Krispy Kreme Donut Cake

Have you ever had a Krispy Kreme?
I mean, visit NC and get one of the original, not from a grocery store box or some random location like in NYNY in Vegas?

It's a life changing experience.

I brought hubby down south and told him about Krispy Kreme. He said "what's the big deal about some donuts?"
Yeah, famous last words.

We went to the store, and waited.
What were we waiting for?
This sign.

It matters that much.
He ate six. We are lucky we all even got any!

Fast forward to living in New England. No Krispy Kreme to be found.
Sigh.
Walking through the store one day, what do I see?

Hmmmmmm.
I had to get it and make it.
In the name of science and some junk.

I got it.
I made it.
We ate it.
It was good.
But, well, I expected more.

I would get it again...but it does not (in any way) taste like a Krispy Kreme.
Oh well!

Blogging for Books: Food 52 Baking

**I received a copy of this book from Blogging for Books in exchange for my unbiased review**

This is a comprehensive recipe collection of baked goods. For those just starting out, it will be a baking bible of sorts. Included are some of the most basic recipes for cakes, cookies, etc. Nothing intimidating, nothing wild and crazy, just good recipes.
Love that there are little hints and tricks included...very helpful!

For those who are a little more experienced, one might find this book a little mundane. I bake all the time, but am more than pleased to have a basic collection on my shelf!

Don't be discouraged if some of the recipes have what seems to be a long ingredient list...upon closer inspection, most are items one would already have on hand.

Also, pay close attention to the "Baking for any Occasion" sections: It helps lead you to what recipes may be best for different occasions.

This book is heavily about baking, but there are some savory options included as well. They have pizza dough and flat breads that are worth taking a look at too!

Blogging for Books: Against the Grain

Members of my family are gluten intolerant, I am always poking around online trying to find something yummy to bring to family functions.
Something they can eat without worrying, but also something other people will eat and (hopefully) not know the difference.

Some people are totally overwhelmed by gluten free cooking. It's a bunch of really funky sounding ingredients...some unpronounceable...that creates something that slightly resembles your favorite dish.

This book spends a fair amount of time at the beginning explaining the science behind creating gluten free foods that can have the consistency of "regular" food. To us laymen, or to those just starting out on their gluten free journey, this is incredibly helpful.

This author spent a lot of time researching alternative food products. Ones that are accessible and pronounceable! She truly wanted this gluten free diet to be as natural as possible.

She gives a lot of base recipes, breads, doughs, etc.
There is then a whole section of alternative meals that can be made using those base ingredients. Pizza, sandwiches, desserts.
So many options, all gluten free.
It's freedom from the preconceived notion of what it means to eat "gluten free".

**note** I received this book from Blogging for Books in exchange for my honest review

Blogging for Books: The Soup Club Cookbook

This is my very first "Blogging for Books" review....and I am so psyched I can't even begin!

I picked this book partially because we have 90 freaking inches of snow on the ground and the thought of new soups just simply appealed to me.

I am so very in love with this book!

To begin with, I enjoyed reading the backstory to the Soup Club itself. Such a nice way to share among friends. That portion read like a friendly short story, not a long winded laundry list of how-to.
They give hints on what worked for them, and what didn't, to help anyone else who wants to share in their idea.

So many of the soup ideas were truly approachable. They had everything as basic as chicken soup, to more exotic curry and regional favorites.
All the recipes are nicely categorized; it's easy to flip to a certain cuisine type and quickly decide.


Don't be fooled by the title, this is so much more than simply SOUPS. Along with most of the recipes, there were ideas for side dishes and the best way to package them for delivery.

Look for recipes to be coming from this book SOON!

**note** I received this book from Blogging for Books in exchange for my honest review

Campbell's Skillet Sauces

Apparently I live in the land of "No Usable Coupon-Ville".
It's lonely here people!

I see all the Extreme Couponers shows and am amazed.

The few coupons I manage to get my hands on...well...stink.
They are usually for brands I do not use, or quantities I cannot use. It's not a good deal to save $0.25 if you buy 15 cans of X brand soup.

One day, I stumbled upon something I had only heard about in fairy tales. A coupon I could U-S-E.
I almost didn't know what to do with myself.

It was for a new product, Campbell's Skillet Sauces.
Since my schedule can be pretty insane, it's nice to have shortcut meals hanging around every now and again.

One night, I had 20 minutes to get a meal on the table before we had to walk out the door and wouldn't get to eat at all. Everything was frozen...except a bit of chicken.

Here comes my new packet-o-convenience to save the day!

We had picked up the Marsala flavor.
Super easy! Cook chicken, pour sauce, warm, eat.

Now I want to try the other flavors, off to hunt more coupons!

Country Crock Mashed Potato

As much as I would like to pretend that I have all the time in the world, 7 nights a week, to cook a homemade meal...sometimes I need to cut corners.

That pesky life keeps getting in the way! Job, taxi mom, other obligations. :::sigh:::

When I am in the need for a quick dinner, I will grab one of these packages to heat up quick in the microwave.
I was suspicious at first, but now I am sold. They taste pretty darn awesome.

Are they homemade, no. Are they good enough, heck yes!
That being said, I will always prefer my own.

International Delight: Iced Coffee

International Delight has come out with ready made ice coffee.
For those of us who, you know, are too lazy to pour coffee over ice!

In all seriousness, I do like these. I think to buy them every now and again.
I have had the mocha, and now the caramel.

I don't find them overly sweet, just quite tasty.

When I first tried it, I had this idea in my head that it would be thick like chocolate milk. (huh? why?)
Happy to report it is creamy like iced coffee with cream should be.

Betty Crocker Macaroni and Cheese

The girl child has a soft spot for the "blue box" mac and cheese.

I think we all have a childhood memory of it.

Something about that neon orange powder just makes us small again.

I saw this new Betty Crocker brand in the store and grabbed it to have on hand in the cabinet.

One night, we were being lazy and decided to try it.

I started making it like the regular "blue box" and THEN read the directions. Oops! Start all over again!

With this version, you mix everything together and cook it. There is no draining involved.

I am all about skipping a step...remember...we were being lazy!

Macaroni is all made, and we all take a bite.

Eh.

Not so impressed.

It wasn't bad...it just didn't have the greatest of flavors.

I don't think I will be buying it again, even though it was convenient to make.

Update: We did buy it again, because it was on sale. It's a quick meal for the girl when she is home on a snow day or whatever. 

pizzeria! by DiGiorno

I happened across a coupon for a new pizza by DiGiorno and figured...why the heck not! I like DiGiorno. I like coupons. I like having a quick meal in the freezer for those insane nights.
What do I have to lose here?


I got to the store, and either there was a major run on these pizzas, or the store only ordered one flavor to try on the customers.
We ended up with the Supreme. I prefer cheese. Whateves...not the end of the world.

What I did not care for was the price.
I can get a large, fresh cooked pizza at my local shop for the same price as this frozen pizza.
Happy I had my coupon on hand!

One crazy Saturday we were looking for a quick lunch. I tossed this baby in the oven.
It smelled really fantastic!

We ate it...and wondered what the big deal is.
What makes this so special, or even new?
It tasted very similar to every other frozen pizza.

They have a satisfaction guarantee...but I consider myself satisfied, I would not use this option.

Would I buy it again, yes.
Would I specifically go for that item? Not so much.

Rienzi: i Bambini mini pasta

I was shopping the other day and had a coupon for a free box of Rienzi pasta.

I am not an extreme couponer...I don't even get the paper. Most coupons aren't the right fit for my household anyhow.
Every now and again I come across one though, and I RUN to the store to use it.

Back to the story...
I was at the store, looking to use my coupon...and came across this pasta.

25% Vegetable puree?

Made with squash and carrots?

Sounds gross...let's try it!

Nope, not gross! In fact, it tastes pretty much like the elbows we all know and love.

Sneaky way to get some more veggies into the littles in your life.

Wellsley Farms Cheese Tray

I needed to make a cheese tray super quick...like immediately!
We stopped at BJ's and ran down to the deli section looking for blocks of cheese.
This is what we found.

I am in love, and will be buying this again just to have in the house!
It's a nice selection of 4 different cheeses, all set and ready to be put on a cracker.

All we had to do was peel back the plastic, there was a handy tray underneath!

As much as I enjoy hand-making as much as possible, sometimes it isn't a possibility.
With convenience comes cost though. Sometimes that is OK, but I hate WAY overpaying just because someone else sliced it for me.

This fantastic tray was under $10.00. Serious?! OK! Sold!

Garlic Triscuits

We have an unhealthy obsession with garlic in my house.
Luckily most of our friends and family feel the same way, so we all smell like garlic all the time.

To the poor random public people we encounter, I apologize.

When Triscuit started coming out in flavors, it was exciting.
When they introduced the garlic ones, we had a party. Yes, yes we did.

We eat them plain, with cheese, oh...and soooo good with a port wine cheese spread.

Buy them. Eat them. Love them.

All opinions are mine, just sharing the love!

Manwich

My parents have never even heard of Manwich as far as I am concerned.
They despised anything that came from a box, or a can, or a package. Fresh is best! (not that I disagree).

One summer, a new girl moved into our neighborhood. She was my age, and would be starting in my grade, at my school come fall.
Needless to say, we became friends, as kids typically do.

She had her birthday party, and a bunch of us were invited.
We all sat around the dining room table, and her parents served us dinner.
I looked at my plate...with some sort of grossed out look on my face (as I was later told); but, my parents raised me to be polite as a guest, so I knew I was eating this mess on my plate.

One bite later and I swear my eyes actually sparkled like in a cartoon. I probably had little hearts and stars too!!
I actually ate a second sandwich!
Oh the yumminess!

Back to reality, my parents did not like such a food, and out of my mind it went.

Fast forward to married life. One day hubby dearest looks at me in the grocery store and says "do you mind grabbing some Manwich, I have such a craving"

Manwich...remind me again....oh yeah!

So, many married years later, we still have Manwich every now and again.
It's just a fun, kid (and adult) friendly food!

Mmmmmmm!

Good Seasons Italian Dressing

I remember my mother making this frequently when I was a kid.
(I used to be tempted to drink it)

It was a special treat, something other than your typical bottled dressings. Both of my parents worked, so very much like myself, weeknight dinners tended to be quicker, easier meals. Bottled dressings fit into this category.

As the years passed, I sort of forgot about it.
Not sure why, I just went on with my life and didn't think about it.

A friend of mine makes a great green salad.
I know, it's so simple anyone should be able to make a great one, but it's just something about it, I like hers best.
Guess what she dresses it with?

Now that I had such a delicious reminder, I ran right out and bought the "starter kit" that included the shaker bottle.

I love, love, love having fresh Italian dressing anytime I want it.

York Peppermint Ice Cream Bars

My daughter and I share the love for everything mint chocolate.

We are not sure if our obsession has to do with just complete love for the flavor...or out of desperation for something hubby won't grab for when he is in a sugar mood.

The girl and I know that we can have peppermint patties, Thin Mints, and mint chocolate chip ice cream undisturbed.

While at BJ's one day, my daughter spotted these. She had the big, wet, puppy dog eye look going....so of course I said "yes"...no ulterior motive....nooooo.

From the first bite we were in love.

Not too pepperminty (is that a word?)
Not too chocolately (another questionable word)

But very, very large. We tend to cut them and split them.
Would I buy these again? Absolutely!

Disclaimer: This is my opinion and my opinion only. There has been no compensation for this posting.

Balsamic and Basil Dipping Oil

I am one of those people who is very happy with a loaf of fresh Italian bread, some oil, and cheese as a meal.
Luckily, darling daughter inherited the same love.
I can't even count the amount of meals that have been made up of just that.

I love this dipping oil from Tastefully Simple. It's tangy and tasty.
The perfect accompaniment for the fresh bread...I have also used it as an extra layer of flavor in beef stew!

Just sharing the love!

No Drain Tuna FIsh

Tuna is one of those great products, it's yummy as a sandwich, salad, or casserole.

Every time I open a can, I am reminded of the Everybody Loves Raymond episode where Debra and Ray are arguing and they are each telling their side of the story. He claims he tried to open the can of tuna and the liquid poured all over him, she claims it was a tiny drop. We know how it goes, the truth is somewhere in the middle.

When I was grocery shopping this past weekend (yes, I was specifically looking for tuna) I happened to notice a new product. No drain tuna.
Seriously?
Tuna without getting juice everywhere? Tuna without making the disgusting mistake of getting tuna in oil vs. tuna in water.

SOLD!

I brought it home and opened the can to make it for my lunch.

Oh how wonderful to just see clean, all white tuna, NOT floating in the can!

I chopped up some celery, mixed it with some mayo, seasoned, and ready to go.
Very shortly afterwards I realized I had company in my kitchen.

Mr. Sir the kitty...he knew the smell. I have never heard him yowl so loud and so long! Then he started attacking the trashcan trying to tip it over to get to the can.
It was kitty mayhem!

So, if that is the only downfall (and an entertaining one at that) I can live with the feeling of being a bad kitty mom.

I will be buying this product again!

Popcorn Seasonings

Darling daughter and I are both self proclaimed popcorn junkies.
Some people like chocolate, some want chips...we want popcorn.
ALWAYS.
(oh what a painful three years we had between head gear and braces, she couldn't have any, so I wouldn't so she didn't have to smell it)

Our microwave decided it really didn't want to make popcorn anymore. Every bag we would put in would burn. We adjusted temperature, time, to no avail.

Auntie Audrey came to the rescue one year and bought the girl child a popcorn maker. I knew she was getting it (who do you think gave her the idea?!) so I went out and bought popcorn, butter flavored oil....and these seasonings.

I packed them all in a pretty gift bag and set it to the side, hidden in my room. After the Christmas mayhem, we packed up all the cousin's gifts and left to go to another aunts for family time.
As hubby and the girl were leaving, I oh-so-sneakily stuck the bag under the tree.

She got so excited to unwrap the popcorn maker! When we got home, we played the "hey look, there is another present under the tree, wonder who it is for" game.
She was so psyched to get the edible "accessories".

Needless to say, we popped popcorn right away!

These seasonings taste so incredible!
The girl likes to mix and match flavors, I am a purist...one at a time please.

Turkey Pepperoni

I like pepperoni.
Cheese trays and pepperoni are BFFs!

What I don't like is the grease and heaviness that comes with pepperoni.
With the turkey pepperoni there is no grease!

I bought it without telling anyone and served it at a party. Everyone liked it...ha!

It's been a staple in my life for almost 2 decades....I won't go back...nooo!!!

They even make it in the pepperoni stick and also the teeny tiny mini's for salads and mini pizza!

Microplane Grater (Fine)

Everyone is familiar with Pampered Chef parties.
We all get talked into either going or having them.
I don't mind, as stated before...I am all about any excuse to get together!

I got this item once upon a time, and now I can't imagine life without it.
I am not sponsored by Pampered Chef, I, in fact, have nothing to gain from this post.

I rely heavily on other people's reviews on everything...so I thought I would share mine!

This one tool is my go-to grater for
1. Parmesan Cheese
2. Zesting
3. Nutmeg
Anything you need to be grated small and fine.

If you don't own one, I suggest you get one!
Click here to shop