New product alert: Cookie Dough Oreos

Lest you think I became some health food hippie who only eats (delicious) homemade Larabars, guess what I finally got my paws on this weekend?

Cookie dough Oreos!

We spotted the much-anticipated latest limited edition Oreo flavor at Target over the weekend and had to buy a package, no questions asked.  (The Marshmallow Crispy flavor was nowhere to be seen.)

The verdict?

Friday Five: New (to me) things I'm loving

TGIFOATDW - Thank goodness it's Friday... of a three day weekend!  I always rant say that I'm not yet ready for a day off when MLK Jr. Day rolls around because it's so soon after the holiday break.  And that I'd much rather have Presidents' Day off in February.  That being said, um, hallelujah for MLK Jr. day off! 

Three cheers for the extra time because there is so much I want to do this weekend, rather than so much I must do, and the list involves a little bit of everything.  In the sports column, there's a Pitt men's basketball game against Syracuse on Saturday and the Quarterback Bowl AFC Championship game on Sunday.  Regarding the latter, I have this feeling the hype is way bigger than it will be for the Super Bowl.  In the food column, Matt and I are dining at a new-to-us restaurant called Matteo's as part of Pittsburgh Restaurant Week.  The menu looks incredible, so here's hoping we leave satisfied!  And the miscellaneous fun column may include a trip to the mall (holiday weekend sales, what what!), a massage (treat yo'self!), and trampolining.  Yep, trampolining.  TBD.  Say a prayer, please ;)

I told you about two new-to-me discoveries that have brought me such joy: the flat whisk and Cooks' Illustrated.  I thought I'd share a few more things I've started enjoying in the new year that you might get a kick out of, too.  Here is today's Friday Five: New (to me) things I'm loving!

1. YurBuds - I do not like change, especially when it comes to my workout essentials.  I've used the same kind of headphones (but multiple pairs) for over 10 years.  When my most recent pair played its final tune (and no longer worked with the power of rubberbands and tape), I discovered that my kind is no longer made.  After some serious research, I chose YurBuds ear buds since they got the best reviews from athletes.  My sister-in-law gifted me this pair at Christmas, and I've been using them nonstop since then.  They are truly no-slip and stay in place like a champ.  I highly recommend these!

2. Fancy Sunday brunch - Matt and I have a thing for making brunch in the comfort of our own home (and pajamas) and rarely go out for it.  For months, we've talked with friends about going out to at any of the more upscale restaurants around the city; this past weekend, we finally made it happen.  Turns out that getting dressed up and having someone else prepare your brunch is totally amazing!  We visited Savoy (in the Strip District, for you locals) and had a fantastic time.  My shrimp & grits was to die for, loaded with spicy andouille sausage, cheddar cheese, and mushrooms.  Yum!  Can't wait to see where we're headed next.

"Everything in moderation... including moderation."

Truer words have never been spoken!

I recently read this short article about enjoying fabulous food and wanted to share it with you guys and gals.  Definitely check it out.  It's a memorable one!

Reading those quotes has encouraged me to finally start reading Dearie: The Remarkable Life of Julia Child. 

So far, it's a very pleasant read and endears you to the food icon right from the start.  I previously read both My Life in France and Julie & Julia; I enjoyed the former more than the latter, but it only details her years in France and ends with the release of her first cookbook.  This biography, Dearie, is much more all-encompassing of Julia's life, which is what I was really interested in. 

Though I doubt Julia read Psychology Today frequently (or at all), this seems like the very thing she wanted to teach others about enjoying food!

It's baaaaaaaack!

And celebrating its 10th anniversary.  The beloved Starbucks pumpkin spice latte!  (Today's lunchtime stroll now has a purpose and destination.)

It happens every year.  There are a few more weeks of summer, but the onset of this fall flavor makes me crave sweaters and piles of tri-colored leaves.  I'm not even going to fight it.  Bring on the pumpkin!  (And the salted caramel hot chocolate.  Yum!)

If you really want to show the world how much you love PSLs, toting around this bedazzled tumbler could be the perfect way.

On (local) newstands now

Hiya, All Things Mini readers!

I've got some exciting news to share with you.  Recently, an editor for a local food magazine contacted me about doing a feature in an upcoming issue.  After calmly returning to my chair (not that I fell out of it or anything...), I responded and shared my story as well as some favorite recipes and photos with her.  At the end of last week, a special package arrived in the mail for me, containing two copies of this:

[image via Edible Allegheny]

Isn't that cover so bright and cheerful and just plain gorgeous?  Love it!  The editor with whom I worked is so sweet and even bookmarked the page she knew I'd first want to see:

Squeal!  So.real.  I should play it cool and pretend I haven't looked at that page at least 20 times since Friday, but I can't.  First, you know I'm not that casual.  And I'm terrible at lying.

If you're local to the Pittsburgh area, I recommend you pick up a hard copy of the magazine -- there are so many mouth-watering recipes and great articles about the ever-growing Pittsburgh food culture.  My favorite feature is the two page calendar spread in the front of the magazine, showcasing all of the fun culinary events happening in the area.  Farm to table dinners!  Garlic festivals!  Cooking classes!  It's enough to make anyone's stomach grumble.  You can find the magazine at local Barnes & Noble Booksellers, as well as Giant Eagle and Whole Foods locations. 

For the online edition, click here to jump over to the Online Dish feature of Edible Allegheny's website.

And, finally, a special thank you to all of you for reading, cooking, and supporting me on a daily basis.  You make this all possible and totally fun :)

Friday five: Oscar party food

Hey, hi, how ya doin', March?  I feel like I've lived an entire year just this week, and it's only Friday.  There's still so much fun on tap for this weekend, next week, and weekend.  I can sleep when I'm dead, right? :)

I guess it's fitting that the last week of the shortest month should be extra busy: booked a trip to Vegas (squee! more on that soon...), kicked butt at work, ran a bazillion errands, visited the ER, tended to a feverish husband, hosted a dinner, planned two parties, and threw the first on Sunday -- the Oscars soiree!

Yesterday, I shared with you one of the movie-inspired dishes made for our 5th Annual Academy Awards Party -- slow cooker chicken sausage and shrimp gumbo.  But, if you remember our past parties, you know that we go all out!  One dish simply won't cut it for our celebration, so we challenge ourselves to come up with snacks inspired by each film nominated in the Best Picture category.  (Don't even get me started on the increase in the number of films allowed in said category.)

We got really lucky this year because many of the nominated films were set in similar locations, allowing us to double up on some dishes.  I love a good party, but there is no sense in wearing oneself out before the fun even begins.

Without further ado, it's time to reveal the winners of this week's Friday five: Oscar movie-inspired dishes!

Friday five - back again!

Maybe it's because I had the Monday off from work or the changing of the season and month, but I cannot seem to get a handle on what day it is.   For example, I totally thought Modern Family was on last night because, you know, it was supposed to be Wednesday.  But, I was happily surprised to find out it was actually Thursday and my favorite NBC shows were all new.  30 Rock returned for it's final season... single tear!

At any rate, I think I've caught up just in time to cheer with you -- TGIF!  Turns out it's been a while since the last installment of the Friday five, so allow me to share with you things I'm totally loving right now.


1. Get ready for my most ridiculous fashion craving yet: I want a leather skirt.  And I want one that fits properly (I'm looking at you, Kim Kardashian.)  Yes, I realize it's highly impractical, but a girl can dream.

2. Love this dress for fall.  All I need are some gorgeous brown leather boots to go with it, which would be a much more sensible purchase than a one and done skirt. Since the dress is already on sale, I'll be saving some money on the first purchase, right?  #lovecolumbusdaysales

3. I've been busy checking things off my fall essentials list.  On tap for this weekend?  Getting my hands on a salted caramel hot chocolate from Starbucks.  Yes, please, and thank you.

4. Movie time!  After checking out the weather forecast, it looks like it's going to be a cool and damp weekend 'round these parts.  Since football will be Sunday's entertainment, Matt and I talked about catching a flick on Saturday.  If we go out, the options are The Perks of Being a Wallflower or Argo.  If we stay in, we'll probably rent The Hunger Games.  Have you seen any of those three?  Recommendations are appreciated :)

5. Soups.  All the soups!  Thank goodness cool weather will be around for months and months (seriously, I love wintertime!) so I can try a new soup recipe every week.  Most recently added to the list, and given some high priority, is this cheesy spinach soup a.k.a. witches' brew created by Annie's Eats.  Cannot wait to try this with some crusty bread!

Find some fun this weekend and enjoy fall, wherever you are! :)  Catch you on Monday...

Product review: Candy corn Oreos, part 2

Today's post is the second and final in the saga of the candy corn Oreo experience.  If you missed the first part yesterday, I suggest you check it out before reading any further.

(Disclaimer: What you see below is the unedited version of my tasting experience.  A real fructose play-by-play.  I'd planned to turn my notes into coherent sentences later but decided that I wanted you to feel as though you were there with me.  Please enjoy my slightly comical and hopefully-not-too incoherent musings!)

i selected one cookie
two vanilla cookies (think Golden Oreos)
double stuf quantity of filling
twisted apart halves
sampled cookie without filling
mild vanilla taste, exactly like Golden Oreos
i'd eat these cookies plain
(i'd venture to say that, ground up, they'd make a great cheesecake crust)
after one small bite of the cookie, i rejoined the two halves
and took a full cookie-filling-cookie bite
chew, chew

Product review: Candy corn Oreos, part 1

Ever since I posted about the plethora of seasonal treats hitting store shelves, I've been dying to sink my teeth into one of these limited edition cookies.  On Sunday, September 23rd, 2012, I aimed to answer the million dollar question: Were candy corn Oreos really worth the hype?

(Disclaimer: What you see below is the unedited version of my tasting experience.  A real fructose play-by-play.  I'd planned to turn my notes into coherent sentences later but decided that I wanted you to feel as though you were there with me.  Please enjoy my slightly comical and hopefully-not-too incoherent musings!)


so curious
love candy corn
checked 3 target stores
finally found (for locals, the robinson town center location)
searched through aisles of halloween candy and seasonal foods
nothing
matt teased me that they didn't actually exist
two women overheard us and said they're looking, too
we made a pact to alert one another if one duo was successful
as i picked up a customer service phone to ask for help
women called to us having spoken with a target employee
cookie display at the checkout
yessssssssss!
armed with one package (at $2.99 apiece) and a bag of pumpkin pie kisses
left target a very satisfied halloween treat enthusiast
couldn't just try in parking lot; had to go home

once at home, no distractions
no tv, music, or even lingering tastes of recently eaten food
sat down and got to business

first impression
packaging
different than traditional and i suspected nabisco was cutting corners and giving me less cookies.
upon first opening the package, i was practically knocked backwards by the smell of the cookies
(thank goodness i was sitting)
but, that didn't save me from the wave of artificially sweet air that slapped me across the face
reminded me of the feeling i get when removing the lid and smelling a vanilla buttercream-scented candle
made me want to get my cookie quickly and close the package
oh, and regarding the cookie count and the potential trickery on nabisco's part?
i was right.
not typical oreo packaging of three long columns of cookies, jam-packed
instead, three short rows of cookies
googled how many cookies in a package of double stuf oreos -- 36
in the candy corn package, 20 cookies.
lame.

Please tune in tomorrow for part 2: The tasting and my final thoughts.

Fall fashion show at lunch!

Or, rather, fashion show for lunch.

While New York Fashion Week may be in full swing, it's not just the runway models that are being given head-to-to new looks.  There are some classic products with fancy and quirky makeovers hitting grocery store shelves this month:

• Campbell's is releasing limited edition Andy Warhol-inspired designed cans of tomato soup for sale this month in honor of the 50th anniversary of Warhol's pop art masterpiece.  How cool are these?!  I might have to pick up a few to decorate my kitchen.

• Cadbury released its Halloween answer to the Easter creme egg: the screme egg!  The taste is supposedly the same, but the traditional orange/yellow "yolk" filling is now green.  I actually spotted these at Target over the weekend and passed at first because it seemed too early for Halloween candy.  But, I think I'm going to have to break down and get one this weekend.  Report to follow.

•  Not necessarily new this year, but making its seasonal return is the Jones Soda Co. flavor entitled Turkey & Gravy.  Has anyone tried this?  A good friend of mine is a Jones fanatic, but he may draw the line at this flavor.  As gross as it may sound, I'm still a little bit intrigued...

•  If the Starbucks' ads didn't clue you in, the pumpkin onslaught has begun -- hooray!  I, for one, can't get enough pumpkin in my life, so I'm definitely looking forward to the always delicious Limited Edition Pumpkin Ice Cream by Edy's.  New on the scene, at least to me, are the Pumpkin Spice Hershey's Kisses.  Curiously, there is no chocolate involved; instead the outer shell is pumpkin flavored candy while the filling is cinnamon creme.  If you've tried these, would you recommend them?

• Apple pie-scented candles are an effortless way to have your house smelling cozy and ready for company.  Why not have a treat that matches that very smell?  Pepperidge Farm Farm Limited Edition Caramel Apple Pie Soft Dessert Cookies should do the trick. Also, there is a Pumpkin Cheesecake version of these available.  Word on the street Internet is that you can find these at Wal-mart.

• And, last but not least.  In fact, probably the most talked about seasonal food item out there right now are Candy Corn Oreos.  The Internet is abuzz with awe, curiosity, and even some disgust from the candy corn haters of the world.  Both the Today Show surveyed its staff and posted about the mixed reviews.  Are you going to give the seasonal sandwich cookie a try?  It's just so bizarre that I think I must try it.  Again, a review to follow shortly, hopefully. 

And the winner is...

Us!  Because we had ourselves a pretty killer Oscars party.  Festive decor, check.

Sweatpants, check.  Ballot tally sheets, check.  Plennnnnnnnnnnty of judging and cackling (poor Matt), check.

Delicious and themed spread of food?  Check, check, and check!

Back to basics

My name is Katy.

Hi, Katy.

And I have an enormous crush on Ina Garten.  Like, want to be friends with her.  A typical day would go like this: Ina and I would visit the local fish monger and small food specialty shops in East Hampton/Pittsburgh's strip district, maybe doing a little shopping for denim shirts and pearls as well.  We'd cook in our brightly-lit kitchens, plating up food on classic white place settings.  Then, we'd welcome our husbands (hers, Jeffrey, and mine-to-be, Matt, obvs) home from their jobs in education (they're friends, too, of course) and have fabulous themed dinners with glowing conversation, chuckling amongst ourselves something absolutely hilarious that we heard earlier that day. 

So, maybe enormous isn't the right word.  #inalove

From that same fascinating woman comes a short and sweet interview with the Barefoot Contessa herself.  For someone as accomplished and famous as her, it's so refreshing to see she keeps it simple in the kitchen!

"The party is only as happy as the host. I learned this the hard way at one of the first parties I ever threw. It was a brunch, and I decided to make omelets for everyone. I never got out of the kitchen — and I didn't have another party for a year. I tell people when they're hosting to make a menu out of recipes you know really well and to pick up something at the bakery for a great dessert. It's a much better party if the food is simple and you're relaxed.

Having a man who can cook is overrated. My husband, Jeffrey, makes the coffee, that's it. It's more important to have one person who cooks and another person who appreciates it.

Even better than chicken soup for the soul: Homemade tomato soup and grilled cheese, with grown-up cheeses like Gruyère and extra-sharp cheddar. I made this for a friend recently who was upset and hadn't eaten in a week. She devoured it!

Food tastes best when it's properly salted. That means salting it a little at a time throughout the entire cooking process, not just at the end. It enhances the flavor of whatever you're cooking and makes food taste seasoned — not salty.

Gratitude is the best hostess gift. I always send flowers or a note the next day to express my appreciation.

Cook with your heart! They say that gardens look better when they are created by loving gardeners rather than by landscapers, because the garden is more tended to and cared for. The same thing goes for cooking. I only cook for people I love."

_______

If you could befriend one celebrity chef or food personality, who would it be and why?  Mine's obvious, but Alton Brown is a close second.  Nerdy food love!

Oh, and...

Happy first day of summer!

Tracking Santa!

It's Christmas Eve, folks!  The halls are decked, cookies baked, cards sent... what's left to do?  Find out where the jolly guy is, of course.

When I was much younger, my scientifically-oriented mind (thanks to an engineer for a father) constantly had me questioning the logistics of Santa's mission.  What fueled the sleigh?  Did he have to stop somewhere to refuel and feed the reindeer?  What if a reindeer fell ill?  Did Santa visit houses without chimneys?  Because Australia is a day ahead of us, does that means Santa delivers for more than one night? ... I resent any hint that I was an obnoxious or precocious child. :)  My parents and any other adult who were my audience probably disagree.

Today, kids have an awesome resource to satisfy their curiosity.  NORAD (which stands for North American Aerospace Defense Command) has created a Santa tracker.  They explain how it works -- fighter jets, how cool!

And, with that, I'm off for the weekend with my family.  I wish all of you a safe, healthy, and happy holiday.  Remember the true meaning of the occasion and have a very blessed and Merry Christmas!  :)

Wizards and a self-made zombie

It seems like I was just walking out of a theater... oh wait, I was... about 5 hours ago.  Yep, I'm proud to admit that I joined friends at a midnight showing of some big movie last night this morning.  No spoilers, but the movie was awesome! and true to the books, win win.  (Totally worth the exhaustion and teensy bit of nausea I'm experiencing right now due to 3 hours of sleep.)

I love seeing movies in theaters and say that I don't do it often enough.  Even though the movie was a late one, that didn't stop me from satisfying my sweet tooth.  (Then again, what really could stop me from doing that?)  I was curious about snacking history and movies, so I did a little research...

Whew!

Busy weekend.  Much fun!  How was yours?  Unpacked late last night.  Didn't have time to write.  My apologies.  Until tomorrow, a few links to pique your interest:

• Don't throw away pumpkin seeds after carving!  Try this.
• Compostable chip bag -- my parents got one this weekend and it is SO loud.
• Spaghetti... tacos?
• A fun dinner party or wedding favor for kids (and adults, ahem) -- origami napkins!

Have a productive Monday!! :)

Welcome back, fall (TV)!

It's the Monday morning after a fantastic weekend, filled with fun things like the Irish festival, shopping, book club, and great weather all-around... so why was I so sluggish getting out of bed this morning after a quality 8 hours of rest?  It's this thing going on with my head and nose, you see.  It could be a cold, but I'm thinking (read: praying) that it's merely allergies.  But let's be honest, regardless of the cause, I'm going to ignore it and go about my normal routine, hoping that denial is the best medicine :)

So, armed with a chipper self-imposed healthy disposition and a stomach full of a energy-packed breakfast sandwich, I ventured outside, only to be slapped with 50-degree air and drizzling rain!  No thank you!  (If I'm polite, does that mean it'll go away?)  May I go back inside, please?  And curl up in the papasan chair with a cup of hot chocolate?  Mmm... which reminds me, I must share the most amazing discovery of my weekend -- the salted caramel hot chocolate from Starbucks.  I'm not a coffee drinker and usually not a big fan of their regular hot chocolate (point me toward the peppermint and pumpkin flavors, thank you), but this drink was out of this world!  The salty sweet warm chocolate... you must try it!

Oh, so where was I?  Ah, yes, curling up with one of these on the couch.  And, wouldn't you know it, the season of absolutely nothing being on TV is finally behind us.  Bring on the autumn weather that rushed right in and the fall TV premieres...

I usually don't watch much TV during the summer months.  Primarily because, after months of being cooped up inside, I want nothing more than to be out in the fresh air until the sun goes down, getting my fill of Dave & Andy's and Razzy Fresh.  Oh, and it doesn't hurt that there is absolutely nothing worth watching.  Reruns are reruns, and I didn't really miss TV at all.  But this morning's walk to work had me thanking my lucky stars that the first of my shows returns tonight -- Gossip Girl!!!  I used to hang my head in shame when I'd publicly declare that I watched this, but I've learned that there are many closet GG watchers out there.  A guilty pleasure never hurt anyone :)

The rest of the fall premiere dates can be found here.  My other favorites include The Office, Community, Glee, and How I Met Your Mother.  Have you missed TV or do you watch in the summer as well?  What are you going to be watching in these coming weeks? 

Happy Monday!  I'm looking forward to some sitting and a tiny croissant that I have just to mark the Parisian premiere of GG :)

Friday musings

Happpppppppy Friday, friends!  Not just any Friday, but a surprise Friday!  I love my surprise Fridays, almost as much as I love planning events and trips.  Word to the wise -- I do not recommend reading the list of 1000 Places to Visit Before You Die after looking at pictures of one friend's cross-country road trip and another pal's vacation to Ireland.  It will make you stir crazy (at the beginning of September... isn't that more of a February thing?) and have you creating multiple Google documents with travel plans.  Where to go, where to go?  At least I can take comfort in the fact that, barring any big hiccups, I'll be seeing this sometime in spring of 2014 (gulp):

Your winter 2011 forecast

Nothing like starting the month off on the wrong (or neither) foot by skipping a morning run!  I'm not making excuses, but the gym finally reopened on Monday and let's just say it's/I've been kicking my butt so far this week and consequently feel wiped out and ready for bed by 8:30.  The run will happen on Friday, I'm making a public pledge so someone please hold me to it :)

So now that it's officially September, that can only mean one thing -- new pencil boxes?  Check.  Flipping a page on the calendar?  Obvs, check.  But how about the release of the 2011 Farmers' Almanac?  Check!  Bet you either a) didn't even know about that, or b) don't care one bit.  Well, I'll give you a reason to care, mister!

Oh goodness, Peanuts cartoons get me every time.  But seriously, the Farmers' Almanac is a nice little set of predictions for the 2011 calendar year, including a forecast of the winter to come.  Think it's total fluff?  An accuracy score of 80-85% says otherwise.  Follow the jump to find out whether we'll be having a paradise-like winter or a repeat of Snowpocalypse...

"C" is for cookie

And that's good enough for me :)  Not only was this a gorgeous end of summer weekend, but it was a delicious one, too.  There were runs and walks, but not nearly enough to make up for these monstrous cookies.  On Saturday, Matt and I headed to Oakmont Bakery to pick up some sweets.  I was first there a month ago with Laura, as she introduced me to one of the best bakeries in Pittsburgh and their famous butter stars (holy cow, you must try them!)  I tried about 12 items then, so on this return trip I had an idea of what my favorite items were: maple frosted cinnamon roll, almond macarons, a mini croissant, and butter stars.  Some might think that I don't like buying bakery sweets, but just the opposite -- I love buying treats, especially ones that claim to be one of that business's signature items.  I get to appreciate another baker's hard work on something that I probably don't make very often myself. Win win!

When I suggested to Matt that we go, his reaction was lukewarm since he's not nearly as enthusiastic about dessert as I am.  And then we walked through the door -- the smells of freshly baked breads and the sight of a miniature pineapple upside down cake quickly revived him.

While I picked out my haul, I fell in love with a a Cookie Monster cookie sandwich -- sweet fluffy icing between two chewy chocolate chip cookies.  What a perfect Saturday afternoon snack!

As if that cookie sandwich wasn't enough for the day, I finally christened my new cake pans.  I made this cake for the viewing of the Emmy awards at Julie's on Sunday night.  And wow, I'm so thankful for the comments feature on Willams & Sonoma products -- per everyone's suggestions, I greased up those pans with Pam for baking like there was no tomorrow.

I used the W&S recipe, which yields a super dense cookie-like cake that thankfully popped right out of the pans.  The only thing I would do different next time is whisk everything together by hand, rather than using my mixer -- it created a few too many air bubbles.

But hey, you won't hear me complaining about any air bubbles when it comes to the final masterpiece.  Paired with the basic buttercream, this cake is dangerous, people!  I'm talking must-go-back-for-seconds dangerous.  And just so whimsical-looking!  You could try ice cream in the middle, or perhaps a peppermint filling around the holidays.  Maybe a pumpkin cake with maple cinnamon frosting?  Whohhhh, slow down, self.  Take a moment to enjoy the "fruits" of your labor.

And that I did!  All while rating actresses' dresses and, as Julie so eloquently put it, reconsidering that second piece of cake and being more motivated than ever to go for a run :)  Who were your favorites of the night?  Interestingly enough, both of my best-dressed were from Glee and even sporting the same hue: Lea Michele and Jayma Mays.

And hey, I think as far as award shows go, last night's was pretty good.  Jimmy Fallon was funny, the jokes were on target and no one lingered too long up at the podium.  Cookies and shiny pretty dresses.  I can't think of a better Sunday night before the work grind of Monday morning :)  Have a good one!

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Today is National Toasted Marshmallow Day!