Shredded Taco Beef and Bouillabaisse

What's cooking in the kitchen this week? 

Well, shredded taco beef to make the best shredded bean and cheese burritos I have ever had. Basically I made something like this- but better. I grew up on the Jose Ole and will still occasionally pick one or two up when I need something quick and easy.

Basically I used the recipe from Budget Bytes.  I mainly followed the recipe....and then added a jar of salsa and homemade cheese sauce to make the filling. The cheese sauce was just some milk, butter, and cubes of cheese blended in the Vitamix until it was warmed and then cooked into the beef in the slow cooker. Then I just filled the burritos and warmed them up before eating. I intended to make a ton- but somehow I only make five. I didn't make the full amount of meat per the original recipe because I don't really have the freezer room right now. I'm doing a freezer clean out now in between new recipes. 

Served with  steamed Brussel Sprouts (trying to get them out the freezer) 

Then...bouillabaisse. This recipe came from the Unofficial Harry Potter cookbook. It was made for the Beauxbatons. 

I watched a video on the traditional sea food soup and I already know mine won't measure up. I would love to try a bowl of the authentic stuff. But really I just did what I could with what I had. And it did make a nice dinner. I used real lobster (first time making it, only used a small amount cause the price!)  imitation crab, a tin of smoked oysters (was supposed to be clams but I forgot and grabbed the wrong thing), and some shrimp. I think you can really use any seafood you have access to. I toasted some bread, added butter and served. 

And that's all for this week...not a bad week. Made some really hearty stuff. I'm hoping next week is nice and simple- I think I am wearing myself out and may need to recharge my cooking "battery". 

Element Brooklyn Wild Pear Hand Soap Review

I definitely have been meaning to get this post up- basically all week. Also been trying to catch up on sleep most of the week and failing at that too. I did fall asleep really early last night- but then I woke up and basically did nothing productive because I was trying to get back to sleep. 

Anyway, I like to splurge on a nice hand soap every once in awhile. I don't remember where I first heard of this brand but they make dupes of luxury brands like Byredo, Jo Malone, Aesop, etc. I haven't tried much from those brands but I have tried enough to know that I don't think this is a very good dupe.

Element Brooklyn claims: 

Still home to wild pear trees, southern England’s woodlands inspire this sensuous soap. Delicate notes of pear, bergamot, and lily of the valley are balanced by soft whispers of musk. Rouses the senses and imparts a sure-footed sophistication.

Made in New York 

I don't come across a lot of pear scented things- so I was intrigued by this. Ultimately it's supposed to be a dupe for Byredo Suede. Which I don't think I'll be trying out anytime in the next few years so I won't be able to tell you if this is truly a dupe. 

But I don't think it is. To me it reminds me of the generic dupes that you can get sometimes at Aldi/Lidl. It seems to be the exact same quality as those. It has the "cheap" hand soap scent to it. It really doesn't smell anywhere near the value of what it costs. I would think this package should cost $10.00 or less.

It doesn't smell like any pear I've ever smelled. Pear Where? Not here. Also claims notes of bergamot, lily of the valley and musk. It mostly just gives generic and forgettable. It does stick to the hands for awhile tho.

I'm not impressed. I think it's massively overpriced.

You do get a lot though. And it lathers ok and rinses clean. It doesn't dry out my hands. It does what any hand soap does. 

One thing that I do like about this brand is that it saves on plastic. It says that it is certified plastic negative- in a world where we are surrounded by plastic and producing so much plastic waste...that's good to see.  I have various hand soap bottles that I have saved through the years so I just used this as a refill for those. Currently using this in an old Aesop bottle. 

The ingredients seem,,,basic. It does have Petitgrain, Orange, and Cypress essential oils. I always love seeing those. I wonder if the Byredo soap has them but I'm a little too lazy to look it up.

Ingredients:

Water, Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Cocamide MIPA, Glycerin, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Coco Glucoside, Glyceryl Oleate, Fragrance, Sodium Chloride, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Citric Acid, Petitgrain Oil, Orange Oil, Cypress Oil, Yellow 6

Overall, I'm not a fan. I am still curious about the candles and other dupes but I have a feeling they won't measure up.  I might still give the brand another go anyway. Mainly I'm not a big fan of brands that "dupe" other brands but in this economy......

Caswell- Massey Almond Soap Review

There is always a bar of soap somewhere for me to review...I think out of everything it's the only thing I review consistently. There's nothing more I love than unwrapping and trying out a new bar. Or a new brand. This brand has been one I have wanted to try for a while. I have gifted a set of the soaps before..but this is my first time trying them myself.

The most intriguing  thing to me about this brand is the age of the brand. It's been around since the 1700's. A very long time. And it's claimed to have been used by past president. This particular one is supposed to be favorite of Eisenhower. Supposedly during his presidency the White House was stocked with this soap. Interesting. 

So that means this bar has been around since at least the 50's. 

Caswell Massey claims:

Experience the comforting indulgence of our iconic Almond Bar Soap, beloved for generations. Crafted with a warm, gourmand fragrance that layers almond, soft cherry, and a whisper of salted warmth, this triple-milled bar offers a rich, creamy lather that gently cleanses while replenishing moisture. Made with natural botanicals and plant-based ingredients, it leaves skin feeling nourished and lightly perfumed. A symbol of everyday luxury, our best-selling Almond Soap transforms the simple act of bathing into a ritual of refinement.

5.8 ounces

Made in the USA

Almond scents are a dime a dozen. I've used many Almond scented bars. Most of them are more or less the same. As is this one. It smells like Almond extract. Which is pleasant enough but not my favorite and not very memorable. You can get the same scent in a cheaper form from a brand like Dr. Bronner or even one of the many bars they sell at TJ MAXX.

The scent was probably mre unique back in the 50's. 

The scent is also on the lighter side. So if you like scents that aren't overpowering or just light...and you like almond extract scented soaps you might like this.

The soap itself is a larger bar that tends to melt down quickly. But you only need a little to get a lot of rich, thick, bubbly lather. I tend to overdo it. It doesn't dry my skin-but my skin looks ashy/dry. I need lotion to come back to an acceptable color. 

The soap itself is nice..oval shaped and feels very soft. It does look pretty lux. 

Comes packaged in a boring cardboard box though...easily recyclable. And it also comes wrapped in tissue paper. Packaging is alright. 

It's been around so long I wonder how close it is to the what they originally came out with. Have they changed in the ingredients or scent over the years? I wish I knew.

Ingredients:

Sodium Palmate, Sodium Cocoate, Water (Aqua, Eau), Glycerin, Benzaldehyde, CI 77891, Sodium Chloride, Sodium Trideceth Sulfate, Sodium Lauroamphoacetate, Cocamide MEA, Sodium Borate, Stearic Acid, Pentasodium Pentetate, Tetrasodium Etidronate,

It's a decent almond soap. Personally I would not buy it again...but I will try some of the other scents at some point. 

Williams Sonoma Bridgerton Scented Candle Review

 I had a super amazing weekend and awesome weekend. TBH I'm a little sad that it's over. 

 Now it's Monday..and back to regularly scheduled hustle and grind. Except I am off tomorrow so that's nice. 

I've mentioned Bridgerton many times- I might be a little obsessed with the show. It's one I can watch on repeat though I try not to.  I usually steer clear of wanting collabs- usually it's just an IP cashing in and you end up with low quality items. But I wanted this. And my sister got it for me.

Yay! 

Except the quality of the candle is just not there. TBH I could barely smell anything the entire time I was burning it. I had a fear that might happen...and it just so happens I was right. 

The scented notes are supposed to be Wildflower Honey and Mandarin. Very Bridgerton sounding notes.

I guess at least the ceramic vessel is gorgeous. I will keep it forever. Might even refill with my own wax. or just use it as a candy jar. Or for something else when I feel like setting a cute but eclectic table. 

I'm happy I got the itch for a Bridgerton collab met...and I'm glad to have the jar. But they need to go back to the drawing board on the candle scent. 

Vitamix Macaroni and Cheese, Salmon with Fresh Mango in Pepper Jelly, and Brussel Sprouts in Béchamel Sauce

 I have quite a bit of food to post...so here goes! 

First up- Mac N Cheese. I rarely make mac n cheese. I love it! But I just feel it's so bad for you. Good for special occasions though. I have my own way of making it- I like adding wine. Lots of different cheeses. And I make a cheese beschamel basically in a double broiler. This was easier. But not better than my usual. I didn't follow the recipe exactly though...I mixed of the cheese because I'm not a fan of American Cheese. I used Cheddar, Gouda, and Mozzarella. And I also used more cheese than the original recipe calls for. Because that wasn't enough cheese. It was super easy because you basically heat the cheese sauce in the blend. Don't have to shred anything. Just cube it. I'll keep it in mind for when I need a quick cheese sauce. But probably won't be my go to method for mac n cheese. 

Not great pics...it happens! 

Next up...Brussel Sprouts. This recipe came from the Harry Potter cookbook. Unofficial. I think this is the 3rd Brussel Sprouts recipe. I don't love Brussel Sprouts- but these were actually good. Of course you are adding a buttery sauce... how can it not be good?  Served with rice and honey garlic chicken.

 Yet another terrible picture....

And last but not least- I skipped around because I saw this coming up and I had two ripe mangos. I didn't have pepper jelly but I did buy Elderflower Jelly a few weeks back- which is really good! I decided to spike it with some hot sauce and call it pepper jelly. Then I jut cooked up some Salmon. Added the pepper jelly with mango and threw it one some of salad. And dinner was served. I really liked this! I'll have to do it again...

And that's all! All my ugly pictures of food I made this week. Most of it was good tho so it's OK.

The Temptations

 

Who doesn't love the Temptations? I feel like The Temptations are the first oldie group that I had heard about. They are probably one of the most well known and important groups of Motown. 

We are about to to be here quite awhile as I post all my faves. There are a lot.

Where to start?

I think we will start with Papa Was a Rolling Stone. This song literally turns the subject of absent fathers into a most entertaining and catchy song. Complete with dance moves and a funky groove. They sound out of sight! 

I can't find a live clip of this one- it seems to fly under the radar. This song is HOT! 

Hey Girl I Like Your Style is my perfect song for cruising on a nice sunny day. You can't not feel good listening to this one. Beautiful! 

Ain't Too Proud to Beg is probably my top two Temptation. If I could be in the crowd I would be screaming and fainting with joy all over the place. I need time machine.

Get Ready will get the party started. 

A little random but we are gonna throw some Christmas songs in the mix. Because Temptations are necessary to my Christmas playlist. I can't have Christmas without it.

Everything for Christmas is another Christmas classic. One of my faves! 

I love this song, love this clip!  Everybody looks like they are having a grand time.

Classic Temptations here...

I was hoping to find a live clip of this one too..no luck. Such a shame! 

And my favorite Temptation song of all time- Just My Imagination. It was love at first listen as a kid. 

And now we are briefly taking it back to Christmas. They have two Christmas albums and thank goodness! I love this one....

And here we have the most compelling telling of Rudolph I have ever heard in a song.  

And then the definitive Silent Night. At least for me. The only one that comes close- Boyz II Men.

Ah, my third favorite temptation song. Or second favorite. I could listen to this on repeat. Or maybe it's Number One. IDK. It's one of my favorites though!

We are getting close to the ends (sadly). This is a bop too. I tend to love songs about rain. I could probably make a rain playlist. I probably should.

And last but not least...

As far as I'm concerned one of the best groups of all time. There will never be another group that is quite the same. Especially not the way music is going these days....

I should go watch The Temptations movie- somehow I have never actually seen it....