Monday, September 16, 2013

Monday's Beach Brunch...and "What is that?"

This morning we started by taking our long walk on the beach first...before breakfast and before it got too hot. Last night we had a torrential thunderstorm in the middle of the night...but awoke to another beautiful clear sunny morning. Youngest son is headed back home this afternoon...it was great having him here for a few days. Maybe next time my other son and daughter will be able to join us too. When we got back from our walk this morning, I made scrambled eggs with fresh sauteed baby spinach, diced tomatoes and Monterey Jack pepper cheese along with an Easy Cheddar Black Pepper Biscuit. That and a cup of toasted hazelnut coffee made for a perfect late "brunch".  We've already staked out our spot on the beach and will be headed back down shortly. Last night we went out to eat at a small little restaurant nearby...I had char-grilled grouper and haricot verts drizzled with olive oil and grilled lemon. I snapped a couple photos of our brunch as well as a really unusual and beautiful palm tree that we walk past on our way to the beach. I've never seen anything like it before. In the center of this beautiful short palm tree is what appears to be a tightly woven basket full of red "eggs"...I carefully pried it open to take a closer look inside while trying to take a picture with my phone. If anyone knows what kind of palm tree it is, I'd like to know! I've been googling and can't seem to find anything quite like it.  Enjoy!





What is that?

8 comments:

Denise said...

Dear Gourmet Girl,
Your palm tree is not a palm tree but a cycad. Cycads are very ancient plants and were around in the dinosaur times - I am no cycad expert but your picture looks like Cycas revoluta to me. The plants are either male or female and I think that yours is a female and what you are seeing in the center are the seeds. If the seeds are ripe(come off the plant easily into your hand)you could try growing a few. They are very slow growing and should make a good pot plant for many years, however I don't think they would appreciate your Atlanta winters and would need to over-winter indoors in the sunniest spot that you have.
By the way I just love your recipes and am very grateful to you for doing all this work, so that we who are sensitive to gluten can enjoy eating -every recipe that I have made so far has been delicious and my favorite is the Greek Feta Spinach Pie. Any more bread and cookie recipes would also be much appreciated.
Thanks again,
Denise.

Gourmet Girl Cooks said...

Thanks so much, Denise! I'm glad you are enjoying the Greek Spinach-Feta Pie, too! I will be working more on other bread and cookie type recipes with the upcoming fall weather...so stay tuned! Thanks again! :-)

Patricia said...

Wow it's nice Denise could tell us! That is an amazing plant!!! Neat! What you ate for breakfast is Exactly what I like to eat too! Glad you are having some peaceful downtime. Good for the soul huh?

Luana said...

Ha! I thought for sure those were Greek Easter eggs.

Gourmet Girl Cooks said...

Hi Patricia! It is nice -- I figured someone would recognize or know what it was. I have never ever seen anything like it before. I was absolutely fascinated by the "basket-like" feature that held those large reddish pods. They sort of looked like eggs or red potatoes. Yes, it is great to be away for a bit and to relax a little. It is excellent for the soul! :-)

Gourmet Girl Cooks said...

LOL, Luana! They do look like that, don't they! :-)

Petra said...

Thank you for the Easy Cheddar Black Pepper Biscuit recipe, they are just delicious.
Can't wait for more recipes like this..

Petra from Holland

Gourmet Girl Cooks said...

Thanks so much, Petra! I am so happy you enjoyed them! :-)