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Zoe & Eric Go Pumpkin Picking

As Halloween approaches, pumpkins begin popping up on everyone’s front porches. While some people like the itty bitty tiny ones, some have giant beautifully carved ones. In order to get into the Halloween spirit and have some fun, Eric and I went pumpkin picking!

We decided on a farm that is close by to where I live, 4 Town Farm in Seekonk, MA. They have a really cute setup for picking your own pumpkins. A tractor takes you on a short ride through some fields, before dropping you off at the entrance to a small corn maze. After hitting a few dead ends, we emerged from the maze, to gaze upon the pumpkin field.

We had a huge selection of pumpkins to pick from; big, small, round, long, green, white and yellow. Basically, a pumpkin for everyone. A fair amount of time was spent choosing a pumpkin. For carving, the shape of the pumpkin is important to consider, as well as the color. Eric was specifically interested in a longer pumpkin with a nice stem and that perfect orange you just associate with pumpkins. I prefer the smaller sugar pumpkins, which is directly related to the fact that they can also be cooked and have a higher sugar content.

If you’re in the MA or RI area, I definitely recommend the 4 Town Farm, it’s super cute and has a lot of fresh produce and products!

**If you have jack-o-lanterns, consider composting them when they’ve started to rot, tossing them in your garden to become fertilizer, or bring them to the dump (as many have a compost section).

October 25, 2018
Bob’s Burgers Burger Book #4

The Jack-O’-Lentil Burger

We’re talking about Over-the-Top the movie–this Hamburger tastes like arm wrestling.

Zoe’s Take

9/10

I absolutely loved this burger. I didn’t think I would because I’m normally not the biggest fan of lentils. But I actually adored every bit of this burger. The lentil mixture was actually amazing. The added sweetness from the honey, plus the hotness of the serrano peppers ACTUALLY worked. I love most things that have goat cheese on them, and this was no exception. The baby spinach provided a nice crunch as well, which is definitely necessary for this burger. There is an earthiness to this burger that I didn’t expect to love, but I do. The reason why I didn’t give this a 10, is because it’s also a very messy burger, because the lentils fall off when you tilt the burger, which is sad.

Eric’s Take

8.5/10

This was my favorite burger yet. The creamy goat cheese and fresh spinach with the sweet and spicy lentil mixture had great texture and depth of flavor. The honey and the serrano pepper did a lot for the lentil mixture. It was certainly a messy burger, but the lentil mixture held up better than I thought it would. This burger lost a point for the complexity. For the average person the multiple steps of this burger may be daunting. Cooking lentils is no easy task if you’ve never done it before. I actually overcooked my first batch. The half a point was lost on difficulty of sourcing ingredients. The “Orange Lentils” were difficult to find. I finally managed to get Red Lentils, which are really the same thing.

October 24, 2018
Zoe & Eric Eat Food in Salem

While we were in Salem last week, we made sure to eat some pretty good food. We tried to hit a few places, including some street food, because in October, there are food vendors everywhere.

If you are visiting Salem, we are recommending that you visit The Salem Cheese Shop. Located just a few steps away from the main streets you’ll be on, The Salem Cheese shop is incredible. Not only do they have hard to find cheeses and a large variety, they also carry a huge selection of wine, oils, and accouterments. We are giving the Cheese Shop 9.5/10, just because it’s a little hard to find if you don’t know what you’re looking for.

The Salem Cheese Shop

Skip the Dunkin Donuts when you go to Salem. I know, I know, that’s pretty much blasphemy as a New Englander. But, when in Salem, we want you to stop by the Brew Box. It’s a small coffee and breakfast sandwich shop. Not only do they have really good breakfast sandwiches, the prices are fair and it’s altogether really cute in the way it is set up.

Eric’s sausage, egg and cheese breakfast sandwich. He rated it a solid 4/5.

For lunch/drinks around noon, we went to the Roof at The Hotel Salem. Rooftop restaurants and bars are a favorite of ours here at One More Bite. While it was chilly in Salem, there were heaters up there, and the sun made it nice and warm. The view was incredible and so were the drinks. But we’re here to talk about the food. Frankly, we were disenchanted with the offerings. While the tacos we got were good, we only got two, and they were priced at $14.00. Frankly, that’s a rip-off. The guacamole, which is meant to be shared, was very small. Only good enough for one person. Not so nice. Until they up the portion size or lower the price, we rate the Roof at The Hotel Salem at a 5.5 out of 10.

Grace (@theedgarallanho) eats a taco at The Rooftop at The Hotel Salem

We ended our Salem trip by eating at The Hawthorne Hotel, specifically at The Tavern on the Green. We got a reservation because we were a group of nine, and they seated us at a large square table. Barry and Matt ordered appetizers, getting boneless chicken wings and soup. Eric also had the soup. The soup was given a glowing recommendation all around as were the chicken wings. As for dinner, the orders spanned from a Raspberry Chicken Salad to Bacon Wrapped Meatloaf and a variety of burgers and sandwiches. While the salad was lacking in chicken, the rest of the entrees got glowing reviews. We’re giving Tavern on the Green an 8/10.

Grain Bowl from Tavern on the Green at the Hawthorne Hotel

October 23, 2018
Charred Flank Steak with Gorgonzola and Fig Balsamic Flatbread

Tired of plan old pizza? Try a flatbread! They’re versatile and easier to make then pizza. The main difference is that there is typically no sauce. Your local grocery store likely carries flatbread in the bread isle. Make one with your favorite toppings!

This particular recipe takes juicy charred flank steak and adds some creamy gorgonzola cheese. Adding earthy arugula, fresh tomato and sweet fig balsamic to road it out. This is a very filling dish!

Make your own with the recipe here!

What flavor combinations would you try? Comment below!

October 22, 2018
Halloween 2018 Premier!

If you’re a fan of horror, then you know that Halloween 2018 comes out today. I only know because I made this fun dessert for the premier. I hate horror movies, they actually scare me. Although, I should be more specific. I don’t mind the blood and violence, it’s more about the creepy music. But enough about me.

In order to honor the legacy of Michael Myers, I decided to stab some dessert, and have my own murder spree… with the only victims being cake. Angels food cake, coated in dark chocolate glaze, stuffed with red icing, and stabbed with tiny icing cleavers (that I bought at Michael’s).

I hope you guys enjoy the movie, and maybe stab some cakes of your own!

October 19, 2018
Zoe & Eric Go to Salem

As so many people from New England know, Salem, Massachusetts is the place to go in October. From the 1st to the 31st of the spookiest month of the year, Salem goes into full Halloween mode. Visitors even dress up and go on tours, visit stores and buy ingredients for all the potions they could ever hope to make.

View from the Hotel Salem Rooftop Bar

There are so many shops, so we had to pick and choose which we went in to.

Emporium 32- for all of your Victorian and Steampunk needs

Eric and I both got psychic readings at Crow Haven Corner, the oldest magic shop in Salem. I have never had one before, but when in Salem, get a psychic reading. It was actually really interesting, and being surrounded by people who believe so strongly and have such a connection to that world was illuminating and comforting. We recommend trying it if you haven’t ever had a reading.

Crow Haven Corner- The Oldest Magic Shop in Salem

So we recommend that you go to Salem whether you live in New England or not. It’s an amazing place to visit, even in the off season. We’re definitely going to go back, not only next year, but hopefully again this year. We do however recommend that you book your hotel a year (or more!) in advance.

Our recommendations include, but are not limited to: Hex, Emporium 32, The Salem Cheese Shop, Crow Haven Corner, Village Silversmith, and Aroma Sanctum Perfumes.

October 18, 2018
Bob’s Burgers Burger Book #3

I’ve Created A Muenster Burger

Perfect patties topped with sauteed mushrooms and smothered in muenster cheese.

Zoe’s Take:

7/10

I was really excited about this burger and I was sadly disappointed by it. What this burger lacked was crunch. I think butter lettuce and green leaf lettuce are both good choices, but they’re not crunchy enough to be the only crunch in this burger. The muenster cheese sandwiching the sauteed mushrooms is amazing. I hate when my burger toppings just fall off, but the cheese acts as an anchor, holding the mushrooms in place. In fact, not a single one fell off my burger. I wish there was some acidity to the burger though, a tomato slice would have been nice, or some crunchy red onions. I also definitely recommend adding salt to your mushrooms.

Eric’s Take

7.5/10

Mmmm…Cheeeeeesssseee…. This burger was really good. I agree though that this burger lacked a lot of texture. It was very one note and soft. The butter with the mushrooms added a wonderful flavor and the cheese was great. Some additional flavor would have rounded out the burger. Seasoning the mushrooms is a must. I also would recommend some sweet/Spanish onion with the mushrooms. This burger lost its points on flavor. I found the ingredients the easiest to source and prep so far, this is definitely a really good recipe for a quick dinner.

October 17, 2018
Butternut Squash Soup with Pomegranate Creme

Winter is coming!!! Stay warm with this classic dish: Butternut Squash Soup. With added Pomegranate Creme this is sure to be a hit on a cold autumn evening. This is a personal favorite dish of mine. There is a lot of strong flavors in this recipe, but the squash can hold it. Serve on its own, or take it to the next level and put it in a bread bowl!

Get the recipe here!

What’s your favorite dish to warm you up on a cold night? Tell us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, or in the Comments below!

October 16, 2018
Managing Party Stress

The holiday season is coming! Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, Hanukkah and New Years. Those are just to name a few. It’s a wonderful time to host and go to parties with friends and family. Unfortunately, we can get in our own way and make these events a nightmare.

Hosting?

If you’re hosting a party this can be daunting. Whether you drew the short straw with your family, or are graciously opening your home, it can be stressful. After all, there is a lot to do: cleaning, cooking, decorating, coordinating activities. Our one big tip for hosting. Plan in advance. Doing as much as you can ahead of time can help you stay on track and eliminate some stress. It also gives you more time to enjoy the day. Cooking? Choose recipes that keep a day or two ahead and keep them in the refrigerator or freezer. Clean and decorate a day or two in advance as well. This will help you to visual the event and you can focus on all the other details. Overall…have a plan, stick to it, and don’t overthink it.

Attending?

Chances are you’ll be invited to some events this season. Even though you want to go, you may be on the fence or have social anxiety. This shouldn’t stop you from enjoying yourself and the company. Our tip here is to find someone to stick with. If you know someone very well, stick with them. Knowing the guest list ahead of time can help you plan. Discuss with another guest and let them know how you’re feeling. If there is no one you know, ask the host if you can bring a plus one. Another tip is to take breaks. Step outside and get some air, or go to the bathroom to freshen up.

The holidays are a great time to enjoy with others. Don’t let stress get in your way, and have a great time! How do you fight party stress? Tell us in the comments below!

October 15, 2018
Color Schemes: Do I Need One?

So you need a color scheme. You’re throwing a party of any kind… a wedding, a bar or bat mitzvah, a 16 sixteen or a bachelorette party. Some of those might not need as much planning as a wedding, but a color scheme will make all of your decorating needs that much easier.

Let’s talk about colors real quick. When it comes down to it, whatever colors you like and put together is your decision. If you like it, that’s all you really need.

But in case you want to create a flowing color scheme that matches the theme of your party, keep reading.

My aunt got married on Labor Day this past year. She was so excited but we basically had 3 months to actually get some of the major details straight. For one, a color scheme needed to be decided on. Her “theme” was rustic chic and was held outside at a gorgeous venue. Mason jars were used as drinking glasses, and the food was kosher BBQ (sounds interesting, right? It was.) Linens, flowers and just accent accessories needed to be chosen and ordered, but my aunt didn’t know how to go about picking a palette or even where to start looking. So I created a variety of palettes for her to get even a beginning of an idea.

Some color inspiration for the Fall

So where do you go to find an idea for a color palette? Well, I went to one of my favorite apps, pinterest. Now, there is definitely a trend of brides going to pinterest to look for ideas, and I have to tell you, it’s not a bad idea to go and look, and for color schemes, it’s a gold mine. Many wedding inspo sites have color swatches, little colorful circles giving you the perfect picture to show your event planner, or take with you to a rental store.

Listen, I can’t tell you what to do for your events or what colors you should use. If you decide 4 shades of pink is what you need, go for it. It’s your event so it’s your decision. But I’m going to give you a resource. Visit our pinterest board, color schemes, to find your next color inspiration!

More Fall Colors

October 12, 2018