Hey, y’all! Tomorrow, May 16th, is #NationalBBQDay — if that ain’t a reason to celebrate, I’ve never heard of one!
While there is a plethora of BBQ in the city, I urge you to visit my friends at Porkland BBQ. Located in the Portland Neighborhood in the West End, Porkland is a destination in and of itself. The restaurant is very large and is the perfect place to meet friends, eat with family, and enjoy community.
Housed on 26th and St. Cecilia, Porkland started as a Friday Fish Fry. The crowds proved that they were on to something, for each fish fry proved to be a bigger success than the last! The original fish now resides on the daily menu at Porkland and I’m definitely ordering it on my next visit — from what I’ve heard, it’s Write Your MeeMaw Good!
At Porkland, you’ll find all of your favorites — pulled pork, pulled chicken, round steak, rib tips, macaroni and cheese, potato salad, and more. The portions are hearty and the price point is low; I know you’ll be pleased!
Other highlights of the menu include the “Churched Up Tater Tots”, which features deep-fried tater tots smothered in nacho cheese, pulled pork or chicken, and sautéed onions; oh, and they have a Louisville classic – rolled oysters!
Rolled oysters are one of my absolute favorite foods – and to be honest, they are hard to find! Porkland’s take on the dish garnered two thumbs up from me!
So, you want delicious food — that in and of itself should be enough to make you want to visit my friends at Porkland BBQ. That said, there’s more — it’s a restaurant with a mission!
All proceeds go back into the Portland Community, as the restaurant is a part of local nonprofit Love City Inc. I got to sit down and have lunch with one of the owners during my visit and the passion and hard work that goes into Portland was palpable. It was inspiring!
They claim to be a restaurant for the community by the community – and y’all, I can assure you that they stand up to their words.
Visit Porkland BBQ:
2519 St Cecilia St, Louisville, KY 40212
…and be sure to tell them that I sent ya!
As always: Happy Eating, Happy Traveling, Happy Living!
Y’all come back now, ya hear?
My best,
JC
FTC: This is not a commissioned post; as always, all expressed opinions are my own.
Conveniently tucked off of I65 just outside of Louisville, Elizabethtown is a true Kentucky gem. From a downtown brimmin’ and bustlin’ with business, to fantastic food, to boutiques that will keep even the most avid shoppers appeased, to state of the art public parks and facilities — Elizabethtown is chock-full of possibilities!
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The Perfect Day In Elizabethtown:
Start your day by grabbing a drink at Vibe Coffee; afterwards, head over and visit my friends at the Swanky Shoppe. Located downtown, this is the boutique for any southern belle (and a few gifts for the gents in your life, as well!).
From iconic Draper James, to Vineyard Vines, to Julie Brown, to Sail to Sable, to a variety of purses, accessories, and jewelry — you won’t leave the Swanky Shoppe empty-handed.
I left with a needlepoint key fob from Smathers & Branson + a pair of croakies from Fripp & Folly. Needless to say, the ladies at the Swanky Shoppe took good care of this southern boy!
Visit the Swanky Shoppe:
112 Plum Alley, Elizabethtown, KY 42701
The Historic State Theater Complex is an institution in Downtown Elizabethtown. From movies, to concerts, to local events, there are a plethora of ways to catch a show in the historic theater. Having originally opened its doors in 1942, the history perpetuates into the lives of modern day Elizabethtown residents.
Visit the Historic State Theater Complex:
209 W. Dixie Ave., Elizabethtown, KY 42701
My favorite store that I visited, hands down, was Denizen. Granted, I might be a little biased — my home is filled to the brim with house plants.
Upon walking in, you’ll notice the shop’s hip, urban feel; however, it’s located in cozy Elizabethtown, giving shoppers the best of both worlds.
Denizen is owned and operated by two sisters, Olivia and Catherine, who are passionate about filling homes and communities with beauty.
You’ll leave this shop inspired to fill your home with life — and it should go without saying that I left with a bag or two!
Visit Denizen:
331 E Dixie Ave., Elizabethtown, KY 42701
Another favorite boutique of mine was Rainent + Boon. The space is light, airy, and very easy to navigate. I would define this as the true boutique experience — a great selection, yet limited quantities on the racks. It’s the perfect place to find an outfit that no one else will have, which fits well with their trendy, eclectic aesthetic. Don’t miss this gorgeous boutique — they carry both straight and plus sizes!
Visit Raiment + Boon:
109 E Dixie Ave., Elizabethtown, KY
The athletic type? Don’t skip over the facilities at the Elizabethtown Sports Park. I would argue that this is the nicest sports park facility that I have seen in Kentucky.
In the park, you’ll find 12 soccer/lacrosse/field hockey natural turf fields, 3 quads for baseball/softball/fast pitch, 2 champtionship fields with synthetic turf, 3 expansive pavilions, meeting rooms, stadium lawn seating, and so much more!
All communities would greatly benefit from having a facility of this caliber — Elizabethtown is certainly better because of it.
Visit Elizabethtown Sports Park:
1401 West Park Rd., Elizabethtown, KY 42701
Are you looking for a photo opportunity to commemorate your trip? There are so many in Downtown Elizabethtown. Around each corner, you’ll find a new place to strike a pose – and when you do, don’t forget to tag the photo with #TourEtown!
Love history? Look no further than the Brown-Pusey House, which was built in 1825 by John Y. Hill. This stately property was – for many years – the Hill House, a boarding house operated by “Aunt Beck” Hill. Among the guests at the Hill House were General George Armstrong Custer and his wife, Elizabeth.
The Brown-Pusey House now serves the community in many ways, just as it was envisioned by its grantors. The Georgian mansion houses the Pusey Room Museum, a genealogical library, and meeting rooms for private and public functions. There is also a beautifully maintained garden in the back that is not to be overlooked!
Visit The Brown-Pusey House:
128 N. Main St., Elizabethtown, KY 42701
Also in town is beautiful Freeman Lake Park, which is a lakeside park with many activities! The perfect place to walk, it’s also a delight for outdoor sports lovers — you can rent kayaks, rowboats, and peddle boats for $5/hour. I’ve even seen an Alan Jackson concert on the property!
It’s a serene asset for the city — and one that I immensely enjoy visiting!
Visit Freeman Lake Park:
Blue Heron Way, Elizabethtown, KY 42701.
Can’t make it to Washington DC, yet have the desire to pay your respects at the Vietnam Veteran’s Memorial? There is an 80 percent scale replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall located in Elizabethtown!
On par with the experience of visiting the original, it is very serene and emotional; that said, it is very important to pay respects to those that fought – and lost their lives – for our freedoms.
Visit the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall:
1900 Ring Rd. East, Elizabethtown, KY 42701
I’m sure you’ll work up an appetite while spending a packed day in Elizabethtown. Fill up at one of the restaurants listed in my Culinary Exploration blog post, or if you want to take a step back into time, visit my friends at Reuben’s Deli.
From the checkerboard floors, to the vintage memorabilia, this is not your average deli. You’ll find regional favorites like Ski, delicious sandwiches, and speciality items, such as their crunchy, seasoned pork rinds.
The pasta salad is also delicious!
Visit Reuben’s Deli:
311 Cardinal Dr., Elizabethtown, KY 42701
Are you in your car en route to visit Elizabethtown, KY? If you aren’t, what’s holdin’ you back, my friend?
There’s so much to do, see, and eat in town — you’ll leave with precious memories, a full stomach, and the desire to come back as soon as possible… I promise you that!
As always: Happy Eating, Happy Traveling, Happy Living!
Y’all come back now, ya hear?
My best,
JC
FTC: This is a sponsored post; all expressed opinions, however, are my own.
This post is sponsored by Happy Egg Co; all opinions are my own.
Hey, y’all!
The weather is warmin’ up here in the Commonwealth of Kentucky — can I get a “Hallelujah!”? As temperatures begin to rise, my outdoor activity schedule simultaneously increases. For those of you that do not know, I am a life-long golfer. I can’t remember a time, after I learned to walk, that I haven’t had a golf club in hand. Golf has always been a constant in my life — no matter what is going on, I can leave it all on the course. That, to me, means everything.
When golf season comes around, I become hyperaware of my level of physical activity, fitness, and the need for a healthy lifestyle. We are, in effect, what we put in our body. For this reason, I often rely on superfoods that energize me, keep me going throughout the day and my activity, and satiate my appetite. That has always, in my life, meant one thing: eggs.
Eggs are, by and large, one of the most nutritious foods on the market — and Happy Egg leads the pack. They are high in protein, while also containing Vitamins B2, D, B6, B12, along with Zinc, Iron, and Copper. On top of that, Happy Eggs are organic and farmed in an authentic way; this makes them both healthier and more delicious. With one bite, you’ll know what I’m talking about, y’all.
As someone that comes from a family with a farming background, I try to be very conscientious in how I source my food. When you purchase a Happy Egg, you are receiving a product from a small, family-owned and operated farm in Missouri or Arkansas. Their promise is that their eggs are the Free-est of Free Range™ — each farm has over eight acres of outdoor access for hens to forage freely each and every day. How fantastic is that?
However, I haven’t touched on my favorite part about Happy Eggs — preparing them is quick and easy! They are the perfect snack for me, whether it be for breakfast or when I am heading out of the house to play 18 (or 36, let’s be honest) holes at the country club. When I buy a carton of Happy Eggs (look for the bright yellow carton, it’s hard to miss!), I often boil them because hard-boiled eggs can be utilized in a multitude of ways: on salads, with deviled eggs, and among other options, eaten by themselves.
My favorite way to eat them on the go is on top of avocado toast. It’s easy to grab and to devour — which, I especially appreciate when in the car!
Avocado English Muffins + Hard-Boiled Happy Eggs
To get the perfect hard-boiled eggs:
Place eggs in a pot, fully covered by cold water.
Bring the water to a rolling boil and remove from heat.
Allow eggs to cook for 20 minutes.
Drain water and peel; note: this can be done in advance!
Toast the English Muffin and allow to cool for ease in handling.
Liberally smear the avocado on either side, fully covering the muffin.
Place sliced Happy Eggs on top of the avocado smear.
Drizzle with hot sauce and your favorite seasoning. I love to use Everything But The Bagel Seasoning, though salt and pepper will also serve you well.
There’s no better way to fuel a round of golf than with this recipe. It’s all in the Happy Eggs: they keep me energized, stimulated, and active. Which, in my world, hopefully means more pars and birdies — and less bogeys.
If you are in the Louisville area, you find them at Meijer (look for the iconic yellow packaging!); otherwise, use the store locator to find the closest Happy Eggs retailer to you! Happy Eggs can be purchased in two varieties: the Free-est of the Free Range™ and the Organic Free-est of the Free Range™. Be sure to follow @happyeggcousa on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, and Pinterest!
As always: Happy Eating, Happy Traveling, Happy Living!
A popular message that I receive over on my Instagram is that individuals want to bring something homemade to a party/tailgate, yet aren’t skilled cooks. Each time I respond the same way: don’t fret! Two words: Spinach. Dip.
My spinach dip recipe is truly foolproof. It is a hit each time that I make it — in fact, I’ve never had any left by the end of an event!
Oh, and did I mention that it only has four ingredients?
I grew up eating this dip and it’s perfect for any occasion — a bridge group, a church potluck, a poolside snack — you name it.
From my kitchen to your’s, enjoy!
The World's Easiest Spinach Dip
Ingredients:
10 oz frozen spinach, cooked and drained
16 oz. sour cream
1 oz. packet of dry ranch mix
1 circular loaf of King’s Hawaiian Bread
Directions:
Cook frozen spinach according to directions on bag; drain until all juice is gone.
Combine spinach, sour cream, and dry ranch mix; stir until fully combined.
Refrigerate spinach dip.
When ready to serve, remove the top and middle parts of the King’s Hawaiian Bread. Using the center as a bowl, scoop spinach dip into the bread and use removed hunks for dipping.
Enjoy!
It doesn’t get much easier (or inexpensive!) than that, y’all!
As always: Happy Eating, Happy Traveling, Happy Living!
Y’all come back now, ya hear?
My best,
JC
FTC: This is not a sponsored post; all opinions, as always, are my own.
Upon making this burger, I had to question myself — why have I never made chimichurri in the kitchen before? I’ve had it at restaurants, sure; however, it’s simple, delicious, and immensely versatile.
An uncooked sauce used for grilled meats, chimichurri has roots in both Argentina and Uruguay. Upon tasting, you’ll predominantly get notes of parsley and garlic; both pair beautifully with a variety of dishes. It’s amazing on grilled steak, lamb chops, burgers, shrimp, salmon — you name it.
Ready to make it? It only takes a few minutes!
Homemade Chimichurri
Ingredients:
4 cloves garlic, chopped
1 bunch of parsley
1/3 c olive oil
1 tsp dried oregano
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp pepper
3 tbsp red wine vinegar
Directions:
Combine all ingredients in a food processor (or a blender) until well-combined.
Best if made in advance!
It’s about to be grilling season, y’all – and I’m certain that this will be an accompaniment to many of my future meals!
From my kitchen to yours, enjoy!
As always: Happy Eating, Happy Traveling, Happy Living!
Y’all come back now, ya hear?
My best,
JC
FTC: This is not a sponsored post; all opinions expressed, as always, are my own.
Recently over on my Instagram, I shared the winner of the 2019 Kentucky Derby Burger Competition (brought to you by the Kentucky Beef Council + held at Kroger). This year was an immense privilege because I got to be one of the judges!
Lori Poe of Montgomery County, Kentucky submitted this year’s winning burger. The Chimichurri Churchill Burger is a very interesting take on the classic — it features avocado, salsa golf, chimichurri, and is wrapped in a gorgeously browned tortilla. Simply put, it is delicious!
Full creative credit goes to Lori Poe; however, I had to share the recipe with y’all! All ingredients can be found at your local Kroger. As always, Kroger is your one-stop shop this Derby Season!
Lori Poe's Chimichurri Churchill Burger
Burger Ingredients:
2 pounds Kentucky Cattlemen’s ground beef
1 ripe avocado, sliced
1 – 1/4 cups shredded Mexican cheese
6 flour tortillas, burrito size
1 tablespoon salted butter, divided
Salsa Golf Ingredients:
2 tablespoons pimentos, drained, and patted dry
1/4 cup mayo
1- 1/2 tablespoons ketchup
All ingredients are combined in a bowl until well-mixed.
Chimichurri Sauce Ingredients:
(best if made day in advance)
4 cloves garlic
1 bunch of parsley
1/3 cup olive oil
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1 teaspoons salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
3 tablespoons red wine vinegar
Directions:
Shape beef into 1/3 pound round patties.
Place 3 patties in a skillet over medium heat, cooking for 10-12 minutes, or until 160o F.
Warm tortillas 20-30 seconds or so individually in skillet.
Add 1/2 tablespoon of butter to skillet – on medium – to melt and spread around pan.
Spread 2 teaspoons of Salsa Golf in center of tortilla and top with 2 tablespoons of shredded cheese blend.
Top this with the burger.
Spread 1 tablespoon of Chimichurri Sauce on burger and add sliced avocado
Top with 1 tablespoon of shredded cheese blend.
Fold tortilla over the top of the burger and fold it over until it is completely covered with the tortilla.
Place the tortilla, folded side down, in the buttered skillet until it is lightly browned.
Flip and brown the second side.
Enjoy!
You’ll love this recipe — and upon having a bite, you’ll realize as to why it won the competition this year!
As always: Happy Eating, Happy Traveling, Happy Living!
Y’all come back now, ya hear?
My best,
JC
FTC: This is not a sponsored post; however, as always, all opinions are my own.
I’ve made it clear that I am a big fan of the Mint Julep. Wanting to make it at home? Check out this post.
That said, there’s also a large amount of track-goers and Kentuckians that prefer the Oaks Lily®. In all honesty, I love it a lot, too!
The Lily®, which is the official drink of the Oaks (Friday at Churchill Downs), is a delicious vodka-based cocktail. It’s beautiful, too – vibrant prink – which is very fitting for the occasion. $1 from each Lily® cocktail sold on Kentucky Oaks Day is donated to Horses & Hope, which is an organization that increases breast cancer awareness, education, screening, and treatment referrals among Kentucky horse industry workers and their families.
Also, in true Elle Woods fashion, attendees of the Kentucky Oaks are encouraged to wear pink.
A fantastic cause, a fabulous day, and a delicious drink — does it get better than that?
While the Lily® tastes better at Churchill Downs, if you don’t have the chance to make it to the races this year, serve it at your Oaks party at home!
The Oaks Lily®
Ingredients:
1.5 oz Finlandia Vodka
1 oz. Lemonade
.25 oz Triple Sec
3 oz. Cranberry Juice
Blackberries
Crushed Ice
Directions:
Mix vodka, lemonade, triple sec, and cranberry juice together.
Pour over a glass of crushed ice.
Stir and enjoy (plus, if you like, add a blackberry or two into the drink)!
From my Kentucky Kitchen to yours, Happy Kentucky Derby Week!
As always: Happy Eating, Happy Traveling, Happy Living!
Y’all come back now, ya hear?
My best,
JC
FTC: This is not a sponsored post; all opinions, as always, are my own.
PS: Looking for an after party on Oaks Night? Join me in keeping the party going at the 2019 Silks Bash, benefitting Operation Open Arms,Inc.! An open bar, a fantastic band, and food — what more could you want? Oh, and it’s at beautiful Locust Grove – Historic Locust Grove, Inc.
Operation Open Arms is a private, licensed foster agency providing homes for children whose mothers are incarcerated. Their mission is to provide a loving family environment for children, preparing them to become contributing members of society, rather than following their parents into incarceration.
Won’t you join me in partying for a fantastic cause?
