Around the Table - Fairly Hungry

Come on in — you know the routine by now. Take a seat, any seat and I’ll get you something to drink. There’s a hodgepodge of things I want you to taste this week, so let’s get started ...

FOOD FOR THOUGHT
Young Chef’s Academy is sponsoring a fundraiser for Kole Miller on Nov. 19 featuring a barbeque plate with slaw, beans, bread and a dessert. Tickets are $8 and available at Young Chefs Academy, 1257 Celebration Blvd., Florence. Kole is a 4-year old student at McLaurin Elementary who was recently diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumor. He is currently being treated at St. Jude Medical Center. Funds raised will be used to defray expenses for the family. To learn more about the fundraiser and how you can help, call (843) 679-1805. Click here for updates on Kole’s condition.

APPETIZERS
Spotted: A sign for a new eatery: Steve and Donna’s Family Restaurant, located at 1719 S. Irby St., in Florence at the former site of Ebbie’s BBQ. Updates to come.

Try it: Ovis Hill Farmers Market sells fresh farm products from 4 to 7 p.m. each Thursday and 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. each Saturday in the parking lot of Naturally Outdoors, 2519 W. Palmetto St., in Florence. Aside from awesome cheeses and seasonal organic veggies, you can purchase grass-fed beef, lamb, poultry, eggs and other dairy products. You can also take a drive out to the Ovis Hill Farm Store. Check the Web site for hours of operation, directions and more.

More Diamond Dining News: Last week, I told you about how Diamond Dining/Fine Flavors of Florence, scheduled for Nov. 18 from 6 to 9 p.m. at Florence Civic Center, had kicked things up a notch to include “Florence Untapped” beer tasting and wine tasting, as well. Now organizers tell me Ultimate Gullah, a Conway-based group that promotes and sustains the Gullah culture, will be one of the featured food attractions at the event. Just one more reason to make plans to attend. Tickets are still just $30 and event presenter, Greater Florence Area Chamber of Commerce, is making sure you'll get more than your money's worth.


Recommended: Happy Heart Grill at McLeod Health & Fitness Center
My grandson, Jordan, is taking swim classes at McLeod Health & Fitness, and all that swimming works up a hunger. So as a treat, I’ve been stopping by this pleasant café to get him a yogurt and juice after his class. Last week, I decided to try some other items on their menu, which features a nice assortment of grilled fish, chicken, salads, soups, wraps, smoothies and sandwiches. I opted for the special that day: a bean burrito with lettuce, onion, salsa, avocado and rice. For a side, I ordered a fresh fruit medley. Jordan didn’t stray from his usual out-to-eat standby of chicken strips and fries. Much to my surprise, everything we ordered was quite good. My burrito was attractively plated, brimming with freshly cut pineapple, strawberries, oranges, grapes and melon. The burrito fillings were generous and wrapped in a whole wheat tortilla. Jordan’s chicken strips were fairly large and he ate every single one of them, and then helped me eat all the fruit (which was delicious). The fries, though of the frozen variety, were crispy and had a nice seasoning. The best part: I didn’t have to go home and cook dinner! The Happy Heart Grill is open weekdays for lunch and dinner, though they do serve coffee, pastries and cold items from 9 to 11 a.m. Closes at 9 p.m. Monday-Thursday, and at 3 p.m. on Friday. The public is welcome. They cater, too. Call (843) 777-3131 for hours and other info.




ENTRÉE
I had high hopes for my return to the Eastern Carolina Agricultural Fair after a 6-year hiatus. With dreams of corndogs, funnel cakes, cotton candy, candy apples, Italian sausage, cheese steak, and pizza dancing in my crowded head, I walked through the gates with a companion that was sure to keep my eating aspirations in check: a tight budget. I also had Michele and grandson Jordan in tow, so the night would be especially challenging. This self-imposed budget was part of our new goal to save more. I had been given tickets to the fair, a major factor in our decision to go. Still, I was determined to squeeze as much ooey-gooey goodness out of our $25 food allowance as I could.



OK. Let’s divert for a minute and address the giant elephant ear in the room — fair food is high in fat and calories. It is not good for you. This time of year, I am inundated with e-mails and letters from various groups warning about the dangers of fair food, Halloween candy, etc. They proffer “good” advice such as “eat a healthy meal at home before going to the fair,” “carry fruit in your purse to have instead of a candy apple,” or “give packages of baby carrots to trick-or-treaters.” They urge me to share this “important” info with my readers.

While these health experts have good intentions, I have one thing to say to them: PARTY POOPERS! If you eat healthy most of the time, it’s OK in my book to splurge on special occasions. The fair is a special occasion. And so is Halloween. I’d bet most kids would rather have Charlie Brown’s rocks than a bag of carrots for trick-or-treat. Aaugh!

Off my soapbox and back to the fair …

The first step in executing the perfect fair food tasting on a budget: peruse the goods. I traversed the circuit, peering through the windows of vendors and taking mental note of the most appetizing looking fare. Crossed off the list: anemic-looking sausages, red weenies, drippy candy apples, blue cotton candy and fried turkey legs (because gnawing on giant bird appendages in public could get you mistaken for the star of a Geico commercial).
Once I had my stops mapped out, it was time to employ the strategy: moving from the most desirable fare to the least. I was giddy as I approached the site of my first and most coveted conquest: grilled sausage. Oh yeah, baby — a big, two-fisted Italian sausage sandwich would be my first carnival delicacy.

At $7 a pop, however, my thrifty alter-ego took pause. Did I really want to spend such a big chunk of our allotted fair food budget on one sandwich? Could my conscience take it? Michele and Jordan were going for the more reasonably priced corndogs ($3). Perhaps I should, too.


But this particular grill cook had it going on, browning those fragrant fennel-studded coils until they sizzled, blistered and slightly crusted (sounds almost like a Band-aid was required, huh?). He brandished his tongs like a maestro, a symphony of steam rising around him like mysterious smoke signals — and they were speaking directly to me.

“Order the sausage sandwich …“

Heh. I wondered what Michele would think if I just decided not to share it with her?

I could no longer resist the voices in my head. So what did I get for that $7? One disappointingly small 4-inch length of sausage in a 6-inch bun with a smattering of peppers and onions. For that much money, I expected something more substantial — or at least two pieces of sausage. For the first time in my life, I was relating to the concept of “size matters.”

C’mon — these guys needed to take a cue from Oscar Meyer, inventors of that innovative wonder, the bun-length wiener. This poor excuse for a sausage sandwich wouldn’t fill up any hungry adult — unless you were the World’s Tiniest Woman. Maybe I should give it to her, go home and pout ...

Instead, I took a bite. Yum. It was really good. While I savored each morsel, Michele and Jordan were unwrapping their corndogs. They were a nice size, at least. Jordan seemed especially pleased.

“Yummy! Corndogs — my favorite,” he said.

“I didn’t know you liked corndogs so much, Jordan,” I commented.

“Yes, mamn, I love ’em,” he answered, then proceeded to rip every crumb of cornbread from the wiener. Jordan dipped the newly stripped, emaciated weenie-on-a-stick into ketchup, and munched away. “These are great corndogs, better than the ones at school,” he beamed, waving his naked corndog in the air.

“Jordan, if you just wanted a wiener, I would have saved a dollar and ordered you a hot dog,” I pointed out.

“But it wouldn’t be on a stick,” he countered with a big ketchup-colored smile.

With just a few bucks left — and dreams of candy apples, pizza and cotton candy fading fast — I ate the rejected corndog breading. I was surprised that it was actually good — somewhat crunchy with a hint of sweetness. I even dipped some of it in mustard and ketchup (that was free!) for a little extra oomph.

Waste not, want not — right? Well, I did want more — a cloud of pink cotton candy or a hot, greasy funnel cake, thank you — but I was really proud that we stuck to our budget and didn’t go on an all-out eating spree.

The health experts would have been proud, too ...

DESSERT
Dessert Tasting and Silent Auction: From 7 to 9 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 1 at St. Luke Lutheran Church on Cherokee Road in Florence. Enjoy goodies from local bakeries, Starbucks and various church members! Come bid on items like gift certificates, a Lowcountry boil for 20 people, handmade household items and even tickets to drive a Petty Race car! All proceeds will benefit the Florence Area Humane Society. Tickets are $10.

TAKE OUT
I didn't get a funnel cake at the fair, but I aim to have one at home. Enjoy this easy recipe for homemade funnel cakes from Better Homes and Garden. Let me know how yours turns out ...



Don’t miss events:

• Good Living Marketplace: Nov. 1 on Cargill Way and Burry Park in Hartsville. Features local produce, plants, specialty crafts, fine art, services and more. Call (843) 332-1600.
  
• Florence Museum’s Oyster Roast: Nov. 6 at Florence Museum, located at 558 Spruce St., in Florence. Tickets are $50 and are available at Florence Museum, 558 Spruce St., Florence. Call (843) 662-3351.
  
• Catfish Festival: Nov. 8 at St. David’s Academy in Society Hill. Features parade, live music, arts and grafts, games, plenty of catfish food items and much more. Free. Call (843) 378-4700.
  
• Hobnob Italian Holidays: Nov. 12 at Hobnob Gourmet, Florence Mall; Features open house holiday specials, hors d’oeuvres, Italian wine and more. Call (843) 664-0486 for details.
  
• Hobnob Italian Holidays: Nov. 13 at Hobnob Gourmet, 113 W Carolina Ave. in Hartsville; Features open house holiday specials, hors d’oeuvres, Italian wine and more. Call (843) 857-4681 for details.
  
• Junior Women’s Club Annual Oyster Roast: Nov. 15 at the National Bean Market Museum, Lake City. Call (843) 374-8611.
  

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