Nibbles of Tidbits, a Food Blog

There’s always something to be thankful for — Happy Thanksgiving from Nibbles of Tidbits.

Many of life’s best moments happen at the dinner table, no matter how it’s set.

Minimal table settings and decor can be just as stylish and special as elaborate ones.

All photos collected herein convey sentiment in some way — I’m thankful for that feeling too.

To dine at each table would be more than fine.  Pass the Wine.

Get ready to enjoy the Holiday Season — For more ideas, instructions and photo credits, see here, here, here, here, here and here.  All utilized are linked to talented creators who inspired.

One of countless thanks is for the freedom to grow and eat fruit — Thank God for it and YOU.

More keep landing here to view our Halloween Cupcake and Cookie decorating ideas.

I’ve posted much about it previously — A link to all is here.

Pictured are the latest and hopefully greatest, though certainly not professional samples.

Trick or Eat is adopted from the Trick or Eat Dinner at The Cellar in Fullerton.

Happy Halloween from Nibbles of Tidbits!

Growing up some of the best times were spent trick-or-treating and trading Candy.

Now it’s fun to decorate and give away Cookies and Cupcakes to/from/with friends/family.

The kids love them too — Halloween is a creative time.

Enjoy the possibilities — Eyeballs bring anything to life.

They were easy to make, but it seems the Sugar Cookie Dough I used (Pillsbury) isn’t conducive to the recipe shown below and linked here — The Candy Corn Cookies baked up well-formed on the video, but my wannabes didn’t end up as triangularly cute or colorful.

The pictured Cookies didn’t stay triangular and basically baked into blobs.

The wannabes were entertaining to make and not bad to eat, but not what I wanted.

Halloween Cookies — I’ve decorated a lot of them.  Samples (visual only) are linked here, if you’re searching for Halloween Cookie decorating ideas.  This year I’m most excited about the Candy Corn Cookies shown on the Howdini Video above.  They look credible and are so cute.

I’ve added Candy Corn Cookies to my ‘To Make List’ since they’re too easy to make, a bonus.

At Woody’s Wharf on Labor Day, one stop on our ten mile walk — It’s how we roll on a holiday.

In Newport Beach, we pretend to be somewhere far away, though it’s nice to be able to walk there. And we toast to the Smoked Fish Appetizer at Woody’s Wharf. We’d go back for it.

No more labor on this Labor Day — That’s what it’s for, right?! Signing out for now.

I’m happy about it, but what’s all the hub-bub?  Traffic stats have mapped straight North, since the above photo was posted on Pinterest by another.  It was taken by me a couple years ago at The HomeBaked Ham Company, formerly in Corona Del Mar.  Did you know they’re [not] real, though apparently quite spectacular, as it’s been re-pinned by several others?!

Can you spot the real Vegetable Platter? 😉 Do the Pinterest pinners know or even care?

Answer, if puzzled… ALL food (in top two photos) is fake, and the last is real and best for you.

First of many plates of food as we gathered to celebrate the 4th — God Bless America.

Watermelon in the pool with smiles and funny faces.

My favorite appetizer of the day — It’s made with Edamame, Sweets Peas, Basil, Garlic, Parmesan Cheese and Olive Oil.  The recipe (to be obtained) will be posted in an update.

Carne Asada on the grill.

Balloons ready for a Water Balloon Fight — Was too busy throwing ’em to get photos of it.

Glimpse of our backyard fireworks show…

Enjoy the Summer — Eat, laugh a lot and love each day.

It’s almost Independence Day and it seems my monitor may be on the blink.  Everything is blue.  It must be time for the ocean or at least Lobster to ease through the technical pain.  And independence from this computer will also be in order, so to relish life on this land.

It’s made for you and me — Land [where] I love.

I’ll stand beside it —  Happy 4th of July.  Grilled Lobster with Butter and Lemon is a bonus.

Half the year is over — It’s already July and National Hot Dog Month, National Ice Cream Month, National Pickle Month, National Blueberry Month, National Baked Bean Month and more.

In honor of such, related ideas are posted and linked — Pickles made with leftover Pickle Juice, Octopus Hot Dogs near a Mustard Chili wave, and Homemade Roasted Peach Ice Cream.

And did you know that July 4th also happens to be Sidewalk Egg Frying Day.  Try it. 🙂

Our United States Veterans allow the rest of us to BBQ today — Never take that for granted.  Our sometimes Washington, DC Correspondent (dubbed by me), Steven Woo sent a report of a well spent day.  An excerpt is posted below with related photographs.  Thank you.

Attached are pix from the Wall.  The National Park Service routinely collects the artifacts but lets them accumulate on special occasions such as Memorial Day.  IMHO, the written words are the most-moving of the objects.  President Obama spoke at the Wall this afternoon; all the artifacts were cleared in advance of his visit.  Also included are pix of a Crab Feast at a friend’s house.  We spent the Sunday afternoon and evening hanging out, and didn’t make it to the National Memorial Day Concert — good thing because severe weather canceled the show half-way through.

Happy Memorial Day to all and God Bless America.

Chicken samples from the backyard grill on Mother’s Day — Anticipated and appreciated.

Bouquets of flowers and fruit flourish.

Tortilla Roll Ups with Smoked Turkey, Ham, Peppers, Cream Cheese, Chives and more.

Specific recipe for above to be posted soon — A past similar recipe is linked here.

Happy Mother’s Day Mom!  Thanks for ALL you’ve done and who you are.

I’m blessed and lucky.

An Easter table setting awaiting a family meal.

Easter Cupcakes made by Kids in the Kitchen.

A backyard set for BBQ-ing, Ping Pong, Appetizers, Mimosas, doing nothing or anything.

Chef Lexi of Kids in the Kitchen cleaning the BBQ — Cute and helpful, a delightful combination.

Remnants of Candy, gifts and cards scattered throughout — Happy to be alive in Spring!

Since I see you searching for Easter Cookie decorating ideas, I’ve posted more here.

And previously published Easter Cookie photos are linked here.

Easter Cookies start out naked, like us.

Dress them how you like — It’s always helpful to see what other Easter Cookies are wearing.

A few ideas are posted here for convenience — Happy Easter!

Pastel colors are best with edible embellishments.

Eggs, ducks, tiaras, flowers, rabbits, carrots, butterflies and sheep are usually the canvas.

Decorate with various Frosting tips for best assortment.

We collect more and more accoutrements each year and our Cookies are looking better.

Cupcake decorating ideas too — We love the ‘hair tip’ with green Frosting for grass.

And if you’re in the OC and want something to do on Easter — Orange  County Foodies provides an event list.  Jesus is the reason for the season, with a side of Cookies and fun!

Are you wearing green?  It’s on your underwear right?  That’s what I used to tell people when I’d forget to wear it — It worked in a pinch to avoid a pinch.  This year I’m most prepared with a Green Bagel to start the day, with Cupcakes and Cookies to finish it.  Happy St. Patrick’s Day.

Later it’ll be Green Beer for the fun of it — Have you seen our green food post?

The Corned Beef already happened.  If you’re looking for it, here’s a quick link.  Cheers!

March is time for Corned Beef and Cabbage, and I always cook the Cabbage, Carrots and Potatoes on the side.  No Potatoes were used this time, as I generally pick around them.

Why cook the vegetables on the side?  Exhibit A (above), all the crap that ends up floating in the Broth, after the Corned Beef cooks in a Crock Pot (or Dutch Oven) for 10 hours. 

Instead I strain and boil some of the Crock Pot Broth, and then cook the vegetables in it.

When the Corned Beef is ready to fall apart, I brown the vegetables in a little Olive Oil.

And then add the strained, lightly boiled Broth to the pan, cover it, and cook all until the vegetables are tender — It doesn’t take that long.  Why would you cook them for 10 hours?

Finally, there is peace of mind knowing that nothing scary is hiding amongst the Cabbage.

Good morning — Eat at your own risk.

I see you searching for Valentine’s Day ideas and you’re in the right place — Open here.

Observing Martin Luther King, Jr. Day with a FOOD said to be one of his favorites, Pecan Pie.

I prefer the pictured Individual Pecan Pies and Pecan Pie Cake to any Pecan Pie I’ve made.

No regrets about yesterday — The path is officially clear for hope, growth, success and happiness in 2012.  The invitation (below) and experience (above) relate to this blog, since all was presented by and for EPL employees.  They do a lot of cool things.  My association with the wonderfully crazy Chicken is previously reported.  I’ll always wish EPL well.

I wanted to toast a Marshmallow.  Goodbye 2011 — Welcome 2012!

Snapshots of a colorful evening with FOOD, music, games and prizes — Happy New Year.

The surprise Best Dish of the 2011/2012 OC Fair New Year’s Eve Block Party (in our humble opinions) was the Crispy Brussels Sprouts from the Home Skillet Truck — With Capers, a smoky flavor and Herb Dressing, it’s quite phenomenal tasting.  We’ll try more from ’em next time.

Met a cool dynamic of people and won (3) Tickets to the OC Fair at the Black Jack Table.

Didn’t have a Takoyaki Ball, but they look interesting with added Octopus.

It’s The Cured (above), a tribute to The Cure, one of my all-time favorite bands.

Pleasant surprises continue to happen — Unexpected good wishes to all in 2012.

Happy Moo Year — It’s good I love Milk and a Cheese Platter in the VIP Lounge.

Note:  Part (1) of (2) re the happenings at the 2011/2012 OC Fair New Year’s Eve Block Party.

The posted RECIPE is an Award WINNER and officially named Chilled Tomato and Cucumber Gazpacho.  It’s not a Mexican Shrimp Cocktail silly — Duly advised, but it reminds me of one.  Either way, it may be the best I’ve had.  It’s fresh tasting, flavorful and super easy to make.

Chilled Tomato and Cucumber Gazpacho

3 ripe Tomatoes, cored and cut into large cubes [I seeded them]

1 Cucumber, peeled, seeded and cut into large cubes [I didn’t seed it; used an English Cucumber]

1/2 Green, Yellow or Orange Pepper (or tricolor combo), diced [I used half a Green, half an Orange]

1/2 Shallot, or 1 Tablespoon Red Onion, diced [Shallot]

1/2 cup Scallions, chopped

Juice of 1 Lime

1 T. Extra Virgin Olive Oil

1 T. Worcestershire Sauce

1/2 t. Tabasco [or other hot pepper sauce, like Red Rooster, which I now like better–use 1 T.]

1/2 cup V-8 Juice [buy one small bottle at a liquor store; grocery stores only sell it by the case!]

Lemon Pepper to taste

Seasoned Salt to taste

Instructions

Combine all Soup ingredients in blender until well blended (ingredients will retain some pulp, which is great).  Pour into chilled bowls and garnish as desired.  Makes 1/2 gallon–6 appetizer servings or 3 main dish servings.  Tastes better if you make it the night before.

Garnish (with one or more)

1/2 lb. chilled, cooked Shrimp [buy the fresh $10 Shrimp tray from Costco; scarf the leftovers with the Cocktail Sauce]

1 chilled, sliced Avocado

1 T. fresh Cilantro, chopped

Follow and vary the RECIPE to your taste — Above [brackets] indicate specifics by Arlene T., 2011 Best Appetizer Winner.  She agreed to share all on Nibbles of Tidbits and we thank her.

I recently made the same for a Holiday Party and everyone loved it well chilled in a cup.

Reindeer need to eat too, and so does Santa, visibly — Merry Christmas from Nibbles of Tidbits!

Note: The WINNER of the OC Fair New Year’s Eve Block Party Tickets will soon be announced.  Closing odds are 29/1 — We’ll update this post with the results or write a new one. 🙂

Update: Congratulations “amelieinparis7” and Happy New Year.  We have a gift to send you.