Missing: Original Whole Foods Trail Mix Cookie Recipe

For any of you that shop at Whole Foods, by chance, have you ever seen their Trail Mix Cookies in the bakery aisle? They're made fresh in the store, and amazing. The Trail Mix cookie is an oatmeal cookie packed with almonds, dried cranberries, maybe raisins, pumpkin seeds, flax seeds, honey, and possibly more yummy ingredients. The only downside is, I can't find this cookie recipe anywhere and Whole Foods doesn't make them anymore! I might have to contact the Whole Foods headquarters, because I'm determined to get this recipe. I've done my research and tested many oatmeal cookie recipes, and there's no comparison to the Trail Mix Cookie.

Last night I did google the recipe and found a food blogger who tried to replicate the original. I used this recipe last night and was slightly disappointed. I praise the food bloggers willingness and determination to make these cookies (obviously she is also a fan!), but there was no comparison to the original. The recipe she had posted on the blog was lacking the gooeyness, perhaps more butter, and sweetness (more brown sugar, sugar or honey?).

Hope it's ok to post the blog recipe, here it is:

http://www.thehungrymouse.com/home/2009/08/04/cranberry-almond-trail-mix-cookies/

So if any of you know of this cookie recipe, please share !! email me!

Sofra, Boston. So Good...

On a recent trip to Boston to visit, or meet, my new nephew, our family stopped in Sofra.

A small cafe run by an American chef who has a passion for all things spice, or Middle Eastern ingredients, that also has a cookbook on Middle Eastern spice cooking, called, Spice.

There was not one thing in this take away, or sit-down cafe, that I would not recommend. All the sandwiches, featured entrees and desserts were home-made and fresh daily. (*fresh, so important!) The sandwiches were mainly done with fresh pita, thrown on a round grill atop a blazing fire. The entrees were based on traditional Middle Eastern dishes, with a few changes to flare and make extra special. Even a daily soup is featured, and not to miss. The desserts especially, one should not pass! From the cashew bars to the fig and shortbread pastry, or the kenafi made with ricotta cheese, everything is worth trying and delicious!

Check out the website below for menu and information. When in Boston, definitely worth the visit and take-away!

Sofra Bakery and Cafe

1 Belmont Street

Cambridge, MA 02138

(617) 661-3161

www.sofrabakery.com

"Uhm, shouldn't there be salmon in this Alaskan Roll?"

Tired of being ripped off when eating out? I am. And that's exactly the feeling I had, and regret, after taking my hard earned pennies out to dinner last night. I was in the mood for sushi for days, and my boyfriend suggested we go to a small place in Capital Hill. I thought their name was "Capital Sushi", only to find when we sat down the menu read, "Kyoto" sushi.

I hate to sound like a jerk but frankly if I where you, take my advice and don't eat here (if you want good decent sushi). The staff was very friendly and the restaurant was clean and quant, but the sushi... well, let's just say if your ordering rolls, you might not get much fish. And that's my pet peeve when it comes to sushi restaurants. They go nuts on the rice but you get a small itsy bitsy portion of fish inside. We ordered a good amount of sashimi, which was fine, but the rolls? Ripped off. So disappointed and so not going back.

Kyoto Sushi

201 Massachusetts Ave NE

Washington, DC 20002-4957

(202) 546-2597

Getting “baked” at Baked and Wired

I’ve walked far and low to reach a bakery that I knew would have fresh baked goods. I stress the word “fresh” because in the past couple weeks, all the cafes and bakeries I’ve visited, sold me the opposite. And how disappointing is that? Especially when you’re on a budget, dreaming of a fresh pastry or croissant, only to taste a stale and flavorless waif of butter. I must be going to the wrong places, but I also haven’t been to every bakery in Washington. And I’m obviously missing Balthazar again! (If you know of any good bakeries in Washington please tell me).

This destination I’ve reached – Baked and Wired, cupcake shop and coffee house located in the heart of Georgetown. Words to describe my experience? A-M-A-Z-I-N-G. AWESOMENESS. And don’t even get me started on the “hippy crack” (granola).

Baked and Wired is nestled on a side street in the main shopping area of Georgetown, surrounded by small and local businesses and beautiful 18^th Century architecture. All the goods are baked daily in their bakery a few blocks away, and they serve delicious "Counter Culture" brand coffee. Baked and Wired sells cupcakes, muffins, biscotti, cookies, brownies, pies, tea, coffee, espresso, birthday cakes and quiches. The atmosphere is uber cool; good music, nice counter workers, the walls are decorated with large colorful paintings and local artwork, and there’s a separate seating area to relax and use free wi-fi. (Take that $5 for internet Starbucks!) Baked and Wired also makes their own doggy treats for our furry friends. It's like the icing on the cake. ;)

So if you are in Georgetown and looking to satisfy a sweet tooth and enjoy a really good cup of coffee, stop in Baked and Wired. I promise, it will not let you down. I’ll definitely be stopping here more often – especially because I’m already addicted to the “crack” :)

Baked and Wired
1052 Thomas Jefferson St., NW
Washington DC 20007
202 333 2500

www.bakedandwired@.com

Like I Died and Went to Heaven

Today I visited the most lovely kitchen store, Hell's Kitchen. Located in the Eastern Market neighborhood of Capital Hill in Washington DC, I spent at least an hour here dreaming up the perfect kitchen in my head and possibly drooling over all the super nice cooking tools and appliances.

Hell's Kitchen has everything you need to cook any dish, from special ramekins to Japanese chopping knives. The selection of pots and pans to cooking mitts makes this store a one-stop-shop for all your kitchen essentials. Even if your not a big cook, you'll find many special kitchen gadgets and books that will fill your mind with inspiration to cook and possibly increase your appetite.

My favorite part of the store was the table that only featured pans and tools to make Spanish Paella (a dish made up of rice, shrimp, chorizo and spices). Hell's Kitchen also features weekly cooking classes including knifing classes - which, is not common to find in most cooking stores or schools.

I can't promise low prices in this pretty awesome store, but I can guarantee that everything there is superior quality and the owners are so cool and so knowledgeable, they could answer all your questions.

One more thing, if you check out Hell's Kitchen on the weekend, afterwards check out the Eastern Market (just across the street), to buy fresh produce from local farms.

www.hillskitchen.com

Hill's Kitchen

713 D Street SE

Washington, DC 20003

202 543-1997