Lunchtime Links for September 30th, 2009

• Food Flag: V. awesome slideshow of flags made of the country's foods.
• Laguna/Hills: Trivia quiz from People Magazine.
• Photoshop Disasters: Cracks me up.
• Mmm: Crispy gooey mac n' cheese.
• Hills: Notable moments from last night's premiere.

Recipe: Martha Stewart's Chocolate Chunk Cookie Cupcakes

Mise en place

Moving onto recipe #2 from the Martha Stewart Cupcake book, this Chocolate Chunk Cookie Cupcake seemed easy and v. tasty.  I mean it's a cookie + cupcake, how can you go wrong!?

I halved the recipe, which was a little tricky because a lot of the original measurements weren't whole amounts (like 1 cup, 1/2 tbs, etc.) but it wasn't too bad.  I had only one substitution, which is using chocolate chips rather than chocolate chunks- I didn't really feel like buying a baking bar and cutting up myself, sue me.  Having a Kitchenaid stand mixer definitely helps to move things along, but this recipe is easy enough to make without one, really. 

 

All done!

These cupcakes are moist and delicious.  They reminded me a little of a pound cake- definitely rich and buttery, not a light airy cupcake if that's what you are expecting!  I was a little afraid all of the chocolate chips would sink to the bottom but I didn't really have an issue with that. I'm not sure if this is really a "cupcake", since there is no frosting, but who am I to argue with Martha?

Lunchtime Links for September 29th, 2009

• The Hills: It's back tonight!  And super expensive apparently, haha.
• "Mmm..Open-faced Club Sand Wedge (Simpsons)": Club Sandwich Recipe from Serious Eats.
• Fancy-pants Donuts: Some of the top "fancy" donuts in NYC, yum.
• Dear Food Network: aka Dear Food Network Humor. 
• Foodzie: Cute, tasty-looking treats from small food producers/artisans.
• Gossip Girl: Daily Intel Reality Index from last night's episode!

Review: Halloween & Peanut Butter Oreos

• 
  
  I Paid: $5.00 for both (2/$6.00 on sale, + $1.00 off coupon, at Giant)
  
  
  
• 
  
  Description: Halloween Oreo, 5 Boo-rific shapes, Same great taste; Peanut Butter Oreo
  
  
  

Oreos were never my favorite snack growing up- probably because we never really had them in our house.  Every once in a while I'd want them and buy a snack-pack of Oreos in high school or at the supermarket.  Nowadays though, it's warped into a full-on obsession for me.  I "had" to get these non-traditional Oreos to try them out, for the sake of blogging- riiiiiiiiight. 

First, the Halloween Oreos.  This won't be so much of a review since the basic Oreo taste is there- just orange coloring in the cream and different patterns on the cookies.  So they obviously taste great, if you like regular Oreos to begin with, haha.  I think these would be a fun variation to use for recipes that include Oreos, to switch up the color a little. 

Secondly, we have the Peanut Butter Oreos.  These were a little surprising based on what I assumed they would taste like.  I figured it was going to be the same cream filling, with a slight peanut butter taste to them.  These were more like, full-on peanut butter paste, Nutter Butter style.  Since they're both made by Nabisco, I wouldn't be too surprised if they just used the Nutter Butter filling for these Oreos.  I think these would be great crushed up on top of ice cream or used in a peanut butter cake/pie-type recipe.

Final verdict?  The Halloween Oreos are a fun change from the regular Oreos and I would definitely get them again.  I liked the Peanut Butter Oreos, but probably not enough to buy a whole pack again.     

Gossip Girl - Daily Intel Commenters

I found this after the Lunchtime Links were posted, so I guess more of a "Snacktime Link"?  "Afternoon Tea Link"? Whatever, it's way too important to not post immediately, ha.

Daily Intel's Commentor Reality Index of last week's Gossip Girl.

Lunchtime Links for September 28th, 2009

• Haha, cute: Dressing your kid up as Colonel Sanders.
• Pumpkin Pie Bites: YUMMMMMMM mini pumpkin pie!!
• Flipping Out: Recap of last week's episode.
• Lady Gaga: Performing on SNL October 3rd.
• Vendy Awards: NYC Vendor Awards, yumm.

Lunchtime Links for September 25th, 2009

• Fancy Fried Chicken: Fried chicken craving starting... NOW.
• The City: An interview with Whitney Port about season 2. 
• DIY: Pumpkin Spice Lattes at home.
• Top Chef: Grub Street recap.
• Pioneer Woman: Some insight into the woman behind the popular blog.