I adore mini desserts these days and my guests appreciate them too.

I also love combining chocolate with fruit!!

So when I was introduced to Second Cup Coffee Co.’s New Hot Chocolate Cookie, all I could think of is how divine it would be to incorporate this cookie into a particular dessert that I’ve made before.

The previous dessert called for “graham cracker crumbs” and to be honest, it’s not something I have in my pantry all the time. (er…never). However I know that every day I pass a Second Cup and can easily pick up their new Hot Chocolate Cookie.

I won’t keep you waiting for the recipe much longer. Here you go!

STUFFED STRAWBERY CHEESECAKES BITES

Ingredients:

12 strawberries

1/3 cup of soft cream cheese ( a little goes a long way)

1 tsp of vanilla

1/2 of a Second Cup Coffee Co’s Hot Chocolate Cookie

Instructions:

1. Using a sharp knife, dig a cavity into the top of the strawberry

2. Using the same knife, also take the bottom off so the strawberry stands up nice and pretty

3. Mix the cream cheese and vanilla with a fork

4. Break up half of a Second Cup Coffee Co’s Hot Chocolate Cookie (feel free to just eat the remaining half.  Yum!)

4. Carefully spoon the cream cheese mixture into the cavity of the strawberry.

5. Sprinkle the top of the strawberries with the crushed up pieces of the Hot Chocolate Cookie!

6. Serve or refrigerate till ready to serve.

FINAL RESULT

I hope you get a chance to head to Second Cup and try this Hot Chocolate Cookie one day soon. You won’t be disappointed.

 

Second Cup is super interested to know what you think of their new favourite cookie, so Taste It and Rate It for a chance to WIN 1 of 5 $50 Second Cup gift cards! Click on their Facebook page to learn more about #TasteItandRateIt

But before I finish this blog post I want share with you details about a FREE skating event that Second Cup is hosting, with the help of one of this country’s iconic figure skaters, Elvis Stojko. The skating party will take place on Saturday Feb 20th and begins at 10:00 a.m. at Harbourfront Centre’s Natrel Rink and will feature free skate rentals*, free on-site skating lessons for beginners**, FREE Second Cup Coffee Co. Hot Chocolate* and FREE samples of the new, delicious Second Cup Coffee Co. Hot Chocolate Cookie*.

Please click here to find out more details about this fun event.

P.S. Everyone is welcome!!

For more information:

Website: www.secondcup.com

Twitter and Instagram: @secondcupcanda

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SecondCup/

Hashtag: #TasteItRateIt or #SCCookie

Disclosure: I’ve been compensated for this blog post however all opinions are my own.

 

The Cantina by Campbell’s is a pop-up restaurant that recently opened at 501 Queen West and will be serving delicious soups created by Rock Lobster Food Co’s Chef Matt Dean Pettit.

There will be four delicious soups designed by Chef Matt Dean Pettit, and trust me all four were DEE-LICIOUS. I wish I could tell you my favourite soup but I loved all four of them equally. I sampled: spicy vegetarian ramen, roasted beer can cream of chicken, creamy tomato black bean taco soup and a thai chicken & rice khao so (curry). Recipes for all four soups can be found here.

The Cantina by Campbell’s will offer complimentary walk-in lunch and dinnertime soup tasting options. Fact: lately I’ve become a fan of these broths due to the rising cost of celery, parsnips, carrots and other veggies that I usually put in my vegetable stock.

I’ve also become a fan of the Campbell’s Soup Kits as they provide a head start to homemade soup. As you know, I lead a pretty busy life so I don’t mind a little help once in a while and these kits will certainly come in handy!

 

Campbell’s has truly provided customers with a unique experience and something tells me The Cantina By Campbell’s will be a hit. P.S. This pop up restaurant is FREE.

For more information:

Where:  Cantina By Campbell’s – 501 Queen St. West
When: Tuesday, February 2nd – Sunday, February 21st

Hours: Monday – Friday 11 a.m. – 8 p.m., Saturday and Sunday 11 a.m. – 7 p.m.

Twitter; @CampbellsCanada

Hashtag: #WeAllSoupTO

I had the opportunity to visit the PC Insiders Collection Boutique last week, which is located at 363 King St. W (at the corner of Blue Jays Way and King St. W).  I had been following the hashtag #PCInsidersBoutique on Instagram so I had an idea what I was visiting but it was SO much better to experience it.

Here’s 5 Reasons You Should Visit the PC Insiders Boutique:

1. There are 4 rooms and one room is nicer than the other.  I actually heard that they’ve been decorating the space since August. There’s 4 rooms in total with a theme of Dine, Brunch, Mingle and Gift.

This “Gift” Room put a smile on my face in a nano-second.

2. You will be treated to yummy samples.  Specifically you will sample the PC® Insiders Collection™ line of products!!

The Boutique features more than 70 new and innovative products that have been launched for the holiday season.  Here’s an example of some of the treats you will sample:

Black Forest Stuffed French Toast made with PC® The Decadent® Chocolate Cherry Loaf and the indulgent PC® Poutine Pie, along with new treats like PC® Speculoos Cookie Butter. You won’t be left disappointed.

3. It’s FREE. #sweet

4. It’s a fun activity to put you in the mood for the holidays.

5. You will go home with a gift!!

So head on over to 363 King St. W (corner of King St. W and Blue Jays Way) to experience the PC® Insiders Collection™ line of products in person at the President’s Choice® Insiders Collection™ Boutique. Please note that the Boutique closes on Dec 18th. So Hurry!!

For more information:

Website: www.pc.ca, www.loblaws.ca

Facebook: President’s Choice

Twitter & Instagram: @PresChoice #PCInsidersCollection

Back for a second year, the TO Food Fest brings together top foodie-reviewed restaurants and local hidden gems into one exciting event. I thought I was going to have to miss it but MY FLIGHT GOT DELAYED which meant that I was able to go!! WOOT

Why do I like this event so much?

a) It’s a small event

b) It’s both indoors AND outdoors

c) There is NO entrance free

d) It’s a local community event. Specifically, it takes place at the Chinese Cultural Centre of Greater Toronto

e) There’s plenty of volunteers

f) The food vendors are a nice combo of established and aspiring chefs

g) The committee does an amazing job at reaching out to food bloggers that they discover on Yelp, Urbanspoon, Twitter etc.

Now let’s talk about what I ate, shall we?

I swear three bloggers and three forks enjoyed the FRIED CREPE from nom nom crepes.

There was no shortage of food to enjoy: Moussaka Sliders from Kafologas, Volcanic Ice Cream, and yummy street food from Babiandco!

I personally loved this one dish from Capcapkecapi and will be looking for them at the CNE. Sorry there’s no photo but I did take a picture of the sign!! I DEVOURED item #1.

Congratulations to everyone who worked on this event. Looking forward to your event in 2014 already!

For updates throughout the year, please follow them on Twitter (@TOFoodFest) or Facebook.