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.