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Logan Daily News - HAH Lodge (04-16-03) What's Cooking
Have you often thought about Sunday brunch, but then realize there's no place in Hocking County to go except on special occasions? Well, look no more. The Lodge at Hide-A-Way Hills offers Sunday brunch the first Sunday of every month. The first which was April 6th. Never having been to Hide-A-Way Hills in all the years I've lived in Logan, I didn't know quite what to expect. It was probably the best 25 miles (round trip) I've traveled in a long time. The trip was well worth what was waiting for me at the Lodge. The drive through scenic Hide-A-Way Hills was breathtaking. The morning sun peeking through the trees, the crispness of the morning spring air, flowers peeping through the ground as though they were awakening to the sunrise and the rolling hills throughout the village gave me a feeling of tranquility. Passing by many chalets, beautiful homes tucked in the hills, I thought to myself of the many opportunities I missed seeing such beautiful sights. The golfers were out in anticipation of sinking that hole-in-one on the local golf course and the drive seemed endless to me. Aah, there it is--the Lodge. What a beautiful site sitting perched on a hill in the middle of God's country, overlooking what seems like a endless miles of wooded forest. Kim Sauer is the manager/executive chef for the Lodge and she knows what it takes to keep her guests happy. The Lodge is beautifully decorated with a fireplace in the dining area. One can sit and dine while viewing the beautiful scenery out the many windows surrounding the dining room. And the service is excellent. The aroma of food drifted throughout the room and was a delight to my senses. The tables graced with what appeared to be a ton of food: cereal, fruit, cottage cheese, eggs Benedict, scrambled eggs, sausage and bacon, pancakes, waffles potatoes, biscuits and gravy, muffins, and the list goes on. Brunch begins at 9:30 a.m. and ends at 1:30 p.m. Cost of this delicious brunch is only $8.99 per person. That's a bargain for all you can eat, including your drink. (coffee, tea, juice) I chose bacon, scrambled eggs, and bubble-n-squeak. Yes, you heard right --bubble-n-squeak potatoes. These are by far the best potatoes I have ever tasted. Kim was kind enough to share her recipe for this specialty. The eggs were so light and fluffy. It was almost like eating meringue without the sweetness. I couldn't believe when I was told the secret behind fluffy, light colorful scrambled eggs. Do not use milk when making your eggs. Instead use water and a little Sprite. Yes, Sprite. Try it! Believe me, you won't believe the difference in your eggs. The bacon was fried to perfection, not to crisp and not limp. Just perfect, the way I like my bacon. My guest tried the pancakes and she said they were absolutely mouth watering as were the blueberry muffins as well. Of course, Kim wouldn't give me all of her secrets, but she did share two recipes with me. TYPIST REMOVED RESERVATION DETAILS OF THE EASTER BRUNCH AND UPCOMING EVENTS THAT HAVE ALREADY PAST. Please, call for current hours and events. 740-569-7944 Wedding and parties can also be held at the Lodge in the downstairs party room. Kim said although she has prepared a "set" menu, the menu will change periodically depending on the season. "I'm hoping to increase the quality of the Lodge and be creative with new ideas," she said. "We have a full menu that changes seasonally." The menu includes a variety of appetizers: shrimp cocktail, fried calamari, crab cakes, stuffed mushrooms, chicken wings and potato skins. Dinner entrees include roast prime rib, New York strip, baby back ribs, Asian barbecue, pork tenderloin medallions, herb crusted salmon fillet, pan-roasted chicken, angel hair diablo, and salmon tortolini. The Lodge also serves sandwiches and pizzas. You can choose from reuben, portobello mushroom, sun-dried tomato-basil wrap, Lodge Burger, or build your own sub. With a menu of this magnitude nobody should walk away hungry or disappointed. Kim is no stranger to the area or to cooking. She is a resident of Hide-A-Way Hills and is familiar with the area and to the guests that visit the Lodge. She started working immediately after high school at her husband's family's restaurant and has developed the love of cooking since that time. She continued working the restaurant field and attended culinary classes at hocking College. She has worked in the area (Hocking County) for a long time and has become accustomed to the many visitors and tourist who sometimes "visit the area just to sample the food." Try these to recipes for your family brunch sometime or visit the Lodge and see how it's really done. BUBBLE-N-SQUEAK POTATOES Makes 12 6 Idaho Potatoes, baked, peeled and mashed. 1 Cup Mixed Vegetables(broccoli, onions, peppers, etc.) 1/2 Cup Shredded Cabbage 1 TBSP Salt 1/4 TSP Pepper 2 Slices of Bacon (Fry and reserve the grease) Mix all ingredients and form into a 1" cake. Fry in bacon grease until browned. BUTTERMILK PANCAKES Serves 4 2 TBSP Sugar 1 TSP Baking Powder 3/4 TSP Baking Soda 1/2 TSP Salt 1 Large Egg, Beaten 1-1/3 Cup Buttermilk 1/4 Cup Butter, Melted Maple Syrup Mix dry ingredients, add egg, buttermilk, and butter. Mix quickly. Grease and heat griddle or large frying pan until a few drops of water sputter. Using a large spoon drop batter onto griddle. Cook until bubbles appear on op and bottom is browned. Flip and brown other side. Serve immediately with syrup. |