Green Spot Salad Company

By Sean McQuillan

I didn’t really trip over myself with excitement at the idea of trying this place, but since my New Years’ resolution was to eat healthier I had to give it a try.  You know what?  I’m glad I did.

You want what on your salad? Ham?? Hmm, that can happen.

Looking somewhat akin to a Subway Sandwich shop, where instead of mediocre toppings you had a whole Farmer’s Market of fresh and delicious options behind the counter.  It has a couple base prices for things, and you choose your own on toppings on top of that, like a healthy Coldstones.

You'll never be able to be with Subway without thinking of us, and that's just not fair to her.

With a bevy of delicious salad options, I still managed to get something else. I got a baked potato, a baked potato with a real cheese topping, bacon, and broccoli.  Maybe the bacon wasn’t the healthiest choice, but this was certainly a delicious one.  They get a hearty recommendation from me for using some of the freshest ingredients I’ve seen, and for not having a price tag that would break the bank like some similar places.  If they’re in your area, check them out!

Doritos Sour Cream & Onion

By Sean McQuillan

This “limited edition” flavor comes packaged with the retro design for the bags that takes me back to my youth in the 80s.   While not an unusual chip flavor, it’s not one I’ve seen from Doritos in a very longtime, and its retro packaging certainly accentuated that.

Not pictured: My youthful disregard for future me's waistline.

So how’s it taste?   To be honest, if you put it in a bowl and told me it was Cool Ranch Doritos I probably wouldn’t know otherwise.  If you’re really looking for it you can taste the onion, but all in all it’s a good tasting, but not very distinct, flavor.  Give it a try and you can’t go wrong unless the name goes against your sensibilities, and if you remember these from your youth, definitely give em a try again.

IKEA Christmas Swedish Buffet

By Angie Quidim

On December 9th (Friday) All IKEA’s will be having a

Swedish Christmas Julbord Celebration!!!

What exactly is this event?  All IKEA’s will be serving a multitude of holiday favories from smoked salmon to swedish meatballs.  It’s an all you can eat buffet and tickets are $9.99 for adults and $2.49 for kids under 12.  Don’t miss out on this fantastic feast.

The menu is listed below.

Assorted Herring

Gravad Lax with Mustard Sauce

Smoked Salmon with Horseradish

Hard Boiled Eggs with Shrimp

Whole Poached Salmon

Swedish Cucumber Salad

Red Beet Salad

Swedish Potato Salad

Christmas Ham

Liverwurst Place

Assorted Cheeses

Prinskory Sausage

Meatballs and Lingonberries

Red Cabbage

Boiled potatoes with Dill

GRATANG Jannson

Lussekater

Crisp bread, Thin bread, Dinner Rolls

Swedish Rice Pudding with Almonds

Assorted Desserts

Glogg (free refills)

Coffee, Tea, Fountain Beverage (free refills)

Holiday Snacks: Muddy Brick Road

By Sean McQuillan

I’ve got a great treat recipe for you guys today.  Everyone loves Rice Crispy Treats, and I’ve experimented with lots of recipes and my oldest is the best.  If you can make the classic treats this will be a snap.  They weren’t always called Muddy Brick Roads, they had a more colorful title owning to their texture.  I’ll leave that to your imagination.  They are a delicious chocolate and peanut butter treat.

Muddy Brick Road

Ingredients:

1/4 Cup (1/2 stick) butter or margarine

1 package (10.5 oz) Miniature marshmellows

1 package (13 oz) Cocoa Crispies (You can substitute Cocoa Pebbles for more crunch)

2 Heaping Tablespoons of Chunk Peanut Butter (You can use Creamy, but it doesn’t have the texture it’s original name implied)

Optional: Honey Graham Crackers

Preparation:

Line a cookie sheet with tin foil or non-stick spray.

Optional: Line the bottom of the pan with graham crackers

 

Directions:

Microwave the butter in a large microwaveable bowl on High for 45 seconds or until melted.

Add the Marshmallows and toss them till it coats.

Microwave for 45 seconds, stir the mixture, and microwave another 45 seconds.

Once the marshmallows come out, add the two heaping spoonfuls of peanut butter and mix heavily.  (This will cool down the marshmellows some, so be sure to mix quickly until the whole mixture takes a light brown color.)

Add Cereal; mix well (If you want to use your hands I recommend spraying your hands with non-stick spray or a little butter)

Press them firmly into the pan (Onto the graham crackers if you’re using them)

(If you are using the graham crackers apply a top layer before allowing it to cool.  Compress gently)

Cut into squares to serve.  You can refrigerate leftovers, and 15 seconds in the microwave will make them nice and gooey again.

The Graham crackers will make it easy to eat without getting sticky and gives it a s’more kind of feel.

Enjoy guys!

Holiday Treat: Pumpkin Spice Eggnog

By Sean McQuillan

A couple days ago I told you guys about Vanilla Cinnamon Eggnog, and that I’d be trying it’s sister flavor Pumpkin Spice.  I’m not sure what I expected it to taste like, but I love pumpkin pie and pumpkin cookies, so I figured I’d give it a try.  Well, this one certainly tastes like Pumpkins.  It tastes like I’m drinking a pumpkin pie, and I can’t say I really care for it.  It’s not bad, but certainly not something I’d buy again.  If you only try one, get the Vanilla Cinnamon Eggnog. If the idea of a pumpkin smoothie sounds good to you, by all means give this a try.

With Cup Noodles, The Force Is

By Sean McQuillan

With a their marketing campaign “Boil Japan” Cup Noodles has a new spokesman.  Or should I say “A new spokesman has Cup Noodles.”  Yep, it’s true.  Yoda, the little green Jedi master is the new face of Cup Noodles.  “May the Force be with Japan”

Check out the commercial below.

Holiday Treats: Vanilla Cinnamon Eggnog

By Sean McQuillan

I know it’s not Christmas quite yet, but I got a wicked hankering for some Eggnog this last week.  Having lived in Utah for several years I had gotten used to Eggnog being so rich you had to cut it with milk, so I was prepared as I scoured my local grocer.  That’s when I was greeted with this.

I couldn’t pass it up, especially being on sale for only $1.25 at my local VONS.  When I got home with my prize and a quart of milk, just in case, I hardly waited for a festive occasion before busting out a glass. So enough narrative, How is it?

It’s great!  It certainly doesn’t need to be mixed with Milk to be good.  I’m beginning to suspect most Eggnog in California won’t be quite as rich as I got accustomed to in Utah, but this blend is delicious.  The vanilla gives is a smooth creamy taste while the cinnamon gives it just a hint of spice.  If you can get this at your local grocer, I say give it a try.

I’m off to the store now to sample one of their other flavors, Pumpkin Spice Eggnog.  Stay tuned!

Brownie Eggs: Delicious Food Science

By Sean McQuillan

Do you love to cook and are looking for a new creative recipe for this holiday season?  Check out La Receta de la Felicidad (The Recipe of Happiness) for this amazing and delectable recipe.  Don’t worry if you don’t speak Spanish, you can scroll down to find the recipe in English.   Hungry yet?

Blacktop 360 Party Hub Grill-Fryer

By Sean McQuillan

There is not much better than hanging out with your friends grilling up food.  When my friends and I get together we get out the BBQ, for burgers and hotdogs, the skillet, for bacon and more bacon, and the fryer for onion rings and cheese sticks.  Afterward the kitchen and grill area is pretty much a mess, and we just stare at the mess as we slip into delicious food comas.

Well apparently we weren’t alone in this problem, and now Blacktop 360 has the solution.  One grill, with a built in fryer, griddle, and even a warming plate.

The fryer can hold 20 oz of oil, and if you don’t feel like frying you could easily use it for chili.  The grill, the HELLFIRE infrared grill to be precise, goes up to 11 Spinal Tap style to cook up to 650 degrees.  Griddle, perfect for bacon or sausage, and a perfect compliment to the fryer.  Topping it off is the warming plate where you can keep things hot without drying them out like a grill would.

The whole thing is portable, making it perfect for tailgating or the beach, and runs about $250.  If you love to grill on the go, this is for you.

Oh, and in case you think it’s too good to be true, here’s video proof!

Licorice Flix Opening!

While LA is a movie town, characters from the big screen have never been immortalized quite like this! Artist JASON MECIER has chosen some of his favorite icons from the silver screen, creating large-scale portraits made exclusively out of Red Vines! Yes, that’s right! Every piece of art hanging on the walls of the gallery is an edible movie mosaic, comprised entirely of that favorite theatre snack. We invite you to come out and enjoy this celebration of Hollywood and all its popcorn stars, featuring odes to: Harry Potter, Charlie Chaplin, Willy Wonka, Freddy Krueger, E.T., Showgirls, Twin Peaks… and others!

Licorice Flix
Edible Movie Mosaics
by Jason Mecier
Opening Reception
Friday, November 4
7 to 10pm
(Click Here for Facebook Invite)
(Show runs until Nov. 13)
Free Admission
Drinks will be served
iam8bit
2147 W. Sunset Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90026
213.908.6154