Kentucky Food

Southern food is the best food in the world and nobody does it quite like Kentucky. On the following pages, you'll find Kentucky recipes, Kentucky food and drinks, and Kentucky food reviews. For restaurants and reviews, please see Kentucky Restaurants.

Learn to Hook and Cook Your Own Locally Sourced Fish in Lexington May 28

May 13, 2016 by Joi Sigers Leave a Comment

If you love fish even 1/4 as much as I do, this will be something of interest to you.

From the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources:

People in search of their own locally-sourced, organic fish need to look no further than the nearest lake or river.

For those foodies who are lost when it comes to catching their own meals, the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources offers a special Hook and Cook program from 5 to 7:30 p.m. (Eastern) on Saturday, May 28 at Jacobson Park Lake in Lexington.

Staff will be on hand to help participants learn the basics of fishing, from setting up equipment to lures to use and how to filet the catch. Kentucky Fish and Wildlife will provide equipment for those without it.

There’s more than just fishing. Staff will provide a shore dinner of fish and sides at the lake. Chef Mac McBride, a Sullivan University culinary arts instructor and owner of Ruby Jean’s Café in Lexington, will teach a follow-up class at a later date for participants on preparing and cooking some outstanding fish dishes, and serve a buffet dinner featuring local fish, sides and beverages.

The event is open to adults with a valid Kentucky fishing license. Registration is $10. Spaces are limited, so pre-register today.

Pre-Register online at https://www.research.net/r/HookandCook, call Easton Copley at (502) 564-7109, ext. 4587, or email Easton.copley@ky.gov. Pre-registrants will be contacted to confirm registration and to receive instructions on submitting payment.

Two Sisters Strawberry Rhubarb Jam (Review)

April 18, 2016 by Joi Sigers Leave a Comment

As I said in my most recent review of Two Sisters Jams, I’ll be doing different varieties/flavors over the coming days. Each is so darn good, they warrant their own post and their own moment in the spotlight.

Today’s moment belongs to Two Sisters Strawberry Rhubarb Jam.

Two Sisters Jams are based right here in Kentucky. Buying “Kentucky Proud” foods is something we aren’t just passionate about, we’re borderline obsessed with it. I have to admit something, though – Two Sisters Jams, Jellies and Preserves are so ridiculously delicious, I’d be a fan whether they were made in Kentucky, Tennessee, Indiana, or New York City.

Yes. Indiana*.

One of my favorite jams has always been Strawberry, so this was actually the first jar I opened when I received a beautiful stash of jams. I might or might not have dove right into the deliciousness with a spoon.

SO GOOD!

Not only are Two Sisters Jams off the charts delicious, they’re downright beautiful, to boot. Everything about them lets you know they’re homemade and stand heads and shoulders over the rest. Even if you’re normally on the fence when it comes to jams, jellies, and preserves, these sisters will make you suddenly obsessed with them.

I enjoyed this gorgeous, flavorful jam on biscuits, corn muffins. toast, and, of course, the spoon. When the jar was nearly empty, I actually put a little applesauce in the jar and – holy cats – it rocked my world.

I can’t tell you how wonderful this jam is – all I can say is, “Mmmmmmm….”

By the way, when you’re on the Two Sisters Website and you’re shopping in the store, be aware that there are three pages. I do not want you to miss any of these beautiful jams, jellies, and preserves.

Read more about Two Sisters Strawberry Rhubarb Jam and order some for yourself asap. Have those corn muffins ready!

Two Sisters Strawberry Rhubarb Jam

* Just good-natured kidding toward our northern neighbors – we lived in southern Indiana for a few years and loved it. Except during basketball season… not the best place to live when you’re die-hard UK fans!

Two Sisters Tiki Torch: Holy Peppers, is This Jam Delicious?!?!

April 14, 2016 by Joi Sigers Leave a Comment

Two Sisters Amazing Tiki Torch Jam

If you read the Genuine Kentucky blog regularly, you know how obsessed we are with shopping local, supporting fellow Kentuckians, and with buying Kentucky Proud products.

Obsessed.

I try (well, I sorta kinda sometimes try) not to get on a soap box too often, but I encourage you to buy Kentucky Proud food and other Kentucky made products as often as possible. Whether it’s online, in wonderful stores like the Hitching Post (Aurora), or in Kentucky State Park gift shops – keeping your money in the state is just the cool thing to do.

I recently received some AMAZING jams from one of my favorite Kentucky Proud businesses – Two Sisters Jams, Jellies, and Preserves out of Louisville. These ladies make the best jams, jellies, and preserves you’ll find anywhere.

I wrote a review of their incredible Cherry Bomb Jam a while back – looking at the pictures makes me drool. It is, to this day, one of my favorite things in the world. I actually found the Cherry Bomb Jam at the Fudge Factory in Grand Rivers. You never know where they’ll turn up!

Two Sister’s blends are highly creative and imaginative, their ingredients are natural and wholesome, and everything they touch is otherworldly delicious.

Let Midas have his “golden touch,” I’m much more interested in this kind of touch.

When I received the jams, I took a group picture (below). I figured I’d write up a post about the jams as a team.

Two Sisters Jams, Jellies, and Preserves

…. and then I tasted them…

It was obvious that, while they do make an incredible team, each individual is an MVJ (most valuable jam) and is worthy of its own post. I chose to start with a beauty that fascinates me: Tiki Torch.

Two Sisters Tiki Torch Pineapple Habanero Jam

Here’s something you should know about me – I’m a “Sissy Pants” when it comes to a lot of things – snakes, heights, deep water, small enclosures… and spicy food. Normally, when I bite into something hot, my eyes bulge out, I start panting and blowing, and I reach for the nearest glass of iced tea, whether it’s mine or not. I’m a sight, make no mistake about it.

Because of this stellar reputation, I wasn’t sure how Tiki Torch and I would get along. I saw the word Habanero on the label and got a little worried. Yet… somehow… we got along famously – as in I could not stay out of it. The heat is there, but the sweetness from the fruit balances it out in such a way that it doesn’t hurt your tongue or even offend it in the slightest.

Heat without the hurt. Fascinating!

The flavor is something unlike anything I’ve had in any national, store-bought jam. It blows them out of the water, if we’re being honest. It’s utterly delicious – and so darn pretty, too.

{Continued below the prettiness…}

Two Sisters Tiki Torch Jam – Gorgeous!

I love Tiki Torch on biscuits, cornbread, and bagels (all gluten free, of course). It’s also a total knock-out when you simply top a block of cream cheese with it and enjoy it with crackers.

The combination of the peppers and pineapple is something that will blow your mind – I promise.

{Continued Below the Ingredients…}

Tiki Torch Ingredients: Beautiful Combination

Tiki Torch is even great with chicken! I made some grilled chicken strips not long ago and I wasn’t satisfied with having Tiki Torch JUST on my biscuit. I figured, why should the bread have all the fun? So I started dipping my chicken in the jam and wow, it was crazy good.

I think this jam would be a ridiculously delicious glaze for ham, actually. I’m not sure there’s anything it wouldn’t be great on.

You can find all of Two Sisters Jams, Jellies, and Preserves wonderful Kentucky Proud products on their website: Two Sisters Jams.

Their online store is filled with delicacies you’ll want to enjoy – just be sure, whatever you do, you include Tiki Torch in your order. It’s phenomenal.

Next Up: I’ll have the Two Sisters Strawberry Rhubarb (pictured below) review up tomorrow morning!

Kentucky Food: Gluten Free Wyld Strips

January 11, 2016 by Joi Sigers Leave a Comment

I just wrote a review for Wyld Strips on my food blog. Since this is a Kentucky food, I thought you might want to check it out. If you’re like me, you buy Kentucky Proud products as often as possible.

When the food is as delicious as these Wyld Strips, it’s a habit I thoroughly enjoy!

Click the link above for my review or go directly to Wyld Strips Website to read more about them.

The Battle of Chai Tea Lattes: Round One!

October 23, 2015 by Joi Sigers Leave a Comment

Spencer’s Coffee, Downtown Bowling GreenOne of the things most associated with me is Chai Tea Lattes. Anyone who knows anything about me knows I’m obsessed with them. Right up there with animals, UK Basketball, St. Louis Cardinals baseball, chocolate, and fried catfish.

Talk about tall cotton.

Chai Tea Lattes are one of the reasons I get out of bed in the morning, that’s all.

When we first moved to Owensboro, over 10 years ago, there was a GREAT coffeehouse, Beyond the Brim, that made excellent Chai Tea Lattes. Although I’m crazy wild about them now, when Starbucks came to town and Beyond the Brim went out of business, I thought Starbucks Chai Tea Lattes paled in comparison.

I love Starbucks Chai Tea Lattes so much now it’s mind-boggling to think Beyond the Brim’s could have been better.

Naturally, any time I go to a coffehouse, my first order of business is to see if they have Chai Tea Latte’s on the menu. Since I drink so many of them, I thought a Battle of Chai Tea Lattes was called for on Genuine Kentucky.

Disclaimer: Just because I didn’t particularly enjoy a Chai Tea Latte at a particular coffeehouse doesn’t mean you wouldn’t love it to distraction. Furthermore, just because a coffeehouse’s Chai Tea Latte doesn’t light up the room doesn’t mean their coffee and other beverages aren’t en fuego.

Disclaimer aside… Let’s do this!

Chai Tea Latte at Etcetera

Chai Tea Latte #1: Etcetera Coffeehouse in Paducah

The Etcetera Coffeehouse in Paducah is deliciously eclectic. When it comes to ambiance, it’s just so right it’s scary. However… when it comes to Chai Tea Lattes (at least the one I had a few weeks ago)… you’re better off ordering something else.

Anything else.

With apologies in place, I simply have to say this was not a good Chai Tea Latte. I did finish it, though, so it wasn’t hideous – which is more than I can say for one I choked down in the Bowling Green mall a few years ago. I, at least, finished the unassuming Chai Tea Latte at Etcetera. However, there are other drinks on the menu – so choose one.

On a scale of 1 – 10, I’d give the Chai Tea Latte at Etcetera a 7.

The fun and eclectic Etcetera Coffeehouse is at 320 N 6th St, downtown Paducah.

Chai Tea Latte at Harden Coffeehouse

Chai Tea Latte #2: Harden Coffeehouse in Campbellsville

The Harden Coffeehouse is absolutely gorgeous. So gorgeous, in fact, that it’ll soon be starring in a Pictures of the Day post all by itself. Stunning. On a recent trip, my husband Michael ordered a special coffee and I, of course, went the route you’d expect me to go. His coffee was an absolute work of art! It’ll be featured in the upcoming gallery of pictures.

My Chai Tea Latte was also lovely. While it tasted better than the Chai Tea Latte at Etcetera, it didn’t have the exotic flavors you come to expect from a Chai Tea Latte. It could have been a black tea latte, a Lady Grey latte… basically any other tea in the world could have been used in place of the Chai as far as my taste buds could tell.

Having said all of that, it still tasted darn good, which is more than can be said of some Chai Tea Lattes you find in coffeehouses.

On a scale of 1-10, the gorgeous Harden Coffeehouse’s Chai Tea Latte ranks a very healthy 9.5. As I said, it tasted very, very, very good and for people who don’t plan their days around Chai Tea Lattes, it’d be considered the best one they ever had. It’s also quite a looker in it’s beautiful little white mug.

The beautiful Harden Coffeehouse is at 202 E Main St, downtown Campbellsville.

Spencer’s Coffee in Bowling Green: Chai Tea Latte Perfection

Chai Tea Latte #3: Spencer’s Coffee in Bowling Green

Before I get to the Chai Tea Latte, I just want to say something about the baristas at Spencer’s. These young women were some of the friendliest, happiest, coffeehouse workers I’ve ever met. They obviously loved their job and couldn’t have been any nicer. Their friendliness has absolutely zero to do with the battle of Chai Tea Lattes, but I’m never one to let friendliness go unrecognized.

When I saw how friendly everyone was and how beautiful the building was, I could only hope that the Chai Tea Latte lived up to the moment.

It did more than that. I simply cannot imagine a Chai Tea Latte being any better. And, for the first time ever, my Chai Tea Latte was decorated on top just like my husband’s “fancy” coffee drinks always are! The moment called for me to wave it under his nose, “Look, I’m artsy too!”

The Chai Tea Latte at Spencer’s isn’t just beautiful, it’s delicious – with the unmistakable, exotic flavors that make Chai Tea Lattes what they are.

Maybe I should say, what they should be.

On a scale of 1-10…. well, actually, the Chai Tea Latte at Spencer’s crushes the scale… but in keeping with the numerical boundaries I, myself, set, I give it a 10. A perfect 10.

Spencer’s Coffee is at 915 College St, downtown Bowling Green and you really should go right away.

Kentucky Food

Learn to Hook and Cook Your Own Locally Sourced Fish in Lexington May 28

Two Sisters Strawberry Rhubarb Jam (Review)

Two Sisters Tiki Torch: Holy Peppers, is This Jam Delicious?!?!

Kentucky Food: Gluten Free Wyld Strips

The Battle of Chai Tea Lattes: Round One!

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Bird Watching in Kentucky!

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