Peanut Butter Things

While speaking to Sean (texting) I was sent a photo of a 7-11 Nutter Butter Donut and became very interested towards hunting one down and also relayed a few of my Peanut Butter Snacks that I have on hand at the moment back to him.

Being a fan of All Things Peanut Butter and also trying new Peanut Butter items it was decided this needs a current entry.

Pictured above are variations of the Peanut Butter Cookie.

Nutter Butter is a long standby and I have loved them since I can recall. Oreo Chocolate Peanut Butter Pie is a variation on Oreo Peanut Butter and a favorite, hope they keep making them and the package is not labelled "Limited Edition" so my wish might be fulfilled so long as sales are good.

Oreo Peanut Butter Pie is a Graham Cracker based Cookie with half Chocolate/half Peanut Butter Creme in the center.

Peanut Butter Twinkies and Ding Dongs respectively.

An example of the fact that if you put the word Peanut Butter in the title and ingredients I am more than willing to give it a try.

The 7/11 Nutter Butter Long John. 

Hard to beat in the entire World of Donuts.

An odd concoction but is just right on the Flavor scale.

Meaning "it tastes just like it says on the label".

The CVS brand of Peanut Butter Cookie.

If you did not tell me it was a Peanut Butter Cookie I would pin it out as just a Chocolate Chip Cookie.

UNDER CONSTRUCTION.

PETER PAN DONUTS - Brooklyn, New York

For verification I had to look this up as I am not a big S'Mores guy at all but this is a creation of Peter Pan Donuts who has a wide reputation that precedes them. All Donuts and Cakes are Baked "in-house" to my knowledge and as I was in the area I had to stop in and it being late in their workday (they were closing in twenty minutes) had to choose from what was available which was a slim offering but did get to grab the last S'Mores Donut which was a target item.

A S'Mores is traditionally Marshmallow and Chocolate sandwiched between Graham Crackers and toasted over a campfire so I surmise this Donut is an approximation thereof.

S'Mores Donut - This to me which was very much anticipated was sadly tasteless (in flavor) and disappointing HOWEVER I did have a cold at the time so will put it down to that HOWEVER also I did in fact taste the Whipped Cream (Marshmallow ? Filling) which was not overly Sweet or seemingly Flavored by anything, what it did have was the classic Whipped Cream Taste of just plain Cream that is indeed proper but to me a key Ingredient being the Marshmallow was not represented but once again possibly due to my dulled senses due to sinus collapse (the cold).

The Donut Cake itself was above the standard as it had substance and a Chewy malleability which almost made this Food. Somewhat Bready in structure, definitely a plus and step up from the Crumbly Entenmanns and Dunkin Donuts Dough of the world. Topping was appearance wise Graham Cracker Crumbs with a Drizzle of Chocolate.

I was hoping this was not the paltry amount of Cream in the Donut and it was not, while not filled IN there was more around the circumference of the hole atop the Donut.

Brownie - Something which most of us have had and a bit of a yardstick can be thrown to conclude a ratio of perfection. Well, in this case it gets a 9/10 as in Brownies have been produced by other artisans just as good in Flavor and quality but only "just" as good as this one.

Top of its game, proper Icing, Moist Cake smattered with crushed Walnut and just the right amount of Chocolate Goodness with a slightly Chewy yet Crumbly composition. Delicious.

A selfie taken at the last minute after receiving my order, the reasoning behind this was somewhat nostalgic because I had been here years before sat upon these very stools.

Taken in 2006 seated with 28 Dates Later.

I dont recall what Donuts I had the dozen or so times I was previously here or what the Coffee tasted like but this visit was a brief trip down memory lane, if I was not in transit between jobs I would have sat down and had a Coffee as well.

A night time shot as you can see of the facade. During the day I am sure that window was filled with Donuts so I am glad they are making the correct amount as the scarcity of round thing activity on display is testament to the fact that donuts do not appear to be getting thrown away at the end of the night which produces Food Waste !!! Heavens To Murgatroyd !!!

FRIEND OR FAUX - Fake Pudding Cake/Fun With Frosting

Had a dream about Boston Cream Pie (in the dream it was Cake) for no discernible reason at all, I am not a big fan and have never even ordered it from a Menu but upon waking thought to myself that I may never have had a slice proper at all.

Ideas began to buzz as they will especially at 6 a.m. and I contrived an easy way out.

Vanilla Pudding (only after purchase was I thinking Vanilla is not Boston Cream), Pound Cake Slices and Chocolate Frosting, DONE !!! well not so. I burnt the Pudding as it was made in the microwave in consideration of Cristinas washing the pots, pans and dishes and wound up making more work for her as the Pudding over boiled causing it to overflow into the Oven, Right In The Garbage it went, or more like down the drain.

*I was lightly chastised then napped.

In the interim Cristina made the other package of Butterscotch Pudding I purchased and wound up burning the Pot a bit, Thats It !!! only prepackaged Pudding from here on in. 

Sandwiched the Butterscotch between Pound Cake Slices and Drizzled Microwaved Chocolate Frosting over the top, this was a chancy operation but came out after refrigeration much better than I expected. Most Tasty and even if I was served this at a party there would be no complaints from me.

*I knew I had to let the Pudding set so to waylay any longing purchased was a Table Talk Boston Cream Pie. It still sits in the fridge, I took a nap instead.

18th AVENUE/LYDIA'S BAKERY - Brooklyn, New York

For my entire life (since the teenage years) this has been the place. Did I purchase often ? the answer is no.

Were they always there and seen as a stronghold of the neighborhood, YES.

Eighteenth avenue Bakery's reputation has grown over and over again exponentially just from word of mouth spouted amongst my loved ones with a repeated ensconcement of appreciation.

Cannoli - I cannot first hand review the Cannoli as I did not have a taste but I hear that the Cake itself was lacking in Flavor and Character. This is reported to be four star and not five, Not Too Shabby.

You can't win them all, can you.

Napoleon - How very interesting this was as I have been on a Napoleon Hunt as of late.

Filled with Boston Cream as opposed to "Cake" Cream (Whippy Cream for those in the know) made this a surprising and welcome Tart to be reckoned with.

Thus far this is an anomaly and one that shall be revisited on my next sojourn.

Seven Layer Pastry - I was so looking forward to this.

 An oversized 7 Layer Cookie in a Pastry form.

Bit of a let down as it was lacking the Amaretto Overtones expected but still a great purchase and Yummy too.

Apple Coffee Cake - And a HUGE piece was sold to me. I didn't ask and she didn't question.

This may have been the crowning achievement of all these Pastries and will I get it again, Hells YEAH.

Nothing bad to say, Just Delicious.

The "Soft Loaf".

I ate this mother all by myself in one sitting.

Cristina had a sample but I ate it all. Delicious and Soft. Marone.

5/16 - Semolina Loaf -

9/1 - An Assortment of...

Cristina was running some errands on 18th avenue so we made a trip to Lydia's for goodies. Cristina got a half pound of 7 layer Cookies and Butter Cookies along with a Chocolate Cannoli, she gifted me a Brownie and Chocolate Eclair.

Chocolate Cannoli - Good dipped Chocolate but not enough Cream is Cristina's review. 

Chocolate Eclair - I chose an Eclair in great part because of the sign in the entryway espousing the greatness of their Eclairs which was absolutely true. Thick Rich Chocolate, Fresh Whipping Cream, Dense Vanilla moist in a pastry style Cake with REAL Boston Creme filling, I am not a Huge Eclair fan but give me a dozen of these and I will surely become one.

Brownie - Just a Quality Bakery Brownie, very dense with proper Chocolate Icing. The Cherry on the Cannoli in the photo was originally from the Brownie but Cristina wanted it.

Cream Puff (Cannoli Cream) - One of the Elder Cakes in the Bakery canon, I know of Cream Puffs from the Shirley Temple/Laurel & Hardy/Little Rascals idiom and I might be wrong on all counts of any mention from the accused on film or recording but yet I had never tried one myself.

Thanks to Cristina's mom for the leftovers but these were quite simple yet gracious of a pastry. Cut an airy Biscuit of Cake in half, Fill with Cream, in the case photo here it is Cannoli Cream, Regular Cream is also available.

LESKE'S BAKERY - Brooklyn, New York

What happened was in the midst of my Napoleon Complex I was in the Park Slope end of town and wisely Googled Leske's ll in that neck of the woods only to find that location was permanently closed yet the Bay Ridge flagship remained open for business so I had my bandmate drop me off prior to rehearsal to "pop in" and grab some goodies.

Napoleon - Chewy and Flaky with Cream Filling and Icing of a wondrous nature.

Brownie - Moist, Thickerer and Brownieish.

No qualms here.

Chocolate Croissant - Purchased for my bandmate Thomas as he is fond of the Chocolate Croissant but I did not get to sample any. Word on the street was in the affirmative.

LESKE'S l LINK

LESKE'S BAKERY ONLINE

THE NAPOLEON COMPLEX

"Never interrupt your enemy when he is eating a Napoleon" - Napoleon Bonaparte

This began innocently enough prior to my weekly sojourn to Tasty Pastry with Christina. I usually put a little forethought into my Cake of choice earlier in the day so as not to stand before the riches of their assortment gaping and drooling like a man insane with his synapses firing away like a violently shaken bottle of soda water and decided on The Napoleon. I have only had maybe half a dozen in my life but had a clear idea of what to expect and perhaps happily got more than I bargained for.

2/3/16 - Tasty Pastry - This will be a hard one to beat at least from an Italian Bakery (the Napoleon being a French Pastry) as Tasty Pastry is one of the more Outstanding dealers in decadent confectionary delicacies. 

I have no details here as this entry was written as an afterthought after the satisfaction achieved, the only remedy is to get another in the future and write about that one.

2/8/16 - West End Bakery - While this Bakery does not have the best reputation I was very pleased to find the Napoleon ($2.75) featured in its Pastry display case and this was my first stop after deciding I needed another (Napoleon that is) and to compose a comparison.

They got the Cake and Icing right, actually its probably difficult to screw up the Icing and something tells me the Napoleon's around town are being outsourced from another Bakery but only time will tell on that point. The Cream is Cake Cream or Whipped Cream and this might be my only bone of contention* but I am still a newbie at this. Loads of Cream in this one, a bit messy to eat but as I said earlier today "Messy Is Good".

This has prompted me to make a second pot of Coffee.

2/21/16 - Leske's Bakery - This has a lot riding on it as Leske's Scandinavian Bakery has an historic reputation dating from 1961 yet I am not a Napoleon connoisseur in the least but am enjoying Eating my way through the learning process.

Chewy Flaky Crust with an inlaid Syrupy overtone, This is Heaven. Grand Icing and Sweet Cake Cream. Literally mouth watering.

3/2/16 - I was hunting Napoleon's and had some spare time on 13th avenue within proximity of a few bakeries. Gold Star Bakery does not produce Napoleon's but Grandma's and Mona Lisa sure do.

Mona Lisa - OK they only had a baby Napoleon ($1.45) and it was of standard fare, standard fare still being Delicious but this had an aftertaste probably due to retainment and storage and was 2-3 bites worth and gone, well it was a "baby".

Grandma's Bakery - Just when I had almost given up waving my hands in the air for fear that all of the local Napoleon's were "sourced out" and alike I came across this slightest anomaly to keep the fires burning. Perhaps I am being a bit dramatic here but the Grandma's slice  ($2.25) features a minimally crumbly crust in its folded layers of Cake of an almost Graham Cracker consistency but retaining the layered and moist "Filo" style inherent to this Pastry. 

Quite a joy.

Villabate Alba Pasticceria - With two Napoleons on offer (French & Italian) I was quite excited about the Italian one but still preferred the French Mille-Feullie.

(top) French - I expected this to reign supreme as Villabate has quite the reputation that precedes it and it was quite formidable and almost perfect but thus far Grandma's is the ruler of the roost.

(bottom) Italian - Dusted in Brown Sugar with the Creamy innards very much like an Italian Cheesecake which for those not in the know has a grainy consistency as the "base" cheese is Ricotta as opposed to Cream Cheese.

4/15/16 - 18th Avenue Bakery/Lydia's -  Another fantastic bakery with a track record but this Napoleon was just good compared to the Apple Coffee Cake Crumble that I had purchased alongside it. Nothing wrong with this Napoleon but nothing outstanding either, still an impressive 7/10.

5/10/16 - Kaff Bake Shoppe (kosher) - This was quite different as the icing was "inside out" as it were but just a standard Napoleon, Cake was a bit dry but this was served pre sliced in a plastic container so who knows,...

Good View Bakery corps (my local pork bun place) 6/26/16 - The only thing they got right here and barely was the Flaky Cake,which was dry so I suppose they did not get it right. As advertised its a Cheese Napoleon meaning a fake kind of tangy Cheesecake of which they did not get the Cheesecake right as it was dry.

* - Since reading the entry on Wikipedia I have learned that there is no "proper" filling for a Mille-Feullie but a wide variety the world over.

MILLE-FEULLIE (NAPOLEON) ON WIKIPEDIA

THREE KINGS DAY at Caroline's

Three Kings Day is a holiday that commemorates the visiting of the Maji to the newly born Christ child and is also known as Epiphany in the Greek tradition, it is held in early January and this to my recollection is the first time Caroline celebrated with a Feast of sizable proportions

Pictured above is Pernil, Yucca with Garlic & Oil, Rice & Beans with Capers and Rellenos De Papa.

Being her first crack at Pernil amongst other delicacies (to my knowledge) Caroline was humbly hesitant in her success but I knew she could do it being the fine Chef she is.

The Pernil in all its Porky Glory.

This literally fell off the bone so I was not sure which pieces to take as I am an extremely fussy eater.

Didn't really matter though. Smokey took what he pleased from my plate.

Plantains and Rellenos De Papa which is a Potato Ball wrapped around Ground Meat. These were part of the Appetizers but went over super big with me, so much so that I had three of them.

Pauline also provided Avocado and Bermuda/Red Onion in a Vinaigrette Dressing.

For afters was a Lemon Cake (courtesy of Tasty Pastry), Coconut Bars by Laura and Cherry Puffs by Caroline.

Rice Pudding a la Santos made with several Creams and Coconut Milk.

(L to R) - Caroline, Stanley, Laura, Some Guy.

Luckyzilla

WHAT DREAMS MAY COME - CHARLOTTE RUSSE - TASTY PASTRY Brooklyn, New York

My dad used to tell me about the Charlotte Russe in tales of yore but even by the 1970's they were nigh impossible to find, I am sure a few places had them but we never spotted a single one otherwise I am sure I would have been treated to one (or two).

It's charm lies in the simple recipe yet I did not think I would ever have one until Christina told me that Tasty Pastry of Brooklyn had them on offer ($3.50), so at 50 years of age it finally happened.

Birthday Cake Cream (actually Whipped Cream) but not the overly sweet kind topped with a Maraschino Cherry atop a thin slice of Pound Cake. Served in tubular cardboard with a self sufficient base so you can actually push the Confection up from the bottom.

Simple yet elegant.

There they are on display amongst a plethora of Delectable Pastries.

I proudly wield my Charlotte Russe before annihilation.

Christina chose a Nutella Cannoli and how could you not but I was a man on a mission.

1/6/16 - Ferrero Rocher Mousse ($2.75) - Extremely Rich but then again it is a Mousse. 

Covered in Fine Chocolate or Nutella (its hard to tell) which is flecked with crushed Hazelnut to reveal a velvety Mousse therein enrobing further Hazelnut intrusion atop a disc of Chocolate Cracker Cake. The spiraled flute atop the flower at the peak is of a Mint nature.

This one is going to be hard to beat folks.

THE ONE "BEAN" WILL GET YOU IN CORNER - Basically it is a tray of leftover Pastries that are about to reach their demarcation point of sale and on sale for a buck but this is quite the steal as the Cherry Tart photographed above was quite delectable but not so much so as MSG did not indulge.

2/3/16 - One of the Delights on hand that I had a clear idea of its constituency before sampling, namely The Napoleon. So mouth wateringly good that I could have easily had another and dare I say yet another and so on.

You want an Apple Horseshoe, we got em'

Hot Cocoa too.

This is a "one of each" type place.

THE HISTORY OF CHARLOTTE RUSSE On Captainnewyork