Spice of the Moment: Spanish Smoked Paprika

Like most Americans my first experience with paprika came on deviled eggs. It didn't taste like much and it was only trotted out for that particular dish. When I experimented in my mother's kitchen, I opened different spices and took a whiff. I even gave the paprika a chance, but it didn't pass the sniff test.

What I didn't know is that there are different varieties of the spice and that it has a relatively short shelf life as far as spices go. When I found a recipe which called specifically for Spanish smoked paprika, I didn't use the stuff in my cabinet (because there was none) so I had to buy it.

It was a whole new experience--the difference between a skeleton and a living being. You might know the general shape of an animal from its skeleton, but you wouldn't know the important details. There's beauty in the flesh. That's what smoked Spanish paprika is to the musty stuff I knew growing up: alive rather than a pile of bones.

Smoked Spanish Paprika comes from very mild sweet peppers that are ever so slowly smoked, generally with oak chips (though not always). Sometimes a combination of peppers are used. Despite peppers being the base, the most commonly found paprikas here in the US don't add heat to a dish. In some ways, it reminds me of chipotle, without the heat and with less dramtic sweet notes. Instead it's savory and smokey, with just a touch of the sweet.

I'm gaining an interest in trying to smoke my own paprika, though it really seems involved and I would have to get a smoker. I do have a dehydrator, so I can experiement with drying and grinding various peppers, but I won't get that smokey flavor.

I'm also interested in some of hotter Hungarian and Spanish paprikas. I'm unlikely to find these in a typical supermarket, but some of Jacksonville's ethinic markets and the interweb should should serve me well.

Not a Shack.

I expected Salt Life Food Shack to be more, well, shack-like. The atmosphere is, instead, more beachy-but-upscale. The food is mid-range in price and the servers are beach girls, dressed more decently than Hooters girls, but meant to be eye-candy just the same.

I ordered the soft shell crab BLT. It includes a whole soft crab, two slices of crispy bacon, tomato slices, some shredded lettuce and a po' boy type sauce between ciabatta. It was the prep of the crab, the quality of the bread and the sauce that launched the sandwich into awesome.

Can't say the same of the sushi tuna roll I ordered, but I'm a bit of a snob when it comes to sushi.

My dining companion ordered their burger, which he declared tasty.

I do want to go back and explore more of their more expensive dinner options. As long as you aren't freaked out by the prospect of a whole soft shell crab in your sandwich, I do highly recommend the soft shell blt for lunch.

Lunch for two, with a sushi roll, a burger, soft shell blt and two non-alkie drinks came to just over $29 before tip.

Romance on the River: Valentine’s at The Landing

Just a Press Release for the Landing and the deals they got goin' on for Valentine's. As to me, I'll be staying home on the day and rescheduling my V-day dinner on a different day!


WHAT: Romance on the River: Valentine’s Day at The Landing and FREE parking

WHEN: Sunday, February 14, 2010

WHERE: The Jacksonville Landing participating restaurants
2 Independent Drive
Jacksonville, FL 32202

WHY: Downtown Jacksonville along the St. Johns River is one of the most romantic places in Northeast Florida. The Jacksonville Landing is home to seven riverfront restaurants, all of which are offering Sweetheart Specials for Valentine’s Day (see below for individual specials). From chocolate-covered strawberries to “Dinner for Two” and complementary champagne, The Landing has it all for this special day. No need to worry about paying to park! The Landing is offering up to four hours of free parking with purchase from the following locations:
American Cafe, Benny’s Steak & Seafood, Chicago Pizza, Cinco de Mayo, Hooter’s, Koja Sushi, The Twisted Martini or Vito’s Italian Cafe. Valid only with purchase. 4 hour max, $1 per hour thereafter.
Not valid with any other offer. Good only 2/12-2/14/10.

Individual merchant specials are as follows:
American Cafe
Sweetheart Special: Dinner for Two only $27.99 +tax
Add a bottle of wine to your meal for only $15.00.
Benny’s Steak & Seafood
Gourmet Three Course Dinner for Two $89.95 +tax
Also enjoy a champagne split with your meal.
Cinco de Mayo
Buy one margarita or draft beer get one 1/2 off.
Hooter’s
One free dessert per couple with purchase of any entree.
Koja Sushi
Choice of free drink, appetizer or dessert with purchase of $15.00 or more.
Sundrez
Heart Box Valentine’s Candy
Stuffed Animals
Jumbo Valentine’s Day Cards $6.95
Valentine’s Day balloons and much more!
-more-

Dipper Dan’s Ice Cream & Treats
6 Jumbo Hand Dipped Chocolate Strawberries $9.95
3 Jumbo Hand Dipped Chocolate Strawberries $6.95
Vito’s Italian Cafe
Three Course Meal for Two, only $85.00 +tax
Complimentary Glass of champagne included.
Don’t Forget!!!
The Landing offers valet parking every Friday and Saturday evening for only $10.00

For a complete list of all events at the Landing, please log onto www.jacksonvillelanding.com , www.myspace.com/jacksonvillelanding or www.facebook.com/jacksonvillelanding



The Jacksonville Landing, located in the heart of downtown Jacksonville adjacent to the St. Johns River, is a multi-purpose facility providing year-round dining, shopping and entertainment. With more than 40 shops and restaurants, visitors are sure to find exactly what they are looking for, as well as enjoy the fabulous view of the river. Hours are 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 10:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. Friday and Saturday and noon to 5:30 p.m. on Sunday. Restaurants and clubs stay open later. For more information, or a complete list of events and entertainment, please call (904) 353-1188 or visit www.JacksonvilleLanding.com.