May Foodie Pen Pals!

So after a few months of abstaining, I once again signed up for Foodie Pen Pals. I received a box from Amber, who is a college student in Virginia Beach. Here it is:

The contents included a beverage bonanza of English Breakfast tea, assorted cocoa, and caramel truffle coffee; along with some salty plantain chips and a box of Dutch caramel wafer cookies. A lovely care package, indeed!

Well, it’s too damn hot here in Baltimore for warm beverages of any kind–seriously, the 90s all week!!!–so I will be setting these aside for when autumn arrives. But I did have one of the caramel cookies. And sweet Christ on a cracker, these were delicious. And I can only imagine how decadent one of these puppies would be if floated on top of a cup o’ tea (per her recommendation). And I sampled the plantain chips–surprisingly good. And great if I have a hankering for something crunchy and salty while I’m slaving away at my desk.

Amber was also kind enough to include a recipe for a coffee cocktail:

Caribbean Coffee Martini

• simple syrup (for garnish)
• sugar (for garnish)
• 1.5 oz dark rum
• 1.5 oz coffee-flavored liqueur
• 3-4 oz cold espresso or strong coffee
• 8 ice cubs
• 2 oz half-and-half or coconut milk.

1. dip rim of glass into simple syrup
2. dip covered rim into sugar
3. in a martini shaker, combine the ice, rum, coffee liqueur, and espresso
4. strain into glass
5. top off the drink with a splash of half-and-half

Thank you, Amber! I will think of you come October once it is cool enough again to enjoy a comforting mug of hot chocolate!

Getting food in the mail is one of my most favoritest things ever!!!! Kids, do you think you’d be interested in getting edible treats by post?

Sign up for Foodie Pen Pals! Fill out the form HERE or click on the badge below or on the right side of this page for the rules and such.

It’s also pretty fun to put the boxes together, too. I sent Roselyn from St. Louis an Italian-themed box with gnocchi, sun-dried tomatoes, and seeds to grow her own window-box basil (with a few other little goodies as well). There is a $15 limit, but that just inspires you to be even more creative!