Nibbles of Tidbits, a Food Blog

Observing Martin Luther King, Jr. Day with a FOOD said to be one of his favorites, Pecan Pie.

I prefer the pictured Individual Pecan Pies and Pecan Pie Cake to any Pecan Pie I’ve made.

No regrets about yesterday — The path is officially clear for hope, growth, success and happiness in 2012.  The invitation (below) and experience (above) relate to this blog, since all was presented by and for EPL employees.  They do a lot of cool things.  My association with the wonderfully crazy Chicken is previously reported.  I’ll always wish EPL well.

I wanted to toast a Marshmallow.  Goodbye 2011 — Welcome 2012!

Snapshots of a colorful evening with FOOD, music, games and prizes — Happy New Year.

The surprise Best Dish of the 2011/2012 OC Fair New Year’s Eve Block Party (in our humble opinions) was the Crispy Brussels Sprouts from the Home Skillet Truck — With Capers, a smoky flavor and Herb Dressing, it’s quite phenomenal tasting.  We’ll try more from ‘em next time.

Met a cool dynamic of people and won (3) Tickets to the OC Fair at the Black Jack Table.

Didn’t have a Takoyaki Ball, but they look interesting with added Octopus.

It’s The Cured (above), a tribute to The Cure, one of my all-time favorite bands.

Pleasant surprises continue to happen — Unexpected good wishes to all in 2012.

Happy Moo Year — It’s good I love Milk and a Cheese Platter in the VIP Lounge.

Note:  Part (1) of (2) re the happenings at the 2011/2012 OC Fair New Year’s Eve Block Party.

The posted RECIPE is an Award WINNER and officially named Chilled Tomato and Cucumber Gazpacho.  It’s not a Mexican Shrimp Cocktail silly — Duly advised, but it reminds me of one.  Either way, it may be the best I’ve had.  It’s fresh tasting, flavorful and super easy to make.

Chilled Tomato and Cucumber Gazpacho

3 ripe Tomatoes, cored and cut into large cubes [I seeded them]

1 Cucumber, peeled, seeded and cut into large cubes [I didn't seed it; used an English Cucumber]

1/2 Green, Yellow or Orange Pepper (or tricolor combo), diced [I used half a Green, half an Orange]

1/2 Shallot, or 1 Tablespoon Red Onion, diced [Shallot]

1/2 cup Scallions, chopped

Juice of 1 Lime

1 T. Extra Virgin Olive Oil

1 T. Worcestershire Sauce

1/2 t. Tabasco [or other hot pepper sauce, like Red Rooster, which I now like better--use 1 T.]

1/2 cup V-8 Juice [buy one small bottle at a liquor store; grocery stores only sell it by the case!]

Lemon Pepper to taste

Seasoned Salt to taste

Instructions

Combine all Soup ingredients in blender until well blended (ingredients will retain some pulp, which is great).  Pour into chilled bowls and garnish as desired.  Makes 1/2 gallon–6 appetizer servings or 3 main dish servings.  Tastes better if you make it the night before.

Garnish (with one or more)

1/2 lb. chilled, cooked Shrimp [buy the fresh $10 Shrimp tray from Costco; scarf the leftovers with the Cocktail Sauce]

1 chilled, sliced Avocado

1 T. fresh Cilantro, chopped

Follow and vary the RECIPE to your taste — Above [brackets] indicate specifics by Arlene T., 2011 Best Appetizer Winner.  She agreed to share all on Nibbles of Tidbits and we thank her.

I recently made the same for a Holiday Party and everyone loved it well chilled in a cup.

Reindeer need to eat too, and so does Santa, visibly – Merry Christmas from Nibbles of Tidbits!

Note: The WINNER of the OC Fair New Year’s Eve Block Party Tickets will soon be announced.  Closing odds are 29/1 – We’ll update this post with the results or write a new one.

Update: Congratulations “amelieinparis7″ and Happy New Year.  We have a gift to send you.

A surprise at the office on Friday made my day – Walked in to a pile of presents on my desk and a box of Donuts nearby.  A couple days a week at EPL’s corporate headquarters (as a Paralegal, Consultant) enhances living.  Before and after will always be tasty grilled Chicken.

You’re lucky to like your job, or in some cases just have one – I thankfully enjoy a few.

And now keen on 2 Pounds of See’s Candy, Homemade Apple Juice and candles – Sounds like a party.  I never had 2 Pounds of Chocolate.  Is it really Apple Juice or Moonshine?  I won’t tell.

I feel bizarre – What’s in there?  JK, lovin’ the freshly juiced Gala and Fuji Apples with the Nuts & Chews, at a pace to avoid chaos.  Thank you!  I’m very grateful for all.  The little things and big picture matter most.  Merry Christmas, love and feast on earth.  Pass the Moonshine.

I fancy hanging snowflakes during Christmas time that attempt to look half as good as above.

One of the best reds is perfectly cooked Filet Mignon.

Red Velvet Cake, very popular now.

Shrimp Cocktail Teasers — I make the best Cocktail Sauce in seconds.

A Lobster Roll — Never had one, always wanted one, will get one (someday).

Pomegranate Margarita and other interesting Margarita concoctions are here.

I love Beets and used to make them all the time.  The drawback is they stain everything.

I receive a lot of love and find Watermelon Juice irresistible.

Apple credit goes to God, then here.

While picking Strawberries as a kid in a nearby field, I almost got shot with a Salt Gun.

Planet Earth Apple — Do you think it was coincidentally bitten that way?

I’ll forever support cute and sweet, with consideration over cuteness, consider it!?

Chef Niece Bailee could paint these Cherries with ease, I just eat ‘em with simplicity.

Another staining food, but superb in countless ways are Pomegranate Seeds.

Oh so beautiful – Standing there now in spirit.

Note:  Continuing our Food Coloring Series with RED — Click color links to see previously posted orange, green, yellow, blue, white and purple food photos.  Have a favorite?

Do you “want to be part of the NYE Midnight Drop” they asked me?  Two seats on the pictured Super Shot are up for grabs, if I want them.  Part of me thinks it would be a fun way to start the new year, and the other part thinks, no thanks!  I appreciate the offer, but already up in the air in circumstance — That aside, 22/1 are the current odds of winning (2) Tickets to the OC Fair New Year’s Eve Block Party.  Enter here now.  Winner to be drawn Christmas Day.

Uncle This, Aunt That, where is so-and-so, sometimes it’s not so easy, but still a great thing.

Shelter, warmth, love and (regardless of all) laughs around a dinner table are invaluable.

With Gravy on top of everything — Hang in there, count your blessings and dig in.

No matter what, this matters – We wish all families love and peace.

It starts off cute, simple and sweet with a melting Snowman Sugar Cookie, or is it sad?

Purity, honesty, clarity, simplicity and love are white, so are Pumpkins, Parsnips and Pigs.

When asked my favorite color, I used to say WHITE, to often hear “white’s not a color.”

Is white a color?

Pearly White French Macarons are so luxurious and seem a joy to lick.

A Clam in Broth is calming and innocent, what it should be, but could be incredibly bland.

Eggs, a versatile ingredient that’s trippy when over-analyzed, like the Meat aisle.

Talent, intuition, cleanliness, transparency and wisdom are cherished gifts in ones short time.

So much is bigger than you and me, let’s just eat, laugh, love and be grateful for all.

I’m unimportant compared to many things, but better off than Bacon – It’s too well liked.

Cheese made from a cow, goat and sheep are shared with bountiful Root Vegetables from soil.

A Picnic in a Vineyard is on a to-do list — Realized someday with a camera Lord willing.

In color a surprise would be clear or white – Yes?!  Though not analogous to above unknowns.

And a white to-go bag for two today — Sometimes it’s just better that way.  Ciao.

The Nutrition Source INFO may be helpful — Be humble, it’s not all about YOU (or me).

Note: Continuing our Food Coloring Series with WHITE – Click color links to see previously posted orange, green, yellow, blue and purple foods.  Next up will be red, black, and then…

Voted the Best Appetizer at our Christmas Par-Tay was this Mexican Shrimp Cocktail.  Recipe coming soon to this blog you see now – We be kickin’ it at this moment on a sunny Saturday.

Congrats Arlene (second from right) and thanks to Cost Plus for making it extra special.

Definitely not into mall traffic on so-called Black Friday — No way Jose, opt to eat on a beach.

The Beachcomber in Crystal Cove State Park Historic District.

Isn’t this better than a crowded mall, paleeez – It’ll always be a Blue Friday for us.

Turkey Skin, it’s not the healthiest of Thanksgiving Day appetizers, but oh-so-good when extra crispy, with a little Salt — It’s become a family tradition to graze a comely Turkey homely.  Happy Thanksgiving to all.  Count your blessings today and every day.  We sure do.

Preparing for a Christmas Par-tay by shopping at my favorite store, Cost Plus World Market.

How old are you?  Did you ever have a metal Lunch Pail?  We love the variety and nostalgia at Cost Plus/CPWM.  Would you believe this girl (me) doesn’t like to shop, but it’s always fun and interesting shopping there.  This visit Chef Nieces, Bailee and Lexi of Kids in the Kitchen model a few goods.  Bailee liked the mini Tabasco Bottles – I do too and told her that I used to carry one with me all the time, until one leaked in my purse.  That was a bummer.

Some things just need Hot Sauce, but that’s another story.

We’re supposed to be shopping for a Par-tay, better than a Par-tee.

Too many cool, stylish things — Is it the models?

Today we set out for a Gift for the Christmas Par-tay exchange, plus 10 Prizes, 4 kinds of Beer, 4 Bottles of Champagne, 4 Bottles of Wine, Munchies, Candy and Wrapping Paper.

And former Miss Downey Contestant, mi Madre still has it – Sorry Mom for writing that, hahaha.

Stay tuned for more about my 17th Annual Christmas Par-tay.  It’s always the first Friday in December.  We filled two carts with unique prizes, beverages and snacks — Ready to dig in.

At publishing time, there are 43 days, 23 hours, 52 minutes and 32 seconds until 2012.

And it’s time for another Block Party, though it seems last year’s was only yesterday.

We were impressed with the inaugural OC Fair New Year’s Eve Block Party in 2010/2011 and look forward to reporting about its 2011/2012 festivities starting at 7:30PM, December 31st.  Check back somewhere along the countdown as we may be giving away tickets.

Posted photos are from the 2010/2011 event – Between the Gourmet Food Trucks, Tribute Bands, Dancing, Rides, Comedy Shows, Dueling Pianos, Casino, Fireworks and more.  There’s plenty to do, see, eat and participate in before and after midnight.  Last year the crowd was fun, friendly, respectable, and varied in age.  The complementary Adult Chocolate Milk and food in the VIP Lounge was nice and the girls were sweet too.  Can you guess which is me?

I now hope to see The Cure and David Bowie Tribute Bands with a Slider and Champagne.

Visit the OC Fair New Year’s Eve Block Party website to learn more — Hope to see you there.

Fun choices on the final day of the year — A grand way to start the first day of the next one.