Nibbles of Tidbits, a Food Blog

This year, starting June 7th YOU can be a Judge of The Next Food Network Star and each week’s vote will enter you to win a Grilling Oasis.  I’m not sure what’s entailed with a Grilling Oasis, but it sounds pretty good.  I’m gonna watch and vote.

More INFO:

http://www.foodnetwork.com/the-next-food-network-star/index.html?nl=FN_051809_27

http://www.foodnetwork.com/the-next-food-network-star-fan-vote/package/index.html

Stop into any Häagen Dazs Store on Tuesday, May 12th to receive a FREE Scoop of Ice Cream.  See more details and find a store near you HERE: http://www.haagendazs.com/

Yesterday Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC) offered a FREE New Grilled Chicken Drumstick to ALL (above).  And today El Pollo Loco (EPL) offered the public a FREE Drumstick (below) and Wing.  I was curious to try KFC’s new product so we went for the free Drumstick, and we already knew the taste of EPL’s Drumstick, but paid for this one for true comparison. 

But let’s just get right down to it, there’s no comparison — El Pollo Loco’s genuinely Grilled Chicken is hard to beat.  It’s got a lot of great flavor and it’s cooked on the better grill.  Isn’t it obvious from the photos above?  KFC’s Drumstick wasn’t bad — It was just bland and nothing special whatsoever.  I certainly wouldn’t go out of my way for it, but I would for EPL’s Drumstick. 

This OFFICIAL comparison reminded me how good EPL’s Chicken actually is.  Can another well-known fast food chain just jump in and expect much with just okay?  I think not.  I like Kentucky’s “Fried” Chicken much better than this Drumstick — KFC should stick with its Original Recipe and Extra Crispy, and come up with something better for this CHICKEN WAR.  El Pollo Loco is the WINNER.

Related Links:

http://www.kfc.com/

http://www.elpolloloco.com/

http://fastfood.freedomblogging.com/2009/04/22/kfcs-new-kentucky-grilled-chicken-vs-el-pollo-loco/18537/

Orange County based Philanthropists have launched a Friends of OC Food Giveaway aimed towards providing food to families in need.  They’ll be giving $125 (each) towards food to (10) families.  To qualify you must have an OC address, CA ID, be a parent of children under the age of 19, or a senior over the age of 62 — And you must have (unfortunately) experienced financial hardship related to the economy.

To apply for this generous assistance, send the following information to info@ocremodel.com:

• Name
• Children’s Names & Ages
• Address
• Phone Number
• E-Mail Address
• 500 Words WHY You’re in Need of Assistance

The deadline for entry is May 8th and the AWARDEES will be selected on May 15, 2009.  More information is linked below — Much luck and blessings to all those who apply.

Learn More HERE:
http://ocremodel.wordpress.com/2009/04/15/fred-and-rula-jarrah-announce-friends-of-oc-food-giveaway-for-orange-county-ca-families/

It’s time to celebrate Nibbles of Tidbits One Year Anniversary.  It’s today, April 24th.  Let’s toast Champagne and eat lots of FOOD to cheer.  I Need Text Company plans to put forth many years of high quality content and food photography on Nibbles of Tidbits.  Look for more restaurant reviews, cooking tips and ideas, product testing, experiments and reports about all things food related.

PRESS RELEASE:  http://www.prlog.org/10220332.pdf

There’s less than two hours left to receive a FREE SCOOP of Ice Cream from your local Ben & Jerry’s Store — But luckily ALL Coasters can get a $0.31 Scoop of Ice Cream from Baskin Robbins on April 29, 2009 to honor America’s Firefighters.  More information about both deals is linked below.

http://www.benjerry.com/scoop-shops/feature/free-cone-day/

http://www.baskinrobbins.com/spotlight/31CentScoopNight.aspx

Nibbles of Tidbits is currently in love with Häagen Dazs FIVE (Passion Fruit) — Hopefully that’s the next SCOOP. 🙂

Häagen Dazs FIVE: http://www.ineedtext.com/FoodBlog/?p=3670

For the locals, Orange County’s 1st Happy Hour Week is happening NOW until April 18, 2009.  After reading a few of the participant’s menus, we excitedly chose Bayside Restaurant.  The TAPAS they’re offering are fantastic.  It’s hard to decide what to get, because all 16 of them sound amazing.  I wish I had time to go back before the deal ends — Right now all Tapas are $5.95 (each).

From top to bottom, we shared the Smoked Scottish Salmon, with a Warm Blini, Lemon Aioli, Capers, Dill and Onion — Grilled Lamb Chops with Potato Puree and Mustard Sauce.

Bresaola (Air Dried Beef) Carpaccio with Arugula and Parmesan — And Medallion of Venison with D’Anjou (Pear) and Spiced Red Wine Sauce.  WOW, we highly recommend the Venison.  It’s so tender and flavorful.

As you can see, it’s high quality food for less than $6 — Carl’s $6 Burger PA-LEEZ give me a break.  Can someone out there PLEEEZ serve this through a Drive-Thru?

More about OC Happy Hour Week:
http://www.happyhourweek.com/

Bayside Restaurant: http://www.bistango.com/bayside.shtml

Could you eat on $7 a Day for a Week?  That’s Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner, and there’s no accepting free food, no eating what you already have, and the meals should be somewhat healthy.  Many will be doing that April 20-24, 2009 during the United Way’s Hunger Action Week. 

What an interesting challenge — I would probably learn a lot.  If I didn’t already have longstanding lunch and dinner plans next week, I’d do it too.  It appears $7 is the maximum food stamp benefit for an individual.  I’ll make myself take the challenge another week or the economy may force it upon me.  Until then, I’ll be following the food blog reports, especially the posts by Savory Sweet Life.  

United Way Hunger Challenge: http://savorysweetlife.com/?p=205

Getting Started with a Grocery Diary: http://savorysweetlife.com/

There was a lot of fanfare today and FREE Slices of Pizza at the new Domino’s Pizza location on 17th Street in Costa Mesa — They moved across and down the street and today they were giving away Free Pizza Slices between 11AM and 1PM.  I tried the Cali Chicken Bacon Ranch, one of Domino’s American Legend Pizzas.  Loved the Bacon, but my slice didn’t come with Chicken.  It was still good and with a little more Sauce I’d have it delivered.

To celebrate their Grand Re-Opening, Domino’s Pizza also had a couple Laker Girls signing stuff and employees were waving from every corner for two blocks.  You couldn’t miss the hoopla if you were driving by, so hopefully you stopped and got your Free Slice of Pizza.

Domino’s Pizza DIRECT: http://www.dominos.com/home/index.jsp

WOW, this Ice Cream deserves a tablecloth and I sure wish I had a black one for these photos.  In any event, we love the densely creamy texture and bold flavors of Häagen Dazs New FIVE Ice Cream.  Nibbles of Tidbits conducted a Taste Test of 6 flavors – Pictured above from (L-R) are Ginger, Coffee, Vanilla Bean, Brown Sugar, Milk Chocolate, and Mint Ice Cream.

Häagen Dazs FIVE comes in 7 flavors — Passion Fruit wasn’t included in the Taste Test with the others, because I couldn’t stop eating it in the days leading up.  OMGosh, I’m in love!  It’s luxuriously creamy and the Passion Fruit taste is intense and exact.  I’ve got to have it again.

After the Taste Test, I asked our six tasters what one flavor each would pick and the tally is as follows:  Ginger (1), Vanilla Bean (1), Brown Sugar (3), Mint (2), and my favorite was the Passion Fruit (obviously), and the Brown Sugar in this Taste Test.

Milk Chocolate reminds me of the Best Fudgesicle I had as a kid, and the Brown Sugar tastes like a Werther’s Original (Toffee Candy) with notes of Black Licorice — It’s an interesting punch of flavor.  And the Ginger was a fun surprise, it’s spot on and enjoyable.  FIVE is an excellent Ice Cream and I was happy to try them ALL.

Häagen Dazs DIRECT:  http://www.haagen-dazs.com/

More INFO re FIVE: http://www.ineedtext.com/FoodBlog/?p=3592

I’ve got to get an Ice Cream Party scheduled real quick.  If not, I’m going at it alone.  I’m so excited about FIVE, a new line of Ice Cream by Häagen Dazs.  Each of the (7) flavors include only five ingredients (Milk, Cream, Sugar, Eggs), but I’m most keen on the uniqueness of the fifth ingredient — Ginger, Passion Fruit, Coffee, Mint, Milk Chocolate, Vanilla Bean and Brown Sugar.  And many will like that they advertise that it has surprisingly less fat — Less fat than what?  I’m not sure, but it sounds good.  Nibbles of Tidbits will post our verdict soon, but not soon enough. 🙂

Häagen Dazs DIRECT: http://www.haagen-dazs.com/

Review NOW Posted: http://www.ineedtext.com/FoodBlog/?p=3670

The “Special Menu” is the Cheesecake Factory’s New Small Plates & Snacks and Specialties Menu.  Here we had the Beets With Goat Cheese Salad and a Margherita Pizzette.  The plates are “small” as they note, but the prices are small too — Each was $4.95.  It’s a better lunch than fast food for the same price, except for the tip. 🙂

Related Links:

http://www.cheesecakefactory.com/menu.htm

http://www.ineedtext.com/FoodBlog/?p=1960

Happy Hour Week is approaching in Orange County.  It’ll take place April 12th through the 18th in 2009.  The restaurant line-up already looks great and more will be added before the kick-off.  Thanks OCFoodies.com for continually seeking to provide great food related deals for the locals! 

MORE INFO re Happy Hour Week: http://www.happyhourweek.com/

JOIN Orange County Foodies Network: http://www.ocfoodies.com/

The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf is celebrating the coming of Spring with a Tea Party at all company-owned retail locations.  Tea enthusiasts are invited to attend the Tea Party at their local The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf store to enjoy a complementary 12oz. Over Ice Tea Latte prepared with whole Loose Leaf Teas, including bold Chai, fruity Pomegranate Blueberry and aromatic Raspberry Ceylon — Invented by creative Coffee Bean team members, Over Ice Tea Lattes are Loose Leaf Teas freshly “espressed” through Espresso machines, then infused with Vanilla flavor, whisked and poured over ice.

Be sure to stop by one of The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf stores between 2:00p.m. – 6:00p.m. on Thursday, March 5th ONLY to try one for FREE.  I’ve been advised that all California and Arizona locations are company-owned and most, if not all franchise locations are in Hawaii, so unfortunately there’s no free Tea in Hawaii that day.  Aloha.

Related Link: http://coffeebean.com/

Today at the Bloomingdale’s Cooking Demonstration, Executive Chef Owner Cathy Pavlos of Lucca Cafe announced that Orange County Restaurant Week has been extended for another week.  That’s great news!  There’s more time to enjoy the prix-fixe meals being offered at several OC Restaurants.  Pictured here is the Braciole al Forno we had for dinner at Il Farro Caffe Trattoria.  More about our visit will be reported in an upcoming post.

MORE INFO: http://www.orangecountyrestaurantweek.com/

Continuing with the Orange County Restaurant Week Cooking Demonstrations at Bloomingdales South Coast Plaza is Kimera Restaurant & Lounge.  Chefs from Kimera made Crab Cakes and Shrimp Spring Rolls.  Both seemed so quick and easy to make BECAUSE all the ingredients were chopped ahead of time.  I subsequently had the IDEA to raid a Salad Bar for quick Spring Roll contents.  Good idea huh!?  That’s what I’ll do when I make them.

Kimera representatives so kindly gave all the Cooking Demonstration guests a $20 Gift Certificate.  Thank you — I’ve been wanting to go there.

Kimera Restaurant & Lounge:
http://www.kimerarestaurant.com/
http://www.ineedtext.com/FoodBlog/?p=4216

Orange County Restaurant Week:
http://www.orangecountyrestaurantweek.com/

Previous Cooking Demonstrations:
http://www.ineedtext.com/FoodBlog/?p=2710
http://www.ineedtext.com/FoodBlog/?p=2623
http://www.ineedtext.com/FoodBlog/?p=2489

Hosea won Top Chef on tonight’s Top Chef New York Season 5 Finale.  Congratulations — It’s a tough competition!  My friend was in love with Fabio, the fourth runner up.  She’ll be doing a write up about his Moorpark Restaurant soon on Nibbles of Tidbits.  That’ll be interesting to hear about.

But my favorite was Carla — She’s funny and seems like a cool chick.  It’s all good though.  I have much respect for anyone in that competition.  It’s crazy – FO SHO.

Related Links:

http://www.ineedtext.com/FoodBlog/?p=1332

http://www.ineedtext.com/FoodBlog/?p=1360

Fabio’s Restaurant in Moorpark: http://www.cafefirenze.net/

These are the “Delightful Surprise Clusters” I created for a Recipe Contest sponsored by Quaker Oats and Foodbuzz.   They’re made with Dark Chocolate and offer many delightful surprises inside, Cashews, Almonds, Macadamia Nuts, Toasted Coconut, Dried Cherries, Orange Flavored Dried Cranberries and Banana Chips.  All is topped with swirled White Chocolate.  My office appears to be loving ’em — That’s good.  They’re Gourmet Nut Clusters!

RECIPE: http://www.foodbuzz.com/recipes/859636-delightful-surprise-clusters

Enter the Contest HERE:
http://www.foodbuzz.com/promos/780121#rules

Contest Inspiration – Quaker Oats True Delights Chewy Granola Bars: http://www.ineedtext.com/FoodBlog/?p=1985

Recipe Contest WIN too long ago:
http://www.ineedtext.com/Gourmet%20Magazine.pdf

The First Annual Orange County Restaurant Week officially starts today and continues through February 28th — More details about it are linked below.  As previously reported on Nibbles of Tidbits, participating Chefs are giving cooking demonstrations at Bloomingdale’s Home Store at South Coast Plaza.

Here Chef Paul French of The Californian at The Hyatt Regency Huntington Beach makes their Wild Mushroom Ravioli with sauteed Jewel Box Mushrooms, Farmer’s Market Vegetables and Brown Truffle Butter Sauce.  WOW, it’s the best we’ve sampled (thus far) during these demonstrations.  And it’s fortunately one of the dishes being offered during OC Restaurant Week.

Related Links:

http://www.ineedtext.com/FoodBlog/?p=2623

http://www.ineedtext.com/FoodBlog/?p=2489

http://www.orangecountyrestaurantweek.com/

http://huntingtonbeach.hyatt.com/hyatt/hotels/entertainment/index.jsp

Today Orange County Restaurant Week kicked off its pre-event festivities with the first of 13 Cooking Demonstrations to be held at Bloomingdale’s Home Store, South Coast Plaza.  Chef De Cuisine Brian Black of The Loft at The Montage Laguna Beach prepared Barbecue-Braised Laughing Bird Shrimp with Warm Winter Citrus Vinaigrette, Spinach and Pine Nuts.  It’s one of the dishes to be offered during the inaugural Orange County Restaurant Week, February 22-28, 2009.

Participating restaurants will be serving three-course pre-fixe lunches for $10 & $20, and dinners for $20, $30 and $40.  During that time and leading up to it, select Chefs will demonstrate how to prepare dishes featured on their respective OC Restaurant Week menus.  It’s a good way to sample a few items and see how they’re made. 

The related Demos started today and will continue through the end of  OC Restaurant Week.  We’ll hopefully see and taste more.  Chef Manny Gomez of Ruth’s Chris Steak House Irvine will be making Sweet Potato Casserole and Creamed Spinach at Bloomingdale’s Home Store on February 19 — That’s of interest.  The rest of the schedule and more information is linked below.

Orange County Restaurant Week INFO:
http://www.orangecountyrestaurantweek.com/

Laughing Bird Shrimp INFO:
http://www.wedge.coop/meat/meat-sustainable-shrimp.html

Apparently my “Cheesecake Flavor” is Adam’s Peanut Butter Cup Fudge Ripple — An interesting combination that I wouldn’t generally pick, but it was fun taking The Cheesecake Factory’s ‘What Cheesecake Flavor Are You?’ Quiz.  I like the song on the site too.  Aside from the quiz, my favorite flavor has actually been White Chocolate Raspberry Truffle. 

My designated flavor describes me (and the Cheesecake) as “The incredible mix of qualities that makes you so appreciated is nothing short of miraculous, much like this Cheesecake.  A lot goes into this flavor… Just like you, it’s an awe-inspiring combination of ingredients not soon forgotten.”

Learn About “Your Flavor” HERE:
https://promos.thecheesecakefactory.com/

My Flavor INFO:
https://promos.thecheesecakefactory.com/eslice.php?code=P4-T14-Shelly

My 2nd Flavor INFO:
https://promos.thecheesecakefactory.com/eslice.php?code=P4-T11-Borrell

* The photograph is unrelated to The Cheesecake Factory.  It’s what Lake Arrowhead looked like a week ago driving down the mountain.  It’s beautiful, but makes me want to stay warm inside, and take this quiz. 🙂

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

Introducing Quaker “True Delights” — They’re new Chewy Granola Bars distributed by The Quaker Oats Company.  I was recently given the opportunity to try them before they hit the market in January 2009.  I received two of each flavor.  True Delights are made with real Fruit, whole Nuts, Dark Chocolate, and of course Quaker Oats and more.

The specific flavors are Honey Roasted Cashew Mixed Berry, Toasted Coconut Banana Macadamia Nut, and Dark Chocolate Raspberry Almond, respectfully pictured above from top to bottom.  Quaker Oats did an excellent job selecting the various Fruit and Nut combinations. 

My favorite is the Coconut Banana Macadamia Nut.  I ate both before anyone else had the opportunity to try them.  I’ll be purchasing a box in the future.  And I took the rest to the office where two others fell in love with the Honey Roasted Cashew Mixed Berry.  Overall, we were impressed with all three.  Thanks Quaker and Foodbuzz for the fabulous preview.  You both did good.

Related Links:

http://www.quakeroats.com/products.aspx

http://www.foodbuzz.com/search?feature=features&search_str=quaker+oats&commit.x=17&commit.y=11