Nibbles of Tidbits, a Food Blog

It’s been a long time since I’ve had a Jell-O Shot, but the pictorial basic recipe and linked unique recipes (here, here and here) cause me to want to make and serve ’em at a party.

Have you seen the Anti-Theft Lunch Bag?  Too funny.

This Heart Shaped Egg is on our test list — Do you think it works?  More ideas are here too.

Get off your phat phone and eat it.

Believe the title?  Perhaps a Smart Water placebo may benefit you.  Actually, the pictured brand of Bottled Water was simply 1 of 4 bottles of Water (various brands) consumed during a 15 mile walk that started in Costa Mesa and ended in Buena Park.  Don’t ask why — I’m Fredericka Gump and it was a beautiful day.  The undrinkable Water is the star in this photo.

Most Someecards are quite funny — Why not walk, talk, dance and drink the drink?

It’s almost Christmas — I often laughingly say that in January.  It’s true.  Time flies by fast.  Celebrate abilities, opportunities, family, friends, food and fun every day with a Martini or Milk.

Introduce Chocolate to Milk and voila, or make their nuptials better with Vanilla Ice Cream (necessary) and Malted Milk Powder (preferred) — Chocolate Milkshake meet Chocolate Malt.

Haven’t we met?  Hello Chocolate Malt — Shake it for me.

Watermelon carving at its finest — It’s ferocious Friday!  See other cool food photos here.

I marvel at the trees and have always been fascinated by the brain — And I’m keen on Broccoli and Nuts and Mushrooms of all kinds.  That about covers it (at least here now).  Chow Ciao. 😉

Creamy White American Cheese for a Melt or a cold chunk of Extra Sharp Cheddar otherwise.

Fodder for The Bad, though ultimately not too bad to not eat it — The story ends well with a fast and easy, homemade Tomato Soup.  And our Grilled Cheese Sandwich wannabe ended up okay, obviously with less Cheese.  Inspiration to prepare both came from Panera Bread, where I recently enjoyed another version of this Sandwich (and Soup).  My Tomato Soup is healthier and tastes just as good, if not better.  Full story and recipe to be posted here soon.

Nibbles of Tidbits adopts the Optimist’s View of the Mayan Calendar.

We plan to toast to it with an Oreo Cookie and a big glass of Milk (or we’ll be dead).

My thoughts exactly (above) while in LLC and LLP America — Otherwise you just walk out hungry with more work to do, and have less time to do it.  Right!?  That always sucks about having too many meetings.  Have you seen someecards?  Most are pretty darn funny.

I also like… fun, fabulous, fantastic, fulfillment, fascination, etc. 😉

YOU might have to do something about it — Cheers to more jobs!  Huh?

Happy Friday — Hey, this feels like blogging… 🙂

A gift from the Grandkids (Kids in the Kitchen) who know their BBQ’ing Grandpa (aka Mad Dog) well and it’s definitely Budweiser in between his grilling.  Always marinate and never use a recipe it also states — I concur with that.  October still feels like July in Southern California.  The ten minute rule seems doable in this record heat.  Pop open a Stella for me, sorry Dad.

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.

Do you see the unfocused jeans draped over a chair in the distant background?  CK would stay here and so would I — Not sure where it’s found, perhaps in the bizarro world, but it applies to this prominent food blog because… Do you see the Bowl of Fruit in the forefront with Champagne on the side?  That’s enough with this photo, and then there’s the Fish. 😉

I may have tasted this one April Fool’s afternoon.  In any event SoulmateFood.com catches the attention of the hopeful and untaken, but only promises ingredients that provide the best quality nutrition to enhance performance.  That sounds good, but all is brilliant here thank you very much.  Is Buckwheat in the UK?  It’s where SoulmateFood is based.  Excuse the inside references, don’t have the inside scoop to declare more than… Cute name.  I know nub tho!

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.

It’s what I daydream about.  Forget shopping — Is it time to eat again? 

I’ve been in this situation and it’s tricky — It happened most prominently in Denmark during an authentic Danish meal with relatives. Open-faced Danish Sandwiches were served with Dill Schnapps the morning after a wild Whiskey night in Denmark.  I don’t even like Whiskey, but it was our first night.  Still feeling it, I was afraid of the beautifully rich Sandwiches that would’ve been appreciated a different day, and I didn’t want to ruin this day so I just ate and swallowed ’em slowly.  Yes, they’re great, thanks!  I hope my aunt and uncle don’t read this.

Wheat be born to be wild — Get that tractor running, head into the kitchen and see whatever comes your way.  Take the earth in a love embrace.  Bread to be Wheeeeattttttt (transposed).

Dress like a cow and get FREE Chicken — Bailee of Kids in the Kitchen recently stayed up until 3:00 a.m. with a friend laughingly making cow costumes for Chick-Fil-A‘s 8th Annual Cow Appreciation Day.  I’ve loved Chick-Fil-A for years (especially their Original Sandwich with extra Pickles, Coleslaw and/or Nuggets with Chick-Fil-A Sauce), but I think the girl’s experience was worth more than the free Chicken.  Check out The Best Cow Costume Contest here.