<p>Dried Mandarine Orange sections from Happy Valley Farms. I picked them up at the cash register at TJ Maxx, so I’ll probably never be able to find them again. They are the yummiest dried fruit candy-substitute I’ve ever eaten. But, unfortunately, I’m sure they’re also not as healthy as I’d like to pretend, either. </p>
<p>NYMom, IPAs have a strong, hoppy flavor. My favorites use a combination of hops that give a pronounced citrus smell and taste. It is reminiscent of the bitterness you’d taste in a grapefruit peel. I find the taste really satisfying. (I’ve noticed that I generally like stronger flavors than I did when I was young.) I also don’t drink wine like I used. Unless it’s something really good, I’d rather a nice IPA.</p>
<p>I’ve tried a lot of different hummuses but prefer my own, made from the Silver Palate recipe. It is heavy on the lemon, cumin and garlic. I make big batches and freeze it in one cup containers. It thaws nicely.</p>
<p>Not an edible, but it made me feel good - Crabtree and Evelin lavender hand care kit.</p>
<p>Thanks, 1moremom. I like beers on the bitter side, too. One of my favorites is Bell’s Oberon beer, made in MI. You are supposed to put a wedge of orange in it. It is like a glass of summer. </p>
<p>I didn’t realize that you could freeze hummus. That makes it much more appealing to make it. I will look at the Silver Palate recipe. I can’t believe I still have both of the Silver Palate cookbooks. There are only a couple of recipes that I use from them. </p>
<p>Also not an edible, but I love Aura Cacia lavender pillow spray. </p>
<p>Biscoff cookie spread (which I assume is similar to what is available at Trader Joe’s), Jarlsberg Cheese dip from Kroger. </p>
<p>The Santa Cruz organic jams are awesome. </p>
<p>NYMom, I like Bell’s Two Hearted Ale. It’s a little less hoppy than my favorites, but sometimes nice for a change.</p>
<p>I also love the Yasso frozen greek yogurt bars, but I can’t find them anymore. My regular store stocked only the mint chip, and we bought them twice. They no longer have them - I guess I’m going to go elsewhere because they are delicious and very satisfying! The other thing I’m kind of addicted to lately is Skinny Pop Black Pepper popcorn. </p>
<p>I’m totally a yogurt hater, but I tried Noosa Australian-style yoghurt and love it! Especially the lemon. Thick and creamy and not as sharp as most yogurts. </p>
<p>^^
I want to try that. D wants to like yogurt but can’t handle the sharp taste that you find in most. </p>
<p>If you are in Texas, try Revolver brewing’s Blood and Honey. Really really good.
My other indulgence are the salt-caramel chocolates in the bulk bins at Central Market. Little spheres of wonderful.<br>
On the yogurt front, you can take any plain, live culture yogurt and drain it to whatever consistency you like as long as it doesn’t have gelatin or other thickeners. I take Greek yogurt and drain it more by gently twisting in a linen dish towel. You can get it to a cream-cheese consistency in about five minutes. Plop it in the middle of the towel, gather up the edges and gently twist the ball of yogurt like a drawstring purse. After a minute, untwist and push the yogurt gently away from the towel and repeat. Mix with cucumber and garlic for tzatziki that’s thick and creamy. Mix with herbs for a low fat cracker spread. </p>
<p>Penzey’s Florida Seasoned Pepper. Oh my. Wish I’d tried it sooner. In the past week, I’ve used it on tilapia, shrimp, chicken and pork tenderloin. </p>
<p>Edamame Rangoons from Trader Joe’s. Pop them in the oven and they are a great with a glass of wine or beer.</p>
<p>Penzeys is awesome I love that store. </p>
<p>Talenti gelato. Eat at your own risk: addiction risk 100%.</p>
<p>I was surprised to see how good Breyer’s triple chocolate gelato is. It is quite pretty when you open it with chocolate shavings poured on top. </p>
<p>
I noticed this for the first time at the store yesterday, because it had been mentioned here. It has 13 g fat/serving, which seems a lot for gelato. For that dose of fat, I think I’d rather have ice cream! I may still buy a container sometime to try, though.</p>
<p>I think gelato is even better (richer, creamier, etc.) than ice cream! It’s not like sherbet. Can eat less gelato to be satisfied. </p>
<p>^^ And not just Talenti gelato. You must try Talenti sorbetto too. Love the blood orange! </p>
<p>And if we’re talking ice cream–Boulder Ice Cream. Mexican Chocolate and Coconut Crunch.</p>
<p>Talenti is fantastic - I think we’ve had the sorbetto, because I remember the blood orange. I’ve never seen Boulder Ice Cream, must be a western thing. We have Alden’s ice cream, which is wonderful.</p>