September 2015 – Well Dined

27
Sep
2015

Yelp Event – Tupelo Honey Cafe

categories: Reviews

I am on the NoVA Elite Squad this year, which means that I get invited to awesome events! Back in July (I’m so far behind on posting, lol) – I was invited to a tasting event at the (then) new Tupelo Honey Cafe in Arlington. We got to hear about the menu and try several dishes and drinks. It’s a really great way to get an impression of a restaurant without having to visit several times in order to try a lot. That’s our fearless leader, Gretchen, in the photo there (check out her blog here).

I thought the location was really cute, on a corner near Ballston with a nice patio. The decor was warm and inviting, and the staff handled the madness of the event quite well. We got to try several drinks, starting with the happy hour special of sparkling sangria. I actually did not like that drink, though many others did, because it tasted more like a vodka and soda than a sangria. After that, I ordered the Violet Beauregarde (props for the cute name) with vodka, St. Germaine, blueberry puree, fresh mint, fresh lemon, and sparkling wine. I LOVED that one. I also loved the non-alcoholic blueberry spritzer that they passed around, but not the rosemary lemonade (too bitter).

As for food, we tried the Goat Cheese Grits Poppers with Jalapeno Apple Salsa (4:00, my favorite); Fried Green Tomatoes with Grits (1:00, also really liked); Country Ham Wontons with Shaved Brussels Sprouts (10:00, very good); Pecan Crusted Goat Cheese with Apples and Figs (not pictured, pretty good); Salt Roasted Beets with Goat Cheese and Pesto (6:00, disappointed with this one); Pimento Cheese Dip (too spicy for me); Mac and Cheese with Cajun Shrimp (also too spicy for me).

My takeaway was that this is Southern food, get the fried stuff and the cheesy stuff and the grits – if you try to go healthy, you will be disappointed. Everything we tried was from the small plates menu, so I would like to return to try an entree. Or better yet, bunch – I hear the brunch is fantastic.

My thanks to Yelp and Tupelo Honey Cafe for their generosity! You can read more about the event here.

You may be interested in: Yelp Progressive Brunch at Springfield Town Center

14
Sep
2015

SRC – S’mores Cookies from Amy’s Cooking Adventures

categories: Recipes

It’s time for another Secret Recipe Club reveal! This month I was assigned Amy’s Cooking adventures, a blog that I recognize from my other blog circle – Food ‘n Flix. As I was looking into Amy’s blog in more depth and reading her bio, I started to feel like I knew her. I, too, came to cooking later in life. I, too, have a masters but chose to stay at home (as a homemaker for now and hopefully a mother soon). I, too, am an avid reader (and a huge geek/nerd in general). I love that Amy posts a list of what she has been reading, and I love the books on those lists, too! Her writing is very open and conversational and makes you feel like you are an old friend – what a treat!

I was really tempted to go with these Pesto Mozzarella Burgers on Tomato Basil Buns, maybe paired with a Roasted Blueberry Basil Margarita. But then I saw that she had a ton of s’mores based recipes! I love s’mores so much! Would I go with s’mores brownies, cupcakes, or a frappuccino? So many choices! I eventually settled on cookies, but Amy has not 1, not 2, but 3 s’mores cookie recipes. I decided to go with the 3rd and most recent recipe, because Amy said it’s the best one and I trust her judgement.

They are a chocolate base with chocolate chips, mini marshmallows, and graham cracker bits – and they really taste like s’mores! You can store them in an airtight container, but I liked them best the first day, when the graham crackers were still crunchy.

They also have a secret ingredient – chocolate pudding mix! I’ve used pudding mix in cakes and ice cream before, but hadn’t thought about it for cookies – what a great idea! They came out really fudgy and moist. I really didn’t make any changes at all to this recipe, it’s perfect! (more…)

11
Sep
2015

Try The World Marrakesh

categories: Recipes, Reviews

Earlier this week I talked about my Marrakesh box from Try The World, and what I did with the sardines from it. Now I’d like to tell you what I did with the rest of the items, which was to make this beautiful lamb and couscous dish!

First I took cubed lamb and tossed it with some of the kefta rub, then browned it in batches. (more…)

08
Sep
2015

Try the World Review, Sardine Butter

categories: Recipes, Reviews

I really want to tell you guys about this delightful sardine butter that I made with lemon and fresh herbs, but first I need to tell you how I happened to acquire some sardines. (Also -check out my delicious Seeded Peasant Bread in the photo, there.)

I recently signed up for a subscription service called Try The World, which sends me a box of international goodies every other month. The boxes are themed, so that everything in each comes from one country – my first box was Marrakesh (Morocco).

Lemme walk you through what it is like to get one of these boxes in the mail. You open up the cardboard cube, and inside is an adorable print and your beautiful box. (more…)

03
Sep
2015

Cherry Amaretto Jam

categories: Recipes

Earlier this week, I posted about homemade Seeded Peasant Bread. Well, what goes better with homemade bread than homemade jam? This jam, made with Rainier cherries and Amaretto, is the perfect compliment.

Rainier cherries are so beautifully colored, I just love them. Start by pitting and chopping (I was lazy and just quartered mine, and the chunks were a bit too large).

Combine with sugar, bring to a boil, and cook down for a bit. (more…)

Month: September 2015