Good Golly Miss Molly

Why didn't anyone tell me that cupcakes were so trendy? They're like the new "IT" accessory. So, it started with "Sprinkles Cupcakes" about 2 weeks ago (See Sprinkle Me). Then my niece calls me and tells me about this place she saw on Cupcake Wars in Chicago called, "Molly's Cupcakes". We're both food adventurist, so she knew I would be down. When I say c-u-t-e, I mean it. They're swings at the counter to sit on instead of boring-ville spinning stools, colorful table spread throughout, and...get this...A SPRINKLE STATION! I swear I heard birds singing in the background. I had strawberry shortcake which was (excuse my language) edible foreplay. Who could have dreamed of tiramisu, peach cobbler, and a giant chocolate one topped with candy? Molly's...that's who. The washroom was even set up like classrooms, complete with ABC wall border and "I will not write notes in class," written on a chalkboard 10 times. This place brings the 8 year old girl out of us all.

Molly's Cupcakes

2536 North Clark

773-883-7220

Sprinkle Me

OMG...I have tasted bliss! I am convinced that I am the last person to discover "Sprinkles." Not the dessert topping, but the cupcake haven for all ages. This is by far the trendiest way to indulge in a sweet treat. With flavors like key lime, red velvet, chocolate marshmallow, and lemon coconut, it's a wonder no one has overdosed on goodness. (Maybe they have and no one dared to report it?) It is pricier than what you would expect to pay for a cupcake but the service is just as inviting as the store. It's so much fun going on that you hardly notice that you just paid $3.25 for a cupcake.

Chicago is the latest city to welcome "Sprinkles." T-shirts, cupcake mix, and even doggie treats...Sprinkles just might be an obsession!

Sprinkles Cupcakes

50 east walton street

Chicago, IL

312-573-1600

http://www.sprinkles.com/

The Proof Is In The Pudding

Excuse me miss, "Why is there a strawberry in my banana pudding?" Oh, that's because I put it there. Who are you, the pudding police?

Who doesn't love a good banana pudding but, I'll be honest it needed an upgrade and I call it...A Strawberry-Banana Pudding. Not to worry, all of your favorite ingredients are still on the guest list. Vanilla wafers, bananas, and pudding are always V.I.P. Cool whip even stops by but strawberries, deserve a standing ovation for stealing the show! I'm starting to think strawberries and bananas together could rule the world.

P.S...I'm on my second bowl as we speak! Shhhhhhhhhhhh

SPOONING

Urban Dictionary quotes spooning as being "A form of affection between a couple. The man lays front to back with the girl. They fit together like spoons."

Reeeeeeemix....Spooning by definition of "Foody Things" is now a chocolate covered spoon that can not only be used as a decorative party favor but also used to enhance the flavor of your favorite coffee or dessert. I created a variety platter for a baby shower with chocolate spoons drizzled in white chocolate, dipped in coconut flakes, even sprinkles and candy! To complete the look, I covered the bowl of the spoon in basket wrapping and sealed them with ribbon and a save the date tag with the name of the proud parents to be.

Foody thought...Can you imagine the intensified spooning session after feeding your lover ice cream with one of these first?

Strawberry Island

Imagine you can escape to a place where volcano's are strawberries filled with cream cheese lava. What about if mountains were lemons and your field's grew mint and berries? Wouldn't Gilligan and his crew have been happier if they were stranded on this version of "Fantasy Island?"

Foody Experiment: Just Peachy

Peach week continues with this refreshing twist on boring backyard lemonade. Perfect for a summer day, a barbecue with your friends, or picnic with someone special. I give you.....JUST PEACHY!

1 peach

1 mango

1 cup of strawberries

2 cups instant lemonade mix

pineapple pop

simple syrup (1cup water, 1 cup sugar)

Combine simple syrup in a pot (1 cup water, 1 cup sugar) with sliced fruit and bring to a boil for about 20 minutes. Set aside to cool.

Using a 1 gallon jug pour 2 cups instant lemonade and 2 cups ice water. Stir in fruit and juice from your pot. Fill the rest of your container with pineapple pop and store in the refrigerator until ready to serve. The best part about this drink is that it can be garnished with any fruit available. I used strawberries and cantaloupe with a leaf.

Pssssssst....take this drink to the next level by adding a shot of vodka to it!

A Foody Experiment: The Guilt-free Peach Sundae

Not all sundae's have to be heavy and make you feel guilty after. This is my summer version on a classic dessert...I give you "The Peach Sundae"


1 can of sliced peaches

vanilla ice cream or frozen yogurt

1/2 cup of brown sugar

2 tablespoon of granulated sugar

splash of orange juice

2 graham crackers (crumbled)

whipped cream

sliced strawberries for garnishing



Place peaches in a dish with only a small amount of the syrup (peaches will make their own juices while baking) Sprinkle brown and white sugar generously over peaches. Stir in orange juice for sweetness. In a plastic bag crumble graham crackers and set aside. Bake peaches at 350 degrees for 25min. Place 1 scoop of ice cream (2 if you're like me) into a bowl. Top ice cream with peaches, add dollop of whipped cream and scatter crumbled graham crackers over dessert. Place sliced strawberries on the side for extra oooh's and ahhh's. ENJOY! (BE ADVISED...You're going to want seconds)

Eat out to Dine in

nice time
fine wine
she serves all the right dishes
dinner over candlelight
her love tastes delicious
dont wanna blow it with my cake dreams
but my heart has a few wishes
the heat from our passion
our eyes watching what we cook up
the subtle flirting while time passing
our eyes gaze everytime that we look up
if we cant read in between these lines
then i'll gladly pick the book up
strawberry bites
chocolate cherry kisses
this will be a sweet night
her recipes are on my wishlist
i can eat out her plate for hours
i wanna eat slow but i just may devour
quench my thirst with her love juice
look at what hunger do
im cuming back for seconds too
im drugged by the lovebug
Im addicted to her fondue
and we like to have fun too
fork fulls feeding each other slowly
if things get too hot she know to just blow me
Thats cool!
champagne sips by the pool
she doesnt mind desserting
pleasantries on a platter
the sweet nothings keep serving
she said she's not a chicken
but her hands keep jerkin
things is getting steamy
i gotta piece of her pie
and her fillings are so creamy
this is surreal this night is so dreamy
we were in for a big meal
she prepared the best that she had
and my swag paid the tab
but reality check read "please dont leave me"
walking towards the door
a silent craving to want more
i hesitated she awaits
an appetite for dinner, breakfast, and we lunchin
and im hungry to contemPLATE!
so i stayed to scrape the plate...

Submitted by: Eryck B.Me

Afternoon Delight

While cruising through the Hyde Park neighborhood on an ice cream hunt yesterday, I stumbled upon a big blue truck tucked in the nook of a local strip mall. Being the curious consumer I am, I made my way over to find out more. Upon first sight nothing seemed extraordinary about this truck named "Shawn Michelle's Old Fashion Homemade Ice Cream" besides this cute ice cream statue in front. I began to read such flavors as strawberry cheesecake, banana pudding supreme, and Jamaican rum raisin. Wow, this is getting exciting! I opted for the strawberry cheesecake and my friend took the safe route and tasted vanilla. Oh man, this was heaven in a cup! This was what I call "An incredible-edible orgasm." You know you're eating good food when love is named as an ingredient. My ice cream dealer (lol) informed us that the store offers even more flavors, so what do I do? Well duh, I go to the store the next day! Sundae's titled "Stairway to Heaven" and "Barack Obama Special" are just two of many names that will have me going back with a mission to taste everything this one of a kind ice cream shop has to offer! It is a bit more costly than most ice cream but it is well worth it. Sizes do vary from tease cups to gallon tubs. My days of franchise ice cream are officially over.

Shawn Michelle's Old Fashion Homemade Ice Cream

11925 S. Western Avenue Blue Island, IL 60406

877-835-1071

Seasonal Hours

http://www.shawnmichelles.com/