Never Turn Down A Cupcake: March 2020

Given the uncertainty of things going on all around us the last few weeks, one bright spot was getting this Write On mystery pack of letterpress cards from Eggpress. I mean, if we are all trying to be at home more and socializing a lot less, what better time than now to send out some cards to friends and family?

Not to make light of the current situation at all - sending mail is always a nice way to reach out and let someone know you're thinking of them. My specific mystery pack has a great variety of cards for different occasions, and I'll definitely plan on sending out a lot more mail in the next few weeks!

Friday, March 13, 2020

Lunchtime Links for March 13th, 2020

A Spicy Perspective: Cheesy scalloped potatoes.
Picky Palate: Kit Kat cookie bars.
The Kitchn: Bacon-wrapped Brussels sprouts.
Joy the Baker: Roasted lemon chicken soup.
Just One Cookbook: 4 soy sauce pickle recipes.

Thursday, March 12, 2020

Lunchtime Links for March 12th, 2020

Two Peas and Their Pod: One bowl blondies.
Crazy for Crust: No bake Dulce de Leche pie.
I Heart Naptime: Funfetti cookies.
The Live-In Kitchen: Avocado toast bar.
Cookies and Cups: How to make buttermilk.

Wednesday, March 11, 2020

Lunchtime Links for March 11th, 2020

The Kitchn: One-skillet meals.
Serious Eats: Korean chicken and rice porridge.
Love and Olive Oil: Detroit-style pepperoni and pickled pepper pan pizza.
Kirbie's Cravings: Crazy chocolate cake.
Damn Delicious: Korean chicken bowls.

Jinya Ramen Pike and Rose - Chef's Special Kara-Men

I'm a big fan of Jinya Ramen's regular menu items, but I also really enjoy that they have special menu items available throughout the year to switch it up a bit!

The current Chef's special is available until May 31st, and is a spicy "Kara-men": clear chicken broth, ground pork, bean sprouts, green onion, onion, cilantro, chili paste, onsen tamago, and sesame seed. I did switch the thin noodles for their thick noodles because I like them better, but otherwise kept everything as listed. This was a great bowl with a lot of flavor! I'm not even a big cilantro fan but it was fine in this dish, plus it added a nice pop of color to the rest of the bowl, haha. It was not really as spicy as I thought it would be, but it was still very delicious and I'd definitely get it again!

Tuesday, March 10, 2020

Lunchtime Links for March 10th, 2020

A Spicy Perspective: Peanut butter cookies.
Cookies and Cups: Homemade chicken nuggets.
Two Peas and Their Pod: Stovetop mac and cheese.
Style Sweet: Brown butter banana chip cake.
I Heart Naptime: Mozzarella stuffed meatballs.

Monday, March 9, 2020

Lunchtime Links for March 9th, 2020

Bakerella: Cakewiches.
Creme de la Crumb: Italian Minestrone soup.
Serious Eats: Breakfast bun recipes.
The Kitchn: Crispy Parmesan chicken cutlets.
Just One Cookbook: Zosui Japanese rice soup.

Starbucks - Matte Pink Studded Tumbler

I probably say this every time, but I swear I was not planning on buying anything from the spring Starbucks cup collection... and then I came across this pink studded tumbler! Technically it's supposed to be out in stores later this month but I had seen it online recently so I knew what it was going to look like. However, in person it's a super cute matte pink color and I liked it a lot more than when I had seen photos of it. It's also very tall, so it's perfect for my goal of drinking more water during the day, haha. Be sure to keep an eye out at Starbucks and licensed Starbucks locations (Target which is where I found it, grocery stores, etc.) if you're interested in snagging one - you might get lucky like me and see it early!

Friday, March 6, 2020

Lunchtime Links for March 6th, 2020

Just One Cookbook: Fried chicken wings.
Serious Eats: Butter chicken.
Joy the Baker: Doing the most chocolate chip cookies.
Creme de la Crumb: Tortellini Alfredo.
Kirbie's Cravings: Garlic beef.

Thursday, March 5, 2020

Lunchtime Links for March 5th, 2020

Brown Eyed Baker: Chicken and dumplings.
Crazy for Crust: Banana coffee cake.
Damn Delicious: Creamy chicken Piccata.
Style Sweet: Rainbow sprinkle cake.
The Kitchn: Porcupine meatballs.

Wednesday, March 4, 2020

Lunchtime Links for March 4th, 2020

Cookies and Cups: Japanese pancakes.
Averie Cooks: Parmesan chicken and spinach pasta.
Bake at 350: Cake batter chocolate chip cookies.
Seasons and Suppers: Easy Thai chicken meatball soup.
Kirbie's Cravings: Basque burnt cheesecake.

Daikaya, the Izakaya 2F - Celebrating Okinawa's Awamori and Food

Earlier this week I had the opportunity to learn more about the collaboration between the Daikaya, the Izakaya 2F and Okinawa, Japan's Prefectural Government that is happening through March - with a celebration of Awamori and Okinawan-inspired dishes!

Even though I've been to Japan many times to visit relatives, I've never been to Okinawa before - this was such a neat way to learn more about their culture, as well as the food and drinks that originated there. We got to sample a few different types of Awamori prepared in popular ways (mixed with soda water, on the rocks, etc.), as well as a lot of delicious dishes inspired by Okinawan cuisine. Learning about the history of Awamori was especially interesting - I've heard of it before but I had assumed it was just a variety of Sake. I had no idea that it originated in Okinawa, using kurokoji and Indica rice imported from Thailand, making it very different from Japanese Sake and Shochu.

From the top left: Peanut tofu, Awamori Koji tofu on garlic bread, Rafute (braised pork belly), and Duck Abura miso onigiri (rice ball).

From the left: Okinawan salted ice cream, Taco rice, and a Spam, egg, and cheese sandwich.

Here are some more details about the food and drinks from the press release:

Daikaya, the Izakaya 2F will be featuring a variety of Okinawan-inspired food and beverage specials. Several selections of Awamori will be offered and staff from the restaurant will be available to share the different ways of drinking/enjoying them. In addition, Orion beer will be available, and Chef Katsuya Fukushima and team will also be offering a variety of Okinawan-inspired dishes that pair well with Awamori including Duck Abura Miso Onigiri, Rafute - Okinawan Braised Pork Belly Slow-Cooked in Awamori, Tofuyo, Okinawan Taco Rice, Okinawan Salt Cookies, and Banana Susannah | Blue Seal Ice Cream, just to name a few. Awamori selections are set to include Zuisen Hakuryu Awamori , Ryukyu Ohcho Awamori, Yaeyama Seifuku Awamori, and Zuisen Hiryu Awamori, amongst others. The featured Okinawan dish and drink specials will continue to rotate throughout the month at Daikaya, the Izakaya 2F.

(Photo credits: Okinawa Convention and Visitors Bureau)

It's so unique and fun to see a restaurant collaborate with not just a single brand or beverage company, but the whole prefecture to highlight all the interesting things that Okinawa has to offer! The collaboration also benefits a great cause - a portion of the proceeds raised this month at Daikaya, the Izakaya 2F will be donated to Okinawa's old Imperial Palace, which was destroyed by a fire back in October of 2019. For more information on the restoration and to donate, please check out the website here.

A big thank you to Daikaya, the Izakaya 2Ffor hosting this great event! If you've ever had an interest in Okinawa specifically, or just want to try out some unique dishes that aren't normally available at the restaurant, this month is the the perfect time to do so!

Tuesday, March 3, 2020

Lunchtime Links for March 3rd, 2020

The Kitchn: Chantilly potatoes.
Love and Lemons: No-knead bread.
Damn Delicious: Beef stew.
Table for Two: Sheet pan Greek chicken.
Creme de la Crumb: Lemon herb shrimp and rice skillet.

Monday, March 2, 2020

Lunchtime Links for March 2nd, 2020

Love and Lemons: Spaghetti and meatballs.
Serious Eats: Korean marinated cucumber Banchan.
How Sweet Eats: Salted brown butter chocolate chip cookie bars.
Love and Olive Oil: Mac and Kim-cheese.
Dessert for Two: Honey mustard chicken thighs.

Georgetown Cupcake - March Flavors

Happy March everyone! There are lots of fun specials this month, especially for the start of spring and St. Patrick's day!

- Chocolate Mint Crunch: Valrhona chocolate cupcake baked with chocolate mint cookie pieces, topped with a mint-infused whipped chocolate ganache frosting, mint cookie crumble and a mini green fondant heart

- Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Twist: Peanut Butter cupcake studded with Callebaut chocolate chips and topped with a peanut butter and Callebaut chocolate "twist” frosting

- Mocha Chocolate Chip Cheesecake: Mocha cheesecake cupcake studded with Callebaut chocolate chips with an oreo cookie crust, topped with mocha frosting and a chocolate-covered espresso bean

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

- Cherry Cheesecake: Classic Madagascar vanilla cupcake baked with cherries and topped with a cherry infused cream cheese frosting and a fondant cherry blossom

- St. Patrick's Vanilla: Classic Madagascar vanilla cupcake infused with St. Patrick's nonpareils, with light green-tinted vanilla buttercream frosting, and a fondant four-leaf clover

- St. Patrick's Chocolate: Valrhona chocolate cupcake with light green vanilla buttercream frosting and a fondant four-leaf clover

- Rainbow: Classic Madagascar vanilla cupcake infused with rainbow nonpareils and topped with a baby blue-tinted Madagascar vanilla buttercream frosting, and a sour candy rainbow

- Unicorn: Georgetown Cupcake's classic Madagascar vanilla cupcake infused with nonpareils and topped with purple-tinted Madagascar vanilla buttercream frosting, rainbow sprinkles, and a whimsical fondant unicorn

- Lucky Chocolate Chip: Madagascar vanilla cupcake studded with Callebaut chocolate chips and rainbow nonpareils, and topped with a light green-tinted vanilla buttercream frosting and a sprinkling of Callebaut chocolate chips and rainbow nonpareils