Chocolate Heaven

My brother-in-law recently went to Australia, and he kept asking me if there was anything I wanted him to bring back. I couldn’t think of anything, but while he was still there, I got a Chocolate & Zucchini newsletter, that mentioned Clotilde’s trip to Australia and what readers thought she should bring back. I checked it out and saw that someone had suggested Tim Tams. It’s chocolate and there’s a unique way of eating them, so that’s what I asked for him to bring home.

Here they are. The "love me" package is a special edition package they have going right now (other labels include Enjoy me, Want me, Hide me).

To do the Tim Tam Slam, you take a small bite off opposite corners, then slurp a hot beverage like coffee, through the cookie and then try to eat it before it melts. I didn’t realize the whole process happened so quickly. In the end I had a mouthful of warm chocolate goo. It was kind of an overwhelming feeling. Chocolate bliss, chocolate heaven, yum.

For as many Easters as I can remember, I always bought a Cadbury creme egg. I didn’t buy one this year, almost did, had one in my hand until I was thinking, I don’t like them that much anymore. It was such a tradition that it almost didn’t feel like Easter without one. The flavor of Tim Tams and coffee blows it away, I think I’ll start a new tradition.

Happy Spring!

Happy Spring! Everything is blooming here, especially after the rain we got a few days ago. The dogwoods are just starting, those are my favorite.

I’ve lost my momentum with the trying 5 new recipes a month. So far I’ve tried two, though. I made the "Sweet & Spicy Coleslaw" from "Downhome with the Neely’s" from the Food Network. Most of the reviews I read online said it has too much sugar so I reduced it a little. It has a kick from cayenne pepper and mustard. I liked it, I cut out too much sugar so I’ll add a little more next time. I like a bit more vinegar too. Coleslaw seems like one of those dishes that is simple yet very personal. What I mean by that is that everyone has their preferences, and since the ingredient list isn’t that long, it’s just a minor tweak of this or that, that makes a difference from one recipe to another.

We eat salad a lot and I get tired of it, try to change things around a little. I’d been buying Kraft salad dressings but since I’m the only one eating it, it takes forever to finish a bottle. Lately I’ve been trying to make small batches of homemade. My favorite is Penzey’s Country French Vinaigrette. This time I put a touch of their Raspberry Enlightenment in it (based on the recipe for springy salad in their recent catalog). It’s definitely one of those "hmm what is that" flavors. In some ways it reminds me of honey, I never think to use it but see Bobby Flay using it to fine tune flavors on dishes he prepares. I’m such a scientific following every recipe to the letter type person, I don’t have that cook’s intuition.

We watched "Atonement" last night. Loved it. I did think it dragged a little in the middle, but it seems like it's one of those films where you could get more out of it from watching it a second time. Absolutely loved the music, and how the sounds of typing were incorporated into the score, as well as the sound of Robbie's mother pounding on the car.

Grilled Peanut Butter and Banana Sandwiches

Lunch today was new recipe number five for February. I felt like I was on a deadline to find one more recipe to try, to make my quota. I love peanut butter and banana sandwiches, and there's a recipe for a grilled version in the March 2008 issue of "Everyday Food." (I tried to find the recipe online but it didn't pop up in the Top 10 searches.) It's basically a PB and banana sandwich, dipped in french toast batter, then grilled. I used homemade raisin bread instead of white bread. While it was good, I thought it needed something gooey like honey inside or syrup on the side to dip it in. I vaguely remember something Rachael Ray made on her talk show that was sort of a french toast stick version. Anyway, this sandwich is supposed to be cut into quarters for dessert but I'd say it's appropriate also for breakfast, lunch or even dinner.

Good news today is that hopefully some of the complaining I did a few weeks ago about the littering problem, might have done some good. There are two new "No Littering" signs out. Hopefully someone talked to the appropriate person, at last I hope so. Mostly I hope the trash stops. There's other trash in the neighborhood but unfortunately that situation seems like a lost cause. I truly don't understand how people don't care about their surroundings.

Still trying new recipes

The two new recipes I’ve tried in the last few days have been last-minute thoughts. The first was the Chocolate Egg Cream from "Healthy Appetite with Ellie Krieger." I’ve been fighting a cold and haven’t had much of an appetite, something cold & fizzy sounded good. I don’t know if it’s an East Coast thing, because I had never heard of an egg cream until I started watching cooking shows. Anyway, it’s milk and seltzer water, with chocolate syrup poured in while everything is stirred so it’s frothy. I used Hershey’s Special Dark so mine looks like coffee. And I had more foam (all the way to the top of the glass) but by the time I walked across the kitchen to where there was more light, and grabbed the camera, it had deflated. I like chocolate but didn’t much care for this concoction. Maybe the not-so-healthy version would taste better, this one seemed thin.

Then tonight I needed a quick side dish so I tried couscous with carrot and cilantro from the March 2008 issue of "Everyday Food." There’s no green in mine, since I didn’t have cilantro and Don doesn’t like it anyway. The carrot made it look fancier than just plain. Definitely a recipe to keep in mind for a last-minute and FAST side dish.

I’m so sick of all the election phone calls we’ve been getting!!!!

Now I have 3 days left to the month and 1 more new recipe to try, to keep the "5 new recipes a month" trend going. Back to reality. The buzz from the Manilow concert was fun while it lasted.

Final thoughts on Dallas

I should have written down my thoughts right after the show, when I couldn't sleep. At the time, I was too wired to sit and write something down, and too tired to try to stay awake. I'm disappointed to say I didn't have the "buzz" afterwards that I have in the past, but it's probably just me and not anything Barry did or didn't do. The show was spectacular and slick and practically flawless. I was constantly in awe of Barry's talent, he's always improving himself each time I see him, and often I don't think it's possible. I agree with what some people said, that the spontaneity of shows from tours past isn't there. On the other hand, with tickets being close to $200 this time, I didn't feel like I didn't get my money's worth, in fact, I appreciated the perfection, for as much as we paid. If we had a show that was being tweaked on the road, like in the past, I might not have felt that way. Remember the days when we were first on the tour and then you'd hear about improvements in the show that other venues down the road got to see & hear. Part of me can't believe I'm saying that a show is worth $175, it's more in the context of what other artists today are charging and what kind of performances they give. And I was sooo proud for Barry, when the whole arena was singing along and the glowsticks were glowing from every square inch, and then the streamers came down and it was like one giant party. Spectacular.

A few other memories:

...I hadn't planned on taking a lot of photos, but did want a few to remember the evening by. Everyone was taking photos, even cell phone people. The guy next to me had 1/4" tall Barry on his screen. I guess it's the latest fad, but I don't get it

...."All The Time" was such a treat. Barry commented on how it was an album cut, now what do you call it, with ipods (ipod cut?). I think what made it special was that it was the entire song

....Barry seemed proud for us when he said the orchestra was from Dallas, something like "They're YOUR musicians." He had some of his guys mixed in (I think on brass), and his band in front

....the Girls looked great, I love how classy their costumes are. I hate to say it but in the past sometimes they looked thrift shop

....new clothes for Barry too, at least since the last time I saw him. I saw the navy blue suit for what seems like forever.

...Brian Culbertson was out of breath when he spoke to the crowd after performing a song. It made me impressed with Barry, he's still really active and manages to be able to talk without panting, after singing, even after strenuous songs, and he's a lot older.

...the show is so polished and tight, Barry & Co. could probably do it backwards and forwards. It's impressive, yet I miss the spontaneity of the old days on the road when the show was tweaked from city to city.

...but it was nearly flawless, and since tickets were $175+, I really felt I got my money's worth.

...Barry's still sexy, he gave a lot of sly looks and during "Copa" (I think) he did one of his "watch out!" and turned around and shook his a** at the crowd. It wasn't sleazy, at least to me, more like "I'm hot and I know it."

...maybe he's not as spry as he used to be but he seems to be getting along a lot better than before his hip surgery. He did more dancing than I've seen in a long time. And when he says "Watch out!" - stand back, he's still got it!!! SIGH.

...love his hair longer

...for RTTACA he got onto the lift in the front of the stage, lowered to the floor to the audience and picked someone to dance. Her name was Darcie. She looked like a fan but acted kind of out of it. (She must be a fan because she inquired via the Dallas paper for anyone with photos or video.)

...we got the William Tell Overture and the NYC Rhythm piano routine. Both were crowd pleasers and brought the energy up.

...I felt Barry was the most confident I've ever seen him. He's hot and he knows it, yet not in an overconfident way.

...I almost forgot, how could I, we got the slow CIBM, and not in a medley. OMG. It's nice to get clips of songs in a medley but even better to get the whole song.

I've got the music, have you got the passion?

You'll have to forgive me for not keeping up with things. Last night, I spent my birthday with Barry Manilow. (What are the odds of that? That he'd be in town on that day, especially since he's not technically touring.) He was in Dallas for a show at the American Airlines Center. I've been a fan forever, so you can imagine how much I was looking forward to the evening.

The show was spectacular. I think from having it run in Vegas for awhile now, it's become very polished and over-the-top high energy.

Brian Culbertson opened for Barry. OMG, he is the BEST opening act I've ever seen. I've never seen a "smooth jazz" performer live so I didn't know what to expect, except I thought his stage presence added a lot, vs. just listening to a CD. His Dad plays trumpet in his band too!

Barry had him and his band member Mike accompany him on a kick-a** version of "Brooklyn Blues." In the photo below, Brian's the one with the trombone.

Now I'm sleep-deprived. I did stop at Penzey's while in town and picked up a few things, including the Raspberry Enlightenment, which I've been hearing so much about. Can't wait to try it. I've been buying their spices since the days their catalog was made out of newsprint.

Dos Postres de Leche

Tres Leches Cake has been on my "that sounds interesting I want to try that someday" list of foods. People seem to be fond of it but it just sounds weird, with tres leches poured over a cake. The January issue of "Saveur" magazine has a recipe for "Pastel de Cuatro Leches" (the fourth leche is dulce de leche as frosting on top). That was my first new recipe of the month. The cake wasn’t as mushy as I thought it would be, and although it’s sweet, not overly sweet. It seems like one of those things that if you grew up with it, you’d crave it. For me, I like the caramel cake I made last month better.

I only made half a cake so I had half a can of condensed milk. I used that for half a recipe of Nigella Lawson’s "Breakfast Bars." It’s so simple. Just oats, fruit, nuts, coconut, bound together with the milk and baked for an hour. These are soooo good. Both times I've eaten them, I ate one and then wanted another. They kind of blow up in your stomach (not a good description, I don't mean it in a bad way) and make you full, though, so today I only had one and didn't go for seconds. Be sure to either grease your pan well or use nonstick foil.


Today I’m feeling beaten down because of the littering problem we have. There are gas wells where we live and someone comes by everyday to inspect them. While they’re here, they throw their trash out. Beer cans, snack food wrappers, tissues, gloves, etc. We’ve complained and what has happened is that whatever trash we complain about gets picked up, but then it starts all over again. Now the litterer has taken to dumping his ashtray out. It makes me nervous because of all the trees around here. The person I had complained to in the past, is no longer the contact person and now I have to start all over and find someone who will listen. Everyone keeps telling me that it’s a losing battle, but why should I have to put up with someone else’s garbage? Don’t I have a fundamental right to ask that people not litter on my property? And I don’t understand why someone can’t be considerate enough to stop, after having been asked many, many times. Sigh.