17 - Plastic Surgery on the Little Guys

We can rebuild him.
We have the technology.
We have the capability to make him
Better...stronger...faster

Oh, and waterproof.

That was, give or take, a conversation SlamDunkPro and I had a while ago. And, thanks to time and materials donated by SDP, the FAB 2.0 and FBA 2.0 clones are in the field.

The plan is for the originals to be "retired" and get some well deserved R & R.

Between the Flats' hectic schedules, and that whole "being made of cardboard and ink" thing, the Flat boys were a bit, fragile.

Now, their hardy.
*wink*

I'm not saying that you should go deep sea fishing with them. But, at least they can get splashed by a little pasta sauce without looking the worse for wear.

So, the song remains the same.
If you receive a Flat and meet Alton, please ask him to sign, date, and write the city on the back of the boy. (Go ahead and add a tiny date and city if Alton simply signs it.)

Speaking of which...
Nolafoodie will be seeing Alton later TODAY in New Orleans -
With FBA 2.0 in tow.

FBA 2.0 looks forward to getting a pic with the newly tanned fluffy version of his flat self.

*Grin*

Alton is on his Feasting on Asphalt book tour..
And, he makes fast work of the miles, on it.
So, if you want to catch him...click on that link now!

16 - East Coast Briner Meet Dining in Style!

Hey kids!
I just flew in from the East Coast and man, are my arms tired!

Actually, I'm still on a plane.
I'll arrive in Chicago soon, then after a quick layover, I'm off again.

But, hey - I had a fantastic weekend with a bunch of Briners and took a LOT of pictures! (As usual, click on the picture to see it bigger.)
Okay, first, you know what Briners are, right?
If you are a loyal fan of my blog, this is "old hat." They are a swell group of Alton fans who not only talk about good eats - but they prepare them and eat them, too!

Every few months a different group gets together someplace in the nation. This month it was the East Coasters.

And, there will be a Midwest Meet soon.
But, that's another post. *Wink*

So, a bunch o' Briners gathered at the beeeautiful Bavarian Inn in Shepherdstown, WV.
Nice place, huh?!
On Friday night Pixietoes, Kinsley, and Mongo joined KittyFixer, SlamDunkPro and me for champange and hor'dourves in the FAB suite.
KittyFixer teasted SDP that only HE would bring food to a 4 star resort, but...

"Hey, it’s a Briner Meet...Soneone's gotta cook, right?"

SlamDunkPro served:
Crab Salad in phyllo cups, Sun Dried tomato & basil pesto on water crackers with fresh mozzarella, and Hot Szechuan shrimp wrapped in snowpeas.
It was all fan-tastic!

Saturday morning we headed into town. The Blue Moon Café is a fun place for a casual meal. Mongo and I munched on the Monument burger, which only comes one way – whatever way the chef feels like making it!
We all consumed mass quantities of their signature French fries which were excellent (not Popburger, but close). Then we headed back to the Inn.

Okay, confession time.
Sometimes I get a little jealous that Flat BA has a bike and I don't.
I scampered up on a gentleman’s BMW bike and tried to go for a ride. At least I got to pretend.
*Smile*
Dinnertime arrived, and of course I was was ready!
First there were the appetizers.
This one was the "Seafood “Trio” was really good.
Smoked Salmon with Citrus Crème Fraiche, Smoked Trout over Corn and Truffle Pudding, & Seared Scallop with Melon and Mint Salsa.

Vicky tried to explain what all that means. Then Eric tried.
But, it went over my head. (So much does!)
I just know it's good eats.

Before the main dishes arrived, we had a little entertainment.
You guys remember the "Mini-Vick's" ?
Sure, you do!
I stayed with them in Pennsylvania last month.
*Laugh*
I guess spoons are multi-taskers, too!

Then, it was my turn.
I did my best Frank Sinatra song.
(I was dressed for it.)
Okay, Pixie, it wasn't THAT funny!
(Maybe it was...)
There were MANY amazing entrees.
This one was:
Quails stuffed with Game Mousseline and Foie Gras, Pistachio Pesto Herbed Spaetzle and Seared Foie Gras with Huckleberry Gastrique.

Confession:
I cheated and got help from SDP and Kinsley on that one.
I thought it tasted great.
But, honestly, I don't know all those words yet.

Me? I woulda said:
Little chickens with some mousse-y stuff, with some, well, it was like liverwurst, but the BEST liverwurst IN THE WORLD!
And, some pasta with some fruity sauce.
(It was good. I know THAT much!)

I almost forgot about dessert!
We had cheesecake and all sorta of pastry thingies.

Didn't the ladies look pretty?
I was sorry to see the night end.

Okay gang, soon I'll be in Chicago, then St. Louis!
Gonna see the real Alton there.

And, Flat BA?
Well, he's been laying low, but he's gonna hit the road soon, too. He's off to New Orleans to see Alton on his "Feasting on Asphalt - The River Run" book tour.

If you need information on Alton's appearances, you can check his schedule at www.altonbrown.com. Look under "Where's AB?"

See you soon!
--Flat AB

15- FAB is Stuffed - On Deep Dish Pizza!

Slam Dunk Pro, who interestingly enough doesn't live in Chicago, makes quite a beautiful deep dish pizza. With Flat AB's help, of course.

Many think that Chicago style has a thick bottom crust.
Nah.

Sure, deep dish, A/K/A "stuffed" pizza, can have a nice thick outside crust. But, the bottom of the pizza is comparatively thin. (Not the "thick-dough-thin-toppings" stuff.) This pizza has lots of yummy meats with lots and lots of cheese, then is topped with homemade tomato sauce and baked.

Kids, be sure you get a salad in there someplace...
FAB cares.
This. Is. Perfect.
Well, at least Flat AB thought so.

SlamDumPro, I'm pretty sure Flat AB has declared your pizza "Darn Tasty!"

Either that or, it was "Not like paste-y."
(FAB's little mouth was full.)

Nice job SDP!
Stay tuned, kids, for more Flat fun.
The East Coast Briner Meet is this weekend!
--Dana