Chick Feed: The Tour de France, originated in 1903, and is a multiple stage bicycle race that takes place over a 23 day period. The race includes 21 days of racing with two days of rest in variable terrains (including medium and high mountainous) and is considered the most grueling physiological test in all of sports. Colored jerseys are worn by the points leaders in each classification with the winner being awarded the coveted yellow jersey.

Chick Feed: Les Miles, Head Coach for LSU since 2005, was dubbed the Mad Hatter for his unusual adornment of the traditional white coach’s hat,  his quirky behavior (he has eaten grass, you know!) and unpredicatble play calling. Les Miles replaced Nick Saban as Head Coach after Saban left to coach the Miami Dolphins.Miles led the LSU Tigers to a National Championship in 2008 ironically beating The Ohio State Buckeyes.

In what many political pundits wagered would be a ho-hum split decision down party lines in Denver last night, Mitt Romney handed the reigning champion and incumbent President an upset Rocky Balboa style. While Obama was eating at The Cheesecake Factory and partying in Vegas with Jay Z and Beyonce, Republican Presidential Candidate Mitt Romney was transforming himself from Robotic to Robust, from enigmatic to engaging. Romney was indeed “greased lightning” relentlessly delivering one-two punches combining a passionate intensity with an undeniable and apparently irrefutable knowledge of the facts that left Obama retreating to his corner and looking mostly at the floor or Jim Lehrer’s “botoxed” forehead. Even idea logs like Carville, Maher and Gore tweeted that the Pres was unprepared, lethargic and failed to go after the jugular (probably a result of the altitude-LOL). The only one that wasn’t laughing was  Big Bird… who by the way, may soon be joining the ranks with the other 12 million unemployed.

Chick Feed: The Triple Crown consists of three races for 3 year old thoroughbred horses. The Three legs of the Triple Crown are the  Kentucky Derby, Preakness Stakes and the Belmont Stakes. Only 11 horses have won the Triple Crown, the last being Affirmed in 1978….Many thanks to my horse loving friends Trixie and Paul for steering me in the right direction…

THE PERFECT MINT JULEP

Recipe Courtesy of Bill Samuels as seen on the Food Network

Ingredients

• 4 cups bourbon
• 2 bunches fresh spearmint
• 1 cup distilled water
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• Powdered sugar

Directions

To prepare mint extract, remove about 40 small mint leaves. Wash and place in a small bowl. Cover with 3 ounces bourbon. Allow the leaves to soak for 15 minutes. Then gather the leaves in paper toweling. Thoroughly wring the mint over the bowl of whisky. Dip the bundle again and repeat the process several times.

To prepare simple syrup, mix 1 cup of granulated sugar and 1 cup of distilled water in a small saucepan. Heat to dissolve sugar. Stir constantly so the sugar does not burn. Set aside to cool.

To prepare mint julep mixture, pour 3 1/2 cups of bourbon into a large glass bowl or glass pitcher. Add 1 cup of the simple syrup to the bourbon.

Now begin adding the mint extract 1 tablespoon at a time to the julep mixture. Each batch of mint extract is different, so you must taste and smell after each tablespoon is added. You are looking for a soft mint aroma and taste-generally about 3 tablespoons. When you think it’s right, pour the whole mixture back into the empty liter bottle and refrigerate it for at least 24 hours to “marry” the flavors.

To serve the julep, fill each glass (preferably a silver mint julep cup) 1/2 full with shaved ice. Insert a spring of mint and then pack in more ice to about 1-inch over the top of the cup. Then, insert a straw that has been cut to 1-inch above the top of the cup so the nose is forced close to the mint when sipping the julep.

When frost forms on the cup, pour the refrigerated julep mixture over the ice and add a sprinkle of powdered sugar to the top of the ice. Serve immediately.

Chick Feed: The average starting salary in the NBA is a little over $400,000 compared to the average college grad’s starting salary which  is around $50,000.

Chick Feed: The Green Jacket tradition began in 1937 when members of Augusta National were encouraged to wear the green jackets so they could be easily identifiable to the public as a helpful source of information. In 1949, the first Green Jacket was awarded to a Masters Champion Sam Snead. Sam Snead won three Green Jackets in the years 1949, 1952 and 1954.

Chick Feed: The Champions Dinner, also known as the Masters Club began in 1952 by Ben Hogan. Each year, the defending champion hosts previous Masters champions and honorary members in a special dinner on Tuesday night prior to the tournament. The defending champion also selects the menu.

The Mother of all Pimiento Cheese Sandwiches(Some Like It Hot)

Miss Mattie’s Southern Pimiento Cheese

1/2 cup chopped pecans

1 cup mayonnaise  

1  7 oz  jar diced pimiento –drained

1/2 cup chopped jarred sweet-hot pickled jalapeno pepper slices

1 tablespoon liquid from sweet-hot pickled jalapeno pepper slices

4 cups freshly grated mild Cheddar cheese (1 lb.)  

Garnishes: sweet-hot pickled jalapeno pepper slices, toasted chopped pecans

Preparation

1. Bake 1/2 cup chopped pecans at 350° in a shallow pan 8 to 10 minutes or until toasted and fragrant, stirring halfway through. Cool 20 minutes. Stir together mayonnaise, diced pimiento, pickled jalapeño pepper slices, liquid from sweet-hot pickled jalapeño pepper slices, and toasted pecans. Stir in Cheddar cheese until well blended. Garnish, if desired.

Note:

We tested with The Original Texas Sweet & Hot Jalapeños.

 Preparation

1. 1. Prepare Miss Mattie’s Southern Pimiento Cheese as directed.
2. 2. Butter 1 side of each bread slice. Place 8 bread slices, buttered sides down, on a hot griddle or in a large skillet over medium heat.
3. 3. Spread 1/2 cup pimiento cheese over each bread slice on griddle. Top each with 2 cooked bacon slices.
4. 4. Place remaining 8 bread slices, buttered sides up, on bacon. Turn sandwiches, and cook 5 to 7 minutes or until golden brown. (Pimiento cheese should be slightly melted.) Serve with strawberry preserves.

Southern Living
FEBRUARY 2012