Gourmet Ice Cream Social Featuring Graeter’s Ice Cream

A few weeks back, I wanted to celebrate the start of spring by throwing an adequate sized ice cream social.  Since I only wanted to invite friends who were professionals in the D.C/ MD/ VA area, I only wanted to serve them the best ice cream I could possibly find. I nixed the idea of driving to any grocery store since no grocers in the area serves tasty, gourmet ice cream.

 So, I decided to order a few pints of Graeters (and I accidentally got everyone addicted to it. My guests wanted to drive to Giant to buy some pints to take home after they tried  12 flavors. I didn’t have enough pints for them to take home since there are no Maryland stores that carry Graeters).

Anyways, I presented my friends and their guests 12 flavors ranging from peanut butter, coconut, butter pecan, vanilla with chocolate chunks all the way down to Graeter’s creme of the crop, their black raspberry chip.

I was quite shocked that my guests finished all of my ice cream. It brightened my day yet saddened me at the same time. Since I wanted to eat some of that ice cream for myself, but as I said before, I accidentally got everyone addicted to Graeters.

They were so addicted to it that they complained, moaned and whined at me for not getting anymore for them.  It was also amusing to see grown men (engineers, political liasons, social workers, freelance journalists and lawyers)  cry over empty ice cream cartons but I think that’s just me.  I think when you get older, your tastes get more refined and you expect to eat something more than palatable. You expect high quality. And if you have the cash to splurge on it, I am sure you will since everyone has a guilty pleasure they don’t mind shelling a bit of extra cash on.

Certified Graeters Addicts:

  “Words can’t describe Graeters to me. I can simply say that I love it and i’m really glad that I had this ice cream party at my house. It was a great way to bring everyone together and to try out some wonderful gourmet ice cream.”- Dennis Tran, Electrical Engineer, Silver Spring.

” It was quite nostalgic for me to see Graeters. Growing up, I visited my Dad’s side of the family in Ohio and we always made it a task to eat it every time we visited the area. I really love their butter pecan and  their peanut butter flavor. I hope to see it more often in Maryland.”- Tristan Lohman, Computer Software Engineer, Silver Spring.

 

“Graeters is so good, that I licked the rest of it from my bowl. I like all the flavors, especially the black raspberry chip. Graeters is so good, that I quit eating ’31′ flavors and rather stick to this stuff.”- Jason Coleman, Systems Engineer, Temple Hills

                                                                                                        

“Ive never been a big fan of ice cream but i’m a huge fan of this. My favorite flavor is peanut butter. I would rate the new coconut flavor as my second favorite.”- Hao Deng, Computer Software Engineer, Georgetown (D.C).

         

“If they sold Graeters in Maryland, I would buy it. This is really good, I really enjoyed it. I really liked the coconut, it’s smooth, velvety and nice.” Steve Brown, Lawyer, Silver Spring.

” I choose vanilla! This is the smoothest ice cream i’ve ever had and it’s way better than Bassett’s or Giffords.” Evan Bernfield, liason to Delegate Susan Lee, Bethesda.

” I really enjoy the cookie dough. This brand of cookie dough beats Turkey Hill, and i’ve been eating it for years. Graeters is surely spoiling my dinner.” James Zipadelli, Freelance Journalist in D.C area, Takoma Park. ( Picture was misplaced, but check out his website.)

“I love the candy and chocolate pieces that’s mixed with the ice cream. Black raspberry chip is a good flavor, I had no idea it would taste so distinctive. It’s definitely one of my favorites now. It’s surely the creamiest.” Brent Beane, neighborhood coordinater, Takoma Park, (who was recently featured in the white house’s website for Peace Corp).

The gourmet foodies got so riled up with eating all of this ice cream that they decided to get creative. They invented this really yummy Mango drink that was based on Graeter’s Coconut ice cream.

Graeter’s Mango Nut Smoothie

• 1/2 cup of ice
• 5 shots of vodka ( or more or less)
• 1 whole mango cut into slices
• 1 cup of mango pulp
• 1 pint of Graeters Coconut Ice Cream

Add all of these ingredients in a blender and  blend it. After you notice that the mixture has been blended enough serve to friends. ( Serves up to 3-5 people).

I’m hoping to have more ice cream socials in the future but I don’t think an ice cream social is ever complete without Graeters ice cream.

Advice from Laotian American art prodigy

 

Art can be defined to any novice artist as learning how to paint, draw or sculpt.

Yet to an artist of Henley Bounkhong’s nature, art means unleashing ones’ imagination into an open canvass and not letting people, insecurities or perfectionism stop him from being who he is. A free spirit.

Bounkhong has been drawing since he was 3-years-old.  It all started when…Read the rest of my Examiner article here.

My first ghost siting at Salem Massachussetts

I spent Easter weekend in Boston Massachussetts and, ofcourse, had a wonderful time. Boston is the “it” place to sight-see, meet wonderful people and to uncover the unknown. Unbeknowest to myself, did I also plan on visiting Cambridge, nonetheless, Salem, of all places. 

 I’ve read books, watched movies and heard stories about these “witches” who were brought to trial and and who were murdered just because hords of people assumed they had devilish powers.

I don’t necessarily believe or not believe in ghosts. I’m simply open into believing that anything is possible.  I went to the famous cemetary where those dastardly witches were burried, along with other notable locals from that area. It was pitch black and no one else was sauntering around the cemetary. 

 You can be the judge of what I saw but all I know is that I, personally, am speechless over those white orbs orbiting around the background of the picture and unsure where that brown swirly fog came from.

I mean, it wasn’t foggy that day…

Cook,Crack and Eat:Phillips Seafood Clam Bake Class

 April 16 was a day that deluged me in murky Baltimore rain. And the day where my taste buds were succumbed to piquant clams, lobsters and crabs that were confined affectionately in a silver pot at Phillips Seafood by the harbor. My friend Hira and I attended Phillips Seafood Cook, Crack and Eat  Clam Bake Class, held monthly by the restaurant, and were surprised at the simple elegance of the class. 

We both walked in, with matted hair, and sticky clothes thanks to the rain; but after a full hour, we forgot about our appearance and were, instead, engulfed with a breadth of knowledge on quality seafood, imported foods and on addictive appetizers– only Philips Seafood has.

Our class was taught by a veteran chef who has worked for Philips since 1998 and who masterfully knows how to handle his ingredients. In between being  served soft but tart Crab Dip, robust Salt & Pepper Calamaris, and rich Crab Stuffed Mushroom Cap appetizers; we were served fine red and white wines that paired well with certain seafood items.  For an hour-long cooking class, we did learn alot:

Phillips Seafood Clam Bake Tidbits                 

• When you cook lobster, make sure it’s lively.
• Best snow crabs come from New Finland.
• When you purchase shellfish, make sure all scales are intact and it doesn’t smell fishy.
• When you make your clam bake, try to add white corn, lemon, parsley and  red potatoes.
• White wine always compliments seafood dishes. So make sure you have plenty of it for your own clambake. 

Besides learning more about fresh seafood, this was a great opportunity to network with fellow seafood addicts in a refreshing atmosphere free of boisterous noise, loud music and tight space to move around. Though the clam bake is for two people, there’s truly enough for four.  If you want to learn more about Phillips Seafood’s Cook, Crack and Eat Clam bake class  please visit them at: 

 Phillips Seafood

301 Light Street
Baltimore, MD 21202
(410) 685-6600
                                                           

Miss D.C USA 2011 Heather Swann’s pageant advice

Considerate, passionate and compassionate are simply  a few characteristics that this years’ Miss D.C USA pageant winner, Heather Swann beholds. She’s also funny, confident and has a warm personality. People who have met her are easily enamored by her aura and glow.

Before moving to Washington, DC, she placed  top 17 for Miss Maryland USA in 2009 and received the swimsuit award in Miss Maryland USA 2010. By always maintaining her confidence and positive outlook, Swann was able to.. Read the rest of my newest  Examiner article  here.

Advice from Dennis Tran, love guru for DMV engineers

Finding the right woman in the D. C suburban area is not the easiest for engineers, especially for ones who haven’t developed the best social skills to talk their way into a special woman’s heart.

Several engineers (as well as several professionals in different fields in the area) have devoted several years of their life into undergrad, graduate school and into their careers without even taking ample time for themselves to learn the ins’ and outs’ of women, overcoming shyness, and without taking personal time for themselves to enhance their best traits.

Online dating websites like OkCupid and Plenty of Fish help shy men to an extent, but fail…. Read the rest of my newest Examiner article here.