Sticky Toffee Pudding

Also known as “Sticky Date Pudding” in other parts of the world, namely Australia where I first learned of this delicacy. In my mind, this is probably the most quintessential cold-weather dessert I’ve ever encountered. It’s warm, with hints of natural caramel in the dates themselves. Then you add home-made caramel sauce, (or as I like to call it, nectar of the gods) over the cake and that makes it into 'pudding'. If you’re like me and you want to live a little, add home-made whipped cream on the side… ahh, heaven! Now, if you don’t like dates, don’t worry. The dates are usually completely emulsified in the batter of the cake portion of this pudding. Therefore, your lips will taste the buttery flavor of the dates and bypass the chewy texture you may be averse to.

I have run across this delight on occasion since my time in Aus. including a few adventures of my own trying to recreate it for myself. The recipe I procured came from an old friend named, Lauren Ellis. She’s an Aussie so it’s written in the metric system. (I imagine that’s how real chefs cook world-wide anyway – I digress.) So here’s a recipe that is pretty darn close to the one we used, but written in English measurements. Recipe: http://www.chow.com/recipes/10973-sticky-toffee-pudding

If however, you are looking to really indulge and you’d like to take a trip to Atlanta, GA, there’s a wonderful place in the heart of Buckhead called, King + Duke.

It’s really quite fantastic. I’ve dined there twice so far and I wouldn’t mind returning soon. Even the bread they bring to the table is surprisingly unique. It’s light, but not flakey like a pastry, with a heavy egg base to the dough. The service has been really and truly excellent both times. (And they’re not paying me to say this either.)  The atmosphere is definitely a hit with friends. It’s warm and inviting – very early American with modern finishes. Pretty much anything you get on the menu is going to be good, unless it’s just a dish you already dislike, in which case, you might like the way K+D prepare it. Oh yeah, and when you’re ready to hit the dessert menu, three words: Sticky. Toffee. Pudding. Along with the standard ample serving of caramel sauce, their version is also served with a little creamsicle swirled in the caramel. This is of course an amazing twist. You should definitely try it out!

Happy cool-weather days!

Mango Six

I know it’s October, but come on, we’ve had some pretty warm weather these days. So last weekend a good friend of mine, who happens to be Korean took me to this truly delightful café to try an amazing treat. She told me that Mango Six is really popular in Korea and since I’m usually a fan of all-things-Asian, that was enough to hook me. We went to the Duluth, GA location, which is new, so check your area for one near you. The atmosphere is clean and fresh with artistic flourishes. The Café features  a wide range of fare including, boba, slushies, a full coffee-bar, dessert display, frozen yogurt and sandwich shop – all in one! Everything is so artistic and beautifully done. I would definitely go there again.

 

While I was taken by all of the variety available, I focused on what they are apparently most famous for, the Mango Coconut Slushy. I added boba (tapioca bubbles) because I LOVE boba so much, but this drink is probably best without the boba (even though I am a huge fan, just sayin’). The bubbles are at the bottom of my drink, then the mango slush (which is super fresh) and then the coconut cream (In case you've never experienced coconut cream, it's thicker than coconut milk it's just like heavy cream, but it's from a coconut - I know, right?!?!?!) with just a touch of grapefruit segments sprinkled on top. This adds a welcomed brightness in the midst of all that dreamy coconut cream. Delicious! If you get the chance to check this place out, do it!

 

 

Pumpkin Spice Brûlée - Oolong Tea

Like most motivated shoppers, I generally find myself rushing through the mall to get to the next stop, but on this particular shopping spree, I decided to stop and try a sample of tea at Teavana. Since it is fall and this has been an unseasonably warm October, I decided to try the Pumpkin Brûlée in an attempt to claim a little fall-spirit.

The result was absolute perfection in a fall tea. Here's why: It's not too sweet. It's not too heavy or too rich. I was also somewhat expecting a cider effect since it's a clear-fall-liquid and let's face it, so far, there just hasn't been a whole lot out there beyond cider in clear-fall-liquids. 

So I went about my day thinking about this glorious tea I had just experienced. I told probably about 5-10 people about this tiny sample that I tried before I actually decided I needed to purchase some of this stuff so I could share it with the people I had raved about it to!

It was on special when I went back (bonus) so that was awesome. Normally $12 for the minimum (2oz) you can buy which makes about 15 cups or so. Definitely worth it. But it was 30% off so that was great. I spent about $10 which makes each cup around .65! That's about $5 and 375 calories less than a tall Pumpkin Spice Latte. (Not that I'm really concerned with calories if it's a treat, but it is notably healthier.)

Definitely worth a try! P.S. Tea also makes great gifts for hosts or thank yous.  Enjoy!