World Nutella Day, Musings, and my wish list

World Nutella Day is coming. Problem is - I work on the actual day - Feb 5. I can do a recipe the day after or before. And here is the thing, *ducks from impending throwing objects* I have never had Nutella. When I was little, I lived in Germany. Hazelnut was everywhere. Mum got burned out on it, I didn't really have a palette for it. I steered clear for years. Now, I don't mind hazelnut anymore (kinda like how I couldn't have mango for a while after coming home from Costa Rica - love em can't get enough now!).

So I will ponder and search for recipes (maybe some brownies and take them to Dave's on Thursday...) and move along to other new things.

Whilst watching Tony Bourdain's Brittany episode (god I want to go to Brittany, long before I saw Tony there... delish sweets and SEAFOOD) he was talking all about the salted butter.  The Bretons seem to have an almost Paula Dean-like obsession with the stuff.  The Bretons do a salted butter caramel.  I love caramel.  I love salted caramel.  Butter caramel - also good.  But all three?!  A holy trifecta in my mouth.  I have been Googling and searching on Etsy.  I finally found some imported caramels from Brittany on Amazon.  (not so shameless hint - the birthday is coming up!)  I MUST try these!

Another tasty looking Euro treat I HAVE to try?  Speculoos (or is speculaas?  I have seen both!).  It's a tasty Belgian spread, and supposedly tastes a bit like graham crackers, slightly gingery.  Whatever it is I must have it in my pantry.  Wiki says...

This is aparently great on Belgian waffles, there are cookies made from it.  I even found a cupcake recipe (LOVE CUPCAKES!!) - chocolate cupcakes with a speculoos ooey gooey filling.  Yup, a must have.

I am still hoping for my traditional birthday cake - KING CAKE.  Straight from Naw'lins.  Haydel's Bakery has been the go to for us for this tradition.  No one beats them on this, IMO.  You can even choose cream cheese flavor!  NOM.  I recommend the strawberry.  And slightly warm.  Awesome with your morning coffee.