Favorite Things #23 - My Birthday

Yesterday was my birthday and it was great! I am not one of those people who hate their birthday, I always enjoy mine. I went to work for half a day then came home and watched The Next Food Network Star and read the book Drive by James Sallis. Tom and I then went out to a local sports bar to have a drink and grab some take out, I got hot wings!

We then went to his parents and I got some gifts and we just hung out for a while.

I got home and opened gifts, I am so so lucky to have such kind and generous people in my life, look at all this stuff!


Obviously I am a big Steelers fan and my sister hooked me up with some of the local gear, as well as that awesome wok and the socks. Tom got me everything else except the air popper which came from his parents. My brother also got me an Amazon gift card. I am too spoiled. I can't wait to try out my new camera on some recipes to share with you guys!

The Best Thing I Ever Ate - Hot Dogs

First of all, Happy Memorial Day! I hope you are all having a nice day with your families and thinking of all of those we have lost that this day honors. Memorial Day always reminds me of cook outs and my favorite cook out food, hot dogs!

A little over a year ago my husband, Tom, started going to lunch at a place called Maui Dog and told me all about the unique hot dogs they served there. I LOVE hot dogs, so I was intrigued, and I was also amazed that Tom was eating hot dogs with coconut and pineapple on them. I had to go!

The delicious hot dog you see below is called the "Island Dog" and is topped with chipotle garlic mayo, maui mustard, coconut sauce, pineapple and BACON!


Sadly Maui Dog did not survive, these are tough times for new restaurants. I really want to try and recreate this hot dog, so I will let you know if I am successful and share the ingredients. The spicy mustard and coconut sauce will be the tricky part.

What is your favorite cook out or BBQ food?

Favorite Things #22 - Ice Cream Attachment for Kitchenaid Mixer

Thanks to my brother I have an awesome Kitchenaid stand mixer. Thanks to my husband I have an awesome ice cream making attachment for it. I finally gave it a try this past weekend because it was 106 in Arizona! I made a strawberry buttermilk ice cream and it turned out so creamy and delicious. The strawberries were so fresh and full of flavor.






It runs quietly and the ice cream was done in about a half an hour, I am in love and want to make a ton of flavors.

What is your favorite flavor of ice cream?