Puddin Cookies; because Puddin sounds cooler than Pudding (Recipe Post)

Post by The Grumpy One

So this was another recipe that excited me, not to make, but to totally play with the recipe.

Originally this was supposed to be a  neat little peppermint pudding cookie with peppermint kisses for Christmas time, but lets be honest, 1. I am in the military and get stationed  in different places so the chance of finding certain special ingredients like limited edition peppermint kisses and pudding is impossible, and 2. If you make the recipe like that, they are only valid as a Christmas cookie which limits the making to a 30 day period.

So feel free to play around like I did, but here are the ingredients I used

1 Cup of Butter, 1 Cup of Sugar, 2 Cups of Flour, 2 Eggs, 1 Cup of Butterscotch Chips, 1 teaspoon Baking Soda, 1 package of Jello Pudding, and Kisses.

So start out by preheating the oven to 350 Degrees.

Now the original recipe says to mix butter in electric mixer blah blah blah, so I am a busy person that didn't start this recipe until late so I... Put the butter in the microwave to melt it, then added everything but the flour and kisses.

If you do it the lazy way like I did, you can mix it by hand in a matter of seconds.

Once it is mixed together, mix the flour in slowly.

This is the only step I will tell you to do properly like this because from experience, if you add it all at the same time, it will take forever to mix it all properly.

So no matter how long you think it will take, mix the flour in at about half a cup at a time.

It has been a while since I have mentioned this but, use parchment paper on the cookie sheet.

The reason for this is easy clean up, easy prepping for multiple batches, and you do not have to use butter or anything else to make sure the cookies wont stick.

Put tablespoon sized balls about 2 inches apart since they will spread.  Put them in for 10-12 minutes or until the edges brown. As soon as they come out, put the kisses on top to melt.

This recipe makes about three dozen cookies.  Like usual, I didn't keep them far enough apart so just use a knife to seperate the second they come out.

Overall these are an interesting little cookie.  They almost taste like a regular sugar cookie but a little extra flavor.  If you try these, please post on here and let me know what kind of pudding you used and if it did or didn't work well.

Really Easy Cookies (Recipe Post)

Post by The Grumpy One

So one of the best things about these recipe posts is not just trying out recipes, but also to give people ways to start cooking, or make really tasty things with little or no skill.

So today's recipe comes to us courtesy of a thrown out back.  I wanted something easy to make and these so far our my easiest (Yes easier than my Jello Recipe.)

Now this isn't really a recipe as much as a really simple way to make homemade tasting cookies without all that work and clean up.

So just grab an already mixed refrigerated cookie pack, and candy... I went fancy and tried two different chocolate filled candies.  Also I am doing a little extra work since the Rolos are wrapped...man...is it really worth unwrapping all those candies?

So start by preheating your oven to whatever the package says. I can't tell you a certain anything because everyone's mixes are different.

While the oven is preheating, you can do the hardest part...unwrapping the candy.

Now since that only takes a few seconds and your oven is still preheating, you can play with your candy.  I am not sure if this was when I was mapping out football plays, or reenacting the fight scene between the Jets and Sharks in West Side Story?

So now just flatten the dough, put your candy in the middle, and roll them into little balls.

Put them on a cookie sheet.

Remember to give a little space in between the cookies since they will flatten.

Now if you have multiple kinds of candy, you might want to organize them in a way so you know what is in each one... not me... I purposly mixed them up so nobody will know MUUUAHAHAHAHA (that's my evil laugh.)

Put them in for however long the package says.

Take them out and that is it.  You now have candy filled cookies that people think you spent hours on when the truth is...you just know how to unwrap stuff and smoosh them together... good for you.

4 Layers of Awesomeness (Recipe Post)

Post by The Grumpy One

So I will start by saying 4 layers is an inaccurate term for this recipe, especially since there is nothing that is repeated four times, it just sounds right.

This recipe comes from the fact that my sister made me go on Pintrest.

I liked this recipe as soon as I saw this, but you know me...I had to add a little to it. But, I am now safe to say that just like I said last week, this is now my #2 favorite recipe.

So lets start with the ingredients, for such a sweet cookie (if you call it a cookie) there are some things that don't seem like they would fit.

1/3 Cup of Sugar, 1 Cup of Brown Sugar, 1 Cup Butter, 1 Bag Chocolate Chips, 1 Cup Milk, 1 Cup Toffee Bits, 1 Cup Peanut Butter, 2 Cups ground Graham Crackers, 1 Box Club Crackers.

Start off by lining a casserole dish with the Club Crackers.

In a pan, melt the butter, then mix in the Sugar, Brown Sugar, Graham Crackers, and Milk.

Let it boil for about 5 min but keep stirring a lot.

Pour and spread half of the mixture over the crackers.

Lay down another layer of crackers on top of it.

Spread the rest of the mix over.

Lay another layer of Crackers.

On top of that layer, put down the toffee chips.

Now mix together the Peanut Butter, Chocolate Chips, and Butterscotch Chips.

Make sure you have them on a very low heat and keep stirring.

Once it is melted, pour over the toffee on the last layer of crackers.

Put in the refrigerator for about an hour, or until it sits.

Now all you have to do is cut, and serve.

Now I was very happy to find out that someone not only tried my recipe post last week, but liked it, so I am so glad these turned out so well.

Remember if you want me to try a certain kind of dessert for you, leave me a post on the blog.

Caramel Apple Cookies; Perfect Cookie For The Fall (Recipe Post)

Post by The Grumpy One

So I know that my faithful 3 or so readers have started to notice that my recipe posts are not-so-weekly posts even though I said I would do them weekly.  Well the truth is sometimes I will try a recipe and it is not the best.

Yes, these aren't my recipes, they are ideas that I like, tweak them, try them, and if they are good...I will post.  If they are not good (like last week's "Popcorn Fudge") I will either just chalk it up as a loss, or think of ways to make it better and try again another day (and yes..I think after brainstorming with people from work especially "The Tattooed One" I think we came up for a way to make it work.)

So luckily for the readers, today was not just a winner, but I will say is my now #2 favorite recipe I have tried (I really don't think I will beat my Crownies anytime soon.)

Now the funny thing was I decided to do a more complicated recipe since the boys haven't tried to help in a while...yeah Brandis (one of my 3 year old boys) wanted to help today, so if you think it's too complicated, just remember a 3 year old helped make them.

So the ingredients are; 1 TSP Cinnamon, 10 envelopes of instant apple cider, 1 Cup butter, Chewy Caramels, 2 Eggs, 1/2 TSP Salt, 1 TSP Vanilla, 1 TSP Baking Soda, 1/2 TSP Baking Powder, 1 Cup Sugar, 3 Cups Flour.

So start by pre-heating the oven to 350.

In one bowl, mix together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, and cinnamon.

In a separate bowl, mix together the butter, sugar, salt, apple cider mix, eggs, and vanilla.

Once it's a nice brown mix, start folding the flour mix until it is well blended.

If you are paying attention...yes that is a 3-year old's hand mixing.  I am not joking, he pretty much did everything but the measuring and putting them in and out of the oven.

Once the mix is done, put it in the fridge for a couple of minutes to form a little bit (you might not have to do this, but if you live in Hawaii like I do right now, it is important since it is so hot here at all time.)

So as it's chilling you can start unwrapping the caramels.

If you are making it with a kid like I was, the three hardest steps have to do with unwrapping caramels.

1. Teaching a toddler how to unwrap a caramel in the heat (as you can tell from this picture, he wanted to dig in without un-twisting first.)

2. Making sure that your child is putting them in the pile and not in his mouth once they are unwrapped.

3. Trying to sneak a caramel YOURSELF without your kid catching you (I almost got caught twice.)

Now with the caramel unwrapped, take the mix out of the fridge, lay down some parchment paper on a baking sheet.

Put about a tablespoon of the mix down.

Put a caramel in, and cover it up.  (Now that I have made them, I really wish I would have covered them up better.)

Remember that they will spread when you bake, so leave some room when you place them.

Put them in for 12-14 minutes or until the edges brown.

Once they start to cool, move them a little from their spot to make sure they don't stick to the paper.

This will make about 3 dozen cookies.

Like I said, I wish I would have covered the caramel a little better.

Now these cookies are O.K. cold, but when they are warm, they are INCREDIBLE, so if you get  any of them at work tomorrow...grab a plate from me, and throw them in the microwave.

I know I said I was going to try to post real recipes eventually, but I really wanted to try these (still haven't got over my caramel apple kick.) Maybe next week.

Kiss My Grits; Favorite Place to Eat on Island (Restaurant Review)

Post by The Grumpy One

Kiss My Grits

Pucks Alley behind the Varsity Bar. 1035 University Avenue 

Honolulu, HI

http://www.kissmygritsyall.com/

So you can tell by the title, I love this place.  There are a couple things that would usually cause me to go on long rants, but the food and overall experience was worth it.  I am warning you right now, this is going to be a longer post than usual, just because this place is so good.  I ate here weeks ago, but I can still remember everything about it...it was that good.

WARNING!!! the four of us that ate here are critical on "Southern Food" one of us was born and raised in the south, and two of us were stationed in Georgia before we moved here.

Now this is one of my rants...It is hard to find, we parked, and were walking for a while before we found it.  We actually passed it and didn't even notice it.

Second and last rant... like 4 tables outside, and like 8 tables inside and that is all.  It is really neat looking inside, but I would hate to be here during lunch rush, you will never get a table.

That is it for the bad stuff.  So all of the frustration of finding the place automatically went away when you sit down.  There is nice old country music playing, and then we met our server.

A good server can make or break a place, and this guy was THE BEST!!!

His name is Hector, but he goes by Jethro. He was everything you think of when you think about southern hospitality.  Nice, funny, helpful with menu choices, and the kind of person you want to just tell to sit down and have lunch with you. Also "The Girl" thought he reminded her of Cam from "Modern Family" which I kinda see it.

So as soon as we sat down, all four immediately knew what we wanted to drink...Sweet Tea.

I thought it was really good, not just that, it came in a mason jar which is a nice touch, and "Jethro" was ever so vigilant to make sure the jars were never empty.

I also want to use this space to post my favorite thing that was printed on the menu... "BLESS YOUR HEART, is kind of like the word Aloha. It can mean so many things like,"You're so kind," or "You just made me mad, but I can't say that right now." So, if you hear this common phrase...think about it!"

That little comment on the menu sums up the attitude here...and I LOVE IT!

Now on to the food, the only thing bad about a place like this...you want everything.  It took me so much time playing mental rock-paper-scissors to find out what I was going to order. I ended up with...

Fried Chicken... if that wasn't good enough, it came with cole slaw, hush puppies, and a deviled egg.  Just like my last review, I will rate my plate from worst item to best.  There is one problem though, nothing can be classified as bad or worst.

Coleslaw...the only reason its on the bottom of the list is it is the closest thing to "healthy" on the plate, and you know how much I don't like healthy stuff...That being said, I would eat it again.

Deviled Egg... This was so good, but all that you get from eating it, is the craving for more, and the amount of food there is, you DON'T HAVE ROOM!!!

Fried Chicken...I know what you are thinking...the main dish isn't your top item...No...It wasn't...I was good,  really good, but my favorite was.

HUSH PUPPIES... SOOO GOOD!!!! I want a magical dish with me at all times of the day that will just re-spawn these constantly. Not too greasy, perfect.

Now here is a little tricky thing though...that wasn't my favorite thing there... all four of us ordered a special order of the best thing in the world...

Their "Smoky Mac and Cheese." Yes that picture is of Mac and Cheese.  Underneath all of that bacon and fried onion, lays the best macaroni and cheese I have tasted in my life.  By the time I started eating it, I already finished all of my food and I was so full, but it was so good I powered through and ate it all.

The only real draw back of this wonderful heavenly eatery is...THE ITIS!!!

THE ITIS is that feeling you get when the food is so good, and you eat so much you don't want to ANYTHING.

That is the after math of "The Girl."  This place is so good, you can't stop eating.  You just keep eating until you fall over or waddle out.

FINAL REVIEW...FORCE YOURSELF TO FIND A REASON TO EAT HERE.  Awesome staff (not just Jethro, the cook came out to check on us too.) Great food. Really reasonable prices. So worth it, this is the only place I can think of that I have to eat here one more time before I leave next year.  In fact even though it would be really crowded, I am really thinking about having my farewell party there.

The Fat Greek; a band-aid not a cure (Restaurant Review)

Post by The Grumpy One

The Fat Greek

1831 Ala Moana Blvd., Suite 201

Honolulu, Hawaii 96815

http://www.thefatgreek.net/

So let me start off by explaining the title of this post.  I know that sometimes my critiquing is a little critical, but when it comes to Greek food I am extra tough.  For you that don't know, I lived in Germany for a few years, and one of my greatest memories is the Turkish and Greek food.  I have tried to find restaurants to match the taste everywhere I live and visit, and I have not found anything even close yet.  So when I get a craving, I have to find what I call a "Band-aid" place.  Somewhere that will ease my craving but will not totally cure the craving because it's not the same.

So the outside is nothing special, however it did catch our attention, we weren't planning to eat here on this trip, but the place we were going to was closed, and we saw this across the parking lot.

So there is a little room inside to eat, but we had 6 people with us, and the large 10 person table was being used by two ladies (which we had to calm "The Pretty One" down, because he wanted to go off on them for being rude.) But we live in Hawaii, so eating outside is not that big of a problem.

So they have your usual Greek food.  I decided to have a typical Gyro plate.

I am going to rate everything on this plate from worst to best... The Salad, BAD!!! if you look close you will see the lettuce was brownish and a little slimy.  

The Garlic Fries, Not the best, a little flavorless, and you can tell they were frozen fries just heated up.

The Gyro, It was good, I have had a lot better, but it was still O.K., I just wish there was more...everything. I feel like they really skimped on the toppings.

Now the best thing about the whole meal, is not even in the picture. You can order a special dipping sauce for your fries. It is a tsatziki sauce with feta cheese in it.  If you order it though, order a couple of them, because it goes fast.

FINAL REVIEW... Eh! The food is O.K. but the price was outrageous.  The price is not even close to the quality, so I will say find somewhere else if you just need a Band-aid.

Wahoo's Fish Taco; Healthy can taste good? (Restaurant Review)

Post by The Grumpy One

Wahoo's Fish Taco

940 Auahi St.

Honolulu, HI 96814

http://www.wahoos.com/

Just like I said last time, I am really backed up with my review posts, but since it's a 4-day weekend, and right now I am doing nothing but watching a "Moonshiners" marathon on the discovery channel, now is a perfect time to catch up.

So "The Tattooed One" wanted to take me to this place.  I think he waited to take me without "The Pretty One" because he knows although I don't go out looking for healthy-ish food, unlike "The Pretty One," I will at least try it.

So From the outside it looked pretty promising. Now for those of you that will not be heading to Hawaii anytime soon, just go to their website on the top of the page and you will see some stateside locations (Sorry my Wahingtonians....the closest to you is in California.)

So for as promising as the outside looked, I would never imagine that the inside was going to be like this...

This is the counter area (and yes Kara...if you look close you will see that they serve Ben and Jerry's Ice Cream.)

Now I am not necessarily a "Surfer Dude," but something about this place just seemed like my kind of place.

So the menu was a lot of healthy, seafood inspired tacos, burritos, and stuff like that.

The key to whatever you order is ORDER THE GREEN SAUCE.

Tattoo told me that and I didn't believe him, but please...trust me, and thank me later.

Now since I didn't trust him I only ordered a little on the side, but if I go again I will have it "Wet" (that means have it covered in sauce.) because it is so good.

So Tattoo kept telling me about the Outer Reef Burrito (So it's you choice of meat filling, with cheese, lettuce, white or brown rice, and your choice of black or cajun white beans.) But I also wanted to try the fish taco so I ordered both to be able to give a little more of a review.

So the fish taco was O.K. nothing special, but the outer reef burrito was really good, I just wish I had more than that little cup of green sauce, but even without it, the healthy food actually not just tastes good, but was really filling, but doesn't make you feel too sluggish afterwards.

So final say...The prices are a little high, I am not necessarily going to force a reason to be in the neighborhood just to eat there, but I have no problem going there again.  Also for you on the island, keep an eye out, because not only do they have their restaurants, but they also have mobile stands that they take to concerts and events on island.

Zombie Fingers; Gluten Free Peanut Butter Cookies (Recipe Post)

Post by The Grumpy One

So it was quick, but I am already posting my last Halloween type recipe.

This concept can be used with a lot of type of cookies, but instead I decided to try a Gluten Free type of cookie.

Not just that, but this cookie is almost purely organic (everything but the vanilla and the almonds)

Using organic was my choice for everything but the Peanut Butter, it is very important that you use an organic or oil free peanut butter.

So you need; 1 cup of Brown Sugar, Slice Almonds, 2 Tablespoons of Vanilla Extract, 2 Eggs, 2 Cups of OIL FREE Peanut Butter, and Half a Cup of Sugar.

Start by preheating the oven to 350.

While that's heating up, mix all the ingredients but the almonds together.  You could probably use a hand mixer...but that is kinda ridiculous to me, just grab a spoon and stir everything together for about a minute until it become a dark brown mixture.

Now layout some Parchment Paper on a cookie sheet.

Start rolling little fingers about the size of your finger (I have big monkey paws so I made them the size of my pinky.)

Once those are laid out, open the bag of almond slices, and put one on each finger like a finger nail.  I pushed them in a little bit just to make sure they didn't fall off after they were baked.

Now just remember when you put them down, they are going to flatten a little, so leave a little room for them to spread.

Put them in the oven for 7-10 minutes depending on the size you made.

Just let them cool, then serve.  Like I said, you can use the finger concept with other cookies, and if you want a little extra flair, you can put a little red jelly on the bottom to look like blood.

I hope you enjoyed, and now to think of what to make next week.

Soul De Cuba; More than just a good sandwich (Restaurant Review)

Post by The Grumpy One

Soul De Cuba

1121 Bethel Street

Honolulu, HI 96813

http://www.souldecuba.com/

So now that I am back from vacation, I think the people in the office are trying to help me catch up on new restaurants.  Because of this, I am behind by four reviews, so hopefully I can get all four done this weekend.

So this one started off by "The Girl" wanting to take me, "The Pretty One," and "The New Person" (she doesn't have a nickname yet because she is new to the office and we don't know if she is part of "The blog" yet) out for Boss Apreciation Day. Originally we we going to go to an Irish Restaurant, but they were closed. So we went across the street to an Irish Pub, but they weren't serving food.  So "The Pretty One" and the bartender suggested Soul De Cuba just a few blocks away.

This is one of those places that you will walk by and not even know it's a restaurant.

The inside on the other hand, reminded me of a very quaint cafe where at night they stack up the tables and chairs, and turn it into a Salsa Club. Now I have never had Cuban food before (unless you count a Cuban sandwich, which is delicious) so I was excited when I read that "Soul de Cuba Cafe offers a unique dining experience combining exquisite traditional Cuban dishes and specialty drinks in a fun, entertaining, service oriented atmosphere."  So originally I was just going to order one thing like usual, but "The Pretty One" started us all off by ordering appetizers which consisted of three things; 1.  Croquetas De Jaiba (Crab cakes seasoned with tomato sauce, cayenne, onions and green bell peppers.) 2. Papa Rellena (Light and fluffy mashed potato croquette stuffed with seasoned ground beef breaded and lightly fried and served with homemade mango and habanero salsa) and 3. Fried Plantains (which are...Fried Plantains.)

Overall all three were good but since this is a review, I will rank them from worst to best.  The Plantains made this way always just taste like squishy warm bananas to me. The Crab Cakes were good, I just wish they had a little more flavor (which are a lot better with the salsa on it.) but the Papa Rellena...Incredible....like a fluffy little meat pillow (which just like my Pizza Bowl idea, I should trademark the meat pillow idea too.) So starting off I was really  optimistic. Then came my main meal.

I got the Soul Cubano sandwich (serrano ham, manchego cheese, tender roast pork and salami dressed in cilantro and roasted garlic aioli on pressed cuban bread served with mixed greens) It would have just been an O.K. sandwich, but the roast pork texture and flavor made it SOOO good (so for you keeping track, yes that is so with three O's.)

The food was good, the service was great (the waitress actually recommended the Soul Cubano and it was remember, So with three O's good.) however, the parking in that area is scarce and expensive (in fact there was a local girl outside screaming at the parking meter because it was so expensive.) and the prices were a little too high for me.

So overall, I am glad I ate there once, but because of the parking, prices, and location (I really hate going downtown unless I have too.) I will probably never eat here again.



Peanut Butter Pumpkins (Recipe Post)

Post by The Grumpy One

It's still October, and for you that missed last weeks post, I decided to make Halloween Themed snacks for my recipes this month.

Now this week is just like last week's bugs, yes you can call them Halloween-y...but you can also call the Fall-ish.

For you that are sick of Peanut Butter because of lasts weeks post, I am sorry, I will try to make a different type of flavor next week.

Now this seems like a lot of work, but really they are pretty easy, and they look kinda cool.

So the Ingredients are; Pretzels, 1 Bag of White Chocolate Chips, 1 Bag of Peanut Butter Chips, 1 can of frosting (I used cream cheese flavor), 1 cup of Peanut Butter, and Orange food Coloring (Or 3 yellow drops to every 1 red drop) you actually don't need the coloring but if you use it, the paste works better than the gel.

So just like last week, start by putting both bags of the "chips" in a pot on LOW. Don't forget to stir....constantly.

I used level 1 because of the chocolate burning accident last week.  It is a lot slower, but if you have enough time to read my post, and try out the recipe...you probably aren't stressed for time.

 Once that is a nice smelling brown goo....add about a cup of peanut butter. and keep stirring until it's melted.

Now you can leave it in the pot and turn off the heat, or you can do what I did and transfer the "goo" to a mixing bowl.

Mix in the frosting and the orange food coloring.  Remember, to make orange its about 1 red drop for every 3 yellow drops.  Also remember (I know there is a lot to remember.) you don't necessarily need food coloring, it will just be the difference between bright orange pumpkins, or some that have been faded in the sun a little.

Once that is all mixed together you might want to cool it off in the fridge for a few minutes since you are about to use your hands. Talking about hands...wash them before this next step...it's flu season.

O.k. with hands washed... put out wax/parchment paper and start rolling out little balls of the mix. 

Now a little warning, these are pretty potent, so you don't want to make them too big, in this case, bigger is not better.

Once the balls are on the paper, take a butter knife and cut the lines for the pumpkin.

Now break the curls of the pretzels, and use them for the stem of the pumpkins. 

This recipe made about 40 "perfect" sized pumpkins.

It sounds like a lot of work, but actually is real easy and quick once the chips are melted.

Now since I am having problems with my computer at home, I am posting this from work the day after I made these. 

I brought about 30 or so to work and I have 6 left.  Not the best thing I have made, but still o.k., I think the big selling point for these are they look really cool, so if you are having a party I think they will be something people talk about.  Until next week, now I have to find something Halloweenish that doesn't have peanut butter.