Houston Chefs Are Making Their Own Versions of Discontinued Taco Bell Dishes BY PHAEDRA COOK9/18/2020 Betrayed by Taco Bell taking it off the menu, Chef Ryan Lachaine at Riel is making his own Mexican pizza. Photo by Ryan Lachaine.Chefs at Houston’s independent restaurants make their reputations on precision-crafted fare with luxurious or local ingredients, but there’s an industry truism. By the time restaurant workers finish mopping the kitchen and lock the doors, the only places still open for a late-night meal are bars, diners and fast food joints. These midnight munchies paired with childhood memories often stir up affectionate nostalgia for certain brightly lit, drive-through fare. For Brandon Silva of Wooster’s Garden at 3315 Milam in Midtown (and forthcoming restaurant Degust), Ryan Lachaine of Riel at 1927 Fairview in Montrose and Caroline Cobell of Caroline’s — A Healthy Eatery at 9440 Louetta in Spring, one of those memory-laced chains is Taco Bell. So, when the national franchise announced it was discontinuing on August 13 several menu items — including the Mexican Pizza, 7-Layer Burrito, Nachos Supreme and all potato dishes — each began creating their own versions. Taco Bell also quietly removed Pintos & Cheese from the menu in 2019 — although you may still be able to order it off menu if you’re nice about it. Caroline Cobell’s rendition of a Mexican Pizza at Caroline’s — A Healthy Eatery in Spring. Photo by Caroline Cobell. Reddit users are so upset specifically about the Mexican Pizza being removed from the menu that they’ve locked the Taco Bell chat board, instead redirecting visitors to a petition demanding the company reverse the decision. CAROLINE’S — A HEALTHY EATERYWhy the fondness for Taco Bell? “I have great memories with friends and family when we were low on funds and could go to Taco Bell and create a fabulous buffet of Mexican goodness for cheap! It’s so nostalgic!” said Cobell. Her renditions of the Mexican Pizza and Taco Supreme are gluten-free, Caroline’s — A Healthy Eatery’s specialty. The Mexican pizza has seasoned ground beef, housemade pico de gallo and shredded cheese atop two crispy tostada shells, while the tacos have seasoned ground beef, lettuce, shredded cheese, tomato and sour cream nestled inside crispy taco shells. These are available every day for lunch, for dinner on Friday nights and brunch on Sundays. (Cobell plans to add more dinner times as demand increases.) However, these are not on the regular menu. Call ahead to order these “secret” items or dine in and ask for them by name. RIELLachaine at Riel is working on his own Mexican Pizza rendition and plans to put it on his happy hour menu — possibly as early as next week. He says his is going to be completely from scratch, including the tostada shell. Caroline Cobell’s rendition of a Mexican Pizza at Caroline’s — A Healthy Eatery in Spring. Photo by Caroline Cobell.WOOSTER’S GARDEN Chef Brandon Silva of Wooster’s Garden. Photo by Phaedra Cook.Over at Wooster’s Garden, Silva is planning for an all-out celebration of the discontinued Taco Bell dishes. Cheekily called, “Yo Quiero Brandon Bell” (remember the old commercials with the Chihuahua?), it runs from 4 p.m. to midnight (or until sell out) on Sunday, 9/20. “Taco Bell was one of my first childhood memories of eating out. My uncle and I would see how many Taco Supremes we could crush in one sitting,” Silva said. Silva is creating his own versions of the Double Decker Supreme, Mexican Pizza, Enchirito, Supreme Nachos, Fritos Burrito, Grillers Loaded (beef or potato) and Pintos & Cheese. To keep up with the event details, check out the Facebook page. Did you get value from this article? We rely on our readers and sponsors to cover expenses each month, such as writer and social media fees, administrative costs, web development, software, online services, website hosting and more. Can you chip in just $5 to keep our coverage going? (Not tax deductible.) Thanks in advance for supporting local journalism! To become a sponsoring business and advertise on Houston Food Finder, email us. Shared from https://houstonfoodfinder.com/
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Master P is breathing a new, inclusive life into two brands based on racial stereotypes.
The star took to Instagram on Monday (Aug. 31) to introduce Uncle P's Louisiana Seasoned food products, which "includes rice, beans, grits, pancake mix, syrup and oatmeal. A portion of the profits will go towards educating inner city kids and assisting elderly people in Black communities across the United States." The accompanying clip features Master P himself showcasing some delicious-looking meals using his products. "The entrepreneur told CNN that he had always assumed brands like Aunt Jemima and Uncle Ben's were Black-owned," the description reads. "It wasn't until recently, when some brands began to be phased out for perpetuating harmful racial stereotypes, that he learned about their problematic histories -- and decided to do something about it." Back in June, Quaker Oats came under fire for their Aunt Jemima brand of syrup and pancake mix, which features a Black woman originally dressed as a minstrel character. Critics noted that the marketing perpetuated racial stereotypes, which led to Quaker Oats announcing that it would be changing the syrup and pancake mix's branding. "We recognize Aunt Jemima's origins are based on a racial stereotype," Kristin Kroepfl, vice president and chief marketing officer of Quaker Foods North America, said in a news release. "As we work to make progress toward racial equality through several initiatives, we also must take a hard look at our portfolio of brands and ensure they reflect our values and meet our consumers' expectations." Oreo releasing 'first-ever' gingerbread-flavored cookie for holiday season By Alexandra Deabler9/16/2020 Peeps may have put the kibosh on its holiday offerings, but Oreo is fully committing to its Christmas treats. In celebration of the upcoming holiday season, the sandwich cookie brand has rolled out a brand new limited-edition flavor: gingerbread. According to a spokesperson for Oreo, the specialty gingerbread flavor has already hit shelves – so those looking for an excuse to start holiday shopping early, here it is. Related: Peeps not producing Halloween, Christmas Peeps due to coronavirus pandemic The new treat features two gingerbread-flavored cookie sandwiched around Oreo’s original crème filling, swirled with “crunchy sugar crystals,” the package shares. Each cookie also comes in five “festive designs.” The spicy cookie is the “first-ever” gingerbread offering from Oreo. The cookies are available nationwide while supplies last. Related: Brach’s launches ‘turkey dinner’ flavored candy corn This newest release must be a special surprise for Oreo lovers, after their dreams were dashed when a representative for the brand confirmed to Fox News that an Oreo taquito cannoli was not in the works. Shared from https://www.fox26houston.com/ NEW YORK, Sept. 1, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Entertainment Icon and Hip-Hop legend Snoop Dogg announces his latest creation, INDOGGO Gin. INDOGGO, crafted with a laid-back California style, is the ultimate remix of seven premium botanicals infused with all-natural strawberry flavor.
Entertainment Icon and Hip-Hop legend Snoop Dogg's very own gin INDOGGO, crafted with a laid-back California style, launches in Snoop’s home state of California in late September and then continue across the US through early 2021INDOGGO was developed by the King of "Gin & Juice," in partnership with his friend and spirits veteran, Keenan Towns of Trusted Spirits, a beverage supplier that develops celebrity wine and spirits brands, and Prestige Beverage Group, an industry leading importer and brand innovator of award-winning wines and spirits. Together, this dream team aims to shake up the gin category with the best tasting, most approachable gin on the market today. "I can't wait for the world to taste my remix on gin! When I wrote 'Gin & Juice' back in '94 it was about good feelings and real experiences, it just naturally became a global anthem," said Snoop Dogg, the original purveyor of gin, juice and good times. "When creating INDOGGO, I wanted to give those feelings new life with an approachable juicy gin that's smooth like the D.O. Double G." INDOGGO is certified gluten free, distilled five times with seven premium botanicals and is infused with all-natural strawberry flavor with no added sugar. The gin is light on the juniper flavor and features orange, coriander and cassia botanicals for a taste of strawberry and citrus with a slightly sweet and fruity finish. Fresh, clean and like no other gin in the world – INDOGGO is ideal for sipping on the rocks with a squeeze of lime or mixing with tonic or juice. Snoop has created his own signature cocktails including: The Remix 2 oz INDOGGO Gin 3 Muddled Strawberries .75 oz Lemon Juice .5 oz Simple Syrup Top with Crushed Ice Garnish with Sliced Strawberry The Laidback Gin & Juice 2 oz INDOGGO Gin 2 oz Pineapple Juice Top with Club Soda Garnish with Strawberry Slices Towns, Co-Founder of Trusted Spirits added, "We're so excited to partner with Snoop and Prestige Beverage Group to make Snoop's and our dream a reality. INDOGGO stands out from any other gin in the world because Snoop, the "Gin Connoisseur" took two years to develop the juicy and refreshing taste profile. His dedication to the brand makes him the perfect partner." INDOGGO bottles stand out with their bold purple color and vertical logo with turned G's to signify the gin remix inside. The bottles are topped with contemporary gold foil stamps which feature Snoop's signature and the brand's official logo symbolizing its laid-back California style. The cartons feature the same bold purple and iconic design elements. "From Risata Wines to Kinky Beverages, Prestige Beverage Group has a long and storied history of launching and building industry leading brands," said Scott Schilling, General Manager and CMO of Prestige. "We couldn't be more excited to team up with Snoop and Trusted Spirits to launch INDOGGO and turn the stodgy world of gin on its head." INDOGGO will first launch in Snoop's home state of California in late September and then continue across the US through early 2021. Available in 750ML and 50ML bottles with suggested retail pricing of $29.99 and $1.99. Claim your bottle of Snoop's gin now before it hits stores through a special pre-order at ReserveBar.com: https://www.reservebar.com/products/indoggo-gin. To stay in the mix with exclusive access and updates follow @indoggogin on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter or visit Indoggogin.com. About Snoop Dogg An Entertainment Icon, Snoop Dogg has reigned for more than two decades as an unparalleled force who has raised the bar as an entertainer and globally recognized innovator. Snoop defines entertainment history. An award-winning entertainer, Snoop Dogg has released 19 studio albums, sold over 40-million albums worldwide, reached No. 1 countless times on Billboard charts internationally and received 20 GRAMMY® nominations. In addition to his extensive work in music, Snoop Dogg has made his mark in the television and film space. He currently has numerous partnership deals with major studios and networks, including Netflix, VH1 and more. His accolades include, an Emmy Award nomination for his role as Executive Producer and Co-host of VH1's hit show, Martha & Snoop's Potluck Dinner, Executive Producer of MTV's Mary + Jane, Executive Producer and Host of TNT's game show, Joker's Wild and Executive Producer of acclaimed Netflix's show, Coach Snoop. About Prestige Beverage Group Founded in 1974, Prestige Beverage Group is an industry leading importer and brand innovator of award-winning wines and spirits from around the globe. Prestige's portfolio of 70-plus brands includes KINKY Beverages, Risata Wines, Yes Way Rosé and Joia Spirit. From product conception and brand development, to packaging design and engaging marketing initiatives, Prestige continues to meet consumer preferences and anticipate industry trends. Visit us on LinkedIn and Instagram to learn more. About Trusted Spirits Founded by adult beverage industry veteran Keenan Towns and financial industry veteran Marc Weisberg. Trusted Spirits is the first and only beverage supplier that focuses solely on developing celebrity and influencer wine and spirits brands. Trusted Spirits is located in New York. Media Contacts: Brittany Trangsrud Prestige Beverage Group btrangsrud@prestigebevgroup.com 612.271.0586 Robyn Fink Trusted Spirits rsfconsult@gmail.com 954.592.6776 SOURCE Trusted Spirits Dunkin’ and Harpoon Brewery are teaming up for their biggest collaboration to date with the introduction of new donut-infused beers alongside new Pumpkin Spiced Latte Ale and the returning fan-favorite Coffee Porter.
This year’s collaboration marks the first time beers have been brewed with actual donuts from Dunkin’. Starting in September 2020, the following Dunkin’-inspired coffee and donut-infused beers will be available for a limited time: Harpoon Dunkin’ Boston Kreme: A “Boston Kreme Stout” that is brewed with real Dunkin’ donuts and cacao nibs, which add extra dough-like and chocolatey notes for an easy-drinking, creamy Dry Irish Stout. Harpoon Dunkin’ Jelly Donut: Brewed with real Dunkin’ donuts and raspberry purée, this slightly hazy IPA offers bright notes of jelly and citrus from the addition of fruit-forward Hüll Melon and Citra hops. Harpoon Dunkin’ Pumpkin: Inspired by pumpkin latte, “Spiced Latte Ale” is brewed with real pumpkin, pumpkin pie spices, and a splash of coffee for a touch of espresso-like roast. Harpoon Dunkin’ Coffee Porter: This returning fan-favorite is a classic American Porter that combines malty notes of chocolate, caramel, and toffee with the familiar flavor of Dunkin’ Original Blend coffee. Harpoon Dunkin’ Pumpkin will be available on draft and in bottled 6-packs as well as in the new Harpoon Dunkin’ Dozen mix pack, which includes three cans of each seasonal beer flavor. You can find the limited releases everywhere Harpoon is sold starting in September 2020. Shared from https://www.chewboom.com/ Image – Dunkin’/Harpoon In this Oct. 12, 2011 photo, David Klein, a man who invented the Jelly Belly, poses for photos in Covina, Calif. Klein is the Willie Wonka of this small Los Angeles suburb, joyfully leading children and their parents past mounds of chewy, crunchy, sugary confections with names like Sandy Candy, Zombie Heart and Gummy Bacon. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong) The man behind the Jelly Belly name hosting a series of cash prize treasure hunts around the country before his retirement. Anyone who participates could be eligible to search for the ultimate treasure — a key to one of his candy factories.
According to a press release, David Klein and his partner have traveled across the country hiding “gold style tickets in the form of necklaces in places they come across with an interesting story.” Klein, who was the original developer of the Jelly Belly branding, sold his stake in the company 40 years ago. His current candy company is named Spectrum Confections. Those who wish to participate will need to pay an entry fee of about $50 to receive a clue in their state. Each treasure hunt is limited to 1,000 participants. The first clue will be released in Georgia on Sept. 30, with more being revealed in the other states following months, according to a news release. “We’re gonna have the ultimate treasure hunt where the winner will be receiving a key — a key to one of our candy factories,” Klein, who is known as “The Candyman” said in a video announcing the game. “We’re looking for you, Charlie, out there,” Klein said in a nod to Roald Dahl’s classic novel, “Charlie and the Charlie Factory.” Several headlines across the nation implied that the winner would get the keys to a Jelly Belly factory, but the company says it has had no association with Klein in years. “In 1976, Mr. Klein, an independent third party, came up with the name “Jelly Belly” and other novel marketing ideas. Jelly Belly Candy Company has not had a relationship with Mr. Klein since 1980 when it acquired the trademark,” the company said in an online statement. Few details exist about what factory the winner will receive, though multiple media reports indicate the facility will be in Florida. Copyright 2020 Nexstar Broadcasting, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Shared from https://www.myhighplains.com/ CHICAGO, Sept. 1, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- 2020 needs to get its groove back, so Miller Lite is bringing you good vibes only through the Miller Timeshare. This Midwest pad lets you escape 2020 and go back in time for a more carefree Miller Time. For $96 a night, a group of buddies can book their stay at the Miller Timeshare exclusively on Hotels.com and enjoy Miller Time like it's 1975 (when Miller Lite was first introduced nationally). Additionally, summer travel looks different in 2020, while Labor Day typically sees millions of Americans boarding planes for getaways, 85%* are planning or likely to go on a road trip this summer for a change of scenery. Consumers can boogie on over for an out-of-sight view of Mona Lake, Michigan; a short drive from both Detroit and Chicago.
(PRNewsfoto/Miller Lite) "End of summer travel looks a little different this year," said Courtney Dugan, director of activation for Miller Lite. "But it's still time for Miller Time, so Miller Lite created the Miller Timeshare, a groovy space for a small group to get together, put on a record, crack open some beers, and escape 2020 for a couple days." Miller Lite took what once was an everyday lake house and completely overhauled it into the Miller Timeshare to take people back in time to 1975. The Miller Timeshare is complete with mod furniture, a bomb avocado-colored kitchen, groovy shag carpets, nifty house plants and funky wood paneling. The pad also features a stellar game room with a pinball machine, old school record player and throwback '70s board games. Here's the skinny to book the pad:
*Survey commissioned by Expedia and conducted by Survey Monkey, polling 1,077 respondents, aged 18+, located in the U.S. About Miller Brewing Company Miller Brewing Company was founded in 1855 by Frederick J. Miller when he purchased the Plank Road Brewery in Milwaukee, a city he chose as the best place for a brewery given its access to great water. Miller Lite, the original great-tasting light pilsner beer, (MillerLite.com, Facebook.com/MillerLite, @MillerLite on Twitter, YouTube.com/MillerLite) was introduced nationally in 1975 and is among the top-five selling beers in the United States. The brewery's oldest enduring beer is Miller High Life (MillerHighLife.com, Facebook.com/MillerHighLife, @MillerHighLife on Twitter). Known as the Champagne of Beers, it was introduced in 1903 and still is brewed with the same yeast strain that Miller carried in his pocket from Germany. Miller Genuine Draft (MGD.com, Facebook.com/MillerGenuineDraft, @Miller_Global on Twitter), introduced in 1986, is the original cold-filtered, packaged draft beer. SOURCE Miller Lite You’ve Been Making PB&Js Wrong All Your LifePeanut butter and jelly sandwiches are a childhood staple that we never seem to get tired of. But even though we’ve been making them for our entire lives, many of us haven’t perfected the art of the PB&J. These are some mistakes to avoid when crafting your ideal sandwich so you can take this trusty comfort food to the next level. ·Spreading the peanut butter on just one side - Unless you want a soggy PB&J, put nut butter on both slices of bread to prevent sogginess. · ·Not warming it up - A room temperature peanut butter and jelly sandwich is good, but a warm one is next-level. Add some butter and cook it in a pan - like you would a grilled cheese - to really take it up a notch. · ·Using the wrong jelly - Ditch the plain old grape variety and upgrade to a jam with less sugar and fewer preservatives. · ·Not adding fresh fruit - Make your PB&J healthier and tastier by adding some sliced bananas, apples or blueberries to your sandwich. It gives it another layer of flavor, plus adds vitamins and fiber, too. · ·Using only sliced bread - There’s nothing wrong with a basic peanut butter and jelly, but you can swap the bread for rolled up tortillas, waffles or pancakes for a fun alternative. · ·Not trying crunchy peanut butter - A survey from the National Peanut Board finds that 46% of people prefer smooth over chunky peanut butter, but chunky adds texture and taste and if you don’t try it, you’re missing out. · ·Skimping on ingredients - When you take a bite of your PB&J, do you taste mostly bread? Then you may want to rethink the amount of each ingredient you’re adding to your sammie. Load up the bread with an eighth to a quarter of an inch of peanut butter and jelly and see how much better that tastes. Shared from https://thebuzz.iheart.com/ Hilary Duff Announces The "Imagine If, With Jif" Contest Kick Off With Jif Peanut ButterThough their menu is large, they went full Hunger Games last month and decided to ax many popular items, like the Nachos Supreme, Cheesy Fiesta Potatoes, 7-Layer Burrito, and more. And today they announced that their latest victim is the ever-popular Mexican Pizza.* As a Mexican myself, I'm not sure what's Mexican about it, but I also have tastebuds and a stomach that likes tortillas, cheese, and meat smashed together, so I would def partake in this. While it's not the only victim in the latest menu cuts (they're also nixing the pico de gallo and shredded chicken), fans of the pizza are being very vocal about how disappointed they are that their fave would do something like this to them: In their statement, Taco Bell said that one silver lining of all of this is that the Mexican Pizza packaging "accounts for over seven million pounds of paperboard material per year in the US," which helps them leave a lighter footprint on the planet. They're also introducing a Chicken Chipotle Melt and a Dragonfruit Freeze nationwide, with a Quesalupa going nationwide in 2021. Whether or not you want those new items is up to you, but for all the Mexican Pizza lovers out there, you have until Nov. 5 to get your mouth on one until it disappears forever.
Shared from https://www.buzzfeed.com/ Does pineapple belong on pizza? Twitter weighs in. By James Leggate | Fox NewsPineapple on pizza – it’s an issue as divisive as whether a hot dog is a sandwich or the color of that dress in the photo everyone was upset about a few years ago. “At Papa John’s, we believe that pineapple belongs on pizza,” Paul Fabre, the chain’s senior vice president of product innovation, said in a written statement. The Louisville, Ky.-based pizzeria will offer Dole’s pineapple tidbits on its “super Hawaiian pizza” starting this month, along with Canadian bacon, hickory-smoked bacon, a blend of cheeses and the restaurant’s “signature sauce.” Of course, you can’t go around adding a sweet ingredient like pineapple to pizza without expecting some spicy comments on Twitter. Papa John’s once ran a poll asking whether pineapple is “acceptable on a pizza” and it ended up a tie after more than 3,200 votes. “Pizza is for meat and veggies (salty) not anything sweet,” one anti-pineapple commenter wrote. Another questioned: “Would you put pepperoni in your fruit salad?” But as the poll ended with 50% in favor and 50% against, there were also lots of pineapple supporters in the comments. “If you drop pineapple – I drop you,” one wrote. The move to use Dole pineapple is part of Papa John’s commitment to its “better ingredients, better pizza” slogan, according to the chain. Dole’s pineapple for the pizzeria will be sourced responsibly in Thailand and the Philippines and exceed international standards, according to Papa John’s.
“Partnering with Dole makes sense because there is nothing more important or vital to our business and to earning our customers’ trust than providing high-quality foods,” Fabre said. “This starts with how we source ingredients, including Dole pineapple, which brings a rich sweetness to our pies.” SHARED FROM https://www.foxnews.com |