Have a Sweet Tooth?

In my opinion, dessert is the most important element of a meal. Note, I say most important, and not healthiest! My research on dessert making, dessert recipes, and dessert enthusiasts, has brought me to many blogs dedicated to just desserts. One of the many hits included this forum for dessert news: http://www.topix.net/food/dessert

One particular posting caught my attention. It was titled "Eat Your Veggies ... for Dessert?!" Its discussion included the shop Paciugo, a national chain renowned for its authentic Italian ice cream. However, this ice cream parlor isn't your average fatty, sugar-rising ice cream shop, it's a healthy alternative. Of the many gelato flavors, Banana Beet, Lime Chili Mango, and Strawberry Celery are a few.

This particular trend may not be suited for all, so if you are looking for a pick-me-up dessert try one of my favorites....Cappuccino Cheesecake!!!

OR

After a long-sunny day,

refresh your palette with my own

Coconut Key Lime Pie

Dirty Dining

As a loyal fanatic to sushi, one dirty dining exclusive featured on WPLG, South Florida's Local 10 station, had me at disgust.
Sushi Chef, a local sushi joint on Coral Way, was busted for rodent droppings. After hundreds of rodent droppings were observed by food inspectors, this sushi shop was forced to clean up or close down. Few days later the restaurant, which was awarded "Best Japanese Restaurant of 2006," by the New Times, was back, up and running.
Local 10 was quick to do their own investigation and still sited a dirty kitchen with cooking utensils just feet away from rat traps.
In my opinion restaurants and findings as such should not go unnoticed. I am personally thankful for these dirty dining investigations brought out to the public!!

Listen to the story for yourself at: http://mfile.akamai.com/12918/wmv/vod.ibsys.com/2006/0818/9701119.200k.asx

FLORIBBEAN CUISINE

Last Fall I took a course on Caribbean Cuisine, and was assigned to do a project on Floribbean Cuisine. I had never heard of Floribbean Cuisine, however I quickly came to realize how often I ate it. These are a few of my findings:

WHAT IS IT?

•A combo of classical cooking techniques with a light, fruity style from Florida & the Caribbean including the Bahamas, Jamaica, Grenada, Haiti, & Dominican Republic

•Lighter version of its Caribbean cousin, with less frying and fewer oils in preparation

Taste Floribbean food for yourself at one of Jimmy Buffet's Margaritaville

http://margaritaville.com/

100 Calorie Snacks

The average woman today is a size 14. Is it genetics or overeating? Binging is a common behavior that's difficult to kick. My solution and evidential information from WebMD is 100 calorie snacks. Believe it or not,binging is an element of eating disorder. I know from personal experience that cravings are hard to overcome. So now many food manufactures are getting into the trend of 100 calorie snacks. These snacks may replace an apple or fruit that you may just not want to eat everyday. The selection is endless, from yogurt to cookies, and from cheese bites to gummy bears.

Say goodbye to fatty munchies!

Ode to the Cocoa-Kissed Truffle

I wrote this poem expressing my love for chocolate. I was hoping to get constructive criticism, so tell me what you think?

“Why?” I ask, “Why must you torture me the way that you do?”
Tempting you are, but I must save you till my weekend delight.
It is you that I chose over the raspberry-filled, caramel-dipped, and
lemon-glazed bites, so now you must wait for your grand tasting night.

I see you sitting there with your flaky-pecan gems
glancing at me in sweet desperation. And I know you are anxious
from your brown-dripping sweat,

but cocoa-kissed truffle just hold one more day,
then you could melt away into your paradise cave.

All through the night I thought about you and the day of your birth.
The two sticks of butter, 27 chocolate kisses, the 1 cup of flour,
¼ cup of cocoa, some droplets of sugar, and teaspoon of vanilla
extract made a divine little bunch, but you were unique with your
white-chocolate chip chunk.

By mid of next day I hurried to your royal-blue-foiled bedding
and savored my view. Round and chubby, russet and sound, your
cocoa-kissed body rolled into my mouth with tender and love. The warmth
of my palette felt your silk-textured skin and took your soul into mine.

Though part of you was still present as your white-speckled coat left a
powdered trail around my lips;
not even my black shirt could serve to disguise.

My inspiration.....