What the heck's a bonbon?

Porkroll or Taylor Ham? I'LL be the judge of that! Tuckerton Seaport's TRUCKerton Food Truck & Brew Fest is BACK!

This Saturday May 6 at the Tuckerton Seaport is this year's fantastically themed Porkroll vs Taylor Ham TRUCKerton Food Truck and Brew Fest!  

If you're from New Jersey, you either call it porkroll or you call it Taylor Ham.  There is no in between.  I have always called it Taylor Ham because I grew up in north Jersey.  You get a "Taylor Ham on a hard roll" for breakfast.  Now that I live in south Jersey, I hear "porkroll and cheese" constantly and I STILL can't get used to it even 16 years later.  

Regardless of what you call the meaty treat, it sure is good.  This year's food truck lineup promises several Taylor Ham/porkroll dishes to satisfy everyone's palate whether you're from north Jersey, south Jersey, Timbuktu or wherever.  There will also be great beers, live music, a pork roll eating contest and more!

Check out the list of vendors and what's going on throughout the day: 

I am very honored to have been asked back as a judge this year to determine which among the 11 food trucks has the best dish of the day.  This is going to be hard, because having already sampled most of these trucks' delights over the years I know the competition will be stiff.  But trust me, I'm up to the task.  In preparation, I'll be attending a Cinco de Mayo party the night before because what tastes better than some Taylor Ham after a night of margaritas? 

Hope to see you there!

Details:

What: TRUCKerton Food Truck and Brew Fest- Porkroll vs Taylor Ham

When: Saturday May 6, 2017, 11:00AM-6:00PM

Where: Tuckerton Seaport & Baymen’s Museum, Rte 9, Tuckerton, NJ 08087 609-296-8868 www.tuckertonseaport.org

Cost: $10 adults, Children under 5 FREE, Seaport members FREE - Save $1 on admission by bringing a food item for the Tuckerton Food Pantry

 

It's a major award! It's a Liebster Award!

I can't believe it!  'What the heck's a bonbon?' was nominated for a Liebster Award by Jillian at I am a Homemaker!  I feel the need to give a speech:

I would like to thank Jillian and the Academy of other small bloggers out there.  I'd also like to thank my family who put up with so much... waiting for me to take pictures of their food before they are allowed to eat it...giving me "just one more minute" to "finish something up" on a regular basis...being the guinea pigs for just about everything my brain comes up with.  It's such an honor to be nominated...

What the heck's a Liebster Award, you ask?  Well, it's a cool award given out from writers of small blogs to writers of other small blogs as a way to say "Hey! You're alright!" and "I dig what you're doing!"  It's a great tool for finding fresh new reading material for you, too.

I was asked a bunch of questions when I received this major frah-gee-lay award. Here are my answers:

1. Why did you start blogging?

I forgot how much I loved to write until I started reading other blogs.  So I thought, hey!  I can do that too!  And I did.

2. Are you a Mac or PC person?

PC.  Although I do have an iPhone and can not for the life of me understand how to navigate a Droid.

3. What time do you go to bed at night?

10:00.  But I have been known to fall asleep on the couch much earlier. #partyanimal

4. If there was one major renovation you could make to your home for free, what would it be?

I would finish our basement.  Or put in a pool.  Or a basketball court.  Or...

5. Fruit Loops or Lucky Charms?

I am going to have to go with neither and give big props to Fruity Pebbles.

6.What is your favorite TV show?

Right now it's Walking Dead.  In the past it's been the X Files, Six Feet Under, and My So-Called Life to name a few.

7. Disney World, love it or leave it?

I loved it when I was there, but was able to leave it just fine.

8. What is your favorite flower?

Lily of the Valley

9. Give us the link to the post you feel best represents you and the purpose of your blog.

 http://whateverworks.typepad.com/bonbon/2014/01/what-the-hecks-a-bonbon.html

10. If you were a candy, which one would you be?

You know those weird wafer-like flying saucers that have strange sprinkles inside when you bite into them?  That's me.  Because they are weird.  And I am weird.

11. What is your favorite thing about blogging?

I love being able to write and make people chuckle every once in a while. 

 

Now it's my turn to nominate 11 more awesome small blogs out there!  Without further ado...my nominees are:

1. Lindsey at Sisters to Sons
2. Katie at The Modest Heart
3. Pricilla at Bear Haven Mama 
4. Gina at Embracing Imperfect
5. Cassie at Not Our Ways
6. Megan at Made to Bloom
7. Bonnie at Espressos of Faith
8. Nance at Leaning Alone on Jesus
9. Alison at Kitchen Table
10. Colleen at A Madison Mom
11. Jann at Reflect | His Love and His Glory

 Now, the nominees will have to complete the following rules I was given:

• Thank and link back to the person who nominated you
• Answer the questions given by the nominator 
• Nominate 11 other bloggers who have less than 200 followers.
• Here’s the hard part: Think up 11 new questions for the nominees.
• Lastly, be sure to alert the nominees that you have nominated them.

Here are your questions!

1. How did you decide on the title of your blog?
2. Elephant or giraffe?
3. What is your favorite food?
4. Who do you look up to the most?
5. Would you rather cook or clean?
6. Soup or salad?
7. What's your favorite type of sandwich?
8. If you had the chance to change your first name, what would it be?
9. Tea of coffee?
10. What's YOUR favorite blog post you'e ever written? Give us the link.
11. If time travel were possible, would you do it?

Thank you for participating!  I can't wait to discover more small blogs by reading all your responses!

This was fun!

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Celebrate #AllThingsDairy this June with 15 great recipes and a GIVEAWAY!

 This post is sponsored by the American Dairy Association and Dairy Council

 

Did you know that June is Dairy Month?

That means it's time to celebrate #AllThingsDairy!  

 Fresh nutritious dairy foods like milk, cheese and yogurt don't just taste delicious; they're good for your body! Dairy foods are the #1 source of calcium in most individual’s daily diet and offer 9 essential nutrients.  Milk and dairy products are fresh 365 days a year, making Dairy Month a great time to think about exciting, nutrient rich combinations like creative grilled cheese sandwiches, salads and refreshing desserts. 

 And what better way to join in the fun & deliciousness and celebrate "All Things Dairy" than with 15 Food Bloggers from around the country who are sharing some of their favorite dairy recipes?!

PLUS enter for a chance to win one of 3 Cuisinart ICE-30BC Pure Indulgence™ Frozen Yogurt-Sorbet & Ice Cream Makers to entice you to make your own delicious dairy treats this summer!

As part of this awesome blogging group, I've been asked to come up with a delicious dairy-based dish to share with you.  The first thing that came to my mind was fresh fruit and cold frozen yogurt.  So I checked the fridge to see what I had available.  Here's what I found: Greek yogurt, lemons, watermelon, strawberries, cucumbers and milk.  My mind went into its normal frenzy and came up with this:

Strawberry Cucumber Watermelon Granita with Lemon Vanilla Frozen Yogurt 

 For the granita:

• 5 cups fresh watermelon
• 1/4 cup seedless cucumber- peeled or unpeeled depending on your taste
• 6-7 ripe strawberries
• 2 Tbsp fresh lemon juice
• 1/4-1/2 cup sugar

Add all ingredients to blender container starting with 1/4 cup sugar.  Whirl up until fully blended.  Taste the mixture for sweetness and add more sugar if needed.  You can choose to strain the mixture, but leaving all the pulp in will give your granita a nice texture.  Place the mixture in a flat glass pan and cover.  Place in the freezer for about 2 hours.  Using a fork, scrape the top layer of the mixture then put it back in the freezer.  

In another 1-2 hours, scrape the rest of the mixture with a fork.  You will end up with a beautiful bunch of delicious shavings.  Transfer your granita to a sealable container and place it back in the freezer.

For the frozen yogurt:

• 1 cup plain Greek yogurt
• 1/2 cup nonfat milk
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 tsp lemon peel shavings

It is up to you how you would like to make your frozen yogurt.  If you have an ice cream maker (or WIN the one we are giving away!)  by all means add the above ingredients to it and let 'er rip.  But if you are like me, you may need to improvise.  I used a method that my kids and I have been using for a long time.  Just place all the ingredients in a sealable plastic bag, seal it, then place the sealed bag of ingredients into a larger sealable plastic bag along with as much ice as you can fit.  Add about a Tbsp of salt to the ice and seal it up.  Shake the bags as much as possible until you notice the yogurt starting to thicken and become frozen.  Once the yogurt is frozen, you can stop shaking and remove it to a freezer container.  

Serve the granita and yogurt together in a clear glass and enjoy!

 Please be sure to visit all these other awesome bloggers' sites for even more wonderful dairy based recipes!  I'm sure you won't be disappointed.  In fact, I think a party with ALL these delicious treats would be a great way to celebrate Dairy Month!

Souffle Bombay - Blueberry Cheesecake Shooters

What the heck's a bonbon?- Watermelon, cucumber and strawberry granita with lemon vanilla frozen yogurt

We're Parents!? - Strawberry Cheesecake Pancakes with Homemade Whipped Topping

It's a Keeper - 10 Homemade Ice Cream Recipes (round up)

Pass the Sushi - Blueberry Frozen Yogurt

Opera Singer in the Kitchen - Double Cheese Spinach and Mushroom Omelette

Real: The Kitchen and Beyond - Jarlsberg Mushroom Melts + 10 Grilled Cheese Ideas

The Vintage Mom - Frozen Strawberry Yogurt Pops + Some More Fresh Ideas!

Giggles, Gobbles, and Gulps- 10 Fun Ways to Drink Your Milk (round up of flavored milk recipes)

Little Kitchie - Spinach & Prosciutto Pizza

How I Pinch A Penny - Banana Pudding Shooters

Mind Over Batter - Strawberries and Cream Icebox Cake

Sugar Dish Me - Healthy Creamy Pasta Salad

Kitchen Conundrum- Rich & Creamy Macaroni and Cheese

The Suburban Soapbox - Chocolate Martini

The American Dairy Association & Dairy Council salutes its local dairy farmers with a celebration of #AllThingsDairy as they seek nutritious recipes combining milk, cheese and yogurt with fresh produce.  To learn more about the health benefits of dairy and the essential role it plays in your diet visit DairyGood.org 

And now for the giveaway... 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

PLEASE remember to actually complete the task you have chosen on the Rafflecopter form in order for your entry to count.  Entries will be disqualified if the task is not completed. (Example: if you choose to leave a blog post comment, you MUST actually leave a comment in addition to checking the box on the form.)

Thank for reading and best of luck to you!  I hope you win!