Nibbles of Tidbits, a Food Blog

Whole Foods Market Newport Beach came along just in time to elevate the Special Menu (below) — It’s an incredible store and where I bought the best of the best ingredients for a “You Pick, I Prepare” Dinner.  And I thank Whole Foods Market for its $100 Gift Card towards all.  Though this post is partially sponsored, I will always tell it like it is, yo yo yo. 😉

What would you pick?  Remember Slam Books?  What’s your favorite FOOD?  Fill-in the blanks.

My answers would be very different than these, with all due respect — That’s all I’m gonna say.  Okay, I might heckle about it later.  My Slam Menu picks would likely include King Crab Legs and a Soufflé.  I got off easy with the Special Menu above, though still managed to create fodder for ‘The Bad’ segment of Nibbles of Tidbits.  It’s always a learning experience.

Most turned out well.  The Shrimp for the Shrimp Cocktail was sweet and tender, not tough, and I thank the Whole Foods Market Seafood Department for deveining them for me.  It saved a lot of time and it’s a job I certainly don’t love.  Now that’s some super service!

The Split Pea and Ham Soup (made without a recipe) fortunately turned out tasty as all get out.  And the Parmesan Crisps are what’s best about this Caesar Salad — It’s Shaved Parmesan Cheese that’s cooked in a skillet on medium (without oil) until golden brown and crisp.  I always add ’em instead of Croutons.  And then there’s the Meatloaf… Meatloaf, really?

It’s mostly ironic, since I never liked it.  Growing up I’d ask what’s for dinner and when my Mom would laughingly say “your favorite” I knew it was Meatloaf.  She knew it was the opposite of my favorite.  And here I am faced with it again.  I got past it by converting my true favorite Meatball Recipe into a Meatloaf, and served it with a Sauce made of Tomatoes, Roasted Garlic and Caramelized Onions (puréed).  If I think of a Meatloaf as a giant Meatball, I’m better.

I’ve made plenty of Twice Baked/Re-Stuffed Potatoes in my life and most have turned out perfectly fine, but these didn’t.  Isn’t that terrific when it matters.  They tasted good, but had too much Cheese (with Butter), which made all runny and oily.  Wouldn’t you know it?!

The Carrots were a bonus — They were roasted in the oven with Sweet Onions and Garlic.

And then there’s the Banana Cream Pie aka Banana Pot Pie, as dubbed by the mystery guest.  The Pie didn’t set and I’m not sure why.  Cornstarch has been problematic for me lately and will opt for Flour next time.  A Chocolate Bundt Cake from a mix was made for backup.

It was suggested that the Banana Cream ‘Pudding’ be spooned over the Chocolate Cake.

All was not lost.  Nothing was lost.  It was all good — And the time was especially great.

Thanks Whole Foods Market Newport Beach — I look forward to seeing you again.

Have you seen, tried or received an Edible Arrangement?  They’re sure nice, but not cheap.

If you’re delivered one, save its bare bones — My Mom did and prepared them to live again.  The frame of an Edible Arrangement is basically a pot with a foam insert and plastic skewers.

Just cut and ADD FRUIT for an anytime array.

See here for ideas, buy one for its eventual bones or assemble a kit with craft store materials.

Chef Bailee and Lexi of Kids in the Kitchen created a fruit bouquet for a family birthday party, but didn’t want to be seen on camera this day due to teenage makeup concerns — Well, okaaaay then.  They enjoyed crafting it, an outcome sought most.  And it’s tasty too!

  Why not make it a family project?  You can come out now Lexi. 🙂

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.

We’re still not done eating at the Fair.  Madness, I call it Madness — Well listen buster you better start to move your feet to the rockinest rock steady beat of the Orange County Fair.

We appreciated the Foodie Tour and sampling of the indulgent and healthy OC Fair food.

The Pineapple Express by Chicken Charlie remarkably offers a few of the healthier options this year (in a Pineapple) — Naked Shrimp, Maui Chicken and a Shrimp Cocktail in a Pineapple.

Fried Pineapple with Chocolate and Coconut (above).

Associated with Juicy, the food concession stands with music, is Dogsville (above).

They serve up Ham and Cheese Corn Dogs, Jumbo Sausages and more.

Chicken Kabobs by Charlie is an OC Fair staple.

Fried Cornish Game Hen from Baja Blues — How about a Carne Asada Stuffed Avocado?

Tasti Chips is family owned and treats Potatoes with tender loving care, from earth to Chip.

Tasti Chips deserve respect and they’re most appetizing with the Jalapeno Cheese Sauce.

The Tasti Chips’ group also mans Grant Burgers — They’re not bad and have tasty Pickles.

And musn’t leave out Bacon-A-Fair, where everything comes with Bacon.

Bacon Wrapped Hot Dogs.

A Pound of Bacon Wrapped around a Turkey Leg (below).

Cheese Stuffed Jalapenos Wrapped in Bacon.

Beer Battered Deep Fried Bacon (below).

Deep Fried Beer Battered Bacon Dogs.

Bacon Wrapped Turkey Leg ready to be had.

Salted Chocolate Covered Bacon popularly photographed by Local Food Bloggers.

And my favorite Beef Brisket Sandwich is from the Chuckwagon.

I love this Sandwich and look forward to it every year.

Corn on the Cob grills throughout.

There’s a large amount of Meat.

Smokin’ Meat — It makes it so good.

On Fridays, small tastes of most seen here and more are available for $2.

Mini and singular variations of Fair favorites are offered (examples above) — It’s a great deal.

Legendairy Gelato has almost every flavor, including Birthday Cake — It really tastes like one.

And we always visit the Wine Garden for friendly tastings poured by the OC Wine Society.

We value the livestock too — Sshhhhhh, don’t tell ’em about the food.

With Hercules shown below — Worth more than the Alligator, if you get what I’m sayin’.

View of the OC Fair from the Ferris Wheel at night.

I never want to come down, well, until it’s time to eat again.

See you at the OC Fair.

The Pineapple Express by Chicken Charlie offers a Shrimp Cocktail in a Pineapple.  I felt good after eating this one at the OC Fair — There’s much more to be reported here about the healthy options and super indulgent at the Fair, once we’re able to sojourn from the fun.

It’s a Deep Fried Avocado Stuffed with Carne Asada.  Have you heard of such a thing?  Does it even sound good?  Well… It’s now at Baja Blues near the Action Sports Arena at the Orange County Fair and a favorite of many, I’m told.  I recently got to try it during a Fair Foodie Tour.

It’s not bad, but I discovered other preferences on the tour — Report posted on 07/28/12.

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. 🙂

It’s a Holy Moly Guacamole Chopped Challenge — Ingredient options are on the table.

My food and legal worlds (again) collide at a Sarnoff, Veritext Company Fiesta.

Sarnoff knows how to throw a party — Contestants (Lawyers, Paralegals & Secretaries) suit up in aprons and sombreros to make the Best Guacamole possible within 2 minutes.  Go!

Scrambling for choice ingredients — Limes, Cilantro, Onion, Chili Peppers, Hot Sauce, etc.

Time is up — Bring your Guacamole to the table.

What would you put in your Guacamole?  And what would you call it?

Contestants had to title their Guacamole and present it to the Judges.

And the winner is… this guy (below).  Congratulations.

For extra caution, the Avocados were cut, halved and seeded pre-challenge.

A Mariachi Band played.

Tacos were served.

And they were just okay — Taco Cart and shirt names withheld.  The Asada was too gristly.

Endless Churros and Virgin Margaritas were there for the taking.

A Chopped Challenge is a fun, interactive activity for an above average office party.

After seeing traffic resulting from Nibbles of Tidbits / I Need Text Company pins, especially from this post, I joined Pinterest.  In honor of our most popular pin, oddly a fake appetizer platter, we present the Super Platter (above), which looks to be real.  Pin this.  Photo credit.

What fortune would you write?  I was fairly uncreative, since I made them on a whim.

Though not perfect, from thought to fruition I had Fortune Cookies in 30 minutes.

Most recipes for Fortune Cookies seem to be the same — One of the many I stumbled upon.

And must give a shout out to the SILPAT — It’s perfect for Fortune Cookies (and much more).

RECIPE — While still warm, fold Cookies in half over the fortune, then bend ’em over the rim of a glass (or similar), as blurrily shown (above) to cool.  Voila!  I may add Orange Zest next time.

You will soon receive a large sum of money said my Fortune Cookie.  What?  Is that legal?

Wow it’s right, I did blog about it — Illustration Credit.

In some views there’s a (temporary) gap of space at the top of this blog.  We know and want it fixed soon too.  All else is well here otherwise, except the Wicked Witch of the East, though looks fairly simple to recreate with fondant and an upside-down Chocolate Cupcake.  Please endure the calamity and look beyond the illustrative Cupcakes or make some.

04/13/12 Update: The display issue appears fixed. Let’s hope it doesn’t revert back (again).

Though the MENU is limited at In-N-Out Burger, their secret (up to you with what’s on hand), and Not-So-Secret MENU can seem unlimited.  Forget the Double Double, opt for a 100 X 100.  Can you imagine how long it would take in the drive-thru, which usually takes long enough?!

Cake Pops seem to be the trend at Bake Sales and parties these days — They sold out fast.

Whole Cakes were raffled off, which generates a lot of money and is fun for the office.

And some Cake winners shared them with others — Thank you!

This Bake Sale was at EPL — They raise a lot of money for local charities.

And they do cool things for their employees too.

Why not have a Bake Sale to raise money for someone who needs it.  You get to eat it.

Everybody wins — Sign up to have a Bake Sale or bring something.  It can happen any time.

Why not any of these flavors?  Dog Food could be part of Bertie Bott’s — Great for practical jokes (my favorite) or a Jelly Belly Fear Factor Game.  I’ll host, but won’t play.  Would you?

Paradoxical camera — More beautiful inside, with purpose to illustrate the outwardly stunning.  As a side note, does the left side of the camera look like a dog with its tongue hanging out!?

Good morning — Eat at your own risk.

Do you remember Orange Guy?  I thought he was so cute and wanted to peel him alive.  Well, I gave it a try and created Orange Dude, if you see what I’m sayin’ — It just happened that way.  The photos are minimized to tone down our rating.  Enlarge each for a better peek. 😉

What excites me most here are these Orange Jellies I made for the first time — They are absolutely delicious!  I will soon be posting more about them, along with an easy recipe adapted from another.  All pictured utilized one glorious Orange.  It’s a sexy, sweet thing.

The New Face of Food Coloring is here on Nibbles of Tidbits with a Jelly Belly nose, since we’ve arrived at BROWN — Do you need a drop of color?  It’s a magnificent thing, from the depths of the ocean through the sky.  Our Food Coloring Series started with orange to spotlight links to OC Blogs, then kaleidoscoped into purple, yellow, green, blue, red, white and black.  Without further ado, brown kicks off with a RECIPE for these Puppy Cupcakes.  Awe.

 Continuing with Sherry Mushrooms with Pine Nuts, on my ‘To Cook List’ that’s too long.

Steak Au Poivre by Alton Brown — It has to be good.  Filet makes the brown and red list.

Cookie decorating ideas for any color — Brown and White Bite Size Cookies pictured here.

Beef on Weck — This Sandwich looks so good to me.  I can almost taste it all with the Pickle.

I love Candy Buffets and once set-up a mini buffet with my favorite flavor.

I like the feel of this photo, but is that Canned Bread?  I want to provide credit — Is it yours?

Mounds Brownie — I once was a Brownie, while still a Blondie, and won a ribbon for it too.

Kumato Brown Tomatoes — I think they’re interesting, but I’m more impressed by the blog I found ’em on.  It’s called Eat at Joe’s and it anonymously reviews all things Trader Joe’s.

I choose a Sugar Donut most often and the runner-up will always be any HOT Donut.

Chocolate Bar Brownies (above) and the RECIPE.

A Chocolate Keyboard — To eat or to write, that is the question.

 Rock Candy made with Brown Sugar.

Instant personality with a marker!  Funny Eggs — I want to replicate ’em.

Smile inside and out — Grateful for Bacon & Eggs on a t-shirt or rock in Carlsbad.

Brown Sugar Lil’ Smokies wrapped in Bacon — The RECIPE is here.

Which Sugar/Azucar doesn’t belong?  Do you remember that from Sesame Street?

A Giant Hostess Cupcake Cake and Step-by-Step RECIPE.

Chocolate Fountains — What a sight and site it came from.  Where’s the Strawberries?

I want to dine here with friends and Wine.  It’s so beautiful — Photo Credit.

Bread in many forms is mostly brown.

This cow wants to know what you’re looking at — How now brown cow.

Black is the new black — Continuing our Food Coloring Series at midnight in recognition of all shades of black.  Is there a color with more associations?  See its depth in relation to food.

Nobu Black Cod With Miso and Squid Ink Pasta start our black mack pack.

Black Pepper Crusted Tuna Steaks on the BBQ.

Steamed Mussels in Curry Broth and the recipe.

A black and white kitchen with dining — I see laughs and passionate happenings there.

The above foods aren’t really black — Sshhhhhh. 😉

Pretty in pink Chocolate Cake or a Chocolate Cake on fire — It’s a good look either way.

Black Coffee in bed?  The stain on my notebook says nothing to me, just sayin’.

And now back to Black Food Coloring — It’s available too.  I just learned that.

Food related words above — It’s a bit repetitive I now see, but initially looks interesting.

Creative use of Black Licorice and Candy Corn in the Haunted Licorice Forest — Love it.

I’ve burnt many a Toast, as proven here — Is it me or the Toaster Oven?  Mostly me.

Blackened Catfish and the recipe.

Do you remember Davey and Goliath in black and white?  I loved watching it as a kid.

Olive, Cream Cheese & Carrot Happy Feet Penguin Appetizers and step-by-step instructions.

Who is behind the bar?  Many chairs pulled-up over and over again in time.

Blackberries, a bucket of purple pickins amongst black nuance.

Olive — I’ll live, Lord willing.  Thanks for this food.  Amen.

Black Bean Soup and its origin, Black Beans, rock hard first.

Black Tea telling you so.

A simple life is a beautiful thing — My Mom knew the car-hop experience with school friends.  She tells the stories.  Sonic Drive-In is the closest thing to that for me.

Colorful Salad Greens against a striking black background — I just like it.

The next color in the series will be                  .

I could write a dissertation on political and religious aspects of this photo, but here I appreciate its creative value — It makes me want to carve Bread, not bite the hand that feeds me, reach out and touch someone, ask not what my country can do for me and/or give it five.

Our freshly dubbed Parade of Colorful Food series “gives new meaning to food coloring,” said Steven Woo, DC Contributor.  In contrast to the yellow, orange, green and purple food currently on display and linked here, not much in the food world is naturally blue.

Blue is otherwise a surrounding color in nature — In the oceans and wondrous sky, and it also seems to be the favorite color of most.  Mine will be in the spotlight next in the series.

We like the posted photos because they’re aesthetically pleasing, interesting, idealistic, unique, inspirational, educational and fun — Credit for all is linked throughout.

Learn about Five Ways to Raise Seafood here and above.

Does anyone eat Jellyfish?

If fried, would they disintegrate or crisp up?  I’ll look it up later.

I endlessly appreciate a fresh, well-prepared, handsome Macaron and more of them.

And couldn’t feature blue food without Blueberries, my preferred fresh Berry.

It’s blue and relates to food — Always had an interest in vintage documents and photographs.

The best Cookie Monster Cupcake I’ve seen.  It doesn’t look too difficult to prepare.

The photo below just trips me out, especially the Banana — Crazy for blue food perhaps?!

Food coloring as I know it and craft glue with eyes — Things should have eyes too. 🙂

The first to identify these blue eyes wins a prize, said the brown eyed girl.

Where the folks are fine and the world is mine on Blue Bayou with a BBQ.

It’s parade day for yellow, in stride after orange, green and purple — And the band played on.

Continuing here with another pictorial post highlighting color, this of a highlighter, emphasized.

Medley of yellow food from the earth and some hand prepared — Photo credit here.

Yellow Tomato Carpaccio, more striking than red, to be featured before or after blue.

I like the Missing Tooth Emoticon and Invisible Emoticon above. 😉

Yellow Spotted Boxfish, admired and not eaten here — So much to see under the sea.

And above sea level there’s bountiful yellow food to view, get the hue, yes even some roux.

I’m in awe of the contest winning photo above — It’s so incredibly beautiful.

It’s reported… YELLOW FOOD is favored by Rock ‘N’ Rollers — By Korn, Corn, the Banana? 

And Yellow Squash like to dance — Get a pan will ya.