January Favorites

I can't believe that January is coming to a close. While it means another winter month down, and two to go, I still hate the feeling that time is flying past me in an instant. Despite the quick passage of time, over the last month I've enjoyed some pretty fabulous eats. Whether in my own kitchen, out at a fun, new restaurant, or just ingredients that I find myself intrigued by, today it's all about January Favorites.

Clockwise: peanut butter & apple, spicy sweet potato wedges, figs, Earl Grey Creme, pizza, snickerdoodle muffins

Natural peanut butter & apples - A truly fantastic snack that brings me back to childhood. I'd pretty much eat peanut butter anything, and spreading it on some naturally sweet apple slices is just the icing on the cake, so to speak.

Spicy sweet potato wedges - These were part of my Eat Better Week and they are a fabulous, spicy twist to a classic dish. These basic sweet potato fries are bumped up by the addition of cumin and cinnamon - a perfect winter flavor.

Figs - This is a new flavor and ingredient for me. After all, I can't recall eating figs, other than those of the Newton variety, until recently. Fig jam to be exact. Added to grilled cheese or as a garnish on fabulously cooked meat at Fig & Olive, this is a subtley sweet flavor that I need to explore further.

Earl Grey Creme - I raved about this in A Cup of Teavana and that's because it's been a veritable staple in my drinking repetoire this month...and I can't wait to continue my love affair with the gourmet tea.

Gourmet Pizza - This one is of the Keste variety (check back next week for the Restaurant Roundup). I won't give too much away, but let's just say that this one gives Otto a serious run for its money.

Snickerdoodle muffins - I made these at my holiday brunch, but after finding one tucked away in the freezer, they just had to get a shoutout. After all, a nutmeg, cinnamon, and crystallized sugar topping makes this decadent treat the perfect winter muffin.

So there you have it - the foods I enjoyed the most this past month. What about you? Have you discovered any new foods lately? Any old favorites that made a comeback? Or anything that you want to explore further in February?

Talk Back: How Do You Do Takeout?

Every Monday morning, I make a plan for the week to detox myself in order to make up for all of the weekend wrongdoings. Usually by Wednesday, however, I've just about had it with practically starving myself (at least that's what it feels like, anyway). And the thought of cooking by Wednesday night? Not so much. This is about the time of the week that Shaun and I decide to hit up our little take-out menu box (a sweet gift from my mom and sisters for my bridal shower) and pick out some delectable eats to be delivered right to our very own doorstep...er, apartment building.

I'm not going to lie...the takeout options in Jersey City are pretty limited. Although Hoboken is just a hop, skip and a jump away, many of their restaurants just don't deliver, are sub-par in delivery quality or have recently been closed down due to health issues (eek...Junior's Papaya, RIP). We do have a few staples in the repetoire, like sushi, Indian food, and pizza (though due to an unfortunate incident during the last takeout sesh, in which our pizza was two hours late and cold, they've been excommunicated...so yes, we are in fact looking for a good pizza recommendation in Hoboken or the JC!) Komegashi Too sushiOh, and while a new and fabulous Five Guys (burgers and fries!) recently opened in the Jerz, they don't deliver and getting to them would require a team effort of getting our car from the garage and driving over so one of us can run in while the other does the illegal parking/circling the block routine...not really ideal.

So what I want to know is, how do YOU do takeout? Do you go delivery style or pick up? What's your favorite takeout cuisine? Do you have a designated takeout night? 

Game Day Eats: Ultimate Pizza Dip

You may or may not know about my fascination with pizza. From Pizza Fridays at work to ordering it once a week for dinner (though still searching for the perfect slice in Hoboken or Jersey City... recommendations welcome!) it seems like that would be enough. That is until I stumbled upon a life-changing recipe. This recipe has become a serious staple on our weekly football-watching Sundays and it's sure to make a major appearance on Superbowl Sunday. It's the Ultimate Pizza Dip - delicious and a crowd-pleaser to boot.

Ultimate Pizza Dip

1 pkg cream cheese (I use 1/3 less fat)

1 8oz can Red Pack tomato sauce

1 medium onion, diced

Mozzarella cheese, shredded

Pepperoni (I use the turkey kind)

Black olives (if you'd like)

Dried oregano & basil

Tostitos

Preheat oven to 350 degrees

Spread cream cheese in bottom of 9 inch pie plate

Pour tomato sauce over cream cheese

Sprinkle with basil & oregano (to your taste)

Sprinkle diced onion over seasoned sauce layer

Sprinkle cheese over top (generously!!)

Add whole pepperoni slices and black olives(if using...I didn't) on top

Bake for 20-25 minutes uncovered until cheese is brown and bubbly and looks like this...

Serve with Tostitos.

*For another twist add bell peppers or red pepper flakes

So what do you think? What are you doing, and subsequently eating, on Superbowl Sunday?

If you missed Part I of Game Day Eats, check out Roasted Garlic and Goat Cheese Crostini.