I got all of this at Ikea’s Restaurant & Cafe for $3.99 — It’s Penne Pasta with a combination of Marinara & Alfredo Sauce, Vegetables, Garlic Toast and a Salad. That’s less than you’d pay at a fast food joint, and a lot more food. As previously reported, the environment is relaxing and its cafeteria style ordering is fun.
HOWEVER, although this looks good, it’s kinda bland. I liked the Garlic Toast and the Salad Bar, but their Ranch Dressing has that tart taste I avoid in some. Overall, for the price I’d doctor it up with Salt, Pepper, and the Parmesan Cheese they offer with it. And I’d try a different Salad Dressing.
If you love more than one on Valentine’s Day, it’s a good idea to make your own GOODIES. It’s fun and should cost less. HERE we packed small boxes with homemade White Chocolate and Crushed Cherry Life Savers molded into Lips & Hearts, White Chocolate Dipped Oreo Cookies, Milk Chocolate Dipped Graham Crackers, and more White Chocolate Cherry Life Saver Bark — It’s a color fitting and tasty combination.
A couple of cool peeps I know are doing something great for Valentine’s Day. Instead of spending money on jewelry or an expensive dinner out, Betty and Mike Carroll of Laguna Niguel are making a donation to The Village of Hope, which helps homeless families transition into permanent shelter and sustainable jobs. It’s so important for the children.
In addition to The Village of Hope monetary donation Betty and Mike plan to make each Valentine’s Day, they’ll pack and take a Box of Love filled with non-perishable FOOD items to the Village of Hope in Tustin, where many families are temporarily living. The donations are much needed and appreciated. What a wonderful way to spread Valentine’s Day love — And food. How about doing the same?
These Valentine’s Day Cookies are the masterpieces (if you will) of five fabulous friends together again decorating Sugar Cookies made by Loretta, the intrinsic Orange County Baker. We’re decorating our way through the 2009 holidays. It’s a fun way to spend time and our families love it when we bring home trays of yummy Cookies — And Candies, to be posted HERE soon.
The Best Chocolate Dipped Oreo Cookies are made by Princess Loretta. She’s the one in the middle with the floating Cookie Tiara. Her baked goods are much appreciated by her friends, family, clients, and expanding outward. And her Cookies are magically better than any we’ve purchased. She uses the best Chocolate for her Oreos. That’s just one reason why I’m lucky to be one of her best friends. And since Valentine’s Day is coming up, she made White Chocolate Dipped Oreos with red stripes. Everything she makes somehow tastes extra good. Cookies, Cakes and Candies are her forté, after training clients in her Huntington Beach Pilate’s Studio.
This day a group of us happily got together to decorate Valentine’s Cookies, and take home pretty boxes of Chocolate Dipped Oreo Cookies, White Chocolate Cherry Kisses and more. The decorated Cookies will be posted and linked soon. Gracias Loretta – It’s always a great time!
SPECIAL NOTE: If you’re local (Orange County) and want your own Chocolate Dipped Oreos by Loretta, please tell Nibbles of Tidbits HERE in a comment. More Chocolate Dipped Oreos: http://www.ineedtext.com/FoodBlog/?p=1247
The preparation of these Orange and Chocolate Cookies was inspired by a monthly food photography contest (DMBLGIT) submission, my love of all things Orange flavored, and the lack of ingredients to make the same Cookie.
Since I had to make them immediately, I used Brown Sugar instead of White Sugar, and Grand Marnier in place of the Orange Extract. Aside from those substitutions, I prepared the recipe that’s linked below. This variation worked well too, but I may add a little less salt next time. These Orange and Chocolate Cookies tasted good, though the photos don’t measure up to those posted by the ’What’s Cooking?’ recipe developer.
A rainy day is a perfect day to try a few things at Pizza Hut. We’re hungry, busy, and don’t want to go out into the rain, so we were happy when this combination was magically delivered to our door in 25 minutes. Thank you Pizza Hut. Delivery from anywhere good can be fun.
This time we tried a couple Personal Pan Pizzas, the Quepapas Potato Bites, and the Breadsticks with Marinara Sauce. One Pizza had Pepperoni and Mushroom, and the other Ham, Pineapple and Jalapenos. We seamlessly ordered online and were eating in less than a half hour this day.
There were no complaints about this meal — The Breadsticks and Marinara are pretty good, and the Quepapas weren’t bad either, but next time we’d order an extra side of the Marinara to go with them. We’re now warm, dry and full.
Ikea’s Restaurant & Cafe is one of the best places for lunch. On Wednesdays I work in an office across the street from an Ikea — The inexpensive menu, unique foods, spacious dining area, cafeteria style ordering, and large windows make if a perfect place for lunch. And I’ve finally figured out how to leave the place without having to walk through the entire store, HA. That’s important!
I’ve always had their Swedish Meatballs, but they’ve got other dishes I’d like to try. This week it was Salmon with an Apple Glaze (I think), with Potatoes and Carrots. The vegetables were over-cooked, but tasted okay. The Salmon was good with the Lemony Sauce they offer, but I really didn’t taste ”Apple” in/on anything. Until I must have the Meatballs again, I look forward to trying new things on Wednesdays.
I have to share this song. I’ve thrown in a food photo – Is that enough to tie this magnificent song into a food blog? I’m eating right/write now and playing it. Music is the best addition to food, isn’t it? This song has been part of my YouTube Favorites for some time. It is LIVE’s piano version of They Stood Up For Love. It’s uplifting and hits me each time I hear it. I’m feeding my soul. That’s it! There’s the tie in – I’m feeding my soul right now with music. Feed yours too.
Update 07/09/10: Nibbles of Tidbits can now add video, thus post this favorite song below for easy access. We never get tired of it and LOVE Live.
I walked into the office the other day and thought someone had brought in the makings for a Mojito. Wishful thinking I guess. It smelled like fresh cut Mint, so I asked, “Where’s the Mint?” Instead it was this Gum. A co-worker was chewing it. This Trident Passionberry Twist doesn’t have your typical Mint Gum scent, but one of the live Herb. I’m not much of a Gum chewer, but had to try a piece. The Mint scent was a little stronger than the flavor, but I secondly appreciated the Passion Fruit flavor. It’s GOOD Gum – HA.
The post title was inspired by an old SNL sketch that used to crack me up. It’s so dumb that it’s funny. Below is a very short excerpt of it:
Have you tried the Garlic Cheese Bread at Parkers’ Lighthouse yet? If you have and love it like I do, here’s a copycat recipe. Parkers’ Lighthouse is a Waterfront Seafood Restaurant in Long Beach, across the Harbor from The Queen Mary. Once upon a time I worked there as a waitress while in college (CSULB). Everyone loved their famous Garlic Cheese Bread and it appears they still do. With a little help from a former co-worker, I provide this simple recipe that (to me) tastes like Parkers’ Garlic Cheese Bread. It’s a unique combination that contains no Butter, but it works. Since I no longer live in Long Beach, this recipe occasionally comes in handy for a nostalgic fix. What’s pictured here was cooked in the toaster oven, but the Garlic Cheese Bread is terrific broiled in the oven.
-Bread (French or Sour Dough Roll, cut in half lengthwise)
-Mayonnaise
-Parmesan Cheese (Fresh Grated, a generous ratio to Mayo)
-Garlic Powder (A generous amount to taste)
Mix all ingredients together and spread liberally on long split rolls. Broil in the oven until light - golden brown. Be sure to keep an eye on the Bread. It doesn’t take long. I’ve burned way too many pieces in my life, HA.
FYI: The same Cheese combination and Spinach is used to make Parkers’ Oysters Rockefeller, one of my favorite appetizers there. If you’re adventurous, give them a try too. They’re also broiled until golden brown, then served on a bed of Rock Salt. Enjoy!
Although I didn’t win January’s Does My Blog Look Good In This (DMBLGIT) food photography contest, I just won $100 in a Super Bowl Pool. YEAH! I’ll consider it a nice consolation, but do check out last month’s winners HERE:
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The Best Chocolate Dipped Oreo Cookies are made by Princess Loretta. She’s the one in the middle with the floating Cookie Tiara. Her baked goods are much appreciated by her friends, family, clients, and expanding outward. And her Cookies are magically better than any we’ve purchased. She uses the best Chocolate for her Oreos. That’s just one reason why I’m lucky to be one of her best friends. And since Valentine’s Day is coming up, she made White Chocolate Dipped Oreos with red stripes. Everything she makes somehow tastes extra good. Cookies, Cakes and Candies are her fort
I have to share this song. I’ve thrown in a food photo – Is that enough to tie this magnificent song into a food blog? I’m eating right/write now and playing it. Music is the best addition to food, isn’t it? This song has been part of my YouTube Favorites for some time. It is LIVE’s piano version of 
I walked into the office the other day and thought someone had brought in the makings for a Mojito. Wishful thinking I guess. It smelled like fresh cut Mint, so I asked, “Where’s the Mint?” Instead it was this Gum. A co-worker was chewing it. This Trident Passionberry Twist doesn’t have your typical Mint Gum scent, but one of the live Herb. I’m not much of a Gum chewer, but had to try a piece. The Mint scent was a little stronger than the flavor, but I secondly appreciated the Passion Fruit flavor. It’s GOOD Gum – HA. 
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