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.
Lunch date with one of my favorite people. 😍 We Lunch date with one of my favorite people. 😍 We popped into Cafe Crevier downtown and I finally got to try one of their burgers. It was thick and juicy and cooked to perfection. Love that the lettuce was shredded, and that the bun was toasted and slightly crispy. If you’re local, pop in and give them a try - don’t miss the fries!
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Sweetnicks

Food and Life

Recipe: Caramel Apple Dip

February 22, 2011 · Narrative

Caramel + Apples make up a perfect dessert that you’ll find yourself making again and again.

Recipe Coming This WeekIn the interest of full disclosure, I will readily admit a few things.

I hate apples.  The kids eat them like there’s no tomorrow, and I will quite happily bake with them.  But raw, like from your hand?  No thank you. It’s a texture thing.

I am not a fan of caramel anything.  Not Snickers, no caramel-coated apples.  None of it.  Hate the stickiness.

So when my friend Mary said she was bringing her Caramel Apple Dip to my Valentine’s Day party last week, I figured I was safe.  Cupcakes, I would be tempted by.  The occasional piece of chocolate, sure.  But Caramel Apple Dip?  Nah.  And apparently I was totally 100% unequivocally wrong.

And darn her for leaving it here at the end of the night.

The “try anything once” rule is not only for my kids, but for me as well.  Because if not for that, I wouldn’t have discovered that I actually don’t mind salmon sometimes, like brussels sprouts and have embraced the world of tilapia.

So at the end of our meal, when all the dessert was put out (and there was A LOT of dessert, fancy that!), I tried an apple dunked in the dip.  And another.  And another.  Clean eating?  Not so much.  But hey, I ate apples! And I stand by the statement that a little indulgence is a good thing.  If you deprive yourself too much, for too long, you’ll end up caving and eating far more of that “little indulgence” than you would have in the first place.

Caramel MountainsSo, if you don’t like apples.  Or caramel.  I don’t care.  Make this.  Try it.  And share it.  Above all else, get it out of your house before you finish off the dish by yourself. You won’t be disappointed.

Project 365
February 22, 2011, Photo #52

Hard at WorkNick is off from school until Thursday, and celebrated by coming to the office today. Puzzles were used to break up the monotony of the schoolwork his Mom and Grandmother forced him to do. ;)

Caramel Apple Dip

Ingredients
2 – 8oz packages cream cheese (softened)
2 cups confectioner’s sugar
3 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 tub of Marzetti Caramel Apple Dip
Mini chocolate chips
Directions
Blend together cream cheese, confectioner’s sugar and vanilla until smooth and creamy. Layer in a rectangular dish. Top with caramel and then sprinkle with mini chips.
APPLES:  Soak in pineapple juice (could be as little as an hour, overnight, etc.)
Drain and serve with dip!

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Posted In: Narrative · Tagged: Caramel Apple Dip, dessert, Marzetti

Comments

  1. Mama Kelly aka Jia says

    February 22, 2011 at 10:20 pm

    The kids love apples and anything they can dip. This would be right up their alley!!!

    Reply
  2. Casey says

    February 22, 2011 at 10:20 pm

    Soak in pineapple juice? Interesting.

    I’m not a fan, either. The skin grosses me out. This sounds delish!

    Reply
  3. Joanne says

    February 23, 2011 at 7:16 am

    I could totally be that person who makes this and brings it to a party. Although I would make my own caramel. In the interest of making it out of real foods and all :P

    Reply
  4. debbie says

    February 23, 2011 at 10:01 am

    Sounds like something that would be great to take to a potluck here at work. The pictures are great. Looks delicious!

    Reply
  5. Kris #40 says

    February 23, 2011 at 12:19 pm

    Oh goodness – how yummy!

    Now seeing this I’m wishing it was October so I can go and pick some Winesap apples to go with it. Our 30 lbs of apples lasts about a month and a half and most of them are eaten raw.

    Guess I will have to make this for Granny Smith’s

    Reply
  6. Vivienne says

    February 23, 2011 at 2:08 pm

    I had something similar to this at a party a few weeks ago. I am ashamed to admit that I parked myself next to the dish and didn’t leave. The lady who made it said she just spread the softened cream cheese by itself. She poured the caramel dipping sauce over that, then toffee pieces (like Heath) and then the mini chips. I think I will need to try your version too! Yum! Thanks for sharing!

    Reply
  7. Sarah Caron says

    February 23, 2011 at 6:17 pm

    Wow, that looks incredible. Not a cream cheese fan … but I would LOVE to try that.

    Reply
  8. Mary says

    February 23, 2011 at 9:35 pm

    I recommend using Granny Smith’s…their little bit of tartness go so well with the sweet dip! And yes, soaking the sliced apples in the pineapple juice keeps them nice and crisp, they don’t turn brown and surprisingly, they don’t soak in the pineapple flavor. Enjoy!

    Reply
  9. Tarrant says

    February 24, 2011 at 12:57 pm

    I am not a big fan of apples either. (Orange pippins which taste of orange are the exception, but since you can only get those for about 2 weeks if you live near some or have a farmer’s market–I am out of luck.)

    I haven’t typically been a fan of caramel dips for apples either. On the other hand…it has cream cheese. I just may whip it together.

    Reply
  10. Ashlee says

    October 26, 2012 at 3:02 pm

    Making this for a Halloween party I’m having tomorrow! Can this be made the night before? Trying to make as much as I can the night before :)

    Reply
    • Cate says

      October 26, 2012 at 3:18 pm

      Hi Ashlee! Yes, you can absolutely make the dip the night before. I would just cut the apples right before serving. Hope you love it!

      Reply
  11. Melissa says

    September 1, 2014 at 2:33 pm

    I’m happy to say I found your recipe on Pinterest a while ago, and while I have it memorized (yes, I’ve made it that many times!), I’m still giving your recipe to people. I make it for a local store’s scrapbook night once a month, and it’s always a hit! Thanks for sharing with us!

    Reply
  12. Sandy S Feathers says

    January 27, 2017 at 1:03 pm

    Sprinkle toffee bits on there as well. Delish!

    Reply

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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

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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.
Lunch date with one of my favorite people. 😍 We Lunch date with one of my favorite people. 😍 We popped into Cafe Crevier downtown and I finally got to try one of their burgers. It was thick and juicy and cooked to perfection. Love that the lettuce was shredded, and that the bun was toasted and slightly crispy. If you’re local, pop in and give them a try - don’t miss the fries!

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