Lowes Foods Produce-A-Palooza: Zucchini Crescent Pie!

Here's my disclaimer:  I'm not a chef, I'm not a chef blogger. I'm definitely not a photographer; and so all these pics I took as a home cook.

I'm using those fatso zucchini I got at Lowe's Foods at their Produce-A-Palooza, which is a celebration of the finest produce from over 200 local farms. The zucchs are from Mt. Olive.  They're local!

I love this recipe because my mom gave it to me years ago. It's not mine, I didn't make it up. It is one of the things that most say "summer" to me. It's quiche-y. Try it!

Even if you hate veggies, cheese makes everything better. I have even made mini versions of this for girls nights by putting little cresent rolls in muffin tins instead of a big quiche dish.

You'll notice my vodka soda in the background of some shots.  Don't hate! It was a Saturday. It was hot. Vodka is the best summer drink. Mmmmm....vodka.

Zucchini Crescent Pie:

• 1 package Crescent Rolls
• 2 tbsp Yellow Mustard
• 2 lbs or 4 C sliced Zucchini (these 2 Fatso Zucchini worked just fine)
• 1 C chopped or sliced Red Onion
• 3 tbsp Olive Oil
• 1/2 tsp Salt
• 1/2 tsp Pepper
• 1/4 tsp Garlic Powder
• 1/4 tsp Basil
• 1/4 tsp Oregano
• 2 Eggs, beaten
• 8 oz shredded Mozzarella
• Mushrooms, if desired. I added 4-5 sliced semi-large Baby Bella Mushrooms

2 fatso Zucchini!  I got these at Lowe's Foods.  They're local.

1.  Preheat oven to 375.

2. Slice zucchini pretty thinly, then do the same with the red onion & mushroom if you're using them:

3. Saute onions, mushrooms and zucchini with oil in a skillet until cooked. Mine are always a combo of extra cooked and just enough cooked. Beware that zucchini has a high water content, so if you're using mushrooms, too, you will have to drain them off when they're done.

4.  Combine spices in a small bowl. Pour over the veggies in the skillet.

5. While veggies cook, beat two eggs in a bowl. Add the 8 oz shredded mozzarella and mix together.

6. Open crescent rolls. Press rolls into a 10 inch quiche dish or pie plate. I use a quiche dish, it works best for me. Spread mustard on rolls, set aside.

7. When veggies are cooked through, drain off any excess water, and add mozzarella/egg mixture to pan. Mix to combine. Then, pour the veggie/cheese mixture into the prepared quiche dish.

8. DO NOT LET SIT! Bake at 375 for 15-20 minutes, or until set and crust is browned. If you find your pie is soupy, bake longer for more "doneness." Enjoy!

 

Love Lowes Foods? Love Local Produce? Be sure to take our Produce-A-Palooza Pledge for a chance to win a $150 gift card to Lowes Foods.

The Who Hits 50!

April 21st at the PNC Arena saw The Who play their final show in North Carolina as Roger Daltrey and Pete Townshend continue on their "The Who Hits 50! Tour".

For two hours of vintage Who, they took you from their biggest hits to some of the band's infamous rock operas. They kept you wondering what they could possibly do next to top what had come before, and every time they delivered.










From the opening guitar solo to Daltrey's and Townshend's final, heartfelt goodbyes, The Who showed exactly why they have been one of the driving forces in the evolution of music for the last 50 years.

 For the final performance ever in North Carolina, they couldn't have provided a better experience for the fans that have been with them every step of the way for 50 years.

It Doesn't Get Any Bigger Than This!

Back in January, DPAC took me to NYC and gave me a preview of all the awesome Broadway shows that will be coming to Durham as part of the 2015/2016 SunTrust Broadway series.  They're going to be unveiling those shows tonight to their season ticket holders, and then to the WORLD tomorrow night on ABC11 as part of a special hosted by Angela Hampton.  I can't tell you what those shows are yet, but I can give you some hints.  Of course, I'm terrible at hints, so you'll either get them right away or not at all!

Below is a pic I took when we were doing interviews in Times Square.  We did them from the Minskoff Theatre, which is the home to the Lion King.  Check out ABC11's set up, and then my colleague Brian Freeman from WPTF's setup and mine--which are decidedly less technical:

Now, this pic probably makes you ask, "Since you were at the Lion King's theater, does that mean that The Lion King is part of the SunTrust Broadway 2015/2016 series this year at DPAC?  The answer is:


No. The Lion King is not part of the SunTrust Broadway Series at DPAC.  :)

To add insult to injury, here's a pic of me messing around behind costumes from The Lion King, which, again, is not part of the SunTrust Broadway series at DPAC in 2015/2016:

So, yeah, I can't tell you what's coming, but other hints I can drop are:

• One musical on the docket has had Adele Dazeem involved in the New York production. She won't be with it when it hits Durham, though.
• One musical, you'll know all the words to because a super famous husband-wife team (or two) wrote all the hits for it.
• One musical has played at Studio 54 in NYC.  Sort of apropos for what it is.
• One musical is a classic--and some of the songs were part of a show-stopping moment recently on a huge, world-wide television broadcast.  In fact, those songs were said to be the best part of the whole thing.  Oscar Hammerstein would be proud.
• There are a bunch more musicals you will love, some you can take your kids to and some will make you crack up laughing
• There are two musicals being announced that are not part of the SunTrust Broadway series, but instead the Encore Broadway series.  :)

I hope those hints helped! Watch the big announcement tomorrow night on ABC11--and on Monday, I'll break all the shows down for ya complete with interviews with super fun and successful people...all of whom make these shows great.  

The Green Chair Project

You've probably been past it a billion times on Capital Boulevard as you head into downtown Raleigh.  And, like me, you probably didn't know much about it.

This past week, I was looking for something to tell you all about on my show, and I saw information on The Green Chair's sale they have open to the public.  It just happened to be this past weekend, and, as we moved into a bigger house a few months back, we're looking for furniture and home accessories.  I thought I would check this place out, since I've always been curious.

I had zero idea about Green Chair, or the good works they do.  But what I learned, as I Googled on my way to the sale, was that they are local people who help those who have been homeless and are just getting into residences, or those who are recovering from disasters.  They help our neighbors select furniture and accessories for their homes with dignity and respect.  People who need the help and great goods.  And, whatever they have leftover, they sell in an open-to-the-public sale four times a year.

High-end furniture is represented at this sale, knick-knacks, glassware.  Sets of China, tables, lamps, sofas, chairs.  We got an awesome old rocking chair for our living room that was otherwise empty looking.  And, it was only $85!

You know when you find stuff like that on Craigslist people always jack up the price, or when you go to one of those "estate" places it's super expensive.  But not The Green Chair Project.  It was not only reasonable, it was really heavy, quality-built, and we had a field day in there.  I also grabbed this weird egg-crudite thing.  It's probably not that old, but as someone who loves vintage, I like to pretend it probably is:

It was just eight bucks!  We also scored some cool 60s vintage coasters and as we left, asked when the next sale was.  It's in June--and you should go.

But, what made me feel the best was that this is a charity I have driven by many, many times, and never given a second thought to.  When I learned about it, I loved that, as someone who loves and regularly buys locally sourced goods and services, The Green Chair Project was started by a local realtor and has continued to give back since 2010.  The stuff they sell to the public is in no way junk, and the stuff they don't sell to the public--the things the folks getting back on their feet get to choose from--is high quality, too.  They are always accepting donations, and instead of some other places or drop-off boxes for other charities, I will be giving to The Green Chair when it's time to give up pots and pans and good quality furniture.  Learn more here:  The Green Chair Project and make sure you hit up their next open-to-the-public sale.  You'll feel like you're getting a bargain and feel good about yourself, all rolled into one.

Cinderella is Magic!

It's magical.  And, that's not a word I throw around lightly.

It's no secret I love Broadway, and DPAC knows it, too.  They took a colleague and me o NYC last year for their 2014-2015 season preview and at the time, I couldn't tell you what I was seeing because it was a secret until the big unveiling.  Angela Hampton from ABC 11 was there taping her annual DPAC special, and she was going to announce everything on TV in March, so I had to keep my mouth shut.  That was especially hard after seeing this show.

I repeat: I am not someone who throws around the word "magical" to describe things.  So, I was skeptical going in, and had zero idea what to expect.  Here I am with DPAC's Jennie Lanning, Angela Hampton from ABC 11, and Brian Freeman, my colleague who works for one of our stations, WPTF:

Two days after that pic was taken, Carly Rae Jepsen was stepping into the role of Cinderella.  Before the show, we got to see her on stage rehearsing for the part.  

The show was awesome, the costumes amazing and I could NOT believe how they made Cinderella's dress go from rags to a ballgown in one spin.  Yes.  ONE spin.  William Ivey Long is the costume designer--he's won a zillion Tonys, and he just happens to be from North Carolina.  He actually lived at the Raleigh Little Theatre when he was about 3!  Angela interviewed him from backstage.  Look at this pic and try to remember the costumes you see on the rack.  You'll see some of them tonight at DPAC:

The show is well written, (duh, it's Rodgers and Hammerstein, how can it not be?)  it's fun, and it's great for kids of all ages, even those adult kids like me.  Bring your daughter or son and let them dress up as little princesses or princes, and maybe you'll get to glimpse the glass slippers beforehand. That's part of what makes Cinderella so magical: seeing so many little kids become so enthralled. 

I can't believe how excited I am for this show to open at DPAC tonight.  I hope you go and see it and have a magical time, too. 

Cinderella opens tonight at DPAC for 8 great shows. Seats start at $35. Click here for more info and to buy tickets:

Cinderella at DPAC

Alli

Like Alli Morgan on Facebook or follow her on Twitter

Family Night at the Railhawks

It's shameful to admit, but I've never actually been to a Carolina Railhawks game before.

We're a family of soccer lovers.  My husband is European, his son plays soccer in Apex, every Saturday and many Sundays during the season, the TV is on NBC Sports to watch the Premiere League games.  The drone of sports fans chanting, singing, and yelling at their players has become commonplace in our home.  I have no idea why we've never gone to see the Railhawks play, but this past Saturday night, that changed.

It was my step son's 8th birthday gift:  we went to the game and he got to take a friend.  I was impressed with WakeMed Soccer Park: it's fun, every seat is awesome, and they offer pretty solid, local concessions. Local restaurants supply the food; you can choose a local beer from their selections.  You can buy local ice cream, even! The Railhawks really know how to do the local thing--which is also awesome.

It may have also been one of the greatest nights of this kid's life.  He spent the entire game standing up and cheering.

 I even learned that yeah, it's raining...but that's not going to stop a game.  Be prepared to get wet.
 There were kids everywhere and people were having a great time, even in the pouring rain. Because, apparently, soccer doesn't get rained out.  You push on.  No rain delays here!

We had so much fun, we may just adopt the Railhawks as our home team.  Sure, they lost to Tampa Bay, but that's ok. After all, the Premiere League is pretty far away.  We can't wait to go back.


Check out the Railhawks' schedule for yourself here and plan a fun family night.  It's cheap fun and you're supporting local businesses!

Alli

The Creative People in Raleigh Are Trying to Kill Us, But We're Cool With It.

There are so many creative people in the Triangle, it blows my mind.  Every time I think that every restaurant or bar idea's been done and done again, someone comes up with a new idea.


For example, there's BREW.  That's a coffee bar, of course.  BUT! They also sell beer.  Get it?  Brew.  Sorry, but that's genius.

Then, there's the people who came up with the idea of not just a food truck rodeo in downtown Durham, but a breakfast food truck rodeo, on a Friday morning.  Again, I know it's a simple, easy idea.  But it never would have crossed my mind.  It, too, is awesome.

That brings me to Bittersweet.

Since I read in Triangle Business Journal it was opening, I have wanted to go to Bittersweet, but I've been joking that all this creativity in the Triangle is killing me because I want to try it all--but no one needs that much dessert, beer, cake, craft beer, fancy food, etc.  It's on Martin Street in downtown Raleigh, right across from another of my favorite spots, The Mecca.  When you walk in, Bittersweet reminds you of a 30s or 40s diner:  dark wood, marble bar top, black and white tile.  Here's a shot down the bar:

I also really loved how they set up the taps:

My husband and I took a seat at the bar and ordered amazing desserts--the Key Lime Tequila parfait with Cointreau whipped cream and an awesome tasting peach cobbler thing--all I know was that it had cinnamon-sugar doughnuts, maple ice cream, warm peaches and candied bacon on it.  The desserts are awesome and different, and the drinks were pretty great, too.

A peek at the menu:

Our bartender was Louis, a young guy who knows a ton--he was clearly not just a bartender but a mixologist.  We struck up a conversation with him and learned that this Sunday night, Bittersweet is showing The Goonies on their big screen TV, and they're making themed drinks to go with it. And, here's where I'm going with the creativity thing--I would never think to do something like that, let alone make themed food and drink for it.  Louis was trying out the Chocolate Explosion.  Know that scene where Chunk eats all the Chocolate Explosion ice cream while locked in the freezer?  Well, Louis was trying to concoct a drink to go with that scene.  Other folks at Bittersweet were working on drinks, too, and (I think!) there will be themed food, too.  They'll be showing the movie behind Bruce Willis.  Yep, I know that sounds weird, but check this out--there's a big screen TV back there:

Bruce wants you to Pie Hard.

So, yeah.  Head to Bittersweet on Sunday night at 9.  Watch Goonies, eat dessert.  Mama Fratelli would be happy with that--we think.  And, even if you miss the movie, go after dinner one night.  It's yummy, and Louis is awesome--ask him about his Chocolate Explosion.

Alli