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  • Chocolate Frogs… and Other Fantastic Beasts!

    Chocolate Frogs… and Other Fantastic Beasts!

    I’ve been obsessed with Harry Potter since the books first started coming out. I always got the books as soon as possible, and then enjoyed the movies as they came out in later years. When the series ended and Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them premiered, it was the start of a whole new fantasy. Same world, different characters, story and setting.

    Suffice it to say, I’m obsessed. Since today is the premier of the SECOND Fantastic Beasts movie, I made chocolate frogs to celebrate. Unfortunately for me, I am not talented enough to create some of the more creative creatures J.K. Rowling put to paper. So these chocolate frogs were good!

    Dark chocolate candies filled with chocolate peanut butter mousse? I think yes. We’re sneaking these in to see the movie (shhhh, don’t tell).

    Let us know how you liked the movie!

     

  • Pro and Cons of a Destination Wedding

    Pro and Cons of a Destination Wedding

    So you’ve decided to get married! Unless you’re planning a little backyard affair with only close family and friends, it’s time to start planning! But wait. You’ve seen all these amazing pictures on Instagram of celebrities getting married on tropical islands and you’re thinking that’s what you want to do!

    Obviously, you probably don’t own your own island (we can’t all be Johnny Depp). So your option is a destination wedding.

    Now there are so many options. You can go to Europe, the Caribbean, Mexico, Bermuda… the options are endless. There are even websites devoted to finding you the perfect destination, resort, wedding planner and package for your perfect wedding. While that’s all well and good, is a destination wedding even right for you?

    We’ve compiled a list of pros and cons that you can use to see if jetting off to a foreign country is right for you.

    ~Pros~

    • You can have a smaller wedding and a good reason to go with it.
      Are you looking to have a smaller wedding but don’t know how to tell all your friends and extended family that
      they’re not invited? This is a helpful way to only have the few people you want at your wedding without making
      a million excuses.
    • Most destination wedding venues have seasoned wedding planners  to plan your whole affair.
      This takes away from the stress of having to find a planner all by yourself, and paying out thousands of dollars
      for someone who may not have any destination wedding experience.
    • You don’t have to lift a finger to plan the wedding.
      If you’re a control freak, this may be the opposite of what you want. But since many destination wedding venues are full service, all you have to worry about is getting there, and getting your wedding clothes and rings. Cake, flowers, set-up, food… they’re all taken care of (depending on your package).
    • Your budget doesn’t really matter.
      Unless you’re having over 30 people at your destination wedding, it is highly likely that you will only be paying a fraction of the cost you would be paying to have a wedding in your hometown. Since everything is through the venue, you’re not paying multiple vendors for every little detail. And there are packages in every price range.
    • There are more than just a few options.
      When you choose a destination wedding, you’re choosing to have all the options. There are so many different countries to choose from, and within each country, tons of different resorts and venues to decide between. You’ll have your choice of what sort of weather your’re looking for, as well as what kind of aesthetic and view.
    • There will probably be less family drama.
      Worried about planning a wedding that is full of family drama? Well, this may be the type of wedding you should have. Not only do they not have a say in what you choose, they won’t have access to your wedding planner in a different country. And, if the drama is simply that bad, you don’t have to invite the drama queens.
    • It can be both your wedding and honeymoon.
      You’re already there, all you have to do is stay for an extra week… or three after your guests have all gone. Some resorts out there will actually include honeymoon time into their packages so that you can stay and celebrate your new relationship status without having to pack up and go somewhere else.

    ~Cons~

    • RSVPs become very important.
      You’re about to fly to another country. You need to know ASAP who is coming and who is not. This is not just about food or seating. It’s about hotel rooms. Don’t allow people to wait until the last minute.
    • You should be prepared for everyone you invited to accept the invitation.
      Don’t invite people on the off chance that they will decline. On a similar note, don’t send invites to people you don’t want there. People like destination weddings, it’s a chance for a mini vacation. It is entirely possible that everyone you invite will be there. So use your invites sparingly.
    • You will have little to no control.
      While this is a pro for a fair amount of people, it can also be a huge con. If you have this perfect vision in mind and nothing else will do, a destination wedding is probably not for you. The venue’s planner will have control over everything and there won’t be enough time once you get there to change everything.
    • If you somehow end up with a bad wedding planner, your whole wedding could be ruined.
      You’re probably not going to meet the wedding planner until the day of or day before. You don’t know their reputation or the weddings they’ve planned before yours. If you’re not so willing to trust a wedding planner you’ve never met, this could end up being a huge issue for you.
    • It could be prohibitively more expensive.
      If you’re looking to fly all 100 of your closest family and friends out to a resort, you may end up spending way more than you’ve bargained for. Unless you have a massive budget, destination weddings are best kept to small size… especially if you’re paying for everything.
    • Issues may arise with health and lack of passports.
      Not everyone has a passport and not everyone is well enough to fly. This could cause a rift between family members or friends, not because they weren’t invited, but simply because they can’t come due to special issues. If you give them enough time, they may be able to get a passport, but those who can’t fly because of health related issues? Well, they’ll just have to stay home.
    • Documentation and legal measures must be explored.
      There’s always paperwork involved. Even when you get married in your home country, there’s still a marriage license to apply for. However, getting married in a different country does require some extra paperwork. We won’t get into it here because each country is a little different, but expect to be doing some research on how to make sure your marriage is legal.

    So is a destination wedding right for you? Maybe. What kind of wedding you want, the number of people you want to invite, and your family situation could all be factors in whether jetting off to another country for your wedding fun is right for you. Hopefully our pros and cons list has helped you come to a decision. For more wedding tips and tricks, subscribe to our newsletter.

  • #2: Bailey’s Milkshake

    #2: Bailey’s Milkshake

    Zoe’s Take

    4/10 original recipe
    8/10 modified recipe

    I dislike Guinness. I think that it just tastes really bad. So when I saw it was in this milkshake, I was not happy about it. So I made it. All I could taste was the Guinness in the original milkshake. I wouldn’t drink it past the first two sips. I wasn’t the only one who didn’t like it either. So I remade it. I switched the Guinness with milk (2%) and added an extra 2 TBSP of dark chocolate syrup. That simple switch made all the difference. Suddenly, something that tasted so bad was so good. With the milk, it felt like a real milkshake and actually tasted like something I could drink more regularly. So, if you like Guinness or Irish dry stouts, this recipe is for you. If you’re just about the awesome milkshake life, instead try my modified recipe.

    Eric’s Take

    6/10

    I too am not a fan of Guinness. I didn’t mind the original recipe’s flavor though. The biggest problem for me was the proportions and instructions for this recipe. They seemed to phone it in on this one. The amount of liquid from the Guinness and Baileys made the drink too thin. I added a bit extra vanilla ice-cream to mine. In addition, instructions call for simply blending the ingredients. It seemed like there was a step missing. I also found it difficult to drizzle the chocolate syrup on the drink. That might have been the brand I was using though. I overall liked this recipe, I just think the instructions were laking.

  • Butternut Squash “Confit” with Wild Mushrooms and Winter Greens

    Butternut Squash “Confit” with Wild Mushrooms and Winter Greens

    In case you didn’t already know, the term confit is usually applied to meat, especially to duck. It means that the item being cooked is being cooked in its own fat. The meat is cooked very slowly, and is seasoned while it cooks. The meat is then preserved by letting it cool down and stored in its own fat.

    You may be thinking, “How can I make a confit from butternut squash? It doesn’t have its own fat!” Well, if you’re a really traditional chef, you can’t. But if you know me, you already know that I am not in any way a traditional chef. In recent years, the term “confit” has been used as both descriptive of the food and an action.

    To be frank, to confit is to Cook a food in fat until it is incredibly tender and delicious.

    So that’s what we did here. But combining a long used technique with a new definition, we’ve created a crazy tender, highly flavored butternut squash topping that you can use for whatever suits your needs. Just make it. It’s worth it. Trust me.

    Find the recipe here!

  • Red Wine Braised Short Ribs with Buttermilk Thyme Potato Cakes and Marinated Bok Choy

    Red Wine Braised Short Ribs with Buttermilk Thyme Potato Cakes and Marinated Bok Choy

    Short ribs are these gorgeous pieces of meat, just waiting to be braised until they are so tender they just fall off the bone. That’s what we did with these delicious ribs. Slowly cooked for 3.5 hours in red wine and beef stock, these tender ribs just fall right off the bone.

    Combined with pillow-y and gently fried potato cakes and spicy marinated bok choy, these ribs are tantalizingly good. Talk about food porn. We recommend pairing this dish with the same red wine you use in the sauce. It just adds that extra something something you’re looking for in a meal.

    Find the recipes here!

  • Happy National Sundae Day!

    Happy National Sundae Day!

    It’s National Ice-Cream Sundae Day!!! Not much can beat a really good ice-cream sundae! This is how we’re celebrating. We started with a bed of fudgey chocolate brownie, then 5 scoops of coffee ice-cream, caramel sauce and hot fudge, whipped cream, then some toasted pecans and rainbow sprinkles. Don’t forget the cherry on top!

    How do you like to sundae!? Let us know in the comments below!

  • The Grinch-Shake

    The Grinch-Shake

    Then he got an idea. An awful idea. The Grinch got a wonderful, *awful* idea! – Dr. Seuss.

    We too had a wonderful “awful” idea here at One More Bite. For the movie premier of The Grinch we decided to make a “Grinch-shake!” This deviously delicious drink starts with vanilla ice-cream. Then we added some Peppermint Mocha Kahlua! To give the drink a signature Grinch color we added food coloring. Top this off with a mountain of whipped cream and some yummy candy decorations. Take the kids or yourself to the movies, then unwind with this decadent drink.

  • How to Be a Good Host

    How to Be a Good Host

    ‘Tis the season for lots of parties! Whether it’s with friends, family, or co-workers there’s a lot to celebrate in the coming weeks. Here are some tips if you find yourself hosting any parties this holiday season.

    Communicate

    Make sure you’re clear on the Who, What, When, Where, Why and How! No one likes ambiguity when it comes to a party, unless it’s a surprise party and they’re the guest of honor. Make sure your guests know who is invited. Is it just them, or can they bring a plus one? What are they coming for, and do they have to bring anything? When should they arrive? Better yet, when should they leave? Setting an end-time is a great way to wind down activities and make sure no one overstays their welcome. Where is the party and are there any special instructions on getting there? For everything you tell your guests give them the why and how. Leaving out details can lead to confusion.

    Stick to the Plan

    Once a plan is solidified, stick to it! If you have to change details of the party do it as early as possible and communicate it thoroughly. I would recommend reaching out to each guest to ensure they know of the change. Keep in mind, if you invite someone to an event they’ve now scheduled their time around you. A last minute change or cancellation can throw a wrench in your guests’ day. Be respectful of their time.

    Plan Accordingly

    If the party starts at 6:00PM, don’t head to the grocery store to pick up food/drinks at 5:00PM. Plan ahead and make sure your venue is clean and ready well before the start time. All food and drinks should be planned out as well. There should always be something available. If you’re having a larger meal, some light snacks are good. If not, continuous food is a good idea. Don’t put everything out at once. Make sure it comes in waves so it’s always fresh. Also, know how long it takes to prep and cook a dish. If you’re guests are arriving at 6:00PM and expecting to eat around 7:00PM, you’re going to have a problem if you start cooking a turkey at 5:00PM.

    Consider Diets and Preferences

    All parties should have some form of refreshment. Always make sure your guests have water at a minimum! Any other drinks are your discretion. Did you invite someone with lactose intolerance or a vegan diet to the party? You better have more than just pizza to eat. Also, make sure you have enough cups, plates, bowls, cutlery and napkins as appropriate.

    Stay Engaged

    Make sure to greet your guests when they come and go. Also ensure everyone is having a good time. Don’t seclude yourself or only talk to a few people.

     

    There’s a lot more to consider when hosting a party, but I highlighted these because I’ve been to parties where the host made some of these offenses.  Can you think of anything else? Put it in the comments below!

  • #1: Squash Ravioli with Brown Butter, Caramelized Onions, Toasted Pumpkin Seeds Review

    #1: Squash Ravioli with Brown Butter, Caramelized Onions, Toasted Pumpkin Seeds Review

    Zoe’s Take:

    8/10

    I really liked this ravioli. First off, I didn’t have to make pasta dough. The use of egg roll wrappers makes this recipe a lot easier for people who don’t necessarily  know how to or have time to make pasta. The manchego cheese is what made the ravioli for me though. Butternut squash is good and all, but I love manchego cheese and it really helped the butternut squash become a fuller more nutty flavor. However, the real star of the show was the caramelized onions. Without them, the dish wouldn’t be as good in my opinion. I do think I would prefer that the ravioli be in pasta instead of egg roll wrappers however.

    Eric’s Take

    7.5/10

    This was a great start to this cookbook review. This dish is very substantial. You only need a few ravioli to fill you up. The caramelized onion adds complexity to the otherwise fairly plain ravioli. The pumpkin seeds are more than just a garnish as they add texture to the dish. My only problem with the flavor of this recipe was that it was laking something to cut through the fattiness of all the butter. Brown butter is amazing, but on top of the buttery caramelized onions and ravioli filling, it was a lot. Some additional acidity may have been nice. I took liked the ease of the egg roll wrapper as a shortcut. However, if I were to make this recipe again I would probably make pasta dough. It’s relatively easy to make, and much easier to fill. The size of the ravioli in the recipe was also a problem for me. It was a good size, but very difficult to cut without a very small biscuit/cookie cutter, which most people don’t have.

  • Vegan Sweet Potato Gnocchi with Pine Nuts, Wilted Spinach & Chive Oil

    Vegan Sweet Potato Gnocchi with Pine Nuts, Wilted Spinach & Chive Oil

    I love all things pasta.

    Gnocchi, despite being made of potatoes and flour instead of semolina and flour is no exception to that rules. I like to have gnocchi in my house at all times, I make it fresh, and then I freeze it to use later. Normally, the gnocchi I make has eggs in it, but since it’s World Vegan Month, I made fresh gnocchi without eggs. The biggest difference between the gnocchi with eggs and the gnocchi without eggs is the softness. Without eggs, the gnocchi is soft. Don’t let this freak you out though, because once they’re par-boiled they’re just fine.

    Just so you know, the chive oil is fantastic. I added extra chives after the oil was finished, because it added extra flavor plus I definitely think it looks better. I also added red pepper flakes to mine, but if you don’t like that sort of thing, feel free to omit it.

    While this dish is technically an hors d’oeuvre, it’s easy to scale it up to make it an entree.

    Find the recipe here.

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