Making On The Border At Home!

Time for another make at home meal! We've done Mexican food at home before during our Make at Home El Torito night. Tonight we're having On The Border Mexican Grill & Cantina at home! The first On The Border opened in 1982 in Dallas Texas. Since then, they've opened 150 more restaurants across the United States, plus 9 more in South Korea!

Making the Belmont Shore Stroll and Savor at Home! - Belmont Shore Stroll and Savor 2020

One really fun yearly tradition we have is going down to Long Beach with Jacob and enjoying the Belmont Shore Stroll and Savor. Every third Wednesday and Thursday of the summer months, dozens of restaurants on 2nd Street in Long Beach would line the sidewalks, selling mini-samples of their menu items. It was a fun time trying lots of tasty foods. Just counting up the number of times I've written about it on the blog, I'm seeing we've gone at least 13 times. Wow.

With COVID in full swing, it wasn't likely that the Stroll and Savor was going to happen this year. That's unfortunate because we have so many good memories from it. We've also had so many people come visit us and we'd take them to the Stroll and Savor.
So, if we can't go to the Belmont Shore Stroll and Savor, then today, the Belmont Shore Stroll and Savor 2020 will be at the Flowers' House! And if you thought recreating foods from 1 restaurant was a challenge, today we've upped the ante and are making things from 6 different places!

Banana Nectar

It's a beautiful sunny day in Southern California. When it's sunny like this, we like to go out to the front yard, pull out our hammocks, read books, and relax. Relaxing seems to always go better with a special treat. Back in February when we were in Bora Bora, I discovered Banana Juice and it was delicious! I've got to try making this myself.

Kit Kat Ice Cream Cones

Kit Kat must be expanding into the ice cream business! About a month ago we tasted the Brand New Kit Kat Ice Cream. Now they've got another new offering, Kit Kat Ice Cream Cones! And if it's a Drumstick style ice cream cone, Richard is sure to be joining us. He loves those kinds of freezer treats.

Each box has 8 cones in it, and there's two flavors. Vanilla and Chocolate, though for some reason they call them Wafer with Fudge and Chocolate Wafer.

Pizza At Home - Stouffer's French Bread Pizza

Pizza Day! We love it!
This Make At Home series is a chance for me to make whatever I like, and today I want to make something I haven't had in years. Stouffer's French Bread pizzas were a quick meal when things got busy. Tasty and satisfying, plus there's a flavor they don't make anymore that I really miss!

Rainbow Jello

We've got a special treat today that was pretty much just a random experiment I decided to try. The kids and I enjoyed having all that Starburst Jello, but after getting our fill, the rest of it was just sitting in the fridge. I think I can do something about that.

Disneyland Treats at Home - Mickey Bars and Mickey Ice Cream Sandwiches

We've got a very special set of Disney Treats today. This has been a fun series. So far we've made Mickey Beignets and Mint Juleps, and also Caramel Apples and Chocolate Wands. These special treats appear to come in twos, don't they. I asked different friends what their favorite Disney Treats were and it was Ruston that said his favorite were the chocolate covered Mickey Bars. It's going to be a little ambitious, but I think we can make something like that at home. And what can go with it? How about a Mickey Ice Cream Sandwich? Let's jump right into it!

Making Texas Roadhouse Rolls At Home!

Today we've got a tasty treat planned. In coming up with the ideas for all these "Make at Home" meals, there's one thing that Theresa was really wanting, but we were having a hard time deciding what to make along with it.
Texas Roadhouse makes fine food, but there's only one thing that is a real standout and you won't even find it on the menu. It's their fresh, piping hot from their oven to your table sweet rolls! These unlimited rolls come free with your meal and their Theresa's favorite! She will order a small entree and have 4-5 of these delicious breads.
And so not really inspired to make any of Texas Roadhouse's steaks, chicken, or sides, we're just making their rolls!

Ian and Alli make Disneyland at Home

It's been months now since we've been to Disneyland. Both the kids and us have been missing it. So it was a very fun surprise when Ian and Alli told us that they were going to make Disneyland at Home for us!
Welcom to Disnyland! Dad and Mom

Trolls World Tour Oreos

Tonight we're celebrating Trolls! We watched the first one back on April 19th during a sleep-over in anticipation of Trolls World Tour.
Because of COVID, Trolls World Tour had a limited theater release, but was released online the same day. Only problem was, it cost $20 for a 48 hour rental. We're used to spending $20, but to buy it, not rent it. We decided to wait until the price went down. Finally it did!
And we've got special Trolls themed Oreos to have along with them!

The packages are bright and colorful, just like most Trolls! Princess Poppy is on the bag of Oreos with Pink Creme and glitter. On the green package I was thinking it might be Branch, but it's Baby Diamond on the Chocolate Oreos with Green Creme, glitter, and popping candy!

National Lollipop Day - July 20th

Happy Monday! Today is National Lollipop Day! I think you know the drill by now. If we can make it at home, we're going to give it a try. So kids, let's make some lollipops today!

Pizza at Home - Bagel Bites

Happy Sunday! Pizza day again! Perhaps you've heard the tv jingle that goes along with today's pizzas. "Pizza in the morning, Pizza in the evenin', Pizza at suppertime! When pizza's on a bagel you can eat pizza anytime!"
After the success of our Einstein Bros Bagels, I knew I'd have to try to recreate these mini pizza bagels that I had growing up.

Kids make Oreo Ice Cream - National Ice Cream Day - July 19th

Happy Sunday! Today is National Ice Cream Day! In 1984, President Ronald Reagan declared July National Ice Cream Month, and the third Sunday of July National Ice Cream Day! Last year we celebrated at Disneyland with ginormous ice cream cones. This year we're going to do something a little different.
Hey Alli and Ian! Did you know you can make your own ice cream at home?
Alli and Ian - Can we do it Daddy?
Absolutely!

Saturday Morning Cereals - Comparing all 3 Hostess Cereals

About a year ago, we were all excited to try two new Post Hostess cereals, donettes and Honey Bun. Now, over a year later, there's a third Hostess cereal to add to that mix, Twinkies! We tried the Twinkies, but it's time to try all of them together!

Even though we didn't particularly care for the other two flavors when we tried them the first time around, I still picked up a couple boxes, hoping maybe they've improved within the last year.

Kids Taste Test - Hi-Chews

The kids were excited to have another taste test, and this time they are going the more traditional route. They found a pack of Hi-Chew and decided they wanted to have a taste test with all the different flavors.

And so today we're going to sample Strawberry, Mango, Sour Lime, Green Apple, Grape, plus a mystery flavor. That mystery flavor was originally in the standard stick package, but was opened a while ago. I can't read the writing on the package to even know if it says the flavor or not.
And in researching this one, I had no idea that there have been 131 flavors created of Hi-Chew since its inception in 1975.

Making Einstein Bros Bagels At Home!

We've been doing breakfast for dinner at home a lot lately! I guess that's because there's so many tasty breakfast foods that we wouldn't otherwise be making.
Bagels are delicious and we love having a yummy bagel smothered with cream cheese. Today we're going to be Making Einstein Bros Bagels at Home!

A French Fry taste test - National French Fry Day - July 13th

Today is National French Fry Day! I'm pretty sure we can do something with that. Let's have a taste test!

A Starburst Gelatin Taste Test - National Eat Your Jello Day - July 12th

It's a gorgeous sunny day here in So Cal, with blue skies and temperatures in the low 80s. I think a cool treat is in order. And lucky for us, today is National Eat Your Jello Day! I've got just the thing to pull out of my taste test bin for today.
While wandering the aisles of Walmart, I found a brand new contender in the gelatin section. Starburst makes gelatin!
And oh, I so want to call it Jell-O, but that wouldn't quite be correct. Jello is a registered trademark of Kraft Heinz. These Starburst gelatins, along with many other dessert products, are owned by the Jel Sert company. They make Royal gelatin, one of the main competitors to Jello.

I was excited to try all four new flavors!

Making Little Caesars at Home!

Today is Sunday which means it's pizza day! And we're going to be making Little Caesars at Home! During normal times, we'd be getting Little Caesars Pizza every couple weeks or so, and it's been months now since we've had any pre-prepared food. Ian was excited for tonight because Little Caesars is one of his favorite pizza places. It's time for Pizza! Pizza!

Making Challah at home!

There's a particular bread that Theresa just loves. Now that she's had a few months experience with baking quite a few other things, she's going to attempt it. It's Challah!

Saturday Morning Cereals - Twinkies Cereal

This morning we're trying a brand new cereal! A little over a year ago we all tried the first of this new line of cereals with Honey Buns and Donettes cereal. Now there's a third cereal we can add to the line-up, Twinkies cereal!

And just like last time, we'll be trying them along with the real thing.

Making Denny's at Home!

It's time for another tasty meal we try to replicate at home. Tonight we're trying our hand at making Denny's at home!

Theresa makes chocolate bread

This one has been in Theresa's queue to make for a little while now. I think when we first started doing all this baking at home, she was trying to find a way to make 85C at home. That one is still coming, but in her search, she found this recipe for chocolate bread. It looks tasty, so we'll have to try to make one ourselves.

Making The Habit Burger Grill at Home!

Today in our series of making things at home, we're going to be having The Habit Burger Grill. The Habit Burger Grill was founded back in 1969 in Santa Barbara and has been expanding ever since. Mostly in California, but even some places overseas! There's a couple things we're going to have to make at home if we're going to recreate it at home.

Making Noodles & Company at Home! - National Macaroni Day - July 7th

Who is feeling like noodles tonight? I've been wanting a tasty mac and cheese for a little while now.
I haven't had Noodles & Company for years now. Noodles & Company was something Theresa and I would indulge on when we were in college. Tonight, we're going to try making it at home! And today is National Macaroni Day! I think we can do something with that.

Pizza at Home - New York Style Pizza

It's Sunday and time for Pizza! Being a July 4th weekend, my mind takes me to New York. The Statue of Liberty and people coming to America for the very first time. I figured our pizza today could take us there also, and so today we're doing a New York style pizza.

Disneyland Treats at Home - Marshmallow Wands, Caramel Apples, and Chocolate Apples

Today we're continuing our series of making some of our favorite Disneyland Treats at home! Last time we made Mint Juleps and Mickey Beignets.
This time, it's those tasty treats we always stop by and at least look at after we ride Winnie the Pooh. It's tradition to go inside Pooh Corner and then get either a marshmallow wand or a caramel apple.

And we're going to throw in a chocolate covered Mickey apple to go along with this. It is a Disneyland treat after-all. And speaking of Disneyland, these marshmallow wands are the Disneyland version, meaning that it's marshmallow, a layer of caramel, and then chocolate on top. Theresa was unhappily surprised when we were at Disney World in Florida and she ordered her favorite treat from back home and it was just marshmallow and chocolate, no caramel.

Happy Fourth of July!

Happy 4th of July!

Red White and Blue Oreos for July 4th

On a recent trip to Walmart (can you get more American) I noticed an end-cap with a whole bunch of patriotic treats for the upcoming July 4th Holiday. Red, White, and Blue Chips Ahoy, Twinkies, Hostess Cupcakes and Ding Dongs, and my personal favorite, Oreos!
Now that the July 4th weekend is here, the kids and I put on patriotic colors, donned our patriotic hats, and we're going to have a Red, White, and Blue Oreo taste test!

The packaging is classic Oreo. Those three layers of creme look impressive. I wonder how close the real thing will be. And aww, that's unfortunate the Olympics have been cancelled this year. Looks like Oreo was all set to release these to go along with them. They've got the Olympic rings on the package and on the cookies.

An experimental test to make the best Cheese Crisp

After the very successful night of making Parmesan Whisps at home, feeling emboldened, Theresa and I are venturing out to other cheese varieties. There's plenty of different cheeses we could try, but, we're going to sample a few of the more traditional cheeses you might have at home.

And so, here's our different cheese crisps that we're going to try tonight!
Wait a second, that doesn't look very scientific.

There! That's better! Is my inner engineer showing through?
We're trying 5 different cheeses and 5 cheese blends.
Those 5 cheeses are: Monterey Jack, Asiago, Sharp Cheddar, Smoked Cheddar, and Black Diamond Cheddar.
For the blends, we'll be combining those with shredded Parmesan cheese.

Dark Chocolate Oreo Thins

It's been nearly 2 months since we've had a new Oreo flavor to try. I don't know why, but that seems like a long time to me. Today we've got the New Dark Chocolate Oreo Thins.
You might remember about a year ago we tried Dark Chocolate Oreos. Now those regular sized Oreos have become Thins!

And I know that last time the cookies tasted very dark, so we've got an appropriate 85% dark chocolate to sample it with. The USDA actually recognizes Dark Chocolate as 70-85% so we're getting to the high end of the bitterness spectrum.

Making Big Wok at Home!

We are in for a treat tonight. If I had to make a list of my favorite restaurants, Big Wok would be pretty high on that list. Tonight we're going to attempt to Make Big Wok at Home!
Big Wok is a Mongolian BBQ restaurant in Southern California. If you live in the area, surely you've been to it. If you've ever come to visit us, hopefully we've taken you out to eat there.