Food review: Lay's Beer & Brats, Garden Tomato & Asiago, and Southwestern Queso potato chips

I just did a late-night grocery store run with my daughter, and couldn't resist picking up the 3 "pitch" flavors from Lay's. They're limited edition potato chip varieties, meant to generate interest in the Do Us A Flavor contest.

Well, it worked. Because goodness knows, I can't resist trying weird and unusual flavors and reviewing them for the blog.  So here goes:

Beer & Brats
I tried this one first because it sounded the most intriguing. They definitely have a smokey flavor and aroma, but the taste is very subtle, and there's certainly no discernible flavor notes of beer present. They weren't bad, but they weren't "to die for," and I don't think I'd buy these again. Still, it was fun to try them out, and they do get bonus points for being thin-style chips, which are my favorite.

Garden Tomato & Asiago
Ugh.  WHY?

First of all, they're "kettle cooked", which is heinous. I don't like chips that are small and loud and too crunchy, which is an apt description of the kettle cooked variety. Still, I tried to give these a chance, but they were just....not...good.  

Yes, there were subtle flavors of tomato and cheese present, but overall, it tasted more like pizza chips than potato chips--and definitely not in a good way.  I think the real problem here is that the kind of person who enjoys the flavor of fresh garden tomatoes and fresh-shaved asiago cheese would much prefer to have it as a salad, not in a fat-laden chip form. So who is the target audience for this chip?  When you figure it out, let me know. In the meantime, these are a "No, never again" for me.

Southwestern Queso
I inadvertantly saved the best for last.  Wow, these were SO good. They're the traditional thin-chip variety, but laden with lots of cheese flavoring--the chips actually look orange because of all the cheese.

Yes, that's a good thing.

They also have a pleasant saltiness that makes them addictive, and a spicy kick at the end which packs a lot of flavor into each chip.  I would definitely buy these again--the best way to describe them is: Cheetos in potato chip form, with attitude.  Definitely the best of the bunch.

Giraffe cam removed from YouTube

File under "This is why we can't have nice things": the Live video feed of the giraffe in labor was removed from YouTube this morning because animal rights extremists allegedly reported it for "sexually explicit content and nudity" and demanded it be taken down. Do they even make those hideous hospital gowns in giraffe sizes?

Selfless Mom

Wow.  To heck with current events and politics and the hateful things going on. This selfless woman restores my faith in all that is good and pure and kind in this world.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/dad-writes-heartbreaking-tribute-to-wife-who-is-carrying-baby-without-brain-to-term_us_58ac892be4b06e5f777b2aa8

RECIPE:Jalapeño Poppers

I always thought my children would be my greatest legacy, but these Jalapeño Popper Pillows I created for Cathy's Pre-Prom snacks are making me second guess myself. 

Super easy to make: just combine a container of Philadelphia brand Jalapeño cream cheese with half a cup of shredded Kraft Four Cheese Mexican Cheese and 2 Tablespoons of Ortega Taco sauce.   Put a small dollop (about the size of a nickel) in the center of a wonton wrapper.  Wet all around the edges of the wrapper with water, then fold one corner over diagonally to form a triangle.  Fold the points of the triangle in towards the center, brushing the tips with water to seal them down.

Spray with non-stick cooking spray and bake in at 350 degrees Farenheit until golden brown.  Serve with extra taco sauce on the side.

NYC Snowstorm

Since everyone in my house was given a snow day--no school, no work, just a quiet day at home--I'm watching the "team coverage" on my local TV station.  Right now, this intrepid reporter is scolding Sydney, a man shoveling snow, because he's wearing such a thin jacket while out in the bitter cold. 

Sydney immediately stops what he's doing, and gives her a rundown of all the layers he has on, lifting his jacket and pulling down the waistband of his pants so that she can see his "t-shirts, leggings, extra underwear, you name it" for herself, while the wind-driven snow pelts them both.  As he speaks, she picks up the shovel while juggling her microphone and starts helping him clear the sidewalk.

My god, I love New Yorkers. 

Snowstorm approaching! You know what that means....

That moment when you really DO need bread, milk and eggs...and there's a snowstorm coming. 

Maybe I'll just go gluten free and vegan until it's over?  

Mother-in-law Wisdom

HAPPY BIRTHDAY to this lovely lady, my favorite mother-in-law, Mary. Kind, generous, and always looking out for her family's well-being. 

In honor of this special occasion, allow me to share some of the wit and wisdom that we've been so blessed with over the years:

* Put your socks on, or you're gonna get sick.

* Most any ailment can be cured through prayer and running up and down the steps a few times a day.

* If the above doesn't work, put a little spit on it.

* Any tests the doctor performs other than taking your blood pressure and checking the back of your throat with a tongue depressor is a racket. You probably have good insurance. Don't fall for it.

* Fun fact: most fire trucks racing by with their lights and sirens on are actually on their way to the grocery store. They just don't like stopping for all of those lights.

* When unwrapping a gift, SAVE THE PAPER to re-use. If you choose not to, you must be doing very well for yourself.

* Fun food fact: If you wipe off potato chips with a paper towel before you eat them, it removes ALL of the cholesterol your doctor told you to avoid.

* When you're smart, you're smart, and when you're stupid, you're stupid.

* There is absolutely no need to cook a big holiday meal. Just order pizza.

* If you do cook a big holiday meal, you're crazy, because everyone would be just as happy with McDonald's. (Say this immediately after your plate of exquisite food is put in front of you.)

* Whenever a flashing pop-up warning suddenly comes up on your computer that tells you to click this important link right away, just go ahead and click it. Yes, you know it could be a virus. But click it anyway. See what happens.

* When your computer stops working, just call your son. Tell him the whole story, repeating the important pop-up message that insisted you click the link. When he reminds you that you should NEVER click on pop-up windows, tell him, "Well I did it already." Keep repeating the message that appeared in the pop-up window until he agrees it wasn't a bad idea to click it.

* Always stock up on Entenmann's pound cake, because you never know when your son might be stopping by to fix your computer.

* When you see your granddaughters, notice out loud how nice their asses look in those jeans.
* Always ask them if they have a boyfriend.

* If they say No, assure them that with an ass like that, it shouldn't take long before they do have one.

* Babies sleep best face down, on their stomachs, with a bottle of milk. Once they reach 10lbs, put cereal in the bottle, too. Don't listen to what your doctor says--the baby is hungry.*

* When you take the baby for a walk, always face the carriage towards the sun. It makes them shut their eyes and take a nap. You're welcome.*

* When shopping in a high-end clothing store, be sure to stop at each rack and feel the material between your fingers. You need to see if it's good quality or that cheap stuff from overseas that they mark up.

* Put an ice cube in your red wine, even if it's a special Barolo your son-in-law has been saving for a special occasion. It lasts longer.

* Yes, you CAN get two uses out of those little K-cups . They just don't want you to know that.
* Don't like getting older? Wait, it gets worse.

Happy Birthday to a true original. We love you!


*No, I didn't take this advice when I was raising my girls...and you shouldn't either!