Toddy Hour was always a big thing for me growing up in Memphis and Milan. My grandfather used to come in from work as a traveling shoe salesman and have his evening toddy while dinner was cooking.
There a few things I enjoy in life, two of them are enjoying a fine cigar and being a Chef. The two really go together well as they create a certain level of Zen. The relaxation of the cigar coupled with creating recipes that incorporate experiences around the world. Call it bringing things home to roost.
The flavor profiles in the Premium Cigars bring to life or accompany the gourmand experiences involving some interesting food, wine and cocktail pairings. By the way, do not forget the hops as my first experience with a cigar involved the hops of the Budweiser! Yes, I might be a redneck, so be it. Ahum. That said, let us enjoy this journey together and this is the first issue for me and for the online zine. If any of you would to become a contributor, please feel free to contact me! The publication is online and will be available in print. A true gourmand and artist creates a world full of the regional gastronomy. Jere “Ranger” Douglas
Toddy time was sacred in our household and revered. Along with his bourbon and branch were various snacks and my taste buds developed along those lines. Memphis cuisine was also developing with some firm roots in the South! I loved it….
Indoor or outdoor, this was a time for the homemaker to show off her wares to all the neighbors. No holding back on even the place settings for this seemingly casual daily event.
As I grew up, I began hanging out in the kitchen and learning the tools of the trade. The Lobster, Filet Mignon, Bone in Sirloins, Shrimp, BBQ of all sorts, Casseroles and Petit Fours. And my Grandad, with his predominate Cigar.
https://www.patreon.com/posts/pickled-shrimp-29255265
https://www.patreon.com/posts/beef-stock-29334177
https://www.patreon.com/posts/29244190 Mint Julip
https://www.patreon.com/posts/28575272 Gazpacho
https://www.patreon.com/posts/28518633 Kosher Deli Dill Pickles
https://www.patreon.com/posts/27254613 Curtido
https://www.patreon.com/posts/27082899 Remoulade
In November 1976, the first week, I called Marine Corps recruiter about wanting to enlist after I had been out partying for a long day. I made the appointment for 6 AM in the morning and promptly passed out.
At some ungodly hour of the morning (6:00 AM), there was a pounding on my front door, and I crawled out of bed and opened the door and there was a Marine in summer class C dress blues with spit shined shoes saying, “I am here to pick you up to take the test”. I had to shake my head and remember what I had done last night. “Looks like I need to get dressed and really quick, Sir!” He laughed.
Well, I ran to the shower and jumped in. I didn’t care the water was cold as I didn’t want to mess this up. When I got dressed two minutes later, we ran downstairs and into the van and it was off to Downtown Memphis for the ASVAB test. I took the test with hangover held high and after the free lunch, I fell asleep in the chair at the recruiting office. The Sgt. came back and woke me up to tell me the test results for back. He had this look on his face of concern and that made me concerned. Did I flunk the test? He fiddled with some papers and looked up at me and said, “Mr. Douglas, you have scored the highest I have ever seen on this test. You have a choice of anything you would like to go into in the Marine Corps.” I said, “Well, I have always wanted to be in the Marine Corps band and that’s what I would like to do.”
What I learned from this period of my life is to be prepared to walk through the gates when they open up to me. Test the waters and see if it is what I need or if it is a repeat of something I have already done. I do not like becoming stale in my approach to living and make each day an adventure
In 1976, I met someone as a young Marine fresh out of boot camp, another Marine that opened my spirit and soul to a world of compassion, self- discipline where Puritanical Ideas became obsolete and a spiritual awakening that was over whelming happened! The exploration of the pain/pleasure paradox is a continuous adventure.
As a cigar boy, good times, good drinks, good cigars and good food go together. A cigar man is the one that takes the time to enjoy a very full life and takes the time to enjoy a good cigar. In a hectic world, it seems necessary to have that time to relax and enjoy camaraderie or solitude.
To lite up that roll of leaf is to say, “Screw the world, it’s MY time” and dare anyone to take that away.
Living an Aficionado life is gorging on every aspect of living and challenging staid societal norms, perhaps rendering them asunder.
Gearing up in leather or denim is part of the process with the final putting on of the leather gloves to absorb that fantastic cigar smoke, is erotic and sensual.
Lighting the chosen stick means I am taking the time to enjoy and relax. In todays world, that says something about the person. Regional gastronomy also comes into play with the enjoyment of the stick.
The famous Casa Blanca cigar is a mellow handmade smoke that has been pleasing cigar enthusiasts for decades, thanks to its quality, consistency, and affordable price.
Hailing from Santiago, Dominican Republic, these mild-to-medium-bodied cigars will provide you with a refined consistency normally found on much more expensive smokes.
The series has a silky Connecticut broadleaf/shade and has a smooth, creamy, nutty taste, while the maduro variety features a dark broadleaf wrapper that adds a little more of a spicy kick to the blend.
The 60 ring Magnum was my first venture into the big ring cigars during a Marine Corps Birthday Ball in Iwakuni, Japan. By the way, this cigar series pairs well with Ribeye Steaks and a robust Burgundy. That was on the menu that night and a lot of Tequila!
Today, I follow in those traditions as a homemaker/houseboy and relish the time I spend in the scullery concocting charismatic culinary adventures. I commenced my migration to Cigars as a young Marine and I proudly carry that inheritance forward!
Take time for a Casa Blanca today!
As a cigar boy, good times, good drinks, good cigars and good food go together. A cigar man is the one that takes the time to enjoy a very full life and takes the time to enjoy a good cigar. In a hectic world, it seems necessary to have that time to relax and enjoy camaraderie or solitude.
To lite up that roll of leaf is to say, “Screw the world, it’s MY time” and dare anyone to take that away.
JKROQ 