Lunchtime Links for February 29th, 2012

• Serious Eats: 10-course tempura meal in Japan. 
• The Kitchn: Pretty packaging for leftovers. 
• Kathy YL Chan: Desserts at Per Se.
• Kirbie's Cravings: Scalloped Hasselback potatoes.
• Raspberri Cupcakes: Mocha marble cake with chocolate coffee beans.

Turkey Hill Whoopie Pie Ice Cream

Mmmmmm.... whoopie pie.  Maybe it was growing up in the tri-state area, or going to college in rural Pennsylvania, but I'm a huge fan of whoopie pies.  For those of you that have no idea what a whoopie pie is, Wikipedia explains it as "The whoopie pie (alternatively called a gob, black-and-white, bob, or "BFO" for Big Fat Oreo) is an American baked good that may be considered either a cookie, pie, or cake. It is made of two round mound-shaped pieces of chocolate cake, or sometimes pumpkin or gingerbread cake, with a sweet, creamy filling or frosting sandwiched between them."

I was super excited to come across this tub of Turkey Hill ice cream in Target - Chocolate ice cream with whoopie pie pieces and creamy filling swirl.  Add the words "Limited Edition" + a coupon for a free Turkey Hill ice cream, and I was sold!

 

This ice cream was delicious! Super chocolate-y thanks to the chocolate ice cream and the chocolate whoopie pie pieces, with swirls of a marshmallow-ish filling throughout.  I wouldn't necessarily discern that this was a whoopie pie ice cream, it could also easily be a chocolate cake or Ho-Ho ice cream, but it was tasty nonetheless.  I'm not sure how limited this "Limited Edition" ice cream is (in terms of both when it's sold but also locations it's sold at), but if you come across it, give it a try!

Lunchtime Links for February 28th, 2012

• The Kitchn: Favorite tools for freezing food.
• Serious Eats: 10 must-eats in New Orleans. 
• In Good Taste: Spicy noodles with Szechuan tofu. 
• Kirbie's Cravings: Kit Kat flavors from Japan.
• Tasty Kitchen: Vanilla crumb pie.

Japanese Azuki Bean Sandwich Kit Kat

It's been a while, but here's a new (to me) Kit Kat flavor from Japan!  

Don't let the "bean" part make you think it's a savory item- Azuki beans are often sweetened and used in a LOT of Japanese sweets, usually as a filling.  I love pretty much anything in Japan with azuki bean paste, or "an" as it's called.  Rolls, mochi, cakes, waffles, crepes, and so much more!  This Kit Kat flavor mimics the taste of an azuki bean sandwich, as shown on the box.

Being a fan of azuki bean sweets in Japan, I really like these Kit Kats.  The smell and taste are really pleasant, sweet but also nutty, as azuki beans really are.  I think the nutty/toasted flavor helps to bring out the "sandwich" portion of this snack as well.  These Kit Kats have an impressively complex taste that is really different from other Kit Kats, for sure.  I'm so glad I got to try these!

Lunchtime Links for February 27th, 2012

• Kathy YL Chan: Afternoon tea at the Mandarin Oriental NYC.
• The Kitchn: Dark chocolate and hazelnut skillet blondies.
• Serious Eats: Butternut squash and sage cream sauce.
• The Pioneer Woman: Vegetarian lettuce wraps.
• In Good Taste: Baked shrimp in lemon garlic sauce.
  

CVS Deals - Week of 02/26/2012

There are some great Extra Bucks deals this week, as well as regular coupon deals.

Some of the deals will essentially mean the products are free!

- Colgate Sensitive Pro-Relief toothpaste: $4.99 on sale, $1 manufacturer's coupon, $4 Extra Bucks back.
- Thermacare heat wrap: $3.79 on sale, $3.79 Extra Bucks back. 
- Schick Hydro Silk razor: $9.99 on sale, $4 manufacturer's coupon, $4 Extra Bucks back.
- 3 bags of Hershey's Cadbury mini eggs: 3/$10 on sale, $2/3 manufacturer's coupon, $2 Extra Bucks back.

There are also some great coupon deals this week:

- 4 UP2U gum packs: $0.99 each on sale, four $1 manufacturer's coupons.
- 2 Snickers Eggs: 2/$1 on sale, $0.25/2 CVS coupon.


Happy shopping everyone!

Lunchtime Links for February 24th, 2012

• Serious Eats: Homemade Philadelphia-style tomato pie.
• Gossip Girl: Recap from TVGasm.  
• Tasty Kitchen: Asparagus and brie pierogies. 
• The Kitchn: Pull-apart spicy cheese bread.
• Eat Yourself Skinny: Spicy lime salsa.

Cooking Light Chocolate Chip Coffee Muffins

I usually enjoy making the baked goods in my monthly issues of Cooking Light, and this chocolate chip coffee muffin recipe was no exception.  The idea of coffee and chocolate chips in a muffin sounded delicious and a great combination of flavors I love!

The recipe came together really easily, as most of the ingredients are items I have on hand.  And yes, that includes the instant coffee - I love using it in chocolate recipes to add extra flavor (thank you Ina Garten for the tip!).  I did use skim milk instead of whole milk since that is what I normally drink.  

I was a little concerned at how chunky these looked pre- and post-baking, but it's more of an aesthetic thing and didn't affect the taste.  Both the coffee and chocolate flavors are strong in these muffins, and it's a nice balance of both.  I think these would be great for a regular breakfast item or for a brunch party!

Lunchtime Links for February 23rd, 2012

• Picky Palate: 5-minute mac and cheese. 
• The Budget Babe: Health and wellness at Target. 
• Eat Yourself Skinny: Thai peanut noodles with chicken. 
• Kirbie's Cravings: Low-fat peanut butter mug cake.
• Top Chef: Recap from TVGasm.

Georgetown Cupcake - Chocolate PB Swirl Cupcake

Recently, the free "secret" cupcake at Georgetown Cupcake was listed as the PB Swirl cupcake.  As it turned out, it was a Chocolate PB Swirl cupcake that was given away that day, which is on the regular menu.  I'm not complaining though, since I haven't technically blogged about this one yet!

The Chocolate PB Swirl cupcake is a "Valrhona chocolate cupcake with a creamy peanut butter core topped with a rich Callebaut chocolate ganache icing and a peanut butter swirl".  In other words, chocolate + peanut butter + chocolate + peanut butter, yum!

This cupcake is definitely up there in terms of Georgetown Cupcake cupcakes I've tried - it's super rich and decadent, with a great balance between the peanut butter and chocolate components.  Anyone that is a fan of Reese's cups or any other chocolate/peanut butter combo will love this one!

Lunchtime Links for February 22nd, 2012

• Good Life Eats: Rosemary potato buttermilk biscuits.
• Real Housewives of OC: Recap from TVGasm. 
• Tasty Kitchen: Oven baked wings with sweet BBQ sauce. 
• Bakerella: The Lorax cake pops.  
• Serious Eats: Steak taco salad.  

CVS Deals - Week of 02/19/2012

This week, I took advantage of a bunch of Extra Bucks deals at CVS!

• Coldcalm cold medicine: $6.99 on sale, $6.99 Extra Bucks back. 

• 3 packs of Eclipse gum: 3/$3 on sale, $2 Extra Bucks back.   

• Tylenol Precise pain relieving heat patches: $7.49 on sale, $5 manufacturer's coupon, $2 Extra Bucks back.

• Jergens, Curel, or Biore: Spend $15, get $5 Extra Bucks back.
• 2 Jergens lotions: $8.39 each, two $2 manufacturer's coupons.

• Nivea: Spend $10, get $3 Extra Bucks back.  
• Nivea body wash: $4.88 on sale, $1.50 manufacturer's coupon.
• 2 Nivea lip care: 2/$5 on sale, $3/2 manufacturer's coupon.

Happy shopping everyone!

Lunchtime Links for February 21st, 2012

• Kirbie's Cravings: Nutella cookies.
• The Pioneer Woman: Chocolate cookies with toppings.
• Gossip Girl: Recap from NYMag. 
• Serious Eats: Japanese rice ball packaging.
• Real Housewives of Atlanta: Recap from TVGasm. 

Bethenny's Skinnygirl White Cranberry Cosmo

 

As most of my friends know, I am a huge fan of Bethenny Frankel.  I've liked all of her shows, her books, and her whole brand in general.  Anyone that is a fan of hers will also know that the Skinnygirl brand is currently a big part of Bethenny's empire, with ready-to-serve margaritas, sangria, and most recently wine.  

So, it will surprise no one that I was very happy to receive a free bottle of the new Skinnygirl White Cranberry Cosmo! I figured this was a good time to blog about this, since the new season of Bethenny Ever After started last night on Bravo!

I brought over the bottle of Skinnygirl White Cranberry Cosmo to my friend S's apartment to try it out.  After a delicious lunch at Shake Shack, we sat and chatted while pouring out some of this Skinnygirl drink.  

The first thought I had was being pleasantly surprised by the smell- I was expecting a strong vodka smell, but it definitely smelled primarily of cranberries.  A few sips in, we both found this to be a refreshing and easy to drink beverage.  I started thinking of scenarios where a light cocktail like this would be good: Brunches, bridal showers, bachelorette parties, summer BBQs, etc.  Adding some frozen fruit would add some splashes of color and flavor that I think would go well with this drink as well!  Finally, at less than 100 calories per 4oz. serving, it's a nice light option among all of the other sugary and heavy drinks :o) I'm glad I got to try it out and will definitely buy it for a party in the future!

President's Day

Hopefully most of you also have today off for President's Day weekend!  I will be staying in town and catching up with friends, working out, and some good eats as usual.  Enjoy your day everyone!

Lunchtime Links for February 17th, 2012

• Feisty Foodie: Popbar's hot chocolate on a stick.
• Serious Eats: Cinnamon roll waffles with bacon-apple frosting.
• Real Housewives of Beverly Hills: Recap from TVGasm.
• Eat Yourself Skinny: Lightened-up mac and cheese with cauliflower.
• Kirbie's Cravings: Flourless Nutella mug cake.

T-Rex Trying...

So simple but so hilarious, hahaha!  Poor T-Rex.

Thanks M for posting the link on your blog!

Lunchtime Links for February 16th, 2012

• Real Housewives of OC: Recap from TVGasm.
• Smitten Kitchen: Lasagna Bolognese.
• The Cupcake Avenger: Chocolate and cream cheese red velvet doughnuts.
• Kathy YL Chan: Georgetown Cupcake's opening night party in NYC. 
• The Kitchn: 15 meals with bacon.

Coach Perfumes

How cute are these perfume boxes??

From top to bottom we have the Coach Poppy, Coach Signature, and Coach Legacy perfumes.  These purse sprays are $45 each normally, although I pretty much only buy them whenever I get the Coach coupons in the mail, haha.

I like all three of these scents, but I have to say that the Coach Signature is my favorite for nighttime, and the Coach Poppy is a much lighter, spring-ish everyday scent.  The Coach Legacy is also a great everyday perfume as well.  There is a new Coach Poppy Flower, but I've smelled it a few times in the stores and I have to say, it's a little too sweet/flowery for me.  Obviously perfume is a pretty personal choice- what one person loves may be not so great for the next person.  If you're in the market for a new perfume, give the Coach perfumes a try!

Lunchtime Links for February 15th, 2012

• Tabatha Takes Over: Recap from TVGasm.
• Good Life Eats: Baked mac n' cheese with Gruyere and butternut squash.
• Thrifty DC Cook: Lemongrass lamb stew. 
• Picky Palate: Glazed donut hole brownies.
• The Beauty Department: Cute DIY manicures.

CVS Deals - Week of 02/12/2012

This week CVS has the "Spend $30 get a $10 CVSCash card" deal again.

Remember, these are valid for pre-coupon prices, so try to get as many of the items that have coupons available!

This week I got:

- 2 Maybelline Baby Lips: $4.39 each, Buy 1 Get 1 50% off on sale, two $2 manufacturer's coupons.
- 4 Kleenex tissue boxes: 3/$4 on sale, $1/4 manufacturer's coupon.
- 2 Lysol wipes: 2/$10 on sale, $1/2 manufacturer's coupon.
- 2 Sensodyne toothpastes: $5.99 each, Buy 1 Get 1 50% off on sale, $2.50/2 manufacturer's coupon.


There are also some great Extra Bucks deals this week:

- 2 EverPure hair products: $6.99 each, two $1 manufacturer's coupons, $5 Extra Bucks back.
- 2 Colgate Total toothpastes: $2.75 each, two $1 manufacturer's coupons, $4 ($2 for each) Extra Bucks back.


Happy shopping everyone!

Lunchtime Links for February 14th, 2012

• Teen Mom 2: Recap from TVGasm.
• Serious Eats: Street fair food in Kyoto, Japan.
• The Kitchn: Steamed chocolate pudding cake.
• The Pioneer Woman: Pork chops with garlic and wine.
• Kirbie's Cravings: Macaroni and cheese.

Happy Valentine's Day!

I thought this was a fitting photo for Valentine's Day, haha.  These signs were too cute to pass up snapping a pic of them.  

Happy Valentine's Day everyone!

Lunchtime Links for February 13th, 2012

• Tabatha Takes Over: Recap from TVGasm.
• Kirbie's Cravings: Secret Cookie Service.
• The Kitchn: Cheese-stuffed bread sticks.
• Serious Eats: Sriracha hot wings.
• Gossip Girl: Recap from NYMag.

Georgetown Cupcake - Open in NYC!

As of Saturday, February 11th, 2012, Georgetown Cupcake in NYC is OPEN!

The newest (and first outside of the DC area) bakery is located on 111 Mercer Street in Soho - and I hope they do well, they should fit right into such a cute area like Soho.

If you can't make it to the DC area to try Georgetown Cupcake but find yourself in NYC, definitely check it out!!



Photos courtesy of my friend M who was nice enough to snap some photos (Instagram'd by me since I'm obsessed) for me on opening day!

Lunchtime Links for February 10th, 2012

• Eat Yourself Skinny: Skinny beer-garitas.
• In Good Taste: S'mores cookie bars.
• Teen Mom 2: Recap from TVGasm. 
• The Kitchn: Fake-fried chicken. 
• La Fuji Mama: Ginger pork sandwich.

Madden Girl Twista Flat

As you may know, I am a huge fan of heels, especially crazy platform heels.  But sometimes, flat shoes are good to have, haha.  I got these Madden Girl Twista flats at DSW because I thought they were cute and different from my normal neutral colored shoes.  I like how the bow and the little pop of red on the front add a fun little detail to an otherwise nude flat.  I highly recommend these comfortable flats for anyone that is looking for a new pair of spring shoes!

Lunchtime Links for February 9th, 2012

• Peanut Butter & Co.: Spicy peanut butter noodles with ground beef.
• Kirbie's Cravings: Nutella waffle cakes.
• Good Life Eats: Cute DIY bookmarks.
• Closet Cooking: Bacon guacamole. 
• Serious Eats: Warm chocolate desserts in NYC.

Shake Shack - Salted Caramel Custard

 

Back in January, I had a chance to try out the Salted Caramel custard at Shake Shack.  I'm soooooooo glad I did, because this custard was delicious!  It's everything you could hope for from salted caramel.  For being really popular these days, I think it's pretty difficult to get that right ratio of sweet and salty.  This custard had a great balance of those flavors and was really tasty!  I hope this one comes back again sometime soon!

PA-bound

Hi everyone!  I'll be in EXOTIC Pennsylvania (haha) for work for a few days, so I'll be back on Thursday with regular posts! 

I hope you are all having a great start to your week!

Lunchtime Links for February 3rd, 2012

• Picky Palate: Inside out Rice Krispie chocolate chip cookies.
• Bakerella: Cookie molds.
• Smitten Kitchen: Potato chip cookies.
• Kirbie's Cravings: Peanut butter mug cake. 
• Gossip Girl: Recap from NYMag.

Football

In light of Sunday being the Super Bowl, I thought this sign in a storefront I recently passed by was appropriate :o)

Lunchtime Links for February 2nd, 2012

• Tabatha Takes Over: Recap from TVGasm.
• The Kitchn: Baked hot chocolate.
• Serious Eats: Pancake month at Clinton Street Baking Co.
• The Pioneer Woman: Spicy stewed beef with creamy cheddar grits.
• Kirbie's Cravings: Nacho cheese bites.

Shake Shack - February Custards

New month, new custard list!!

• Monday: Lemon poppy seed creme fraiche
• Tuesday: Chocolate passionfruit
• Wednesday: Pineapple brown sugar
• Thursday: Coconut caramel pecan
• Friday: Chocolate chip cookie
• Saturday: PB&J
• Sunday: Coffee & Donuts

I have to say, pretty interesting flavor combinations this month.... but hey, better than boring flavors!

Lunchtime Links for February 1st, 2012

• Kirbie's Cravings: Flourless chocolate peanut butter cookies.
• Teen Mom 2: Recap from TVGasm. 
• The Kitchn: Bacon cheddar twice baked potatoes. 
• Simply Southern Baking: White chocolate peanut butter blondies. 
• Eat Drink Pretty: Baked mini pumpkin doughnuts.

Pillsbury Biscuit Waffles

A while back I saw people posting (on Pinterest and food blogs) about using biscuit dough to make waffles in a waffle iron.  It took me a while, but I finally picked up a tube of Pillsbury biscuits to try it out for myself!

This literally is as easy as 1-2-3:

1- Pop open the Pillsbury biscuit tube (carefully, if you're scared it's going to explode like I do... every time...)

2- Place the biscuit dough pieces into a preheated/PAM-sprayed waffle iron.

3- Wafflize!

 

These turned out delicious!  The biscuit dough is super crunchy on the outside and fluffy on the inside.  For those of you that like crispy edges, there's plenty of those with these waffle biscuits, yum.  I really liked eating these with a smear of peanut butter or just plain.  They also freeze really well, I just wrapped each waffle biscuit in plastic wrap and popped them into a freezer bag to eat later.  Try it out if you like biscuits and waffles!