The Viking and his Queen

It's cold outside so that means soups stews and chowders are on the menu. So I wanted to share one of my favorites. Perfect for a cold night and the days of leftovers! I made a shrimp mussels and lobster but you can take this base and add what ever you want to it and make it your own.  Seafood Chowder 1 onion chopped 4 stalks of celery chopped 2 large carrots chopped  1-2 cups of potatoes (as little or much as you want) chopped  1 cup of corn (I use frozen) Salt to taste  Pepper to taste Red pepper to taste 2-3 teaspoons of butter 2-3 tablespoons of flour  In you pan sauté the veggies in a little oil till tender you will want to add the potatoes last cause they need to be more firm before you add the liquid  Once they are cooked add the flour and coat them let it cook for a minute or so then add the butter this will aid as your thickener  1 bottle of white wine (use what you drink) I like to use something drier but what ever you like just no White Zin or Riesling to sweet!  4 cups

So this week started demo in our new place. I am so excited to be able to expand in to a new space. The electrician is going to love me by the time we are done.  Breaking out of the traditional set up of a home and kitchen the space is going to be open with lots of sun! I'm asking for all kinds of plugs in places that as cools we wish we had. And a bathroom w a blue tooth speaker (why not) everyone like music in the bathroom.  I will be posting pictures and videos and even a few love events on periscope.  This weeks food blog will be about leftovers, I had a great convo today while getting my car fix and it inspired me.  Keep eating. I'll keep writing.  

As some of you know the BrokenMeatball is moving in a few short months. Now for some of you this will change nothing about our relationship, however, some of you will have to come to the new and improved set up for your dinning and entertaining wants! Over the next few weeks I will be writing and posting pictures and videos of all the excitement. I hope you not only follow our journey but enjoy the fun as well! Happy eats!  The Viking finding strait wood for the deck!  The rug I know not to do with in our soon to be living room. 

Celebrating any special occasion calls for a night out! And this night was no different from any others!  The Viking and I have been together for a year. And almost that whole time I've been talking about how I want to eat at 4th and Swift. So he made it happen.  He made reservations for the two of us on a Sunday night, if I haven't given this tip before. Go to your favorite places on Sunday's the restaurant is quiet the service is always great and more often than not you get to met the chef. They aren't as busy and have the ability to walk the floor!  We start with a couple of house cocktails, one with a twist on a classic and a martini that was infused w beets. The Viking didn't like that one so I drank it. No problems there.  We then had a couple of appetizers as always if you have octopus on your menu I will order. So we did. And some artesian meats. So tasty!  I decided on the duck lets just say this is a must try. Juicy served medium with spring veggies it was

Not sure if you are up on the latest reality shows but our little wine bar in Dunwoody D'Vine was on Real Housewives of Atlanta this week. I screamed like a little girl when I saw Bob the owner and his staff in the bar.  A little background on D'Vine, it's been a staple in Dunwoody for several years  it has an outdoor patio that allows smoking (hard to find now a days).  A large bar inside with plenty of hightops for seating w groups. There are two side rooms for large  parties one with its own bar.  On occasion they have tastings in the rooms. We went to one for Saki, we had several tastes from all over the country. The speaker had lots of knowledge and made it a lot of fun!  The bar itself has a large selection of wines that do change and rotate often. And a menu that changes 3-4 times a year with a few regulars that will never leave like the crab cakes and margarita pizza.  As some of you may know by now I've been dating Derek the Viking. Not his real name but if you

When I was a little girl (ok I've never been little lol smaller and younger) my Grammy and Granddad made Chicken n Dumplings. I loved them! Homemade and warm to the soul!  I was visiting my grand rents a few weeks ago and I got my hands on the recipe! Woohoo! So I thought why not take the recipe and make it mine!  Here is the recipe:  2 cups of biscuit mix (boxed anyone you like)  Cut in 2/3 cup of shorting  1 cup of liquid (milk, buttermilk, or water)  Salt and pepper just a pinch.  Chop and add fresh tarragon and parsley  Mix together **If the mix is sticky as a little flour a tea spoon at a time till not sticky or wet  **If to dry add a little more liquid  Set aside and grab some wax paper and flour  Flour the wax paper and place dough on it Roll out till thin as thin as you can go Cut pieces about and inch wide I use a pizza cutter it's easier for me  In a large pot take about 6-8 cups of chicken stock  and bring to a boil gently add the dumplings to the boil ing stock 1 pi

During the holiday season Derek and I decided to go back to JCT. We have been there before dinner and drinks for my birthday which was great!  Sunday Supper is a great idea the JCT does. A course menu for under $30. It's such a great idea! First things first, make a reservation while you can sit at the bar for dinner table side service is very nice and there is always a long wait! So please make a  reservation!  Second, get there early. This helps with two items one it's nice for the staff to have you checked in ahead of time for seating rotation. Two you can sit at the bar and get a craft cocktail from one of the knowledgeable bartenders.  So we sit down and order our meal. Everyone starts with homemade biscuits and jam. And a course of devil eggs. Our biscuits came out late due to running out (they are that good) and the first round of the biscuits where over cooked but replaced quickly! The eggs are fantastic all what you need and just like moms only a lot better! Don't

Living in Atlanta does offer the ability to travel to many of the South's great cities by car. A few hours in a car with friends and you can have a mini vacation without the stress of the airport.  My friends and I decided to take some time and drive up to Nashville, is under 4 hours from us and the group was split between the 'been there before' and the 'my first time'. First, we rented a big dang truck! Large suitcases and all! Bluetooth the phone for all the music needs of the group and off we went!  We landed in Nashville early enough to drop the bags make a change and get off to dinner! We started the night at Tavern. A local place with a fresh menu and a large selection of craft beer and cocktails.  Not bad prices a little high however the sever was excellent! We then headed out in to the bars. There are several within walking distance of our hotel. We stayed near Broadway and Division so lots to walk to. Sliders had live music cheap beer and great service. Th