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A couple of months ago the little man and I went with some folks to check out Magnolia Sisters Buffet and Bakery in Lumberton. Bottom line: really good food in a really bizarre atmosphere. First, the food. It was the best local buffet food I’ve had. Everything was cooked very well and seemed to have quality ingredients. Nothing seemed like a filler or tasted like cafeteria food. The usual fried goodies were featured as well as some really good traditional New Orleans style seafood dishes.
Now the bizarre. . . the buffet is housed in an extremely well lit large room with larger than life photo murals of New Orleans landmarks. In the center of the room is a karaoke area where folks can serenade the diners. While we were there we were treated to some Patsy Cline, which I discovered the little man likes to “dance” to in his high chair. I think this is a great place for families and groups of friends. Not really a romantic, date night type of place.
Just don’t ask me how to get there. I followed some folks and had absolutely no idea where I was. It was a pretty drive, though. Magnolia Sisters Buffet and Bakery is located at 1556 Little Black Creek Rd, Lumberton, MS 39455
When I’m feeling under the weather, as I am at the moment, I want soup. I have dreams of my friend Jill’s chicken soup with dilled matzoh balls, but there’s a little problem. Jill now lives in Maine. When you’re sick, do you really want to spend whatever energy you have making homemade chicken broth and matzoh balls? Especially not when you’ve never made a matzoh ball in your life. So, last night I went for a good alternative. Gold Post’s vegetable soup and grilled cheese. Not exactly a complexly flavored soup masterpiece, but its spicy tomato broth with rustic potatoes, carrots, celery, and okra is not too shabby. It’s available on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays are Gumbo days. Either way, you can’t go wrong.
What do you like to eat when you’re ailing?
It’s not exactly soup weather yet, but if you’re feeling up to making your own soup, here is a favorite of mine adapted from my friend Jeanne’s recipe:
Potage Bonne Femme
(Good Wife Soup)
1 1/2 cups each of leeks, onions, potatoes, and carrot cut into 1 inch pieces.
Broth (chicken or vegetable) to cover–about 4 cups
2 T Butter
1 T fresh thyme (or 1/2 t dried)
salt and pepper to taste
Saute vegetables in butter on high heat until slightly browned in a heavy bottomed stock pot. Add salt, pepper, and thyme. Cover with broth and simmer for 30-45 minutes. Puree with a hand blender or food processor until mostly smooth. (If you use a food processor, please cool the soup a bit first. Hot liquids and whirling gizmos don’t mix well.) Enjoy with crusty bread for dipping.
Added note: If you’ve never worked with leeks before, you should know that you need to wash them very well. Sand and dirt love to hide in their many layers. One way to do that is to chop them first and then wash. If you do this, make sure you let them drain well to dry.
Ever been to a place that you thought was just made for Saturday afternoons? Shady Acres Fruit Stand is such a place. Just a quick 10 miles up Highway 49 from Hattiesburg to Seminary, Shady Acres has produce, gifts, a garden center, jams and other canned goodies, burgers, blue plates, cakes, ice cream, etc. Wait, did I mention the burgers? Oh yeah. Some of the best homestyle burgers in the area in this reviewer’s opinion. You can get them with fries, baked beans, potato salad, or, for something a little different, some excellent sweet potato fries. The cakes are beautiful as well as delicious and would be perfect for anything from a picnic to Thanksgiving dinner. Bring the kids and a laid back attitude. Stroll around the patios and pick out that perfect watermelon. Or, wait a few weeks and check out the hay bales and pumpkins. Shady Acres Fruit Stand is located at 624 Highway 49 in Seminary.
