Baked Egg Nog French Toast

I’ve come to realize there are two reasons why my mom enjoys my visits to northern Michigan. The first is to provide the opportunity to see her ridiculously clumsy son do something that’s uncontrollably laughable. Like the time I collided into a tree that mysteriously jumped in front of me while walking on the sidewalk. [...]

Cheesy Alexia Fries & Giveaway

The picture above is my favorite way to eat French fries – grilled chicken, smothered in melted cheese and a dollop or two of sour cream for good measure. I had the opportunity dive deep into the world of fries with Alexia Foods “Reinvent a Classic” contest over the summer. For an entire month, my [...]

Baked Kale Chips

I had the opportunity to attend an interesting lecture by Chef Ann Cooper in a high school gymnasium filled with parents recently. Known as the “Renegade Lunch Lady,” Chef Cooper discussed the current state of school lunch programs and how we should improve them. The information outlined in her presentation was thought-provoking and insightful. In [...]

French Fry Testing – The Final Submission

Click Here to View Slideshow in Flickr A voice in the back of my head told me it’s time to put my pencil down. The testing was now over. For nearly four weeks, I have been experimenting and testing new fry flavors for the Alexia Foods “Reinvent a Classic” challenge. Boy, it sure was a [...]

French Fry Testing – All About Spices

When I agreed to work with Alexia Foods on the “Reinvent a Classic” challenge, I never would have imagined the sheer volume of potatoes I needed to consume over a three week period. I tested them fried and baked. I tried them in crinkle, shoe string, wedged and waffle shapes. I’ve even tried flavor ideas [...]

French Fry Testing – Week 2

The best way to receive nearly immediate feedback when I test recipes is to throw a dinner party. This weekend was no exception. I was toying with three main flavor ideas for the Alexia Foods “Reinvent a Classic” challenge and desperately needed critiques before I moved forward. So I turned to my friends Jimmy and [...]

French Fry Testing: Week 1

While I’m no stranger to the crispy and golden world of fries, I honestly had never tried Alexia Foods natural fries until I was invited to participate in their “Reinventing a Classic” challenge. My first week focused on taste testing as many varieties of their fry products as I could handle. This approach is allowing [...]

Reinventing a Classic with Alexia Foods

No matter how they are sliced or seasoned, fries have always been a favorite food group in my life. I remember surviving many late night study sessions with a heaping pile of chili cheese fries shared among friends and washed down with a milkshake. Even as my tastes have matured, my desires have shifted towards [...]

Pear, Gorgonzola & Caramelized Onion Focaccia

It was quite an experience the first time I had a back massage. My masseuse was a sturdy 35-year old woman with tattoos scattered on her arms, shoulder-length dreadlocks and a silver ring pierced through her nose. Her meaty hands pounded my tight muscles into submission as I thought to myself, “pain is beauty…pain is [...]

French Toast with Maple-Apple Compote

I’m a huge fan of a hearty breakfast on the weekends. By the time I wake up though, it’s late enough to be counted as brunch. Sophie woke me up early over the holiday weekend to go outside for private moment in the bushes. The extra time gave me a chance to whip up a [...]

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