete with Shrimp, Sausage, Taters, and Corn.......DELISH!  It was certainly good to catch up and visit again.   I don't know what it is about Central Texas, but Barb and I always feel comfortable here.  A land of mesquite, cattle ranches, cactus, critters..........as well as small towns and big metropolitan areas alike.  There is plenty of sunshine....a little something for everyone.  You're only crowded or isolated if you want to be.  Everywhere, anywhere.......friends are easy to make.  They're warm; they define southern hospitality. 



      One night we cranked up the charcoal grill and enjoyed some wild boar brats which were certainly better than the ones we got from a butcher several months on our trip.  I traded for these with the Ranch Chef...Our last day in Fentress consisted of a Chevy oil change appointment (yippee, the 'check engine' light is still out), some laundry, and one last BBQ meal out.  Barb decided she wanted Black's BBQ Beef Ribs again so there we went.  



      Barb ordered the 1.77 lb. beef rib (shown top left) while I went with the pork baby backs and jalapeno cheese sausage.  All of the meal was delicious with the Corn Maque Choux and sausages exceptional.  This is not a cheap meal with all the meat being sold as weighed per pound, but I assure you it is definitely worth it! 

       Trucking the short 90 mile hop north to Salado we 'moochdocked' with another USAF retiree, Jody Arnold and his wife, Juanita.  Jody owns a beautiful 97 acre ranch on a hill just east of Salado, complete with RV hookup with 20/50 amp power, water, and sewage dump as well. 



   



      He raises horses, a cow, and an unintentional pack of coyotes.  Their ranch has a great view.  We utilized the hookups out by the barn which were a blessing.   We ate very well while here, as both Jody and Juanita are great cooks: steaks, Tomato Pesto Chicken, and we even went out one night to the local village of Theon for a great German meal.  We treated them one night to great BBQ at Johnny's and one night I prepared a new dish; a delicious Reuben Casserole.  Again, we felt at home here in Central Texas.  Good friends make that possible. 

      We planned on visiting for a couple of days, but this is spring time in Texas and the entire area, known as Tornado Alley, became pretty active.  Rain, big front, thunderstorms, hail, and even a few tornadoes were forecast.  We thought about leaving early, but you can't outrun a spring time front when you are traveling nearly 700 miles to your next destination.  Jody and Juanita were gracious enough to let us hunker down the extra days till the system passed.  We did develop a small roof leak at the TV antenna joint so a fix of Flex Seal did the trick.  Yep, this is the stuff you see on TV.  You know.....cut the bottom out of your boat and put a door there, just seal it with Flex Seal and VOILA IT FLOATS!  I guess I just hope our RV still floats...

      Before we left I prepared a big pot of Chicken Tasso Andouille Gumbo that we shared with Jody and Juanita and can still eat leftovers for several nights on the road.  We did stay even a couple of days longer as Barb was helping Juanita with her business backlog.  She has a very successful custom sewing business specializing in scrubs for hospital staff.  She is always loaded with orders and Barb really enjoyed helping her catch up as well as deliver some orders.  The two ladies seemed to bond nicely over the work.  Once underway we headed NE nearly 700 miles towards Missouri and Barb's family.  This would be several days of boondocking as we like to keep our travel days short.  Besides, we are getting closer by the day to the end of this winter's journey and were in no hurry.  IMPORTANT TRAVEL NOTE:  THE FOUR STATES FAIRGROUNDS CAMPING AREA IN TEXARKANA, AR IS NO LONGER OPEN.  IT CLOSED IN 2014.  WE CAME THROUGH THE OPEN GATES AND SET UP CAMP BEFORE THEY CAME AROUND AND INFORMED US, BUT THEY WERE VERY KIND IN LETTING US STAY ONE NIGHT.  The other 2 nights on our voyage to Mizzou were courtesy of Wal Mart. 

NOTE:  I have always based my 'boondocking' statistics on the fact that the average RV park cost is $30 per day.  We have had no luck finding any boondocking spots the entire month of February (Louisiana or Texas) during our travels, which increased our budget more than anticipated.  The average costs for these parks has been between $35-$45 a day.  There is always Wal Mart and we will take our turn there when traveling, but not for a 5-7 day stay.  I may have to re-evaluate my numbers.  As of this blog our total boondocking days number only 14 days.

"Maybe the journey isn't so much about becoming anything.  Maybe it's about unbecoming everything that isn't you so you can be who you were meant to be in the first place"

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Acadiana.....Cajun Country!

      With Mardi Gras and NOLA in our rear view mirror we ventured off once again into the Louisiana countryside.  There was still so much to see and we were in no hurry to get anywhere else.  Leaving NOLA we headed west back to Lafayette and Breaux Bridge.  We made camp at Poche's RV Park and Fish Camp www.pochesrvpark.com near the Bayou Teche and Henderson, LA in the Atchafalaya National Historic River Basin Area.  This is the heart of Cajun and Acadiana Country with plenty to experience.

      Breaux Bridge is the Crawfish Capital of the World as they so proclaim.  It is available everywhere from do it yourself to buying retail or wholesale and then of course there are the myriad of local eating establishments to try it from pie to stew to casserole to etouffe to, of course boiled and dumped on your table peel to eat yourself with corn on the cob and boiled redskin taters. 
      Our first day we met up at Poches Market and Restaurant with old friend Colonel Jesse Shanks (USAF ret.) on his way to Hammond, LA for his college basketball reunion.  It was a great lunch with even better company.  I gotta tell you that the Crawfish Etouffe was some of the best I have ever eaten!  I'll be hitting their butcher shop before I leave.  I have also learned after talking at length with the locals that True Cajun food isn't about the heat, but the flavor.  Most Cajun food is seasoned to perfection and 'HEAT' is a matter of how much extra seasoning, pepper, or hot sauce you add at the table. 

 

Crawfish Etouffe, Coleslaw, Fries, and a Biscuit for lunch at Poches



 

      Afterwards we took a drive around the historic district of Breaux Bridge.  This is also the home of Bayou Teche and famous hoist bridge.  I don't think this one has been used in many a year.  We were finally able to tour a cemetery where above ground vaults, crypts, and urns are used instead of the traditional below ground affair we see up north.  This is due to the high (and sometimes flooding stage) water level.  Some of these dated as far back as the late 1700s and early 1800s!  There are plenty of antique stores here as well as several famous eateries:  Café des Amis, Crazy 'bout Crawfish, and of course Poches. 

 

 

 

      The next morning we got up extra early to be at Café des Amis when the door opened.  They are famous for their Saturday Morning Zydeco Breakfast.  It was an incredibly fun time.  Zydeco music playing, folks dancing with anybody/everybody, and plenty of good food.  Seating is large family style and we ate with two other couples, one from Beaumont, TX and another from Lake Charles, LA.  Both had driven all this way just for breakfast.  What really got me was the fact the bar was OPEN and serving at 8 a.m. as well.  WTH can drink at 8 a.m.?  Cajuns, dat's who! Anything for a party.  We arrived at 7:30 for an 8:00 opening......and took our place in line.  There was still a line when we left. 



 Eggs, Boudin Patty, Gravy, Cheese Andouille Grits, and of course Beignets @ Café Des Amis

 

      Next we drove over to Lafayette to tour the Acadiana National Museum, learning the history and culture of Cajun folks and then toured the Vermillionville Village. 



 

 

 

      Venturing further south we visited New Iberia and St. Martinsville.  Two more villages with plenty of Cajun Arcadian influence and antebellum homes, including the grounds of Longfellow's famous Evangeline. A very good website for locating many of these homes is http://www.oaklawnmanor.com/antebellum.htm   Another good one is  http://www.louisiana-destinations.com/louisiana-plantation-homes.htm   We stopped in New Iberia for lunch at Victor's Cafeteria on the advice of old friend Jesse Shanks .  Wonderful food:  Catfish, the best shrimp I've ever had, cornbread, and a delightful Pecan Peach Pie.  We have used Jesse's dining suggestions at several of our stops in Louisiana, man he sure knows how to pick them!

 

 

 

 

Shrimp, Catfish, Cornbread, and Pecan Peach Pie.....lunch at Victor's Cafeteria

The BEST shrimp I have ever eaten!

        A soaking, rainy day allowed us time to get caught up on some laundry and other minor camp chores, but the day after we ventured out on yet another 'day trip'.  This time SW to the historic Cajun town of Abbeville, and then on to Avery Island, LA., the home of the Tabasco Plantation. 

 



 Airborne photo courtesy of Tabasco Co. 

 

      Avery Island itself is a bit of an anomaly.  The island is the tip of a giant salt dome that extends some eight mile beneath the earth's surface.  Edward McIlhenny founded the company on this small island in south central Louisiana.  The factory tour is a self guided affair that costs $8 and with the Garden and Wildlife Sanctuary the total is $12.50. 

 

Greenhouse seedlings

Blending Room

Bottling/Packaging Room

 

         The vast majority of Avery Island is a wildlife sanctuary.  In fact, Edward McIlhenny helped save the Snowy Egret from extinction by building a protected aviary on this island.  The island is home to birds, black bear, deer, nutria, rabbits, armadillos, possums, squirrels, raccoons, bobcats, and of course alligators call Avery Island home.  The island is also home to some enormous Southern Live Oaks draped in lots of Spanish Moss.  There are also Magnolias, Camellias, and Clematis to name a few flowers.  There is also a huge presence of bamboo growing in tight clusters. 

 Magnolias

 

 Most of the gators we saw were youngsters

More of the gardens

       After our Avery Island adventure we motored into Abbeville, LA to experience what the Cajuns call the Oyster Capital of Louisiana. We settled into Schuck's Oyster House with Barb thoroughly enjoying her Shrimp PoBoy and my willing adventure once again into the world of Charbroiled Oysters.  15 oysters with assorted toppings.  DELISHIMOSO!  YUMDOGGEES! 



         Towards the end of our stay we embarked on our swamp tour with Champagne's Cajun Swamp Tours.  www.champagnesswamptours.com Our hope was to capture the authentic swamp landscape with cypress trees, Spanish Moss, and many, many critters.  The cost for this tour is very reasonable:  2 hours for $20 each adult.  It is an excellent tour with great boats, lots of wildlife, and a very knowledgeable guide.  It is also very close to our camping area at Breaux Bridge, LA with Bayou Teche and Lake Martin as their venue.  I highly recommend it. 

 



 

 

 

 

 



 

 

       I used the 150-600mm lens for most of these shots, obviously due to the range, but Barb got a very nice shot with the 18-55mm of the mossy gator on the log as the guide steered the boat right by it and she got her shot from a distance of no more than 3 feet! 

       Our last night was appropriately crowned (for me) with a dinner of boiled peel and eat crawfish.  We ate at Myran's Maison de Manger in Arnaudville.  This place got a few bad reviews for customer service, but our campground host told us they are seriously understaffed and just to get there when they start boiling at 5 p.m.  It worked cause we had great service and lively conversation.  Crawfish boiled are delicious, but you get 4 pounds and peeling/eating them individually is a lengthy experience.  You have to develop a rhythm and keep plenty of your favorite beverage and paper towels within reach.  Barb just looked at me like a 5 year old in need of a bib.  It took me an hour to polish off a tray of these spicy babies.  When we left the place was packed and the waitress staff was hopping every which way.  They were delicious.  By the way, Barb also enjoyed her shrimp dinner as well. 





  

 

       We had so much fun visiting Arcadiana.  We are already planning to stop here on our sojourn south next winter.  The people are the friendliest and the culture/food are at the top of the scale.  You know how some folks always claim to be of Irish heritage come St. Patrick's Day?  Well, if I wasn't Cajun in my previous life I surely will be in my next.  We stocked up our RV freezer with nearly 20 pounds of Boudin, Gator, Andouille, and various other delicacies for our summer UPNORTH.  I also tried 'Cracklins' for the first time this trip.  I have had Pork Rinds on many occasions, but these have a deeper, richer flavor that is enhanced when you get them fresh and warm in the morning.  I'm sure these aren't on the 'healthy list', but they sure are tasty.  Think of them as Bacon Jerky.  From here we venture south to the Gulf for a few days of R & R on the beach and then back into Texas for some BBQ and Wild Hog hunting. 

 

 

"The real test of good manners is to be able to put up with bad manners pleasantly" 

 

 

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