THE DISH

EXTRAS | ODDS & ENDS

Christmas by the Bay (Leaf )

text by MARISSA DEAL

Cooks on the Gulf Coast know that bay leaves add rich flavor to gumbo, soups and stews, but did you also know that HERBALISTS IN THE 17TH CENTURY believed that bay leaves could protect you from lightning

(MB does not recommend you test this theory)

1920

The Blakeley School was erected on Magnolia Church Road, just north of Spanish Fort. It was built according to the state-approved plan for one-room schoolhouses at that time, and the Julius T. Rosenwald Negro School Fund covered the cost of construction.

To learn about another schoolhouse built in this style, turn to page 72.

— NOTABLE OPENINGS — GRACE ON DAUPHIN

is now open for dinner, with lunch coming soon! Go for the roof-deck, stay for the craft cocktails. 555 Dauphin Street

DECEMBER 4TH IS NATIONAL COOKIE DAY

Sweet... MANY BLESSINGS

Wedding flowers originated in ancient Greece where brides would wear a blend of flowers and plants made into a wreath upon their heads. The flowers were meant to represent fertility, and garlic was often included to ward o evil spirits.

See how Debbie Richards uses wedding flowers to pay it forward, page 24. While Mobile has never had a WHITE CHRISTMAS

on Dec. 31, 1962, folks rang in the New Year with a record 2-inch snowfall.

MAKING SPIRITS BRIGHT

IN 1964, CONGRESS DECLARED BOURBON AS AMERICA’S ONLY OFFICIAL NATIVE SPIRIT.

Whip up this year’s holiday eggnog with a new local bourbon! Turn to page 32 for the recipe.

“Three phrases that sum up Christmas are: Peace on Earth, Goodwill to Men and Batteries not Included.” – unknown author

DID YOU KNOW? The “X” in Xmas originates from Greece. The symbol is the letter “Chi,” which is the first letter in the Greek word for “Christ.”

FOOD | THE DISH

Bite of the Bay

MB’s contributing food fanatics share their go-to local dishes.

TYLER FLOWERS, Attorney, Cunningham Bounds, LLC

LINDA JENSEN, Juvenile Court Referee, Mobile County

PHILIP MARTIN, Theology teacher, St. Michael Catholic High School DEBRIS PO’ BOY AT DEBRIS PO-BOYS & DRINKS “The word ‘debris’ conjures images of hurricane aftermath in Mobile. But it has a different meaning at Debris Po-Boys & Drinks. Recently, I had their classic debris po’ boy made with slow-braised prime beef, dressed with lettuce, tomato and mayo and served au jus. A bag of Zapp’s chips, collard greens, slaw and gumbo brought it all together.”

DEBRIS PO-BOYS & DRINKS 276 DAUPHIN ST. • 378-8133 FACEBOOK.COM/DEBRISPOBOYMOBILE

DONKEY ON CRACK SUSHI ROLL AT CHUCK’S FISH “If you’ve never tried the Donkey on Crack at Chuck’s Fish, it’s time that you do. This mouthwatering deep-fried sushi contains tuna, crab and avocado. It’s topped with baked seafood and eel and Sriracha sauces. You will not find it on the regular menu at Chuck’s, so you need to ask the server. Don’t be scared off by the price. It is more than enough for two people.”

CHUCK’S FISH • 551 DAUPHIN ST. 219-7051 • CHUCKSFISH.COM

FIRECRACKER SHRIMP BOWL AT DRAGONFLY TAVERN “I don’t know why, but the older I get, the more I crave spicy foods. At Dragonfly Tavern, there is one dish that has just the right snap: the Firecracker Shrimp Bowl. The fried basmati rice serves as the base for the idyllic combination of mushroom, jalapeno slices and sweet-and-spicy shrimp. The yolk of a soft fried egg serves as a kind of sauce. So delicious.”

DRAGONFLY TAVERN • 1800 MAIN ST., DAPHNE 586-8113 • FACEBOOK.COM/DRAGONFLY-TAVERN

SOUTHWEST PROTEIN POWER BOWL AT OX KITCHEN / PHOTO BY ELIZABETH GELINEAU

MOLLY SPAIN, President, Baldwin County Trailblazers

SOUTHWEST PROTEIN POWER BOWL AT OX KITCHEN “Although Ox Kitchen has some of the best burgers in Fairhope, I opted to try the Southwest Protein Power Bowl for a lighter lunch. It starts with a bottom layer of quinoa topped with pickled radish, pepitas, tomato, black beans, corn and avocado. I added blackened chicken that gave it a mild spice and a kick of flavor. The cilantro lime vinaigrette accentuated the fresh ingredients. It made for a perfect lunch.”

OX KITCHEN • 365 S GREENO ROAD, FAIRHOPE 725-9385 • THEOXKITCHEN.COM

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