Let's Eat ~ Sakura

 

   

     When we ask the kids what they want to eat for dinner, if we give them option to eat out, the choice is usually between two spots.  Sakura is one of those spots my whole family enjoys dining at.  Sakura is a relatively new restaurant to the Sulphur Springs area.  They feature sushi and hibachi style meals.  There is something for everyone in our group to choose from, and the portions usually work out that no one goes home hungry.  They manage to satisfy the voracious appetite of the 16 year old.  

    We dropped in for lunch late this past week and were not disappointed at all by our service, or food.  Since my group was smaller we did order a little more food so that we could show a wider variety for this column.  

    We started our lunch off with some appetizer, spring rolls and fried stuffed avocado.  You can never go wrong with a stuffed avocado.  The creamy texture of the avocado, filled with crab and then fried.  Who could ask for a better combination.  Their spring rolls are also fried, with a crispy outer shell and filled with a good mix of vegetables and pork. 

    Each visit to any sushi style restaurant we always order a seaweed salad.  The tangy flavor mixed with the subtle sesame flavor make for a great combination.  Even the kids will chow down on this dish, so we usually pick up a few so everyone can share.  

    We ordered a couple of rolls for our main course and a bento box the the oldest since he eat so much food, he needed that extra bit the box provides.  With just the three of us, we almost had too much food but we managed to make it all disappear.  Those boys mush have been hungry. 

    If you have not yet managed to make it into Sakura, be sure to check them out.  You can order online and go in to pick up your order.  They have a good amount of seating inside for your group big or small.  They also carry a selection of wine and bottled beer to drink as well.  

    We hope you will stop in soon to visit this great, local find and enjoy a meal other than Tex-Mex.  Sayounara! 

Travel East Texas ~ Eastern Kentucky

    

The kids atop Natural Bridge

     I know you might be thinking wait a minute I thought this was going to be about Texas.  I decided to change things up for this week and give a little recap on our adventure to Eastern Kentucky.  My husband has three sisters, two of which have children and we all gathered together over the Fourth of July holiday for a family vacation in the Red River Gorge area of Kentucky.  

natural bridge

    We had so much fun as a family, that I will highly recommend you plan a trip with your family to the area.  There is so much to see and do that you could stay busy your entire trip.  First off we stayed with the Red River Gorge cabin rentals. We chose to rent two cabins and split up the cousins, boys and girls.  This worked out prefect for our crew.  Be sure to read reviews before you rent, on Travelocity or Google to make sure your cabin will feature everything you are looking for.  

    One of our cabins was positioned above a small pond, which was great for the boys.  They fished, canoed, and swam in the pond when we were "home."  They loved it!  The pond made the trip so much more enjoyable for the kids.  

Rhododendron flower

      Each day we were away, we hiked one of the many trails available to hike.  The area is filled with native trees, plants and wildlife.  Since the area is formed around natural springs and rivers, there are rock formations that are pretty cool to behold.  Many natural bridges, caves and stone steps, can be found along different trails.  These stone arches are different than what you might find in Moab or Zion, since they are surrounded by forest, and not desert.  But they are just as beautiful to explore. 

In the Limestone mine

    We splurged on a group kayak tour in the underground, limestone quarry that filled with water when mine workers bored into an underground spring.  Kayaking around the abandoned and filled mine was a great experience.  Our guides were marginally entertaining but worth the experience.  The kayak company placed rainbow trout in the water to amaze the guests.  They also have certain areas of the mine lit underwater for guests to see just how deep the water is and so the trout would not go blind.  Be sure to grab a hoodie or pull over before hitting the water, since the mine stays a cool 55 degrees all year round.  

    If you don't want to be under ground you can also zip line through the gorge and see the forest from the sky.  Our cabin company provided a coupon code for both the zip line and the underground kayak tour, so be sure to look for those discounts where you can find them.  Both are amazing experiences, you just have to decide one or both.  

Hickory Tree Leaves

    We really enjoyed the Kentucky wilderness.  All of the trails we hiked were easy to follow and entertaining to walk.  I think besides the height and grandeur of the natural bridges, the kids really enjoyed our hike to Creation Falls.  The 1.5 mile loop, was the perfect distance to hike and the kids had a blast playing in the water.  The water was great!  Nice and cold, and moving at a pretty good pace.  They had recently had some rain which made the river flow faster.  This hike is worth the trip.  We packed a lunch and made a day of it on this trail.  

Creation Falls

    Overall if you are looking for a little outdoor family adventure, be sure to check out Eastern Kentucky.  The drive is worth the trip for a few days in the hills, exploring and hiking.  Be sure to check your hike guide to make sure everyone in your group can make the trek. Our easiest hike by far was Chimney Top.  This hike had little to no elevation change and was mostly paved.  This was in no way a drawback from the beautiful sight when we arrived at the end of the trail.  We would all go back again! 

This is the view of where we stood on Chimney Top

This is us at Chimney Top

Herb Infused Cocktail ~ Strawberry Basil Lemonade

    

     This month we wanted to feature a drink that brought out a bit of the American spirit.  What shows that more than a Lemonade.  This light and easy summer drink can be made for one or twenty.  So grab your friends and blend it up, everyone is sure to like this cocktail.

    You can customize your drink to fit your taste.  How you make your lemonade will determine how your drink is flavored for you.  We like our homemade lemonade to be a little bit more tart than sweet, so we add a little less sugar than maybe you would like.  Customize your drink to your tastes, we give you the starting points and you can work from there.

    If you enjoy the taste of strawberries, add a few more to your drink to really bring out the flavor.  It is pretty easy to make it what you want for you and your guests.  The simplicity is the best part of this drink, but the flavor and easy of creation, it a crowd favorite.

Strawberry Basil Lemonade

3 Lemons

1/4 cup sugar

1 cup warm water

4 strawberries

1/8 cup fresh basil

2 ounces Vodka

    Squeeze your lemons directly into a pitcher or blender.  Add in the sugar and warm water.  Stir till the sugar is dissolved.  Add in the strawberries, basil and vodka.  Mix until everything is well blended.  Pour over a sugar rimmed glass of ice for a added touch.  Garnish with a small strawberry, and basil.  Or a small slice of lemon and basil.  Enjoy with friends responsibly.  

    I felt liked we over blended ours, I should have stopped a little sooner.  The use of an immersion blender could also help reduce the "foam," but I really wanted to have that basil broken up.  Although I was disappointed with the froth at the top of the cup.  I should have strained it better to get a prettier cup, but did not think of that until later.  Either way the drink was smooth and refreshing.  You could not really taste the vodka in this drink, so you know it was a good mix.  

    As always, you can make it a mocktail, by eliminating the vodka and just using the above ingredients for your strawberry lemonade.  I would say, this recipe could easily make for two people so make your adjustments for the number of people and enjoy!  Always have a designated driver.  Cheers! 

July Happenings

Let's Eat ~ San Remo

     We are excited that San Remo is back in town and located in their new downtown location on Connally Street, 226 Connally Street to be exact.  They are open Tuesday through Sunday, ready to serve you and your family. This family run restaurant is a great addition to the Sulphur Springs dining options.  San Remo has a varied menu for your group and a good selection of wine or beer to choose from.  Don't forget about a cocktail to start off your dinner along with an appetizer.

    One of our favorite appetizers is the Caprese salad.  They have elevated this dish into something unique to their restaurant and sliced out a large tomato and stuffed it with mozzarella cheese and drizzled with  balsamic, olive oil and shredded basil.  

    We also enjoy the Dela Nona salad, shared as a group or as a meal on its own.  The salad is bursting with flavors, that will make your taste buds sing.  Just the right amount of dressing brings out the best in this dish and is sure to satisfy.

    You can never go wrong with the Malanzane Parmigiana, or egg plant parmesan, or Pollo Parmigiana, chicken parmesan, they are two great, standard Italian dishes that will leave you full.  Both are substantial portions, that you might want to take some home.  

    All of the pasta dishes are worth a taste, so you can keep coming back to try and find your favorite.  This time we tried the Verde and the Puntanesca.  Both were delicious and satisfying to enjoy.  Come and bring your friends, family and guests, to enjoy this local treat.  You will not be disappointed with your meal.

Travel East Texas ~ Paris

 

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    About forty minutes north of Sulphur Springs, is the city of Paris, Texas.  We made the journey north to check out their downtown and of course visit the "Texas Eifel Tower."  We made a few stops around the downtown area to check out what shops to venture into and what kind of food offerings they have for visitors.  

    Downtown Paris has a good variety of shops to choose from when visiting.  Antique shops, Olive Paris, an Art and Wine shop, along with a grouping of boutiques.  The length of your stay can depend upon how much you want to explore and what you are looking for in your treasure hunt.  The antique shops we stopped into are delineated into vendor booths, so an assortment of items can be found, if you have the time to look and browse for that special item.  

    Olive Paris, is a great stop to consider to find artesian olive oils and balsamic vinegars.  You can taste before you buy so you are able to find exactly what you want and for what dish you want to cook up.  They also have a range of items for the bar b que master in your family.  With Father's Day rapidly approaching a great gift can be found here.

    Tresors de Paris, is a unique stop, with art, wine, craft beer and of course bar b que items in store.  Their creativity in combining multiple different ways to attract a customer helps to bring in men and women alike who walk away with a package.

   
    We caught  Paris Bakery in the middle of transition from breakfast to lunch.  Prepared lunch sandwiches went into the bakery case as we were leaving after enjoying a cinnamon roll.  No coffee today but I'm sure their coffee would be worth the trip, I noticed a familiar coffee vendor, Addison Roasters, on one of the air pods for drip coffee.  

    We dropped into 107 to see what their menu looked like for a possible consideration for lunch.  While entirely indoors, they have brought the outside in, by creating a space more like an open patio, with clear roofing to give you that feeling of being outside while still remaining cool in the Texas heat.  Their menu had a lot of great options, for everyone, so bring your group and pull up a chair.  

    We did end up eat at Jaxx Gourmet Burgers, I know what you are thinking, why would you make that choice?  They had a portobello mushroom salad on the menu, no change or questions necessary for me to order, and my companion found a choice for himself, that he loved how they cooked, even if the portion was a little on the lite side.  They are obvisouly known for their burgers, stop in if that's the way you want to go.  We loved how they "framed" the t-shirts on the wall, with t-shirt frames, it added a quirky touch to the décor that guests will not soon forget.  

    The central part of the square is a green space, with a fountain in the middle, where people can meet to enjoy a visit, listen to concerts, or check out the farmers market.  The community theater is also downtown on the corner, and open for the season.  Be sure to check out their schedule to see what is coming up next.

    A trip to Paris, would not be complete without a visit to the "Texas Eifel Tower."  The tower is topped with a red cowboy hat and is located by the Veterans Memorial and Love Civic Center.  Be sure to make the stop, not only for the tower but to see and experience the memorial.  The Veterans Memorial is unique tribute to those who have served from Lamar County.  

    Until next time I hope you can find your way to Paris, and find a new treasure or two to bring home.  If nothing else, enjoy some good food and exploration with friends and family. 

Herb Infused Cocktail ~ Citrus Basil Margarita

 

    This month for our herb infused cocktail series we are featuring basil.  We currently have four kinds of basil in our garden and each one produces a different flavor to this wonderful herb.  We love to use it is summer dishes, that are cooked as well as those that use the herb raw.  For this this drink we chose two of the varieties to muddle in our mix.

    Basil has been used in the past to help ease stomach issues but the most common use of basil is to make pesto.  Pesto is such a delicious condiment for food use, that while in season you could hardly make enough.  Although it can be time consuming to make pesto, the end result is worth the wait.

    Today we are not making pesto but rather a citrus basil margarita.  Who does not like to make a Margarita to help cool down on those warm summer nights? 

Citrus Basil Margarita

8-10 Basil leaves, muddled

1 medium Lemon

1/2 Lime

1 oz. Tequila

1 oz. Simple Syrup

    Place your basil leaves in the bottom of your shaker cup.  Muddled them quite a bit to release the oils and flavors from the basil.  Squeeze in your lemon and lime.  Add in the Tequila and simple syrup.  Top it off with ice.  Shake until the container is frosted.  Strain  your liquid into a salt rimmed glass.  Garnish with basil and lime.  Enjoy!

    

    As usual if you want to make your own simple syrup, we recommend making it was some basil as well to really bring out the flavor of the basil in the drink.  We love basil so that is what we did when we made this drink.

    We hope that you enjoy this version of a margarita, so simple and refreshing.  If you want to make it a mocktail, just add more lemon and lime, and withhold the tequila.  Enjoy responsibly and always select a designated driver.  Cheers from the Oaks bed and breakfast!