Wagyu Bavette may be one of my favorite cuts. It’s part of the bottom sirloin and has amazing beef flavor. It reminds me of a thick and juicy version of a skirt steak. It has more texture, which I like, but requires you to slice it against the grain in order to enjoy it. I don’t think I have ever seen it in a grocery store but it is worth searching out at specialty butcher shops.
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By Chef David Raines
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12/20/23
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During the last few months we launched a very exclusive global culinary experience in the form of The Flora Supper Club, a multi-course wine pairing dinner right here in central Mississippi. Over the last decade the sleepy little town of Flora has grown into a foodie destination with a special emphasis on the growing farm-to-table movement. After honing my skills as a chef all over the world, from Japan and Australia to Italy and Denmark, the desire to apply what I had learned within a unique dining experience has become a runaway success. The concept was inspired by the legendary Delta Supper Club of years past. The Flora Supper Club is located in the Flora Station district within the historic Dave’s Triple B building on Main Street. Reservations are open to all by contacting Anne Marie Smith at (601)879-7803 or annemarie@makeitraines.com. You can also visit us on Facebook via https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100086601717014 to learn more about dates and cost.
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By Chef David Raines
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12/20/23
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This month’s column is the perfect supper for the autumn and winter months. Our pork ribeye has become the most celebrated dish when preparing a private dinner for family and friends. We’re pairing our menu with an affordable red blend from Oregon’s Willamette Valley winery Teutonic Wines. It’s a dry wine with Apple, lemon, cherry and herbs on the nose. It’s a lighter bodied red with subtle notes of Citrus and red berry on the body. The finish is clean and mildly crisp. Appropriately called Lardo, the wine is perfect with salty fatty foods. The acidity pairs well with rich food and what better wine than Lardo with a lard infused pork ribeye” . Its light distinct fruity flavor also pairs well with charcuterie or as an aperitif. Available in most local wine shops and at Raine’s Cellar in Flora.
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By Chef David Raines
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12/20/23
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As the summer unfolds we’re going to suggest some of our favorite food and wine pairings. In the coming months we’ll help you take the mystery out of specific wines and how they will compliment certain dishes. This month we’re preparing Blackened Catfish Over Grit Cakes With Lemon Beurre Blanc. The dish is a different take on a popular southern staple. I like to pair this entree with slightly floral chardonnay that I think has enough acidity to hold up to the richness of the beurre blanc. 2019 Magnolia Chardonnay. It is not a wine to break the bank and very well crafted. I also love the story of these Mississippi natives who raise these grapes in the Saint Lucia Highlands of Monterey, California. They then named the wine after the state flower of Mississippi to honor their southern roots.
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By Chef David Raines
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12/20/23
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As we move into the warmer months, we are preparing to open our next big venture in Flora, Mississippi. The Flora Butcher was our first venture immediately embraced by thousands of customers in central Mississippi. That following extended to Alabama, Louisiana, Texas, Tennessee and Arkansas. This was followed by Dave’s Triple B: Barbecue, Beer & Blues Restaurant which has won raves from both locals and food enthusiasts from around the country. Now we prepare our third Flora business, Raines Cellars. We will be offering fine wines and rare spirits, as well as familiar labels of a certain high quality. Our team has gone to Kentucky to pick our own bourbon barrel picks and travel to the West Coast to buy rare one of a kind wines at auction. All these labels will be available for sampling at our in-store tasting bar. Our culinary staff will be creating special dishes that are compliment by specific wines and spirits. Our first is
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By Chef David Raines
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12/20/23
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We do a lot of different kinds of tacos at Dave’s Triple B in Flora. When we started, I was just trying some out as a “Taco Tuesday” special but they are now permanent fixtures on our menu. I encourage you to try tacos at home! They are a fun way to feed the family or entertain groups and, because there are endless combinations, they never get old. I have included a lot of the elements from our tacos but don’t be afraid to experiment. A great cole slaw could be as easy as sliced cabbage and your favorite salad dressing. At The Flora Butcher, we offer 6 or 7 kinds of aioli and an almost endless selection of sauces from small Mississippi producers.
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By Chef David Raines
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12/20/23
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No matter how you stack it (every imaginable pun intended) the classic American Hamburger remains the most popular sandwich throughout the United States. The humble hamburger has evolved in a variety of ways, from Veggie Burgers and Salmon burger to Pork Burgers and the mouth watering Wagyu (Kobe) Burger. So as we find ourselves in the middle of summer with our grills at the ready, we’ve decided to give you some of our favorite options when serving up the 21st Century burger.
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By Chef David Raines
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12/20/23
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For the last four years, Mississippians have come to recognize their good fortune by having access to prime Wagyu steaks and locally-sourced chicken, pork and lamb via The Flora Butcher. The priority of owner Chef David Raines has been to offer his loyal customers the finest in specialty meats.
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By Chef David Raines
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12/20/23
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Making fresh sausages daily has been a mainstay of The Flora Butcher since we started. As a whole animal butcher shop, there are always meaty trim and pristine fat left over from creating the wide variety of both common and specialty cuts that we offer. We do sell things like ground pork, wagyu beef, lamb, goat etc. but it’s way more fun to take the time to make original sausages for our clientele to try.
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By Chef David Raines
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12/20/23
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“May you live in interesting times” is the old English expression purported to be of Chinese origin. Certainly, the last few months have lived up to the true meaning of that phrase. While …
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By Chef David Raines
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12/20/23
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