Category Archives: Food

Grapevine’s 10th Annual ChocolateFest

This past weekend, Grapevine held the 10th Annual ChocolateFest, a fundraising event benefiting Travelers Aid Dallas/Ft. Worth. Like many of their annual events, this one was fantastic and not one to miss! The event is split into two days, Friday was an evening of Chocolate and Wine at Delaney Vineyards and Winery and Saturday was Chocolate and Art in historic downtown Grapevine.

I had the privileged of attending Friday’s Chocolate and Wine at Delaney Vineyards and Winery. Upon entering, we were given a wine glass, two tickets for 5 ounce samples of Delaney’s delicious wines (try the Sweet Red!) and a box for our chocolates. Many local Chocolatiers, Bakeries, Restaurants and more were on hand to provide some of their finest chocolates. Granted, we were given a box to place our treats in to bring home, but who were we kidding, these chocolates were not going to leave the building!

Toffee Treats

Gourmet Apples and More, Brio Tuscan Grill and I Heart Muffins Bakery.

There was also a silent auction benefiting Travelers Aid Dallas/Ft. Worth. Travelers Aid’s mission is to assist those traveling through the DFW airport. This includes providing assistance during crisis or transition events and to those who have been separated from their families or need additional support. Have you ever lost an item while at the airport? These are the same folks that come and save the day!

The silent auction consisted of multiple items including airfare for two, gift baskets and signed memorabilia from musicians, actors and even astronauts!

This is a great event for a date night, girls night or even with a group of friends. Sampling exquisite wine and chocolate paired with appetizing hors d’oeurves and live music is a great way to spend any evening. We saw many people taking in the beautiful sunset and enjoying the company of their friends and loved ones on the grounds of the vineyard.

If looking for a less formal event or even something for the entire family, check out the Chocolate and Art on Saturday.

Chocolate and Art
Bring the entire family to Saturday’s event to enjoy:
Samples from local Chocolatiers, Bakeries, Restaurants and more…
Art exhibits and sales.
Contests and celebrity judging.
Children’s activities.
Live music and more!

If you were unable to attend this year’s event, be sure to stop by some of the participating businesses in Grapevine. Bakeries, restaurants, even Delaney’s Vineyard and make a day experiencing what Grapevine has to offer. Most importantly, mark your calendars for next year. This even has something for everyone and is not one you’ll want to miss!

Jenkin’s Family Crawfish Boil 2014

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Just down the highway in Kennedale, Texas lies a not so little venue that seems to be getting a little bit more attention these days (and well deserved) – Red’s Roadhouse. This place is massive and a great little spot for some good eatin’, Texas country and getting together with good folks.

This past Sunday, the First Annual Jenkin’s Family Crawfish Boil took place followed up with The Ranch’s Red Dirt Road radio show. For $20 come in for some all you can eat crawfish, $5 if you were in it just for the tunes and surroundings. I settled in for both and it was well worth it.

Put on your stretchy pants and settle in for some good eatin’! These little fellers were mighty tasty with just the right amount of spice. I left after being there for five and a half hours (I didn’t eat the entire time) and asked how man pounds they had cooked so far – 4,000 was the guess. Golly! Not gonna lie, I had five trays. You only see three because, well, your hands get dirty! They’re delicious! Tis the season! Mudbug Season!

From noon until three, two rounds of four musicians took turns on the stage at a time. Some of Texas’ finest. The spring is in the air which means get ready, there’s going to be shows at every corner!

Round One:

Round Two:

At 3pm, Red Dirt Roads started up their live radio show hosted by Justin Frazell. Kolton Moore – was my favorite on this line up!

Crawfish Boil 162 This is a great family event where you can spend the day listening to incredible artists, comfortable atmosphere, delicious food and a place where everyone can dance all day (including the kids). Mark it on your calendar for next year, it’s something that you don’t want to miss!

In honor of Texas Tuesday, a little quiz… do you recognize any of these musicians? Any favorites?

Oatmeal Cream Pies Recipe

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Growing up, it seems like Little Debbie snacks were something that was sometimes stuck in our lunches. My brother loved the Oatmeal Cream Pies. Recently, I came across the recipe on Pinterest and had to try! And yes, they were super delicious!

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
1. In a mixing bowl, whisk together flour, oats, cocoa powder, cornstarch, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg and ginger, set aside.

2. In the bowl, whip together butter, shortening, sugar and molasses on medium-high speed until pale and fluffy, about 2 minutes.
3. Stir in eggs, mixing until combine after each addition.
4. Mix in vanilla and coconut extract.

5. Slowly add in dry ingredients and mix until well combine.
6. Scoop dough out about 2 Tbsp at a time and shape into balls (or drop on cookie sheet without shaping).

7. Bake in preheated oven 10 – 12 minutes (cookies should still be soft, not fully set – don’t over bake).

8. Allow to cool several minutes on baking sheet before transferring to wire rack to cool.
9. Cool completely then spread marshmallow buttercream filling along bottom side of one cookie and sandwich to the bottom side of another cookie.
10. Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature.

For the marshmallow buttercream filling:
1. In the bowl, mix butter and shortening on medium-high speed, until pale and fluffy, about 3 – 4 minutes.
2. Add powdered sugar and blend on low speed until combine, then increase speed to medium-high and whip for 1 minutes.
3. Mix in marshmallow creme.

5.0 from 1 reviews

Oatmeal Cream Pies

Little Debbie Oatmeal Cream Pies

Author: Cooking Classy

Recipe type: Dessert

Serves: 15 cookie sandwiches

Prep time: 25 mins

Cook time: 10 mins

Total time: 35 mins

Ingredients

1¾ cups + 2 Tbsp all-purpose flour
1 cup quick oats (slightly ground in a food processor until half their original size).
2 tsp cocoa powder
1½ tsp cornstarch
1 tsp baking powder
½ tsp baking soda
¾ tsp salt
¾ tsp cinnamon
¼ tsp ground nutmeg
¼ tsp ground ginger
½ cup butter, softened
½ cup shortening (unflavored)
1¼ cups granulated sugar
2½ Tbsp molasses
2 large eggs
1 tsp vanilla extract
⅛ tsp coconut extract (for a slightly more noticeable coconut flavor - increase to ¼ tsp)
Marshmallow Buttercream Filling
½ cup butter, nearly at room temperature
¼ cup shortening (unflavored)
1½ cups powdered sugar
7 oz. marshmallow creme

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
In a mixing bowl, whisk together flour, oats, cocoa powder, cornstarch, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg and ginger, set aside.
In the bowl, whip together butter, shortening, sugar and molasses on medium-high speed until pale and fluffy, about 2 minutes.
Stir in eggs, mixing until combine after each addition.
Mix in vanilla and coconut extract.
Slowly add in dry ingredients and mix until well combine.
Scoop dough out about 2 Tbsp at a time and shape into balls (or drop on cookie sheet without shaping).
Bake in preheated oven 10 - 12 minutes (cookies should still be soft, not fully set - don't over bake).
Allow to cool several minutes on baking sheet before transferring to wire rack to cool.
Cool completely then spread marshmallow buttercream filling along bottom side of one cookie and sandwich to the bottom side of another cookie.
Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature.
For the marshmallow buttercream filling:
In the bowl, mix butter and shortening on medium-high speed, until pale and fluffy, about 3 - 4 minutes.
Add powdered sugar and blend on low speed until combine, then increase speed to medium-high and whip for 1 minutes.
Mix in marshmallow creme.