RESTAURANT REVIEW : HOOTERS of OCALA

 

Wednesday night (1-25) found Penny and I off to Hooters for 

a quick dinner. Our plans with friends fell through so we 

decided to go out. And we chose Hooters.

Hooters came to Ocala many years ago, but closed due to a 

franchise issue. They returned about a year ago in a new 

location.

The restaurant was not crowded but the music was TOO loud. 

We asked for a seat as far away from the loud noise as 

possible, and they were happy to move us to a corner seat. It 

was still louder than I like. I'm not even going to address their 

choice of music.

When I go out to eat, I like to converse with the person I am 

with. Not having to yell at them over loud and usually crappy 

music. They need to tone it down a bit. Well, more than a bit.

Our server was attentive and friendly. She quickly took our 

order and got our drinks.

I ordered the Bacon Cheeseburger on Texas Toast with steak 

fires. I have ordered it on previous visits and always found it 

to be good. Penny is the wing person of the family and she 

ordered the Hot Wings and Curly Fries. Whoop Whoop 

Whoop. (That's my Stooges intimation)

I have never been a fan of finger food. Wings are messy, and 

frankly not  appetizing to me. Putting ones fingers in your 

mouth (or mine) and making noises is disgusting to me, but I 

forged through it.

Our food arrived in a timely manner. It might have taken 

longer than normal, but once I have a beer, I am the most 

patient person on earth.

Within a minute, Penny's fingers were a gooey greasy mess. 

That's why I'm a burger guy.

I am not a wing fan, but Penny loves them. Look at all that 

goo !!!

The curly fries looked good but were a bit cold. I find that to 

be true of most orders of Curly Fries. I don't know what it is, 

but Steak Fries seem to be warmer.

My burger was good but the toast was soggy on the side that 

was sitting on the plate. Perhaps it sat too long before they 

brought it out. Needless to say, the bread came apart.

Although it tasted good, it was a mess to eat. I think next time

I will order it on a regular bun, rather than the Texas Toast.

The Steak Fries were excellent. With a bit of a 'curl' it gave me 

plenty of room to scoop up the catsup. As with most 

restaurants, the Steak Fries were a bit over salted.

All in all, not a bad experience but not a great one either. 

Owing to the loud music, soggy bread and over salted fries, I 

give it a C minus on my eatery scale.

That being said, I will probably return and give them another 

chance. If nothing else, just for the scenery.

DESERTS - PEACH DUMPLINGS

PEACH DUMPLINGS

I love deserts and cinnamon. They are my favorite things. And I broke the rule on this one by BUYING the dough from 'Pop & Fresh'. It was worth it.
 
I love the INTERNET, as you can find anything there, including great recipes.

http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/peach-dumplings/

This takes about 10 minute to put together, and is easy as pie. Or should I say dumplings? HA HA.


Here is what you need

2 cans Crescent Rolls. See the 'Pop & Fresh' isle
16 whole Frozen Peach Slices
1-1/2 stick (3/4 Cup) Butter
1-1/4 cup Sugar
2 teaspoons Vanilla Extract
Ground Cinnamon, For Sprinkling
1 can Sprite, 7-Up, Or Mountain Dew 8 to 20 oz I used SPRITE
Extra Butter, For The Pan
Whipped Cream, Or Ice Cream For Serving


Butter a 9 x 13 inch baking dish. Roll each peach slice in a crescent roll. Place in the pan.

Melt butter in the microwave, then add sugar and barely stir. Add vanilla, stir once or twice, then pour the entire mixture over the rolls/peaches in the pan. I used a brush to make sure ALL the rolls were coated. Then pour 8 to 10 oz of the can of Sprite around the edges and in the middle of the pan. Sprinkle with cinnamon.

READY FOR THE OVEN

Bake at 350 degrees for 40 minutes. 

While it cooks, have a beer. Or play with the dog.

That's not a dog !!

 
 Remove from the oven and let sit 10 minutes before serving. Serve with ice cream or whipped cream, and spoon some of the sweet sauces from the pan over the top.

DAMN !! Doesn't that look delicious ??

This is my new favorite desert.. so easy and so damn GOOD !!!!! And I surprised the wife as she loved it too.

I served mine with some Cool Whip. You could also use Ice Cream (Vanilla or Peach)

I do have a couple of suggestions.

If you have any peaches left over, you can put them along side the rolls. My motto is “More Peaches”

This makes a TON. You might want to cut it in half. Or take left overs to work. Or eat them all yourself. Your doctor will love you !!

Left overs can be eaten cold or heated up in the microwave (about 30 seconds) I LIKED IT EITHER WAY. It made for a GREAT Breakfast.

Another variation would be to use apple slices. That sounds yummy. Or a combination of both. 

Maybe fresh apples and peaches ???

I bought a bag of mixed frozen fruit since peaches only was not available. I should have tried the MANGO

Be brave, be exciting and don't forget to EXPERIMENT...

Have fun !!

SIDE DISH - MIXED VEGGIES !!!

MIXED VEGGIES

I am not a huge veggie fan. There are a few I like. Corn, Lima Beans and of course Potatoes. But a good meal needs some color and what better than VEGGIES!!! So I am always on the look out for new ways to make them. Here is one we came up with, avoiding the usual 'heat up and serve.'

Everything was fresh in this recipe except for the Peas and Lima Beans. And of course the soup. Sometimes you just have to go to the frozen food section. You can't get everything at the farmers market.

INGREDIENTS

1 CARROT

GREEN BEANS CUT IN 1 INCH LENGTHS (JUST A HANDFUL)

3 SCALLIONS CUT UP REAL SMALL

1 EAR OF FRESH CORN

PEAS AND LIMA BEANS (EYE BALL IT – DEPENDS ON WHAT YOU LIKE)

1 SMALL PEPPER (I USE RED FOR COLOR)

1 CAN CREAM OF MUSHROOM SOUP

1/3 CUP OF CREAM

½ TSP CELERY SALT

CHEDDAR CHEESE FOR A TOPPING (AMOUNT TO TASTE)

Cut up carrots, green beans, pepper, scallions, and corn

Butter a small baking dish and add vegetable mixture.

Have a beer.

Add the soup.

Add cream a little at a time

Stir well

Add ½ tsp celery salt and stir in

Bake at 350 degrees for one hour. This takes a bit of experimenting. I thought mine came out a little 'under-done'. But I do not like veggies over cooked. So cook yours to taste.

Add cheese on top and bake until melted.

Enjoy

Feel free to add Mushrooms to the mixture. I didn't have any on hand. 

New rule. ALWAYS have Mushrooms !!!!

Goes good with smashed up taters !!!!

I thought this one turned out to be a nice colorful side dish. And how can you go wrong with Mushroom Soup ??

ENJOY !!

DESERTS - COOKIES !!!

SNICKER DOODLES

LET'S MAKE SOME COOKIES !!!!!

There are 5 types of cookies in this 

world.  Chocolate Chip, Oatmeal, Peanut

Butter Blossoms, Snicker doodles, and 

anything from the Girl Scouts. That it. Period, 

end of discussion. Oh there are a million or so 

more, but these are the only ones worth eating. 

We can't make Girl Scout cookies, so we will 

make the four three instead. Besides, you 

should BUY those. Support those girls!

My old man use to say, “There is no such 

thing as a bad cookie. Some just taste better 

than others,” This is true, but our time is 

limited so lets stick to the TOP FOUR. 

Lets face it. If the Florida Gators are on one 

channel, and Beaver College is on the other 

channel, which one are we going to watch ?? 

That's my point.

I actually know someone who attended Beaver 

College before they changed the name in 

2001. Her sister ended up at Ball State. What 

were they thinking? But that's a story for 

another time.(My wife says that I have a 

strange sense of humor) 

So do we go out and get a tube of that stuff 

you cut into slices and they turn into cookies? 

HELL NO !!!

We make 'em from scratch. Period. End of 

discussion.

I have nothing against the Pillsbury Company. 

Ole 'Pop N Fresh' has been around forever. I 

grew up with that fat little S.O.B. Their 

Cinnimon Rolls are the second best in the 

world. Nothing compares with 'Cin A Bon'. 

And we will use some of their products in our 

cooking quest.

But if you ever buy one of those tubes of 

cookies, I will hunt you down. And it won't be 

pretty. I promise.

Today we are making my favorite cookie in 

the whole wide world. SNICKER DOODLES. 

I realize that these cookies don't have my three 

favorite things. Peanut butter, chocolate, or 

beer. I have not figured out how to add beer. 

Yet.

This past weekend, I was watching 'Americas 

Test Kitchen' on PBS and they made 

Snicker doodles.

So, proving that televisions is habit forming,  

I got this huge craving for Snicker doodles

them so off the kitchen we went. But first 

Penny pulled out her 1960's High School cook 

book (courtesy of Betty Crocker) and that 

recipe was exactly like they made on 'Americas

Test Kitchen'.

Here is the recipe. Hope you enjoy it. It is 

super easy and makes five dozen delights.

SNICKERDOODLES

½ CUP SOFT SHORTENING

½ CUP SOFT BUTTER (ROOM TEMPERATURE, NOT MELTED)

1 ½ CUPS SUGAR

2 EGGS

2 ¾ CUPS FLOUR

2 TSP CREAM OF TARTER

1 TSP BAKING SODA

¼ TSP SALT

GATHER UP THE INGREDIENTS

HEAT OVEN TO 400 DEGREES. MIX SHORTENING, BUTTER, SUGAR AND EGGS THOROUGHLY.

MEASURE FLOUR BY DIP LEVEL POUR METHOD. (IN OTHER WORDS, MAKE IT LEVEL IN THE MEASURING CUP)

STIR ALL THE INGREDIENTS IN MIXER.

IN A BOWL, MIX 4 TBSP OF SUGAR AND 4 TSP OF CINNAMON. YAY, CINNAMON !!!

ROLL INTO BALLS THE SIZE OF WALNUTS ( 16 GRAMS)

HANDY DANDY WEIGHING MACHINE

ROLL THE BALL IN THE CINNAMON/SUGAR MIXTURE (YOU MIGHT WANT TO MAKE EXTRA – YOU CAN PUT IT ON TOAST IN THE MORNING)

PLACE ON COOKIE SHEET ABOUT 2 INCHES APART (MAKE SURE YOU PUT PARCHMENT PAPER ON THE SHEET !)

BAKE 8 TO 10 MINUTES, TURNING THE SHEET 180 DEGREES AFTER 4 MIN

Remove from the sheet and place on a rack to cool.

Don't worry if they are a bit 'puffy' in the middle. They will flatten out just fine when they cool.

You do not have to share. You made em! You eat em!

OVEN POT ROAST WITH GRAVY

OK, 'BEEF LOVERS' get ready for the best damn thing ever !!

      I love Meat, but just a bit more than Potatoes. Add some Gravy and I am ready to fall in love !!!

      So far, this is the best thing I have ever made. But it does have a bit of a back story.

      Growing up, I had a mother who insisted that both her boys learn how to make a 'simple' meal, do some laundry without turning everything pink, AND sew on a button or two. I always thought that was silly but it did serve me well during my single years.

      Yeah, I can sew on a button or two, (I also know where the department stores are.) I started doing my own laundry at fifteen.      

     And holding down two jobs and going to college, I learned how to make simple meals. And how to eat fast!!

     Pot Roast has been one of my 'go to' meals over the years. But this recipe (with a bit of help from the better half) really knocked my SOCKS off. And Penny's as well.

      This is a great weekend meal. You can put it together during half time, enjoy your favorite team, and have a feast afterward. Or you can go outside and play with the dog.

OK, CUTE DOG PICTURE

AAAHH, Isn't he the cutest damn thing you ever saw ?

So, as the comedian says, “LET'S GET ER DONE”

INGREDIENTS

3 LB POT ROAST

12 MEDIUM SIZE RED POTATOES (Cut in half)

1 LARGE ONION (Cut into 4 pieces)

4 OR 5 CARROTS (Cut into 3 inches each)

1 CUP OF CHICKEN BROTH (you did make that earlier recipe, right ?)

2 TABLESPOONS WONDRA FLOUR per each cup of juice.

1/3 CUP WATER

Cut potatoes in half

Pre heat oven to 350.

     First things first. Open a beer.

     Prepare your veggies as listed above.

 

     In a large cast iron pot, add a bit of oil and brown the meat on all four sides. Add some salt & pepper

      When nice and brown, remove meat. Add all the veggies, salt & pepper, then place meat ON TOP of the added veggies.

      Pour the broth over the meat

      Cover pot and cook for one hour. Go to the work shop, go outside or enjoy the game. Have another beer. It's your call.

     I am going to go play with President Grover Cleveland.

Looks like he is having a presidential nap. Oh well, guess I'll watch the game instead.

     OK, It's been an hour and I'm back. Gators lost again so I guess I need to turn the roast over.

      Remove the top and cook for another hour.

      Didn't I tell you this was easy, Jeez, why in the hell would you go out to eat?

     

      Check temp. When 170 degrees remove the meat. Put on a platter and cover with foil.

      Place veggies in a bowl and cover with foil.

GRAVY

      Using a strainer, strain the remaining juice into a small pan. Place on burner and bring to a boil.

      

     Add Wondra Flour into a jar, along with 1/3 cup water. Shake to mix.

 

      Add this mixture to the boiling juice from the roast. Stir, stir, stir. Add pepper.

      Cut the meat, cover with gravy and enjoy.

     Only thing missing is you.....

 

Doesn't that look great !!!!!! 

ENJOY FRIENDS