Feeling Rich

Every time I dine at Red Lobster I contemplate the Cheddar Bay biscuits which I have repeatedly tried (and repeatedly failed) to make at home. Sure, I can add plenty of buttter, a little garlic, and some real Wisconsin cheddar; however, I cannot seem to EVER get the biscuits as light and fluffy as the restaurant version. Alas, I'm doomed to savor these goodies only upon eating there. (Sigh.)

Happily, today's trip to the seafood place included those yummy biscuits and a good deal more. We started our luncheon adventure with crab and lobster stuffed mushrooms. The delicate meat was mixed with a thick, creamy white sauce and plenty of cheese before being stuffed into the fungi caps. Presumably, they went under the broiler for maximum melting action, because they came out in steaming ramekins, gooey with overflowing stuffing. The guys (who both said they liked my stuffed mushrooms better) didn't care much for these babies, but my mother-in-law and I enjoyed them quite a bit. They left a creamy, smooth texture in the mouth and satisfied my taste for rich foods.

Those biscuits and mushrooms just primed the pump for my entree of coconut shrimp. A dozen large prawns - butterflied, dipped into a coconut laced batter, and fried to golden perfection - adorned my plate along with plenty of pina colada sauce concocted from coconut milk and crushed pineapple. As good as it looked, it tasted even better. Fortunately for tomorrow's lunch, I couldn't eat it all and just had to bring some home in a go box (along with the garlic mashed potatoes and a couple more biscuits, of course). Jeff ordered a smaller portion of fish thinking he would have dessert, but recanted on the chocolate overload cookie after cleaning his plate. My son had an Asian based chicken dish served on rice pilaf with a dark, sweet-tangy sauce. Being a growing boy, he practically licked the plate following multiple helpings of those hot biscuits. Both of the in-laws opted for traditional seafood platters with a variety of offerings. Oh, the joys of being stuffed!

Sometimes when we enjoy a large, rich, satisfying meal accompanied by family discussions of kids and vacations I feel a twinge of guilt that many people aren't as blessed and happy as we are. But in a moment or two I realize that guilt is not the appropriate emotion. Rather, I (and everyone else in the family) should feel appreciation that our lives are full and good, that we are lucky to eat well and even luckier to have one another for company.