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‘The Way to My Heart’ Category

  1. The New Love in My Life

    January 10, 2012 by April Smith

    OK, so I just want to get this off my chest since I’ve been tweeting about it so much lately.

    I’ve been searching for something for a very long time. Something to comfort me when I’ve had a rough day, to make me smile when I’m down. Something I can’t keep my hands off of, leaving me only wanting more…  And I’ve finally found it. Here goes nothin’…

     

     

    Nutella, I LOVE YOU.

     

    (Dat’s me in the photo! cantgetenough!)

    No, but seriously, this stuff is my newest obsession since blueberry beer! I have to admit that I was skeptical at first. Over the last few years I have started to hear more and more people rave about Nutella and the endless ways you can eat it. I assumed that it would be too nutty or “foreign” for me. I have walked by the peanut butter aisle in my grocery store at least half a dozen times to pick up the mysterious jar, examine it’s contents, nutrition facts and price (Harris Teeter: $5+, really?!) only to put it back on the shelf and walk away. I would literally say to myself (or out loud, whatever) “Maybe next time, Nutella; maybe next time.”

    So just last week I apparently worked up the courage to swoop up the jar quickly while walking by said aisle and didn’t look back. Not even a week later… that thing is almost gone! And I’m thinking this addiction might get as bad as my previous one for Trader Joe’s chicken salad. (RUN, don’t walk, to try it!)

    I found myself asking people what Nutella tastes like because I was intrigued for so long and most people would just say “Chocolate.. but like for breakfast.” I never could really wrap my head around that description but it’s really not too far off. Some random guy online said it best: “For all those who haven’t tried it, Nutella tastes like a unicorn jumping over a double rainbow, and all your favorite musicians collaborate on a song just for you…” (The rest of the quote was inappropriate but you get the gist.) It’s DELICIOUS. It’s like chocolate, but thicker, creamier, smoother and doesn’t require melting. It goes wonderfully on SO many food items and I’ve tried a few delicious combos but still can’t help but wonder the heavenly possibilities that I have not tried!

    My favorites so far:  - Nutella on wheat bread covered with sliced bananas – Nutella drizzled (or covered) on strawberries – Nutella spread on graham crackers with strawberries on top (ooh or bananas!!) – Nutella drizzled on green apples -

    Yet to be tested:  - Nutella in between pretzel snaps with marshmallows – Nutella drizzled over sesame sticks – Nutella-topped pound cake with Cool Whip – Nutella in crepes with ANY breakfast fruit – Nutella baked in peanut butter cookies or brownies (WHAT!) – Nutella drizzled over hot, salty popcorn – Nutella swirled with peanut butter – Nutella mixed in with yogurt fruit dip -

    I have also asked my Twitter friends for their Nutella recipe suggestions and here are their great ideas: Nutella Goodness Suggestions (Thanks to Storify)

    Aaahhh, now I feel so much better that I’ve cleared the air and confessed my love for this awesome hazelnut spread. If you have yet to try Nutella, you must do it ASAP! I highly doubt that you will hate it… and as you discover your own unique ways to eat Nutella, please feel free to share the recipes in the comment section below!

    I leave you with one last tasty thought: Nutella-COVERED BACON!

    Sidenote: I officially have no life… blogging about Nutella…

     


  2. Must-Eats of The Queen City: My challenge to experience all Charlotte restaurants

    September 4, 2011 by April Smith

    I must confess. I love eating. A LOT. I think about food quite often and eat out more than I can afford or my body metabolically needs. I work out much more now just to be able to eat more of the gluttonous dishes that I want on a regular basis. I still eat healthy from time to time but I normally dream of which restaurant I will visit next to eat until I’m borderline food-comatose. When I was younger, I was an extremely picky eater but now as I’ve gotten older, my taste buds have developed and I love trying new foods and appreciating the dishes that I refused to eat long ago. Food seems to be so much more enjoyable the more you learn and try!

    The beautiful skyline of Charlotte

    I have eaten at many restaurants in the Uptown, Plaza Midwood, NODA, Southpark and North Charlotte areas but there are so many that I have yet to experience so I have scoured through Yelp.com to make a list of the restaurants that I would like to try before the end of this year. (It’s sad that I still haven’t been to some of the more iconic spots.) Some of these I have actually been to but have not tried the food because of just attending an event or showing up for a drink. I would really like to become more knowledgeable in our culinary culture in Charlotte and what better and satisfying way to do that than to eat my way through them all!!

    I am super excited to begin my own little challenge and cross off and review each restaurant (on Yelp) as I try them! By year’s end, I would like to say that I have eaten at almost every notable Charlotte restaurant. I may be biting off more than I can chew, though… [See what I did there?? ;) ]

    Please let me know if you have any suggestions of must-eat places in Charlotte that are not on this list. (I might add a few if you can convince me that they are not to be missed.) Also, feel free to add your own reviews/comments of the restaurants that I have included here in the comments below.

    And if anyone would like to accompany me in trying these great eateries for the first time as well, please let me know!

    Let’s eat!!


    Visit my Yelp Bookmark Page to see the full updated list (along with each establishment’s Yelp reviews and information).

    MY MUST-EAT CHARLOTTE RESTAURANT LIST (Links included)

    1. The Fig Tree
    2. Portofino’s Italian Restaurant and Pizzeria
    3. Intermezzo Pizzeria and Cafe
    4. Customshop Handcrafted Food
    5. Bonterra Restaurant and Wine Room
    6. Price’s Chicken Coop (I know it’s a Clt staple, but I only eat southern fried chicken about once a year, so… yeah)
    7. Mr. K’s Soft Ice Cream and Drive Inn
    8. VivaceReviewed!
    9. Midwood Smokehouse
    10. Halcyon
    11. Bistro La Bon
    12. Fiamma
    13. Old Mecklenberg Brewery (I know it is not a restaurant, but I still haven’t been and don’t know why I haven’t yet!)
    14. Sunflour Baking Company
    15. Loco Lime
    16. Crepe Cellar
    17. Foskoskies
    18. The Cowfish Sushi Burger Bar
    19. Good Food on Montford
    20. Lupie’s Cafe
    21. Savannah Red
    22. Fenwick’s
    23. Which Wich (I think this is a chain, but I don’t care.. I have heard so many people rave about the build-your-own sandwiches.)

    (Disclaimer: If there are some major Charlotte area hard-hitters not mentioned in this list, it is most likely because I have already experienced their wonderful cuisine.. but still, I am open to all other suggestions.)