I’m twenty-something years into adulthood and still have no idea what I’m doing. On Sunday I had plans to attend the Motley Pumpkin Patch with some friends before going to the Root Cafe to help judge the 6th annual Pie Bake off/recipe swap. I was supposed to be at The Root at 3:45 p.m. My friends and I were running late and left for the pumpkin patch (in my friend’s car) at 1:30. I was like “Guys, we have plenty of time.”
Wrong. Any sensible adult would’ve known that. I also didn’t apply sunscreen despite it being perfect sunburn weather. I had to be driven out of there early, so I didn’t get to see the pig races or the magic show or ride the new super slide, but I did purchase four pumpkins and hit up Mike’s Grill, run by my best friend Mike Motley, who makes a hell of a burger and has been running the grill at the pumpkin patch and Christmas Tree Farm for the past several years. I knew I wouldn’t be able to house a whole burger because I had to judge the pie contest, so I just ate half thinking I’d have plenty of room for pies. Wrong again. But the burger was an excellent backyard-style classic.
When I arrived at The Root I met fellow judges Fidel Samour of Fidel & Co, Katie McGowan from Love Spell Tattoo, Lisa Ford from Wild Sweet Williams and THV-11 meteorologist Skot Covert who told me he’d been fasting all day to prepare, which made me feel like a total sham. I didn’t ask the other judges, but I can all but guarantee none of them had the audacity to mess around with a burger a couple hours before the contest. The number of pies set out on the table looked like a reasonable amount at first but it kept growing and growing. There ended up being 25. I took one bite of each. There were times I didn’t know if I was going to be able to make it, but I pushed through. We tried to figure out the math equation: “How much pie is 25 bites?” I think I’d rather not know.
The unanimous favorite was a Spiked S’mores Pie. I wasn’t able to do much reporting, but The Root credited Carey as the baker. It was excellent — rich, chocolatey, marshmallow-y goodness. A perfect October pie. Some other favorite bites: the Jalapeno Apple (Carissa), the Banoffee (Erica), the Sweet Potato Creme Brulee Tart (Erika), the Maple Pumpkin Chai (Kristin), the Pastrami Reuben (!!! – Ken), the Forest Berry Lemon Meringue (Julia) and the Cider Caramel Apple (Erica). I also really enjoyed the Blackberry and Strawberry Rhubarb. Check out these beauties:
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If you’re in the market for soup this fall, here’s one I’m really excited about right now.
The Sopa De Pollo from Rosalinda’s, the Honduran restaurant in North Little Rock at 900 W 35th St., is fantastic. It comes with big chunks of tender carrot, zucchini, chicken (including a leg) and a big side of rice. I got it to go. It was piping hot, hearty and delicious. Plus it’s a huge portion, easily enough for two people and a bargain at $10.50.