tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10842102790984129532024-03-08T10:07:06.857-05:00VartaMelonI didn't fight my way to the top of the food chain to be a vegetarian.Vartahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15915637208869273306noreply@blogger.comBlogger44125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1084210279098412953.post-89790158878226281792015-01-21T15:28:00.002-05:002015-01-21T15:29:20.898-05:00Muffin Breakfast SandwichLast night, I couldn't fall asleep and it was too late to eat out of boredom but too early to wake up and make breakfast so I just laid there thinking about how Leonardo DiCaprio and I are meant to be together which led me to planning our first date. We're going to brunch, because bacon, mimosas, and Leo basically equate to heaven. I have issues, I know. Anyways, those issues managed to manifest this morning as this perfect combo of sweet and salty:<br />
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To make it more manageable, I discarded half of the muffin stump, leaving the bottom half and the muffin top (ha!) for the sandwich. I toasted both so the cheddar cheese would melt on the bottom half. What else you see is sausage and scrambled eggs. The McGriddle has nothing on this baby, to the point I'm genuinely surprised Dunkin' Donuts or someone else hasn't gotten on this yet. </div>
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Vartahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15915637208869273306noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1084210279098412953.post-51491319161355324242015-01-07T16:12:00.000-05:002015-01-07T16:12:49.083-05:00Ode to Doughnuts <div style="text-align: justify;">
It makes no sense that I am a carb counter. The rationale is that if I am cautious day to day, then when I do decide to take a day off, I can go as crazy as I like. That brings us to my favorite guilty pleasure, doughnuts. I have come to the conclusion that doughnuts are the chicken of the pastry world and the ultimate comfort food. Remember <a href="http://vartamelon.blogspot.com/2009/07/doughnut-bread-pudding.html">doughnut bread pudding</a>? Not too long ago I couldn't decide on ice cream or a doughnut for dessert/midnight snack and this monstrosity happened: </div>
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Don't be too impressed. All I did was cut a doughnut in half and make it into an ice cream sandwich. The drizzle is store bought caramel sauce. I will say, however, that this was a genius idea and absolutely delicious. I recreated multiple times since the original and it even works brownie sundae style if you warm up the doughnut, put the ice cream on top, and then drizzle with your sauce of choice. </div>
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For those who followed me before, it's nothing new that I love making breakfast. I find breakfast staples such as omelets, pancakes, and french toast to be so versatile and easy to play with. So when I have a box of a dozen Krispy Kreme doughnuts at home and the straight up doughnut craving has been curbed, interesting things are bound to happen. </div>
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<u><b>Krispy Kreme French Toast with Nutella</b></u></div>
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Super simple yet somehow, fancy looking. I swear, sometimes, a couple strawberries on the side is all it takes to class up a plate. Again, I cut a doughnut in half, then poked the glazed side of each half a few times to better absorb the french toast batter then fried as per usual french toast. Spread a little Nutella on there and viola. </div>
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<br />Vartahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15915637208869273306noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1084210279098412953.post-67961288935612624432015-01-07T15:31:00.000-05:002015-01-07T15:31:02.878-05:00Staging a Comeback<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
To say it's been a while would be an understatement.</div>
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;">I originally posted this on my Instagram account: @vartamelon </span></div>
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I'll spare everyone details, but my ongoing journey to a career in medicine has not been an easy one. I know, I know, no one ever says becoming a doctor is easy, but no one ever says it's going to be this hard. I finished a pre-med program and basic sciences in Antigua, completed my preclinical rotation in New York and am now in limbo, studying for Step 1 so that I can begin my clinical rotations.<br />
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That being said, now that I am officially stateside (actually have been back a while, but life) again, I am hoping to start this baby up again and post regularly. Despite med school teaching me all the complications of deep frying and smothering things with cheese or chocolate, my passion for the decadent and unhealthy has not waned.<br />
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<br />Vartahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15915637208869273306noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1084210279098412953.post-25732539416079158602011-01-24T17:53:00.004-05:002011-01-24T18:02:59.902-05:00Deep Frying Adventures<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">Look at these hands.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></span></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_z0cnFTd6mSw/TT4DHNy5laI/AAAAAAAAF_U/3IFPYrK11HI/s1600/IMG00062-20110124-1835.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_z0cnFTd6mSw/TT4DHNy5laI/AAAAAAAAF_U/3IFPYrK11HI/s320/IMG00062-20110124-1835.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5565889611973629346" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial; "><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial; ">Who, you may ask, could convince me to get them so goopy and gross?</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial; "><br /></span></div></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_z0cnFTd6mSw/TT4DcTvFSLI/AAAAAAAAF_c/VtQTKaVvq9Y/s320/32496_538589875075_66403101_31931726_308293_n.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5565889974345484466" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 276px; height: 320px; " /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">The roomie! Ever since break I've heard about how amazing deep fried (I totally just typo'd fried as friend) pickles are and how we had to try them and make them and join the rest of the world in their deliciousness. So I made beer batter using Carib, since I am in the Carib after all, although technically, I'm in Wadadli country (let's see how many people understood that, haha). Dredged the pickle spears in flour then dipped in beer batter (which I seasoned with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and a little sugar). I then fried them, but also dipped a few in Italian bread crumbs too just to see how those would turn out, and I loved them like that. Layla like the regular ones, the bread crumb ones were a tad peppery for her liking, so fry accordingly. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_z0cnFTd6mSw/TT4ErEWNE7I/AAAAAAAAF_k/DYYXB9WsP7Q/s320/IMG00065-20110124-1839.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5565891327424271282" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">Enjoy!</span></span></div>Vartahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15915637208869273306noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1084210279098412953.post-25961960347641991832009-11-16T20:07:00.007-05:002009-11-16T20:38:14.529-05:00One Big Can of Pureed Pumpkin<div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;">I may be alone in doing this, but when seasons change, I start convincing myself I need things I don't really need. Fuzzy boots, intensive care lotion, two pairs of rain boots, a plaid jacket, hats with matching scarves and gloves, you get the idea. This list totally spread its way into my pantry and kitchen in the form of one super huge can of pureed pumpkin. I had been hoping to make pumpkin cookies, because a super awesome patient brought in pumpkin cookies to our office, but they were so good that I knew if mine didn't come out as amazing, I'd be kind of bummed. I totally need to get the recipe. Those cookie, you don't understand, they were heaven in bite size form. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Anywhozers</span>. I made pumpkin bread. I read several recipes and the general gist, most had a lot of white sugar, so <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">mine is</span> a little different than what you're probably used to seeing. I also think I used more pumpkin than most recipes. Either way, it came out super delicious and moist and I came home from work tonight and I made it yesterday and only about a quarter of it is left. I only got one good picture of it though, and it's not even a good picture, and that's because I totally pulled a <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Varta</span> and found a way to deep fry pumpkin pie filling after I baked the bread. I'll go in order:<br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_z0cnFTd6mSw/SwH6Fuz3-QI/AAAAAAAAFBA/3DojE5BMHH4/s1600/DSC05272.JPG"><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_z0cnFTd6mSw/SwH6Fuz3-QI/AAAAAAAAFBA/3DojE5BMHH4/s320/DSC05272.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404876004193204482" style="text-align: justify;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">Pumpkin Bread, Cake, Whatever</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;">20 ounces canned pumpkin </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;">4 eggs</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;">1 cup olive oil</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;">1/3 cup milk</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;">1/3 cup water</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;">2 1/2 cups flour</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;">1 1/2 cup brown sugar</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;">1/2 cup white sugar</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;">2 teaspoons baking soda</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;">1 teaspoon baking powder</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;">sprinkling of salt </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;">teaspoon-<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">ish</span> cinnamon</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;">1 teaspoon-<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">ish</span> nutmeg</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;">1/2 teaspoon-<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">ish</span> cloves</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;">*I say -<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">ish</span>, because honestly, whatever crinkles your socks</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;">- Mix all the wet ingredients together</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;">- Stir in the sugars until everything is smooth</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;">- Add the spices </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;">- Add the flour and mix until all even, stick your finger in a lick regularly to make sure it tastes as awesome as you want it to</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;">- Pour in a cake pan, should be fairly big, it's a lot of batter</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;">- bake at 350 degrees for 50-60 minutes, or until you can poke it with a knife and it doesn't come out with goop</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;">If you bought a really big can of pumpkin like I did (which is like 30 ounces or so) you're going to have a very awkward amount of leftover pumpkin in the can. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_z0cnFTd6mSw/SwH8yDPH_II/AAAAAAAAFBI/vusdLV2yfRs/s1600/DSC05253.JPG"><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_z0cnFTd6mSw/SwH8yDPH_II/AAAAAAAAFBI/vusdLV2yfRs/s320/DSC05253.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404878964613708930" style="text-align: justify;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;">Don't take it out, instead crack an egg into it, add some sugar, spices, and flour. Mix all that goodness until even. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_z0cnFTd6mSw/SwH8ytUmxaI/AAAAAAAAFBQ/73T_N11LQ3c/s1600/DSC05254.JPG"><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_z0cnFTd6mSw/SwH8ytUmxaI/AAAAAAAAFBQ/73T_N11LQ3c/s320/DSC05254.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404878975910987170" style="text-align: justify;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;">Then, as per usual, take a won ton wrapper and plop and nice size helping of pumpkin pie filling on there. Only don't fold it into a won ton like usual, make a ravioli by just laying another won ton wrapper on top, sealing with water, deep fry like you (or I) would normally do. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_z0cnFTd6mSw/SwH9r71sWHI/AAAAAAAAFBg/M_xSwvL-IWo/s1600/DSC05260.JPG"><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_z0cnFTd6mSw/SwH9r71sWHI/AAAAAAAAFBg/M_xSwvL-IWo/s320/DSC05260.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404879959060404338" style="text-align: justify;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_z0cnFTd6mSw/SwH9S52zw_I/AAAAAAAAFBY/Y3vzES8HG40/s1600/DSC05262.JPG"><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_z0cnFTd6mSw/SwH9S52zw_I/AAAAAAAAFBY/Y3vzES8HG40/s320/DSC05262.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404879529031484402" style="text-align: justify;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;">Yea, these babies didn't last very long at <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">allllll</span>. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div>Vartahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15915637208869273306noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1084210279098412953.post-22557854614942364902009-10-27T12:16:00.007-04:002009-10-27T12:54:32.053-04:00East Coast vs. West Coast<div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">I went to California this past weekend and got to see dear friends that I love and watch one get married. I've been to California a few times, but never paid too much attention to the food there, but I figured I better start. Since when it comes to big parties I don't believe in eating or breathing in my dresses before and during the festivities, I ordered a salad at Habit, which I found out was pretty much sacrilegious, and I apologize for that. I also ate salad at the wedding which I really got some heat for. They were chugging on the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">haterade</span>, I swear. Anyways. After the wedding, my dear friend <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Payman</span> and his amazing wife, Farah, were so sweet and took me to In-N-Out. <br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_z0cnFTd6mSw/Sucjc-SqT6I/AAAAAAAAE80/5pzJPvret-8/s1600-h/10530_677365771557_15601778_38774560_4106282_n.jpg"><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_z0cnFTd6mSw/Sucjc-SqT6I/AAAAAAAAE80/5pzJPvret-8/s320/10530_677365771557_15601778_38774560_4106282_n.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5397321659091406754" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">The Strawberry Shake. Not going to lie. That was amazing. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_z0cnFTd6mSw/SucjdDHSIcI/AAAAAAAAE88/2JOUU2C6Pco/s1600-h/10530_677365821457_15601778_38774563_638065_n.jpg"><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_z0cnFTd6mSw/SucjdDHSIcI/AAAAAAAAE88/2JOUU2C6Pco/s320/10530_677365821457_15601778_38774563_638065_n.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5397321660385862082" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">The burger (don't I look awesome?), while good, don't get me wrong, I'd eat it again, was not, in my opinion, as good as Five Guys. Let me explain. I ordered a double double animal style with animal fries, just to make sure I got the full In-N-Out experience. I was told that the fries weren't supposed to be as crunchy as they were, and I'll factor in the fact that it was around 1:30a.m. or so when we got the food. So ignore the fries, back to the burger. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">Generally speaking, I like my burgers with lettuce, tomato, ketchup, and bacon. No random sauces. And the bread is super important. As big as my burger was, I thought it was a little too bread-y, and the sauce, I was expecting more than Thousand Island dressing. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">As I said, being as that it was about to close, I'm taking that into consideration and I'll hold off on my final verdict for In-N-Out, but as it stands now. Five Guys is whopping its butt. </span></div>Vartahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15915637208869273306noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1084210279098412953.post-17638729029694416432009-10-20T08:31:00.006-04:002009-10-20T11:24:17.319-04:00Dessert Nachos<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><div style="text-align: justify;">As many of you are aware, I've been going though a massive brain fart recently. Last night, I finally had a stroke of genius come to me and I feel reenergized to keep on going (in the little free time I have!) with the greasy concoctions. <br /></div></span><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">First off, I cut some won ton wrappers diagonally, fried them, and laid them flat on wax paper to cool. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_z0cnFTd6mSw/St2yyhabXOI/AAAAAAAAExY/2aLHcZwTlSo/s1600-h/DSC05017.JPG"><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_z0cnFTd6mSw/St2yyhabXOI/AAAAAAAAExY/2aLHcZwTlSo/s320/DSC05017.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5394664509692140770" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">Then drizzled with melted milk chocolate. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_z0cnFTd6mSw/St2yzXiw2JI/AAAAAAAAExg/T5v_gq3uOVI/s1600-h/DSC05018.JPG"><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_z0cnFTd6mSw/St2yzXiw2JI/AAAAAAAAExg/T5v_gq3uOVI/s320/DSC05018.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5394664524222617746" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">Then I sprinkled them toasted coconut. I used regular grocery store sweetened coconut and just put them in the oven for 10-ish minutes on 350. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_z0cnFTd6mSw/St2y0JmSgDI/AAAAAAAAExo/bbFe5KfZtnQ/s1600-h/DSC05023.JPG"><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_z0cnFTd6mSw/St2y0JmSgDI/AAAAAAAAExo/bbFe5KfZtnQ/s320/DSC05023.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5394664537659179058" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">Then drizzled with melted white chocolate. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_z0cnFTd6mSw/St2y03RqP-I/AAAAAAAAExw/0Y_A9ES-dhQ/s1600-h/DSC05025.JPG"><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_z0cnFTd6mSw/St2y03RqP-I/AAAAAAAAExw/0Y_A9ES-dhQ/s320/DSC05025.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5394664549920686050" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">I then threw some more toasted coconut and some sliced almonds on. It looks like a super huge blob, I know. I let it cool overnight, but that's an overkill, I only gave it that much time because I started making kind of late and wanted to be in bed by midnight. I also hid them in the microwave since no one uses it. HA! I'm smart cookie. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">In the morning I separated the "chips" and plated it to look like nachos which I learned, is very hard to photograph. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_z0cnFTd6mSw/St2zKH8amEI/AAAAAAAAEyA/uPxoddLZx00/s1600-h/DSC05033.JPG"><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_z0cnFTd6mSw/St2zKH8amEI/AAAAAAAAEyA/uPxoddLZx00/s320/DSC05033.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5394664915172235330" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">But super yummy!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_z0cnFTd6mSw/St2zMgHq6dI/AAAAAAAAEyI/bx7mXgBrzMc/s1600-h/DSC05042.JPG"><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_z0cnFTd6mSw/St2zMgHq6dI/AAAAAAAAEyI/bx7mXgBrzMc/s320/DSC05042.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5394664956021631442" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a></div>Vartahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15915637208869273306noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1084210279098412953.post-39902313819708094322009-10-14T21:12:00.004-04:002009-10-14T21:16:19.310-04:00Quick Question...<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;">Ever wonder what happiness tastes like?<br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_z0cnFTd6mSw/StZ3Rd88lZI/AAAAAAAAExQ/jKMRGWk-y2o/s1600-h/DSC05008.JPG"><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_z0cnFTd6mSw/StZ3Rd88lZI/AAAAAAAAExQ/jKMRGWk-y2o/s320/DSC05008.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5392628745804486034" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;">I'll tell you. A rice crispie treat cut in half and smeared with Nutella. Oh baby, baby. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;">And while we're on the topic of questions, let me ask you all for some help, any requests for stuff to make? I'm running out of things to deep fry and wrap in bacon!!! Oh no!!!</span></div>Vartahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15915637208869273306noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1084210279098412953.post-31615275287586899032009-10-04T22:56:00.005-04:002009-10-04T23:05:12.061-04:00Cinnabon Ice Cream Awesomeness<div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;">Sooooooo, I'm going to California in a few weeks for a wedding and I totally need to get my body back in tip top shape which is only 4 pounds away but I keep doing things like this which really interfere with my mission. <br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_z0cnFTd6mSw/Sslg0d7ZGbI/AAAAAAAAEvc/APVs5oy1Xm0/s1600-h/1004091752.jpg"><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_z0cnFTd6mSw/Sslg0d7ZGbI/AAAAAAAAEvc/APVs5oy1Xm0/s320/1004091752.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5388944883628710322" style="text-align: justify;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;">Seriously, what kind of evil genius builds a Cinnabon and a Carvel Ice Cream together? It's like those Baskin Robbins/Dunkin Donuts and the KFC/Taco Bell hybrids. Some of us are really indecisive and will order from both. And when we're feeling creative, we'll ask if they can layer it on top of each other. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_z0cnFTd6mSw/Sslhkn3uUWI/AAAAAAAAEvk/C2w8BZcjLeU/s1600-h/downsized_1004091753.jpg"><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_z0cnFTd6mSw/Sslhkn3uUWI/AAAAAAAAEvk/C2w8BZcjLeU/s320/downsized_1004091753.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5388945710931399010" style="text-align: justify;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;">Who's a happy chunky monkey?</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;">Vartamelon.</span></div>Vartahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15915637208869273306noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1084210279098412953.post-44866939850677394662009-09-30T21:15:00.003-04:002009-09-30T21:30:05.263-04:00More S'mores<div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px; ">Remember the super duper big Hershey bar? Well, I'm proud to announce I'm at the "R". That's a pretty big deal. Tonight, my little endeavor kind of failed on me, but was still delicious. I had a few egg roll wrappers left and figured since I finally had a little free time I better put them to use. I also had about 1/3 of a bag of miniature marshmallows left. Do you smell what he skinny fat girl is cooking? Both of my </span><a href="http://vartamelon.blogspot.com/2009/09/ice-cream-smores-cake.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px; ">previous s'mores</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px; "> related posts were </span><a href="http://vartamelon.blogspot.com/2009/07/ice-cream-smores.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px; ">ice creamy</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px; ">. This is of the deep fried variety. </span><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_z0cnFTd6mSw/SsQEZ6TszjI/AAAAAAAAEuk/xxAvtGxdOxI/s1600-h/DSC04953.JPG"><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_z0cnFTd6mSw/SsQEZ6TszjI/AAAAAAAAEuk/xxAvtGxdOxI/s320/DSC04953.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5387435897437081138" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Putting it together. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_z0cnFTd6mSw/SsQEaYtH_nI/AAAAAAAAEus/zCrkvXyMGe4/s1600-h/DSC04956.JPG"><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_z0cnFTd6mSw/SsQEaYtH_nI/AAAAAAAAEus/zCrkvXyMGe4/s320/DSC04956.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5387435905596784242" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">How funny is that??? I totally forgot that marshmallows expand when hot.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_z0cnFTd6mSw/SsQEa-_d50I/AAAAAAAAEu0/7XA0XCXfAGg/s1600-h/DSC04959.JPG"><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_z0cnFTd6mSw/SsQEa-_d50I/AAAAAAAAEu0/7XA0XCXfAGg/s320/DSC04959.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5387435915874264898" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Totally started oozing out. Unfortunately, this created a very airy egg roll. But fortunately, they tasted like awesome. </span></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_z0cnFTd6mSw/SsQEbhguIlI/AAAAAAAAEu8/HWrPE0EP3vc/s1600-h/DSC04965.JPG"><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_z0cnFTd6mSw/SsQEbhguIlI/AAAAAAAAEu8/HWrPE0EP3vc/s320/DSC04965.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5387435925140546130" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a></div></div>Vartahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15915637208869273306noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1084210279098412953.post-56697606202689144602009-09-27T19:04:00.005-04:002009-09-27T19:20:07.468-04:00Still being lazy.<div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><div style="text-align: justify;">So this weekend I went to the Frederick County Fair. A bit of a drive, but totally worth it. Where else will they charge you an extra 50 cents for lettuce and tomato but give you all the extra cheese you want for free? Plus, they deep fry things I never thought of. For example:<br /></div></span><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_z0cnFTd6mSw/Sr_wi-ICj6I/AAAAAAAAEt0/JQqLH9yWc-U/s1600-h/downsized_0925092032.jpg"><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_z0cnFTd6mSw/Sr_wi-ICj6I/AAAAAAAAEt0/JQqLH9yWc-U/s320/downsized_0925092032.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5386288162941341602" style="text-align: justify;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">That's right you guys, deep fried FRUIT.</span></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_z0cnFTd6mSw/Sr_wjM1HeYI/AAAAAAAAEt8/Wy3Wnjza0vs/s1600-h/downsized_0925092042a.jpg"><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_z0cnFTd6mSw/Sr_wjM1HeYI/AAAAAAAAEt8/Wy3Wnjza0vs/s320/downsized_0925092042a.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5386288166888503682" style="text-align: justify;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">On the the top you have the deep fried strawberries, on the bottom, what you see is a deep fried pickle. Let's start with the strawberries. To be honest, I was disappointed. There was still gooey batter in the middle which when I first bit into it I thought was some sort of cream and got prematurely excited, but when I realized it was just the batter I got sad. So much potential. Now the pickle. That was awesome.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_z0cnFTd6mSw/Sr_wjbEaWVI/AAAAAAAAEuE/EIlpQZg_C2g/s1600-h/downsized_0925092123a.jpg"><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_z0cnFTd6mSw/Sr_wjbEaWVI/AAAAAAAAEuE/EIlpQZg_C2g/s320/downsized_0925092123a.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5386288170710751570" style="text-align: justify;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">The candy apples were very impressive. But most impressive and deliciously awesome of them all, was the giant mozzarella stick. I walked by it at first thinking, hmmmm, that looks like a fancy corn dog. Then I asked what was the deal with the corn dog and the girl told me it was a cheese stick. It was seriously bigger than a corn dog. Check it out.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_z0cnFTd6mSw/Sr_wiNQAgXI/AAAAAAAAEtk/Lv4hjZdDFHU/s1600-h/downsized_0925091945.jpg"><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_z0cnFTd6mSw/Sr_wiNQAgXI/AAAAAAAAEtk/Lv4hjZdDFHU/s320/downsized_0925091945.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5386288149821423986" style="text-align: justify;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">Pardon my blurry cell phone pics, I hadn't originally planned on going to the fair but I got a flat tire and my awesome sister in law picked me up and I tagged along. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_z0cnFTd6mSw/Sr_wiST-IpI/AAAAAAAAEts/gO2dJMbVf1I/s1600-h/downsized_0925091946.jpg"><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_z0cnFTd6mSw/Sr_wiST-IpI/AAAAAAAAEts/gO2dJMbVf1I/s320/downsized_0925091946.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5386288151180223122" style="text-align: justify;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">Cheesy! </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">(Side note, I made the brownies again for an event at work, along with oatmeal cookies, and my yummies got finished before the store bought yummies)</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div>Vartahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15915637208869273306noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1084210279098412953.post-10318031712218887492009-09-14T11:04:00.008-04:002009-09-14T11:51:34.262-04:00Brownies<div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_z0cnFTd6mSw/Sq5dfahr_qI/AAAAAAAAEsU/A5kAEDvpn5s/s1600-h/DSC04881.JPG"><img style="text-align: justify;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_z0cnFTd6mSw/Sq5dfahr_qI/AAAAAAAAEsU/A5kAEDvpn5s/s320/DSC04881.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5381341399032266402" /></a><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">So you know that five pound chocolate bar? Here it is compared to a normal sized Hershey bar. Massive, isn't it? Even storing it has been hard. It's been living in the microwave since we never use the microwave and it's one of the few places it will fit. Every so often I'll cut off a chunk and dip something in chocolate. <br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_z0cnFTd6mSw/Sq5dgEeC6uI/AAAAAAAAEsc/VdIuN36ZCBE/s1600-h/DSC04913.JPG"><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_z0cnFTd6mSw/Sq5dgEeC6uI/AAAAAAAAEsc/VdIuN36ZCBE/s320/DSC04913.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5381341410291280610" style="text-align: justify;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I've been going through a cooking brain fart recently, but I think I've finally gotten back in the groove. I've got a few baking ideas in my head, however, the greasy bacon/sausage/cheesy/fried part of my brain is still slightly lost. I'm open to requests to work with! Back to the baking (I totally typo'd that originally as bacon), what does one make with an nearly endless supply of chocolate? Brownies! I love brownies. The gooey kind, not the cakey kind, but not heavy, I don't like to feel gross after eating one. Not to toot my own horn here, but I think I think I came up with the most perfect brownie recipe. What differs from most others is that I used melted chocolate and good amount of olive oil instead of regular. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_z0cnFTd6mSw/Sq5dgrO3hRI/AAAAAAAAEsk/fZaY9JKb3BA/s1600-h/DSC04916.JPG"><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_z0cnFTd6mSw/Sq5dgrO3hRI/AAAAAAAAEsk/fZaY9JKb3BA/s320/DSC04916.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5381341420696601874" style="text-align: justify;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Awesome Brownies</div><div style="text-align: justify;">- 1/2 stick plus a little bit more butter</div><div style="text-align: justify;">- 1/2 cup olive oil</div><div style="text-align: justify;">- 8 ounces chocolate </div><div style="text-align: justify;">- 4 eggs</div><div style="text-align: justify;">- 1 cup sugar</div><div style="text-align: justify;">- 1 cup brown sugar </div><div style="text-align: justify;">- 1 good glug of vanilla</div><div style="text-align: justify;">- 1 flour </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Melt the chocolate with the butter and olive oil using the double boiler method, stir a bit to make it all smooth and pretty. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Beat the eggs, sugar, brown sugar, and vanilla together with a fork until uniform. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">When the chocolate is cooled off enough to not cook the eggs, mix the chocolate into the eggs and mix in the flour. Box mixes always say to make sure not to over-mix the batter, so I used that advice and you probably should too. Don't over-mix the batter. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_z0cnFTd6mSw/Sq5dhuZtPVI/AAAAAAAAEss/4VSOzWo-Y8M/s1600-h/DSC04918.JPG"><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_z0cnFTd6mSw/Sq5dhuZtPVI/AAAAAAAAEss/4VSOzWo-Y8M/s320/DSC04918.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5381341438727241042" style="text-align: justify;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">How cool does that look?</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I then baked it at 350 in a lined and greased 9 by 13 pan. I tend to like my brownies slightly undercooked. So depending on how you like them, the baking time could vary from 50 minutes (which is what I did) to an hour (I would assume). As long as a toothpick comes out clean when you poke it, I think you're in the clear. Allow to cool a little bit before cutting. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_z0cnFTd6mSw/Sq5diJmJbHI/AAAAAAAAEs0/F7VlOExTSVo/s1600-h/DSC04934.JPG"><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_z0cnFTd6mSw/Sq5diJmJbHI/AAAAAAAAEs0/F7VlOExTSVo/s320/DSC04934.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5381341446027177074" style="text-align: justify;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">My dad wanted a piece before I got a picture. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_z0cnFTd6mSw/Sq5jQx0oi_I/AAAAAAAAEs8/oudkLXUxy-Q/s1600-h/DSC04936.JPG"><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_z0cnFTd6mSw/Sq5jQx0oi_I/AAAAAAAAEs8/oudkLXUxy-Q/s320/DSC04936.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5381347744657476594" style="text-align: justify;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I also took some with me went I went to see my brother and his boys yesterday, my nephew ate two and asked for more, and then my brother called me this morning and called them a 10. Made my day. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_z0cnFTd6mSw/Sq5jRpfqanI/AAAAAAAAEtE/a-Kn7O-sBUw/s1600-h/DSC04941.JPG"><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_z0cnFTd6mSw/Sq5jRpfqanI/AAAAAAAAEtE/a-Kn7O-sBUw/s320/DSC04941.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5381347759601904242" style="text-align: justify;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Now, if the Redskins win their next game. I will be an all around happy monkey. </div><div><div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div></div></div>Vartahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15915637208869273306noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1084210279098412953.post-48347899599694391382009-09-13T12:06:00.008-04:002009-09-13T12:17:26.032-04:00Breakfast Egg Roll<div style="text-align: justify;">What is it with guys and breakfast burritos? Such a man food. I fend them to be too sloppy for my liking. The wrap usually gets soggy or is too limp. But since it's the outer portion I have an issue with and we all know I love breakfast food (even though I eat it at lunch or dinner), there has to be a way around this, right? Oh yes, there is. <br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_z0cnFTd6mSw/Sq0ZFkkx-HI/AAAAAAAAEr0/Wnmjp4YKW6w/s1600-h/DSC04908.JPG"><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_z0cnFTd6mSw/Sq0ZFkkx-HI/AAAAAAAAEr0/Wnmjp4YKW6w/s320/DSC04908.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5380984713285597298" style="text-align: justify;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">There you have all the fixings of a yummy breakfast, minus the french toast. But don't worry, I have a carb in mind. </div><div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_z0cnFTd6mSw/Sq0ZGNp2RGI/AAAAAAAAEr8/AssWx09C1CY/s1600-h/DSC04909.JPG"><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_z0cnFTd6mSw/Sq0ZGNp2RGI/AAAAAAAAEr8/AssWx09C1CY/s320/DSC04909.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5380984724312704098" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Look! My square buddy! Oh yes, another stuffed breakfast item. I think I have found my calling. </div><div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_z0cnFTd6mSw/Sq0ZGttFX_I/AAAAAAAAEsE/pOxK1lNhQZ4/s1600-h/DSC04910.JPG"><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_z0cnFTd6mSw/Sq0ZGttFX_I/AAAAAAAAEsE/pOxK1lNhQZ4/s320/DSC04910.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5380984732916211698" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">(two were already being fried)</div><div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_z0cnFTd6mSw/Sq0ZHDBgGqI/AAAAAAAAEsM/Ls6QbjceB5M/s1600-h/DSC04921.JPG"><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_z0cnFTd6mSw/Sq0ZHDBgGqI/AAAAAAAAEsM/Ls6QbjceB5M/s320/DSC04921.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5380984738638994082" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 241px; " /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Happy Sunday everyone! I am BACK. Now excuse me while I go squeeze in a workout before the Redskins beat the Giants. Oooooh snap. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><br /></div>Vartahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15915637208869273306noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1084210279098412953.post-68050060449337794862009-09-10T12:42:00.003-04:002009-09-10T12:46:40.234-04:00Slacker<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;">I know I've been slow. I made normal shrimp egg rolls and I'll post that soon, but I want to get back to my greasy fatty roots. Honestly, it's the 5 pound chocolate bar. It taunts me. Mocking me for not knowing how to put a severe enough dent in its perfect rectangular shape. I need suggestions! I've got a few general ideas to get me started, but this is FIVE pounds. I need a whole list of things to do with it!!! </span>Vartahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15915637208869273306noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1084210279098412953.post-82071094130984945552009-09-07T21:49:00.014-04:002009-09-07T22:57:12.477-04:00Persian Rice<div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">(Before I start I just need to mention that the final picture of the rice isn't from this weekend, it's from a friends party because while I remembered to take pictures of the steps, I forgot to take a picture of the final product) <br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">When I turned 18, I got really sassy for a minute and told my dad that he couldn't tell me what to do anymore because I was now an adult. Without even looking up from what he was doing he told me "Persian girls don't become women until they learn how to make rice and make it well". </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">*Sigh*</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">The main difference between the Persian style of making rice and pretty much all other non-middle eastern countries is that our method is kind of a hassle. Although, I have to admit, tastes a million times better. We start off by rinsing basmati rice several times. Basically what you do is put however many cups of rice you want to make in a big bowl and pour water in it and drain until the water goes from opaque to as clear as you can make it. The you dump it gently into a big pot full of water and add salt. You'll want about one inch of water above the rice, cook until it boils gently. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_z0cnFTd6mSw/SqW68WIus8I/AAAAAAAAEqE/VC-N-UWIDAc/s1600-h/DSC04807.JPG"><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_z0cnFTd6mSw/SqW68WIus8I/AAAAAAAAEqE/VC-N-UWIDAc/s320/DSC04807.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5378910875861038018" style="text-align: justify;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">You can't really go by times because it's all a matter of how much rice, how hot the water is, how much water, etc. That, and Persians are notorious for ambiguous answers. One time I asked how much salt to add and I was given the answer "yeh chosaki". Do you know what a "chosaki" is??? A little silent fart. Yes, ladies and gentleman, thousands of years of culture and we add a silent little fart's worth of salt. I don't what's funnier, that we do that or the fact that we have a separate word for silent farts as opposed to just calling them regular farts. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">Back to the rice. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_z0cnFTd6mSw/SqW8gxJ0MBI/AAAAAAAAEqU/qW-2WfIQq1Q/s1600-h/DSC04812.JPG"><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_z0cnFTd6mSw/SqW8gxJ0MBI/AAAAAAAAEqU/qW-2WfIQq1Q/s320/DSC04812.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5378912601100267538" style="text-align: justify;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">Good girl</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">Stir it VERY gently, occasionally. Once it rumbles a little bit and the rice tastes like it's almost cooked but still has a bit of a bite in the middle, it's time to drain it. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_z0cnFTd6mSw/SqW8gRlo4NI/AAAAAAAAEqM/RHc_vanVvdk/s1600-h/DSC04810.JPG"><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_z0cnFTd6mSw/SqW8gRlo4NI/AAAAAAAAEqM/RHc_vanVvdk/s320/DSC04810.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5378912592627032274" style="text-align: justify;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">Rice that's ready to be drained</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_z0cnFTd6mSw/SqW-CgHbfqI/AAAAAAAAEqk/4ZPqv7B1Kgk/s1600-h/DSC04813.JPG"><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_z0cnFTd6mSw/SqW-CgHbfqI/AAAAAAAAEqk/4ZPqv7B1Kgk/s320/DSC04813.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5378914280154037922" style="text-align: justify;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">Drained rice</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">One of the best things about Persian rice is the "tah-deegh" which literally translates to "bottom of the pot". There are various kinds of this, rice, bread, rice and yogurt, or potato. It serves as a buffer I guess, to keep the rice from sticking/burning to the pot. Before putting the rice back into the pot to steam, you pour a nice layer of oil in the pot. Then add what you want to use for the tahdeegh. I used potato. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_z0cnFTd6mSw/SqW-wUD3TBI/AAAAAAAAEqs/0bR0nWMt6co/s1600-h/DSC04814.JPG"><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_z0cnFTd6mSw/SqW-wUD3TBI/AAAAAAAAEqs/0bR0nWMt6co/s320/DSC04814.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5378915067191839762" style="text-align: justify;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">Tastes even better than a french fry </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">Then you GENTLY scoop the rice over the potatoes into a dome shape and let it steam on low heat until it's cooked all the way through. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_z0cnFTd6mSw/SqW_MUl9ltI/AAAAAAAAEq0/YGpWUfJvPMw/s1600-h/DSC04816.JPG"><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_z0cnFTd6mSw/SqW_MUl9ltI/AAAAAAAAEq0/YGpWUfJvPMw/s320/DSC04816.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5378915548371195602" style="text-align: justify;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">Rice about to be covered and let to steam.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">It's after this point I forgot to take pictures. My bad! But once the rice is cooked, what people generally do is take some ground saffron, dissolve it a small amount of water, then mix that with butter and add that to a small portion of rice to use on top of the final platter of rice. It makes it look very pretty and it tastes amazing. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_z0cnFTd6mSw/SqW_9MZbZEI/AAAAAAAAEq8/kDP7ZsU25F0/s1600-h/DSC00669.JPG"><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_z0cnFTd6mSw/SqW_9MZbZEI/AAAAAAAAEq8/kDP7ZsU25F0/s320/DSC00669.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5378916387984729154" style="text-align: justify;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 210px; " /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">That's actually from Thanksgiving because we Persians serve rice and stew along with our turkey.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div>Vartahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15915637208869273306noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1084210279098412953.post-2838587829595893142009-09-02T22:42:00.009-04:002009-09-03T07:57:08.120-04:00Ice Cream S'mores Cake<div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_z0cnFTd6mSw/Sp8x8sd0IGI/AAAAAAAAEpE/N7jmR627y5U/s1600-h/5656_649465733457_15601778_37595997_5783153_n-1.jpg"><img style="text-align: justify;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_z0cnFTd6mSw/Sp8x8sd0IGI/AAAAAAAAEpE/N7jmR627y5U/s320/5656_649465733457_15601778_37595997_5783153_n-1.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5377071398901784674" /></a><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">See my <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">lovebug</span> in the middle? She got married just over a month ago (infamous twice worn purple dress, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">sssshhh</span>) and her wedding was absolutely gorgeous and an amazing time. Great food, good music, danced until 2 am, and met some wonderful new people. After dinner, when the dancing started up again before dessert, there were servers walking around with little ice cream cones that had to have been on freshly made cones because the smell took over the ballroom, and it was a huge ballroom. <br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">Ever since that night I've been wanting to make something ice cream related and this week I finally got my chance. Bikini season is on its way out so I feel a little less guilty about this one. I had made ice cream <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">s'mores</span> in the past, but it was time to one up that little endeavor with an ice cream cake. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_z0cnFTd6mSw/Sp81NWtbx6I/AAAAAAAAEpM/iOeW4rCDkaw/s1600-h/DSC04782.JPG"><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_z0cnFTd6mSw/Sp81NWtbx6I/AAAAAAAAEpM/iOeW4rCDkaw/s320/DSC04782.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5377074983654377378" style="text-align: justify;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">Ladies and gentleman what you are looking at (from bottom to top) is graham cracker cake, ice cream, brownie, more ice cream, another graham cracker cake, and toasted marshmallow fluff. That's quite a bit to take in, I know. It also took 2 days to complete. Let me break it down for you:</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">- On the first night I baked the graham cracker cakes. I'm sure there are real recipes out there for this, but this genius idea came to me at 11pm and I have to wake up at 7am, so modified Betty <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Crocker</span> was called for. I used a normal box of yellow cake mix, only I scooped out one cup of the dry mix and added almost 2 cups of graham cracker crumbs for the flavor and a bit over a teaspoon of baking powder to lighten things up, everything else including the baking times I went according to the directions. I also baked the brownie layer this night. I used the same cake pan for all three of these parts to ensure equal size. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">- On the second day (I woke up extra early to put it together) I spread ice cream over one of the graham cracker cake layers and the brownie layer and put them back in the freezer. I spread marshmallow fluff over the other graham cracker cake and placed it under the broiler to make it toasty. I then layered them, filled in any gaps with ice cream, smoothed the edges, and put it back in the freezer until nighttime.</span> </div><div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_z0cnFTd6mSw/Sp84u6k0NtI/AAAAAAAAEpU/x965An99tmA/s1600-h/DSC04803.JPG"><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_z0cnFTd6mSw/Sp84u6k0NtI/AAAAAAAAEpU/x965An99tmA/s320/DSC04803.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5377078858752472786" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">It was perfect. </div><div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_z0cnFTd6mSw/Sp85HV5VDfI/AAAAAAAAEpc/BWrpsDeBldA/s1600-h/DSC04791.JPG"><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_z0cnFTd6mSw/Sp85HV5VDfI/AAAAAAAAEpc/BWrpsDeBldA/s320/DSC04791.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5377079278403128818" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a></div></div>Vartahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15915637208869273306noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1084210279098412953.post-26730183552377644062009-09-01T01:12:00.013-04:002009-09-01T01:26:56.127-04:00Stuffed Banana<div style="text-align: justify;">I'm still pretty bummed I can't buy one of these:<br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_z0cnFTd6mSw/SpytZTjj1nI/AAAAAAAAEoI/82bjTiEbBrY/s1600-h/bananainjector.jpg"><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_z0cnFTd6mSw/SpytZTjj1nI/AAAAAAAAEoI/82bjTiEbBrY/s320/bananainjector.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5376362705431287410" style="text-align: justify;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 205px; height: 320px; " /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0"><a href="http://gizmodo.com/5345065/oh-my-lord-banana-injector-fills-a-banana-with-ice-cream">Gizmodo</a></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Lord knows I love stuffing one food with another food. I'd go crazy if I had one of these things and it would be delicious. But I don't, so I improvise. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; "><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_z0cnFTd6mSw/Spyt3FTDacI/AAAAAAAAEoQ/TFx_aax0mW0/s1600-h/DSC04743.JPG"><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_z0cnFTd6mSw/Spyt3FTDacI/AAAAAAAAEoQ/TFx_aax0mW0/s320/DSC04743.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5376363217000032706" style="text-align: justify;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Yup, that's one ripe banana. I left the skin on while I made the tunnel so it wouldn't mush everywhere while I piped <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Nutella</span> into it. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; "><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_z0cnFTd6mSw/SpyuKwU-75I/AAAAAAAAEoY/P8nK5FecMZk/s1600-h/DSC04749.JPG"><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_z0cnFTd6mSw/SpyuKwU-75I/AAAAAAAAEoY/P8nK5FecMZk/s320/DSC04749.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5376363554968366994" style="text-align: justify;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Of course I egg rolled it. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_z0cnFTd6mSw/SpyuXNO6zSI/AAAAAAAAEog/aziOjdDrLgE/s1600-h/DSC04751.JPG"><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_z0cnFTd6mSw/SpyuXNO6zSI/AAAAAAAAEog/aziOjdDrLgE/s320/DSC04751.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5376363768885988642" style="text-align: justify;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I am officially back in the groove.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_z0cnFTd6mSw/SpyvaaH5i1I/AAAAAAAAEoo/fgFx8WYaElY/s1600-h/DSC04762.JPG"><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_z0cnFTd6mSw/SpyvaaH5i1I/AAAAAAAAEoo/fgFx8WYaElY/s320/DSC04762.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5376364923397442386" style="text-align: justify;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_z0cnFTd6mSw/SpyvaxB31AI/AAAAAAAAEow/paTjgA39dU0/s1600-h/DSC04767.JPG"><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_z0cnFTd6mSw/SpyvaxB31AI/AAAAAAAAEow/paTjgA39dU0/s320/DSC04767.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5376364929546179586" style="text-align: justify;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Seriously, without me, it'd just be <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">aweso</span>.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div>Vartahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15915637208869273306noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1084210279098412953.post-62734507504199676882009-08-30T14:38:00.003-04:002009-08-30T14:47:13.807-04:00Valomilk<div style="text-align: justify;">The past week, most of my cooking was recreating things I've made in the past for my cousins who were visiting. I promise, this week I'll return back to my crazy bacon and sausage obsession. I don't plan on reviewing foods too much here but I picked up a bunch of random candies in South Carolina that I can't get at home Virginia. A couple of years ago I read Candy Freak by Steve Almond. If you haven't read it, you should, it's awesome, the ultimate read for sugar junkies. A few things he mentioned in there have actually required some effort to find, so when I stumbled upon Valomilk at It's Sugar on Boardwalk at the Beach in South Carolina, I had to have it. <br /></div><div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_z0cnFTd6mSw/SprIdynvv5I/AAAAAAAAEn8/cAvq9fMKwBs/s1600-h/valomilk-sm.jpg"><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_z0cnFTd6mSw/SprIdynvv5I/AAAAAAAAEn8/cAvq9fMKwBs/s320/valomilk-sm.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5375829519350349714" style="text-align: justify;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 215px; " /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;">After scarfing down two ooey gooey cups of happiness and joy covered in love, I'm praying and hoping some candy store in my area sees this and starts selling them here!!!<br /></div>Vartahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15915637208869273306noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1084210279098412953.post-1179672362171346432009-08-25T07:21:00.008-04:002009-08-25T12:52:39.859-04:00Samoas Pie<div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">First of all, check out the chocolate bar my cousins brought me back from their quick trip to NYC with my brother.</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></span></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_z0cnFTd6mSw/SpPJkjkgjqI/AAAAAAAAEmU/tK_6C0wSa-o/s1600-h/DSC04676.JPG"><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_z0cnFTd6mSw/SpPJkjkgjqI/AAAAAAAAEmU/tK_6C0wSa-o/s320/DSC04676.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5373860410243976866" style="text-align: justify;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 241px; " /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">How awesome is that? Five pounds of chocolate. I need to start coming up with some </span></span><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">chocolatey</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"> ideas. My idea for the night just had a chocolate drizzle and it was before they came back, so I didn't get to open the big bar yet. Before vacation I had mentioned I had a pretty nifty idea for a pie and last night I finally got to make it. I had made the Thin Mint Pie, </span></span><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">Tagalong</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"> Pie, next in line? </span></span><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">Samoas</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">! Unlike the previous two, there are no actual </span></span><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">Samoas</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"> in this pie. I crushed shortbread cookies and mixed with melted butter for the crust and only baked it for a few minutes. Caramel pie must not be a very popular flavor because it was pretty hard </span></span><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">finding</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"> multiple recipes to pick and choose from. Here's the caramel filling I ultimately used.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; "></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">Caramel Coconut Pie Filling</span></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">1 and 1/4 cup brown sugar</span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">1 cup of milk</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">1 cup cream</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">few spoons of flour</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">however much coconut you want, toasted<br /></span></span></div><div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">3 egg whites beaten stiff </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></span></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">Mix everything together minus the egg whites, fold egg whites into the mixture, pour into crust and bake at 300 for 45-55 minutes or until it stops jiggling when you move the pie pan. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; "><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_z0cnFTd6mSw/SpPNkLZ_TFI/AAAAAAAAEmc/GvWAA3pGglg/s1600-h/DSC04674.JPG"><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_z0cnFTd6mSw/SpPNkLZ_TFI/AAAAAAAAEmc/GvWAA3pGglg/s320/DSC04674.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5373864801803914322" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">I hadn't planned on being so sloppy with the chocolate drizzle. But I couldn't find the pastry bag thing with the nozzle so I used a plastic baggy and cut a hole in the corner and the chocolate was hot so I kept burning myself and then I tried to speed it up and squeeze harder but it oozed out the top. In hindsight, I think I also should have only put half the coconut in the pie and sprinkled the rest on top, then drizzle. Whatever. Lesson learned for next time. Important part, the pie was DELICIOUS! </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; "><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_z0cnFTd6mSw/SpPNki9hWdI/AAAAAAAAEmk/ADJsq_YXxTA/s1600-h/DSC04694.JPG"><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_z0cnFTd6mSw/SpPNki9hWdI/AAAAAAAAEmk/ADJsq_YXxTA/s320/DSC04694.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5373864808126962130" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">Why is it so hard to take food pictures???</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_z0cnFTd6mSw/SpPQ0CsFhFI/AAAAAAAAEm0/SmPuB6pAtjA/s1600-h/DSC04682.JPG"><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_z0cnFTd6mSw/SpPQ0CsFhFI/AAAAAAAAEm0/SmPuB6pAtjA/s320/DSC04682.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5373868372876690514" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_z0cnFTd6mSw/SpPNkLZ_TFI/AAAAAAAAEmc/GvWAA3pGglg/s1600-h/DSC04674.JPG"><br /></a></div>Vartahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15915637208869273306noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1084210279098412953.post-83904249709775955972009-08-24T12:43:00.004-04:002009-08-24T12:52:10.051-04:00Egg in a Basket<div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial; font-size: 13px; ">I am back! After a week at the beach I am fully browned and back in my own kitchen. My cousins are staying with us from Canada, so while I have my kitchen back, the menu isn't exactly in my control and the frying is still somewhat on hold. Do you want to hear the big shocker though? They don't eat bacon! Holy <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">moly</span> ravioli. How are we related? My brother took them to NYC for two days though, so I whipped out the bacon and made myself a breakfast for greasy champions. I took a little ramekin and lined a slice of bacon around the inside, then I placed three strips across to cover the bottom, trimming the side to make it as even as I could. Cracked an egg and popped in the oven and there I had it, an egg in a basket! </span><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_z0cnFTd6mSw/SpLEp0PtZQI/AAAAAAAAEmI/zKOmp1ckvxA/s1600-h/DSC04654.JPG"><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_z0cnFTd6mSw/SpLEp0PtZQI/AAAAAAAAEmI/zKOmp1ckvxA/s320/DSC04654.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5373573528084636930" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;">How cute is that? I would totally make this for a brunch, so simple and adorable! While the bacon was cooked, it wasn't as crispy as I tend to like my bacon to be. Next time I would give the bacon a 5 minute head start and then crack the egg into it. </span></span></div>Vartahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15915637208869273306noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1084210279098412953.post-88890844352654169872009-08-22T02:30:00.012-04:002009-08-22T02:50:53.882-04:00South Carolina<div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">I totally should be sleeping right now since there is so much going on. We just got back from the beach last night and this afternoon my cousin and his son came to stay with us for a week from Canada. I feel like I've neglected the blog though, so here are the rest of the food pictures from my trip to Myrtle Beach. 7 days of all you can eat buffets for dinner (twice for breakfast as well), <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Shaggin</span> Joe's for doughnuts, candy stores galore, foot long hot dogs, and ice cream around every corner. Most importantly, I got PRALINES. </span></span></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_z0cnFTd6mSw/So-RwumSE1I/AAAAAAAAEhw/PXmftvFDRdY/s1600-h/DSC04452.JPG"><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_z0cnFTd6mSw/So-RwumSE1I/AAAAAAAAEhw/PXmftvFDRdY/s320/DSC04452.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5372673146804638546" style="text-align: justify;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;">Look at that <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">cheese ball</span> of a grin.</span></span></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_z0cnFTd6mSw/So-R_-WDkEI/AAAAAAAAEh4/v2cyPPBeopw/s1600-h/DSC04478.JPG"><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_z0cnFTd6mSw/So-R_-WDkEI/AAAAAAAAEh4/v2cyPPBeopw/s320/DSC04478.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5372673408729583682" style="text-align: justify;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">If you are ever in the South you NEED to go to River Street Sweets. The praline is eye rolling good. So good there are only two pieces left and I bought them on my last night there. They also like to dip things in chocolate, like marshmallows!</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; "><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_z0cnFTd6mSw/So-SgS_h3uI/AAAAAAAAEiA/-pJYuhs1DYs/s1600-h/DSC04460.JPG"><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_z0cnFTd6mSw/So-SgS_h3uI/AAAAAAAAEiA/-pJYuhs1DYs/s320/DSC04460.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5372673964028059362" style="text-align: justify;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;">I got the Heath Bar chocolate covered marshmallow</span>.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">I have to say though, one of my favorite things was at Dairy King, oh yes, the Queen has a King and he lives in South Carolina. Home of the:</span></span></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_z0cnFTd6mSw/So-TCkaEKxI/AAAAAAAAEiQ/Fk52fSWt-eM/s1600-h/DSC04278.JPG"><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_z0cnFTd6mSw/So-TCkaEKxI/AAAAAAAAEiQ/Fk52fSWt-eM/s320/DSC04278.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5372674552818314002" style="text-align: justify;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;">FUNNEL CAKE SUNDAE!!! Holy Bananas.</span></span></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_z0cnFTd6mSw/So-SwofweWI/AAAAAAAAEiI/JxSwDwF5kcY/s1600-h/DSC04279.JPG"><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_z0cnFTd6mSw/So-SwofweWI/AAAAAAAAEiI/JxSwDwF5kcY/s320/DSC04279.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5372674244678285666" style="text-align: justify;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;">Genius</span>.</span></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_z0cnFTd6mSw/So-TV-G-lyI/AAAAAAAAEiY/PZx2ujn_70Y/s1600-h/DSC04282.JPG"><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_z0cnFTd6mSw/So-TV-G-lyI/AAAAAAAAEiY/PZx2ujn_70Y/s320/DSC04282.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5372674886135093026" style="text-align: justify;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;">People stared, but I think they were just jealous that they didn't order it themselves. </span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Original posts will return soon! Have a fabulous weekend! I'm going to a <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">barbecue</span> at my uncles tomorrow and the doughnut bread pudding was requested. Time permitting, I'll hopefully make something new as well! </span></span></div>Vartahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15915637208869273306noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1084210279098412953.post-17971098068088859922009-08-16T22:55:00.007-04:002009-08-20T01:44:28.967-04:00Deep Fried Snickers<div style="text-align: justify;">I'm still on vacation, but I had something so ridiculously Vartamelon-y that I had to make a post about it as soon as I could and since I'm just unwinding in the room at the moment, what better time than now? There I was walking around the beach carnival when I saw one of those food stands and the sign for fried dough, hell to the yes, I wanted some fried dough. I got in line and started reading some of their other offerings: funnel cake (duh), elephant ears (turns out those are fried dough), and deep fried Twinkies. Next to the deep fried Twinkies was also a sign reading to ask what other things they deep fry, so I became the annoying girl in line asking them what else they deep fried. Turned out they deep fry Snickers, Reese's Peanut Butter Cups, and something else but I forgot. I chose the Snicker because peanuts have protein and that makes me feel less guilty. <br /></div><div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_z0cnFTd6mSw/SosWGhuwhbI/AAAAAAAAEgk/QFHiZVQKR7E/s1600-h/DSC04133.JPG"><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_z0cnFTd6mSw/SosWGhuwhbI/AAAAAAAAEgk/QFHiZVQKR7E/s320/DSC04133.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5371411281958962610" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;">There it is, swimming in the oil, batter oozing everywhere, it's beautiful. A couple of people were asking what it was and gave me funny looks when I told them which surprised me because I thought deep frying everything was totally normal in the South. They then let the excess oil drip off. </div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_z0cnFTd6mSw/SosWgDrU4uI/AAAAAAAAEgs/QUSCkYHtN98/s1600-h/DSC04135.JPG"><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_z0cnFTd6mSw/SosWgDrU4uI/AAAAAAAAEgs/QUSCkYHtN98/s320/DSC04135.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5371411720568103650" style="text-align: justify;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I think I've mentioned before that I make really ugly faces when I eat really delicious, fatty food. My brother captured this on camera. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_z0cnFTd6mSw/SosXllT_NSI/AAAAAAAAEg0/rwVc9TFHLcA/s1600-h/DSC04140.JPG"><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_z0cnFTd6mSw/SosXllT_NSI/AAAAAAAAEg0/rwVc9TFHLcA/s320/DSC04140.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5371412915007993122" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Vartahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15915637208869273306noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1084210279098412953.post-86229690721929293792009-08-10T19:19:00.001-04:002009-08-10T19:23:07.039-04:00I'm Out!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_z0cnFTd6mSw/SoCrK5NVheI/AAAAAAAAEgc/G8ILHt4Qwuo/s1600-h/n15601778_35125931_7430.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_z0cnFTd6mSw/SoCrK5NVheI/AAAAAAAAEgc/G8ILHt4Qwuo/s320/n15601778_35125931_7430.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368478959469430242" /></a><div>I leave for the beach in two days, so I won't be posting for a while. Take care everyone and please let me know of good burgers and hot dogs if you know of any in Myrtle Beach!!! </div>Vartahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15915637208869273306noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1084210279098412953.post-31013341655487695132009-08-09T21:00:00.009-04:002009-08-11T10:13:39.118-04:00More Dessert Egg Rolls<div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">I leave for South Carolina in a few days and I've already planned some things I can't wait to make when I get back. In the meantime, many of you are aware I've taken it upon myself to use up things in the fridge. I was originally going to post up what I made for dinner which, while delicious, wasn't anything special (sauted spinach with sausage, roasted eggplant with cheese and seasoned roasted onions). Then I remembered I still had some egg roll wrappers left and a Milky Way that I put in my fridge because it melted after I forgot to bring it inside.<br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_z0cnFTd6mSw/Sn91K0Eya6I/AAAAAAAAEf8/pAsB90IGr90/s1600-h/DSC03798.JPG"><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_z0cnFTd6mSw/Sn91K0Eya6I/AAAAAAAAEf8/pAsB90IGr90/s320/DSC03798.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368138109486787490" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">Sssshhh, when I go to the movies I take my own snacks.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">So, let's review, quick inventory: egg roll wrappers, bananas, Nutella, peanut butter, marshmallow fluff, and a refrigerated Milky Way. Oh, and some ice cream. This is a pretty familiar <a href="http://vartamelon.blogspot.com/2009/07/white-chocolate-strawberry-egg-rolls.html">path</a>. </span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_z0cnFTd6mSw/Sn9_ktxHGQI/AAAAAAAAEgE/7LAJDomNRvU/s1600-h/DSC03854.JPG"><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_z0cnFTd6mSw/Sn9_ktxHGQI/AAAAAAAAEgE/7LAJDomNRvU/s320/DSC03854.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368149549586520322" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">Milky Way egg roll for me, banana and peanut butter egg roll for Bear, and a banana/marshmallow fluff/nutella egg roll for Sahar. </span></span></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_z0cnFTd6mSw/Sn-FYNjPuqI/AAAAAAAAEgU/SBENY3TUM88/s1600-h/n15601778_34956173_3235.jpg"><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_z0cnFTd6mSw/Sn-FYNjPuqI/AAAAAAAAEgU/SBENY3TUM88/s320/n15601778_34956173_3235.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368155931849767586" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">This was taken at a friends grad party last summer. She was my vacation buddy last year but sadly can't make it this year.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_z0cnFTd6mSw/Sn9_k7CXWPI/AAAAAAAAEgM/7jGPaySYyGQ/s1600-h/DSC03859.JPG"><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_z0cnFTd6mSw/Sn9_k7CXWPI/AAAAAAAAEgM/7jGPaySYyGQ/s320/DSC03859.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368149553148549362" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">I took a picture of me eating these but my eyes kept rolling and it was really unattractive. </span></span></div>Vartahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15915637208869273306noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1084210279098412953.post-69887270079080449262009-08-07T13:36:00.004-04:002009-08-07T14:07:16.231-04:00Elvis French Toast<div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">I have a few ideas for things to make but I'm saving them for when I get back from the beach (I leave on Thursday and I'll be gone for a week), because, well, I'm kind of vain and want to look good in my bathing suits, that's why. At the same time, I don't want to neglect the blog since I'm going to have to neglect it while I'm gone. See the dilemma? </span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:arial;font-size:13px;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">I've "met" quite a few awesome people ever since I submitted the <a href="http://www.epicportions.com/2009/06/29/hard-boiled-egg-wrapped-in-bacon-cheese-sausage/">egg/sausage</a> roll on Epic Portions, and I'm very grateful and thankful for all their help and support. I can always count on <a href="http://www.pizzapartyonline.com/">Bear</a> for a post comment, so I had to go for his suggestion of finding a way to fry an Elvis Sandwich. I've never actually had an Elvis Sandwich before, but I was ready to switch it up this morning. Many are already aware I have a weird obsession with french toast. I love it. So there we go, as easy as that, I was going to french toast-<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">ify</span> the Elvis Sandwich. </span></span></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_z0cnFTd6mSw/Snxrh_JAH9I/AAAAAAAAEf0/DuHYanmt9a8/s1600-h/DSC03781.JPG"><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_z0cnFTd6mSw/Snxrh_JAH9I/AAAAAAAAEf0/DuHYanmt9a8/s320/DSC03781.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5367283087547834322" style="text-align: justify;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">What you are looking at, my friends, are two slices of bread with peanut butter, joining bacon and banana together, dunked it french toast batter. The most fun part about this was flipping it over, well, and eating it. It's so dense and hearty, it actually goes "thud" when you flip it. Definitely not for light eaters. I'm such a fat kid at heart, I peeled it open, drizzled syrup, put it back together and ate like a sandwich. </span></span></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Vartahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15915637208869273306noreply@blogger.com4