Nibbles of Tidbits, a Food Blog

My final contest entry of Scones in the Orange County Fair Culinary Arts Competition awarded me a Third Place Ribbon.  I submitted Lemon Zest Scones with a Pomegranate Glaze.  They were good, but I really wanted a bite of the First Place Scones.  And the pictured Chocolate Loaf won the division.  Stop by the Orange County Fair, near the Promenade Stage to view all Second Show entries. 

Related Links:

• Fine tuning our Scone Recipe
• Single Day Pie Competition
• Culinary Arts Results at the OC Fair
• Pom Wonderful Pomegranate Juice
• Excellent Scone Recipe

The Single Day Pie Competition went down today at the Orange County Fair.  Approximately 20 Pies were entered and Ribbons were awarded for Best of Show, 1st, 2nd & 3rd Place, plus 3 Honorable Mentions.  After the judging, FREE Pie was served to the public.  It’s best to be around at that time (2PM each Saturday and Sunday at the Promenade Stage).  During this Contest, I happily received an Honorable Mention for my Chocolate Mountain Orange Cream Pie.  It’s pretty good.  Here’s the RECIPE: Orange Cream Pie Recipe.  Enjoy!

More Orange County Fair Competition INFO:

• Culinary Arts Competition Results at the 2009 OC Fair
• Fine Tuning our Scone entry for the OC Fair
• More food related competitions at the OC Fair
• Baking contests at the OC Fair

We’ve just added Pink’s Chili Cheese Fries to our Chili Cheese Fries Comparison Post — And they’re now our second favorite, next to Original Tommy’s Chili Cheese Fries.  ALL are linked below.

Chili Cheese Fries Comparison Post & Photos:
http://www.ineedtext.com/FoodBlog/2008/11/06/orange-county-chili-cheese-fries-comparison/

Pink’s of HOLLYWOOD: http://www.pinkshollywood.com/

Pink’s Chili Cheese Dog & OC Fair Booth Photos:
http://www.ineedtext.com/FoodBlog/2009/07/15/more-food-fun-at-the-orange-county-fair/

Today our family taped the Family Feud show and had a BLAST!  It was an all day event with Subway Sandwiches in between.  I don’t think we saw the “Green Room?!”  Although its defining factor isn’t that it’s green, the room we lunched in was all burgundy, otherwise we were in the studio taping shows the entire day.  I cannot report if we won, but will report the air date (when known) for you to find out.  A big thanks to the Family Feud Crew and John O’Hurley for a great time, oh and the Subway Sandwiches too.  Now we’re ready for Spam.  

How to be on Family Feud:
http://www.familyfeud.tv/beonshow.shtml

Subway DIRECT: http://www.subway.com/subwayroot/index.aspx

Spamalot Musical (John O’Hurley’s current show with a food and story angle):
http://montypythonsspamalot.com/LA2/?gclid=CNjeyMOn1JsCFRYiagodQylfLA

We love Seinfeld too: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seinfeld

* Photo is of a previously enjoyed Subway Sandwich.

The results are in for the first phase of the Culinary Arts Competition at the Orange County Fair.  I’m excited to learn that my Ambrosia Bundt Cake won a 2nd Place Ribbon and my Gourmet Nut Clusters won a 3rd Place Ribbon.  Not bad for a first time OC Fair submitter — Two for two.  For the second phase of the Culinary Arts Competition, I’ll be delivering Scones on July 28th, and for the Single-Day LIVE Judging Contest a Pie on July 25th.

This day I met Jaqui Dulebohn (Santa Ana), a Division Winner in the Preserved Foods Competition.  That’s impressive!  It means she won a 1st Place Ribbon, then beat out all the other 1st Place Ribbon winners in the Jam’s Division.  Congratulations to Jaqui on her Apricot Jam.  She looks forward to the competition each year.  ALL entries are displayed in the Home Arts Building.  You’ve got to get to the Fair for all the fabulous food and fun.

OC Fair INFO

Competition & Contest INFO

PHOTOS from 2008’s Culinary Arts Competition

Have you seen our Chili Cheese Fries Comparison post?  We just added these Chili Cheese Fries from SONIC Drive-In to the post.  The report is linked below.  ALSO, we still need an address from two SONIC Drive-In Gift Card Giveaway Winners.  Hurry and get back to us or we’ll need to draw two new winners on July 10th, 2009.  All prizes need a home.

Chili Cheese Fries Comparison Post:
http://www.ineedtext.com/FoodBlog/2008/11/06/orange-county-chili-cheese-fries-comparison/

SONIC Drive-In Gift Card Giveaway:
http://www.ineedtext.com/FoodBlog/2009/06/25/congratulations-sonic-drive-in-gift-card-winners/

Nibbles of Tidbits is giving away (10) $25 Gift Cards to SONIC Drive-In.  Have you ever been to one?  If you haven’t, we’re giving you a few reasons why you should — If you have (and many would say of course), we would like to give you a $25 Gift Card to enjoy your next meal there.  All can enter to win by simply leaving a comment on this post.  On June 25th, we will randomly draw (10) winners from all who commented.  For better odds, you may enter/comment once a day, but you can only win once.  GOOD LUCK!

SONIC Drive-In is now in South Orange County looking a little different after passing a few stepford regulations imposed by the City of Mission Viejo.  Although the exterior isn’t traditional, they’re serving the same food by carhops on roller skates.  I LOVE that about SONIC — It’s nostalgic and fun.

Although SONIC has been around for more than 50 years and has over 3,500 locations, I had yet to pass one during my travels, until its appearance in Mission Viejo just over two weeks ago.  This was my first visit.  You can consider the items below as potential prizes in the $25 on the 25th SONIC Gift Card Giveaway.

These days all fast food restaurants are working to serve healthy choices.  SONIC is serving a Grilled Chicken Sandwich on a Wheat Bun — It was one of the better ones I’ve tried.  We also appreciated the Fresh Apples with the Low Fat Caramel Dipping Sauce and a Banana as a Side option.  On their website is an itemized calorie meal builder, which can be helpful too.

A few of us gathered to try a lot of food and were happy to learn that Breakfast is served all day long.  The Texas Toast options are different — We chose the Bacon Cheeseburger Toaster, which comes with an Onion Ring.

And we had to get the Tots, since that’s one of the Sides they’re appreciated for.  The Tots were perfectly crispy, but we really liked the Onion Rings that are freshly battered each day.  They’re not frozen — That’s a good thing. 

We were completely stuffed after the Sausage Biscuit Dippers & Gravy, Frito Chili Cheese Pie Wrap, Turtle Pecan & Caramel Bundt Cake and famous Cherry Limeade (aka giant Shirley Temple).  In addition to what’s pictured here, there was more and we particularly loved the Banana Cream Pie Shake.  SONIC’s Drink options are crazy good.  How can you pick one?  We all left with three each, HA.  It appears many will drive for miles to eat at a SONIC.  One pictured below drove all the way from Connecticut.  Okay, she didn’t drive to California just for it, but she did pass many along the way.

Overall, I found SONIC Drive-In to be more than just a fast food restaurant.  It’s a fun experience.  You can sit on the patio or stay in your car parked in one of the Drive-In stalls, to be served by a skating carhop — Or just drive through.  They have a Happy Hour (2-4 PM), $1 Menu and more, but you’ll need to learn the rest from them.

FYI:  The SONIC Drive-In $25 Gift Card Giveaway closes at 11:59 PM (Pacific) on June 24th, 2009.  Enter a comment on this post NOW for a chance to win.  The lucky winners will be notified via e-mail on June 25th and we’ll mail out the Gift Cards the same day, or as soon as an address is provided.

It takes too many Pomegranates, ARILS (seeds), stained fingers and possibly stained clothes to create what Pom Wonderful provides.  I grew up with a large Pomegranate Tree in the neighborhood.  All the kids loved the seeds, but it was a lot of work and a mess to get at them.  My Mom would tell us to open them up outside — Ever since that time, they’ve been a novelty in the supermarkets.  I’ll buy one occasionally, but the same obstacles to enjoyment still exist.

Due to the effort involved in getting at the goods, I was happy to receive a case of Pom Wonderful 100% Pomegranate Juice in the mail.  I contemplated various recipes I could make with all of it.  Above I made Dried Cherry Scones with a Pomegranate Glaze — The Glaze is a mixture of Powdered Sugar and Pomegranate Juice.  And I’m calling them Pretty in Pink Scones.  I’ll be drizzling the Glaze over the Scones I’m entering in the Culinary Arts Competition during this year’s Orange County Fair.  In the long run this is the only recipe I made from the case, mostly because I couldn’t stop drinking them.  The bottles are so cute too.

Aside from liking the taste, I’m glad to read it’s good for you and grown locally in the sunny San Joaquin Valley.  And 100% Juice is always important to me.  When I ate Pomegranates as a kid, I didn’t know they were good for cardiovascular health and a superior source of antioxidants.  I didn’t care about that then, but I care about it now.  It’s good to find something I like that’s really good for me — I wish I could say that about more things.  Pom Wonderful appears to take pride in its products (literally) from tree to bottle.  Learn more below.  Knowing all these things, its value went up for me.  I need more. 🙂

Pom Wonderful DIRECT:
http://www.pomwonderful.com/?cmpid=71021&KNC-gle&&gclid=CIag7K6Z55oCFR0Sagodqi7PBw

What’s a Pomegranate?: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pomegranate

This year, starting June 7th YOU can be a Judge of The Next Food Network Star and each week’s vote will enter you to win a Grilling Oasis.  I’m not sure what’s entailed with a Grilling Oasis, but it sounds pretty good.  I’m gonna watch and vote.

More INFO:

http://www.foodnetwork.com/the-next-food-network-star/index.html?nl=FN_051809_27

http://www.foodnetwork.com/the-next-food-network-star-fan-vote/package/index.html

OC Foodies hosted a Mother’s Day Kitchen Getaway Contest, whereas you write (50) Words or less why your Mom is the Mom of choice.  The judges wanted it to be creative, clever and heartfelt.  And the prize was to be $500 towards (10) fabulous restaurants.  The winner isn’t posted yet, but I guess it’s not me, since I haven’t heard anything. 🙁

Here’s my Official Entry:

“She cooks for me on her Special Day — My Mom’s dishes are delicious, what can I say?  For that reason and immeasurable more, there’s no other Mother I could ever hope for.  She’s loving, giving and likes to eat, thus OCFoodies’ Mother’s Day Gift would be the BEST treat.”

HAPPY Mother’s Day Mom — You’re the BEST.

More INFO: http://www.ocfoodies.com/profiles/blogs/ocfoodies-wants-to-give-some

Nibbles of Tidbits will be entering a few items in the Culinary Arts Competition this year at the Orange County Fair — It’s July 10th – August 9th.  We’ll be submitting a Pie, a Bundt Cake, Gourmet Nut Clusters and a Scone.  Until then, we’re working on the best Scone to enter.  Once decided, we’ll post  the recipe here.  The Scones above include variations of Lemon Zest & Juice, Orange Zest & Juice, Dried Montmorency Cherries, Pomegranate Juice, Cream and Powdered Sugar.

Related Links:

http://www.ocfair.com/2009/

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scone_(bread)

Yesterday Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC) offered a FREE New Grilled Chicken Drumstick to ALL (above).  And today El Pollo Loco (EPL) offered the public a FREE Drumstick (below) and Wing.  I was curious to try KFC’s new product so we went for the free Drumstick, and we already knew the taste of EPL’s Drumstick, but paid for this one for true comparison. 

But let’s just get right down to it, there’s no comparison — El Pollo Loco’s genuinely Grilled Chicken is hard to beat.  It’s got a lot of great flavor and it’s cooked on the better grill.  Isn’t it obvious from the photos above?  KFC’s Drumstick wasn’t bad — It was just bland and nothing special whatsoever.  I certainly wouldn’t go out of my way for it, but I would for EPL’s Drumstick. 

This OFFICIAL comparison reminded me how good EPL’s Chicken actually is.  Can another well-known fast food chain just jump in and expect much with just okay?  I think not.  I like Kentucky’s “Fried” Chicken much better than this Drumstick — KFC should stick with its Original Recipe and Extra Crispy, and come up with something better for this CHICKEN WAR.  El Pollo Loco is the WINNER.

Related Links:

http://www.kfc.com/

http://www.elpolloloco.com/

http://fastfood.freedomblogging.com/2009/04/22/kfcs-new-kentucky-grilled-chicken-vs-el-pollo-loco/18537/

Hosea won Top Chef on tonight’s Top Chef New York Season 5 Finale.  Congratulations — It’s a tough competition!  My friend was in love with Fabio, the fourth runner up.  She’ll be doing a write up about his Moorpark Restaurant soon on Nibbles of Tidbits.  That’ll be interesting to hear about.

But my favorite was Carla — She’s funny and seems like a cool chick.  It’s all good though.  I have much respect for anyone in that competition.  It’s crazy – FO SHO.

Related Links:

http://www.ineedtext.com/FoodBlog/?p=1332

http://www.ineedtext.com/FoodBlog/?p=1360

Fabio’s Restaurant in Moorpark: http://www.cafefirenze.net/

These are the “Delightful Surprise Clusters” I created for a Recipe Contest sponsored by Quaker Oats and Foodbuzz.   They’re made with Dark Chocolate and offer many delightful surprises inside, Cashews, Almonds, Macadamia Nuts, Toasted Coconut, Dried Cherries, Orange Flavored Dried Cranberries and Banana Chips.  All is topped with swirled White Chocolate.  My office appears to be loving ’em — That’s good.  They’re Gourmet Nut Clusters!

RECIPE: http://www.foodbuzz.com/recipes/859636-delightful-surprise-clusters

Enter the Contest HERE:
http://www.foodbuzz.com/promos/780121#rules

Contest Inspiration – Quaker Oats True Delights Chewy Granola Bars: http://www.ineedtext.com/FoodBlog/?p=1985

Recipe Contest WIN too long ago:
http://www.ineedtext.com/Gourmet%20Magazine.pdf

This Macaroni and Cheese helped Rick Massa win $25,000 in a Food Network Ultimate Recipe Showdown Comfort Food Competition.  And it’s now on T.G.I. Friday’s Menu.  After seeing the Judges rave about it, I had to make it too, especially since it includes Bacon.

I followed the exact recipe.  It was very good, but I didn’t fall in love with it like I wanted to.  I toasted and smashed my own Breadcrumbs, which made the Cheese Crumb Topping extra tasty.  I’ll definitely use the same topping on future casseroles — It’s excellent when crispy.

Bonus INFO:  Collection of MORE Terrific Mac & Cheese Recipes

Although I didn’t win January’s Does My Blog Look Good In This (DMBLGIT) food photography contest, I just won $100 in a Super Bowl Pool.  YEAH!  I’ll consider it a nice consolation, but do check out last month’s winners HERE:

http://kochtopf.twoday.net/stories/dmblgit-january-2009-the-winners/

I read that Bristol Farm’s Cupcakes had been voted a local favorite by some — I don’t recall by whom, but I finally tried one.  I would usually chose a Raspberry over a Strawberry, but in this case the Strawberry was prettier.  The Raspberry Lemon Cupcake looked like it had a mound of Play Dough and Mozzarella on top – HA.

The Strawberry Cupcake was okay — Not fabulous.  I do love Bristol Farms.  They offer many great things, but the jury is still out on the Cupcakes in comparison to others I’ve recently tried.  Sprinkles Cupcakes is in the same parking lot at Corona Del Mar Plaza, and as of today I like theirs better.  It’s all good.

Related Links:

http://www.sprinklescupcakes.com/

http://www.bristolfarms.com/home.html

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

Does My Blog Look Good In This (“DMBLGIT”) is a monthly food photography contest initiated in 2005 by Spittoon.  It’s now hosted by a different food blog each month.  The submission criteria requires that the photograph be published on a blog the previous month — My January submission appeared on Nibbles of Tidbits in December.  The competition is always stiff, but I hope to win sometime.  So far this month I have a chance, but entries are being accepted until January 20th.  We’ll see what happens.

Check out ALL entries here below — Mine is photograph #9.
http://picasaweb.google.com/kochtopf/DMBLGITJanuary2009#

Related Link:  http://www.ineedtext.com/FoodBlog/?p=1583

If you have time, please vote for me on Foodbuzz.  My messiest apron has Christmas Cookie Frosting applied with a little help from my friends.  I get by with a little help from my friends. 🙂

Food buzz is offering a prize for the messiest apron.  Could this be the one?  Check out the full story and picture on Foodbuzz.  Buzz it.  Related Link:  http://www.foodbuzz.com/photos/us/california/costa_mesa/680683-yikes-my-messiest-apron-so-far–

Swanson’s Chicken Broth/Stock is okay.  I’ve used it many times, but it’s not gourmet.  If the sponsor (Swanson’s) hadn’t paid to be on Top Chef, the Judges might scoff at it being added to a recipe.  Maybe — Although they wouldn’t want to injure a brand.  Instead the products were highlighted in way too many frames.

Related Links:

http://www.swansonbroth.com/default.aspx

http://www.ineedtext.com/FoodBlog/?p=1332

http://www.ineedtext.com/FoodBlog/?p=1360

So far I like the European Guys better than Team Rainbow.  I think Hosea’s Hot Dog was the best during the Quick Fire Challenge, and Radhika’s second best, although I didn’t have the actual pleasure.  The Beef Carpaccio made by Fabio was my favorite during the Elimination Challenge.  And Carla deserves an honorable mention for her food and personality.  I think the appropriate person, Jill was eliminated tonight. 

Related Links:

http://www.ineedtext.com/FoodBlog/?p=1332

http://www.bravotv.com/Top_Chef/season/5/about/index.php

Top Chef New York just started, so I thought I’d give some quick first impressions of Opening Night.  I usually look forward to watching Top Chef — It can be an intense competition.  I’d be way too Chicken to compete there and wouldn’t want to get cooked. 

I was reminded how brutal it can be — You’ve gotta be a fast cook, quick thinker, good planner and beautiful presenter.  There’s no room for error.  Although I can make some fabulous food, I’ve made a lot of mistakes and wouldn’t want them mercilessly spotlighted.  I do like and respect all the Judges, but yikes sometimes.  I’d love to try the food with them.  Can I take Ted’s place???

Here’s a few excerpts if you missed it — The Chef Competitors, an Apple peeling and fine dicing contest as an immediate ‘Quick Fire Challenge’ that doesn’t allow one Chef to continue, then a toast to those who made it into the New York high rise apartment, the ‘Elimination Challenge’ and judging with Chef Jean Georges, and then say goodbye to the two Chefs hugging below.  To get the full story visit Bravo.

Sometimes all a dish needs is a little Salt and Pepper — Said by Chef Tom Colicchio this episode and it’s so true.  And I’ll add Freshly Ground Pepper to that mix.  Be sure to stop by after the next episode and I’ll tell you who I like.  Top Chef Season Five is on Wednesday nights at 10:00 on channel 76 here, but you’ll need to check your own listing if not with Time Warner Cable in Orange County, CA.

Related Links:

http://www.bravotv.com/Top_Chef/season/5/about/index.php

http://www.bravotv.com/Top_Chef/season/5/blogs/index.php

foodie-iq-test2 

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