When I think of the Civil War, I think of Chancellorsville, Bull Run and the Jackson’s Valley Campaign. Only until I sailed the Mississippi did I grasp the importance of this mighty river in the War Between the States. Vicksburg was settled on the highest banks along the entire Mississippi. Whoever controlled Vicksburg, controlled the Mississippi and as important as the great river is to … [Read more...]

I have printed this recipe several times, but it’s so good, who’s counting? My wife and a group of her early morning exercise friends meet periodically for breakfast. Sometimes they go to a local restaurant and sometimes they meet at someone’s home. A couple years back, they came over to our house and I volunteered to cook for them. One of the dishes I served was a … [Read more...]

I saw the package of portabella mushrooms at Sam’s Club from two aisles away. There were four, large portabellas in the pack, nearly perfect in size for stuffing something, so I bought them. But what to stuff? Sam’s Club also had a sweet deal on their fresh crabmeat. It looked fresh, so I bought a pound, perfect for stuffing the portabellas. To create a delicious entrée with portabella … [Read more...]

Everybody loves tacos. Everybody loves sliders and everybody loves Hawaiian Rolls. Why not throw them all together for a fun and delicious dish – Taco Sliders. When I saw the recipe, it sounded so good I had to try it and it’s a winner as either an appetizer or an entree. And easy, as well. Start by browning a pound of lean ground beef, then add a packet of taco seasoning. You could also add … [Read more...]

Cole slaw happens to be one of my favorite sides. It pairs perfectly with dishes like Fish, BBQ, Fried Chicken and Hot Dogs. Unfortunately, many stores and restaurants consider cole slaw to be an afterthought and it turns out like blah-shredded cabbage. But not at Kentucky Fried Chicken. Their cole slaw is amazing. It is so tasty that I often make a special trip to the restaurant and order a … [Read more...]

Like the cows say in the Chick-fil-A commercials, “Eat more chicken!” Trouble is, eating chicken can get boring, so I am always scrounging around for new and better ways to cook it. Recently I tried the recipe below for Creamy Chicken and Mushroom Sauce and it’s a keeper. Nothing boring about it. It’s yummy. Here’s how I put mine together. Start with chicken, naturally. I like the sliced … [Read more...]

They are called whiting if you catch one in the Bay. In the ocean, many call them sea mullet. No matter the name, they are spectacular eating, and they are biting like it’s their last meal at Nags Head. Some big ‘uns, too. TW’s Tackle weighed in lots of oversized sea mullet this week, as anglers were catching them in the surf and from the piers. They typically bite well into chilly … [Read more...]

By William Horton This approximates the recipe that Bennett’s Drug Store used for Asheville’s best hot dog of the 50’s and 60’s.  For the hot dog I like to use Nathan’s or Ball Park Beef Franks. I boil them in Guinness Draft. There’s no reason why you can’t use them on any kind you like whether steamed, boiled, or grilled. I like mine with mustard chili and onion on a steamed or … [Read more...]

Recently, I have enjoyed cooking ground beef as “smashburgers” rather than standard burgers on the grill. First, it’s a lot easier than having to go in and out to tend the grill while the burgers are cooking. Secondly and most important, Smashburgers taste great. The juices are seared into the burger, and they cook quickly. I use about a ¼ pound of low-fat ground meat (ground sirloin is ideal) … [Read more...]

The only problem with cooking is having to clean up your mess and they say the best cooks make the biggest messes. I tell my wife Nancy that, but she is not impressed with the multitude of pots and pans scattered about the kitchen after one of my “Emeril Lagassi” endeavors. Knowing that I make most of the messes, I do my share of dish washing and I have discovered an able assistant. Ms. Meyers … [Read more...]