tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-454193588962646712024-02-08T00:26:18.879-06:00Treats with TaylorTaylorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12122207857084212326noreply@blogger.comBlogger40125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-45419358896264671.post-72287366208477203582011-03-17T10:47:00.000-05:002011-03-17T10:47:23.544-05:00Happy St. Patty's Day!<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So I didn't have the time to make my own green cupcakes this year...so here's a compilation of some delicious looking <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: lime;"><b>St. Patty's</b></span> cupcakes!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img height="320" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5294/5532788758_206389bcc4_d.jpg" width="240" /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img height="320" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5295/5534785754_ef79411f79_d.jpg" width="220" /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img height="212" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5100/5531920031_e3af445cde_o_d.jpg" width="320" /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img height="240" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5059/5530034672_716f12d2e5_b_d.jpg" width="320" /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img height="320" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-1VJJ3X1pwow/TW4r6LvquWI/AAAAAAAABqo/nxpvBGik4ow/s320/P1170346.JPG" width="240" /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img height="320" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5135/5492033786_aa163e64f7_d.jpg" width="240" /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Have a fun and safe <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: lime;"><b>St. Patty's day</b></span> - And don't forget to drink some green beer :o)</span></div>Taylorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12122207857084212326noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-45419358896264671.post-64254568791937003532011-03-07T21:02:00.003-06:002011-03-07T21:06:51.096-06:00Mmmm, Dr. Pepper<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Dr. Pepper is a Texas favorite and it has a great write-up on <a href="http://culturemap.com/newsdetail/03-02-11-cooking-with-dr-pepper-it-is-a-texas-thing/">culturemap.com</a>!</span><br />
<div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">....Although, I don't quite agree with the <i>soda pop</i> comment. Yes IT IS soda, cola, and of course, coke, here in Texas :o)</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">That's my only [public] vent for the day, enjoy the article!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">_____________________________</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #58595b; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;"></span><br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0em; margin-right: 0em; margin-top: 0em; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #58595b; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">There are certain quintessentially Texas tastes.</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0em; margin-right: 0em; margin-top: 0em; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #58595b; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;"><a href="http://www.culturemap.com/newsdetail/09-14-10-how-frito-chili-pie-became-the-national-food-of-texas-and-the-new-houston-variation-you-cant-miss/" style="color: #007698; text-decoration: none;">Frito chili pie</a>, for one. Fajitas, San Antonio-style puffy tacos, barbecued brisket, <a href="http://www.culturemap.com/newsdetail/04-06-10-the-texan-expats-food-no-cant-get-that-in-carolina-pakistan/" style="color: #007698; text-decoration: none;">chili con queso</a>and<a href="http://ttp//www.culturemap.com/newsdetail/11-15-10-seasons-feastings-why-wait-til-thanksgiving-to-gain-weight/" style="color: #007698; text-decoration: none;"> Gulf Coast oysters</a>, just to name a few.</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0em; margin-right: 0em; margin-top: 0em; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #58595b; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">And then there’s Dr Pepper.</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0em; margin-right: 0em; margin-top: 0em; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #58595b; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">Long before my family moved to Texas, long before we used to visit my grandparents at their Poteet ranch house and drink bottles of Big Red, my mother had a Campbell’s Kids’ cookbook. Not that she was a great cook, or that she really taught her daughters much in the kitchen. I really don’t know why she had the book, but I do remember the chubby cartoon kids and that there was a recipe for grilled cheese sandwiches. And a recipe for hot Dr Pepper.</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0em; margin-right: 0em; margin-top: 0em; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #58595b; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">In the winter she would heat some of the Texas soda pop in a saucepan and serve it to us instead of hot cocoa. It was delicious, and a huge treat since we never had soda pop at home, it was always milk or iced tea with meals.</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0em; margin-right: 0em; margin-top: 0em; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #58595b; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">Fast forward many years and we moved to Texas, home of the country’s oldest soda pop.</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0em; margin-right: 0em; margin-top: 0em; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #58595b; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">And yes, it’s soda pop in Texas, or in some places soda water, but never cola, soda or soft drinks.</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0em; margin-right: 0em; margin-top: 0em; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #58595b; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">Any-hoo, <a href="http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704657704576150080025517982.html?mod=googlenews_wsj" style="color: #007698; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Dr Pepper</a> or DP, as fans say, was first served in 1885 at Waco’s Old Corner Drug Store. The company (today owned by Dr Pepper Snapple Group, Inc.) claims that the drug store owner Wade Morrison named the concoction of 23 flavors after Dr. Charles Pepper, a Virginia doctor who was the father of a girl Morrison was once in love with.</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0em; margin-right: 0em; margin-top: 0em; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #58595b; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">Which may or may not be true. But what is definitely true is that Dr Pepper has become the national drink of Texas, and it’s even stretched out to other parts of the country to become one of the most popular soda pops.</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0em; margin-right: 0em; margin-top: 0em; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #58595b; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">It has a <a href="http://www.drpeppermuseum.com/Learn/Collectors.aspx" style="color: #007698; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">museum</a>, actually two if you count the one in Dublin, outside Waco, where the oldest Dr Pepper bottling plant (established in 1891 and considered the mecca of DP since it still uses the original recipe with Imperial pure cane sugar) is.</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0em; margin-right: 0em; margin-top: 0em; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #58595b; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">OK, let’s talk about that period for a minute. The very first ads in the 1880s for DP did, in fact, have a period: Dr. Pepper. But in the 1950s the company dropped the period. So, as any real Texan knows, there is no period in Dr Pepper, unless you’re about 200 years old. In which case, I would love to do a column on you.</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0em; margin-right: 0em; margin-top: 0em; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #58595b; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">But, getting back to the drink.</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0em; margin-right: 0em; margin-top: 0em; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #58595b; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">In my wild youth, I found Dr Pepper and a handful of aspirin was a great hangover remedy. I also found, in a previous life as a modeling instructor, that a DP and some peanut butter crackers from the vending machine at our studio made a nice lunch. And in 1974, my sister — a bio-chem major at Baylor University in Waco at the time — wound up with a commemorative bottle of DP honoring the college’s Southwest Conference football win. Dad has carried that bottle around for four decades now.</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0em; margin-right: 0em; margin-top: 0em; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #58595b; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">We are both terrified of opening it. Unlike a fine wine, I doubt DP gets better with time.</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0em; margin-right: 0em; margin-top: 0em; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #58595b; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">But there is one thing I’ve learned about Dr Pepper lately, and that’s that you can cook with it.</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0em; margin-right: 0em; margin-top: 0em; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #58595b; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">“I’m from Texas,” says Matt Lovelace, AKA “Tater,” sous chef at <a href="http://www.culturemap.com/eventdetail/builders-without-borders-holiday-bash-dinner/" style="color: #007698; text-decoration: none;">The Barbed Rose Steakhouse and Seafood Co</a>. in Alvin, “everybody loves Dr Pepper, how can you not?”</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0em; margin-right: 0em; margin-top: 0em; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #58595b; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">Born in Baytown, raised in Deer Park, Tater says he and his dad drank DP growing up. His favorite was Dr Pepper floats with vanilla ice cream. But, as he became a culinary king, he realized the unique, sweet flavor, was also great for meat and pork glazes.</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0em; margin-right: 0em; margin-top: 0em; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #58595b; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">“We did this pork belly with a thick syrupy reduction of Dr Pepper and Szechuan peppers as a finishing sauce, it was so good,” he says. “Of course, we had a lot left over, so we used it on steaks, too. People loved it.”</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0em; margin-right: 0em; margin-top: 0em; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #58595b; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">Tater’s advice for cooking with DP is not to overpower the soda pop with other flavors.</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0em; margin-right: 0em; margin-top: 0em; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #58595b; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">“Your have to be able to taste it,” he says. “It’s a comfort thing.”</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0em; margin-right: 0em; margin-top: 0em; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #58595b; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">“Matt’s the one that got me into cooking with Dr Pepper,” says <a href="http://www.culturemap.com/newsdetail/11-23-10-chef-lj-wiley-splits-yelapa-plans-to-open-his-own-restaurant/" style="color: #007698; text-decoration: none;">L. J. Wiley</a>, recently of <a href="http://www.culturemap.com/mapdetail/yelapa-playa-mexicana/" style="color: #007698; text-decoration: none;">Yelapa Playa Mexicana</a>. “We worked at Cullen’s Upscale American Grille and he was always cooking with Dr Pepper. When I was at Yelapa I saw this <a href="http://www.lifeinkorea.com/culture/kimchi/kimchi.cfm" style="color: #007698; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">kimchi</a>/ Dr Pepper glaze recipe on a blog and I thought no way that was going to work, but it did. And it was great on a pork shoulder.”</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0em; margin-right: 0em; margin-top: 0em; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #58595b; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">This born and raised Houstonian also loves the DP glaze with mustard oil drizzled on a salad of greens with beef capriccio.</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0em; margin-right: 0em; margin-top: 0em; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #58595b; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">“It goes really well with any beef or pork dishes,” he says. “Although I don’t really drink it much since I don’t drink soft drinks. But sometimes I get a hankering for it and I have I have to have a Dr Pepper and a burger.”</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0em; margin-right: 0em; margin-top: 0em; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #58595b; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">Which made me Google it, and yes, there are recipes for Dr Pepper burgers out there. And I'm certainly going to try them.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #58595b; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">_________________________</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #58595b; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;"><b>Question: Do you LOVE Dr. Pepper, and have you creatively used it in any recipes??</b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;"><b><br />
</b></span></div></div>Taylorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12122207857084212326noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-45419358896264671.post-11637492344043592692011-03-07T20:56:00.002-06:002011-03-07T21:07:30.751-06:00Houston's Final Four Challenge<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I just found out about it, but Houston is holding a Final Four Restaurant Challenge!</span><br />
<div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The voting ends tomorrow, and you can vote once a day - So get to it!!</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><br />
</b></span></div><div><a href="http://culturemap.com/newsdetail/03-07-11-choose-or-lose-good-grub-the-last-chance-to-vote-in-houston-ultimate-final-four-restaurant-challenge/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>http://culturemap.com/newsdetail/03-07-11-choose-or-lose-good-grub-the-last-chance-to-vote-in-houston-ultimate-final-four-restaurant-challenge/</b></span></a></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Question: What restaurant do you think should be in this final round?</b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><br />
</b></span></div>Taylorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12122207857084212326noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-45419358896264671.post-17129024140315878962011-02-28T23:09:00.003-06:002011-02-28T23:35:57.407-06:00March Munchies<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Well I didn't share any recipes for February food holidays, but it's still February technically, so <a href="http://www.grouprecipes.com/81365/i-cant-believe-its-reduced-fat-whole-wheat-banana-bread.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple;"><b>go here</b></span></a> and you'll find a <i>healthy</i> enough banana bread recipe that I made for Banana Bread day - which also was Bunco night, and no bread was left!</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Now for the goodies that March brings!</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><br />
</b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>National Celery Month - which means hummus galore!</b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>National Flour Month - easy enough</b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><a href="http://www.epicurious.com/articlesguides/healthy">National Nutrition Month</a></b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>National Noodle Month</b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>National Caffeine Awareness Month</b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><br />
</b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Second Week - <a href="http://www.verybestbaking.com/recipes/18476/Original-NESTL%C3%89-TOLL-HOUSE-Chocolate-Chip-Cookies/detail.aspx">Chocolate Chip Cookie</a> week - <i>Yum!</i></b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Third Week - <a href="http://www.scribd.com/doc/10848146/Top-Ten-American-Chocolate-Bar-Favorites">American Chocolate Week</a> - <i>Even better</i></b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Shrove Tuesday (2011 - March 1) - <a href="http://www.ihoppancakeday.com/index.html">International Pancake Day</a></b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><br />
</b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>March 1 - National Peanut Butter Lover's Day and National Fruit Compote Day</b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>March 2 - National Banana Creme Pie Day</b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>March 3 - National Cold Cuts Day and Mulled Wine Day</b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>March 4 - National Pound Cake Day</b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>March 5 - <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cheez_Doodles">National Cheese Doodle Day</a> <i>??</i></b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>March 6 - National Frozen Food Day</b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>March 7 - <a href="http://www.cheerios.com/ourcereals/multigraincheerios/multigraincheerios_home.aspx">National Cereal Day</a></b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>March 8 - <a href="http://www.naturevalley.com/ProductDetail.aspx?ProductId=36">National Peanut Cluster Day</a></b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>March 9 - National Crabmeat Day</b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>March 10 - National Blueberry Popover Day</b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>March 12 - National Baked Scallops Day - <i>Gross.</i></b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>March 13 - Coconut Torte Day</b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>March 14 - National Potato Chip Day</b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>March 15 - National Pears Helene Day</b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>March 16 - National Artichoke Hearts Day - <i>This will be celebrated in my household!</i></b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>March 17 - Corned Beef and Cabbage Day</b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>March 18 - Oatmeal Cookie Day -<i> I have a great recipe to share!</i></b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>March 19 - Poultry Day and National Chocolate Caramel Day</b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>March 20 - Bock Beer Day and National Ravioli Day</b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>March 21 - California Strawberry Day...</b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>March 22 - Coq Au Vin Day</b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>March 23 - National Chip and Dip Day</b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>March 24 - National Chocolate Covered Raisins Day</b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>March 25 - Pecan Day; Waffle Day; and National Lobster Newburg Day</b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>March 26 - Spinach Day</b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>March 27 - National Spanish Paella Day</b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>March 28 - Something on a Stick Day - FUN!</b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>March 29 - National Lemon Chiffon Cake Day</b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>March 30 - Turkey Neck Soup Day - <i>I have a lot to explore...</i></b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>March 31 - Tater Day; Oranges and Lemons Day</b></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It looks like March has some interesting holidays and I better start learning a little more about these culinary creations!</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Goodnight!</span>Taylorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12122207857084212326noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-45419358896264671.post-79525032209592369202011-02-23T17:14:00.001-06:002011-02-23T17:15:32.986-06:00Take that NYC!<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">On one of my favorite Houston websites, I found a great article on <a href="http://culturemap.com/newsdetail/02-16-11-houston-gets-two-new-restaurant-rows-where-are-you-going/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;"><b>restaurant rows</b></span></a> that should be growing in Houston!</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Marine Gustin says it best....</span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">_______________________</span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"><i></i></span></span><br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0em; margin-right: 0em; margin-top: 0em; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>There are a few truths in life: You can never be <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: magenta;"><b>too thin, too rich or have too many pairs of shoes</b></span>. Or in my case, too many pairs of fancy cowboy boots.</i></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0em; margin-right: 0em; margin-top: 0em; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>But can you have too many new restaurants? Particularly if they are all opening within spitting distance of each other?</i></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0em; margin-right: 0em; margin-top: 0em; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>The National Restaurant Association’s just released 2011 Restaurant Industry Forecast is projecting Texas sales of $36.6 billion this year. That’s a healthy 3.9 percent increase over 2010. And it places Texas second only to California in restaurant sales volume.</i></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0em; margin-right: 0em; margin-top: 0em; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>“We definitely think that will apply to Houston,” says Mike Shine, president of Texas Food Group — a restaurant consulting company — and current president of the <b><u><a href="http://www.ghra.com/" target="_blank">Greater Houston Restaurant Association</a>.</u></b></i></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0em; margin-right: 0em; margin-top: 0em; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>“We’ve seen some bounce back over the holidays,” he adds.</i></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0em; margin-right: 0em; margin-top: 0em; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Shine says <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: magenta;"><b>the greater Houston area has more than 9,000 restaurants, and as some have gone under, an equal amount open</b></span>.</i></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0em; margin-right: 0em; margin-top: 0em; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>“It just looks like more are closing,” Shine says. “You don’t see a dot.com close but you see a restaurant with a closed sign on it.”</i></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0em; margin-right: 0em; margin-top: 0em; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>So things are looking up for the industry here. But, in what is looking to be a good year, we have what seems like an awful lot of high-profile restaurants slated to open in 2011, and a heck of a lot of them are in the same neighborhood.</i></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0em; margin-right: 0em; margin-top: 0em; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Westheimer Road, around Montrose Boulevard, may soon be the new Restaurant Row in town with the hotly anticipated openings of Chris Shepherd’s <a href="http://culturemap.com/newsdetail/01-28-11-the-pig-man-flies-chris-shepherd-bolts-catalan-to-bring-a-taste-of-the-underbelly-to-montrose/"><b>Underbelly</b></a> in the old Chances spot (next door to the soon-to-open Anvil sister Hay Merchant beer bar), the Bill Floyd/Bryan Caswell/Robb Walsh vintage <b><a href="http://elrealtexmex.com/" target="_blank">El Real Tex-Mex</a> </b>in the old Tower Theatre across the street, then just catty-corner, is Austin über hip <b><a href="http://culturemap.com/newsdetail/06-15-10-austins-star-chef-is-houston-bound/">Tyson Cole</a>’s</b> anticipated reimagining of the long-shuttered Felix spot into something like his hot capitol eateries Uchi and Uchiko.</i></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0em; margin-right: 0em; margin-top: 0em; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Ah, but as they say in the late-night cable commercials, there’s more.</i></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0em; margin-right: 0em; margin-top: 0em; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Just a stone’s throw away from that intersection, at the <a href="http://www.culturemap.com/mapdetail/west-ave/"><b>West Ave</b></a> multi-use complex on Westheimer Road and Kirby Drive, we’ve already got a new Eddie V’s Prime Seafood and Schiller-Del Grande’s <a href="http://www.culturemap.com/newsdetail/02-04-11-sneak-peek-relaxed-elegance-and-mediterranean-dreams-at-ava-kitchen-whiskey-bar/"><b>Ava Kitchen & Whiskey Bar</b></a>. And SDG is about to open Alto Pizzeria upstairs from Ava’s. Apparently Ava and Alto have some kind of weird Italian/French love affair going on. Although I’m pretty sure they’re not real people.</i></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0em; margin-right: 0em; margin-top: 0em; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Oh, and Pondicheri, from Indika’s chef/owner Anita Jaisinghani, is also going in at West Ave soon.</i></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0em; margin-right: 0em; margin-top: 0em; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>If you’re keeping score, that’s seven new hot spots for dining, er, eight if you count the temporary Tony Mandola’s Miracle Kitchen in the old Fin’s spot on Westheimer.</i></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0em; margin-right: 0em; margin-top: 0em; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Which leads me to wonder, is there such a thing as critical mass when it comes to cuisine?</i></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0em; margin-right: 0em; margin-top: 0em; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>“Well, there certainly can be,” laughs GHRA’s Shine. “But that area is very active for dining, with a high income base. They’re taking a risk, but they are making decisions based on what their customers wanted.”</i></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0em; margin-right: 0em; margin-top: 0em; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>So maybe my little slice of the ‘hood will be this year’s new Washington Ave. Restaurant Row.</i></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0em; margin-right: 0em; margin-top: 0em; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>And if Ava is any indication, they all may fare well.</i></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0em; margin-right: 0em; margin-top: 0em; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Ava opened Feb. 7. It’s an elongated 6,500-square-foot space with a cool, urban décor designed by SDG partner Candice Schiller, who describes it as “modern take on a traditional European space.”</i></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0em; margin-right: 0em; margin-top: 0em; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>I like the ocean-hued palette and the wall of windows facing Kirby Drive, but I like the food even better. Celebrity chef <a href="http://culturemap.com/newsdetail/11-29-10-houston-chefs-table-robert-del-grande-reveals-his-ihop-regular-past-and-his-baskin-robbins-beginning/"><b>Robert Del Grande</b></a> has created an eclectic menu that runs along Italian lines with a few Spanish and French touches and a dash of Texas thrown in for good measure. Makes you wonder how he keeps coming up with all these divine dishes.</i></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0em; margin-right: 0em; margin-top: 0em; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>“I go to sleep at night, wake up screaming and then write it down,” Del Grande says with his typical dry poetic wit.</i></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0em; margin-right: 0em; margin-top: 0em; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Seriously, he adds that however creative a recipe idea is it still comes down to how it tastes.</i></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0em; margin-right: 0em; margin-top: 0em; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>“It’s like when an eclectic composer tells you the music is actually much better than it sounds,” says the chef/musician. “It’s not. It sounds and it tastes like what it is, no matter how much genius goes into the creation.”</i></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0em; margin-right: 0em; margin-top: 0em; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>What tastes good at Ava is the spicy coppa salad with aromatic<b> <a href="http://www.artisanalcheese.com/cheeses/Taleggio" style="text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">Taleggio cheese</a></b>, dried mission figs and fennel. And the delicate white anchovies paired with hot chorizo and green olives.</i></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0em; margin-right: 0em; margin-top: 0em; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>And the rigatoni with Bolognese sauce ripe with spicy beef is a welcome pasta dish on a cold day. There’s also lamb T-bones, seared ahi tuna, a burger (of course) and a wonderfully priced petite filet mignon ($17) on the lunch menu.</i></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0em; margin-right: 0em; margin-top: 0em; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Of course there’s plenty of whiskey, but you shouldn’t pass on the citrusy house margaritas.</i></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0em; margin-right: 0em; margin-top: 0em; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>I like Ava. And I like the fact that there are now five fine restaurants within walking distance of where I live. And that doesn’t even include all the <a href="http://www.culturemap.com/newsdetail/01-26-11-tony-mandola-miracle-and-bernies-burger-bus-could-both-be-fleeting-foodie-wonders/"><b>gourmet food trucks</b> </a>hanging around here lately.</i></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0em; margin-right: 0em; margin-top: 0em; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Houston Ballet managing director Cecil C. Conner, Jr. recently lamented to me that the only thing he missed after moving here from New York City was being able to stroll down the street and check the menus in restaurant windows before deciding where to dine.</i></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0em; margin-right: 0em; margin-top: 0em; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>With this plethora of new places, a lot of Inner Loopers will now be able to do exactly that.</i></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0em; margin-right: 0em; margin-top: 0em; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>So take that, Big Apple. When it comes to cuisine, we are no longer a car centric culture.</i></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0em; margin-right: 0em; margin-top: 0em; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>_________________</i></span></div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0em; margin-right: 0em; margin-top: 0em; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>So there's the low down! Now if only I lived closer in and made a little more money......</b></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0em; margin-right: 0em; margin-top: 0em; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>Taylorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12122207857084212326noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-45419358896264671.post-69010011384236563502011-02-22T00:56:00.001-06:002011-02-28T23:15:57.594-06:00Food Holidays - February<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I should have started this in January, but every month I will start featuring the food holidays that foodies honor!</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Starting with February, here are [most] of the holidays - If I absolutely don't like the food then it won't be mentioned on this blog...sorry, I don't mind being a little biased.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Here we go!</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Berry Fresh month</b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Canned Food month</b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Celebration of Chocolate month</b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Great American Pies month</b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>National Cherry month</b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>National Fiber Focus month</b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>National Hot Breakfast month</b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>National Grapefruit month</b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>National Snack Food month</b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Potato Lover's month</b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Sweet Potato month</b></span><br />
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</b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>First Week - Shape Up with Pickles Time</b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Second Week - Jell-O week</b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Fourth Week - National Pancake week</b></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Feb 1 - National Baked Alaska Day</b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Feb 2 - Heavenly Hash Day</b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Feb 3 - Crepes Day (France)</b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Feb 4 - Homemade Soup Day</b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Feb 5 - National Chocolate Fondue Day</b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Feb 6 - Nutella Day</b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Feb 7 - National Fettucini Alfredo Day</b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Feb 8 - Molasses Bar Day</b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Feb 9 - Pizza Pie Day</b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Feb 10 - Cream Cheese Brownie Day</b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Feb 11 - Peppermint Patty Day</b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Feb 12 - National Plum Pudding Day</b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Feb 13 - National Tortellini Day</b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Feb 14 - National Creme Filled Chocolate Day</b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Feb 15 - National Gumdrop Day</b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Feb 16 - National Almond Day</b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Feb 17 - National Cafe Au Lait Day</b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Feb 18 - Drink Wine Day!</b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Feb 19 - National Chocolate Mint Day</b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Feb 20 - National Margarita Day</b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Feb 21 - National Sticky Bun Day</b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Feb 22 - National Cherry Pie Day</b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Feb 23 - <a href="http://www.grouprecipes.com/81365/i-cant-believe-its-reduced-fat-whole-wheat-banana-bread.html">National Banana Bread Day</a></b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Feb 24 - <a href="http://www.google.com/images?um=1&hl=en&biw=1280&bih=685&tbs=isch:1&sa=1&q=santitas+tortilla+chips&aq=3&aqi=g4g-m1&aql=&oq=santita">National Tortilla Chip Day</a></b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Feb 25 - National Clam Chowder Day</b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Feb 26 - National Pistachio Day; and <a href="http://simplyrecipes.com/recipes/spicy_vegetarian_chili/">National Chili Day</a></b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Feb 27 - National Strawberry Day and National Kahlua Day</b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Feb 28 - National Chocolate Souffle Day</b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Feb 29 - Surf and Turf Day</b></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I came across <a href="http://www.suntimes.com/lifestyles/food/3622139-423/food-detective-shoot--theres-the-food.html">this article</a> this morning - I get Google alerts on many topics, and one is specifically <i>food photography</i>. It usually sends me pretty generic articles and updates, but every now and then I read a great article or learn some great tips for photography and shooting food items.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Well this morning was one of those articles. The original writer nails the point - Experienced photographers and chefs probably hate most of the photos they see online of food, or watching people in restaurants whip out their smartphone to take a quick pic of their dinner and post it on Facebook...but David Hammond has a great point, taking these <i>quick pics</i> and snapping every step of your cooking process is actually a healthy habit to practice. It means your spending more time with your food, appreciating the process and smells - Where on the other hand, the people that aren't documenting their food are probably the ones who are in line at Chick-Fil-A, eating on their way to the meeting they are late to, and spilling crumbs all in their car. They probably have no idea what the wonderful Polynesian sauce tastes like or what slowing down your eating feels like :o)</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Enjoy the article!</span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">___________________________________</span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Like many of my friends, I take a photo of almost every restaurant meal I eat. I do that because I never know when I might need a picture of something I've eaten for something I'm writing.</span><br />
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<div style="color: #3d3c3c; margin-bottom: 1.5em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Also, maybe I'm a little obsessive.</span></div><div style="color: #3d3c3c; margin-bottom: 1.5em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Those of us who whip out cameras or iPhones to shoot our food are no longer considered eccentrics.</span></div><div style="color: #3d3c3c; margin-bottom: 1.5em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I get the sense, though, that chefs wish amateur photographers would dial down their urge to document every dish.</span></div><div style="color: #3d3c3c; margin-bottom: 1.5em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Jeff Kauck is a professional photographer who has shot the culinary creations of some of Chicago's leading chefs, including Tony Mantuano of Spiaggia, Ryan Poli of Perennial and Alinea's Grant Achatz.</span></div><div style="color: #3d3c3c; margin-bottom: 1.5em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Kauck told me that Achatz, for one, "sometimes worries that his food is being appreciated only visually," and that when guests photograph his food, "they're not really concentrating on the aroma and thoughtfulness that went into it."</span></div><div style="color: #3d3c3c; margin-bottom: 1.5em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But Kauck believes shooting food is a way to spend more time with it and appreciate it more.</span></div><div style="color: #3d3c3c; margin-bottom: 1.5em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"In America, a lot of times we eat while driving in the car. We're rushed," he says. "I think it's wonderful to slow down, sit at a table and capture the food with a photograph. If that increases everyone's appreciation of the food, so much the better."</span></div><div style="color: #3d3c3c; margin-bottom: 1.5em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">What can non-professional photographers do to improve the quality of their photos?</span></div><div style="color: #3d3c3c; margin-bottom: 1.5em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"Definitely turn off the flash," Kauck says. "With a flash, you lose the mood of the room.</span></div><div style="color: #3d3c3c; margin-bottom: 1.5em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"And find interesting angles. There's a tendency to bring the camera to eye, because at dinner you're usually in a chair, but there are other angles that are more interesting. A low angle, for instance, is more majestic. Or you can crop halfway through the food and show the ambiance of the room."</span></div><div style="color: #3d3c3c; margin-bottom: 1.5em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Fancier photography requires a more sophisticated camera. I asked Ronnie Kaplan, the best "amateur" food photographer I know, what kind of camera he'd recommend to a non-professional food enthusiast.</span></div><div style="color: #3d3c3c; margin-bottom: 1.5em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"The Canon EOS 550D is the way to go," Kaplan says. "I've seen them for under $900, and this camera is going to be great for food in low-light situations. It shoots in several modes, which gives you the maximum amount of post-production capability."</span></div><div style="color: #3d3c3c; margin-bottom: 1.5em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Whether or not you have the eye and an expensive camera, remember this: The art of food is transient. If you can capture how that beautiful dish looks at the moment it's set before you, you can continue to appreciate it long after the table has been cleared.</span></div><div style="color: #3d3c3c; margin-bottom: 1.5em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">David Hammond is an Oak Park writer, Chicago Public Radio contributor and founder/moderator of culinary chat site <a href="http://lthforum.com/" style="color: #932921; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; text-decoration: none;">LTHForum.com</a>. Questions,comments, tips? E-mail <a href="mailto: detective@suntimes.com" style="color: #932921; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; text-decoration: none;">detective@suntimes.com</a>.</span></div>Taylorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12122207857084212326noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-45419358896264671.post-14280591406260909572011-02-14T17:11:00.000-06:002011-02-14T17:11:14.696-06:00Happy Valentine's Day!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In honor of <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;"><b>Valentine's Day</b></span>, here a some spirited cupcakes! Enjoy the day with the one you love!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4145/5435175282_be7fc67b03_b_d.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4145/5435175282_be7fc67b03_b_d.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
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</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img height="300" src="http://media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lfi082Tu7d1qd0tbt.jpg" width="400" /></span></div>Taylorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12122207857084212326noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-45419358896264671.post-16899307652902344112011-02-07T12:43:00.001-06:002011-02-07T12:44:03.351-06:002011 Food Trends<div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">2011 has already made it's grand entrance and is flying by. Before it draws near, let me post all the predictions that have been made by top foodies about what food trends 2011 might see:</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
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<div style="line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 1em; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.epicurious.com/" style="color: #486d23; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">Epicurious</a> is a great recipe website, who has built itself into a world renowned foodie brand. Here is their top ten food trends for 2011:</span></div><div style="line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 1em; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 21px;">1. <b>Food Halls</b> – These are large restaurants that have been popular for centuries in Europe. Some people equate them to a cafeteria, but they sound more like a market, with shelves overflowing with food in a bustling atmosphere. Food halls in New York City and Los Angeles have already gotten into the mix with others on tap around the country.</span></div><div style="line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 1em; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 21px;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 21px;">2. <b>Korean Cuisine</b> – This is predicted to become the next big cuisine.</span></div><div style="line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 1em; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 21px;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 21px;">3. <b>Macaroons </b>– Move over cupcakes and make room for macaroons! These gluten-free, delicate confections are the next dessert trend. Popular varieties include passion fruit, mint chocolate, chocolate and coffee. Kowalski’s bakeries have been making these for several months. Ours contain coconut and have bottoms that are dipped in dark chocolate. Yummy!</span></div><div style="line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 1em; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 21px;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 21px;">4. <b>Meatless Mondays and Tofu Thursdays</b> – The trend here is eating less meat. A group called <a href="http://www.meatlessmonday.com/" style="color: #486d23; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">Meatless Monday</a> has a goal to encourage United States consumers to cut their meat consumption by 15% to improve our health and that of the planet. Epicurious predicts that eating meat-free will be on the calendar more than once a week.</span></div><div style="line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 1em; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 21px;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 21px;">5. <b>Foraging </b>– For the past few years, many chefs have touted that their ingredients are sourced from local farmers, but this trend takes it a step further as chefs head to the woods in search of wild greens, nuts, berries and even bark.</span></div><div style="line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 1em; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 21px;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 21px;">6. <b>Tiki Bar Cocktails</b> – This trend proves that what is old can be new again. Polynesian-style drinks made with fruit juice and rum and adorned with flowers and paper umbrellas are showing up on bar menus once again. Think Planter's Punch, Mai Tai and Hurricane a.k.a. Don the Beachcomber, made with fresh ingredients.</span></div><div style="line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 1em; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 21px;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 21px;">7. <b>Pop-Up Cafés</b> – We know them locally as food trucks that move around the city from place to place depending on the day of the week. They are an inexpensive way for chefs to showcase their food while avoiding the high cost of rent. They are becoming more prevalent in Minnesota during the spring, summer and fall. Look for a growing list of options this spring.</span></div><div style="line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 1em; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 21px;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 21px;">8. <b>Sweet Potatoes</b> – Full of beta-carotene and fiber, sweet potatoes are the vegetable of 2011. The most popular version is Sweet Potato Fries, but look for them in other ways that showcase their flavor, texture and beautiful color.</span></div><div style="line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 1em; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 21px;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 21px;">9. <b>Urban Wineries</b> – Beer-making is a popular hobby, and now making your own wine has come to the forefront. Look for establishments that allow their patrons to de-stem, crush and press the grapes to create a wine that can even be personalized with your very own label.</span></div><div style="line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 1em; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 21px;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 21px;">10. <b>Pimentón de la Vera</b> - This ingredient is similar to smoked paprika and is the building block of Spanish cuisine. It lends a sweet heat to roasted and grilled meats, paellas, sauces and soups.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 21px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div style="line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 1em; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>McCormick Spice Company</b> does a Flavor Forecast each year, and this is their Top 10 Flavor Pairings list for 2011:</span></div><ol style="line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 1em; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 35px; padding-right: 35px; padding-top: 0px;"><li style="line-height: 21px; margin-left: 15px; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Fennel and Peri-Peri Sauce</span></li>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
<li style="line-height: 21px; margin-left: 15px; text-align: left;">Pickling Spice and Rice Vinegar</li>
<li style="line-height: 21px; margin-left: 15px; text-align: left;">Roasted Curry Powder and Wild Mushrooms</li>
<li style="line-height: 21px; margin-left: 15px; text-align: left;">Caramelized Honey and Adzuki Red Beans</li>
<li style="line-height: 21px; margin-left: 15px; text-align: left;">Ancho Chile Pepper and Hibiscus</li>
<li style="line-height: 21px; margin-left: 15px; text-align: left;">Thyme and Stone Fruits</li>
<li style="line-height: 21px; margin-left: 15px; text-align: left;">Mustard Seed and Vermouth</li>
<li style="line-height: 21px; margin-left: 15px; text-align: left;">Cilantro and Nut Butters</li>
<li style="line-height: 21px; margin-left: 15px; text-align: left;">Herbes de Provence and Popcorn</li>
<li style="line-height: 21px; margin-left: 15px; text-align: left;">Green Peppercorns and Goat's Milk</li>
</span></ol><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 21px;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 1em; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">McCormick's trend watch also highlights five "currents of change" for 2011 which includes:</span></div><ol style="line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 1em; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 35px; padding-right: 35px; padding-top: 0px;"><li style="line-height: 21px; margin-left: 15px; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><u>Spirit of Discover</u> – A hunger for international culinary adventure propels exploration of new ingredients and techniques.</span></li>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
<li style="line-height: 21px; margin-left: 15px; text-align: left;"><u>Flavor with Benefits</u> – Eating for wellness is more delicious than ever.</li>
<li style="line-height: 21px; margin-left: 15px; text-align: left;"><u>Invigorating and Uplifting</u> – Exciting pops of flavor bring new energy to dining.</li>
<li style="line-height: 21px; margin-left: 15px; text-align: left;"><u>Soul Satisfaction</u> – Comforting favorites soothe the mind, heart and taste buds.</li>
<li style="line-height: 21px; margin-left: 15px; text-align: left;"><u>Craveable Contrasts</u> – The interplay of tastes, textures and visual cues adds fun and excitement to the basic pleasures of eating.</li>
</span></ol><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 21px;"><br />
</span></span></div><div><div style="line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 1em; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>The National Restaurant Association</b> surveys professional chefs each year—all members of the American Culinary Federation—on which foods, beverages, cuisines and culinary themes will be hot trends on restaurant menus:</span></div><ol style="line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 1em; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 35px; padding-right: 35px; padding-top: 0px;"><li style="line-height: 21px; margin-left: 15px; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Locally sourced meats and seafood</span></li>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
<li style="line-height: 21px; margin-left: 15px; text-align: left;">Locally grown produce</li>
<li style="line-height: 21px; margin-left: 15px; text-align: left;">Sustainability</li>
<li style="line-height: 21px; margin-left: 15px; text-align: left;">Nutritionally-balanced children's dishes</li>
<li style="line-height: 21px; margin-left: 15px; text-align: left;">Hyper-local (e.g. restaurant gardens, do your own butchering)</li>
<li style="line-height: 21px; margin-left: 15px; text-align: left;">Children's nutrition</li>
<li style="line-height: 21px; margin-left: 15px; text-align: left;">Sustainable seafood</li>
<li style="line-height: 21px; margin-left: 15px; text-align: left;">Gluten-free/food allergy conscious</li>
<li style="line-height: 21px; margin-left: 15px; text-align: left;">Simplicity/back to basics</li>
<li style="line-height: 21px; margin-left: 15px; text-align: left;">Farm/estate-branded ingredients</li>
<li style="line-height: 21px; margin-left: 15px; text-align: left;">Micro-distilled/artisan liquor</li>
<li style="line-height: 21px; margin-left: 15px; text-align: left;">Locally-produced wine and beer</li>
<li style="line-height: 21px; margin-left: 15px; text-align: left;">Half-portions/smaller portion for a smaller price</li>
<li style="line-height: 21px; margin-left: 15px; text-align: left;">Organic product</li>
<li style="line-height: 21px; margin-left: 15px; text-align: left;">Nutrition/health</li>
<li style="line-height: 21px; margin-left: 15px; text-align: left;">Culinary cocktails (e.g. savory, fresh ingredients)</li>
<li style="line-height: 21px; margin-left: 15px; text-align: left;">Newly fabricated cuts of meat (e.g. Denver steak, pork flat iron, Petite Tender)</li>
<li style="line-height: 21px; margin-left: 15px; text-align: left;">Fruit/vegetable children's side items</li>
<li style="line-height: 21px; margin-left: 15px; text-align: left;">Ethnic-inspired breakfast items (e.g. Asian-flavored syrups, chorizo scrambled eggs, coconut milk pancakes)</li>
<li style="line-height: 21px; margin-left: 15px; text-align: left;">Artisan cheeses</li>
</span></ol><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 21px;"><br />
</span></span></div></div><div><div style="line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 1em; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And lastly, according to the Food Channel, these are the foods that will be <i>hot-and-happening</i> this coming year:</span></div><ol style="line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 1em; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 35px; padding-right: 35px; padding-top: 0px;"><li style="line-height: 21px; margin-left: 15px; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Small Pies – Pie, of course, has been around forever, but 2011 could be the Year of the Pie. Some are already calling it the "next cupcake." We say, yes, pies will be hot in the coming year, but look for smaller pies to make it big—in both sweet and savory varieties.</span></li>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
<li style="line-height: 21px; margin-left: 15px; text-align: left;">Sausage – Look for a leaner, better quality sausage, sourced locally, to take on the role as the "new bacon."</li>
<li style="line-height: 21px; margin-left: 15px; text-align: left;">Nutmeg</li>
<li style="line-height: 21px; margin-left: 15px; text-align: left;">Moonshine – Moonshine has gone legit. Tennessee's first legal moonshine distillery opened this summer, and the clear corn whiskey hootch can now be found in many liquor stores and even purchased online. It still packs a wallop.</li>
<li style="line-height: 21px; margin-left: 15px; text-align: left;">Gourmet Ice Pops – Ice pops in exotic flavors like bacon, mango chile, and peanut butter are the latest to get the artisanal treatment. They're known as paletas in Mexico. Watch for them to go mainstream north of the border in 2011.</li>
<li style="line-height: 21px; margin-left: 15px; text-align: left;">Grits – Could this old southern favorite become the "new grain"? We see it moving beyond the breakfast menu and above the Mason-Dixon Line.</li>
<li style="line-height: 21px; margin-left: 15px; text-align: left;">Sweet Potatoes – These super-nutritious tubers will be orange-hot in 2011. They'll be especially molten as the alternative, better-for-you french fry.</li>
<li style="line-height: 21px; margin-left: 15px; text-align: left;">Fin Fish – We are still discovering so much about the benefits of fish. We're banking on more acceptance of farmed fish as it becomes more important to have a good supply of this lean protein.</li>
<li style="line-height: 21px; margin-left: 15px; text-align: left;">Cupuaçu Fruit – This is quite possibly the next superfruit, following in the footsteps of the açaí fruit. Both are from the Brazilian rainforest. Cupuaçu has a number of antioxidants and minerals, and is considered a natural source of energy.</li>
<li style="line-height: 21px; margin-left: 15px; text-align: left;">Beans – The lowly legume will step up to the spotlight in 2011, as a great source of protein and a versatile ingredient in appetizers like white bean & rosemary bruschetta.</li>
</span></ol><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 21px;"><br />
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</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 21px;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 21px;">Interesting predictions!! Some of them I'll be happy without :o) And others I wouldn't mind trying for the first time!</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 21px;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 21px;">Keep your eyes out for these up and coming trends - If any are spotted in Houston let me know!</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 21px;"><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 21px;">Credits: </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://kowalskis.com/news/latest-news/2011-food-trends.html">http://kowalskis.com/news/latest-news/2011-food-trends.html</a></span><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: left;"></div></div></div>Taylorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12122207857084212326noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-45419358896264671.post-66150865711779753082011-02-03T19:41:00.000-06:002011-02-03T19:41:08.302-06:00Happy National Crepes Day!<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I'm sad because there are no crepes being made in my household :o(</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Within hours I've had some sort of sickness come over me and before I cook for others I want to make sure it's not contagious. So when the coughing and feverish feeling goes away, the smell of homemade crepes will fill this house!</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Goodnight and stay warm Houston!</span>Taylorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12122207857084212326noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-45419358896264671.post-11877823105323531022011-02-03T00:29:00.002-06:002011-02-03T00:46:42.722-06:00Food Holiday!<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I almost forgot! Today (well yesterday now...wow I need to have some time management) is <a href="http://www.tfdutch.com/foodh.htm"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">National Crepes Day</span>!</a></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Since tonight was filled with southern goodies, I'll make crepes (for my first time BTW) tomorrow night and post some pics.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I'm thinking classic Nutella with bananas..?!? Mmm I can hardly wait.</span><br />
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</span>Taylorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12122207857084212326noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-45419358896264671.post-6834732394405504022011-02-03T00:23:00.001-06:002011-02-03T00:24:39.695-06:00Southern Dinner, Fancied Up<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So I discovered a blog last night (and have lost too many hours in my life already...oops) BUT I did however, manage to cook a fun, filling, and fantastically delicious southern meal tonight thanks to those lost hours!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I didn't get around to taking pictures so I'm borrowing the original ones from the original chef and photographer over at <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: magenta;"><a href="http://www.howsweeteats.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: magenta;">How Sweet Blog</span></a>.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
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</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">For starters, I made<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: magenta;"> <a href="http://www.howsweeteats.com/2010/07/01/cheesy-sweet-potato-crisps/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: magenta;">Cheesy Sweet Potato Crisps</span></a></span> - I need to work on them a little, but for my first time they weren't too bad.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img height="223" src="http://www.howsweeteats.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/IMG_6488-1024x574.jpg" width="400" /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">For our main meal, I made <a href="http://www.howsweeteats.com/2010/11/23/mashed-potato-pancakes/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: magenta;">Mashed Potato Pancakes</span></a> and <a href="http://www.howsweeteats.com/2010/07/26/parmesan-ranch-crispy-chicken-fingers/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: magenta;">Parmesan Ranch Chicken Fingers</span></a>, and OH MY GOSH, they were both delicious!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">First off, for those who know my mom, you know she can cook. So, not only does she play a huge part in my love for food, but she always helps me in the kitchen (not that I cook every night, but when I'm there, she's right there with me!) With that said, she was genius and decided to add some garlic and green onions to the mashed potato pancakes. Can we just say, this recipe could win awards!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img height="266" src="http://www.howsweeteats.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/potato-4.jpg" width="400" /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The chicken fingers were my favorite of the night (putting aside dessert of course). All I can say about these, is MAKE THEM! The dry ranch mix completes the flavor, and since they are baked and not fried, they aren't greasy and filling like most chicken fingers (or any southern meal for that matter).</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I have to admit though, we didn't shy away from the fact that we saved a few cals by baking these...so my mom whipped up some of her delicious homemade white gravy :o) It was so worth it.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img height="265" src="http://www.howsweeteats.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/DSC_0160-1024x680.jpg" width="400" /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We also had fresh green beans as a second side, but there's no special recipe or pretty pictures for that, sorry.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And to complete this overly delicious, flavorful meal, I kept dessert simple by making brownies. Oh, but not just any brownies, I made <a href="http://www.howsweeteats.com/2009/10/07/oooey-gooey-fudgey-brownies/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: magenta;">Oooey Gooey Fudgey Brownies</span></a>. And boy are these oooey and gooey! I have a tendency to be impatient while dessert is cooling, and always cut into the baked good WAY before it's ready to be cut...maybe I'm a chocoholic...besides the point though. Anyways, I cut into these about 30 seconds after they came out of the oven. Honestly, bad idea. They were so oooey and gooey that they didn't even stay together as a square to be enjoyed. So I tied my hands behind my back...or made my self useful elsewhere, and cut these babies after they were completely cooled down. And again, so worth it! They are still so moist that they could probably sit out for days and still be just as moist!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img alt="IMG_1187" src="http://howsweet.files.wordpress.com/2009/10/img_1187.jpg?w=300" /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I don't believe any picture could do these brownies justice. When they came out of the oven, the smelled good of course, but they didn't look like anything that would knock some socks off. So, along with everything else I made tonight, give these brownies a try! They are SO EASY and quick to assemble, and again, so ooey and gooey that you just might eat two or three and not remember :o)</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
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</span></div>Taylorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12122207857084212326noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-45419358896264671.post-1602426607942021252011-01-20T00:12:00.002-06:002011-01-20T18:11:09.462-06:00National Cheese Lover's Day<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Mmm cheese is like comfort food to me - Anytime I have a craving, cheese does it. There are endless possibilities for cheese since it's usually used an ingredient but it's just as delicious when eaten straight off a block.</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Here are just a FEW of my cheesy favorites: </span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Pepperjack - Straight up</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img height="228" src="http://www.samlagrassas.com/products/pepper-jack-cheese.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="320" /></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Mac and cheese - From Velveeta to Gourmet, any of it is good as long as it's not powdered cheese. Gross.</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img height="272" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLpuj17DFDfydciqJyRxoUIxA6d2b3eLdUhfV9GpnvDm04LlCvusnoBxjeDGJq4dmsOLKoI_gAX3xe-D2UFq_IbrAF7zcRVJ7LCBzOVTGkwl7kyOT6ky1zAvbzWEkbmKBA81LbV2dI3ik/s320/imac+%26+cheese+pic.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="320" /></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
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</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Chile con Queso - Come on, I live in Texas and it's good on everything!</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img height="212" src="http://static.thepioneerwoman.com/tasty-kitchen/files/2010/01/queso.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="320" /></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Fried cheese - These are actually Spanky's fried cheese (Lubbock, TX) And they are the biggest, thickest, and gooeyest fried cheese you'll ever eat!</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img height="240" src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1051/798610109_0301758704.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="320" /></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Cheesecake - Definitely used as an ingredient but this dessert can't be left off this list! Plain, with a topping, or with a swirl of flavor...doesn't matter!</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img height="243" src="http://www.wilmotblueberries.com/images/cheesecake_piece1.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="320" /></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Last but not least, Cheetos - This is my favorite chip and by far one of my favorite snacks of all time. It reminds me of my childhood but I still want them with every sandwich I have - I act as if they are going to stop producing them :o)</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img height="320" src="http://recipepapa.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/12/cheetos-crunchy1.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="320" /></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Go treat yourself to some cheese today! And if you can't eat it or don't like cheese - You're missing out, no matter what you may think :o)</span></div>Taylorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12122207857084212326noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-45419358896264671.post-15432761964182962732011-01-17T16:05:00.003-06:002011-01-17T16:07:45.874-06:00Cupcake Valentine Cards<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Trebuchet, 'Trebuchet MS', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;"></span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;"><a href="http://cupcakestakethecake.blogspot.com/2011/01/cupcake-valentine-cards.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple;"><b>Cupcakes Take the Cake</b></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span"> found some cute Valentine's Cards!</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><br />
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<div style="color: #281203; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Check out these adorable cupcake themed Valentine's Day cards from <a href="http://cardstore.com/" style="color: #ce0d0d; text-decoration: none;">cardstore.com</a>:</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #281203; line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #281203; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;"><a href="http://www.cardstore.com/catalog/irresistible-love-cs_0236_0.html" style="color: #ce0d0d; text-decoration: none;"><img border="0" height="224" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwscFcujslpyXa3YLuetrPRtl5XDwmJdvCrkD4dqZMG7FOl5Sib4x0D-xAbqq3xwrhgJYadqgo1Vq4mpEXdmHJnkN6vij1aInMfw7IBODRb2soWKzRmz2UBfrpfKKXuEiTfqHPtjdTTw/s320/cs_0236_lowres_525x375_fc_shadow.jpg" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; padding-bottom: 4px; padding-left: 4px; padding-right: 4px; padding-top: 4px;" width="320" /></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #281203; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;">found <a href="http://www.cardstore.com/catalog/irresistible-love-cs_0236_0.html" style="color: #ce0d0d; text-decoration: none;">here</a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #281203; line-height: 20px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.cardstore.com/catalog/kids-heart-cupcake-per_0147_0.html" style="color: #ce0d0d; text-decoration: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl4TUIGzkUbYeEIGUyGpbSX3rlqDHIkN6IUrbmHLV6PS7kjNfx7y1gv1ta6Z1_kpYk5XTJcqG0OytAdHlLYKw7nEpOF33xxzeFWkUk-I0tMWRbtRfX5fFzwfFIplT0G1t3ITwIfBmakw/s320/per_0147_lowres_375x525_flat_shadow.jpg" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; padding-bottom: 4px; padding-left: 4px; padding-right: 4px; padding-top: 4px;" width="214" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #281203; line-height: 20px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">found <a href="http://www.cardstore.com/catalog/kids-heart-cupcake-per_0147_0.html" style="color: #ce0d0d; text-decoration: none;">here</a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #281203; line-height: 20px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.cardstore.com/catalog/you-sweet-thing-sp_0029_0.html" style="color: #ce0d0d; text-decoration: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvWUEQ1INZwlpvnFxZ-X3fdLEUJ5E3Q3qD-UOh0DmK-XWFgx8-v29hADcfaGRIgUSLeRChF9zPwt92Bv7fnOYapEJW_vzbnmIfKhtCb_36WMQa0s9sPrEpoUgCkfEqp9Dk7UDLxykqFw/s320/sp_0029_lowres_5x7_fc_shadow.jpg" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; padding-bottom: 4px; padding-left: 4px; padding-right: 4px; padding-top: 4px;" width="214" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #281203; line-height: 20px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">found <a href="http://www.cardstore.com/catalog/you-sweet-thing-sp_0029_0.html" style="color: #ce0d0d; text-decoration: none;">here</a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #281203; line-height: 20px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.cardstore.com/catalog/pink-cupcake-stack-th_0135_0.html" style="color: #ce0d0d; text-decoration: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="224" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjis7TMoBbVbfFO1jTOMPDtsV-vFe-xOFq0oRTj_hSpghmIHsAdxtZFfkxeN7SPsUcuC4ojnNHn3kjm_kp9v5IGEpkK0mB5GXzSyqCT72I7vINKMNYQiG2NrLDb68TyPUXcmT8QWxcWrw/s320/th_0135_lowres_525x375_fc_shadow.jpg" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; padding-bottom: 4px; padding-left: 4px; padding-right: 4px; padding-top: 4px;" width="320" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #281203; line-height: 20px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">found <a href="http://www.cardstore.com/catalog/pink-cupcake-stack-th_0135_0.html" style="color: #ce0d0d; text-decoration: none;">here</a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #281203; line-height: 20px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.cardstore.com/catalog/red-cupcake-stack-th_0136_0.html" style="color: #ce0d0d; text-decoration: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="224" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlF9UZGzQo_l9WgAC-ZLeybE0a3rfOEhyphenhyphenZmc7FRJexoBp19ZDIKzVXlY5OKJGbb73MgrmbdvUz1CtDF2fsjqHoxrhEgyl9FAgWuphTvMF65epQN8wtB23MUeghwzgRwNb3g5amrqyssQ/s320/th_0136_lowres_525x375_fc_shadow.jpg" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; padding-bottom: 4px; padding-left: 4px; padding-right: 4px; padding-top: 4px;" width="320" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #281203; line-height: 20px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">found <a href="http://www.cardstore.com/catalog/red-cupcake-stack-th_0136_0.html" style="color: #ce0d0d; text-decoration: none;">here</a></span></div><div style="color: #281203; line-height: 20px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="color: #281203; line-height: 20px; text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">These sweet cards range in price from $1.49 to $2.14 and can be personalized with your own text at no extra cost. </span></div></div>Taylorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12122207857084212326noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-45419358896264671.post-10471302421593798142011-01-12T23:32:00.000-06:002011-01-12T23:32:31.257-06:00Late night sweet tooth<div class="separator" style="clear: both; line-height: 22px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So I found another GREAT blog that I'm already addicted to...</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; line-height: 22px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; line-height: 22px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://cookiesandcups.blogspot.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Cookies and Cups</span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; line-height: 22px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; line-height: 22px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Isn't that cute?! So I didn't get far into reading the posts (only one) when I found this post about marshmallows! I've never made them but I love them! There's just something about the texture and flavor that's child-like and I remember begging my mom at the store if I could go home with a bag of the colored ones :o)</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; line-height: 22px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; line-height: 22px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Well, these aren't <i>colored </i>but they are <i>covered </i>with flavor that probably makes them 100 times better than I thought marshmallows could ever be! Enjoy the commentary by the original blogger!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; line-height: 22px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; line-height: 22px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; line-height: 22px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://cookiesandcups.blogspot.com/2011/01/marshmallows-period.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">http://cookiesandcups.blogspot.com/2011/01/marshmallows-period.html</span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; line-height: 22px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; line-height: 22px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcquYuSrN5xWc4BAGF1qjr6bm7-lpONXgn7F87F3Uwx6r2rnnxqItDcvq2Ra43aUerKS5nUIhgRbAVTBVv7EyQseTM7HGGEFFOhgevDWaEKvxv2v7IwotUxsiefMW_qahN7if1tkauEUk/s1600/marshmallows18.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="color: #a4c983; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration: underline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcquYuSrN5xWc4BAGF1qjr6bm7-lpONXgn7F87F3Uwx6r2rnnxqItDcvq2Ra43aUerKS5nUIhgRbAVTBVv7EyQseTM7HGGEFFOhgevDWaEKvxv2v7IwotUxsiefMW_qahN7if1tkauEUk/s400/marshmallows18.jpg" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 4px; padding-left: 4px; padding-right: 4px; padding-top: 4px;" width="400" /></span></a></div><div style="line-height: 22px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></div><div style="line-height: 22px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"If you haven't ever made your own marshmallows DO IT NOW!</span></div><div style="line-height: 22px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">They are so easy and totally yummy.</span></div><div style="line-height: 22px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Trust me, I am big time scared of the candy thermometer, but you won't mess it up. I pinky swear."</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; line-height: 22px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPIC3qzEy1ZXVrBYwimgscRscXRL6R8KrnR7_Yg5YzB58XXW4wLhEdgLGqwadiDb-DmUz-b_l4Hisu1ZP2jVJX6M8otqKoB5fWKIArD-roP_gXXX5xcvMrfvxl8Iv23TNwXsVfFI2eDeA/s1600/marshmallows9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="color: #c94093; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPIC3qzEy1ZXVrBYwimgscRscXRL6R8KrnR7_Yg5YzB58XXW4wLhEdgLGqwadiDb-DmUz-b_l4Hisu1ZP2jVJX6M8otqKoB5fWKIArD-roP_gXXX5xcvMrfvxl8Iv23TNwXsVfFI2eDeA/s400/marshmallows9.jpg" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 4px; padding-left: 4px; padding-right: 4px; padding-top: 4px;" width="400" /></span></a></div><div style="line-height: 22px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> <i>recipe adapted from Martha</i> </span></div><div style="line-height: 22px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="line-height: 22px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">4 envelopes unflavored gelatin</span></div><div style="line-height: 22px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">3 cups granulated sugar</span></div><div style="line-height: 22px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1 1/4 cups light corn syrup</span></div><div style="line-height: 22px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1/4 teaspoon salt</span></div><div style="line-height: 22px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract</span></div><div style="line-height: 22px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1 1/2 cups confectioners' sugar</span></div><div style="line-height: 22px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1 1/2 cups water divided</span></div><div style="line-height: 22px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="line-height: 22px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Spray 9x13 lightly with cooking spray</span></div><div style="line-height: 22px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">line the pan with parchment coming up the sides (at least 2 inches) on each end.</span></div><div style="line-height: 22px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Spray the parchment lightly with cooking spray.</span></div><div style="line-height: 22px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; line-height: 22px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWHAi6K4kpBQki298fB8d8gcfqOEVriOyTgHz_He2GTQWG1JiKnwI_LMMQWDSA1qzefFRqn2q0NqDgjSIJ7eQYVU9Nsjfm8UJbsgRUSd06-m7FDUdGv2XT4j7Kkwh4JH7W0tr4q0LdpnI/s1600/marshmallows.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="color: #c94093; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWHAi6K4kpBQki298fB8d8gcfqOEVriOyTgHz_He2GTQWG1JiKnwI_LMMQWDSA1qzefFRqn2q0NqDgjSIJ7eQYVU9Nsjfm8UJbsgRUSd06-m7FDUdGv2XT4j7Kkwh4JH7W0tr4q0LdpnI/s400/marshmallows.jpg" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 4px; padding-left: 4px; padding-right: 4px; padding-top: 4px;" width="400" /></span></a></div><div style="line-height: 22px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="line-height: 22px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Put granulated sugar, corn syrup, salt, and 3/4 cup water into a medium saucepan. Bring to a boil over high heat, stirring to dissolve sugar. Without stirring, continue to cook syrup until mixture registers 238° on a candy thermometer, between 7-9 minutes.</span></div><div style="line-height: 22px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; line-height: 22px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMhOJ5jqQYDOj5aeUyTk8ujb9RxgCKkQbavRc-Z199V87pV7QNsDPYKUgnjlXKjehQ-dm0cmsvev-B9FQqa04eTQ-2ZW9rJ0F3K-je-uehiqOpdVSSz_JzkOYTG3NRGeCCP8P8AdX9eNc/s1600/marshmallows2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="color: #c94093; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMhOJ5jqQYDOj5aeUyTk8ujb9RxgCKkQbavRc-Z199V87pV7QNsDPYKUgnjlXKjehQ-dm0cmsvev-B9FQqa04eTQ-2ZW9rJ0F3K-je-uehiqOpdVSSz_JzkOYTG3NRGeCCP8P8AdX9eNc/s400/marshmallows2.jpg" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 4px; padding-left: 4px; padding-right: 4px; padding-top: 4px;" width="400" /></span></a></div><div style="line-height: 22px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></div><div style="line-height: 22px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">While the syrup is boiling pour 3/4 cup water into bowl of stand mixer. Sprinkle the gelatin on the water and let it sit 5 minutes so gelatin softens.</span></div><div style="line-height: 22px;"><div style="background-color: transparent; border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: medium; border-color: initial; border-left-style: none; border-left-width: medium; border-right-style: none; border-right-width: medium; border-top-style: none; border-top-width: medium; color: black; overflow-x: hidden; overflow-y: hidden; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">When sugar syrup comes to a boil slowly pour the hot syrup into the gelatin. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhyeokVGcb_bA2UT_kWsdeD12GvTWGeiR7f9tlzfwt1BDGhAvEiaco3b7qDK9JlQCPkaojq3WkoQqnjyUTqi2weKVWoP4nlGJgzqMeqOLPVBF84QEy4WbOclNXpdX65UFP0CFnFky3-K8/s1600/marshmallows3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="color: #c94093; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhyeokVGcb_bA2UT_kWsdeD12GvTWGeiR7f9tlzfwt1BDGhAvEiaco3b7qDK9JlQCPkaojq3WkoQqnjyUTqi2weKVWoP4nlGJgzqMeqOLPVBF84QEy4WbOclNXpdX65UFP0CFnFky3-K8/s400/marshmallows3.jpg" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 4px; padding-left: 4px; padding-right: 4px; padding-top: 4px;" width="400" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> With the whisk attachment on the mixer beat on high for 12 minutes until marshmallow is very stiff.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioBd54V8THatxAibi_GB8NC3Vcd5nmKN3Ql5esr3qaDdKrg1I9Vas2cpJriBxix-eHeJa4KjhWxb2MjxuEAXTu55DlZ3u2Ff3Ka7-e7Mq07lnFAzsuNIf3ACxTmT3WQNDTAf_3VgujV8s/s1600/marshmallows4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="color: #c94093; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioBd54V8THatxAibi_GB8NC3Vcd5nmKN3Ql5esr3qaDdKrg1I9Vas2cpJriBxix-eHeJa4KjhWxb2MjxuEAXTu55DlZ3u2Ff3Ka7-e7Mq07lnFAzsuNIf3ACxTmT3WQNDTAf_3VgujV8s/s400/marshmallows4.jpg" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 4px; padding-left: 4px; padding-right: 4px; padding-top: 4px;" width="400" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Add vanilla and beat for 1 more minute.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Pour marshmallow into prepared pan and spread with a spatula. It will be VERY sticky!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Let sit for at least 3 hours uncovered.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicaPPyJsXH7oE_1kURPyzqVrdGxfenr18XzQ72WDZGPXqk0M7HlJbgGJ68iofix_EF7v5TmRTyoZAxtQ277aQkFum8EHOlVv3vRJ1wzeNG1K_W7x9pEEXhevFKb40nO9q83UmJTIXE60c/s1600/marshmallows5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="color: #c94093; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicaPPyJsXH7oE_1kURPyzqVrdGxfenr18XzQ72WDZGPXqk0M7HlJbgGJ68iofix_EF7v5TmRTyoZAxtQ277aQkFum8EHOlVv3vRJ1wzeNG1K_W7x9pEEXhevFKb40nO9q83UmJTIXE60c/s400/marshmallows5.jpg" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 4px; padding-left: 4px; padding-right: 4px; padding-top: 4px;" width="300" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> When you're ready, sift 1 cup powdered sugar onto work space.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjobOqDTXzMlEKVfip5wYSjBnFXKBKw4SpJC6Ban4n1s1kBdbtTIyi9PNt5sfw2z7RTpHNv2Vh5BMLFKn9gg1yPNAhuQBVOd93vjIpMlbtUTiMkE3zZn9Qxty3Tkk7pTJGHyQH-wisktLk/s1600/marshmallows6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="color: #c94093; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjobOqDTXzMlEKVfip5wYSjBnFXKBKw4SpJC6Ban4n1s1kBdbtTIyi9PNt5sfw2z7RTpHNv2Vh5BMLFKn9gg1yPNAhuQBVOd93vjIpMlbtUTiMkE3zZn9Qxty3Tkk7pTJGHyQH-wisktLk/s400/marshmallows6.jpg" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 4px; padding-left: 4px; padding-right: 4px; padding-top: 4px;" width="400" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Remove the marshmallow from pan onto sugared counter.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieod3O2qsKIrzkJppahRTUyDUCCV5GkQTuM8uGsZLHd4s7UTmov3a7n40qJ0tqgo1TA1nbKIB5k8Rxjer5LPjro9sh_R3TaDI88wjB2cPc2I6F5wqUs0ScQnWsDPFv4IoHwsK4imEBqB8/s1600/marshmallows7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="color: #c94093; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieod3O2qsKIrzkJppahRTUyDUCCV5GkQTuM8uGsZLHd4s7UTmov3a7n40qJ0tqgo1TA1nbKIB5k8Rxjer5LPjro9sh_R3TaDI88wjB2cPc2I6F5wqUs0ScQnWsDPFv4IoHwsK4imEBqB8/s400/marshmallows7.jpg" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 4px; padding-left: 4px; padding-right: 4px; padding-top: 4px;" width="300" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Using a VERY SHARP knife cut the marshmallow into squares.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">(You might find it helpful to spray knife with cooking spray)</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKJXpJIQybMOwAHl7jdKj-rtHPN5Eb_3_FQro9Qos3IEC0JEe8Ikr1JA87-jyPxcikLC5b6txl3TWrmpn6rRmhKyE86ddLGyaONjdcoGaeCcRFrIzpvLDUGx2-fKLXXFFb4Dkz_i03XAs/s1600/marshmallows8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="color: #c94093; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKJXpJIQybMOwAHl7jdKj-rtHPN5Eb_3_FQro9Qos3IEC0JEe8Ikr1JA87-jyPxcikLC5b6txl3TWrmpn6rRmhKyE86ddLGyaONjdcoGaeCcRFrIzpvLDUGx2-fKLXXFFb4Dkz_i03XAs/s400/marshmallows8.jpg" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 4px; padding-left: 4px; padding-right: 4px; padding-top: 4px;" width="400" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> For plain marshmallow,s sift remaining 1/2 cup powdered sugar into a bowl and coat each cut marshmallow with sugar.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Will store airtight for up to a week.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">NOW...if you're not about plain marshmallows, let's have some fun...</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I combined 1/4 cup granulated sugar and 2 teaspoons of cinnamon and instead of rolling the cut marshmallows in powdered sugar I rolled them in the cinnamon sugar...YUM!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhupArNh4NwdH2dKe-k9oG-5gk0xILNpEfu4GQUUKKi_N9-zTVhhv-DYlK0qT3EeqOcW1MOc7oHhkptaLDzC8pFj7PUqD76xZxmBjEb-zmSCQ_mlcUnGUFHk3bPtEqJxRct23gxqHVZLs/s1600/marshmallows10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="color: #c94093; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhupArNh4NwdH2dKe-k9oG-5gk0xILNpEfu4GQUUKKi_N9-zTVhhv-DYlK0qT3EeqOcW1MOc7oHhkptaLDzC8pFj7PUqD76xZxmBjEb-zmSCQ_mlcUnGUFHk3bPtEqJxRct23gxqHVZLs/s400/marshmallows10.jpg" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 4px; padding-left: 4px; padding-right: 4px; padding-top: 4px;" width="400" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">and these I rolled in a combination of 1/4 cup cocoa powder and 1/4 cup powdered sugar.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">These would be great in hot chocolate...</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSsacbJCEkCo-gGPkUVko_XFK9W2319zP8K17JEk6Us5aCkOyeYQ7eKdf3HPeV3uz-vw9Y3yihrlp5mTwZ84kBtavil2Qy24_ZO_iTpuk5oB0GzLztmeHdRXyKxCQmYs6yJYIWqHzdVPw/s1600/marshmallows11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="color: #c94093; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSsacbJCEkCo-gGPkUVko_XFK9W2319zP8K17JEk6Us5aCkOyeYQ7eKdf3HPeV3uz-vw9Y3yihrlp5mTwZ84kBtavil2Qy24_ZO_iTpuk5oB0GzLztmeHdRXyKxCQmYs6yJYIWqHzdVPw/s400/marshmallows11.jpg" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 4px; padding-left: 4px; padding-right: 4px; padding-top: 4px;" width="300" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">ok, now I got a little crazy.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I melted some white chocolate and dipped in sprinkles...</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMjSiXvoOUWE4iEypl91RtTztXbNtp5foQ83WYpsy2tQg-p8DeaxrNYhC2JsGDlKi97aD6DDgVyfY7dEAB_tSht924Pj6oHvJovO7taXfZiiafxYUZFndjDTACDpV0OMko_k5e6qFRVBM/s1600/marshmallows12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="color: #c94093; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMjSiXvoOUWE4iEypl91RtTztXbNtp5foQ83WYpsy2tQg-p8DeaxrNYhC2JsGDlKi97aD6DDgVyfY7dEAB_tSht924Pj6oHvJovO7taXfZiiafxYUZFndjDTACDpV0OMko_k5e6qFRVBM/s640/marshmallows12.jpg" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 4px; padding-left: 4px; padding-right: 4px; padding-top: 4px;" width="480" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> mini chips...</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB3s_IEU8gWiT-pi53EqioRDh4-7fhl_PV74S7lQiTC2se1ebqOU-JjvH4oi9kwjm8A3WrU5GBHWcNS0u449YiskkLgONRkaPfx-HVYdG4ElFwBD7UcjLxoEqSSEU0Lth3TlcGwv0cHec/s1600/marshmallows14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="color: #c94093; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB3s_IEU8gWiT-pi53EqioRDh4-7fhl_PV74S7lQiTC2se1ebqOU-JjvH4oi9kwjm8A3WrU5GBHWcNS0u449YiskkLgONRkaPfx-HVYdG4ElFwBD7UcjLxoEqSSEU0Lth3TlcGwv0cHec/s400/marshmallows14.jpg" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 4px; padding-left: 4px; padding-right: 4px; padding-top: 4px;" width="300" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">hearts for Valentines :)</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbB83YUJh8ctiUsMqBCxYCNUk4NtHdMOcEZ7NymI0ZtEPBqWDNxwTR9qEL-Crge0pWR8MQjH4vDx8dRC7g9DLKZFvPUBpFJj7l986asrQMH-INtkKcbw5zrHa1igR66DQgy658CBI_86o/s1600/marshmallows13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="color: #c94093; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="295" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbB83YUJh8ctiUsMqBCxYCNUk4NtHdMOcEZ7NymI0ZtEPBqWDNxwTR9qEL-Crge0pWR8MQjH4vDx8dRC7g9DLKZFvPUBpFJj7l986asrQMH-INtkKcbw5zrHa1igR66DQgy658CBI_86o/s400/marshmallows13.jpg" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 4px; padding-left: 4px; padding-right: 4px; padding-top: 4px;" width="400" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Crushed Oreos, because that's completely necessary.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUXVBf-KCISEqYzXS4IE1tdgE5u2PLtOwZ-grDO739zbntK0SrP3nHQZb8s6-NaOYxH_Nbma4CWbE4pmrJ6MYA38H7f3LF7y93Zta2B6AQtsUd0KpKGKSOZQi0Hy8hoBnn6lAID-f2_0s/s1600/marshmallows15.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="color: #c94093; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="301" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUXVBf-KCISEqYzXS4IE1tdgE5u2PLtOwZ-grDO739zbntK0SrP3nHQZb8s6-NaOYxH_Nbma4CWbE4pmrJ6MYA38H7f3LF7y93Zta2B6AQtsUd0KpKGKSOZQi0Hy8hoBnn6lAID-f2_0s/s400/marshmallows15.jpg" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 4px; padding-left: 4px; padding-right: 4px; padding-top: 4px;" width="400" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> I heated up some peanut butter in the microwave for 30 seconds and dipped the marshmallow in...then I dipped it in the white chocolate. Hell yes I did.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjNRTgRfD_46QrVtB_sfBTR_QfCVI4wkGrSwQfmInVMdMin9wE1JA4I5hPazR7tk0qommpGh8upwFITHWO9U-CnhFafvjjpR24mrk7yXrv73NtzFkgmNnhSIwZVft4PTyOzWgl1fZt-hw/s1600/marshmallows16.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="color: #c94093; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjNRTgRfD_46QrVtB_sfBTR_QfCVI4wkGrSwQfmInVMdMin9wE1JA4I5hPazR7tk0qommpGh8upwFITHWO9U-CnhFafvjjpR24mrk7yXrv73NtzFkgmNnhSIwZVft4PTyOzWgl1fZt-hw/s400/marshmallows16.jpg" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 4px; padding-left: 4px; padding-right: 4px; padding-top: 4px;" width="300" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">...and finally the genius idea (that was 100% not mine) of dipping the marshmallow in chocolate and then crushed graham crackers for an instant S'more. High five to whoever thought that up!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj_Qgmo4R7dNB8O-OHhyRWwUCQA9GHqDWtzN06R3RiSOY8vE_c6Ufp_XcPykoSJFjt45u0R6hKCridOIBy04oYCmaUi4D_x5DMUDgOwEjdhxWPQZjXJ8CDYh0ooW3Z-GQbmwiVOCXpkTo/s1600/marshmallows17.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="color: #c94093; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="295" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj_Qgmo4R7dNB8O-OHhyRWwUCQA9GHqDWtzN06R3RiSOY8vE_c6Ufp_XcPykoSJFjt45u0R6hKCridOIBy04oYCmaUi4D_x5DMUDgOwEjdhxWPQZjXJ8CDYh0ooW3Z-GQbmwiVOCXpkTo/s400/marshmallows17.jpg" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 4px; padding-left: 4px; padding-right: 4px; padding-top: 4px;" width="400" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> So here you go...a smorgasbord of marshmallow to help your 2011 get off to a great start.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlMOut5mzbTYwlcgDjzigh9JpFCGxtC4AUQPOADKTydPnwN0kXjjCW60-VNbvogZs7jVHqh9kgRiE8m_XOYUxw0Lymfnc0TbL2QxxOYuBOdGQzjuY-xq9Y2HRelz_U0BhKP0fyBEJKMVk/s1600/marshmallows19.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="color: #c94093; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlMOut5mzbTYwlcgDjzigh9JpFCGxtC4AUQPOADKTydPnwN0kXjjCW60-VNbvogZs7jVHqh9kgRiE8m_XOYUxw0Lymfnc0TbL2QxxOYuBOdGQzjuY-xq9Y2HRelz_U0BhKP0fyBEJKMVk/s640/marshmallows19.jpg" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 4px; padding-left: 4px; padding-right: 4px; padding-top: 4px;" width="480" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> I'm pretty sure it's impossible to not be happy when you're eating a marshmallow.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Yep..completely impossible.</span></div></div></div></div>Taylorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12122207857084212326noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-45419358896264671.post-64676207790751740752011-01-12T13:55:00.002-06:002011-01-12T13:59:08.648-06:00Pizza Week<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img height="298" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_A67L3cQ0jug/TOVGIUCOg1I/AAAAAAAABmM/yvVB1x_2rSA/s400/Mediterranean%2BPizza%2Bwith%2BFresh%2BMozzarella.jpg" width="400" /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">According to my favorite food holiday website (<a href="http://whatscookingamerica.net/History/Pizza/PizzaRecipes.htm" style="background-color: white;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple;">http://whatscookingamerica.net/History/Pizza/PizzaRecipes.htm</span></a>) the second week of January is Pizza Week!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">That means I NEED to eat my favorite pizza: 1) BJ's Mediterranean Chicken Pizza, 2)Anything from Mr. Gatti's, or 3) Mine and Scott's favorite local take-out, <a href="http://www.wfpizza.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple;">Wood Fired Pizza</span></a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Even better, I just need to take the time and make homemade pizza - I've actually never have done that...I found <a href="http://whatscookingamerica.net/History/Pizza/PizzaRecipes.htm"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple;">this website</span></a> that looks like it has some great dough recipes.</span><br />
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</span></div>Taylorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12122207857084212326noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-45419358896264671.post-21558621761212225152011-01-06T23:18:00.003-06:002011-01-06T23:24:22.188-06:00Late night craving<div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I hope I'm not the only one who gets late at night cravings...</span></div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Usually it's wanting a huge Sonic drink, sometimes a bowl of salty, crunchy pretzels or chips sounds good, and of course I get normal sweet cravings. I'm doing my nightly routine of blogging and came across this picture (Yum!) and recipe - Which makes any craving worse because then I start thinking of how easy or not it would be to make it, then about if I have the ingredients...etc etc...</span></div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5241/5321660332_6cafa6f71e_o_d.jpg" /></span></div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I hope to get back into a vibe of making time to bake (and cook real food) more often. This recipe is printed off and added to my homemade cookbook, and in line of what I want to make soon!.</span></div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Here is the recipe and a great blog! </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://cupcakestakethecake.blogspot.com/2011/01/lemon-limoncello-filled-cupcakes-from.html">Lemon-limoncello filled cupcakes from Brown Eyed Baker</a></span><br />
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</div></div>Taylorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12122207857084212326noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-45419358896264671.post-35426654252643052652011-01-04T15:36:00.000-06:002011-01-04T15:36:16.219-06:00Houston restaurants = Endless<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We used to be known as the fattest city in America...well all I have to say is that we like good food! We may have started slimming down, but when you take a closer look into Houston's restaurants, you'll find hidden treasures. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This top 10 list from Culture Map would be a great list to work off of if you're going to start trying new restaurants:</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://culturemap.com/newsdetail/01-03-11-where-to-eat-right-now-10-rockin-houston-restaurants/">http://culturemap.com/newsdetail/01-03-11-where-to-eat-right-now-10-rockin-houston-restaurants/</a></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My personal favorite though is Urbanspoon! You've probably heard of it because of it's known app for almost all phones - But the website is even better!</span><br />
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<a href="http://www.urbanspoon.com/c/8/Houston-restaurants.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">http://www.urbanspoon.com/c/8/Houston-restaurants.html</span></a><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Urbanspoon is a place where you give reviews for restaurants, add your favorites, and they even give you Top 10 lists for different categories. It's best if you have the app on your phone because based on your location, it picks places close to you (also based on your selected choices of price range and type of food). Then once you eat there, go back to it on your phone and give a review!</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Amazing and pretty convenient if you ask me.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Me and Scott tried telling ourself a long time ago that we would eat at the first place Urbanspoon randomly chose on my phone...however, I don't even think we kept that up after the first place it gave us. Maybe that would be fun to try again...</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">_</span>Taylorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12122207857084212326noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-45419358896264671.post-47236443138227726412011-01-03T15:40:00.000-06:002011-01-03T15:40:12.269-06:00Happy New Year!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_4Ip3aftiVjc/TSI_4z2fvMI/AAAAAAAACIM/E8UoG7B3cWg/s1600/5304201073_75915b9a19.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_4Ip3aftiVjc/TSI_4z2fvMI/AAAAAAAACIM/E8UoG7B3cWg/s320/5304201073_75915b9a19.jpg" width="309" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I was I would have thought of these amazing NYE cupcakes!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Instead, I didn't make any NYE cupcakes and regret it. So as a result, I've added baking and my blogs to my New Year resolutions! I'm making it a priority to keep both blogs updated. I know, I know...I always say that with practically every other post. But I have had no reason to stay accountable to myself. Now, my reason is because I'm making a goal for myself and I'm posting at least once a week!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I also didn't complete the 12 days of cookies how I said I would. I got a little to busy for having to go to the store every other day and spend hours on end baking. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I did however, manage to create some ADORABLE baby shower cupcakes for a close friend of mine!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_4Ip3aftiVjc/TSJBF6RKDKI/AAAAAAAACIQ/k1h6kffGyVA/s1600/DSC_7300.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_4Ip3aftiVjc/TSJBF6RKDKI/AAAAAAAACIQ/k1h6kffGyVA/s320/DSC_7300.JPG" width="214" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_4Ip3aftiVjc/TSJBLFF6ghI/AAAAAAAACIU/ssC42sLBiq4/s1600/DSC_7303.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="214" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_4Ip3aftiVjc/TSJBLFF6ghI/AAAAAAAACIU/ssC42sLBiq4/s320/DSC_7303.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Brynlee will be here in March and she will be arriving in style! Pink and zebra was the theme for her baby shower and it just came together so well! Chelsea (the To-Be aunt and one of my best friends) did a wonderful job decorating and planning for her big sister's arrival. These cupcakes were my personal favorite, Cream Cheese filled Chocolate with regular buttercream frosting - Yum!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Until next time, have a great Monday evening and eat something delicious tonight!</span></div>Taylorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12122207857084212326noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-45419358896264671.post-19549704788662827292010-11-29T22:18:00.001-06:002010-11-29T22:19:58.947-06:0012 Days of...Cookies!<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img height="298" src="http://img.foodnetwork.com/FOOD/2009/11/04/FNM_All-Cookies-2-54_s4x3_lg.jpg" width="400" /></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Alot of bloggers and websites are posting 12 days of cookies so my plan is to bake for 12 days before Christmas gets here! That'll be alot of cookies, along with all the other baking goodies I want to make.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">For example, Scott just gave me the idea of trying 12 different chocolate chip recipes (seeing as he's not extremely adventurous with food) but it's a great idea so get ready to receive cookies if you see me over the next month!</span>Taylorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12122207857084212326noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-45419358896264671.post-56735599770858941182010-10-26T11:49:00.000-05:002010-10-26T11:49:19.436-05:00Majestic Purple<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4126/4973336957_b2d55f546f.jpg" /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">You can NEVER go wrong with <b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple;">purple </span></b>- It's just so full and easy on the eye. It's definitely my favorite color. I don't really wear it to often, or even own many purple clothes for that matter. And never have I baked or cooked anything purple...besides berry-something-or-another. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This icing looks heavenly!!...And I will be trying this soon!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://cupcakestakethecake.blogspot.com/2010/09/purple-is-my-favorite-color-so-of.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">http://cupcakestakethecake.blogspot.com/2010/09/purple-is-my-favorite-color-so-of.html</span></a></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
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</div>Taylorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12122207857084212326noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-45419358896264671.post-25280977637323482042010-10-24T22:55:00.000-05:002010-10-24T22:55:30.639-05:00Cupcake Vinyard<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">What?! Cupcakes and wine together?</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I've always seen Cupcake wine at HEB and Specs, but I finally have joined their newsletter and have started reading more into the wines. So far this is the first one I will try - Sounds delicious!</span><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.cupcakevineyard.com/index.cfm?method=storeproducts.showDrilldown&productid=b79c5f35-c7b3-91a4-8e04-8b2db948ad11&ProductCategoryID=bca90535-1cc4-fbb6-2324-3dc87aa44ca8&WineryID=bca904c8-1cc4-fbb6-23fc-d5da2a3e03f1&WineTypeID=&ProductType=&wineVarietalID=&wineRegionID=&vintage=&lowprice=&highPrice=&WineBrandID=&WineAppellationID=&lowletter=&highletter=&OrderBy=PXPC.DisplayOrder%20Asc,%20P.ProductName%20ASC&ShippingState=TX">Mosel Riesling</a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_4Ip3aftiVjc/TMT_kFMP62I/AAAAAAAACHs/fQ1qTIxgWQ8/s1600/CUP_BS_750_MOS_RIES_NV_72.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_4Ip3aftiVjc/TMT_kFMP62I/AAAAAAAACHs/fQ1qTIxgWQ8/s1600/CUP_BS_750_MOS_RIES_NV_72.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Of course I will try to eventually try them all - But for now, if you have tried it or heard about it please share!!</span>Taylorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12122207857084212326noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-45419358896264671.post-91315113955933482422010-10-07T11:44:00.000-05:002010-10-07T11:44:20.481-05:00Happy Frappe Day!<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">WhooHooo I can go get Starbucks without feeling </span><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">too </span></i></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">guilty since it's a holiday - As in spending the money or taking in the calories lol</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Today is National Frappe Month and I think I will treat myself to Starbuck's Mocha Frap Light!</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://t3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRbW0s7PmsmOtsxODBkBApR-VZUYfGbJo3H5GWgLPXh7etclr0&t=1&usg=__NNae3HX9n9STv7dCdNHZfXieTEU=" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://t3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRbW0s7PmsmOtsxODBkBApR-VZUYfGbJo3H5GWgLPXh7etclr0&t=1&usg=__NNae3HX9n9STv7dCdNHZfXieTEU=" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
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</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The origin behind "<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">Frappe</span>" is </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #a50021;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">-</span></b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; line-height: 17px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> New England term for</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; line-height: 17px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; line-height: 17px;"><a href="http://www.thenibble.com/REVIEWS/MAIN/desserts/ice-cream-definitions-n.asp#milkshake" style="color: black; text-decoration: underline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">milkshake</span></a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; line-height: 17px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">, from the French</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; line-height: 17px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; line-height: 17px;"><em><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">frapper</span></em></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; line-height: 17px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">, “to beat.” (</span></span><a href="http://www.thenibble.com/REVIEWS/MAIN/desserts/ice-cream-definitions.asp#frappe"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">http://www.thenibble.com/REVIEWS/MAIN/desserts/ice-cream-definitions.asp#frappe</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">)</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Interesting how it's turned into an icy, coffee drinks over the years. Here's a basic <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple;"><b>recipe </b></span>for making your own:</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://www.ehow.com/how_961_make-coffee-frappe.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">http://www.ehow.com/how_961_make-coffee-frappe.html</span></a></div>Taylorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12122207857084212326noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-45419358896264671.post-49913188570722763922010-10-06T18:10:00.000-05:002010-10-06T18:10:47.295-05:00Happy Noodle Day!<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">When I think of noodles I think <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: orange;"><b>Ramen Noodle</b></span>...so I'm changing that thought into how much I love <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple;"><b>food photography</b></span>.</span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Here are a couple of neat photos I found with noodles/pasta, in honor of the carb-loaded, funny shaped food's holiday:</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_4Ip3aftiVjc/TK0Bsgc0rXI/AAAAAAAACHg/3jg2gzE41MQ/s1600/asian-noodles-xl.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_4Ip3aftiVjc/TK0Bsgc0rXI/AAAAAAAACHg/3jg2gzE41MQ/s320/asian-noodles-xl.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_4Ip3aftiVjc/TK0BtOgTgAI/AAAAAAAACHk/pVt1VwHQI1k/s1600/MY+food+photography+193+(Medium).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="228" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_4Ip3aftiVjc/TK0BtOgTgAI/AAAAAAAACHk/pVt1VwHQI1k/s320/MY+food+photography+193+(Medium).jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_4Ip3aftiVjc/TK0Bt3bePRI/AAAAAAAACHo/mvxauE7R9tE/s1600/pasta.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_4Ip3aftiVjc/TK0Bt3bePRI/AAAAAAAACHo/mvxauE7R9tE/s320/pasta.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><div><br />
</div>Taylorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12122207857084212326noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-45419358896264671.post-68064088745616155902010-09-30T23:19:00.000-05:002010-09-30T23:19:05.247-05:00Fall is upon us<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I'm so making these! I've never cared for Pumpkin flavored anything...just Pumpkin seeds. But this year, I'm baking pumpkin everything to find at least one Pumpkin recipe to love.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This will be my first encounter.</span><br />
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<a href="http://cupcakestakethecake.blogspot.com/2010/09/pumpkin-spice-cupcake-recipe.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">http://cupcakestakethecake.blogspot.com/2010/09/pumpkin-spice-cupcake-recipe.html</span></a><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_4Ip3aftiVjc/TKVhE-IuACI/AAAAAAAACGI/hJw1O1-7lMA/s1600/images+(1).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_4Ip3aftiVjc/TKVhE-IuACI/AAAAAAAACGI/hJw1O1-7lMA/s1600/images+(1).jpg" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_4Ip3aftiVjc/TKVhFYbaYpI/AAAAAAAACGM/eO-8TB-NbWI/s1600/images.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_4Ip3aftiVjc/TKVhFYbaYpI/AAAAAAAACGM/eO-8TB-NbWI/s1600/images.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_4Ip3aftiVjc/TKVhGVgW28I/AAAAAAAACGQ/GMEWuGXZxdA/s1600/pumpkin+cupcakes+via+lets+entertain.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_4Ip3aftiVjc/TKVhGVgW28I/AAAAAAAACGQ/GMEWuGXZxdA/s1600/pumpkin+cupcakes+via+lets+entertain.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_4Ip3aftiVjc/TKVhJOw53KI/AAAAAAAACGU/MBYPYU5klVg/s1600/IMG_4729.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_4Ip3aftiVjc/TKVhJOw53KI/AAAAAAAACGU/MBYPYU5klVg/s1600/IMG_4729.jpg" /></a></div>Taylorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12122207857084212326noreply@blogger.com0