Apple Ugly Grill Night

Apple Uglies Over Charcoal

I live in Apple Ugly country. Yes. I'm just a few miles from the Apple Baking Company where they make the world famous Uglies. OK. They aren't world famous just yet. They're more like a little Southern secret, but the company is smoking hot and getting those Uglies out to more people. And, for those who can't find them local, the company sells Uglies online.

I've written about Apple Uglies before, because I love them and because I had high school buddies who worked there back in the day. It's a small world (especially in a small town), so my new co-worker's husband is Dave Bates, CEO of Apple Baking Company. He was kind enough to let my Writing for Media class tour the factory where friends and neighbors whip up these delicious bakery treats. And, he sent me home with some Apple Uglies. Thanks!

You all know what I do with food. Yes. On the grill. The grill was gray coal hot and just perfect for adding dessert to the menu. I put the Uglies on and grate marked them, flipped them, and had them on the table in a couple of minutes. These buns are already cooked, so it's just a matter of heating them up and getting a hint of smoke flavor.

Whoa boy; grilled Apple Uglies rock. I've always enjoyed them right out of the pack, but the charcoal gave them a great kick. You know I love my smoke.

Apple Ugly Hot Off the Grill - Yum

If you're trying to figure out what Apple Uglies are, then think of a baked treat the size of a honey bun and packed like that but more like fritters and lumpy bumpy (hence the name Uglies). Each Apple Ugly looks a little different, because they are not mass produced in the typical way. Now, I can't tell you how to make them, or I will be kicked out of town for sure. Just trust me that there are some great people in the bakery working hard to make special treats that you can't find just everywhere.

Working the Dough

If you're looking for Apple Uglies, then here's what they look like in the store. They come in several flavors - all yummy.

My class got to try hot Blueberry and Raisin Uglies right off the line. We also got to see the cake line being made and baked. The lady who makes the Apple Baking Company cakes has been doing this for 25 years. Those are sold by the whole cake, half, or slices. My favorite is the Cheerwine cake. Cheerwine is a local soft drink from my town, and Cheerwine cake is really pretty with a unique flavor. It's kind of a cherry cola but not quite and better than that combination. You'd just have to try it to see what I mean.

Dave Bates, Apple Baking Company CEO, and my Writing for Media Students

It was a fun week - a trip to Apple Baking Company and then hot grilled Apple Uglies. Hard to beat that.

Best Beers and Other Beverages to Drink with Barbecue and Grilled Foods

Future Frat Guy I'm Thinking

We'll have to wait a few years, but this little fellow looks like he could help me knock back and rank beverages that go down well with barbecue or food off the grill.

In the meantime, I'm taking a look at some of our micro beers here in North Carolina and imported from around the United States. Some of the spirits are supposed to be from overseas, but I'm not convinced that is the case, since I lived overseas. Beer does not taste the same in other countries regardless of what the label may say. Get an Amstel in Greece, and you will know what I'm talking about.

First, let me say that barbecue and grilled foods don't tend to be fancy. Now, you can go gourmet, but most people don't. So, I am tell you that Busch, Budweiser, and Miller are just dandy at your barbecue bash.

There is one rule though. Or, this is the rule in Virginia anyways:

Don't Even Think About It - Braking is Just Wrong

Around here, we have a few other little tips that should be kept in mind especially if you want to get invited back to a barbecue shindig.

Some Things Go In the Toilet. Other Things Do Not. Take Note.

If You Can't Play Nice, Please Gather Your Toys and Go Home!

Now that we have all that straight, I'll share some of my thoughts on the micro brews I've been checking out. I'll keep adding to the list, but don't expect it to grow very fast. Corona is as exotic as it gets here in town, so I have to road trip to find anything a little different.

Cyndi's Beer List for Barbecues and Other Throw Downs (alphabetical order)


Angry Angel German Style - This Kolsch inspired German type beer has a little citrus kick and is smooth and easy to drink. Nice compliment to food off the grill. 4 stars

Duck-Rabbit Dark Ale Beer
This is one of our local North Carolina made beers, and WHEW BOY, it's a beer. Very strong taste. I'd not serve this one with barbecue, unless you make super hot barbecue. 1 star

Seven Sisters Abbey Style Ale - Out of the ballpark. This is a smooth ale that does not overpower the barbecue. Next time I'm in Chapel Hill I'll get a 6 pack of this one. I just got one bottle before and shared it. This is a winner. 5 stars

Terrapin Rye Pale Ale - Good golly Miss Molly. This was really bad. I think it might perhaps best be used to blast away the hard water ring stain in the toilet. 0 stars

Wildflower Witbier - You'll have to look down at the bottom of the Emma Key's restaurant review to get the scoop on this one. It was interesting and did taste like flowers or perhaps perfume. I don't see serving this one up to the barbecue boys though. Just not very manly to say the least. 3 stars

Bless Our Local Boys. They are Angels as you Can Clearly See.

Certainly don't feel duty bound to serve beer or any spirits at your barbecue party or grill out. You do not want to corrupt our local sweethearts. Most of the North Carolina barbecue joints don't even have beer on the menu. You typically have to hit a home pig pickin' out in the country for beer with barbecue. Then, it may be in a cooler hidden away from Grandma and other teetotalers.

Sweet tea goes down great with barbecue or at a grill party, but my number one pick for a barbecue beverage would be Cheerwine which is a soft drink made right here in Salisbury, North Carolina. That's a rocking great soda pop and goes down perfect with pork barbecue.

Carolina Cook Out Selected for the Food Buzz 24/24/24

Some Family and Friends at a Cook Out Last Year

I was really surprised to be selected for a Food Buzz 24/24/24. Now, you may be wondering what the heck that is. OK. I would too if I wasn't a member of Food Buzz which is kind of a FaceBook for foodies with members having food blogs. You can see Food Buzz over to the right here on the site. I have a badge about being a featured publisher.

The idea is that each month Food Buzz coordinates 24 chefs (although I consider myself a down home griller) with 24 meals (mine is Carolina Cook Out) in 24 hours. Since it's international, it does take 24 hours. Trust me. I lived in Greece and Japan. The sun rises and sets at very different times. Calling home was a juggling act back then.

My idea was to grill down next to the Yadkin River at the Bull Hole as it's called locally but listed as River Park in Cooleemee. It's one of the prettiest places I've seen. There's a dam that helped power the mills back before those went under here in the United States. As a teen, I'd go down there when it was probably not legal. Now, they have made that into a park. It's still rustic which I like. And, I think it will be a great place for a grill out.

As far as the grill menu, I want to feature as many local products as possible. We have some great foods and businesses around here. The whole idea is to share our various cities, towns, or villages around the globe, so I hope I do our area proud.

My head is kind of spinning in thinking about all the details. The main thing I hope is that it does not rain. That would be a bummer. They have a very nice shelter at the Bull Hole, but it was rented for the one day I needed it. Isn't that just the way things go. But, OK. I will do the no rain dance.

On the menu, I know we will have Joel Burgers. My friend Greta and her husband Joel are coming in from Asheboro to make those. They are burgers on North Carolina sour dough bread with homemade pimento cheese on top. Yum. I'm thinking also chicken and hot dogs. For sides, Wetmore's farm has great local produce. Frank Corriher sausage will be super in baked beans (actually grilled beans in the CADAC grill wok top - cool little camp grill). Cheerwine is home based right here in our county, so I know what the drinks will be.

If anyone has other ideas, please feel free to leave notes. I have a little over a week to get this all together. I think it's going to be loads of fun.

Check back for full coverage!

Apple Baking Company Teams Up with Cheerwine for New Packaged Cakes - Yum

Just Out - Cheerwine Cake by Apple Baking Company - Woodleaf, NC

You can't grill up this Cheerwine Cake, but it would be an easy and tasty end to a great barbecue meal. Acutally, you can wrap slices in tin foil (as well as doughnuts and other tasty treats) and heat on the grill for a warm dessert at an outdoor party.

The Apple Baking Company just came out with these Cheerwine Cakes. I found out when of the students I taught, Hilah, stopped by the college. We were talking about this and that, and she mentioned the new cakes. She works at Miller Davis Inc. in marketing and helps with new product campaign launches. I'm thrilled that she is using skills I taught her in class and also that she took the time to drop by and say hello.

The Apple Baking Company is a small company right down the road. They are famous for making Apple Uglies (as well as other sweet treats). Apple Uglies are kind of like Monkey Bread or braided bread with apples. You might call them a type of apple fritter. Whatever you liken them to, Appple Uglies are really tasty. And, they aren't even really that ugly either.

Cheerwine is our local soft drink - made out of Salisbury, NC. Some people say it's like a cherry cola, but that doesn't really capture this unique soda. It's just different - and very popular in the South.

Some of our Southern cooks make Cheerwine Cake, and I need to get that up at Yes You Can Cook. Cheerwine Cake looks a bit like Red Velvet Cake, but the flavor is different.

Apple Baking Company and Cheerwine teamed up to get this unique cake out there on the market. Great idea. It really is a super cake - and not like any I've ever had before.

You can order Apple Uglies and other products online through the company web site, but I don't see the Cheerwine Cakes up yet. I think they're selling too fast right now and just on the market as well.

Keep an eye out. I see Apple Baking Good products from time to time and especially at country type stores. The Uglies are really tasty and so is Cheerwine Cake.

* The photo was provided by Miller Davis - THANKS!

Southern Barbecue in New York City - Brother Jimmy's BBQ

If you're a Southerner in New York City or an uptown girl or guy who has never had Carolina Barbecue, get yourself over to Brother Jimmy's BBQ. There are six locations, so what are you waiting for?

Bother Jimmy's serves both Northern and Southern style barbecue, though they've made a name with their Southern BBQ, football fans who stop by to watch Duke vs. Carolina and some good old blues music.

If you're not familiar with Southerner barbecue, it's generally pork and slow cooked over wood. Jimmy's does it right - slow and over hickory wood.

You can get your barbecue served on a bun or as a tray with sides, cornbread, and pickles. They have slaw which is what most Southerners eat with chopped pork barbecue, but you can also get barbecue baked beans, black eyed peas, collard greens, mac and cheese, green beans, or even biscuits with gravy.

They have good old Southern sweet tea of course as well as lemonade, and they're just added Cheerwine to the menu. Cheerwine is a local soft drink out of Salisbury, North Carolina.

If you have any room left, you can finish off that barbecue dinner with apple pie, pecan pie, key lime pic, banana cream pie, or Mississippi Mud Cake.

You can drop in at one of the restaurant locations, or they'll even cater your event.