National Food Day: Chili Caramel Popcorn!

Well, it's that special time of year again: NATIONAL FOOD DAY!

In celebration of this holiday, we make Chili Caramel Popcorn. It's real yum. And real fun. Watch on!



Convinced that this chili caramel popcorn is the most scrumptious, sticky, spicy, sweet, snack ever? Well then go ahead and make some for yourself already!

Chili Caramel Popcorn
makes 4 cups

-1 cup sugar
-3 tablespoons butter
-1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
-dash salt
-4 cups prepared popcorn

1. Heat a thick, sturdy saucepan over medium heat. Add sugar and whisk continuously until sugar becomes liquified and light golden brown, about 5 minutes. Be careful as melted sugar is extremely hot. Remove from heat when ready.

2. Add butter, cayenne and salt to the melted sugar and whisk until butter is melted and incorporated, and the sauce is thick and creamy, and luscious.

3. Place popcorn in a large serving bowl. Using your whisk, drizzle caramel onto popcorn and mix popcorn with a spoon to incorporate. Serve at once, or store in an airtight container for a few days. 

The 2012 Wine Olympic Games: We Try Every Variety of Trader Joe's Two Buck Chuck

It wouldn't be an Olympic season without a little fun from your friends at Dorm Room Dinner, right?

Well I teamed up with my friend Molly in an Olympic challenge sure to be the highlight of this year's games. You'll be cheering, crying and shouting "U-S-A! U-S-A!" the whole way through. Probably.

We try our way through all the varieties of Trader Joe's Two Buck Chuck discount wine. There's a medal ceremony and all. Edible medals, of course. Enjoy!



What variety of Two Buck Chuck do you sip while enjoying the 2012 Olympic Games? 

Cinco de Mayonnaise: 5 Unexpected Recipes Using Mayo

Happy Cinco de Mayonnaise everyone! Check out the video below for 5 quick and ... quirky ... recipes using one of my favorite ingredients. Quirky might be an understatement. Watch below to find out what happens!

Fireside Sandwich Chats: Turkey and Cheese

We're back with the second installment of Fireside Sandwich Chats! It's where we discuss, (re)make, and eat... SANDWICHES! By a fireplace. With a bow tie.

This week we reinvent the turkey and cheese sandwich with something a little weird, a little wacky, and ultimately more than a little tasty (which is to say: very tasty): a roasted turkey and blue cheese sandwich with strawberry preserves. Also, if you're interested in seeing me fail at tying bow tie, this is your chance.

Thanks for watching and tune in next time, y'all!

Recipe below.

Fireside Sandwich Chats: Chicken Salad Sandwich

Hi Guys!

Welcome to my new video series, Fireside Sandwich Chats. It's where we discuss, make, and eat ... drum roll please ... SANDWICHES! Every episode we take an old, boring sandwich and make it into something spectacular. By a fireplace. With a bow tie.

Check out the first video: chicken salad sandwiches. We recreate the classic with a Chicken Salad Sandwich with Lemon, Capers and Herbs (recipe after the jump)!

All in all, we ended up with one tasty chicken salad sandwich! We prove that with a little determination, some mayonnaise and a healthy American spirit, you can recreate just about any sandwich. Now it's your turn to head to the kitchen and whip up your own creation!

Video: A Cupcake Conundrum

I haven't been the biggest fan of cupcakes lately. After some cupcake therapy, I ask your help to become a  happy member of the cupcake community. Watch below to see what happens!



Got a recipe you think I'd love? Submit it in the comments below or in an email with your name and your email (or twitter/website/some way of contacting you). I'll pick one recipe and make it in a Dorm Room Dinner video! 

Christmas Eve Whole Foods Dance Party

For a little Christmas Eve surprise, here are my siblings Laura and Dan dancing at Whole Foods last night during their Whole Night Madness Sale. We were checking out around 11:00 pm when the DJ (yeah, it's a party) started playing YMCA and Laura and Dan decided to liven up the late-night shoppers.

Happy Holidays everyone!

This (Turkey) Club Can't Handle Me Right Now

With ambition in my heart, hope in my eyes and bacon in my belly, I set out with a noble mission: to create the ultimate turkey club sandwich. Check out the video below to see what I come up with.



Recipe below.

The DRD Live: Cheerios and Grape-Nuts Update

A live update on the virtues of Cheerios and Grape-Nuts for breakfast.
Featuring musical guest Amanda Jones.