Visiting JT Meleck Distillery
Well, it’s been a long time since I updated this blog. I guess other avenues of social media have taken over where I spend time doing any writing/updating.
Since I was last updating here, I’ve definitely fallen hard down a whiskey enthusiast rabbit hole. I have enjoyed drinking bourbon/whiskey since my college days, but a trip to Kentucky’s Bourbon trail in 2016 launched a frenzied exploration of all things whiskey. Eventually, that landed me in some enthusiast communities. One of those communities, I consider my whiskey family – Someone Say Whiskey?
A few months ago, one of our members brought back a Single Barrel Cask Strength American Rice Whiskey from JT Meleck based in Branch, Lousisiana. Naturally, many of our members jumped at the chance to try something new and unusual. I think we were all surprised by what we tasted, and impressed. Our introduction to this expression set off a chain of events that led to our club traveling to JT Meleck for a tour and selecting our own barrel.
With some of my own family living in this general area of Louisiana (about an hour away), I’m somewhat familiar with the lifestyle, personalities and work ethic of the area. JT Meleck is essentially a farm to glass family business. They are 5th & 6th generation rice farmers. They have been stewards of their 20 acres in what is now Acadia Parish since the late 1870s. The family also operate a crawfish farm and seafood company. They have a genuine desire to turn what they grow into the best possible products.
Mike Fruge, his daughter Mia and many other employees gave us a fantastic look at their farm and the processes behind their rice vodka and whiskey. These products are really unique and outstanding. I also think as they continue to learn more about these unique offerings and refine their process- the products will get even better. I’m very excited about the barrel we selected and excited about their future.
As if all of that wasn’t enough, they even had a crawfish 
boil for us…their genuineness and hospitality knows no bounds.
These products are not yet distributed in Texas 
, but use the locator on their web site.
Fried Rice
So, I don’t really want to call this a recipe…because I’m not planning to really give lots of precise “measurements”. Think of this more as an idea or outline…especially on how to turn things maybe leftover in the fridge into a tasty quick meal. Fried rice is quite a staple in our house. We regularly make rice, and have leftovers…and everything else you need it pretty much stuff you might already have on hand. So, that’s essentially the most important thing to know. You want to use LEFTOVER or already cooked rice. You will have a mushy useless mess if you try to use freshly cooked rice. More often than not, we use jasmine rice. However, this recipe will really work with pretty much any rice (long grain, brown, a mix of both…etc).
So, start with rice that’s been cooked according to directions. I typically put it up in a container in the fridge, and it’s good to go the next day. Here’s what I typically use for my fried rice
- 4-5 cups of cold/cooled cooked jasmine rice
- olive or vegetable oil
- butter
- about 1/2 cup of chopped onion
- about 1/4 cup of chopped carrot
- 3-5 oz of diced up cooked chicken
- an egg
- 2 tsp of garlic paste
- 1 tsp of ginger paste
- 1 tsp of garlic salt (or more to taste)
- 2 tbsp soy sauce
- 1/2 tbsp hoisin sauce
- optional – a little dash of chili garlic sauce
- optional – a little drizzle of seasme oil
A lot of people will start the rice and scramble the egg in…for whatever reason, my husband I both prefer the egg to be a little more definitive (?). So, I start with the egg first. I put about a tsp of oil in my wok and a pat of butter. I scramble my egg and add a dash or 2 of soy sauce to the egg. I will add my scrambled egg to the pan and make kind of a small omelet. I take this out and cut it into little strips to add in at the end of my fried rice.
Next, I add a little more oil (about a tbsp) and another pat of butter (about a tbsp) to my wok on medium heat. I add in my chopped carrot and onion. I cook these until my onion is clear and maybe just starting to brown some. I add in my garlic and ginger paste and briefly stir fry this mixture before adding in my rice. Now, I turn the heat up to high and start mixing, turning and breaking up my rice. I sprinkle in some garlic salt (I really always eyeball this…to taste…but maybe a tsp). You can also use regular salt, or both and pepper – if you like. I have done all of the above, but sometimes I just leave s&p for each to add to their own bowl.
Somewhere along the way (haha I’m always doing as I go…but you could prep this before you start and have it ready to go) mix your 2 tbsp of soy sauce, 1/2 tbsp of hoisin, and dash of (optional) chili garlic sauce. When your rice is mostly separated, heated through and in some cases glossy/crisp – drizzle in your soy sauce mixture and toss to evenly distribute. You can add a touch more soy if needed.
Add in your cooked chicken and toss to heat through. I’ve used leftover steak before, too… It’s delicious 😉. Finally, take off heat and add in your strips of egg and toss to combine. I like to eat mine with another dash of chili garlic sauce. 😋 YUM YUM 😋
Here’s a video…
Long time…no post
So, what’s it been? Over 2 years?! 🤪🤣
Ronald and I visited a brewery Sunday evening, and we ran into a couple and had some great discussion. Turns out they love beer (hence at a brewery), are home brewers and are about to transition into full time RVers. They shared their web address with me, and it got me thinking about blogging again. So, here I am. Hopefully…more consistently… 🙄🤞🏻
I find that I often think about writing posts…but then I just do things and forget to “document” it. Lately, life has mostly consisted of a daily obsession with my Nespresso machine. I’ve been trying to get to the gym more regularly 🏋🏻♂️. I’m still taking regular agility classes with my pups. We have an actual agility trial coming up next weekend. I’m terrible when it comes to entering trials…I guess I’m just not that interested in pursuing the competitive aspect.
Of course, I’m still brewing. I have a little experiment going at the moment…a small batch oatmeal stout with some rum soaked raisins, vanilla beans, and cinnamon sticks in the secondary.
Last holiday season, Ronald and I made a 5 gallon batch of oatmeal cookie stout…and it was just toooooo much beer. This time, I decided to just make an oatmeal stout in my PicoBrew and tweak how the additions went. I’ll have to update how that turns out.
Also, I’ve always got some kind of cooking things going on. Lately, I’m into meals that offer the most “bang for your buck”. For me, that means the best tastes for the least effort 😬. This morning, I threw some chicken breast in to sous vide. I have two with teriyaki sauce and one plain. (OMG ❤️ Soy Vay Veri Veri Teriyaki…) This will give me some easy access protein options later. I’ve been on a Monday red beans and rice kick too. I have a pretty great, it’s so easy it’s ridiculous red beans InstantPot recipe. I’ll have to post it separately. I made that last night, and there are delicious leftovers in the fridge.
Ok, that’s it for now. I gotta get ready for the gym. Back soon (hopefully…hahahahah).
Stockholm March 2017 – Day 1
Today, it’s been a week since I returned from my visit to Stockholm. Sadly, only days after my return – there was a truck attack in Central Stockholm which made international headlines. This hit particularly close to home…as this senseless and violent attack occurred a week to the day after I, myself, had leisurely walked down Drottninggatan. I bought a scarf at H&M and passed through the intersection at Mäster Samuelsgstan and walked right into the exact entrance to Åhlens department store that’s been seen all over the news with a truck driven through it. My heart is still heavy in the wake of this event, and I’m sad for the lives lost and prayerful for those injured and recovering.
I was there in spirit with the people of Stockholm who held a “Lovefest” vigil against terror on Sunday at Sergels Torg. Stockholm is such a wonderful place, and the greatness of the city and its people only shined in this tragedy.
This was my third visit to Stockholm. While Ronald worked Wednesday-Friday, I got to do some exploring. We arrived on Tuesday evening…and most of that evening was occupied with getting settled into the city. We traveled from Stockholm Arlanda Airport to the hotel (Radisson Blu Royal Viking) via the convenient Arlanda Express, and made a trip to a nearby Telia store to a obtain a data only SIM for me. We stopped in the nearest Pressbyrån (chain of Swedish convenience stores) to top up our SL Travelcards with the 7 day all you can ride pass (SEK 315 or about $35 more info here ). Finally, it was time to grab some dinner and we had a lovely walk through the St Johannes kyrkogård (cemetery) and past the Gothic revival style kyrka (church) to Bierhaus. This restaurant is a German food and beer hall featuring homemade sausages. We probably turned in a bit early that first evening.
Our hotel featured an amazing daily frukostbuffé (breakfast buffet), and we took advantage of it. The selection was so plentiful you could probably have something different for breakfast every morning without repeating. My first morning was cold, overcast and SNOWING. So, I decided I would visit some of my favorite spots…that are fairly easy to access from the city center. We were staying very near T-Centralen (Sweden’s largest and central railway station), and I hopped on a train to the nearby Gamla Stan station. I walked through Gamla Stan, “The Old Town”, which dates back to the 13th century and features medieval alleys and cobbled streets.
Eventually, I found myself back near Kungsträgården and feeling a bit ready for kaffe (coffee) and kardemummabullar (cardamom roll). Café Flickorna Helin & Voltaire immediately came to mind…as it has been a favorite spot of mine since my first visit to Stockholm in 2011. It’s a charming castle like building just off some of the lovely pedestrian paths on Djurgården (an island home to several historical buildings, monuments, museums, the amusement park Gröna Lund and Skansen a very popular open air heritage type museum . I was definitely getting some steps in by walking there along Strandvägen with it’s beautiful waterfront views. This is a cozy spot I often long to visit when at home…so I simply enjoyed hanging our there momentarily sheltered from the cold and wet weather.
I decided to pay a visit to well known Östermalms Saluhall. Currently, the well recognized facade of this famous food hall (originally established in the 1880s) is under construction/renovation. Fortunately, I’ve already been in the original building, but I was curious to see the temporary covered market just across the street in the square which is housing all of the restaurants and stalls until some time in 2018. I figured I might get inspired for lunch. However, the hall was starting to buzz with the workday lunch crowd, and I decided I’d head back to my hotel room for a quick break and then browse for some lunch at T-Centralen.
When Ronald had an extended 6 week work assignment in Stockholm back in 2011, his flat had a coop grocery store just across the street. I’m notorious for liking to visit grocery stores when I travel…so I was pleased to find a coop INSIDE central station. I browsed the small but well stocked store, and decided to make myself a salad at the salad bar. It’s a long story, but I fell victim to credit card decline and not having cash on hand when trying to pay… Even though I had gone out of my way to set pins for my chip cards and call my companies with travel notices…and the fact that my card had worked fine at flickorna helin & voltaire…I was stuck. Fast forward some ATM searching and getting turned around later, and I made it back to my room to enjoy my lunch.
I confess that I also needed a nap after lunch. Ronald returned some short time later, and we had plans to see one of his friends for dinner. We enjoyed a meal featuring Northern Swedish cuisine at Knut. I had a wonderful cocktail that I think featured whiskey and rowanberries, and Ronald had a beer from Jämtlands Bryggeri (a brewery in Northern Sweden). I had a Skrei cod dish and Ronald had minced moose steak. We were quite delighted & surprised by the minced moose steak. That’s pretty much a wrap for Day 1.
upcoming travels
So, I suppose it’s that time again…where I notice it’s been TOO long since I’ve blogged 😀
I just did a little design modification/update, and I suppose I’ll write a post, too.
Ronald and I are about to travel to Stockholm. This will be my third time there, and the last time was about 3 years ago. I’m looking forward to visiting some of my favorite spots again (like Djurgården)…
and eating some kanelbullar (see photo below)…yum…
I’m working on a little map (still in progress) that notes my particular points of interest.
We also have a trip coming up a bit later to Osaka…and I’m still trying to wrap my head around the time I’ll be on my own while Ronald is working. I’m looking forward to some bowls of ramen, and lots of unique portal visits in Ingress…lol
Who’s Training Who?
virtual walks & I <3 maps
I am not sure why…but I love maps. I think I’ve liked maps for a very long time, too. I LOVE modern technology + maps..like Google maps and Google Street View. I’m often “accused” of being a carrier pigeon…while I’m pretty sure that’s not true…I am pretty good with direction. However, I do make efforts to go back and look at places I’ve been on the map, too. It seems to enhance my knowledge of an area…
So, doing just such a thing moments ago…I was revisiting a jet lagged walk through some allotment gardens near Tantolunden park on Södermalm when we visited Stockholm last year. As I began my stroll (actually much longer than a stroll lol) back home, I walked along the Årstaviken bay and kept thinking how fun it would be to take Cooper swimming there. So, as I’m virtually recreating this walk I saw this –
and this simple thing makes me SO happy today!
*EDIT 3/23/17 apparently, the original street view along my walking route is no longer available on google maps 🙁 So, originally – you could actually see what looked like a black lab swimming & playing with its owner. So, instead of the black box saying “no street view available” here’s a new embedded image of the walking route…and someone walking their dog.
blah blah Beer…and the UFO Club
I don’t know that it’s even possible…but I’m going to try to write this 30 min post all about beer. I don’t know if I can fill 30 min with beer thoughts…but I’ll give it a shot. Why?! Well, because I’m currently at the The Flying Saucer (Addison) drinking beer 151 (of 200) in my UFO Club membership. When I have drank my 200th unique brew…I get my own plate. I’m wondering WHERE I get my plate…because I started this membership in Austin. I guess my plate will be in Austin. Who knows….we’ll cross that bridge in 49 more beers. They let you count up to 3 beers per visit. So, I’m looking at AT LEAST 17 more visits…maybe I can get this done before 2014. We shall see…
My membership started in 2008, and (ACTUALLY) it was Ronald’s idea. So, I wouldn’t say that I really got serious about trying to finish this until this year. Looking back at my stats…it appears that I drank most of my beers in 2008 and 2013. I have to say – I’ve learned a lot about beer. I wouldn’t claim to be any kind of expert, but I do know more about what I like & don’t. For instance, my early brews included: Pyramid Haywire Hefeweizen, Blue Moon, New Belgium Sunshine Wheat…lots of other wheats & obvious choices. Now, I’m more drinking the local/craft brewers and seasonal selections. That may not be due entirely to my taste/preference, but perhaps it’s due to striving for unique beers to add to my list. Also, it seems my list is comprised predominantly of draught beers…only 10 bottled choices. I guess I don’t see the point of drinking bottles at a “draught emporium”. So, I should have developed some favorites along this tasting adventure…right?!
I’d have to say I still like the Hefe-Weizen & Oktoberfest beers. They’re just so quaffable. I also like Dunkel Weizen – no big leap there. Sounds like I like German beer, huh? More recently, (2011) Ronald & I were in London and draught beer took on a new meaning. Fuller’s is popular there and I’d have to say one of my current favorites is Fuller’s ESB (English Pale Ale or Bitter – right?). Speaking of that style – my other reigning current favorite is probably Dallas based Peticolas Royal Scandal. While in London, I also got to have some Fuller’s Organic Honey Dew. My my…I sure wish I could find this beer locally. If it’s anywhere draught or bottled…I haven’t seen it.
I’ve also identified some of my less favored beers. For example, I had a bad run in with Oskar Blues Ten Fidy (Russian Imperial Stout) a few years ago. Funny thing, I obviously was interested in Imperial Stouts…or I never would’ve been drinking it in the first place. While the Russian Imperial Stout itself is really not to blame…nor that specific incarnation by Oskar Blues…other circumstances and the hang over from Hades that followed…lead to an eventual beer recovery…but with the exclusion of Oskar Blues brews, all Russian Imperial Stouts, and many of the very perfume-y hoppy brews (like some IPAs). Maybe some day I’ll make it back toward those…but something about perfumey hops really turns my stomach even YEARS later.
Stouts & Porters are still enjoyable, but it’s a little hit or miss. I’d have to say that my ALL TIME/OVER ALL favorite brew is Anchor’s Our Special Ale (brewed annually for sale November-January also called Christmas Ale). Maybe it’s the fall/holiday time, its seasonality, and/or the fact that it was born in 1975 (like me) that make it such a favorite for me. Just writing about it – I can hardly wait for Thanksgiving to get here!! It’s also bears mentioning – Ronald & I visited Anchor Brewery in San Francisco on our honeymoon (the week after Thanksgiving). It was already a favorite, but that may have helped to seal the deal.
Well, look at that my time is up. I did write about beer for 30 min…and it looks like I could keep going. Who knew?!?!
Vacations in progress and recaps…
Well, I guess I missed the last 3 days of writing for 30 minutes…or maybe it’s just that I’ll do it 3 times a week instead of 6.
It’s a lovely Saturday morning, and Ronald & I are out at Canyon Lake. My brother, Bryan, and his girlfriend Eryn are here. Mom & Dad are on the way (with breakfast tacos from Casa Alde YES!) Other brother, Beau, and his girlfriend Amber will be here later. Not sure I know of a time when we all made a point to get together and just hang out (unless it revolved around a deer lease/hunting trip). We should definitely make a point to do it more often. Ronald and I made our way out early to do our week 1 day 3 Couch to 5k workout. The view along Canyon Lake while we ran was quite nice. Seems like scenery helps make running a litter easier. I tried out mapmyrun.com to plan our route/distance. It seems pretty handy…only problem being we ran into and area that apparently required DOD ID for entrance… I’ll have to look into some better resources for planning/mapping routes if perhaps you’re not too familiar with the area.
We’ve made some coffee and are just enjoying the views on a lazy morning. Not sure what else we have planned for the day, but I’m sure it will be fun. Our dogs are staying with a good friend in our absence, and I miss them. We’ll have to find a pet friendly lake house to bring them to one day soon. I think they’d like a little trip like this. I know they’re having a blast where they are! I just hope my friend doesn’t want to pull her hair out by the end of their visit.
Yesterday, after our drive into Austin- 
Ronald & I made sort of a quick tour of the major points in our relationship. We had a quick beer at The Draught House (where we were on an outing that turned into our first “date”). Then, we drove out toward Driftwood where we visited Chapel Dulcinea (site of our own nuptials almost four years ago) and then had an early dinner at Salt Lick BBQ (site of our wedding reception). We brought along a growler filled with Live Oak HefeWeizen. I’m quite fond of the “Come and Fill It” logo on the growler (acquired at The Growler Room.)
So, I’ve been thinking I needed to write a post (or a few actually) talking about our time spent on vacation in San Francisco. I found a cool feature on google where you can create your own maps with various points of interest. So, I started making one with all the locations we’ve visited (spanning 3 trips to SF since 2009). (Here’s a link to my San Francisco spots map still in progress.) I really REALLY enjoy San Francisco. I knew it was time for us to visit again because I had started having dreams about going and having Blue Bottle Coffee. We stayed 4 nights. It doesn’t sound like a long time, but we did a lot. We literally got off the plane and took a cab to Blue Bottle in Mint Plaza. It was walking distance from our hotel – so, we headed to the hotel to get settled in post caffeine fix. Once rid of our bags, we walked all the way down Howard toward the Bay Bridge/Pier 14. It was a GORGEOUS day! We wandered into the Ferry building. Apparently, we were just a little too late for the usual Saturday farmers’ market. We decided we’d do an early dinner at Tadich Grill. The Cioppino was pretty epic…and the seafood sauté wasn’t too shabby either. In order to maximize our post dinner calorie burn, we walked ALL the way over to Alamo Square Park and snapped some pictures of “The Painted Ladies”. There was a random couch in the middle of the park…which I think made for an even better photo opportunity than the old Victorian homes… We decided to take a bus back, and we pretty much turned in for the day.