What a Pear! What a Dog!

Folks, you can file this post under Procrastination is Part of the Creative Process. I am on deadline and supposed to be writing. Instead, I am running around my house taking pictures of my dog, Lulu, with a couple of French butter pears. If you write for a living, you already understand. BUT, in my defense, I have to tell you that last night I picked up a bag of these luscious pears at Central Market and I have already eaten three (another form of procrastination). It’s smack dab in the middle of pear season and these babies are worth a trip. Okay, then. Later, I have a load of laundry waiting.

Spain By Way of Central Market

The other day, former D Empire employee cum Central Marketer Aimee Deputy stopped by the office to drop off some Spanish goodies that I later (clumsily) assembled into an antipasto plate at home (see pic at left). The  savories included (clockwise from top) Paletta Iberico boneless ham ($119.99/lb.), Garrotxa cheese, Fermin Iberico Bellotta boneless ham ($179.99/lb.), quince paste or membrillo, Manchego cheese, baguette, and Marcona almonds in the middle. It was all delicious, and I enjoyed layering the items to achieve the perfect bite of salty, nutty, meaty, sweet. Of course a hearty glass of Spanish rosé made for a nice accompaniment. Olé!

Pokey O’s Tallies 1 Million Ice Cream Sammies

Nothing like an ice cream sandwich—make that a $1 ice cream sandwich—to put some cheer into this drizzly day. The good folks at Pokey O’s are projecting to sell their millionth cookie-and-ice-cream treat today and are offering the $1 deal for all sandwiches sold  (limit five per customer). Also, if you happen to be the lucky person who buys No. 1,000,000, you get a $400 voucher on Southwest Airlines.

Do We Really Need Scented Organic Water?

Maybe I am just getting crabby in my old age but when I opened a press release announcing Herbal Water, “the only nationally available USDA Certified Organic flavored water is now available at more than 500 Safeway Stores”, I wanted to go back to bed. Seriously, are you going to get bamboozled by every “organic” scam? Help me here: Isn’t “organic water” redundant? Here, straight from the you-can-make-this-stuff-up department:

Herbal Water blends hand-selected, organically grown herbs with purified water and nothing else - no preservatives, colors, artificial ingredients, sweeteners or calories - to create a refreshing taste and an enchanting aroma.

Herbal Water is a healthy alternative to beverages that contain calories and artificial flavors,” says Ayala Laufer-Cahana, trained pediatrician, accomplished artist, and company founder. “As more people demand healthy and organic beverages, we are delighted that our line of Herbal Water will be available to them at Safeway stores.” Recently, Herbal Water was recognized by Delicious Magazine as a “delicious flavored water (that is) a great sugar-free alternative to soda…this water is smooth and refreshing.”

Oh, that’s enough. Delicious or not. I have work to do. (Somebody comb that woman’s hair, please.)

Yogurtland Makes Dallas Debut

Remember when TCBY was the place to go for frozen yogurt? Well, it’s 2008 and there’s a new player in town, appropriately named Yogurtland. With the store’s grand opening this past weekend in Carrollton, Dallasites were finally able to taste what all the fuss is about.

With 16 rotating flavors including pistachio, peach tart and New York cheesecake, all dispensed from wall-mounted machines and priced at a reasonable 30 cents per ounce, Yogurtland puts the power in the hands of its patrons letting them decide just how much is enough. The store offers 33 different fruit and candy toppings, as well as yogurt frappes and smoothies. For the health conscious, there’s “no sugar added” yogurt, as well as shaved ice for those not in the mood for yogurt. Update: Yogurtland just informed us they no longer offer frappes, smoothies or shaved ice.

The dream of Yogurtland was to take the “kid in a candy shop” concept and maximize it. So does that mean we can revert to our childhood ways of smothering ridiculous amounts of toppings over our frozen yogurt without ever feeling guilty? Sweet.

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Shooters for Sweet Tooths

This idea is genius. I mean, shots—of frosting? The article didn’t mention whether the Dallas Sprinkles location was selling these little beauties, so I called ‘em up and the nice lady said that, yes, you can buy any of the flavors available (usually six or so daily) for 75 cents. That’s gotta be cheaper than this. Cheers!

Say Cheese

This is not going to be good for my waistline. Opening just down (up? whatever) the street from our office, in Highland Park Village, is the second location of artisanal cheese shop Molto Formaggio. (First is in Preston Royal, which is dangerously close to my house. I am doomed.) Anyone been?

Two of the Best Culinary Offerings in Nebraska

Over Fourth of July weekend, my new hubby and I drove to his hometown of Fairbury, Nebraska for a visit with his grandma Rose. With 4,262 people in Fairbury, you wouldn’t expect the tiny mid-western town to produce one of Nebraska’s most popular culinary contributions–the Fairbury Brand Tomboy Stadium Hot Dogs. The official hot dog of the Husker Nation. These juicy dogs are tasty. Nebraskans not only take their football as seriously as Texans, they are adamant about their wieners. Story goes that another corporate-giant-type company outbid the humble small-town favorite as the exclusive Husker hot dog. The industrious underdogs set up carts outside the stadium, attracting crowds of hungry tailgaters who eventually demanded the stadium serve the plump Tomboys instead. No word from the company on where to find ‘em in Texas, unless you count my freezer (we brought them back in a cooler). If you’re in Nebraska, they’re readily available at many grocery stores. Follow the jump to see my other favorite Nebraska foodie find (for you healthy types).

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Mmm… Cookies

OK, SideDishers, I have a confession: I am obsessed with the lemon cookies at Whole Foods. There is always a scene at the Who’Fo’ cookie closet when my lovely co-workers and I trek over there only to find out that there aren’t any left.

Today I bought a lemon cookie. The outside had a perfectly crunchy crust and a slight dusting of sugar, but the inside was a gooey mess. In my opinion, a perfect outside and an undercooked inside is the culinary equivalent of false advertising. This is unacceptable; I can’t handle that kind of disappointment again. Where can I find a reliable lemon cookie?

Can Somebody Help This Snack Freak

A couple of weeks ago you were all so kind to help a junk food junkie find a fix. Today comes another request

I know this is not fancy food, or restaurant food, but it is a local company! My friend picked up a bag in Southern Cal, but I have yet to see it here. She said it was a lovely mix of all things good… if you are in the need of a cheesy, mixed up Frito Lay snack! Anybody know where I can find Munchies Cheesy Snack Mix in Dallas?

Well it has been ages since I was called a lovely mix but it was just yesterday that Timmy referred to me as mixed up and cheesy. But hello, Frito Lay Headquarters in Plano? Dallas is frantically searching for your products in your own backyard. I think we need a dedicated hot line from you to the D office–desperate snack-a-holics can be dangerous people. Dishers?