Hear ye! Hear ye! Come one, come all to the GA Renaissance Festival

Hey Amber Chase Apartments! The GA Renaissance Festival continues this weekend! Take a trip back in time to a land where Kings ruled, Jesters entertained, and the food was bountiful!

For those of you who’ve never been, the multi-acre “kingdom” is a re-creation of a 16th-Century European Country Faire where you can shop, eat and revel with a cast of nearly 1,000 colorfully costumed characters . Ten stages of music and comedy shows are set against a permanent backdrop of Tudor homes and enchanting cottages!

If food is one of the main reasons that you go to the festival, you’re in luck this weekend! All individual food items are $5 or less! That’s good eating!

So don your Medieval finery and take the 40 minute drive out to Fairburn! You’ll be glad you did!

Most Amazing Pancakes EVER!

And I’m not talking taste wise! I’m talking the sheer construction of this favorite breakfast food! (Well, it’s certainly MY favorite. )

Jim Belosic has come up with some truly ingenious ways of transforming the original circular shape of a pancake and making it a work of art. From hamburgers, to sushi, to a Ferris Wheel, to the Golden Gate Bridge, Jim puts a lot of creativity and love into his creations. And his three year old daughter loves them!

Check out Jim’s creations!

Do you like to have different varieties of pancakes or are you all about the classic style?

Photo credit: Jim’s Pancakes

PJ’s Café

All I can say is that the Blackened Tilapia is amazing! I’ve only been here once, but I will definitely go again. The restaurant has a very refreshing feel; in the midst of a host of other national chain restaurants, it’s a welcome change. The parking stinks, but most parking around the square isn’t all that hot. Either way, whether you’re a local, or just stopping through on business, I’d recommend PJ’s Café on Macon St. Can’t go wrong with a classic.

Have you ever eaten at PJ’s?

Recipe of the Week: Inside-Out Cheeseburgers

Hi Amber Chase! Do you enjoy a good burger every now and then? I do. But instead of heading to your local fast food eatery, why not try making something yourself. Burgers are usually always easy to make. The only downfall can be the cheese. It melts right off! But, why not make it with the cheese INSIDE so you can enjoy all of the melty goodness? Try this on for size!

Inside-Out Cheeseburgers

Ingredients:

• 1/4 cup(s) shredded Cheddar cheese
• 1/4 cup(s) shredded Gruyère cheese
• 1 pound(s) 90%-lean ground beef
• 1 tablespoon(s) Worcestershire sauce
• 1 1/2 teaspoon(s) paprika
• 1/4 teaspoon(s) freshly ground pepper

Directions:

• Preheat grill to medium-high or preheat the broiler.
• Combine Cheddar and Gruyère in a small bowl.
• Gently mix beef, Worcestershire, paprika and pepper in a large bowl, preferably with your hands, without overworking. Shape into 8 thin, 4-inch-wide patties. Mound 2 tablespoons of the cheese mixture on each of 4 patties, leaving a 1/2-inch border. Cover each with one of the remaining patties. Crimp and seal the edges closed.
• To grill: Lightly oil the grill rack. Grill the stuffed patties over medium-high heat, about 4 minutes per side for medium-well. (Be sure not to press the burgers as they cook or they’ll split open and the cheese will ooze out.) To broil: Cover a broiler pan with foil and coat with cooking spray. Broil the stuffed patties in the upper third of the oven, about 4 minutes per side for medium-well. In either case, let the burgers stand for 5 minutes before serving.

Enjoy!

Recipe of the Week: Shrimp with Basil and Fresh Tomatoes

Hey Amber Chase! Looking for something new to cook up for dinner tonight? Try this on for size!

Ingredients:

# 2 ounces fresh or frozen peeled and deveined medium shrimp
# 1 tablespoon cooking oil
# 1 large onion, chopped (1 cup)
# 2 cloves garlic, minced
# 2 cups chopped, plum or common tomatoes
# 2 tablespoons snipped fresh basil or 1 teaspoon dried basil, crushed
# 1 tablespoon drained capers (optional)
# 1/2 teaspoon salt
# 1/8 teaspoon pepper
# 8 ounces spaghetti or other pasta, cooked and drained
# 1/4 cup finely shredded Parmesan cheese
# Fresh basil leaves (optional)

Directions

# Thaw shrimp, if frozen. Set aside.

# Pour cooking oil into a wok or large skillet. (Add more oil as necessary during cooking.) Preheat over medium-high heat. Stir-fry onion and garlic in hot oil for 2 minutes or until onions are crisp-tender. Remove onion mixture from the wok.

Here’s the rest!

The New Recipe Is A Hit

Domino’s Pizza is changing the way they make their pizza. Apparently, ranking at the bottom of pizza chains based on taste hit home for Domino’s. They are changing their recipe in all aspects and the new recipe took affect late December.

I tasted the new recipe before I even saw the new commercial or announcement and I knew there was something going on.  The new recipe is so good and I really encourage you to try it.

Will you try the new pizza?