Happy Holidays!

Merci Goodness! Merci Finest European Chocolates Review

February 10, 2013 By Joi Leave a Comment

Can You Say Best Chocolates Ever?

Merci Finest European Chocolates

I was recently sent a box of Merci Finest European Chocolates to review and I’ve been in chocolate Heaven ever since. Now remember, I’m a bona fide chocoholic – in every sense of the word – so I know my chocolates. You could blindfold me and feed me 50 different chocolates (would it help if I begged?). I’d be able to classify them in three categories:

Premium
Next Best Thing
Last resort…. but still chocolate, so keep ‘em coming.

After just one bite into a Merci Chocolate, I realized that if it were in the lineup, I’d need a 4th category called, I’ve Now Forgotten Every Chocolate I’ve Ever Met…

Yes, as a matter of fact, Merci Chocolates are that darn good. They’re creamy, delicious, and take you to a whole other world… one covered in chocolate. A chocolate world where crime, pain, illness, taxes, and pop music don’t exist. No one gets older, no one gets angry, an no one ever ever ever has a bad hair day. Say it with me now, Merci Goodness!

Merci Chocolates

Finest Assortment of European Chocolates
Name that means thank you
20 pieces of rich, indulgent, individually wrapped chocolates
A delightful gift especially for expressing gratitude

The box shown above is their 8.8 oz box of heavenly chocolates. You can find this box on Amazon, but the best deal can be found by clicking the following link. For just a small amount more, you get TWO boxes and, trust me, you’ll want at least that many. See Merci European Chocolates, Assortment, 8.8-Ounce Boxes (Pack of 2).

Merci Chocolates are the Finest Assortment of European Chocolates with a brand name that literally means thank you! I can’t think of a better way to say thank you (or I love you, or happy birthday, or happy anniversary, or Merry Christmas, or Holy Cow You’re the Bee’s Knees….) than with these amazingly delicious chocolates.

I suppose that’s why Merci Chocolates are a top gift-giving chocolates. The gift giver and the receiver know that Merci chocolates are made with the finest ingredients available. What’s more, each box is beautifully packaged and features 20 pieces of rich, incredibly delicious, individually wrapped chocolates. With seven flavor varieties, including Dark Mousse, Hazelnut-Almond, Dark Cream, and Praline-Crème, Merci Chocolates will flat blow you away.

Valentine’s Day is less than a week away. Why not give your Valentine a gift that’ll rock their world?

Also keep Merci Chocolates in mind for Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, Christmas, and any day when you want to show someone how much you care. They’d also be outrageously appropriate for saying Thank You when someone has a “thank you” coming.

Sure, thank you cards are nice, but thank you chocolates are MUCH better! Not. Even. Close.

Filed Under: Candy Reviews, Chocolate!, Food Blog, Gift Ideas, Happy Holidays! Tagged With: candy review, chocolate candy review, chocolate review, Merci Chocolates review

Celebrate Special Occasions with Merci Chocolates AND Your “A” Game

February 10, 2013 By Joi Leave a Comment

Toasting Tips from Mindy Lockard of the Gracious Girl

Look for my Merci Chocolates Review in my next post!

With Valentine’s Day just days away, the following toasting tips from Mindy Lockard (The Gracious Girl) aren’t just timely, they’re essential.

Of course the toasting tips are timeless because toasts happen year round – whether you’re toasting with champagne or (like me) sweet tea! Like Merci chocolates, perfect manners and toasting etiquette will make any special occasion even sweeter.

Enjoy Mindy’s advice, then visit her blog – linked to above. Justin Timberlake (presumably) brought sexy back – I’m glad to see someone trying to bring manners back.

Toasting is one of those things we all should know how to do well. It’s a gesture of celebration, a gesture of grace, and knowing the three main toasts will help us be… the toastest with the mostest.

What to Say? First, a friendly reminder that toasting is never roasting. As a rather sarcastic person I know how hard it can be to withhold witty words. But holding back is always the most gracious thing to do. Simply say something short, kind, and thoughtful. Don’t get to heady about what you say. Short and sweet is good, even, “Please join me in toasting, 2011! May it be the best year yet!” No matter what you say, the most important thing is that it’s said with confidence!

When to Give it?

1. Toast of welcome – Can be given by anyone. It’s a time where everyone raises their glasses in celebration of an event or just dinner among friends. It can be given sitting or standing

2 Toast to Guest of Honor – Given by the host or hostess at dessert honoring the guest of honor.

3. Toast to the Host – A reciprocal toast given to the host, by the guest of honor after the toast to the Guest of Honor.

Remember that if someone toasts you, you may raise your glass but not drink at that moment. It’s the same as clapping for yourself, something that’s also not encouraged… even if your an actor in Hollywood at an awards show. Yes, even you.

Filed Under: Food Blog, Happy Holidays! Tagged With: table manners, toasting tips

Adorable Halloween Decorations!

August 23, 2012 By Joi Leave a Comment

As a Matter of Fact, Yes, I am Ready for Fall...

Cute stuff above is named Victor the Vampire and I’m pretty sure I must buy him asap. I’m one of those people who GOES BIG when it comes to seasonal and holiday decorating and celebrating.

A few days ago, one of my daughters was talking about “the many, many pumpkins” she planned to buy, as well as “lots of bales of hay,” and “every mum in town.” I had to fight the tears of joy. I raised that girl right.

Victor’s Profile:

Victor the Vampire wins over all the ghouls and boys with his charm and candy of course! Designed by Melissa Vasquez, this handsome figure stands ready to dish out the treats for Halloween.

Features:

Country of Origin: China
Weight: 6.8 lbs
Dimensions: 36″h x 20.75″w x 15.5″d

To adopt your own little smiling vampire for Halloween, click through is photo or the link above and get those bags of candy corn ready.

Friends of Victor’s:

Filed Under: Food Blog, Halloween Decorations, Halloween Treats, Happy Holidays!, Shop Tagged With: Halloween Candy Bowls, Halloween Decoration, halloween decorations

Patriotic Party Platter: Red Salsa, White Bean Dip, and Blue Corn Chips

June 27, 2012 By Joi Leave a Comment

Let Nueva Cocina Seasonings Light Up Your Fourth of July!

If you’re rounding up Fourth of July recipes, here’s one you’ll want to try. It’s Nueva Cocina’s recipe for a Patriotic Party Platter. Share the spirit of independence Day with these two dip recipes from Nueva Cocina (www.nuevacocina.com), the first 100% natural Latin food brand.

I’ve tried just about all of the Nueva Cocina Taco Seasonings and they are out of this world! When I first tried them, I thought, “Eh. Taco Seasoning is taco seasoning. This won’t be any different.” Boy oh boy was I wrong on all counts. I can’t wait to try these seasonings in the recipes below because, as far as tacos go, I’m so spoiled to Nueva Cocina I can’t possibly buy any other seasoning.

Red Salsa

1 packet of Nueva Cocina Chipotle Taco Seasoning
1 can of diced tomatoes (10 oz.)
4 plum tomatoes
2 tablespoons of olive oil
1 whole lime
1/2 cup chopped red onion
2 Tablespoons of chopped cilantro – optional
Salt to taste

Dice the plum tomatoes. Add chopped onion, olive oil, seasoning mix and the can of tomatoes. Mix together. Add cilantro and salt.

White Bean Dip

Nueva Cocina White Bean Soup Mix
1 packet of Taco Fresco Seasoning
7-8 ounces of grated Queso Blanco cheese (may be substituted for another white cheese of your liking)
1-1/2 cup of sour cream
5 tablespoons of olive oil (2 tablespoon for soup preparation and 3 tablespoons for the dip)

Follow the recipe on the soup, but only use two cups of water instead of three indicated on the package. Once cooled, smash the beans for a smooth consistency. Add the sour cream, 3 tablespoons of the olive, and the seasoning mix. Mix together. Add half of the cheese to the mixture and mix thoroughly. Top with remaining cheese.

Arrange the dips on a party platter with blue corn chips.

The Picadillo Seasoning Packet:

The Picadillo Seasoning packet is SO good you won’t be able to stop eating it. I found that out when I used it to make “Boca Burger Crumbles” tacos. I took a taste before filling the tacos and had to all but slap my own hand to make myself stay out of it!

This is absolutely Heavenly – whether you use it with ground beef, Boca Crumbles, or chicken. I hope you’ll click through and check out Nueva Cocina’s products. Trust me on this one, fellow lovers of great food, you’re going to fall as deeply in love with these seasonings as I am.

Filed Under: Dips and Sauces, Happy Holidays!, South Of the Border Tagged With: Fourth of July food, Fourth of July recipe

Extra Special Steak for Dad!

May 31, 2012 By Joi Leave a Comment

Vanilla Adds an Extra Layer of Flavor to Father’s Day BBQ

This year do something extra special for your father and/or husband on Father’s Day. Cook him a great meal. Steak is always a hit with men of all ages. Add flavor to his favorite steak or BBQ meal with Nielsen-Massey Vanillas.

Family owned and operated Nielsen-Massey has been creating quality vanilla and pure flavor products since 1907. They are a great addition to a summer BBQ, pairing well with meats, veggies, and even summer cocktails. While vanilla extract may seem like it belongs in mom’s baking cabinet, vanilla can become a go-to ingredient for dad’s BBQ too.

“Vanilla extracts are perfect in savory dishes – especially in marinades and rubs. They add a depth of flavor and actually enhance the natural flavor of the meat,” said Craig Nielsen, chief executive officer of Nielsen-Massey Vanillas. “I’ve been known to use the flavors of vanilla for my own summer BBQs.”

Surprise dad this year by adding a unique vanilla twist to his favorite meal. The Kona Rubbed Steak recipe below is a great place to start.

Kona Rubbed Steak

8, 6 oz New York strip steaks

Marinade
1 qt. Kona coffee, brewed extra strong and chilled
1/4 cup Kona coffee grounds
1/2 cup chipotle peppers
1/4 cup rice wine vinegar
1/8 cup Nielsen-Massey Madagascar Bourbon Pure Vanilla Extract
1 teaspoon Nielsen-Massey Pure Coffee Extract
6 cloves garlic, peeled and chopped
3 shallots, peeled and chopped
4 sprigs of thyme, chopped
3/4 cup brown sugar
1/2 bunch scallions
1 cup salad oil

Combine all of the solid ingredients in a food processor and blend. Slowly add the coffee and salad oil and blend until all of the ingredients are combined. Cover the steaks in the marinade and cover with plastic wrap so the marinade covers the entire surface area of the meat. Marinate for at least 4 hours. After marinating, remove and dry off the steaks. Season with salt and pepper, and grill to your desired temperature

Filed Under: Beef Recipes, grilling, Happy Holidays! Tagged With: Fathers Day, steak, steak recipe

Gift Idea for Men Who Cook: Kiss the Cook Apron

May 18, 2012 By Joi Leave a Comment

Maybe He'll Even Catch the Hint and Fire Up the Grill

Can you believe we’re already heading into June?! I honestly believe that the older one gets, the more time seems to fly. I remember my grandmother saying it, and by gosh she was right. Funny how our elders are so very often “spot on,” isn’t it?

The ADORABLE Men’s “Kiss The Cook” (red) apron, shown here, would make a wonderful Father’s Day gift. After all, with the way time’s flying, Father’s Day will be here in a few minutes.

Click through the link or the picture for a closer look. The website (Flirty Aprons) has tons of extraordinary aprons – for men, women, and even kids. Have a look around and, by all means, order one for yourself when you order dad’s! He’d want it that way… because then you won’t borrow his.

Filed Under: Christmas Recipes, Christmas Shopping, Gift Ideas, Happy Holidays! Tagged With: aprons, Christmas gift idea, Father's Day gift ideas, gifts for cooks, gifts for foodies, gifts for men who cook, Kiss the Cook apron

THE Perfect Gift for Mothers who Love Chocolate and Diamonds?

May 4, 2012 By Joi Leave a Comment

Azature Fine Chocolates: Diamond-Shaped Chocolates, of Course!

Consider my little chocolate-loving brain cells officially popped. They say that diamonds are a girl’s best friend, but when THIS girl hears or reads the word “diamond,” I think of a baseball diamond and spending the evening with my husband and cat Alexa watching baseball on television.

Now, thanks to Azature Fine Chocolates, the word diamond will also conjure up chocolate perfection: Diamond-shaped chocolate candy! FINE chocolate, even.

If your mother is as big a chocoholic as I am, you simply have to get her diamonds this Mother’s Day… chocolate diamonds, that is.

From AZATURE Chocolates.com:

The origins of AZATURE chocolates developed from the sentiment of gratitude and appreciation. It was from the first box created as a thank you to AZATURE jewelry clients that AZATURE fine chocolates were born. Approaching the gift from the same philosophy of innovation and unique design, AZATURE created the first collection inspired from the precious gems that are featured in his fine AZATURE jewelry collections.

Now available in eight different flavor formulations, the chocolates have much in common with his signature AZATURE black-diamond pieces. Take the “Black Diamond – Wild Treasure Cocoa” for example, like its black diamond counterpart, it is inspired by its exclusivity. The chocolate begins with the rare “Wild Treasure” cocoa bean that grows in the Amazon basin of Bolivia to create a luxurious chocolate base for all of the confections. The infused flavors and delicate recipes are applied with care and creativity to create fresh taste all while applying the signature AZATURE gem design. Like fine jewelry, these pralines are a luxurious indulgence that we hope you will take the time to truly savor. From AZATURE and the chocolatier team, thank you as we are incredibly proud to share these handcrafted confections with you.

Visit Azature Fine Chocolate‘s website and make this Mother’s Day a day she’ll never forget. Trust me, she’ll be bragging about her chocolate diamonds all year long!

Filed Under: Candy, Chocolate!, Happy Holidays! Tagged With: Chocolate!, Mother's Day gift ideas

YUM! Virginia Cocktail Toffee Peanuts

April 16, 2012 By Joi Leave a Comment

Delicious Choice for Gift Baskets and Care Packages

Virginia Cocktail Toffee Peanuts: Too Good to Believe

I love what I do… whatever it is that I do. You know, the thing that allows me to do food reviews, such as the forthcoming one for Virginia Cocktail Peanuts. I was sent a adorable little tin of Toffee Virginia Peanuts to review and, I have to tell you, it was one of the most delicious things ever delivered to my door. I’d love to be able to say that I’m enjoying them right now as I’m writing this review, but alas, they aren’t just gone, they’re long gone.

I can, however, say that I’m fondly recalling the flavor as I’m typing the words. That’s something, right?

After one bite, the first thing I thought of – besides, “Mmmmmm… so good… mmmmm” – was how perfect these peanuts would be for sticking in a gift basket or gift bag.

Mother’s Day
Father’s Day
Birthdays
Christmas
Graduation
Weddings
Easter
Valentine’s Day
Boss’ Day
Secretary’s Day
Etc…

If you’re like me, you love to give people cool, original things they probably haven’t seen before. If there were a point system for gift giving, being unique would rack up more points than anything else. When someone looks at me wide-eyed and says, “Where’d you find this????,” I do a little happy dance inside – as the chorus of Yay, Me! plays over and over.

They’d also be a MOST welcome surprise tucked into a care package for that very special someone across the miles. They’d think of you with each crunch.

Virginia Cocktail Peanuts come in a fun variety of flavors (Sea Salt, Toffee, Jalapeno, Milk Chocolate, Cajun, Unsalted), so you’ll find something to suit everyone you know. A word of warning, though: You’ll most definitely want to order some for yourself. Trust me, these are impossibly delicious peanuts. If I hadn’t scarfed mine down so quickly, I could have done something really clever like tossing them into a bowl of popcorn or eating them with yogurt. You know, something creative we foodies are supposed to do – something worthy of our title.

But, nooooo. I simply enjoyed them right out of the tin. One after the other.

The sad thing is, I’d do it again. Would not change a thing. I’d pop one sweet and crunchy little toffee peanut into my mouth, make that face we all make (while hoping no one sees us making it), suck my teeth a little bit, then go back for another.

Click through for more information about Virginia Cocktail Peanuts. I know you’ll want to order some for Mother’s Day. If you need me, I’ll be in the corner crying because my tin’s empty.

Awww, the memories…

Filed Under: Food Reviews, Happy Holidays!, Oh, Nuts! Tagged With: cocktail peanuts, gifts for nut lovers, healthy snacks, nuts

Easter Candy Cookies: Beautiful and Delicious

April 5, 2012 By Joi Leave a Comment

Who Could Ask for More from a Cookie?

Easter Cookies Recipe

3/4 cup butter, softened
1 egg
1 tbsp. vanilla
2/3 cup sugar
2/3 cup packed brown sugar
2 cups flour
1 tsp. baking soda
3/4 tsp. salt
2 cups small chocolate Easter candies or coarsely chopped candy bars (Editor’s note: We used Hershey’s Solid Milk Chocolate Eggs)
36 jelly beans, if desired

Heat oven to 375⁰F. Beat butter, egg and vanilla in large bowl until well mixed. Mix in both sugars.
Stir in flour, baking soda and salt until smooth. Stir or knead in chocolate candies (Target Tip: To make it easy for kids to chop larger pieces of hard candy, place candy in sealed plastic bag and let kids pound with a rolling pin or large wooden spoon.)
Drop mixture onto cookie sheets using a tablespoon.
Bake 10 to 12 minutes until golden brown around edges. Press a jellybean into each cookie. Let cool 1 minute; remove from cookie sheet. Cool completely.

Yield: 3 Dozen Beautiful Cookies

Photo and Recipe Credit: A Bullseye view!

Filed Under: Cookies, Easter Recipes, Happy Holidays!, Spring Favorites Tagged With: cookies recipe, Easter cookies recipe, Easter dessert recipe

Adorable Easter Decoration

March 25, 2012 By Joi Leave a Comment

This One's a Must Have

A couple of my daughters and I were taking inventory a few days ago, and we have more Easter Decorations than just about any other holiday (except for Christmas). I’m not surprised, it’s one of my personal holidays. The REASON for Easter is the most important thing, of course, but I also love the fact that this holiday ushers in beautiful weather. Everything’s blooming, gardeners can play in the dirt again, and all seems right with the world.

No matter how you look at it, Easter is a colorful, beautiful, and fun holiday. I guess this explains (along with a love of rabbits!) all our Easter decor.

The adorable Nifty Easter Egg Carousel, White, shown here, is available on Amazon just in time for Easter (April 8th). Best of all, it’s less than $10!

Product Features

Holds up to 24 extra large easter eggs
Lazy susan base rotates 360-degree
White powder-coat finish
Used both while drying and decorating eggs and as a decorative center piece
Dimensions – 12-inch height by 7-1/2-inch diameter

Click through the image or link for a closer look.

Filed Under: Happy Holidays!, Kitchen Decor, Table Talk Tagged With: Easter decor, Easter decoration