Foodie Friday : Who Loves Nachos?

This foodie blog is US-based but readers and subscribers are from around the world.  I grew up in Miami, Florida (USA) and I never really knew anything about nachos until I moved from Florida to Texas in 1987. That basically means that I was on planet earth, living in one state in the same country, for about 30 years before I knew there was such a thing as nachos.  

Since I am sharing content with a global community of foodies and food lovers,  I may be talking about a snack or fun food that some of you have not heard of.  So I'm wondering …

Do you like nachos?

For those of you who don't know nachos is a plate of corn tortilla chips smothered in melted cheese and you throw on any additional toppings that you like: ground beef, chopped tomatoes, chopped green onions, salsa, whatever! Nachos are really popular in Texas. It's a great snack. It's fun food for a party.

Have you ever tasted nachos?

Yes

No

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Do you like nachos?

Yes

No

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Is there a snack or fun food where you come from that is similar to nachos?

Yes (See comments)

No

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Foodie Fun! Love Me Some Nachos | https://t.co/oEHiAVw4r1 https://t.co/oUpCKCCWXK via @flipboard @EverydaySpices #foodies #foodlovers #foodieFriday #funfood #foodfun #favoritefoods for #munchies #cheeselovers #nacholovers

— My Fox Nooze (aka Joie de Vivre Magazine) (@FoxMarks_ATX) September 12, 2019

21 #Nachos That Changed The World ~ https://t.co/3141Rx7caT via @flipboard @EverydaySpices #funfood #foodfun #Iheartnachos #recipes #tailgating

— My Fox Nooze (aka Joie de Vivre Magazine) (@FoxMarks_ATX) September 12, 2019

Desserts Made With My Favorite Ingredient. Cool Whip!

Desserts! YUM! There are very few people in the world who will refuse a delicious dessert.

• Parents tell their kids: “If you eat all your vegetables, you’ll get dessert!” or “Finish your food or you won’t get any dessert!

• Kids grow up and tell themselves: “Life is uncertain. Eat desserts first.” ☺

Sometimes It Is OK to Eat Desserts

If you live in the USA, then you know that there are certain times of the year when eating desserts is totally OK. From October through December, because many holidays are celebrated, indulging in and enjoying desserts is expected. Is it any wonder that these 3 months are my favorite time of the year?

A few years back I signed up to receive a free newsletter published by FaveSouthernRecipes. This publication supplies wonderful recipes that are submitted by various people. The contributors could be professional chefs or everyday cooks. One of the issues was loaded with recipes for desserts. There were twelve (12) easy recipes that used my favorite secret ingredient Cool Whip.

• REFERENCE: “12 Easy Southern Recipes with Cool Whip.” Edited by Terrie Hayes, FaveSouthernRecipes.com, Prime Publishing, LLC., 7 May 2015, www.favesouthernrecipes.com/Recipes-for-Dessert/Easy-Southern-Recipes-With-Cool-Whip.

Elvis Presley’s love of bananas, peanut butter, and bacon is legendary! One of the recipes is called the “Ode-to-Elvis Poke Cake”. Here is the description provided at the site: “The King’s favorite flavor combo of bananas, peanut butter, and bacon comes together in this easy Southern recipe with Cool Whip. Moist yellow cake (with peanut butter added) is topped with banana cream pudding, Cool Whip, crumbled bacon, and a peanut butter glaze.”

What??!!! This should be illegal. LOL.

Do You Like Cool Whip?

Who likes Cool Whip? Believe it or not, this is a question that causes a divide. There are those who view it as fake whipped cream and say it’s advertised as “imitation whipped cream”.

I say: Cool Whip is real enough for me! 

There are many Americans, including me, who are very pleased that William H. Mitchell, a chemist who worked at General Mills, invented this food product. I can quantify “many”. Statista.com reported that “126.43 million Americans consumed Cool Whip in 2018”.

♦ Do you have a favorite dessert?

♦ Do you have a favorite ingredient that you like with almost any dessert recipe?

Quick and easy strawberry #CoolWhip pie with a graham cracker crust and fluffy filling. Retro #nobakedessert recipe with sweet berry flavor in every bite! #strawberries https://t.co/A5GDZNKzqN

— Flour on My Fingers (@flouronfingers) June 10, 2020

Pink Pineapple Fluff is a perfect dish for a barbecue, even a great light dessert. Made with Cool Whip, cream cheese, pineapple & maraschino cherries.

Get the recipe here --> https://t.co/SmJTVmNTq2 pic.twitter.com/d60Zx4DdYT

— A Dash of Sanity (@ADashofSanity) June 21, 2019

This OREO POKE CAKE RECIPE is one of our favorite EASY and delicious cakes to throw together for any occasion. This moist and flavorful cookies and cream cake is layered with chocolate cake, Oreo pudding, cool whip, and crushed Oreos. OBSESSED! ?￰ﾟﾘﾍ? … https://t.co/rR6cdLYldW pic.twitter.com/8WnRYcbg8f

— The Cookie Rookie (@cookierookiebec) May 7, 2018

Peachy Keen Cake with Cool Whip Frosting #recipe @ https://t.co/nTcoa9Pxnv #cakeforbreakfast # dessert #homecooking #coolwhip #recipes #yum pic.twitter.com/p1YHJw6X5k

— Lee & Mindy (@mindycancook) February 13, 2017

Fun Foods and Snacks For a Movie-at-Home Party

OK. So at one of my partner blogs, I came up with this corny, cheesy idea for a Saturday Afternoon at the Movies party. Corny and Cheesy? Hmmm? It makes me think of food!

What kind of food should be served at a movies-at-home party?

Of course, the easiest foods for me to think of were popcorn, pizza, and candy. But I wanted some good movie snacks besides popcorn.  Thank the Lord for the Internet. It was so easy to seek and find ideas for family movie night at home. Of course, you know Martha Stewart had to contribute her suggestions. And also, FoodNetwork. Where would be the food-loving world be without them? 

There are some websites, not well-known by way of TV shows, but they are popular on the world wide web. Sites like BuzzFeed, Brit+Co, Tasty, etc. They usually have lots of food-related stuff. 

So if you have plans for movie night (or an afternoon at the movies) at your house and you need any ideas on what to serve, here are just a few. Have at it! 

No matter what snacks you make, just don't forget the popcorn. Hey! It's tradition! 

Also ... break American tradition and throw in some sushi!  

Have fun!!

Image credit:  Amazon.com

A Memorable Party Favor

 In the USA, we have a practice at parties. We give what's called party favors to the guests.

* A party favor is a small gift given to the guests at the occasion. The host (person throwing the party) gives it to the guests as a token or a souvenir to take home with them, a gesture of thanks for their attendance, and a keepsake or memory of the event.

If you have this custom, what kind of party favors have you given away OR what particular party favor do you remember receiving?

I can't remember as it's been a while since I've been to a party; for myself or to take one of my kids. But I do know that I've never been to a party where one of the party favors was a fortune cookie.

If I can make a recommendation.

The next time you throw a social gathering, consider giving out fortune cookies. Homemade, ready-made or custom made. 

Most people like to read their fortune. Even if they don't believe it, it's amusing and fun. If by coincidence the fortune comes true, they will always remember where they got the cookie!! 

Image credit:  Amazon.com

Are you planning a party?

Chinese Fortune Cookies as American as Apple Pie

How to Make the Best Fortune Cookies

  

Foodie Friday: Childhood Memories: COTTON CANDY!

Cotton candy is a treat that I only used to eat whenever carnivals came to town. I found this article and it provoked some nostalgic thoughts. It also shared some food history.

CottonCandy: a traditional sugary treat gets a new spin - Glutto Digest

~ Cotton candy originated in Italy in the 1400s.

~ In the mid 18th century, spun sugar was used in the U.S. and Europe but cotton candy was only available to wealthy people.

~ In the late 19th century, confectioners John C. Wharton and William Morrison created a special machine that would quickly melt sugar and generate a centrifugal force to shoot it through a screen.

~ In the 1920s, this sugary snack was officially known in the US as “cotton candy.”

~ In the USA, two national food days are dedicated to cotton candy: July 31 and December 2.

I can't remember the last time I had cotton candy. It's been so long. Carnivals don't come to town like they used to. When was the last time you had cotton candy?

Foodie Friday: My Favorite Party Dip!

Do you ever go to parties or other social gatherings where they serve finger foods, hors d'oeuvres, appetizers, tapas, dim sum, etc. At almost every one of these occassions you'll find bowl of dip surrounded by some potato chips or crackers for you to dip with. The most popular dip is onion dip which is very easy to make. Take a packet of Lipton onion gravy and mix it into a cup of sour cream. Tasty but after a while … BORING!!

One upon a time, a friend decided to bring in smoked salmon dip to an office party. My life was changed forever! Seriously! I don't even like salmon. But I loved that dip!!

Found a great recipe at an awesome food blog.

Smoked Salmon Dip | Once Upon a Chef

On the off chance that you're not convinced that it's the best dip in the world, here are a few more dip recipes you might want to try.  There are plenty recipes to choose from.  There's got to be at least one that will make your faves list.

Dips and Spreads Recipes | Allrecipes  

The Best Delicious and Easy Dip Recipes Everyone Will Love! 

15 Easy Dip Recipes | A Couple Cooks  

25 of The Best Savory Dip Recipes for Sharing - Scrambled Chefs  

30 Easy Dip Recipes for Your Next Party - Insanely Good  

55 Best #Party Dip #Recipes So Good You'll Want to Turn Them into a Meal | PureWow  

70 Best Party Dip Recipes - Easy Super Bowl Dip Recipes  
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Food Blurb: Japanese Fun Food

JAPANESE FOOD

Links to cooking videos that teach you how to make 2 kinds of Japanese pancakes; considered as snacks or dessert. 

Taiyaki is a warm fish-shaped cake with red bean filling.

* How to Make Taiyaki (Recipe) 鯛焼きの作り方（レシピ）

Dorayaki is made of honey pancake sandwich with sweet red bean filling.

* How To Make Dorayaki (Recipe) どら焼きの作り方 （レシピ）

(Images credit: justonecookbook.com ) 

6 Best Japanese Sauces You Need To KnowBy Heart
• Just One Cookbook

1. Homemade Ponzu Sauce

2. Teriyaki Sauce

3. All-Purpose Miso Sauce

4. Tonkatsu Sauce

5. Yakiniku Sauce

6. Unagi Sauce

Foodie Friday: Chicken Bites for Family Movie Night or Game Night

In the USA, especially during football season, people like to get together in homes and watch the game on TV. One of the best things about these gatherings is THE FOOD!! 

These recipes would be perfect for Game Day (or Night)!

All of these recipes use chicken breasts but I prefer chicken thighs.

5 Fast and Easy Chicken Bite Recipes

1. Buffalo Chicken Bites
2. Creamy Parmesan Chicken Bites
3. Honey Dijon Chicken Bites
4. Indian-Spiced Chicken Bites
5. Taco Chicken Bites

P.S. It doesn't have to be football. Create your own tradition. Dedicate one night to connect with family and friends.

Here are the 7 reasons every family should start a game night right now

My Favorite Fun Food: Pudding!

Hello!  Thank you so much for visiting my foodie blog.  Was it the word "pudding" that tempted you here?  LOL.  Food Ways is just one of the places on the web where I publish or have published content about my love for food.    

Virily.com is a social blogging community and I have published content there on a wide range of topics.  One of those topics is food!  One of my favorite post series is called "Irresistible Fun Food".  I shared about 20 posts in this series.  Sharing a link to my post about pudding.  Enjoy!

Pudding goes on my list for fun food, thanks to Jell-O’s creation of instant pudding.  In my circles, mention pudding and folks just want to know if they’re being offered banana pudding or chocolate pudding.  No surprise that if you search for pudding recipes on Twitter, the first few recipes that pop up are banana and chocolate.

After that, there is rice pudding or bread pudding.  The recipes for these are not instant.  I will admit that I was never a fan of old-fashioned rice pudding but the way the Indians make it gave me second thoughts.  I do like the old-fashioned bread pudding because my mom used to bake it with old bread and raisins.  It was very filling.

These are the common puddings (or rather the puddings that I know about). When it comes to pudding there are some cooks or chefs who use ingredients that never crossed my mind like persimmon or tiramisu.

♦  Click through to continue reading and view additional content:

Irresistible Fun Food: Pudding

Recipe Sharing: Chinese Pork Pies (Guest Post)

The Chinese do such wonderful things with pork.  Like Chinese Pork Pies.  Here's the recipe.  

INGREDIENTS

400g pork sausages, casings removed

4 spring onions (shallots), thinly sliced

2 teaspoons Chang‘s Pure Sesame Oil

1 1/2 teaspoons ground star anise

125ml (1/2 cup) warm water

50g lard or butter

300g (2 cups) cake, biscuit & pastry plain flour (see note)

1 tablespoon warm water, extra (optional)

1 egg, lightly whisked

1 teaspoon sesame seeds

Tomato chutney, to serve

Watercress sprigs, to serve

METHOD

Step 1

Place the sausage meat, spring onion, sesame oil and star anise in a bowl. Use your hands to knead until well combined. Cover with plastic wrap. Place in the fridge for 1 hour to rest.

Step 2

Stir the water and lard or butter in a saucepan over medium-high heat for 2 minutes or until the lard or butter melts. Place the flour in a food processor. Season with salt. Add the water mixture and process until the mixture comes together, adding the extra water if necessary. Transfer to a clean surface and quickly knead until smooth.

Step 3

Preheat oven to 180oC. Divide the pastry into 2 portions, one slightly larger than the other. Roll out the larger portion until 2-3mm thick. Use an 11.5cm round pastry cutter to cut 6 discs from the pastry. Line six 80ml (1/3 cup) muffin pans with the discs. Divide the sausage mixture among the lined pans, pushing the mixture into the side of each pan. Roll out the remaining pastry until 2-3mm thick, re-rolling the excess pastry if necessary. Use a 9.5cm cutter to cut six discs from the pastry. Place the discs on top of the pork mixture and crimp the edges to seal.

Step 4

Bake the pies for 30 minutes or until they start to brown. Transfer to a baking tray. Brush the tops with egg and sprinkle with sesame seeds. Bake for a further 10 minutes or until golden. Set aside to cool. Serve with the chutney and watercress sprigs.

* * * If You Liked This Recipe, You Might Also Like:

Chinese pork meatballs in broth

Chinese pork skewers

Chinese pork sliders 

Irresistible Party Food: Deviled Eggs Recipes for Halloween

It's that time of the year again. Are you making your final preparations to celebrate the Halloween holiday? When not working on my blogs, my online activity sometimes involves chatting with friends on myLot.com, a social network that pays you to make friends and engage in friendly banter.


A member at that site asked what would I bring to a party. My response was two things: a fruit platter and deviled eggs. The question brought back a memory about all the church fellowships I've attended and all the office parties at my old jobs. Somebody always remembered to bring deviled eggs and that tray was usually the first party food to disappear! Decided to find some Halloween themed deviled eggs recipes to share. Hope you like them!!

LittleDevil Deviled Eggs (kraftrecipes.com)

Little Devil Deviled Eggs https://t.co/ToG7oZ9L9N via @flipboard #HappyHalloween #Halloween #Halloweenrecipes #foodfun #recipes

— EverydayExoticSpices (@EverydaySpices) October 10, 2019

Spooky Monster Eyes | Avocado Deviled Eggs (scatteredthoughtsofacraftymom.com)

Spooky Monster Eyes Deviled Eggs for Halloween https://t.co/V0Okyz7kSl via @flipboard #HappyHalloween #Halloween #Halloweenrecipes #foodfun #recipes #lowcarb #eggrecipes

— EverydayExoticSpices (@EverydaySpices) October 10, 2019

Halloween Deviled Spider Eggs (shockinglydelicious.com)

Halloween Deviled Spider Eggs https://t.co/v7vEuSRvQD via @flipboard #HappyHalloween #Halloween #Halloweenrecipes #foodfun #funfood #recipes #lowcarb #eggrecipes

— EverydayExoticSpices (@EverydaySpices) October 10, 2019

Halloween Deviled Eggs-4 ideas (happierthanapiginmud.blogspot.com)

Halloween Deviled Eggs-4 ideas https://t.co/OTv0I3wYNa via @flipboard #HappyHalloween #Halloween #Halloweenrecipes #foodfun #recipes #lowcarb #eggrecipes

— EverydayExoticSpices (@EverydaySpices) October 10, 2019

Halloween Food: Green Goblin Deviled Eggs | Fluster Buster

Halloween Food Idea: Green Goblin Deviled Eggs https://t.co/tS91ZQMsdK via @flipboard #HappyHalloween #Halloween #Halloweenrecipes #foodfun #funfood #partyfood #recipes #lowcarb #eggrecipes

— EverydayExoticSpices (@EverydaySpices) October 10, 2019

Doubly Deviled Eggs - Rachael Ray Every Day

(NOTE:  This page is LOADED with deviled eggs recipes.)

Doubly Deviled Eggs https://t.co/IZhmDJexb5 via @flipboard #HappyHalloween #Halloween #Halloweenrecipes #foodfun #funfood #partyfood #recipes #lowcarb #eggrecipes

— EverydayExoticSpices (@EverydaySpices) October 10, 2019

Halloween GIF found at glitter-graphics.com




© Photographer: Pratchaya Leelapatchayanont | Agency: Dreamstime.com

Tropickles! OR Tropickles? Walmart's Idea for Satisfying Cravings

Not sure if this is an idea who time has come or what!  Yes, I know lots of pregnant ladies crave pickles and ice cream.  But can you ever remember anybody craving fruit punch flavored pickles?  Not sure how the foodie folks at Walmart came up with this idea.  Maybe there were a bunch of pregnant ladies working in that department.  ☺

As usual, PopSugar is on top of things all thing food-related and has published a review of this product.

• Cullum, Erin. “So Walmart Just Launched Tropickles, Aka Fruit-Punch-Flavored Pickles.” POPSUGAR Food, POPSUGAR Living, 23 July 2017, www.popsugar.com/food/What-Tropickles-43744495.

Chowhound also has something to say about them.

“As unconventional as it may sound, this unlikely flavor combination is one for the books. Tangy-sweet bread and butter pickle juice against a salty peanut butter topping makes for an incredibly rich, balanced ice-cream-eating experience.”

• Skladany, Joey. “Fruit Punch Pickles Are the Most Walmart Things to Come Out of Walmart.”Chowhound, © CBS Interactive, | A TV Guide Site, 18 July 2017, www.chowhound.com/food-news/185917/fruit-punch-pickles/.

A 24 oz. jar less than $2.  
Are your curious to try them?
Great Value Tropickles at Walmart.

How to Make Pickle Ice Cream https://t.co/8O4gW3scxS @Chow

— EverydayExoticSpices (@EverydaySpices) August 7, 2017

I shop at Walmart a lot. But when it comes to strange and exotic foods, I try to talk my kids into trying them out first.  What?  I got the idea from an old cereal commercial I used to watch on TV where kids were curious to try a new cereal and the way they tested it was to coax their baby brother into eating it first.  If he liked it then it must be OK.  So?  If it's a new food product?  If my kids like it, then it must be OK!