Greetings From Charlie!

Good Morning!

Just wanted to quickly introduce myself.  I am Charlie, and I help out here at Southernhooks.com and with the Southern Hooks blog that you guys have helped grow so quickly here on the internet.  And hey, thanks for doing so.  Because of loyal readers like you, Jason has managed to hit the ground running with this brand, and we have you fans to thank for it.

In the coming weeks, we hope to grow the brand even further, and I hope you will all take a second and share his page, www.facebook.com/southernhooks , with your own personal social media sites like facebook and twitter. 

Again, thank you all so much for helping us grow.  We have been building this brand for almost a year now, and it is amazing how we have taken it from napkins and sketches during our hospital shiftwork, towards its current status.  You won't believe what we have planned, but I'll tell you, its going to be amazing and a lot of fun for us all.  And that includes you.

Thanks again,

Charlie Veuleman
www.facebook.com/southernhooks
southernhooks@gmail.com

BBQ Shrimp Southern Hooks Style

Okay... We've had a ton of requests for our Southern Hooks BBQ shrimp, so eat up!!!

16 jumbo (and we mean JUMBO) shrimp
1/2 cup Worcestershire sauce
1 tablespoon of FRESH lemon juice (but you can substitute with lime juice for a change)
2 teaspoons of Old Bay seasoning
1 Jug of Black pepper
1 teaspoon minced garlic
3 sticks of unsalted butter

Take a large skillet and combine the shrimp, Worcestershire, lemon juice, old bay seasoning and the garlic. Cover the shrimp with a solid coating of old bay and black pepper and cook on medium high heat until the shrimp are pink on both sides. This usually only takes a minute or so. Reduce the heat to low and add the butter a little bit at a time. Take the skillet from the heat and put the shrimp in a shallow dish.

This part is critical!!!

Have a loaf of French bread on the side for sopping up the juice!!!
There you go. BBQ Southern Hooks style!!!!!

- JD

Captain's Kid - Our Own Mixologist

     Southern Hooks as its own REAL mixologist! 

I’d like to introduce the Captain’s Kid!  She has been persuaded by yours truly to share some of her best cocktail recipes with us… So crank up some Buffett, get out a glass and enjoy a cold beverage!! We’ll start with a beverage inspired by the Captain’s Kid’s  love of the water and SEC football!  "The Captain's Daughter"

Mount Gay Rum (1 Oz)
Wild Turkey 101 (½ Oz)
Pineapple and Orange juice poured in equal parts over ice. 

Then sit back and listen to a game while wetting a hook.  For those of you who choose not to tangle with the “Kickin’ Chicken,” you can substitute another um…lesser bourbon.

A hot day deserves a cold drink.

- JD

Friday Banana What?!

This is one of my favorite brunch cocktails.  It's the perfect way to ease into an afternoon!!!  

Muddy Banana

1 oz spiced rum

1/2 oz banana liqueur

1/2 oz coffee liqueur

1 oz cream

1oz milk

1 banana

Fill a glass with enough ice for 1 drink.  Obviously repeat this for multiple consumers.  Then pour the ice into a blender.  Pour the liquids in and Bleeeeeennnndddd!!  Once the concoction is blended like a smoothie, pour back into the glass or glasses.  Then garnish with a banana slice.   

Enjoy your early afternoon!!!

- JD

Meet Karen

I would like to introduce everyone to Billy and Karen Morgan.  I have known the Morgans for over 20 years.  I’ve known Karen practically all my life.  When we were younger, Karen and her family lived up the road from the house we lived in, and I guess you could say that Karen is as close to sister as a fella can have without blood being involved.  The Morgans and I in our younger days spent a lot of time together.  There are tons of memories that bring back laughter, but one of just Karen and I sticks out the most.  Karen is a true Southern Lady.  She is bright (frighteningly so with numbers), sharp and witty, and has the good manners that being brought up in the South ingrains in young ladies.  In true Southern style she always looks her best, even when looking her best isn’t required.  That’s the root of this memory.  That’s where the funny lies.  

Karen lived right on the lake that was located just through the woods from my Mother’s house.  I had woken up one brisk fall morning, which in the South means it was 70 degrees, and saw the sun was making the day one a teenage boy dreams about.  The kind of day where the blood boils, the skin quivers, and the emotions pour forth like lava from the mouth of Vesuvius.  The kind of day for fishing!  I placed a call to Karen to ask whether her Father would mind me using his little aluminum boat later in the day for some bass fishing.  Karen responded with her usual answer of no he wouldn’t, however there was a pause at the end of her statement.  I picked up on this and said, “But what?”  She responded with, “You have to take me.”  I didn’t know if this was a new rule to the borrowing of the boat or if it was a test.  I politely inquired as to who made this decision.  Karen replied with one word, “Me.”  I had no choice but to agree.

I showed at her door later that afternoon, knocked and then proceeded in which was customary at her parent’s house since they were used to the coming and goings of teenagers.  I didn’t see Karen, but I heard her directions to go ahead and get the boat ready and she would be down to the lake in a “sec.”  In my mind I felt the wintery hands of being skunked because of a girl shake the dreams of bass from my stringer.  I walked back out and headed to the lake.  I unloaded my rod, yes MY rod because she said I had to take her, but she said nothing about gearing her up.  I placed my tackle box in the small boat, eased it from the pier and slide it around where she could climb in.  Then I saw her.   She was gliding down to the lake and as she neared I could see makeup on!  Then I saw the golden shine from her ears.  Why had she placed earrings in I wondered.  As I held the craft still and she stepped in I could tell that she had on perfume.  Perfume!  The very idea!  She was wearing clean tennis shoes, jeans and a shirt with buttons.  Not a short worn ragged with buttons.  Not a shirt covered in stains with buttons. She was wearing a nice clean, unstained shirt with buttons.  I shook my head in shame.  She looked at me with fire blazing from her eyes and in the Southern tradition asked if anything was wrong very condescendingly.  I had no other option but to say, “Uh uh.”  But I did squeak out under my breath, “Fish don’t care if you’re all done up.”  I slowly paddled out.

The afternoon was spent rigging up grape worms with fire tails on my line and the line of the old Zebco she had.  She might have made 3 casts an hour preferring rather to sit and just look at the scenery.  I on the other hand made several hundred casts and caught nothing but stumps, over hanging trees and a few scrawny catfish.  After spending 4 hours on the lake and depleting my supply of worms we decided to call it a day.  As I began to paddle back to the pier, Karen kept her line in the water just kind of trolling the only grape worm she had used all day.  We neared the pier and at about 15 feet out she said, “I think something is on my line,” and began to reel.  I sat there astonished.  I watched as she gingerly pulled a nice little 3 pound bass to the boat.  I was in utter disbelief.  How could this have happened?  I was the fisherman and she was my almost sister made up to go to out with her boyfriend.  I pulled her line in, took the bass and returned him to the water.   Neither of us spoke the last 15 feet.  At the pier, Karen stepped out of the boat, grabbed her Zebco and proceeded back up towards her parent’s house.  I watched her stunned at my defeat.  I thought she had gone in but I heard her call my name.  I looked up and Karen yelled at me, “Fish DO care if you’re all done up!”

I present my almost sister Karen.  A true Southern Hook!

• 
  JD
  
  

BiteMe Bar House Boat Drink

This is the recipe for The Bite Me Bar's house boat drink.  There is no real measuring as this is a "too taste" drink.  Just do it by feel, but watch out!  This drink has been known to cause a few ummmm... Mishaps!!!

Probably 1 oz dark rum

Most Likely 1/2 oz spiced rum

Roughly 1/4 oz blackberry brandy

Round'about 4 oz of pineapple juice

Some 2 oz of 7-up

With a tall glass and ice, start with dark rum, spiced rum, and blackberry brandy.  Stir well!  Then add pineapple juice and 7-up.  Stir again.  Take a sip.  Grin.  Turn on some Bob Marley!

Watch out for Mishaps!!!!

-

The Lady Hooks

One of the greatest things about the South is its ladies. They are brought up with a singular charm and grace. They are witty and gritty. The way the word “Sugar” rolls out of their mouths can be as sweet as the name implies, or it can be like a razor blade ready to cut. They are cultured in Southern tradition and are treasured, pampered and honored. However they are never taken for granted. They are just as strong as their male counterparts. Say they can’t and they will just to prove you wrong.
Heather and her fiancé, Jake, were fishing on a local backwater. They day progressed as expected with fish being caught and tallied. The majority of the conversation centered around who caught more; Southern competiveness at its finest. As Jake was counting up his catches for the day, the line he was holding surged forward. Jake started reeling in the line and to taunt Heather simultaneously, then the unthinkable happened. His reel separated from the rod! It jumped from the rod seat and the rod hit the ground. He was standing holding the reel and struggling not to ask for help. Without hesitation, Heather tackled the situation like a true Southern Belle. She reached down and picked the line up from the rod tip. Then to Jake’s amazement she began hand lining the caught fish. She kept the line tight and worked the fish up to the bank. As the fish struggled and as Heather continued the fight, she realized it was a catfish worth keeping. She kept pressure on the catfish and brought him up into the mud where she reached down and snatched up her prize. The fish was covered in mud and leaves, but it was caught and headed for the cooler. Jake had dropped the reel and at some point gotten his camera where he took a picture of his bride to be and the fish she was holding. Heather plopped the fish into the cooler, Jake looked at her and said, “Thank you honey. That fish puts me one ahead of you for the day.” Heather stood tall, placed her hands on her hips and replied with only, “I brought it in. My fish, Sugar.” Jake had no choice but to laugh and give the win to his own Southern Hook.

Jenson Hooks

I was leaving my home today in the pursuit of finishing my errand list, and I had the privilege of
being witness to Southern Hooks at its finest.  As I drove past the spillway of the lake that I live on, I saw a heartwarming sight.  There were two little boys, probably about 7 or 8 years old sitting on the grass with cane poles.  These poles were rigged with simple bobbers.  I knew under the surface of the water there were weights and pan fish hooks.  I’ve done the same thing countless times as a boy and still do occasionally when my kids are fishing with me.  I drove slowly by entranced in the simple, pure sight.

As I turned on to the highway, my neighbor Mr. Jenson passed me.  Mr. Jenson lives two houses down from me.  He is retired and probably close to 70.  Mr. Jenson, or Ted to his neighbors, worked for the railroad his entire working life.  His wife, who we all call “Miss Lottie,” is responsible for making fig preserves that could be traded for bricks of gold.  She is known for bringing coconut cakes and a key lime pie to every eating event held in my immediate area and is considered a State treasure by her quilting club.

 In the traditional Southern mannerism Mr. Jenson raised his hand from the steering wheel with his fingers pointed upward.  Anyone who has grown up or spent time in the South knows this is a traditional expression of acknowledgement and a simple hello.  I responded in kind and thought nothing else about the event.

After all my errands were completed I made my way back home thinking that it would be a great
afternoon to slip out and wet a hook.  As I neared the spillway, I noticed a familiar truck parked on
the spillway.  I slowed thinking Mr. Jenson may have had truck problems and was in need of a ride. 
However, as I closed in on his truck I saw Mr. Jenson sitting in the grass with those same little boys and holding his own cane pole.  I parked and walked to the trio.  Mr. Jenson introduced me to his grandsons stating they had been dropped off at Paw Paw’s to go fishing.  I couldn’t help but smile.  Memories of my own Paw Paw and I drowning worms flooded my mind.  I shook the hands of the boys and wished them luck.

As I drove off with the Sun shining on the water and the image of the young boys and their Paw Paw
sitting firmly in my eyes I had but one thought… those boys and Mr. Jenson are Southern Hooks.

-JD

S'crimps & Grits

After mentioning shrimp and grits the other day, we were flooded with emails about a great concoction of this southern flare. Well, seeing as shrimp season just opened up along the gulf, and freshness is at an all time high, here y'all go. Enjoy!!



------------

Southern Hook Shrimp and Grits

Grits (you know what these are)
1 cup grits (NOT instant)​​​​
1 ½ tablespoons paprika (optional)
4 tablespoons unsalted butter (NOT margarine)​
1 tablespoon Tabasco sauce (of course)
¾ cup extra sharp cheddar cheese​​​salt and pepper to taste (lots around my house)
½ cup FRESH grated parmesan cheese​​​1 teaspoon cayenne pepper

Cook grits according to package directions. Whisk (the funny looking wire thing) in butter, cheddar cheese, parmesan cheese, cayenne, paprika, and Tabasco. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Hold in a warm place until shrimp is done.

SHRIMP (AKA SCRIMPS)
2 cups chopped fried bacon (OH YEAH!)​​​
3 teaspoons minced garlic
3 tablespoons olive oil
​​​​​3 tablespoons white wine (1 glass for you)
26-30 count Shrimp​​​​​
2 tablespoons lemon juice
Salt and fresh ground black pepper​​​
2 cups sliced green onions

Cook bacon until browned (duh). Remove from heat. Strain and reserve bacon grease and bits. Heat a large skillet. Add olive oil and 2 tablespoons of that GOOD grease. As oil begins to smoke toss shrimp to cover bottom of pain. Season with salt and pepper before stirring. Let pan return to its original hot temperature. Stir until shrimp turn pink all over (like no sunscreen).
Stir in minced garlic and bacon bits being careful not to burn the garlic (ewwwww). Add lemon juice and wine (another glass for you). Stir in for 30 seconds or so until everything is well coated. Add the green onions. Serve over the cheese grits.

(I know what we’re having tomorrow night!!!!!!!)
- JD

Happy Mothers Day 2013!

Mother’s day in the South has always been special to me. My typical Mother’s day included going to church where all the mothers were recognized. They would stand in their Sunday finest wearing flowers that were both bought and arranged to perfection or had been picked from the backyard and worn with a safety pin. Bothe were worn with pride and appreciation. Then it was off to Grandma’s where even though it was mother’s day, Grandma would have pot roast with potatoes and carrots waiting. There would also be fried okra, green bean casserole, U-Bake rolls, and set aside just for me some boiled shrimp. Lastly a fresh pecan pie was brought out. The men would then clear the table, and do the dishes and straighten up in general. The rest of the day was spent making sure all the mothers were not bothered by the usual conglomeration of boy issues. Things like hooks in fingers, skinned up knees, or begging for another piece of pecan pie.
My mother was responsible for my love of water and all things Southern. From an early age she feed me on a steady diet of cheese grits and shrimp, coconut sprite slushes, and Jimmy Buffett. She would turn our stereo up and dance around the house as if she were standing on a white sandy beach somewhere in the tropics. Growing up I was introduced to not only Mr. Buffett, but to Bob Marley, Carlos Santana, Willie Nelson, and the Doobie Brothers. My summers were spent chasing seagulls on the beaches of the Gulf Coast and splashing in the salty waters like a miniature manatee. As I grew older I took to calling her the “Mississippi Queen.” Later in life she would look at me and say, “How did I raise such a pirate?”
I lost my mother last year. This will be my first Mother’s day without her physically near. However, I know she is around me. When I hear Mr. Buffett sing “Biloxi,” when I smell shrimp and crab boiling in the kitchen, when I taste the wonderful flakiness of coconut I know she is there. She was a true Southern Hook. I will be forever grateful for her casting a line and catching me on a lifestyle such as this.
Happy Mother’s day to all The Southern Mama Hooks.

- JD

Southern Hooks, through the Grace of God and beautiful, calm waters has slowly become more than just a way of life over the last four years since the inception of The Bite Me Bar on the banks of the Cypress tree laced banks of Caddo Lake. What I originally thought of as quite possibly the best man cave retreat in Oil City, Louisiana, showed it’s true self to me after a relocation to another of the South’s fine Gulf States.  It was never just the "Bite Me Bar", as I called it.  It was this whole way. This whole mindset.  This whole location.

The move back to Mississippi, with its many quiet lakes, tall pines, and white silver sands, showed
another side of the lifestyle I’d been living; another facet in the entwining love of the Southern 'diamond' of life. Casting my lines in the wispy Mississippi mornings was just as enticing and just as awe inspiring as it had been in Louisiana.  It was after this move that I realized The Bite Me Bar was more than just my place to be or a great idea for a single T-shirt. Southern Hooks was born and it was realized that this is a people brand. A culture of both salt water and fresh, music laced with steel drums and rum, and fine southern cooking. A culture of people who share similar backgrounds and love of all things Southern and Coastal that hold their families and friends close.

Southern Hooks. A way of life. A mindset. A location.

Pull up a seat, cast a line, and have a smile.
-JD

Someone asked me why this adventure in exploring a lifestyle was called “Southern Hooks.” Seeing as we were sitting in a boat on a lake near the home I share with a true Southern Wife/Mom and our kids, I figured I had as captive of an audience as I was going to get. That is unless they wanted to swim.  I simply stated that a hook is used to catch an object. Be it a person, a memory, a fish, or a way of life.  The hook is used to catch and hold. The Southern lifestyle is that way. There are hooks embedded in that lifestyle. We in the South are a different sort of person…we are “hooked” in the traditions and ways of the South. My friend thought a moment. I could see the line get tight in his mind and I knew he was “hooked.”

I then explained there is also another side to the name. We as Southerners are the hooks. We retain
what we have learned and grown up with and “hook” the next generation. We “hook” them on the
Southern way of life. My friend obviously didn’t know what to say as he had never really seen so deep a thought issue from my pond shallow mind. I could tell that he was a bit perplexed and obviously wanted to ask a question, but was afraid to seem less than intelligent.

I said next, “And yes it’s about fishing too.”

We are all Southern Hooks.
Pull up a seat, cast a line, and have a smile.
-JD