Showing posts with label food. Show all posts
Showing posts with label food. Show all posts

Thursday, April 9, 2026

Dubai Chocolate

Back in November, before Thanksgiving, I saw an advertisement for "dubai chocolate." I had no idea what it was. But it looked tempting and chocolate was part of the name, so I was intrigued. I spent the next month trying to find it in local stores. I especially wanted to give it to P and J for Christmas.

Art Mart, a specialty food store, seemed promising. But not there. I researched a little bit on the Internet, and it seemed like Dubai Chocolate could be found just about anywhere -- Walmart, Meijer, Target, grocery stores, candy aisles of drug stores. I looked in all those places. I even found it on the local online Meijer store site with a note saying available and what aisle it was in. I printed this info, and took it with me to Meijer. I presented my printout to an employee and asked him to help me find it. He looked in the aisle that was listed, plus he looked in the candy aisle. I followed him around. He asked another employee who said "It always says available in the online store." I finally gave up.

Sometime towards the end of January, I was walking from one side of the Schnucks store to the other. I came to a screeching halt halfway through the store when I randomly saw a stand-alone display full of Dubai Chocolate. I looked it over, and I do not recall if there was a price attached. But I had already decided that I was going to buy a package if I ever found it anywhere no matter the cost.


The upper left was the package (3.5 oz.) that I purchased at Schnucks. I do not recall precisely, but I think the price was around $8. I snacked on it over several days. It was different, but good. The shredded kataifi (phyllo dough) did not have much of a taste, but it added a nice texture.

Several days later, I found the Dubai Style chocolate bar (3.53 oz.) pictured on the right at Aldi. As I recall, it cost $3.99. I was afraid the chocolate would have a cheap plastic chocolate flavor, but it was good.

Then awhile later, I came across the 3rd chocolate bar (pictured at the bottom) at the checkout counter at CVS. It was the smallest of the three (1.4 oz.) and cost around $12 I think. Wow. That Lindt brand sure carries a hefty price.

I have now given up my quest. 

But wait . . . . . . . .

Just when I thought the hunt was over, I stumbled on another name-brand version of Dubai chocolate. I was at Walgreens looking through the Easter candy to make a couple selections to take to P and J's. There was no price on the shelf. But I consider myself independently wealthy, so I picked up a bag. This Ghiradelli brand (4 oz.) cost $15. I sampled one piece. As expected, it was good.


Conclusion: Dubai Chocolate is good, but expensive. The name-brand varieties are especially pricy.

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Dubai Chocolate is a viral food trend featuring a milk chocolate bar filled with a creamy pistachio and tahini filling mixed with crispy, shredded kataifi (phyllo dough) pastry, inspired by the Middle Eastern dessert knafeh. The combination of rich chocolate, nutty pistachio cream, and crunchy pastry creates a unique texture and flavor that became a social media sensation, leading to imitations and inspired desserts worldwide.

Saturday, June 1, 2024

Birthday Freebies 2024

Red Robin

free burger: Smashed Avocado ‘n’ Bacon

$15.59

Nothing Bundt Cakes

free “bundtlet”: red velvet

$5.75

Perkins

free Magnificent Seven

$9.99

Papa Murphy’s Pizza

free pizza: medium “cowboy”

$15.99

Jimmy John’s

free sandwich

$7.19

Panera

free bakery treat: Bear Claw

$4.19

Denny’s

free Everyday Value Slam

$6.99

Portillo’s

free chocolate cake slice

$3.89

McAlister’s Deli

free cookie: “brookie”

$2.49

Subway

free cookie: oatmeal-raisin

$0.99

Culver’s

free frozen custard sundae: turtle

$5.09

 

I did not redeem these offers – Not worth the effort

Olive Garden

free dessert with purchase

 

Biaggi’s

free appetizer or dessert w purchase

 

Moe’s Southwest Grill

free cup of queso or guac

 

Applebee’s

free dessert with purchase

 

Texas Roadhouse

free appetizer or “sidekick” w purchase

 

Dunkin

3X points on all purchases

 


Compared to last year: No free burrito, no free donuts. But picked up free pizza.

Sunday, March 17, 2024

St Patrick's Day

When I find myself in times of trouble
Mother Mary takes control
Speaking words of wisdom,
Make cinnamon rolls.

I stitched the cloth covers many years ago.

Tuesday, July 11, 2023

2023 Free Birthday Rewards

This year's free birthday rewards.

4/17

Denny’s

Free Everyday Value Slam

$6.49

4/19

Panera

Free pastry – bear claw

$3.99

4/20

Perkins

Free Magnificent Seven

$9.99

4/20

Portillo’s

Free slice of chocolate cake

$3.89

4/20

CVS ExtraCare Card

Cash reward

$3.00

4/23

Ye Olde Donut Shoppe

Free 2 donuts

~ $3.50

4/23

Moe’s

Free burrito

$11.18

4/24

Arby’s

Free large shake – jamocha

$4.99

4/25

Red Robin

Free burger – guacamole bacon

$14.99

5/11

Jimmy John’s

Free sandwich

$6.69


I received more rewards -- free appetizers or desserts -- but I did not bother redeeming them. Wasn't worth the effort.

Wednesday, August 4, 2021

Egg-in-a-Nest

Breaky this morning:


And then immediately after taking this picture, my phone slipped from my fingers, and a corner of it dived into the center of the egg and splattered yolk all over the table.

The phone survived, but I was sure sorry to have to wipe up the yolk instead of eating it.

Saturday, July 18, 2020

Too Much Spinach

Now I have to figure a way to use up the extra spinach that I purchased to make the "Hearty Italian Sausage Soup" recipe yesterday.

For breakfast today I had cheese and crackers with spinach.


 Then for supper I added some spinach to my grilled cheese.

 

At this rate, it's going to take a while to finish off that bag of spinach.

Thursday, March 5, 2020

Fighting Illini Basketball Game

University of Illinois basketball has struggled over the last few years. Last year their record was 12-21. They’ve not played in an NCAA tournament game since 2013. But starting in January this year they won 7 in a row. Things were looking up, and people were becoming interested. Patrick obtained two tickets for the Indiana game on March 1. Then in February the Fighting Illini lost 4 in a row. Since then they have bounced back and now have a 4-game winning streak. Their next game is tonight against Ohio State.

Before Patrick departed Chicago on Saturday I reminded him, “Don’t forget to bring the tickets.” “Not a problem,” he replied. “They’re digital, they’re on my phone.”

P. arrived home Saturday afternoon. I treated him to hambingers for supper. I'd made him a treat to take home with him,Cinnamon Pecan Bars. I made them without the cinnamon chips because I did not have any. They ended up tasting like butterscotch bars. Yum.

We planned Sunday lunch at a restaurant before the game. I suggested Everyday Kitchen which is fairly new, and their menu looked a little atypical. They’re also located within walking distance (albeit not close) to the basketball arena. We drove two cars so that I could return back home while P. and J. went over to the game. Turns out two cars was not necessary. P. had left his phone plugged in back at the house, and the digital tickets were on the phone!

We enjoyed our lunches. P. chose the Dixie Benedict which was basically sausage gravy over biscuits. I liked the Shrimp & Grits. I did think the tomato-okra stew made the whole thing look more like a soup. J. stayed safe with a Breakfast Burger. It was really "tall" topped with a fried egg, and he ate it with a knife and fork. I don't think he could have eaten it in the traditional burger fashion.

Then we went our separate ways. A couple minutes before 1:00, P. texted me “Dad brought a f---ing knife to the game.” His frustrated language was because he thought J. wanted to take the knife back to the car, and they’d already been delayed with having to drive home to retrieve his phone. As it turned out, J. walked outside and put his knife down in an obscure place. The knife was still there when they left, and all was o.k.

I saw the last 6 seconds of the game. Things could have gone either way, but Illinois beat Indiana 67-66.
Patrick was a senior in high school when these t-shirts were purchased
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Cinnamon Pecan Bars
Prep time:             10 minutes
Bake time:            25 minutes
Makes:                  2 dozen

1 box butter pecan cake mix (regular size)
1/2 C. packed dark brown sugar
2 large eggs, room temperature
1/2 C. butter, melted
1/2 C. chopped pecans
1/2 C. cinnamon baking chips

Preheat oven to 350°. In a large bowl, combine cake mix and brown sugar. Add eggs and melted butter; mix well. Stir in pecans and baking chips. Spread into a greased 13x9-in. baking pan.

Bake until golden brown, 25-30 minutes. Cool in pan on a wire rack. Cut into bars.

Affordable Eats / Taste of Home, c2019