The Best Thing I Had In My Mouth - Garrett Almond Caramel Popcorn

Sorry I have been a bit absent, but I have been so busy doing really boring work stuff.  Luckily I was sent a padded envelope bursting at the seams with Garrett Almond Caramel Popcorn from my mom.  My parents had recently visited Chicago and were sweet to send me a whole bunch.  This stuff is addictive - for real.  Super buttery and sweet, with a crunch of pristine almonds and ultra-puffy kernels.  I can't get enough, but at the same time can't wait for me to finish it so I can forget about it and do a major sugar detox!  Unfortunately, I found out there is a Garrett Popcorn in New York, near Penn Station.  The addiction just may continue.

I probably won't be around for the rest of the week, so here are a few recipes I made in March the past 2 years:

Click here for a simpler homemade vegetable broth - so so good.

Click here for a coffee ice cream recipe.

Click here for a delicious soft pretzel recipe.

Or if you are in New York, check out Big Nick's.

The Golden Burrito

Most people that know me, know that I have a serious addiction/obsession/commitment to Chipotle Mexican Grill.  I get it every Monday evening - burrito with rice, black beans, hot sauce, cheese, and lettuce, and then I top it with Tabasco Green Jalapeno Pepper Sauce.  It is something I live for on a Monday.  I have an outfit dedicated to it - a Chipotle x-large t-shirt and American Apparel gray sweat pants (for breathing room).  If I get invited to do something on a Monday night that will change my Chipotle plans, I seriously contemplate whether it is worth it, or how I can incorporate into the event.  For instance, Valentine's Day one year, I went to a New York City Ballet show, had my friend pick up the burritos before hand, and then we warmed them back up in the oven when we got home.  A perfect way to end the night.

Smokey, Spicy & Tangy Hot Salsa

A couple weekends ago I made some delicious hot salsa from Rick Bayless' Mexican Everday.  It was a cinch to make and I ended up using it on everything - quesadillas, scrambled egg tacos, and of course chips.  I love the smokiness of dry roasting the ingredients, the tanginess of the tomatillos, the spiciness of árbol chiles.  You can find the chiles at Fairway, Whole Foods, or a Mexican grocery store.

The Best Thing I Had My Mouth - Mieli Thun Honey

I was in for a special treat when my friend brought me eight small jars of Mieli Thun Honey from Eataly.  If you live in New York and haven't stopped by this mecca of all foods Italian yet, you should.  It is crowded, and definitely an overload of the senses, but an experience you must do once (I have done it multiple times since it is right by my office - I don't know if it is ever NOT crowded).  Anyways, back to the Italian honey.  I thought I would just open one jar for a small taste, but I soon found myself eenie meenie minie moing each jar until there were none left to try.  Eight open jars, three crumby knifes, and a few sticky fingers later, my favorite ended up being the eucalyptus honey.  It was rich, intense, and caramely.  French honeysuckle honey was a close second!  To learn more about Mieli Thun Honey, click here.

Sorry I haven't been sharing any recipes, but I promise a hot salsa is coming soon!

Clever and Pretty

Photos from Finnish Design Shop.

I love this clever Kupu Coffee Scoop and Bag Closer, which I saw on Design For Mankind.  So stylish and functional.  You can purchase here for $26.

Photo from Bellocq Tea Atelier.

Aren't these edible metallic flakes so pretty?  You can purchase them here on Bellocq Tea Atelier.

To read about Tea Box, which sadly closed this past year, click here.

Awful For You Oatmeal

A friend sent me this article by Mark Bittman from The New York Times about McDonald's oatmeal.  One highlight includes the fact that McDonald's oatmeal is only 10 calories less than their cheeseburger.  Way to go McDonald's.  Click here to read the entire article about how McDonald's ruined perfectly nutritious oatmeal.

Click here for my snickerdoodle recipe.

My Milk Toof

Ickle and Lardee enjoying a Sweet Treat, from My Milk Toof.

Just woke up and saw this blog called My Milk Toof on my friend's Facebook.  It is a hilarious blog about two teeth named Ickle and Lardee (made out of polymer clay by Inhae Renee Lee).  The stories are too cute and funny.  You must click here and check out all the adventures these two teef go on!  For real!