High Heat & Cool Treats

Mooresville Ice Cream Company showcasing Front Porch, its new line of Southern style ice cream.

The South is known it’s for hot and humid summers, and this year doesn’t look like it will disappoint. The weather outside is really heating up.  Luckily, I was able to cool things down with half-priced Frappuccino’s and free ice cream.

Friday, Starbucks kicked off a nine-day Happy Hour. From May 4 until May 13, Frappuccino’s will be half off between the hours of 3 and 5 PM.

I stopped by on my way to SouthPark to check out the Alive After Five Golf Night Block Party, where I tried a couple of flavors of Front Porch Southern Style Ice Cream.

This hand-painted rocker, inspired by Peachy Keen
 flavored ice cream was one of many auctioned off
Friday night to raise money for BBBS.

Mooresville Ice Cream Company held an ice cream social at the event to showcase the new line of ice cream, which features 15 uniquely-crafted Southern flavors such as Blackberry Crumble, Nana’s Banana Pudding, Peachy Keen, and Scarlett Red Velvet. 

When I sampled the Sweetie Tea flavor, I had no idea what to expect from an ice cream named after the classic southern drink. I found it surprisingly good and refreshing. It has pieces of teacake in it. I also tried the Sassy Strawberry flavor, which had real chunks of strawberries – yum!

In addition to giving away free ice cream samples, Mooresville Ice Cream Co. also auction off hand-painted Front Porch Rocking Chairs – each inspired by a different flavor of ice cream. The silent auction was held in support of Big Brothers, Big Sisters of Greater Charlotte.

The chairs were by painted by professional artists Nicholas M. Stewart and Katelyn R. Smith. Art students at Mallard Creek High School painted and decorated the Mountain Mint Chip inspired chair.

Babi Alarcon, Mooresville Ice Cream Co.’s part owner, said the concept for the ice cream social was to get out and meet customers and allow the company to showcase the very items that inspired its new ice cream line – front porch rocking chairs.

“We also look forward to supporting a great cause in Big Brothers, Big Sisters,” she said.

For additional information, visit: www.enjoyfrontporch.com

North Harbor Crab Cakes

SOUTHERN food

Tasty crab cakes are not only great for special occassions, they are just as suited for everyday dinner, especially because they are so easy to make. Serve these tasty crab cakes with tomato basil and a side of potatoes or garden salad. Enjoy a glass of seductive sangria with your entree.

Ingredients:

2 lbs - Lump crab
2 - Eggs
2 cups - Mayonaise
1 oz - Fresh lemon juice
3 - Green onions, diced
Panko bread crumbs
Kosher Salt (sea salt)
Cayenne Pepper
Fresh ground pepper

Directions:

1. Fold ingredients together. Add just enough bread crumbs to hold. (Too much will make recipe dry). The mixture should be wet and will firm as it sits.
2. Add seasoning to taste. Salt is your friend. Use kosher or sea salt and season heavily, as it lightens the crab.
3. Saute cakes over low to medium heat until heated thoroughly.
4. Finish cooking by warming in the oven.
5. When the cakes are hot, they will feel light in your hand.

Recipe Source

GIRL time @ Paco's Tacos & Tequila in SouthPark

If you are looking for a good time laughing and hanging out with your girlfriends, head to Paco's Tacos & Tequila located in Charlotte, NC where fajiatas are half price everyday between the hours of 4 and 6 p.m. Stop by with the girls and dish over a few of Miss Kitty's house margaritas - which are on special for $5 every Tuesday. Watch out, these margaritas are addictive. Entrees range in price from about $10 and up. Portions of  are big enough to share.

In the mood for seafood? Try the Shake Down Shrimp Taco - cripsy shrimp with shredded cabbage, pico de gallo, chipotle ranch, cilantro & Cholula. Yummy! The tacos are served with red rice and citrus chipotle slaw and charro beans. The Paco's Taco - slow roasted chili rubbed beef brisket with carmelized onions and chipotle bbq sauce - is also popular.

Paco's is conveniently located in the specialty shops across the street from SouthPark Mall, so after dinner you can burn off some calories with a little retail therapy.

Paco's Tacos & Tequila
6401 Morrison Blvd, Ste A 
Charlotte, NC - (704) 716-8226