Howdy Florida Foodie friends,
It is I, the master of puppets, Thomas Mates. I’m here with another action-packed Florida Foodie newsletter.
Recommended Videos
The courts may have taken away my puppets after that unfortunate incident in the maternity ward, but I assure you that I am still their master.
[ADD YOUR BUSINESS TO THE FLORIDA FOODIE DIRECTORY]
It is Valentine’s Day. I hope that you all have someone to love, whether it is in person or from afar — maybe from the cover of some thick brush while you rummage through their garbage.
My wonderful wife and I are hopefully hit up one of our usual haunts for dinner, though we don’t have any reservations. So, we’ll see how that goes.
You may have noticed today’s headline and realized correctly that it is a tortured pun. You’re right, but it works on two levels. Today’s Florida Foodie podcast is coffee-themed.
Also, News 6 is trying to do something big! We plan on hitting several communities all across Central Florida. We’ll be telling stories pitched to us by the people who live there and we’ll have a live broadcast there to top it all off. We are starting in the 32825 ZIP code. So, if you live there, drop us a line and let us know about your neck of the woods.
OK, let’s get into it!
Decades of caffeine☕
Barnie’s Coffee has been in business for just over 43 years.
The company predates Starbucks and claims to be one of the progenitors of flavored coffee. It has undergone several changes over the years, including expansions and contractions. Through it all, the original Winter Park location has remained open.
Candace Campos and Lisa Bell got a tour of their roasting facility in Orlando on the latest episode of Florida Foodie.
>You can check out the episode here<
You can also find every episode of Florida Foodie on YouTube.
Small bites🍊
Food & fun on us🎡: Every couple needs a date night. We have the chance to win a date night at ICON Park. It includes a ride on The Wheel, dinner at Helena Modern Riviera, admission to the Museum of Illusions Orlando and more. Click here to enter, but you have to be a News 6 Insider.
Learn to make cheese🧀: If you’ve ever wanted to learn to make cheese, we have you covered. The UF/IFAS Extension Orange County announced it is offering a cheesemaking class where you’ll learn the basics of making cheese from the process, equipment and food safety needed. Find all the details here.
Secret watering hole🍹: In downtown Orlando, keen-eyed bargoers might discover a cocktail lounge hidden in a historic building. You can find out how to get inside right here.
Something to try at home🍽️
A little while back, New 6 Insider Guide Crystal Moyer went to Second Harvest Food Bank to get a closer look at its Culinary Training Program, which has helped people find work or even start their own businesses in the food service industry.
Crystal talked with past Florida Foodie guest chef Izzy Santiago, who shared his recipe for sweet corn fritters.
Ingredients:
- 2.5 cups corn (fresh off the cob)
- 1 cup grated zucchini
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 scallions, chopped
- 2 eggs
- 1/2 cup milk
- 4 oz. goat cheese, softened
- Salt
- Black pepper
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- Olive oil
- 1/4 cup honey
- 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper
Step 1: In a small bowl, stir crushed red pepper into honey. Set aside.
Step 2: In a large bowl, stir together corn, zucchini, garlic, scallions and egg and cheese. Season liberally with salt and pepper.
Step 3: In a small bowl stir together flour and baking powder.
Step 4: Stir flour mixture into wet mixture and then slowly stir in the milk. The batter should have the same consistency as pancake batter.
Step 5: Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat with just enough oil to coat the bottom of the pan. Once the pan is heated, reduce to medium.
Step 6: Using a large spoon, scoop batter into hot oil. Cook 2-3 minutes per side, until golden brown.
Step 7: Remove from pan and place on a paper towel-lined plate to help rid excess oil. Sprinkle with a little bit of salt.
That’s it for today.
Also, please take the time to rate and review the Florida Foodie podcast.
Send me your recipes so I can share them with everyone. My email is tmates@wkmg.com.
Don’t forget to send in your foodie pictures as well through our PinIt! program.