Ice Cream Anyone?

Sometimes you just need a good ole' fashioned frostee!

Popcorn Days

Good Eats Wednesday


The good thing about blogging about food... everyone knows I love things for the kitchen! Even though it's a few weeks after Christmas, still going to share all things I received that will make the food portion of the blog that much better, like this adorable red popcorn popper by American Era with a butter warmer on top.

Other great kitchen gifts...

A Cuisinart 9-cup Food Processor.
A non-stick Calphalon pan.
Deluxe Popcorn Maker.
A lasagna trio pan.
Homemade blackberry jam and tomato raspberry jam from my Dad's garden.
Spices, vinegars, and sugars.
Gourmet Sea Salt & Pepper.
A gorgeous bamboo salt mill and walnut pepper mill.
The beautiful rolling pin and pie dish I bought myself!
Simply from Scratch book by Alicia Bessette.
A cannoli necklace from Bakery Bling on Etsy I won on a giveaway from NYC, Style & a Little Cannoli blog.


Here are some of my non-kitchen items: a diamond necklace and earring set from my grandmother, travel organizer, massagers, MyChelle skin care set, giftcards, and a Firewood candle by Henri Bendels = best scent ever!

Thanks to everyone for making it a special holiday!

xo,

nicolette

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Culinary Adventures of 2010

A Food Photo Diary

Get ready for a BIG post!

For those of you know me, or have been following for awhile, know that I love to document my culinary adventures. From my own adventures in the kitchen, to Food Network star meet & greets (Giada de Laurentiis & Jamie Deen, and restaurants featured on "Guy's Big Bite" & "Bobby Flay's Throw Down"), my audition for the The Next Food Network Star Challenge this year, my stint as the Fort Lauderdale Ethnic Food Examiner, and ALL my bakery expeditions just to name a few... needless to say this year has been one big Food Diary. So here it goes!!!

That's 80 pics! Just a summary of my culinary experiences...

It's been one DELICIOUS year!

Look forward to more in 2011!

Jamie Deen

Lady & Sons Restaurant

Savannah, GA

On our roadtrip to Beaufort, SC,

we stopped in Savannah specifically to grab lunch at Lady & Sons,

which is owned by Paula Deen (Food Network star).

I was dying to try her Fried Green Tomatos

and Crabcake Sandwich,

but we only had one hour parking,

and the wait was very long,

I was more than a little crushed,

so I said "I'll just buy something from her shop

next door instead."

But I got something better than a crabcake...

Jamie Deen, Paula's son was there!!!

Both brothers, Jamie and Bobbie regularly appear on her show,

which led to them becoming hosts of their own show.

So I purchased a book,

which happened to be signed by Paula,

and Jamie signed it as well.

He was so sweet, his momma raised him right with that Southern Charm.

He posed for a picture with me, and even signed a postcard for my grandmother

who loves to watch Paula

and has agreed for years that Jamie is easy on the eyes.

That make two Food Network stars for me this spring!!

(If you missed the Giada De Laurentiis book signing read again HERE.)

Have a wonderful Memorial Day Weekend!!!

Good Eats Wednesday

Foodie Adventures in Beaufort, SC

&

a scrumptious Shrimp Burger

from Kathleen's on the bay.

Our mini vacation was like a dream,

I can't wait to share more photos this week!

Also, stay tuned for an exciting post involving another Food Network star

I happened to meet!!!

Good Eats Wednesday

Culinary Adventures Around My Town

Lobster Roll at Linda Bean's Pefect Maine in Delray Beach, FL.

Linda is the daughter of L.L. Bean,

and a lobster extraordinare.

$16.00 for this lunch basket, pricy but succulent.

But nothing tickled me more than my view

from my Cape Cod style window seat...

triplet baby girls!!!

Good Eats Wednesday

Jax on the Trax
Truckee, Ca

This morning we went to Jax on the Trax for breakfast,

which will be featured on Guy Fieri's Diner's, Drive-Ins & Dives at the end of March.

Mom saw the Food Network van here about a month ago.

Here is a sneak peak...

Mmm hot chocolate on a snowy morning.

The Eggs Benedict.

"The Mornin' Addiction: Locals Favorite"

Consists of hash browns, shaved canadian bacon, mixed greens,

avocado, eggs your choice, pesto, and balsamic vinigrette.

This was so yum!

Photo via jaxtruckee.com.

We hear they have excellent meatloaf with a rootbeer raisin bbq glaze.

Website and Menu available HERE.

Bon appetit!

Good Eats Wednesday

Bananas, Bananas

Image via mocoloco.com

After noveling about food, go figure...
I've got banana treats on the brain,

or my brain is going bananas, or something like that.

 Either way, bananas generally make their appearance

as the guest star in many of my favorite desserts.

Banana waffles in Amsterdam this spring. OMG... enough said.

Banana Macadamia Nut Fosters

from my all-time favorite restaurant Cafe Soriah in Eugene, Or.

The owner, Ibb, even comes out to prepare the Fosters in front of you.

The smell of melting butter, mixed with brown sugar, macadamia, banana liquor, fresh bananas,

whip cream, and vanilla ice cream... all prepared with a flame that could cinch your eyebrows and put

Benihana to shame. Pure heaven!

Let's not forget my grandma's Banana pudding,

and oh yes,

Banana Nut Bread.

Sorry the quality of photos is not the best.

My focus was to hurry up with these pics....

so I could dig in!

Bon appetit!