Lunchtime Links for March 31st, 2014

• Crazy for Crust: No-bake peanut butter Twix pie. 
• A Kitchen Addiction: Garlic knots. 
• Handle the Heat: Cheesecake stuffed chocolate cupcakes. 
• Damn Delicious: One pot chili mac and cheese.
• Bakerella: Kit Kat cream cheese brownies. 

Target Pens

I never really used to pay too much attention to the $1 bins at Target, but they've really stepped up the selection over recent years!  These pens are $1 per pack of two pens, and come in lots of cute designs.  Best of all, these are actually nice pens - which isn't always a guarantee with cheapo pens, haha.  I love using these at work and for my planner - they add a fun pop of color to your daily writing needs :o)

Lunchtime Links for March 28th, 2014

• Seasons and Suppers: French Toast bagels. 
• The First Year Blog: Peanut butter cup chocolate pie. 
• Cookies & Cups: Chocolate chip cream cheese marshmallow cookies. 
• Averie Cooks: Baked thick-cut seasoned oven fries. 
• Crazy for Crust: Cookies 'n cream brownie bites. 

Trader Joe's - Speculoos Cookie & Cocoa Swirl Spread

Hellooooooo, Speculoos and chocolate! I love Biscoff spread, and who doesn't love chocolate - so this was an easy purchase for me at Trader Joe's.  I will say, this might be a little intense for spreading on toast, which is what I normally do with Nutella, but it's still a great treat to have at home.  I think this would be delicious swirled into brownies or as a dip for fresh fruit.  Or, as fans of Nutella already know, the best way to enjoy this jar of deliciousness might be as simple as a spoon :o) 

Lunchtime Links for March 27th, 2014

• Averie Cooks: Avocado, tomato, and Mozzarella Crostini.
• Crazy for Crust: Peanut butter cookie Reese's s'mores. 
• Kirbie's Cravings: Honey Sriracha chicken.
• The First Year Blog: Double Reese's cup fudge. 
• Dessert for Two: Potato cinnamon rolls. 

Kirbie's Cravings - Peanut Butter Mug Cake

I love easy recipes that come together in a quick amount of time and effort - especially desserts! This peanut butter mug cake by Kirbie's Cravings looked delicious and suspiciously easy, haha.  

Aside from the microwave times, the recipe is exactly how she listed it in her post.  The cake was fluffy, with all of the taste of a cake in a convenient mug and short cooking time.  This is a must-try for anyone that loves peanut butter and quick desserts! 

Lunchtime Links for March 26th, 2014

• Averie Cooks: Banana pudding. 
• I Heart Naptime: Broccoli and cheese soup. 
• Gimme Some Oven: Peanut butter banana smoothie.
• Handle the Heat: Chicken Ravioli with creamy tomato sauce. 
• Oh, Sweet Basil: Chocolate peanut butter cupcakes. 

Georgetown Cupcake - Free Chocolate Covered Strawberry Cupcake

Count on Georgetown Cupcake to take something delicious like a chocolate covered strawberry, and turn it into a cupcake!  This cupcake consisted of their delicious strawberry-studded cake and a thick cover of their chocolate ganache.  This is such a great idea for a cupcake flavor, and I love the addition of fresh strawberry chunks in the cake.  I hope they bring this one back again soon! 

Lunchtime Links for March 25th, 2014

• Averie Cooks: French toast with peanut butter maple syrup. 
• The Pioneer Woman: Slice-baked potatoes. 
• Serious Eats: Earl Grey tea cookies. 
• Cookies & Cups: Nutter Butter pie. 
• A Kitchen Addiction: Fudge frosted peanut butter cake. 

Ben & Jerry's Karamel Sutra Ice Cream

The Karamel Sutra Core flavor isn't one of the new Core ice creams that Ben & Jerry's came out with, but I wanted to try it anyway because I've never had a Core ice cream before.  I figured it was a good introduction to the Core concept before moving on to the new flavors, haha.

This consists of "Chocolate and Caramel Ice Creams with Fudge Chips & a Soft Caramel Core".  As you can see, there's plenty of caramel throughout the container - this ice cream definitely isn't lacking in any of the components!

As expected, this is sooooooooooooo delicious.  I initially thought that the caramel core would be too thick or gummy, but it was the perfect soft complement to the two ice creams and the crunchy fudge chips.  Whoever came up with this "two flavors + core" idea is a genius! 

Lunchtime Links for March 24th, 2014

• Cookies & Cups: Homemade confetti cake. 
• Averie Cooks: S'mores brownie pie. 
• Brown Eyed Baker: Homemade Funfetti cupcakes. 
• Table for Two: Vanilla mug cake. 
• Warm Vanilla Sugar: Cinnamon white chocolate chunk cookies. 

Shake Shack - Super Fry Frickle Dog + Golden Sponge Creme Cake Custard

I always love limited edition menu items at Shake Shack, and this one was extra special since it was just for the DC area!

The Super Fry Frickle Dog is a delicious collaboration between Shake Shack and Gordy's Pickle Jar, a local pickle company.  I love pickles, so this was definitely on my to-do list as soon as I could get over to a Shake Shack, haha.

 

I got a nice little bonus during my visit - for a limited number of orders, they were also giving out a free jar of Gordy's Thai Basil jalapenos, woo!  The hot dog was liberally covered with melted cheese and the fried shallots and jalapenos.  It might sound like an unusual combination, but I loved how the crunch of the toppings complimented the melted cheese and delicious hot dog.  

In addition to the Fry Frickle Dog, I also tried the Golden Sponge Creme Cake custard - mmmmmm, so good!  It looked like French Vanilla ice cream with the bright yellow color, but tasted just like a delicious vanilla cake ice cream.  I hope they bring back the Fry Frickle Dog and this custard again soon! 

Lunchtime Links for March 21st, 2014

• Handle the Heat: Nutella stuffed peanut butter cookies. 
• Bakerella: Double chocolate fudge cake. 
• Kirbie's Cravings: Peanut butter brownies. 
• Picky Palate: Southwest buttermilk baked chicken thighs. 
• Two Peas and Their Pod: Oreo cheesecake cookie dough bars. 

Shake Shack - Pretzel Caramel Custard

I'm always amazed at how much "blending" goes into the Shake Shack custards, especially with pretzel flavors like this Pretzel Caramel custard.  

The cup of custard looks like a regular vanilla custard at first, but the caramel and pretzel flavors come through from the very first bite.  Even though there weren't any physical pretzel pieces in the custard, it definitely tasted like a salty soft pretzel, along with the sweet caramel flavor.  I hope they bring this one back again soon! 

Lunchtime Links for March 20th, 2014

• Cookies & Cups: 5 chip cookies. 
• BGSK: Meatball pizza.
• Oh Sweet Basil: Churro pretzels. 
• Gimme Some Oven: Flourless chocolate cake. 
• The Pioneer Woman: Pancake mini muffins.

Donburi Restaurant - Washington, DC

A while back C, O, and I met up at Donburi in Adams Morgan to check out their dishes.  The restaurant is tiny and narrow, but the small menu and relative quickness of the meal itself keeps the seats moving pretty quickly.  

After looking over the menu, all three of us decided on the Mix Katsudon, haha.  I mean, why not go all out and get the fried pork cutlet PLUS fried shrimp?  I did find it interesting that the egg was placed on top of the fried components - when I've had this dish in Japan, the egg is cooked with the fried pork/shrimp, creating a loose Frittata-type dish.  However, I liked how the egg was separated in this one, because it left the pork and shrimp really crunchy.  The strong flavors were great with the ample rice underneath, making each bite very flavorful.  I would definitely like to come back to try the salmon sashimi bowl! 

Donburi 

2438 18th Street NW

Washington, DC 20009

Lunchtime Links for March 19th, 2014

• The Pioneer Woman: Cream cheese wontons. 
• Crazy for Crust: Perfect Funfetti cupcakes. 
• Table for Two: Cacio e Pepe. 
• Picky Palate: Brown butter chocolate chunk peanut butter cookies. 
• Handle the Heat: Homemade cheesesteaks. 

Tout de Sweet - Coffee Macaron

I've always been a fan of coffee-flavored baked goods and ice cream, so when I saw a coffee macaron at Tout de Sweet I knew I had to try it out!  This was delicious, like a cup of sweet milky coffee in macaron form.  Since it's coffee flavored, this can totally be allowed as a breakfast food, right? This is the perfect little treat for any fellow coffee fans!

Lunchtime Links for March 18th, 2014

• Cookies & Cups: Salty caramel peanut bars. 
• Eat, Live, Run: Buffalo chicken fingers. 
• The First Year Blog: Mini Oreo Nutella cheesecakes. 
• Brown Eyed Baker: Double vanilla ice cream cake. 
• Averie Cooks: Baked chocolate doughnuts. 

Goldfish Grahams - S'mores

I've never really paid too much attention to snacks that are geared towards kids, but I couldn't ignore the fabulous display of Goldfish at Target, haha.  I had no idea that they had so many different flavors now, I always assumed it was only the cheddar cracker version.  

This Grahams S'mores bag consists of three types of fish: graham flavored fish, chocolate flavored fish, and a smaller marshmallow fish (similar to Lucky Charms marshmallows). While this doesn't quite have that same "melted" quality of real s'mores, the flavors work really well together. All mixed together, this is a delicious snack, especially for anyone that loves the components of s'mores! 

Lunchtime Links for March 17th, 2014

• Cookies & Cups: Toasted marshmallow buttercream frosting. 
• Damn Delicious: Ravioli and Italian sausage skillet. 
• Handle the Heat: Peanut butter cup cheesecake. 
• Oh, Sweet Basil: Cheesy Lasagna calzones. 
• The Comfort of Cooking: Mini cinnamon rolls. 

Georgetown Cupcake - Free Banana Ganache Cupcake

If you're a fan of chocolate-covered bananas and/or "Arrested Development", this Georgetown Cupcake flavor is the right one for you!

Anyone that has had banana bread before knows that the addition of bananas in baked goods add great moisture, and this cake was delicious.  With the thick chocolate ganache coating, it really did taste like a soft chocolate-covered banana :o)

Lunchtime Links for March 14th, 2014

• The Live-in Kitchen: Cream cheese icebox brownies.
• BGSK: Blank canvas mac 'n cheese. 
• Love & Olive Oil: Chocolate covered potato chip macarons. 
• The Pioneer Woman: Chicken Mozzarella pasta. 
• Table for Two: Chocolate mug cake. 

Stacy's Gingerbread and Cocoa Pita Chips

I normally only get the Simply Naked flavor of Stacy's pita chips, but as we all know I usually can't resist anything that is limited edition, haha.  Luckily I got these Gingerbread and Cocoa chips right when Wegmans had them on sale so that was a nice little bonus.

The cocoa chips were delicious as expected, but the real surprise for me was the gingerbread chips.  They had this great spicy, full-on gingerbread flavor all around the chips, and it was a really addictive taste.  I hope they bring these back during the holidays again! 

Lunchtime Links for March 13th, 2014

• Averie Cooks: Soft and chewy chocolate chip cookies. 
• The Pioneer Woman: Waffles. 
• Brown Eyed Baker: Chocolate chip cookie cake. 
• Eat, Live, Run: Peanut butter cookies. 
• Crazy for Crust: Banana bread.

Hot Chocolate Cookies

I saw this recipe for hot chocolate cookies on Janae's blog a while back, and thought they were perfect wintertime cookies to bring in to work! 

I bought a bunch of Starbucks hot chocolate packets so this was the perfect recipe to get a different use out of them.  The mini marshmallows are such a cute touch, and as you can see they get very soft and spread a little as they bake.  These were a big hit at work and I think they're a cute treat for anyone that also loves hot chocolate! 

Lunchtime Links for March 12th, 2014

• Averie Cooks: Soft and chewy triple peanut butter cookies.  
• Picky Palate: Cheesy sausage skillet lasagna. 
• Kirbie's Cravings: Cookies and Cream blondies. 
• Table for Two: Chicken fried rice. 
• A Kitchen Addiction: Cinnamon sugar bagels. 

Shake Shack - Peanut Butter Candy Bar Custard

Mmm, peanut butter and chocolate!  As soon as I saw a "Peanut butter candy bar" listed on the Shake Shack custard menu, I knew I had to go try it out.  As expected, this flavor did not disappoint - it was a perfect blend of creamy peanut butter and chocolate.  Like a cup of Reese's in ice cream form - anyone that loves the classic peanut butter and chocolate combination will love this one! 

Lunchtime Links for March 11th, 2014

• Kirbie's Cravings: Chinese lettuce wraps. 
• Brown Eyed Baker: Lasagna Bolognese. 
• Handle the Heat: Chocolate chip cookie dough cupcakes. 
• The First Year Blog: Double fudge Oreo white chocolate chip cookies. 
• Serious Eats: Chewy peanut butter chocolate chip cookies. 

Aggio Restaurant

M, her mom that was visiting, and I had a wonderful time trying out Chef Bryan Voltaggio's new Aggio - which is located inside Range restaurant.

The wine list was extensive, and also pretty funny if you read the different categories and the descriptions.  

We had a great dinner with delicious food, and fantastic service (Gerard was awesome!)  It definitely had a special occasion atmosphere but not stuffy at all.  I look forward to coming again to try out more dishes!

Amuse - Parmesan funnel cake

Chioggia Beets - tonnato sauce, charred rosemary, pine nuts, mullet roe, arugula

Cavatelli and Clams - rye, soffrito, soda crackers toasted in brown butter, prosciutto lardo

Pistachio in Olives - olive oil cake, pistachio cream, cara cara orange sorbet, crispy pomegranate, kumquats

Bonus dessert - Espresso and Campari grapefruit chocolates 

Aggio

5335 Wisconsin Avenue NW

Washington, DC 20015

202.803.8020

Lunchtime Links for March 10th, 2014

• Oh, Sweet Basil: Sweet pork macaroni and cheese. 
• Brown Eyed Baker: Fluffernutter milkshake. 
• Kirbie's Cravings: Fried mashed potato balls.
• Two Peas and Their Pod: Banana cake with peanut butter frosting. 
• The Comfort of Cooking: Crispy Sriracha roasted chicken with Sriracha gravy. 

Georgetown Cupcake - Chocolate Mint Crunch Cheesecake

The Chocolate Mint Crunch Cheesecake is one of the special March flavors at Georgetown Cupcake, and as far as I know it's the first time this flavor has been sold there.  This is a "Chocolate mint cheesecake baked with mint cookie pieces, topped with mint-infused whipped Callebaut chocolate frosting and mint cookie crumble and fondant mint leaf".

I'm not a big fan of mint chocolate flavors, but I liked that this was a cheesecake-based cupcake because I've enjoyed their cheesecake offerings before.  If you're a fan of mint chocolate, especially Thin Mint cookies, you will love this one! 

Lunchtime Links for March 7th, 2014

• Table for Two: Homemade flour tortillas. 
• Raspberri Cupcakes: Cookie Monster macarons. 
• Crazy for Crust: Snickers stuffed peanut butter cookies. 
• Brown Eyed Baker: Meat sauce. 
• Cookies & Cups: Brownie cookie sandwiches. 

Georgetown Cupcake - Red Carpet Red Velvet Cupcake

I hope everyone else enjoyed the Oscars this past Sunday - I thought Ellen did a great job, and there were so many fun moments throughout the show.  On that day, Georgetown Cupcake offered a Red Carpet Red Velvet cupcake as their free secret flavor, which is their red velvet cupcake with a celebrity-sized gold fondant star on top, haha.  This was a cute twist on a regular menu item to celebrate the end of awards season! 

Lunchtime Links for March 6th, 2014

• Love & Olive Oil: Dark chocolate and caramelized white chocolate cupcakes. 
• Kirbie's Cravings: Red velvet pancakes. 
• Brown Eyed Baker: French silk pie. 
• Damn Delicious: Strawberry wonton cups. 
• Picky Palate: Pink velvet strawberry and chocolate chunk cookies. 

Winter Flower Stamps

I love the new Winter Flowers collection of stamps that recently came out - how pretty!  For someone like me that sends cards out year-round, these are a pretty transitional stamp between the holidays and spring/summer. And yes, I do tend to use specific stamps at certain times of the year, haha.  If you're a fan of flowers, or of pretty stamps in general, make sure to pick up a sheet or two!

Lunchtime Links for March 5th, 2014

• I Heart Naptime: Chocolate cupcakes. 
• Table for Two: Creamy tomato Tortellini soup. 
• Kirbie's Cravings: Mongolian beef. 
• Cookies & Cups: Chocolate chip cookie dough gooey butter bars. 
• Damn Delicious: Parmesan and spinach Orzo. 

Georgetown Cupcake - Valentine's Day XO Vanilla Cupcake

I always love Georgetown Cupcake's holiday-specific cupcakes, and this year's Valentine's day cupcakes were no exception.  Here we have the XO Vanilla cupcake, which consists of a "classic Madagascar vanilla cupcake with baby pink buttercream and XO fondant". 

There was also an XO chocolate version, but for that day I decided on just the vanilla.  The buttercream frosting is thicker than the standard cream cheese-based frosting, but the vanilla flavor is delicious as expected.  This was a super cute way to celebrate Valentine's day, especially for anyone that loves the color pink!

Lunchtime Links for March 4th, 2014

• Smitten Kitchen: Chocolate peanut butter cheesecake. 
• Kirbie's Cravings: Soft red velvet chocolate chip cookies. 
• Crazy for Crust: Funfetti cookie fudge bars.
• Handle the Heat: Homemade peanut butter cookie dough Oreos.
• Seasons and Suppers: S'mores cake. 

Georgetown Cupcake - March Flavors

March is all about the start of spring, and a fun holiday like St. Patrick's day - here are this month's special flavors at Georgetown Cupcake:

Cherry Blossom: Classic Madagascar bourbon vanilla cupcake baked with fresh cherries and topped with a cherry infused cream cheese frosting and a fondant cherry blossom

Chocolate Mint Crunch Cheesecake: Chocolate Mint Cheesecake baked with mint cookie pieces, topped with mint-infused whipped Callebaut chocolate frosting and mint cookie crumble and fondant mint leaf

St. Patrick's Day Chocolate: Valrhona chocolate cupcake with light green buttercream frosting and a fondant shamrock

St. Patrick's Day Vanilla: Classic Madagascar Bourbon vanilla cupcake with light green buttercream and a fondant shamrock

Be sure to get to a Georgetown Cupcake during March if you're interested in any of these special flavors! 

Lunchtime Links for March 3rd, 2014

• Brown Eyed Baker: Chocolate pudding.
• The First Year Blog: Roasted Parmesan green beans.
• Gimme Some Oven: Hot chocolate. 
• Damn Delicious: Red Lobster cheddar bay biscuits. 
• Dessert for Two: Simple chocolate cupcakes. 

Shake Shack - March Custard Flavors

Happy March everyone!  A new month means another new selection of custards at Shake Shack, woo!

Monday: Mint Chocolate Chip
Tuesday: Boston Cream Pie
Wednesday: Black Sesame Citrus
Thursday: Pineapple Brown Sugar
Friday: Salty Chocolate Peanut Butter
Saturday: Golden Sponge Creme Cake
Sunday: Buttery Caramel Cocoa Nib

I am definitely interested in Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday the most!