Happy #NationalPuppyDay to these two. I used to ca Happy #NationalPuppyDay to these two. I used to call Clifford an asshat, because he basically was. But there’s a new asshat in town… 🙄 Clifford is now a freaking rockstar. His tumor and age have slowed him down a LOT and he virtually never misbehaves, and we are seriously so proud of him. Lola, on the other hand, is still full blown PUPPY. Tonight I’m assembling a gate to replace the wooden one she ate through. 😂 Berners love wood and she is OBSESSED with being in the kitchen. So one new metal gate coming right up as soon as I can figure out how to put it together.
Last week when I met the owners of the new French Last week when I met the owners of the new French bakery in town, I told them how happy I was that they were opening … because now I had an endless source for gifts for my mom’s future birthdays and Christmases. She was born in Paris and we’ve grown up with a healthy appreciation for French things … starting with their pastries and baguettes, but so much more. My daughter took her first trip to Paris last year and thoroughly enjoyed the croissants there and she deemed the ones at @chocolatinenj just as perfect. No surprise there since the owner is a French pastry chef! If you’re local and haven’t been, do make a point to stop in and visit. They’re open Wednesday through Sunday and have a wide selection of sweet and savory items and a few French retail selections as well. We’ve tried the macarons, the Croque Monsieur, the croissants, the tomato tarts, the baguette … basically we’re working our way through their display case in due time. Don’t miss this one - enjoy!
People complain about how much time is spent on ph People complain about how much time is spent on phones sometimes, but if it wasn’t for phones. I wouldn’t have these awesome little snippets of them growing up. I only wish I had more. Appreciate and document the little mundane things, for they are the very fabric of your life.
happy Spring, friends! Y’all know how long I’v happy Spring, friends! Y’all know how long I’ve been waiting for the seasons to change and I’m so excited that Mother Nature was on board today! ☀️ There is nothing like the energy from the sun and it makes me happy. Hope you got some today!
Weekend photos in review, old school style. Contex Weekend photos in review, old school style. Context: 1) saying goodbye until Easter, 2) sending him back with good bagels, 3) sunlight charging station, 4) the sun was out all day yesterday and it was glorious, 5) hitting the farmers market for my favorite garlic butter, 6) make a wish, 7) sun patterns, and 8) my sous chef
I don’t eat French fries often, but when I do, I I don’t eat French fries often, but when I do, I’m going to make it count. Doo Wop Eats opened a few months ago in downtown Denville and their fries are LEGIT. They are hand cut and taste the way fries should … like potatoes! I add a sprinkle of salt and dunk them in a side of their special sauce and they are pure perfection. You can order a small bucket or a large one (better for sharing!), or as a side item with one of their other delicious menu items like their cheeseburgers, fried chicken sandwiches or cheesesteak. I do believe they’re the best fries in town. I said what I said. Doo Wop’s menu celebrates all your favorite Jersey shore boardwalk treats, including Fried Oreos, clam strips and milk shakes and has a fun vibe for kids and families. 😍
The Grinder Salad, a recipe I found on tiktok that The Grinder Salad, a recipe I found on tiktok that takes all of your favorite ingredients from a grinder (or sub) sandwich and makes it into a delicious chopped salad. It’s as easy as putting everything in a bowl and chopping it up. Perfect for busy days and lazy nights, light meals and warm weather choices. Ingredient list below. Enjoy!

One bag or arugula
One container of cherry tomatoes 
Quarter pound of hard salami
8 Oz of fresh mozzarella
One small red onion
1/3 cup banana peppers 
Handful of fresh basil
Half cup Italian salad dressing
3 T Kewpie mayo
2 T red wine vinegar 
Sea salt and black pepper

Chop it all up, add a half box of ditalini pasta, cooked. Mix to combine.

Recipe from GrilledCheeseSocial.
We had a fun little board party this week and the We had a fun little board party this week and the delicious whipped Brie I shared earlier was front and center. If you haven’t heard of board parties, it’s when every guest makes a different type of food board and brings it - so much fun noshing ensues! With toasted baguette slices, cornichons and local honey, this was mostly a French-inspired board. So simple to pull together and totally my kind of meal.
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Sweetnicks

Food and Life

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffins

September 21, 2005 · Narrative

I’ll get to Fall in a second, but first …

When Nicholas and The Husband went down the shore this weekend, they spent a LOT of time catching crabs, calling me almost every time they got another one. Luckily they stopped calling after the sixteenth one … literally. Knowing how “Mom” is, of course, all the crabs were released back into the water. Like I tell Nicholas, they have families too, and their Mommies would miss them if we didn’t put them back. Judging from the pictures The Husband took during the Crabbing Adventure, it took Nicholas a little time to warm up to the concept, but he ended up having a blast at his new-found activity.


Not So Sure…


OK, I Can Handle This…

The refrigerator overfloweth. I had plans to go out to dinner with a friend tonight, but she ended up not being able to go, so I took the opportunity to work on emptying the refrigerator just a little bit. I bought a rotisserie chicken the other day, and we ended up making one of our favorite sandwiches for dinner: Roast Chicken with Avocado. Yum. I add melted Cheddar to mine, but The Husband not being as much of a cheese fanatic as I am, is more of a purist. His loss.

Fall is nearly here and I can’t wait. It is, hands down, my favorite season. Nicholas and I decided to kick it off by making some of our favorite muffins: Pumpkin Chocolate Chip. They taste great warm from the oven, or later, toasted with a bit of butter. The recipe is real simple to make and you can’t go wrong with it. I promise.

I also tried a new recipe – Very Blueberry Muffins. Not a wow for me, so it won’t be finding its way into my burgeoning Tried-and-True files, but there’s definitely a burst of blueberry in every bite.

Between a doubled Pumpkin Chocolate Chip batch and a Very Blueberry Muffin batch, we have baskets ready to go to The Neighbor’s office, my office and a few for Nicholas’ teachers. Not too shabby!


My Little Helper

Fox Network’s new show, Kitchen Confidential, premiered last night, and I just finished watching it. Based on Anthony Bourdain’s book of the same name, the show wasn’t completely what I was expecting, but I can tell I’m going to get hooked. The “Utah” guy cracked me up. If you haven’t already read Bourdain’s book, I noticed there’s a bunch of copies under $5 available on Amazon (see above link).

Tomorrow is The Husband Cooks night, but The Sister-in-Law is going on a vacation soon and wooed The Husband over for one of his favorite meals before she leaves: Oxtail. With the dinner being on The Husband Cooks night, I wonder if a conspiracy is underfoot?

Until tomorrow…

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffins
1-1/2 cups flour
1 cup sugar
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon allspice
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 eggs
pinch of nutmeg
1 cup canned pumpkin
1/2 cup butter, melted
1 cup chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 350. In large bowl, mix dry ingredients. Add eggs. Stir in the pumpkin, butter and chocolate chips. Spoon into muffin pans. Bake 20-25 minutes at 350. Makes about 12 muffins.

Cate’s Note: I usually double the recipe so I don’t have half a can of pumpkin leftover.

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Posted In: Narrative

Comments

  1. Jennifer says

    September 21, 2005 at 4:34 am

    I go on an annual pumpkin binge around this time each year. This recipe will fit right in. Thanks!

    Reply
  2. Stephanie says

    September 21, 2005 at 5:01 am

    I’m facing a real dilemma: the same night, same timeslot…two actors from one of my favorite shows (BtVS), on two different networks!

    Alyson Hannigan (Willow) and Nicholas Brendon (Xander), on How I Met Your Mother (CBS) and Kitchen Confidential (FOX), respectively.

    This is tough. This week, I taped Aly and watched Nick.
    Haven’t gotten around to watching HIMYM yet, but KC was good. Much better than I’d hoped for. Matt’s already worried it won’t last more than six episodes, because it’s actually a decent show. You know…Arrested Development and Scrubs were left in limbo for quite some time!

    Then again, it’s nice to have two shows to pick from.

    Reply
  3. Meena says

    September 21, 2005 at 5:01 pm

    Hi!

    I would like to invite you to participate in “I Like ’em Spicy!”, a fortnightly food event, where all participants have to come up with a spicy recipe using the Star Ingredient (which is different every fortnight)!

    The rules are simple:

    1. The recipe has to use the Star Ingredient as the base of the dish
    2. It has to be SPICY!!
    3. Dishes can be of any form you can imagine, appetizers, mains, desserts, drinks…whatever you can come up with!

    On the 1st and 15th of every month, I will the post the Star Ingredient and you are expected to email your entries to hookedonheat@gmail.com by the next two weeks.

    At the end of the two weeks, I will post all the recipes on a special blog built especially for “I Like ’em Spicy!” so you can all view the fabulous entries!

    For further details do drop in “Hooked on Heat”, at http://www.hookedonheat.blogspot.com and join in on the fun!

    – Meena
    (www.hookedonheat.blogspot.com)

    Reply
  4. Mona says

    September 21, 2005 at 6:53 pm

    I love Anthony Bourdain and I loved his book. My boyfriend and I love watching his show “no reservations.” I’ll have to check out this one, even though it did not meet your expectations.

    Reply
  5. Cate says

    September 22, 2005 at 1:07 am

    Jennifer — I promise you, you can’t go wrong with these.

    Mona – Don’t get me wrong, I DID like the show, it just wasn’t as “gritty” as Bourdain is, you know?

    Stepahnie – you gotta get Tivo. With that, you can record 2 shows and watch a 3rd. I don’t know what we ever did without it.

    Meena – thanks for the heads up. I just might join you!

    Reply
  6. Jeff says

    September 22, 2005 at 3:20 am

    I had no idea you could catch crabs with a fishing pole! I need to get out more….great pics :)

    Reply
  7. Anonymous says

    September 22, 2005 at 12:26 pm

    I did ask if it would be okay for The Husband to miss his cooking night LOL! Unfortunately no Oxtail, but a promise to make them after Italy. I’ll make something else for you and I (not a big fan of the Oxtail either).

    Ciao!

    The Sister In-Law

    Reply
  8. NJ Girl says

    November 3, 2008 at 12:05 am

    The Pumpkin Chocolate Chip recipe actually sounds delicious, and I’d love to try out something like this tomorrow. Thank you for taking the time to post the recipe!

    NJ Girls last blog post..Sea Isle City in the Fall

    Reply

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Happy #NationalPuppyDay to these two. I used to ca Happy #NationalPuppyDay to these two. I used to call Clifford an asshat, because he basically was. But there’s a new asshat in town… 🙄 Clifford is now a freaking rockstar. His tumor and age have slowed him down a LOT and he virtually never misbehaves, and we are seriously so proud of him. Lola, on the other hand, is still full blown PUPPY. Tonight I’m assembling a gate to replace the wooden one she ate through. 😂 Berners love wood and she is OBSESSED with being in the kitchen. So one new metal gate coming right up as soon as I can figure out how to put it together.
Last week when I met the owners of the new French Last week when I met the owners of the new French bakery in town, I told them how happy I was that they were opening … because now I had an endless source for gifts for my mom’s future birthdays and Christmases. She was born in Paris and we’ve grown up with a healthy appreciation for French things … starting with their pastries and baguettes, but so much more. My daughter took her first trip to Paris last year and thoroughly enjoyed the croissants there and she deemed the ones at @chocolatinenj just as perfect. No surprise there since the owner is a French pastry chef! If you’re local and haven’t been, do make a point to stop in and visit. They’re open Wednesday through Sunday and have a wide selection of sweet and savory items and a few French retail selections as well. We’ve tried the macarons, the Croque Monsieur, the croissants, the tomato tarts, the baguette … basically we’re working our way through their display case in due time. Don’t miss this one - enjoy!
People complain about how much time is spent on ph People complain about how much time is spent on phones sometimes, but if it wasn’t for phones. I wouldn’t have these awesome little snippets of them growing up. I only wish I had more. Appreciate and document the little mundane things, for they are the very fabric of your life.
happy Spring, friends! Y’all know how long I’v happy Spring, friends! Y’all know how long I’ve been waiting for the seasons to change and I’m so excited that Mother Nature was on board today! ☀️ There is nothing like the energy from the sun and it makes me happy. Hope you got some today!

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Happy #NationalPuppyDay to these two. I used to ca Happy #NationalPuppyDay to these two. I used to call Clifford an asshat, because he basically was. But there’s a new asshat in town… 🙄 Clifford is now a freaking rockstar. His tumor and age have slowed him down a LOT and he virtually never misbehaves, and we are seriously so proud of him. Lola, on the other hand, is still full blown PUPPY. Tonight I’m assembling a gate to replace the wooden one she ate through. 😂 Berners love wood and she is OBSESSED with being in the kitchen. So one new metal gate coming right up as soon as I can figure out how to put it together.
Last week when I met the owners of the new French Last week when I met the owners of the new French bakery in town, I told them how happy I was that they were opening … because now I had an endless source for gifts for my mom’s future birthdays and Christmases. She was born in Paris and we’ve grown up with a healthy appreciation for French things … starting with their pastries and baguettes, but so much more. My daughter took her first trip to Paris last year and thoroughly enjoyed the croissants there and she deemed the ones at @chocolatinenj just as perfect. No surprise there since the owner is a French pastry chef! If you’re local and haven’t been, do make a point to stop in and visit. They’re open Wednesday through Sunday and have a wide selection of sweet and savory items and a few French retail selections as well. We’ve tried the macarons, the Croque Monsieur, the croissants, the tomato tarts, the baguette … basically we’re working our way through their display case in due time. Don’t miss this one - enjoy!
People complain about how much time is spent on ph People complain about how much time is spent on phones sometimes, but if it wasn’t for phones. I wouldn’t have these awesome little snippets of them growing up. I only wish I had more. Appreciate and document the little mundane things, for they are the very fabric of your life.
happy Spring, friends! Y’all know how long I’v happy Spring, friends! Y’all know how long I’ve been waiting for the seasons to change and I’m so excited that Mother Nature was on board today! ☀️ There is nothing like the energy from the sun and it makes me happy. Hope you got some today!
Weekend photos in review, old school style. Contex Weekend photos in review, old school style. Context: 1) saying goodbye until Easter, 2) sending him back with good bagels, 3) sunlight charging station, 4) the sun was out all day yesterday and it was glorious, 5) hitting the farmers market for my favorite garlic butter, 6) make a wish, 7) sun patterns, and 8) my sous chef
I don’t eat French fries often, but when I do, I I don’t eat French fries often, but when I do, I’m going to make it count. Doo Wop Eats opened a few months ago in downtown Denville and their fries are LEGIT. They are hand cut and taste the way fries should … like potatoes! I add a sprinkle of salt and dunk them in a side of their special sauce and they are pure perfection. You can order a small bucket or a large one (better for sharing!), or as a side item with one of their other delicious menu items like their cheeseburgers, fried chicken sandwiches or cheesesteak. I do believe they’re the best fries in town. I said what I said. Doo Wop’s menu celebrates all your favorite Jersey shore boardwalk treats, including Fried Oreos, clam strips and milk shakes and has a fun vibe for kids and families. 😍
The Grinder Salad, a recipe I found on tiktok that The Grinder Salad, a recipe I found on tiktok that takes all of your favorite ingredients from a grinder (or sub) sandwich and makes it into a delicious chopped salad. It’s as easy as putting everything in a bowl and chopping it up. Perfect for busy days and lazy nights, light meals and warm weather choices. Ingredient list below. Enjoy!

One bag or arugula
One container of cherry tomatoes 
Quarter pound of hard salami
8 Oz of fresh mozzarella
One small red onion
1/3 cup banana peppers 
Handful of fresh basil
Half cup Italian salad dressing
3 T Kewpie mayo
2 T red wine vinegar 
Sea salt and black pepper

Chop it all up, add a half box of ditalini pasta, cooked. Mix to combine.

Recipe from GrilledCheeseSocial.
We had a fun little board party this week and the We had a fun little board party this week and the delicious whipped Brie I shared earlier was front and center. If you haven’t heard of board parties, it’s when every guest makes a different type of food board and brings it - so much fun noshing ensues! With toasted baguette slices, cornichons and local honey, this was mostly a French-inspired board. So simple to pull together and totally my kind of meal.

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