Hey There North Carolina

Today we celebrate the state of North Carolina. Rather than look at the state as a whole or talk about strange laws, I thought we’d spend some time roaming the Outer Banks.

No doubt the Outer Banks has much to offer, from Fishing Excursions to shopping to a round of golf. I picked my four favorites from an article by US News depicting the 15 Best of the Outer Banks.

The first is free (who does’t like free these days?) – and that’s the beaches. The beaches of the Outer Banks stretch more than 100 miles along the barrier islands that frame the eastern coast of North Carolina. Each beach has something different to office yet they share a commonality in the long stretches of clean sandy beaches and family friendly communities. Sounds perfect to me.

What would oceans and beaches be without their lighthouses? I’ve always been drawn to lighthouses – beacons of hope when it’s impossible to find your way. Before 1875, ships sailing past the North Carolina coast faced a 40-mile stretch between Bodie Island and Virginia’s Cape Henry that was blind. The dangers hidden, the risk great. Then the Currituck Beach Lighthouse was created. The spiral staircase alone is worth a visit.

Located in Manteo, the Roanoke Island Festival Park carries visitor back in time to experience the settlement of Roanoke as it was in the 1500s. The park is interactive, allowing children to don sailor costumes and board a replica Elizabeth II ship.

Speaking of Elizabeth – nothing is more beautiful than to walk through a true Elizabethan Garden. The camellia collection alone is impressive, boasting for than 85 varieties. This 10 acre public garden is also home to an ancient living oak, thought to have been planted in 1585 when the first settlers landed in the are.

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So what does today’s menu have to do with North Carolina and the Outer Banks? Nothing. For our wedding anniversary a few months back, we went out for a cassual steak supper. My guys went for the Blooming Onion to start the meal, and bugged me yet again to make their favorite starter. I thought let’s do Blooming Onions as a side for Chicken Patty Burgers. Today seemed as good a day as any to share. Have a blessed and beautiful day!

Chicken Patty Burgers
6 Breaded Chicken Patties
6 Green Leaf Lettuce Leaves
1 large Tomato
6 Hamburger Buns
3 tablespoons Butter
6 tablespoons Miracle Whip

Heat oven to 425-degrees.

Place frozen chicken patties on a rimmed baking sheet. Bake in the heated oven for 20 minutes, turning mid-way through cooking time.

While patties cook, break off lettuce leaves, rinse and pat dry. Cut onion in half. Reserve half for another purpose. Peel and slice remaining half in rings, break apart. Slice tomato.

Split hamburger buns, brush inside with a little butter. On a griddled over medium heat, toast buts. Spread Miracle Whip on toasted buns. Place sliced tomato on bottom buns, top chicken patty, leafy lettuce and top bun.

Air-Fryer Blooming Onions with Spicy Dipping Sauce
Blooming Onions
4 small Maui or other Sweet Onions
1 cup Flour
1 teaspoon Paprika
1 teaspoon Garlic Powder
1 teaspoon Salt
1/2 teaspoon Black Pepper
2 large Eggs
1 cup Buttermilk
1 cup Breadcrumbs
Cooking Spray

Peel onions, cut off tops, leaving root intact. Cut onion into petals with the base attached to hold onion together. Set aside.

Note: I used a round cutter to hold the onion and prevent knife from slicing all the way through. It worked perfectly as a guide.

In a bowl, mix flour, paprika, garlic powder, salt and black pepper. Set dry ingredients aside. In another bowl, whisk together the eggs and buttermilk. In a third bowl have breadcrumbs ready.

Heat air fryer to 375-degrees. Spray baskets with cooking spray.

Dip each onion into the seasoned flour, shake off excess. Dip into the buttermilk mixture, allowing excess to drip back into bowl. Finally coat with breadcrumbs. Spray coated onions with cooking spray. Place in fryer basket.

Air Fry for 15 minutes. If not golden brown and crisp, fry another 5 minutes. Serve onions with spicy dipping sauce.

Spicy Dipping Sauce
1/2 cup Mayonnaise
1/2 cup Sour Cream
4 tablespoons Ketchup
2 tablespoon Prepared Horseradish
1 teaspoon Worcestershire Sauce
1 teaspoon Smoked Paprika
Cayenne Pepper to taste

In a bowl mix mayonnaise, sour cream and ketchup until blended and smooth. Whisk in horseradish Worcestershire Sauce, paprika and pepper.

Taste, adjust seasoning as desired. Chill until ready to serve.

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In every age, O Lord, you have been our refuge.