Hot and Hot Fish Club in Birmingham, Alabama knows how to serve good Southern cuisine. Food reveals the soul of a place. It helpsyou understandthe people and culture. One of my favorite food destinations might surprise some “foodies”— I love the tastes of Alabama food.
Hot & Hot Fish Club’s Tomato Salad from Chef Chris Hastings. Photo by Karim Shamsi-Basha and Alabama Tourism Department
Perhaps it is my Southern roots that draws me to the food, although I left the South shortly after my 14th birthday. Mostly, though, I think it is because the people of Alabama know how to cook with fresh local ingredients. They have a connection with their food, the land, the animals, the water. In fact, the state is celebrating 2012 as “The Year of Food.” That’s my kind of celebration.
When I was in Birmingham, I enjoyed dinner one night at Hot and Hot Fish Club in the city’s Southside. The award-winning restaurant is owned by husband and wife chef team of Chris and Idie Hastings. The entire dinner was a gourmand’s delight with flavors reflecting the lengthening September days. However, it was Chef Chris’ signature Tomato Salad that I will remember as my food find in Birmingham. While the menu changes daily, depending on available ingredients, you will always find the tomato salad on the Hot and Hot menu.
The tomato salad is a work of art, but it tastes every bit as good as it looks. Chef suggest using Beefsteak, Golden Delight, Rainbow and Sweet 100 tomatoes. He prefers those locally-grown heirloom varieties, but always selects locally grown tomatoes even when those particular heirloom varieties aren’t available. The tomatoes, along with cooked fresh corn and peas, marinate in a Balsamic Vinaigrette. They are stacked on the plate, as shown in the photo, and served with cornmeal and buttermilk battered fried okra and a chive dressing. Chef tops the entire dish with a crispy slice of Applewood smoked bacon. If you want to brave it, you can download the recipe here and try it yourself at home.
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Dishes like this tomato salad, or the shrimp and grits with country ham, are what won Chef Chris Hastings the honor of 2012 James Beard Foundation’s Best Chef of the South title. He also beat Bobby Flay on Food Network’s Iron Chef America this past spring, which is pretty good bragging rights for any chef.
Chef Chris Hastings with his Tomato Salad. Photo by Karim Shamsi-Basha and Alabama Tourism Department
There are award-winning chefs and restaurants throughout Alabama. During the 2012 “Year of Food” is an ideal time to discover such great finds as the tomato salad— or the farmer’s markets, wine trails, festivals and more celebrating Alabama’s culinary treasures.There are also some great recipes for Alabama dishes— from classic Southern to innovative international cuisine. Click here to find the recipes and more information about “The Year of Food”.
If you want to check out Alabama food for yourself, Alabama Restaurant Week is August 17 – 26, 2012, with over 150 restaurants across the state participating. Full details are available online at www.alabamarestaurantweek.com.
I love tomatoes. Serve them up in a beautiful setting in historic Birmingham, follow them with an evening of culinary delights and a glass or two of fine wine, and it creates one unforgettable food find.
Hot and Hot Fish Club
2180 11th Court South
Birmingham, AL 35205
205.933.5474
Open Tuesday – Saturday, 5:30 – 10 p.m.
www.hotandhotfishclub.com
Written by Susan Lanier-Graham
Founder and publisher Susan Lanier-Graham has traveled the world for the past twenty years, filling a passport or two along the way. She has wandered through the jungles of Thailand, explored the mysteries of the Great Pyramids, and shared the night with a leopard in Zambia. She sailed in the Mediterranean, sipped her way through Burgundy canals and Champagne caves. She followed Rembrandt’s footsteps through Amsterdam. Susan found her center on the red rocks of Sedona and soaked up an exquisite sunset over the Indian Ocean in Bali. Susan is always looking for wow moments around the world or across the street to share with adventure lovers everywhere.She has authored more than 75 books and hundreds of magazine articles. Susan is an award-winning travel writer and member of the Society of American Travel Writers (SATW) and International Food, Wine and Travel Writers Association (IFWTWA). She is a Certified California Wine Appellation Specialist (CWAS). Susan is also the managing editor of North Peoria Lifestyle, a print lifestyle publication in the Phoenix, Arizona, area.Susan's work regularly appears in print and online in a variety of publications. These include various AAA publications, Postcards for Travel Leaders, Alamo.com, Hotels.com, Fairmont.com, Sofitel.com, Paradise Valley City Lifestyle, Scottsdale City Lifestyle, So Scottsdale, Green Living AZ, Modern Luxury, Marriott.com, WHERE Arizona, WHERE Traveler Phoenix + Scottsdale, and more.
