Nibbles of Tidbits, a Food Blog

What’s the exact difference between a Cupcake and a Muffin?  I pondered that question one night, then made these from a Cake Mix.  I didn’t use Cupcake Foils, over-poured the mix, and topped each with a Cinnamon and Sugar Crumble.  Are they Muffins now?  Or does the Cake Mix need more Baking Powder and/or Flour or other?  I’m not sure  —  And I’ve since learned there’s a lot of thought on it (below).  Regardless, these were good whatever they were, and their preparation is yet another way to use a Cake Mix.

What’s the difference between a Muffin and a Cupcake?  ANSWERS:

http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/337338

http://www.cupcakeproject.com/2007/05/cupcake-vs-muffin-update.html

http://curiousfoodie.wordpress.com/2008/02/20/muffins-cupcakes-why-they-are-different/

http://nosheteria.com/2005/03/its-muffin-no-its-cupcake.html

WOW, this Ice Cream deserves a tablecloth and I sure wish I had a black one for these photos.  In any event, we love the densely creamy texture and bold flavors of Häagen Dazs New FIVE Ice Cream.  Nibbles of Tidbits conducted a Taste Test of 6 flavors – Pictured above from (L-R) are Ginger, Coffee, Vanilla Bean, Brown Sugar, Milk Chocolate, and Mint Ice Cream.

Häagen Dazs FIVE comes in 7 flavors — Passion Fruit wasn’t included in the Taste Test with the others, because I couldn’t stop eating it in the days leading up.  OMGosh, I’m in love!  It’s luxuriously creamy and the Passion Fruit taste is intense and exact.  I’ve got to have it again.

After the Taste Test, I asked our six tasters what one flavor each would pick and the tally is as follows:  Ginger (1), Vanilla Bean (1), Brown Sugar (3), Mint (2), and my favorite was the Passion Fruit (obviously), and the Brown Sugar in this Taste Test.

Milk Chocolate reminds me of the Best Fudgesicle I had as a kid, and the Brown Sugar tastes like a Werther’s Original (Toffee Candy) with notes of Black Licorice — It’s an interesting punch of flavor.  And the Ginger was a fun surprise, it’s spot on and enjoyable.  FIVE is an excellent Ice Cream and I was happy to try them ALL.

Häagen Dazs DIRECT:  http://www.haagen-dazs.com/

More INFO re FIVE: http://www.ineedtext.com/FoodBlog/?p=3592

I stumbled across the step by step photo instructions on how to prepare this Pomegranate Mousse with a White Chocolate Mousse topping.  YUM!  Since I had all the ingredients on hand, I made it.  And it was as good as it looked, but I’m mostly inspired to know that I can make any flavor Mousse with Heavy Cream and Unflavored Gelatin, or use any flavor Chocolate.  Since I cannot improve upon the step by step instructions I followed on FotoCuisine, I’ve linked them below.  BTW, I left the Egg Whites out of my preparation, mostly to avoid the extra step, and all (texture & taste) turned out fine.

RECIPE:  http://fotocuisine.com/2009/02/11/pom-pomegranate-mousse-with-white-chocolate-mousse-layer/

You’ve got to see these FOOD PHOTOS — Most are amazing, but I do apologize that a few are gross.  Be warned. 

http://www.darkroastedblend.com/2008/11/creative-food-manipulation.html

The preparation of these Orange and Chocolate Cookies was inspired by a monthly food photography contest (DMBLGIT) submission, my love of all things Orange flavored, and the lack of ingredients to make the same Cookie. 

Since I had to make them immediately, I used Brown Sugar instead of White Sugar, and Grand Marnier in place of the Orange Extract.  Aside from those substitutions, I prepared the recipe that’s linked below.  This variation worked well too, but I may add a little less salt next time.  These Orange and Chocolate Cookies tasted good, though the photos don’t measure up to those posted by the ‘What’s Cooking?’ recipe developer.

Recipe Link to What’s Cooking’s Orange and Chocolate Cookies:
http://whatscooking.us/2008/12/04/orange-and-chocolate-cookies/

January’s (DMBLGIT) Food Photography Contest:
http://picasaweb.google.com/kochtopf/DMBLGITJanuary2009#

WOW.  I finally made my own Gyro Meat and it turned out terrific.  I captured the flavor and consistency without a rotisserie.  I researched several Gyro Meat recipes online to arrive at this perfect combination of a few.  And the preparation is relatively easy for the authentic tasting results.  The short RECIPE goes like this — Mix all ingredients together, puree, form into loaf, bake on a rack, let rest and slice thinly — EAT with Tzatziki.  If that doesn’t tell you everything, the step by step photos and ingredients are shown below.

Ingredients:

1/2 pound of Ground Lamb
1/2 pound of Ground Beef
1/4 cup of minced Onion
1/2 teaspoon of minced Garlic
1/2 teaspoon of dried Thyme
1/2 teaspoon of dried Oregano
1/2 teaspoon of dried Rosemary
1/2 teaspoon of dried Marjoram
1/2 teaspoon of ground Cumin
1/2 teaspoon of ground Black Pepper
1/4 teaspoon of Salt

Directions:

1.)  Combine and mix ALL ingredients together, then place in a food processor and puree until a paste consistency (1 – 2 Minutes).

2.)  Scoop mixture out of the food processor and into a plastic wrap lined loaf pan.  Press firmly into the pan to close all air pockets in the meat.  Tightly wrap the plastic around the meat and let chill overnight (or several hours) in the fridge.

3.)  Remove formed Gyro Meat from the loaf pan and plastic wrap and place on a rack on a foil lined cookie sheet — This allows all sides of the meat to cook and the fat to run off.  Bake in the oven at 325° for 1 Hour.

4.)  After baking, remove from the oven, cover and let rest for about 10 minutes, then thinly slice for a Gyro Sandwich or alone with Tzatziki Sauce.

The photographs note the progression from (L – R) downward.

Tzatziki Sauce Recipe:

1 cup Plain Greek Yogurt
1/3 cup of grated English Cucumber
1 – 2 minced Garlic Cloves
1 teaspoon of Olive Oil
1 teaspoon of Lemon Juice (I’m heavy-handed)
1 tablespoon of fresh chopped Dill (Optional)

Mix all ingredient together and chill in the fridge for at least an hour, or overnight while the Gyro Meat mixture is doing the same.

For LEFTOVERS, when the Gyro Meat is cold and easier to slice thin, I cut a few slices, lay them on a Pita or Flat Bread, drizzle a little Olive Oil around the edges, then cook it in the toaster oven.  All you have to do is fold and eat.   It turns out great.

Or I’ll cook the sliced Gyro Meat in a skillet with/without a little Olive Oil.  It’s fun to have the meat on hand for quick lunches and dinners throughout the week.

NOTE:  This Gyro Meat Recipe makes a fair amount for two, but the ingredients can easily be doubled to serve more.

Related Links:

http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Traditional-Gyro-Meat/Detail.aspx

http://greekfood.about.com/od/appetizerssalads/r/tzatziki_sass.htm

http://xfleetwoodx.wordpress.com/2008/09/22/homemade-gyros-so-worth-the-effort/

Happy Holidays!  This is a yummy gift and indulgence.  See’s Box of Truffles has great flavors and its price isn’t bad.  I especially like the Pineapple Truffle — It was a tasty surprise.  All flavors are noted and shown below from back to front (L-R), if you can follow along.  It’ll help you decide which one to pick.  🙂

(1) Orange, (2) Cafe’ Hazelnut, (3) Raspberry, (4) Pineapple, (5) Light Chocolate, (6) Dark Chocolate Chip, (7) Key Lime, (8) Lemon, (9) Raspberry, (10) Cafe’ Au Lait, (11) Blueberry, (12) Dark Chocolate.

Related Links:

http://www.sees.com/prod.cfm/Truffles/Truffles

http://www.thenibble.com/REVIEWS/MAIN/CHOCOLATE/chocolate-truffle-history.asp

Tommy Pastrami’s NY Blackened Pastrami Sandwich (above).  http://www.tommypastraminydeli.com/home.asp 

OR

The Hat’s “World Famous” Pastrami Sandwich (below)?  http://www.thehat.com/index.htm

Both Sandwiches are good yet different from each other.  I liked the look of Tommy Pastrami’s Pastrami.  The meat was lean and athetically pleasing.  The Hat’s Pastrami was fattier, and I most often prefer a leaner meat — However, it’s not all over with that observation.

The Hat’s Pastrami was more flavorful and juicy.  In comparison, Tommy’s Pastrami was unexpectedly bland/dry, but tasted good with Mustard.  Between these two Sandwiches, I may wear The Hat for a while.  Whose Pastrami do you like better?  I know there’s a lot more Pastrami Sandwiches out there, but do you have an opinion on these two?

Related Link:  http://www.ineedtext.com/FoodBlog/?p=1110

Where’s your favorite place to get Chili Cheese Fries?  We’ve been trying a few around town and would love to know whose Chili Cheese Fries you like BEST.  Some are extra good and some are just okay.  We describe a few, but want you to be the judge too.  Each photograph will have a brief description and related restaurant link directly below it.  And we’ll be adding more Chili Cheese Fries photos and observations, so keep checking back.

The Hat’s Chili Cheese Fries with Pickles & Tomatoes – You get a lot of them.  It’s heavy.

Tommy Pastrami’s Chili Cheese Fries – It’s got nice Steak Fries, but the Chili is a bit Tomato-Paste tasting.  It has big chunks of Beef in it, which is ok, but generally not preferred in a CCF.

Carl’s Junior’s Chili Cheese Fries – They’re not bad.

Fatburger’s Chili Cheese Fries – For some reason I expected more, but they were good.  Fatburger offers a choice of Skinny Fries or Fat Fries.  Pictured here are the Skinny Fries.

SONIC Drive-In’s Chili Cheese Fries – I haven’t tried these yet, but others like them.

Orange County Fair’s Chili Cheese Fries – You can only get them during the OC Fair.

Wienerschnitzel’s Chili Cheese Fries – Unfortunately they’re not one of my top picks.  I’d have to go with Carl’s Jr.’s Chili Cheese Fries before these (above).

Pink’s Chili Cheese Fries – Very good.  Second favorite to Original Tommy’s Chili Cheese Fries.

Del Taco’s Chili Cheese Fries – I’d pick them over Carl’s Jr. ones, since the Fries are better.

EZ Take Out Burger’s Chili Cheese Fries – I liked them, especially the French Fries.  Their Hamburgers are similar to In-N-Out’s Burgers, but dare I say I like EZ Take Out’s Fries better.  And Chili Cheese Fries don’t appear to be an option at In-N-Out Burger.

Johnny Rocket’s Chili Cheese Fries – They’re acceptable.  Nothing to rave about, nor rag on.  On a separate note, their Hamburgers are very good.

Original Tommy’s Chili Cheese Fries – They still stand as my favorite over all those pictured.

Wendy’s Chili Cheese Fries — It’s made with Chili that should be served in a bowl with a side of Buttered Crackers, but instead it’s dumped over French Fries and topped with Cheese.  I don’t think so.  They’re not recommended.

Jack in the Box Loaded Chili Cheese Wedges — Good with the Onions picked out.

Portillo’s Chili Cheese Fries — Portillo’s Chili has a really good flavor that goes well with their crinkled-cut French Fries and a little melted Cheese.  We’d have them again.

Santa Fe Cafe Chili Cheese Fries — They’re best had on their outdoor patio with a Pitcher of Beer.

MORE TO COME.

This was more of an Eggplant experiment turned into a what’s on hand Ratatouille.  Many Eggplant recipes require that you Salt and drain the Eggplant for an hour before cooking.  Salt is supposed to pull out the bitter flavors sometimes found in Eggplants — But I don’t want to do that.  Call me impatient, plus the process makes the Eggplant seem unappealing to me afterwards, so I never do it.

Here I conducted an experiment.  I cubed an Eggplant and sautéed half in a little Olive Oil and Salt over the stove, and baked the other half with some Olive Oil and Salt in the oven.  Since Eggplant absorbs oil like a sponge, I add more as needed while trying not to add too much.

Overall, I thought the texture of the baked Eggplant was more desirable than the sautéed Eggplant.  The baked Eggplant is pictured above being added to the Sauce.  I thought the stove cooked Eggplant was a little tough and less flavorful.  None were bitter.  I enjoyed eating the baked Eggplant straight from the oven, but the other wasn’t as enjoyable.

I added both Eggplant batches to sautéed Sweet Onion, lots of minced Garlic, chopped Tomatoes and served all over Angel Hair Pasta with a little Shaved Parmesan.  I would have been satisfied if I had just baked the Eggplant, ate it from the oven and skipped everything else.

Related Links:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ratatouille

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0382932/

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20071022104958AAVGqPO

The recipe and Shrimp preparation is linked below.  Unlike the Shrimp, the Chicken is covered with foil while baking, then removed to another pan to broil until browned (approx. 5 minutes) before serving. 

Here I used wings, thighs and legs, since the breasts were used for another recipe.  The Shrimp is only cooked for 20 minutes uncovered, but the Chicken was cooked at a lower temperature, 375° for 55 minutes.  Both recipes made tender, tasty meat.

I just love the flavors in this recipe — They seem to make a fabulous dish out of any meat.  Next time I’ll try it on Beef.  Keep an eye out for that report.

Related Link:

http://www.ineedtext.com/FoodBlog/?p=1146

Since I didn’t have all the ingredients on hand to make Banana Bread, I made improvised Banana Cakes.  The experiments started with a White Cake Mix, 3 large extra ripe Bananas and a box of Vanilla Pudding Mix. 

I mashed the Bananas, then added in the Cake Mix and Pudding Mix.  And I prepared as instructed on the Cake Box, less 1/4 Cup liquid.  The Cake Mix I used called for 3 Eggs, 1/3 Cup of Oil, and 1 1/4 Cup of Water – I added only 1 Cup of Water and used Walnut Oil.

For a second experiment I poured most of the batter into a baking tin for the oven, and the rest into a small glass bowl for the toaster oven.  I cooked both Cakes 5 minutes longer than directed on the Cake Box. 

And happily both Cakes turned out really good — Moist and Banana-Bready.  I mixed Powdered Sugar, Vanilla Extract and Milk to make a Glaze that’s seen on both Cakes. 

These experiments were born from over ripe Bananas with no flour on hand — And since there was an excess of batter, why not make a baby Cake too?!  Plus I’d never made a Cake in the toaster oven before, so I wanted to try it.  I had the larger Cake as a back up if it didn’t go well.  

Overall, I would make and enjoy the very same again.  The flavor and texture were agreeable and it was fun to have a “tasting” Cake.  Others really liked it too.

UPDATE (12/14/08):  Subsequent Toaster Oven cooking (experimentation) has revealed it’s necessary to add 5-15 minutes to the cooking time of a Cake, Bread or Custard.

Related Link:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Banana_bread

We saw this recipe in a cookbook I recent bought for my Niece’s Birthday  — We thought it was so clever and cute that we made it during a sleepover at a family cabin in Lake Arrowhead.  That’s us on the cake from left to right, my sister Ami, Niece Lexi, Mom, Me and Niece Bailee.    

We look a bit like zombies, but it was fun to make.  Our heads are Nilla Wafers, the pillows are Marshmallows, and the bodies are Twinkies.  We used Jawbreakers for the eyes, sweet and sour Candy Rope for the bed skirt and trim, and made a Milk Chocolate Cake instead of a Vanilla one.

Here’s a picture of the book cover and recipe.  The original looks more polished — It was harder to make than we expected.  It’s tricky frosting over the Twinkies, we added toothpicks to hold them in place.  The softer the Frosting and bed trim Candy, the better.  It was a cool experience together.

Our Cake was posted on Culinarty by Lore as one of (10) Original Food Photos.  Take a look at it there and check out her other picks.  They are all pretty amazing.  Thanks Lore.

http://culinarty.sapiensworks.com/articles/lores-choice-10-original-food-photos-5/

Related Links:

http://www.cookingwithkids.com/

http://www.kids-cooking-activities.com/

http://www.amazon.com/FamilyFun-Cooking-Kids-Deanna-Cook/dp/1423100867

I came across the Peaches and Cream Pops recipe and fell in love with the picture.  It looked and sounded great.  I just had to make them immediately. 

Since I didn’t have actual Popsicle molds, I made mine in small plastic wine glasses generally reserved for a good picnic.  They worked well for this too.  I also used Yellow and White Peaches in mine, and added a little Honey, which is optional in the recipe.

My final picture isn’t as pretty as the one in the original recipe, but they tasted great.  I now want Popsicle molds and I’m inspired to make a multitude of flavors.  I currently have a fresh cut Pineapple on hand.   Hhmmmm, maybe that’s the next flavor.

Here’s the RECIPE and better final picture:

http://eatcaliforniafruit.com/recipes/recipe_Detail.asp?rID=130

It was very good, but more like diced Corned Beef and Potatoes with Onion, Garlic and Salt, rather than “Corned Beef Hash.”  I was watching Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives and saw a similar recipe being made by a featured Diner.  I later looked it up on the TV Food Network’s website, re-watched the video online, and reviewed the posted recipe.  The recipe actually differs from the TV footage, so I prepared my own variation of the two.

I sauteed Sweet Onion, blanched the Potatoes and then combined them with the Onion and Salt.  I fried all a little longer then added the minced Garlic and Corned Beef, and after a few minutes placed the skillet in the oven and baked all at 450° for 15 minutes.  Although it was super tasty, it didn’t stick together like a true Corned Beef Hash.  Perhaps I should have mashed it or chopped all smaller to make it more authentic.  I believe Eggs are optional to this dish.

I’m saving $3 a Cupcake.  The trick is to make them, so I created My Own Cupcake Shoppe.  I’ve tried to make mine better than those previously reported on Nibbles of Tidbits.  Some Cupcakes are better than I’ve purchased, but none as good as the best.  I’m still striving towards that. 

I made all Cupcakes pictured and will post the step by step process when advised that it’s not being published elsewhere.  That’s currently unknown.  Until then, enjoy the concept.  It was fun making them.  Better pictures to be provided in a future post.

So far I’ve made the following flavors:  Orange, Lemon, Lime, Raspberry, Pineapple Coconut, Carrot Pecan, Snickerdoodle, Marble, Bailey’s Irish Cream, White and Milk Chocolate Chips, and Chocolate Mint.

Related Links:

http://www.ineedtext.com/FoodBlog/?p=187

http://www.ineedtext.com/FoodBlog/?p=12

http://www.ineedtext.com/FoodBlog/?p=808

http://www.ineedtext.com/index_files/Page2246.htm

I finally tried it.  To me it tastes like Cauliflower, but with less flavor.  I didn’t expect that.  It’s a pretty color and fun to try, but I wouldn’t go out of my way for it, unless I needed its color contribution to a dish. 

I prepared a dish I make often with Cauliflower.  This time it’s ‘Roasted Broccoflower’ with Lemons, Garlic, Olive Oil and S & P.  It’s so simple and good.  If needed, the exact cooking instructions from a previous post are linked below.

Related Links:

http://www.ineedtext.com/FoodBlog/?p=121

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Broccoflower

http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-broccoflower.htm

Lo Siento.  I’m not really sure why I’m trying to speak Spanish right now – HA.  I tried a recipe I saw Rachael Ray make on 30 Minute Meals.  It’s called Potato Salad Fra Diavolo.  The combination sounded really interesting to me, so I made it, but didn’t like it. 

That was a bummer, since I was hoping to eat it for lunch throughout the week.  I followed the recipe exactly, which I rarely do.  I’ll usually change something.  To me, the flavor was a bit heavy and didn’t jive — Perhaps too much Mustard or Fennel, I’m not sure.

I love the TV Food Network and Rachael Ray, but this particular recipe doesn’t work that well, with all due respect.  It’s from Episode#: TM1903.  Has anyone else made it?  If so, I’d love to hear from you.

Here’s a few pictures of my preparation and a link to the recipe so you can try it yourself.  Good luck.

Recipe Links – http://www.rachaelray.com/recipe.php?recipe_id=2055

http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/rachael-ray/potato-salad-fra-diavolo-recipe/index.html

It was quick and easy to make, but next time it needs Vegetables and more Cilantro.  Here’s the step-by-step pictures of the preparation.  It’s fun to experiment.

I first sauteed the Onion, then added grated Ginger and minced Garlic, then the Shrimp and cooked all for another 3 minutes.  I separately mixed Cornstarch and more grated Ginger into some Coconut Milk, then added the combination to the Shrimp saute along with a few Red Pepper Flakes. 

I quickly brought all to a boil to thicken, then added what little Cilantro I had and served it over Basmati Rice.  And here’s the final (below) — It’s WAY too white.  All was just okay, NOT great.  Its preparation was a bit impromptu, but with a few changes it has the potential to be better next time. 

Since several Cupcake Bakeries have popped up around town, I decided to conduct a taste comparison of the 3 closest to me — Dolcissiomo, Suzie Cakes and Mrs. Beasley.  I tried a small variety from each. 

(1)  Dolcissiomo Cupcakes were my overall favorite.  I’ve tried almost all the Cupcakes there.  They offer a lot of great flavors and look aesthetically best. http://www.dolcissimobakeshop.com/

Lemon Blueberry

Orange Dreamsicle & Coconut Snowball

Tiramisu & Lemonade

(2)  Suzie Cakes Cupcakes were very moist and appeared to have a filling, at least the two I tried did.  You can see it in the pictures.  http://www.susiecakesla.com/

Lemon and Vanilla

(3)  Mrs. Beasley’s Cupcakes have the most frosting by far, so if you’re into that, they’re definitely the Cupcakes for you. http://www.mrsbeasleys.com/Cupcakes.cfm

Orange and Mini Blueberry

The Grand Prize flavor winner was Dolcissiomo’s Orange Dreamsicle.  It may be the best Orange flavored Cake I’ve ever had.  I’m trying to confirm that opinion, but it’s only sold on Tuesdays.  I’ll report about more locations as I try them.

(POST UPDATE 08/20/08: It appears that Dolcissimo Cupcakes just moved or closed. This post will be further updated when that information is known)

Here’s a Cupcake Challenge on Food Frenzy:

http://foodfrenzy.freedomblogging.com/2008/05/28/oc-cupcake-challenge-the-results/#more-1140

Cupcake Blogs:

http://cupcakestakethecake.blogspot.com/2008/03/five-sweets-bakery-costa-mesa.html

http://ooolala-cupcakes.blogspot.com/

My Cupcake Pics – The Story Told Later:

http://www.ineedtext.com/FoodBlog/?p=12

To enjoy variety and test what tastes best, I prepared 9 Scallops 3 different ways.  I seasoned four with S & P and seared them in a pan with a little oil, while the other 2/3 of the trio was broiling in the oven.  Thankfully the seared Scallops couldn’t have turned out better.  The cooking time was about 4 minutes.

I prepared another three Scallops with a mixture of Mayonnaise, Sriracha Hot Chili Sauce, Lemon Juice and S & P — I topped them with the Sauce and sprinkled with Panko Breadcrumbs, then broiled them in the oven with the ones below.  The cooking time was about 5 minutes.

I coated the remaining two Scallops with Ponzu Sauce and Lemon Zest.  They tasted okay, but looked extremely boring.  I won’t be repeating this 1/3 of the trio, but it was still fun to have the assortment and none were terrible.

Overall, the seared Scallops were the best.  The Sriracha Scallops were good too, but mostly because they tasted similar to a Scallop Handroll at a Sushi Bar.  Next time I might just sear them and serve with a Sriracha Dipping Sauce on the side. 

Related Links:

Sriracha Sauce – http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sriracha

Sriracha Sauce – http://www.huyfong.com/no_frames/sriracha.htm

Ponzu Sauce – http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ponzu

Ponzu Sauce – http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-ponzu-sauce.htm

Panko Breadcrumbs – http://www.sacbee.com/taste/story/1003427.html

Since I like Houston’s ‘Chicago-Style Spinach Dip’ so much, I wanted to make it at home.  I researched the Internet and came across a few Copycat Recipes, so I tried a couple. 

I combined and fine tuned all that I learned to decide on the following as my version of the restaurant’s tasty dip, with a little more of the goodies — Artichokes and Spinach.  The Houston’s flavors are there.

Recipe and Ingredients: 

As shown above, first cut off the tough ends of the Artichoke Hearts (if necessary), then mix all ingredients together.  Transfer the mixture to an oven proof dish, then bake at 350° for 30 minutes.

1 (16 oz.) Bag of Frozen Chopped Spinach, thawed and squeezed or drained of all water

1 (12 oz.) Jar of Marinated Artichoke Hearts, drained and chopped (Unmarinated is fine)

1 Large Garlic Clove, minced or pressed

1 Cup of Mozzarella Cheese, grated (Jack Cheese can be substituted)

2/3 Cup of Parmesan Cheese, grated or shaved

1/2 Cup Sour Cream (Heaping Cup)

1/4 Cup Cream or Half & Half  (Less, if too runny or watery, add a little at a time)

Houston’s serves their Chicago-Style Spinach Dip with Tortilla Chips, Sour Cream and Salsa, which is great, but at home I usually have it with Stacy’s Simply Naked Pita Chips.  It’s hard to find a good bagged Tortilla Chip — But if you prefer the complete Houston’s combination, Have’a Chips are recommended as one of the better packaged Tortilla Chips.

Bridgford Ready-Dough — Thawed, set aside to rise, then dipped in melted Butter and rolled in Brown Sugar, Cinnamon, Nutmeg and chopped Pecans.  It’s was baked at 375° for 30 minutes, then turned upside-down onto a plate.

I wish I could say this tasted as good as it looks, but it was a little dry — Next time I may set it aside to rise again and cook it for less time. 

Related Links:

http://www.bridgford.com/consumer/default.asp 

FYI:  The Post Title was inspired by a Robbie William’s Song – Me and My Monkey.  I used to have it linked here, but its origin was unfortunately removed.  Robbie Williams is so under-played in the USA.  I love his music.