Nibbles of Tidbits, a Food Blog

I’ve discovered that Dill Pickles and Pine Nuts (Pignolias) go very well together, especially with Bubbies Pickles.  I’m not quite sure what to make with them yet, but damn — It’s a good combination.  Until a recipe is conjured up, I’ll keep eating a handful of Pine Nuts with each bite of a Pickle.  Give it a try.

As an occasional Tastemaker for Foodbuzz, I opted to try a new brand of 100% Natural Breads.  And although not much of a Bread person, especially Wheat Bread, I’m now sold on Nature’s Pride.  I didn’t expect to like their 100% Whole Wheat and 12 Grain Bread as much as I do – I most often prefer Sourdough, but was happily impressed from the start with the double wrapping and freshness.  The texture and color of the 12 Grain reminded me of the best Amish Friendship Bread I once had, a very good thing.  And the taste of the 100% Whole Wheat won me over.  Once it was finished, I started falling for the 12 Grain.  It appears Nature’s Pride makes high quality, tasty Bread.  Two thumbs up by each of our four Tastemakers who enjoyed the meals prepared above and below.  Hover over each photo for a brief description.  This opportunity was a pleasure.

Since we also report about cooking mishaps, keep an eye on your Toast.  We burnt way too many slices.

Nibbles of Tidbits is an I Need Text Company Blog that provides helpful cooking tips, meal preparation photos, recipes, restaurant reviews, travel reviews, food television commentary, informative links, food event and product reports, and good, bad and funny stories about all things food related.  We’re working hard to provide the best information in the cleanest format.  As we continue to test for optimum functionality this weekend, we’ve posted the above photo as a preview of our Tastemaker report on Nature’s Pride Bread.  It’ll be interesting.

Nibbles of Tidbits will be getting a new look this Saturday & Sunday — It’ll still be simple, yet updated.  Any transitional formatting issues are in the process of being corrected.  Thus if you see weirdness (overlaps, covered text, or other), it’s just temporary growing pains.  We’re excited about the future and plan to do a lot more cooking, dining and reporting here. 

Although these photos don’t represent the theme of this post, they were thought to be nice to look at while testing out our final theme selections.  Both were taken while camping in Carlsbad — We experienced the gorgeous sunset while basting skewered Shrimp with Lime, Soy Sauce and melted Butter on our portable grill.  Ciao.

Have you wondered if there is Pomegranate Juice in Pom Wonderful’s New POMx Iced Coffee?  I did.  It doesn’t, but it does have an antioxidant rich extract from Pomegranates.  And a high caffeine content for an extreme energy boost — I was a little afraid of that, but it didn’t make me spazzier than I am.  Overall, they’ve got a well-rounded flavor and the Cafe Au Lait Iced Coffee (pictured here) isn’t fake creamy tasting, like some prepackaged Iced Coffees can be.  They’re found in the produce department and called a healthy buzz, and also come in Chocolate, Caramel, Vanilla and Chai Tea.

Belmont Shore, one of the best areas in Long Beach hosts a lot of great restaurants.  I spent many fun years living within walking distance from “The Shore” and ate at every restaurant on Second Street.  Too bad Nibbles of Tidbits didn’t exist then — It would’ve had quite the material.  Open Sesame featured HERE wasn’t there during that time, but it now occupies two spots, 5201/5215.

Open Sesame has a corner location (a Cheese Steak Sandwich joint during my days) and another restaurant a few doors down.  If you plan on meeting someone there, be sure to specify which one.

Before visiting, we heard nothing but good things about the place.  We started our meal with artsy Hummus, Pita Bread and Fried Cauliflower, which turned out to be my favorite menu item of the meal.  We also had the Kafta Pita that’s made with ground charbroiled Sirloin and Lamb, and the Chicken Shawarma Pita, made with marinated Chicken breast and thigh meat.  Unfortunately, the Kafta Pita meat was dry and tough, thus we’d opt for a substitute next time.

The service was good and they offer outdoor patio dining at both Second Street locations.  Love that!  Pictured directly above is the Green Hot Tea – And we also tried the Jalab, a combination of Rose Water and Grape Syrup infused with Incense and topped with Pinenuts.  It’s different and refreshingly crunchy.  I’d get it again, especially since I know I’ll be back to visit Belmont Shore (and the Heights), the best part of the LBC.

After having the most fabulous Chicken Tikka Masala at Chakra Cuisine at the Taste of Newport, I was compelled to recreate its flavor and tender texture of the Chicken.  I searched the Internet and found an informative video about its preparation.  Although I didn’t copy its technique, I learned a bit.  Instead, I opted for a slow cooked version (Murgh Tikka Masala) with most of the same spices.  It turned out good and the Chicken was tender, but it didn’t quite hit the mark.  Not bad for a first attempt, but not the fabulous I was hoping for.  Could it be the lack of Fenugreek (Kasuri Methi)?

To become a “Bertolli Influencer” at the Foodbuzz Blogger Festival, it was required that applicants submit a MENU using Bertolli products — One Appetizer and One Entree.  Bertolli and Foodbuzz have teamed to offer a brand scholarship program to provide (10) Featured Publishers with free airfare and transportation to/from the festival, and accommodations for (2) nights in the heart of San Francisco.  Please pick me.

Pictured HERE is the 2nd Course of my Bertolli Tasting Menu.  As an entry, I proposed the following:

1st Course (Appetizer): Melt in your Mouth Meatballs with Bertolli’s Fire Roasted Tomato and Cabernet Sauvignon Sauce w/ a Garlic and Extra Virgin Olive Oil Crostini.

2nd Course (Entree): Roasted Asparagus and Red Peppers tossed with Penne Pasta and Bertolli’s Garlic Alfredo Sauce with Aged Parmesan Cheese and Pine Nuts.

Although I propose the use of Bertolli’s “Garlic” Alfredo Sauce, the original was substituted here, since the other wasn’t available at the store I shopped. Instead I roasted a bulb of Garlic in the oven and mixed in a few cloves.  All was a flavorful combination.  The (10) winners should be announced tomorrow, then Foodbuzz readers will vote for the top (3) menus to possibly be prepared at the festival — My fingers are crossed.

UPDATE 10/22/09:  Unfortunately I didn’t win this one, but you can review the winning menus here.  Thanks for the opportunity Foodbuzz and Bertolli.

When I first heard the title of this movie, Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs, I thought how adorable.  And since it somewhat relates to food, I can mention it here.  I haven’t yet seen the movie, but have the BEST Meatball recipe to make before watching it on Netflix DVD someday.  They report that you’ve never seen a shower meatier than this, but the weather here in Southern California is still sunny, with currently no chance of Meatballs unless you make ‘em yourself.