Stanly County Winter Wine Festival

This Saturday, February 25th, the annual Stanly County Winter Wine Festival will be held at Market Station in Albemarle, NC.  This being our second time at the festival, I have to say it is a great one to mark on your calendars.  Tickets can be purchased online in advance for 20.00 a piece or at the door for 25.00.  (Note: you must be 21 to enter)

 

This year there will be 12 vineyards/wineries present and all of them are doing wine tastings, so this is a great opportunity to try several different wines under one roof!  In addition to the wine, you’ll find area restaurants, local businesses and entertainment!

The festival hours are from 12-6pm and with Market Station being right in downtown Albemarle, you have a quick walk to several area restaurants for lunch or dinner.  We would highly recommend that you walk just up the street to Z Pi for pizza, pasta or a panini.  They also have local wines, craft beer and a band will be playing Saturday evening.  Oh and don’t forget to stop by Albemarle Sweet Shop between 8 and 2 for a famous clown cookie (Note: bring cash)!

[caption id="attachment_436" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Pie at Z Pi"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_437" align="aligncenter" width="210" caption="Clown Cookie from Albemarle Sweet Shop"][/caption]

Thinking you may need a hotel for the night?  No problem!  There is a Holiday Inn and a Sleep Inn right in Albemarle but if you are looking for something especially nice, try the Badin Inn just down the road.  The Badin Inn has 6 historically decorated rooms, a golf course and a full service restaurant.  Also, their bar is hosting karaoke starting at 7pm  to continue the fun after the festival is over!

[caption id="attachment_439" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="The Badin Inn"][/caption]

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Black Bean Chili and Rice

This little dish would be great for a date night. The black bean chili mixed with the saffron rice is a perfect combination. Top it off with a small bite of fresh green peppers, tomatoes and onions for a spring time feeling!



Black Bean Chili and Rice


1Tbsp olive oil
1/2 C minced celery
1/2 C finely chopped yellow onion
1 Tbsp finely chopped Cilantro
3 Tbsp chopped canned green chiles
2 16 oz cans black beans, drained
1 16 oz can diced tomatoes
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 Tbsp chili powder
10 oz pkg yellow saffron rice
salt and pepper to taste
chopped green pepper
chopped red onion
chopped tomato
2 boneless skinless chicken breasts
1 tsp blackening season

1. Cook Rice according to package instructions.
2. Sauté onions, celery, cilantro and green chiles in olive oil
3. Add garlic, 1/2 of chili powder and tomatoes. Stir until thoroghly mixed.
4. Add rest of chili powder and beans
5. While mixture is cooking, season chicken with blackening seasoning and grill to preference
6. Place rice in a circle on your plate, spoon the chili into the middle, then sprinkle chopped green pepper, red onion and tomato over rice. Top with sliced chicken.

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Chili

Rusty's famous Chili Recipe that he always serves at the Super Bowl Party. So Yummy! Enjoy!

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Post Cleanse Review and Visalus Intro

See how many inches we lost on the cleanse and learn about our next diet, the Body by Vi 90 day challenge.

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Stromboli and Pizza Sauce

 

A recipe that was a hit from our Superbowl party. Add your favorite pizza toppings to make the recipe your own!! Enjoy!



 
Step 1
 
2 Large Roma Tomatoes (or 4 small ones)
2 tsp Italian Seasoning
4 Tbsp Minced Garlic
1 Tbsp Olive Oil
salt and pepper to taste
 
Gently stir all ingredients together in a small bowl and let it rest while you put your stromboli together so the flavors can mingle.
 
 
Step 2
 
Pizza Dough
Your favorite toppings
Mozzarella Cheese
Egg Whites
Olive Oil
Sea Salt
Pizza Sauce (See our Pizza Sauce Recipe)
1. Knead the pizza dough into a small ball, roll it out into a rectangle shape, cover with the tomato mixture, your favorite topping and mozzarella cheese.
2. Brush egg whites around the edges of the dough to help it stick together.
3. Roll the dough and ingredients up into a log and pinch the ends together to keep it all secure.
4. Brush the top of the dough with olive oil and sprinkle with sea salt.
5. Bake in a 400 degree oven for 15-20 minutes
6. Serve with pizza sauce as a dip.

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Our Superbowl Party Recipes

 
We are preparing for our annual super bowl party. Although we’ll have videos of some of these recipes coming up after the super bowl, we thought we’d take a moment to share with you what we’ll be making. We are also including the dishes that didn’t make the cut this year but they may be something you’d like to try on your own!
 
 
 
What we’re making this year:
Pizza Dip
Pizza Sauce (for Dip)
Stromboli
Marinated Shrimp
Scotcheroos
Peanut Butter Cheese Ball
Buffalo Wings
Rusty’s Famous Chili
Meatballs

Things that probably won't make the cut this year:
Sausage Dip
Fruit Salsa
Salsa

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Charlotte Restaurant Week

Last Saturday we went to 131 Main for Charlotte Restaurant Week. This is a week in which many restaurants will serve either a 3 or 4 course meal and a glass of wine for $30.00 a person. It is a fantastic time and you get to go out and try some of the restaurants that you usually would not get to go to for a reasonable price. 131 Main was fantastic in every way. First our server was great. He was honest and helpful and really knew the menu. He did not try to push you into anything, however, he let you know what he really thought about each meal.

Jules and I actually ate the same thing (See Pics below) but we had friends with us so we could try their meals to get a good handle on multiple dishes. We got the special which was a grilled grouper covered in a crab and shrimp sauce. I will say it was probably the most moist piece of fish I have ever had. The wild rice was kind of different but good. It was served cold with a sweet fruity taste. Rick got the Hand Cut Ribeye marinated in a sweet soy sauce and simply grilled. It was wonderful. I really couldn’t get over how good that was-cooked exactly how he wanted it and very moist. Gayleen had the Maryland Style Crab Cakes with pommerey mustard sauce and hand cut fries. There are many places in the South that claim to have good crab cakes, however, these were great. I can’t wait to go back and film this place so you guys can really see what this place is like. The only thing I will say is that the restaurant week menu left a bit to be desired, so that is why we ordered off the menu but all in all it was a fantastic experience. {Editor's Note: I felt the best meal on the table was the crab cakes. They were the best crab cakes I've ever had. Lots of crab in every bite and the mustard sauce was wonderful!}

 
We had a bottle of Stags Leap Merlot which was as good as it always is.
 
Thanks for stopping by Any Ol’ Thing and until next time have a Fan-damn-tastic time.

 

[caption id="attachment_391" align="alignnone" width="180" caption="Crab Cakes"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_390" align="alignnone" width="180" caption="Ribeye"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_389" align="alignnone" width="180" caption="Grouper"][/caption]

 

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