Mellow Out

It’s been a long week, and you’re dying for a break. Well, I have the perfect solution. Every Wednesday I will offer a drink to the viewers for “Whine Down Wednesdays.” You don’t have to wait until the weekend arrives to enjoy a great drink. Take a break and have a sip of A Taste of Heaven.  

If I had to choose between white and brown, I would choose brown. It’s not that I don’t like white as much as brown; it’s just that there are so many great choices of brown. Hennessy, Rémy Martin, Crown Royal, Jack Daniel’s Whiskey, E&J Brandy, and Courvoisier; the list goes on. This taste of Heaven is E&J XO Brandy. Not many of my friends enjoy E&J XO Brandy, but that doesn’t stop me or my friend Davis from drinking it. I know the weekend has started once I see her with the first glass. E&J Brandy has been on the scene since 1938. The popular brandy is made with fresh wine grapes, and then it’s aged in French oak barrels for smoothness. Once the seal is broken, the toasted brown spice and vanilla are guaranteed to mellow out your night.

FYI: E&J Brandy

FOOD TIP: Ernest and Julio Gallo are the founders of E&J Brandy.

Black Swan

Halloween is tomorrow and all the children are ready to show off their customs. Unfortunately, I'm too old to go trick-or-treating, but I’m young enough to carve a pumpkin. After the feature of the week premiered, I was excited about showing off my artistic abilities. This taste of heaven is a pumpkin carved into a black swan. I sketched the swan on my own, but I had some help with the carving process. Once the messy part was over, I put two lit candles in the inside and placed the pumpkin outside. It felt good to be a kid again.

FYI: Pumpkin Carving Tips

FOOD TIP: Pumpkin seeds have a great source of zinc, so when your carving your next pumpkin save the seeds for a delicious snack.

Feature of the Week: Oct. 25-31

A Taste of Heaven would not exist if it were not for the audience, so I want to show my appreciation by dedicating Thursdays to the fans. If you eat or make a dish of your own and its camera ready, then you can email me your photos. I will review and post them on Thursday.  It’s important to remember presentation, style, and taste. I look forward to seeing your Taste of Heaven.

FYI: Email Pictures

Description: One more week until the creepy crawler Trick or Treat we’ve all been waiting for. I’ve been anticipating this feature of the week since I snapped the first picture of it. This taste of heaven is a carved pumpkin with a spooky face. I admire this pumpkin because it was carved by my friend AB. She pulled out her carving utensils and newspaper, so she could start the messy project. Out of the three pumpkins she bought, this was the ugliest one. I looked at the hideous orange-green warty pumpkin and shook my head thinking whatever floats your boat. After AB finished carving, I noticed that her pumpkin didn’t look that bad. He actually had potential. ;D

Screwdriver

It’s been a long week, and you’re dying for a break. Well, I have the perfect solution. Every Wednesday I will offer a drink to the viewers for “Whine Down Wednesdays.” You don’t have to wait until the weekend arrives to enjoy a great drink. Take a break and have a sip of A Taste of Heaven.  

Smirnoff launched a new malt beverage called Smirnoff Signature Screwdriver. The newest creation is a “ready-to-drink” mixture with orange juice cocktail and Smirnoff vodka. It’s served in an 11.2 oz bottle with 5.8 alcohol content. Personally, I think it’s the perfect cooler for Halloween. It’s got a festive color, a smooth tropical taste, and it’s inexpensive. All you need is a few packs and some great music to start your spooky Halloween party.

FYI: Smirnoff

FOOD TIP: Compliment the Smirnoff Signature Screwdriver with Halloween inspired finger food.

Unmovable

I don’t know if you remember the veggie shish kabobs I made, but I complimented them with a Cajun crab boil. Plated is snow crab legs, red potatoes, garlic butter shrimp, kielbasa, corn on the cob, and a veggie kabob (containing: red onion, mushrooms, green pepper, zucchini, & yellow squash). My friends laid out newspaper and clean trash bags, so we could feast on this Cajun crab boil. I paired my seafood feast with an ice cold Bud Light Lime and melted garlic butter. After I ate I was unmovable, I just sat there next to shells because I was so FULL. I pigged out.

FYI: Further Details...

FOOD TIP: Newspaper and trash bags make any seafood feast an easy clean up.

Sloppy Joe

You didn't have a real childhood, unless you had a Sloppy Joe for dinner. I remember watching the Sloppy Joe scene in “It Takes s Two” with the Olsen Twins. Although the sandwich was messy, it didn't matter because it was a sloppy meal that was delicious. This taste of heaven is Sloppy Joe, on a grilled bun, with red potato French fries. Alright, I was showing out again with this one. A good friend of mine requested this sandwich for lunch, and I couldn't turn her down because it’s a childhood classic. I really don’t have to elaborate on Sloppy Joe because if you haven’t had one, then you missing out. Get it together.

FYI: Manwich

FOOD TIP: Toast the bun, so the Sloppy Joe won't get too messy.

Dentist Appointment

Red Velvet Cupcakes

Description: It's Red Velvet Cupcakes with cream cheese buttercream, fresh berries, pecans, and a dulce de leche sauce. 

Reese's Pieces Cupcakes

Description: It's Reese's Pieces Cupcakes with chocolate cake and peanut butter pieces that's topped with peanut butter buttercream, chocolate syrup, and Reese's Pieces candy.

I’m SUPER excited about this week because it’s DESSERT WEEK on A Taste of Heaven. This whole week will be dedicated to your sweet tooth. I have a special guest that I would like to introduce. She is a young lady that has a passion for making cakes and her name is Porscha. I met her through a dear friend of mine and I want everyone to show her love and support. Every dessert posted this week will be available for purchase through Sweet P’s Homemade Cakes & Things. I hope you don’t get any cavities from all this sweetness. ;D

FYI: Sweet P's Homemade Cakes & Things
        Email: SweetP2389@Gmail.com
        Instagram: @cupcakeyp

HEADLINE NEWS: I hope everyone enjoyed A Taste of Heaven’s First Dessert Week. Since it’s the last day of Dessert Week, I wanted to give the audience two more delicious sweets to check out. I plan to have more themed weeks in the future, so stay tuned for those. Next week we will be back on our regular schedule, but I will have some interesting posts coming your way. Have a great Sunday, and I’ll see you bright and early on Monday.

Dripping

Dulce De Leche Rum Cake

Description: It's a three layer vanilla rum cake topped with dulce de leche buttercream that's dripping with dulce de leche and chocolate.

I’m SUPER excited about this week because it’s DESSERT WEEK on A Taste of Heaven. This whole week will be dedicated to your sweet tooth. I have a special guest that I would like to introduce. She is a young lady that has a passion for making cakes and her name is Porscha. I met her through a dear friend of mine, and I want everyone to show her love and support. Every dessert posted this week will be available for purchase through Sweet P’s Homemade Cakes & Things. I hope you don’t get any cavities from all this sweetness. ;D

FYI: Sweet P's Homemade Cakes & Things
        Email: SweetP2389@Gmail.com
        Instagram: @cupcakeyp

HEADLINE NEWS: Where do I start with this dessert? I don’t think I need to say much because the dripping dulce de leche and chocolate says it all. Somebody needs to wife Porscha before she makes another cake. I think this design is outstanding! SUPERB JOB!!!!!!! Well, were getting towards the end of Dessert Week, but I have some great things coming up on A Taste of Heaven, so hold tight. We have some holidays right around the corner and I’m cooking for Thanksgiving, so be prepared to see some pictures of me in the kitchen. I want to fry a Cajun turkey this year, so I’m anxious to see how everything turns out. If you have any dish recommendations for Thanksgiving, then email me and I will try to incorporate your taste of heaven with my families. Have a great weekend and I’ll be back tomorrow.

Cavity #2

Carmel & Candy Apples

Description: Its Granny Smith Apples covered with classic red candy and caramel.

I’m SUPER excited about this week because it’s DESSERT WEEK on A Taste of Heaven. This whole week will be dedicated to your sweet tooth. I have a special guest that I would like to introduce. She is a young lady that has a passion for making cakes and her name is Porscha. I met her through a dear friend of mine, and I want everyone to show her love and support. Every dessert posted this week will be available for purchase through Sweet P’s Homemade Cakes & Things. I hope you don’t get any cavities from all this sweetness. ;D

FYI: Sweet P's Homemade Cakes & Things
        Email: SweetP2389@Gmail.com
        Instagram: @cupcakeyp

HEADLINE NEWS: Happy Friday!!! I was excited about these classic red candy and caramel apples. I love, love, love apples covered with special toppings. It reminds me of my younger days at the carnivals and state fairs. The glasslike candy would make me feel like I was rewarding myself with two cavities. You would think that would discourage me, but I only wanted more. The sweet flavors use to excite me. It got to the point where I was buying homemade candy apple kits, so I could make my own decorative apples at home. It’s amazing what a little sugar will do to you. #ADDICTION.

Break Me Off A Piece

Kit Kat Cake

Description: It's a three layer chocolate lovers cake with chocolate buttercream, Kit Kats, Twix, and shaved Ghirardelli white chocolate on top.

I’m SUPER excited about this week because it’s DESSERT WEEK on A Taste of Heaven. This whole week will be dedicated to your sweet tooth. I have a special guest that I would like to introduce. She is a young lady that has a passion for making cakes and her name is Porscha. I met her through a dear friend of mine, and I want everyone to show her love and support. Every dessert posted this week will be available for purchase through Sweet P’s Homemade Cakes & Things. I hope you don’t get any cavities from all this sweetness. ;D

FYI: Sweet P's Homemade Cakes & Things
        Email: SweetP2389@Gmail.com
        Instagram: @cupcakeyp

HEADLINE NEWS: "A 1, 2, 1, 2, 3, 4. Gimme a break, gimme a break, break me off a piece of that Kit Kat bar. Gimme a break, gimme a break, break me off a piece of that Kit Kat bar.” I think everyone knew the lyrics to this catchy song back in the day. It’s an oldie, but still a classic. I thought this Kit Kat Cake would be the perfect choice for the Feature of the Week. The first time I saw this picture, it felt like it was love at first sight. I would consider this feature to be a work of art; the design is flawless. If you don’t have any cavities by now, then I don’t know what to tell you. Break me off a piece.

A Shot of Cupcakes

Patron Cupcakes

Description: It's Patron Cupcakes with key lime cake batter doused with Patron and topped with key lime buttercream icing and fresh limes.

I’m SUPER excited about this week because it’s DESSERT WEEK on A Taste of Heaven. This whole week will be dedicated to your sweet tooth. I have a special guest that I would like to introduce. She is a young lady that has a passion for making cakes and her name is Porscha. I met her through a dear friend of mine, and I want everyone to show her love and support. Every dessert posted this week will be available for purchase through Sweet P’s Homemade Cakes & Things. I hope you don’t get any cavities from all this sweetness. ;D

FYI: Sweet P's Homemade Cakes & Things

        Email: SweetP2389@Gmail.com

        Instagram: @cupcakeyp

HEADLINE NEWS: I figured since it was Whine Down Wednesday that I’d offer Patron Cupcakes for Dessert Week. Everyone has been enjoying the sugary atmosphere on A Taste of Heaven, and I have to admit it’s been a fun adventure. The Oreo Cake is doing numbers and it’s listed on the popular post as well. I have some new and upcoming ideas for A Taste of Heaven. First, I want to kick off “Tasty Trick or Trick” next week. I will be searching for some Halloween inspired foods to put on the blog, so I can’t wait to see what’s out there. I’m thinking about doing a Pumpkin Competition to show off the best carved pumpkins. If you have any artistic abilities that you want to show off, then you can send me your pumpkin pictures (Side Note: Remember presentation and style). Lastly, I have been brainstorming on how I can incorporate recipes with homemade dishes. However, I don’t know how to provide this information. I do NOT measure when I cook, so it’s difficult to make recipes without measurements. If you have any ideas or feedback regarding this matter, then feel free to shoot me an email or leave a comment. Thanks and I’ll be back tomorrow with more juicy details. 

Fruitilicious

Fruit Tart with Fresh Fruit

Description: It's a homemade Fruit Tart with a vanilla pudding filling and a fresh fruit topping with kwii, mango, and an assortment of berries.

I’m SUPER excited about this week because it’s DESSERT WEEK on A Taste of Heaven. This whole week will be dedicated to your sweet tooth. I have a special guest that I would like to introduce. She is a young lady that has a passion for making cakes and her name is Porscha. I met her through a dear friend of mine, and I want everyone to show her love and support. Every dessert posted this week will be available for purchase through Sweet P’s Homemade Cakes & Things. I hope you don’t get any cavities from all this sweetness. ;D

FYI: Sweet P's Homemade Cakes & Things
        Email: SweetP2389@Gmail.com
        Instagram: @cupcakeyp

HEADLINE NEWS: Since its Dessert Week, I felt like this was the perfect time to share some current news with all of you (Side Note: I like being on center stage with all the juicy information.). I attended the “A Taste of Atlanta” event for the first time this year. Where have I've been? This event was like a heaven made for food critics. I went with an empty stomach and wobbled out with the itis. I looked like the biggest piglet in the barn once I ate barbecue ribs, grilled corn, Creole grilled shrimp, a lobster roll, shrimp jambalaya, grilled artichoke, mussels, sautéed tomato garlic shrimp, and much more. Today, I am making the announcement that I will be attending the “A Taste of Atlanta” event every year, and I will be buying a VIP Pass for Saturday. *This is your confirmation (I#3#3108S).* Next, I’m going on an escapade very soon and I will not be revealing where, but just know that it’s somewhere with flava. You can make your guesses, but I’m NOT telling (Just make sure your checking the daily posts!). Also, I have some juicy news that I will be sharing with the public within the next two weeks. It’s a secret matter that I am hoping will open some doors. Lastly, I am DEEPLY sorry for those who were deprived of their A Taste of Heaven post emails for a week or so. It was my mistake. While I was promoting, I forgot to check the right delivery box. I have fixed the issue now, so we should be back in business. I hope this didn't interfere with your cooking schedules.  Smooches & Love Ya Lots!!! ;D

Dessert Week

Oreo Cake

I’m SUPER excited about this week because it’s DESSERT WEEK on A Taste of Heaven. This whole week will be dedicated to your sweet tooth. I have a special guest that I would like to introduce. She is a young lady that has a passion for making cakes and her name is Porscha. I met her through a dear friend of mine, and I want everyone to show her love and support. Every dessert posted this week will be available for purchase through Sweet P’s Homemade Cakes & Things. I hope you don’t get any cavities from all this sweetness. ;D

FYI: Sweet P's Homemade Cakes & Things

        Email: SweetP2389@Gmail.com  

        Instagram: @cupcakeyp

Feature of the Week: Oct: 11-17

A Taste of Heaven would not exist if it were not for the audience, so I want to show my appreciation by dedicating Thursdays to the fans. If you eat or make a dish of your own and its camera ready, then you can email me your photos. I will review and post them on Thursday.  It’s important to remember presentation, style, and taste. I look forward to seeing your Taste of Heaven.

FYI: Email Pictures...

Description: Whenever I travel to certain places, I look forward to certain dishes. For example, Philly cheese steaks in Philly, crab cakes in Maryland, lobster in Boston, and crawfish in New Orleans. However, when I went to New Orleans in July, crawfish was not in season; I was NOT a happy camper. I was looking forward to the Cajun spices running through my body. This taste of heaven is crawfish with fresh lemon and melted butter. When I saw this feature on Instagram, I was jealous because I haven’t had crawfish since Mardi Gras. I love this feature, but I silently hate it. Thanks a lot Kenya!

Mr. Exclusive

It’s been a long week, and you’re dying for a break. Well, I have the perfect solution. Every Wednesday I will offer a drink to the viewers for “Whine Down Wednesdays.” You don’t have to wait until the weekend arrives to enjoy a great drink. Take a break and have a sip of A Taste of Heaven.  

If I’m not drinking Hennessey V.S, then my second choice is Rémy Martin V.S.O.P. I’m usually quick to mix my brown with Coke, but the Rémy Martin V.S.O.P is exclusive by itself. After buying a bottle, I chill it in the freezer, and then I sip it slow with light ice. I use light ice to keep the fine champagne cognac at its best. Rémy Martin V.S.O.P is a favorite to many, but only the "Ole G’s" can handle it. ;D

FYI: Rémy Martin

FOOD TIP: Eaux-de-vie (waters-of-life) are what give a cognac its distinctive, signature aromatic intensity and flavor.

Let It Marinate

Grilling chicken is NOT an easy task because the meat wants to dry up and the outside wants to cook quicker than the inside. The best thing to do when grilling chicken is to marinate the meat overnight and to base it while cooking. From my experience, covering the chicken helps the outside from burning and it makes the chicken tender as well. This taste of heaven is called Grilled Jamaican Jerk Chicken. The chicken is marinated with mild jerk seasonings and then grilled to perfection. On the side, we have mango pineapple salsa, steamed broccoli, and yellow rice. If I were to describe this chicken in one word, it would be JUICCCCCCCY. I’m a strong lover of white meat, so for a chicken breast to be this juicy was a PLUS.

FYI: Bahama Breeze

FOOD TIP: Marinate your meats to make them tender, juicy, and flavorful.

Please Don't Disturb

I felt like the best way to come back from a commercial break, was to introduce the Seafood Gumbo. Once I saw gumbo on the menu, I knew I was ordering a cup to start off my lunch. This taste of heaven consists of prawns, sea scallops, roasted shallots, spices, peppers, and lobster broth. Every time I eat gumbo, it feels comforting to my soul. I love how the juices are soaked up by the white rice and the spices wake up your taste buds. After I took the first bite, I was in gumbo heaven. The waiter came over to check on the table, and I was in another world. Please don’t disturb me.

FYI: Buckhead Bottle Bar & Bistro

FOOD TIP: Lobster broth can be made from the leftover shells and body of a lobster.

Lobster & Chocolate

I had the pleasure of meeting and interviewing Chef Jason Ellis. For those who don’t know, Chef Ellis is well known for being a contestant on the hit television show “Hell’s Kitchen.” Currently, he is the Executive Chef at Buckhead Bottle Bar & Bistro and the founder of Lobster & Chocolate Affairs. I ventured to Buckhead Bottle Bar & Bistro for lunch and I had a BLAST. This taste of heaven is Lobster & Chocolate. Its golden fried won tons topped with chucks of succulent lobster and white chocolate cream. Can it get any better than this? Chef Ellis combines two of my favorite foods and creates a masterpiece for my taste buds. My favorite part about this dish was that it was BEYOND spontaneous. I would have never thought to pair lobster and chocolate together. Chef Ellis is NOT afraid of taking risks in the kitchen, and this makes him stand out in my book. I have more great dishes coming from Chef Ellis in the future, so don’t go too far during the commercial break.

FYI: Buckhead Bottle Bar & Bistro

FOOD TIP: Chef Jason Ellis started his culinary training in Berlin, Germany.

Shish Kabobs

I have to admit I was showing out when I made this dish. Whenever I cook for someone for the first time, I always pull a few tricks out the bag. On this particular night, I was making a seafood feast and I wanted to incorporate shish kabobs as my side item. I had three skewers of veggies kabobs with mushrooms, zucchini, yellow squash, and red onion. I didn’t want to just grill them because that’s BORING, so I splashed them with sweet eel sauce and butter. While the veggie kabobs were caramelizing, I catered to the Cajun crab boil I had brewing on the stove. Shhhh…once the veggie bobs were done, I stole a mushroom off the end. ;D

FYI: Further Details...

FOOD TIP: Shish kabobs pair well over a bed of rice.

Feature of the Week: Oct. 4-10

A Taste of Heaven would not exist if it were not for the audience, so I want to show my appreciation by dedicating Thursdays to the fans. If you eat or make a dish of your own and its camera ready, then you can email me your photos. I will review and post them on Thursday.  It’s important to remember presentation, style, and taste. I look forward to seeing your Taste of Heaven.

FYI: Email Pictures...

Description: I was scrolling through Instagram and this feature caught my eye. This taste of heaven is chicken quesadillas. Its grilled tortillas stuffed with tender chicken and melted cheese. The Mexican classic is cut into triangular pieces and served with sour cream, guacamole, pico de gallo, and lettuce. Chicken quesadillas are one of my favorite appetizers to order while dining out. It’s easy to throw together and it goes great with Patron margaritas. Once you add a “Whine Down” drink to the equation, your set. Two Thumbs Up Kia!!!

Can I Get A Refill?

It’s been a long week, and you’re dying for a break. Well, I have the perfect solution. Every Wednesday I will offer a drink to the viewers for “Whine Down Wednesdays.” You don’t have to wait until the weekend arrives to enjoy a great drink. Take a break and have a sip of A Taste of Heaven.  

A Caribbean dish is incomplete without an alcoholic beverage, so I complimented my island dish with a pineapple margarita. The cool milky mixture taste like I was drinking it straight from an actual pineapple. In my opinion, the best drinks are not overpowered by the taste of the alcohol. I hate taking a sip of a drink that makes my face squinch up from the alcoholic taste. The best drinks are blended nicely and they silently creep up on you. This pineapple margarita had it going on because after finishing one, I was asking my waitress, “Can I get a refill?”

FYI: Chef Rob's Caribbean Cafe

FOOD TIP: Pineapples affect the taste of vaginal fluids.

Gouda

Before you turn your nose up, let me plead my case. I offer dishes from different walks of life, and I don’t discriminate against any type of food. I believe that everyone should broaden their horizons when it comes to eating. Once you explore the food world, you will understand where I’m coming from. This taste of heaven is Gouda cheese with sourdough bread. The combination is simplistic; however, it’s delicious with a glass of wine. First, you toast the sourdough bread, and then you slice the Gouda cheese to pair with bread. The Dutch cheese is smooth with every bite and it softens once it touches the warm bread. I enjoy Gouda and sourdough bread for a midday snack or for a late night treat with wine. It’s a light choice that’s not too filling.

FYI: Trader Joe's

FOOD TIP: Gouda is originally from Holland.