Himalayan Salt Block Cooking at the Mary C. O'Keefe

 What is Himalayan Salt Block Cooking?  That is what I said, when I received an invitation to view a demonstration  at The Cafe at the Mary C. O'Keefe Cultural Center www.themaryc.org. Before I continue I must give you a little background on this wonderful Ocean Springs gem.  As a former public school building it has been transformed into a lively arts center for everyone.  You can take a pottery, painting, or music class.  You can attend live musical or theatrical performances.  My favorite part of the Mary C. as it is fondly called, is The Cafe.

The Cafe is used for cooking classes and various public and private events.  It is outfitted with Viking appliances and decorated with local art work that is for sale. 

Here they are.......giant blocks of Himalayan salt, placed on top of a gas stove.  The idea is that the salt imparts flavor to whatever you are cooking.  A grill or electric stove can also be used, but with the electric stove it requires a device to elevate it slightly above the electric coil. The blocks are gradually heated until they are sizzling hot!

What can be cooked on the salt blocks?  Chef J from the Island View Casino showed us a number of different tasty items cold and hot, appetizer to dessert!

A delicious Caprese salad was assembled on a cold salt block.  Tomatoes, buffalo mozzarella, fresh basil and olive oil were delicately flavored with a delicate salty taste.

Watermelon and Salt?  Why, of course........watermelon topped with goat cheese, pineapple salsa and micro greens.........A refreshing summery taste...

The main course........shrimp, chicken, flank steak, portabello mushrooms...............no need to add salt....

Ingredients for dessert......rum, bananas, brown sugar, oranges........SURPRISE!!!

Bananas Foster on Himalayan Salt Blocks!!!!! What a great end to an interesting and novel way to prepare a meal!!!  Want more information about Himalayan Salt Blocks?....try the following websites, www.saltrox.com
www.atthemeadow.com,  www.himalasalt.com,  www.saltnews.com.

Want to learn more about The Mary C?.................stop by the Center at 1600 Government Street, Ocean Springs.....or check out their website for a complete listing of upcoming classes and activities.....

Foggy Day Mediterraneo Lunch Wednesday, January 5, 2011

Looking forward to a relaxing lunch!!

Preparing for the onslaught of new students at the high school tomorrow, a fellow teacher and I decided to treat ourselves to a real restaurant lunch.  After today ,we will be faced with the usual school lunch fare....pizza, hamburgers, and something scary called John Wayne Casserole. We decided that Mediterraneo in Ocean Springs would provide a very relaxing and special meal to end our last teacher workday before second semester begins.

The setting is warm and evokes a feeling of being in a middle eastern bazaar.  Check out the cool light fixtures                                                                                                                                

Warm and Cozy

As always, bread is a welcome starter.  In this case, it is a small, warm variety filled with salty olives.  Dipped in a seasoned olive oil.............yumm

This great little restaurant is located on Government Street in Ocean Springs and has a very interesting menu.

Erin Go Bragh according to Ocean Springs

Yes, it is true, Ocean Springs, Mississippi celebrates St. Patricks Day!!!  We started our day early (before 10:30) at the Ocean Springs Yacht Club on Front Beach... It was a beautiful crisp, cool morning and the Club was decorated for the occasion and Bloody Marys started off the day!!

A local business gets everybody excited at the beginning of the parade.....God Bless America!!!

Anxiously awaiting the Budweiser Clydesdales!!!

We are still waiting!!

Here they Come!!!!

There they go!!!!

Only in America will you see Lady Liberty and the Budweiser Clydesdales side by side!!!

Yes, they are throwing green beads!!!! 

Ocean Springs Yacht Club Members enjoy a great view of the parade

 Our journey carried us from the Yacht Club to downtown Ocean Springs and behold....after the parade the St. Paddy's Day Pub Crawl had begun...............woo hoo.....Party on Wayne, Party on Garth!!  Kwitzky's was rockin'

 If you needed a little extra parade goody for the kids, or a frivolous piece of plastic to carry around, the cart guy was there!!!  YAY!!!

 How about a quick snack?......nothing like good ole' boiled peanuts to go!!!

Good friends and Green Beer go great together!!!

We were happy to end the night with great pizza at Leo's and watching the Irish Dancers perform!!  Can't wait until the leprechauns return to Ocean Springs next year.....I am booking a room at the new hotel so I don't have to go home!!!

Thirsty Thursday at Al fresco's in OS

Well, you know us teachers.....by Thursday those high school students are driving us crazy and it is time for a break together with our compadres at a local watering hole....Al Frescos. www.alfrescoitalianbistro.com

 Al Fresco's sports a courtyard complete with a beautiful fountain, nice breezes and wonderful Italian food......The pizza is awesome....but back to the event of the day.......a great piano player who knows all the classics.....T Breland can play it with the best of them and you can sing along if you want.

Wow, great happy hour prices, free appetizers, (there is nothing like good fried ravioli, pizza and bruschetta)
Nice glass of wine, wonderful music and good friends. great way to relax on a Thursday afternoon in Ocean Springs...........I will sleep good tonight and be ready to face Friday with a Happy Face!!!