THE DAILY DONUT 2012- LITTLE DEBBIE MINIS

When I was a kid my Grandfather, Howard Phillips, was and had been a Breadman for most of his adult life. PopPop had worked for several different bakeries over the years including, Friehofer's and Keoster's, but I mainly remember him working for Sunbeam(www.flowersfoods.com) because he would sometimes bring home fresh unsliced bread or left-over or"broken" pies and cakes for the family. Oh, the joy of ripping off the end of a fresh loaf of bread and grabbing handfuls of the soft warm center, then finishing off the crust
One day PopPop brought something different home after a long day at work. The Sunbeam distributor for whom PopPop worked had partnered with another bakery that specialized in breakfast treats and deserts. Mckee Foods of Arkansas whose baked good were named for a Grandaughter, Debbie!

 

I LOVE YOU, LITTLE DEBBIE!(www.littledebbie.com)

I think the first "Little Debbie" I tried was the Oatmeal Cream Pie, but I have loved them all from the Nutty Buddies to the Fudge Rounds and especially the Swiss Cake Rolls. There is a rumor that I once ate a Swiss Cake Roll from a trash can, but that is a story for another day. Today is all about the Little Debbie Mini Donuts!

COCONUT CRUNCH MINI DONUT

CHOCOLATE FROSTED MINI DONUT

I used my Little Debbie Mini Donuts to make a donut smiley face, then I ate them- all of them!

EAT HAPPY!

THE DAILY DONUT 2012- THINGS ARE GROWING AT RUTHIE'S

RUTHIE'S BETHANY BAKERY

The 2012 season is in full swing at Ruthie's Bethany Bakery on Garfield Parkway in Downtown Bethany Beach, DE(www.bethanybeachde.com). Ruthie's is one of the fastest growing bakeries in the area, supplying deserts and baked goods to many local restaurants. Ruthie is a past winner of the Rehoboth Beach Chocolate Festival, she and husband, Bobby are two of the nicest and hardest working people at the BEACH! Congratulations on your success, it is well deserved!

When I stopped by Ruthie's recently, I could not help but notice the donuts looked BIGGER! I asked Bobby and he confirmed my observation. The plan this season is to advertise their donuts as the biggest and best at the Beach! I measured this GIANT Chocolate Frosted Yeast Raised Donut at a full 5 inches. That is 2 inches larger than the most donuts you will find. WOW! I pride myself in being able to eat the average donut in just 2 big mouth bites, I can usually shove a hot Krispy Kreme down in 1 bite! These donuts are easily 5 bites for me, yet still light and curiously fluffy. AWESOME!

The above is Ruthie's signature Pink & Bright Blue Sprinkle Donut. I brought this one home to share with Shelby. The "bald spot" on top is where Shelby decided to take a lick before I could snap the picture. She loved it!

Please stop by to visit Ruthie and Bobby at Ruthie's Bethany Bakery in downtown Bethany, check them out on Facebook, or give them a call at 302-539-1119. They offer more than just donuts!

EAT HAPPY!

THE DAILY DONUT 2012- VINNY'S LA ROMA ZEPPOLI

Growing up on the Maryland Eastern Shore in the 70's in a Welsh/Irish/English family, we very rarely ate Italian food. Sure, I was familiar with pizza and spaghetti with meatballs, we even had pasta "shells", but they were used to make fancy macaroni and cheese. It was not until I started working part-time, driving, and dating that I realized the local pizza restaurant had much more to offer.

I had been to La Roma for pizza many times, I think I even had my 10th birthday in the building when it was a Roy Rogers restaurant, but I had never tried any of the other foods. My first foray into the realm of "not pizza" was the CALZONE. In 1982 you could buy a calzone, basically an inside -out pizza with ham, ricotta, mozzarella, and sauce on the side for $5 bucks including a pitcher of Coke! The same $5 bucks would also fill the gas tank of my 1967 Mustang and let me drive all week! The perfect date meal! I actually had a little money left over for desert and Vinny Bellia, owner of Vinny's La Roma, introduced me to the....

For those who may be unfamiliar, the Zeppola(Zeppoli is the Southern Italian spelling) is an Italian donut sometimes called a sfinge or Bigne' di S Giuseppe(St. Joseph's Day Cake). Prayers to St Joseph prevented a famine in Sicily during the Middle Ages. St. Joe is also the patron saint of all pastry chefs. I knew I liked that guy!

Vinny's La Roma Zeppoli

These light puffy pastries make a great desert. They are lightly sprinkled with powdered sugar and sometimes even drizzled with a little chocolate sauce. Always brought to the table fresh and hot! I have been eating these guys for over 30 years! More than one Zeppoli or Zeppola is Zeppole! That is the way I like them, in groups! I had to share these with Shelby and I think she ate two and only left one for me. I know where I can get more! Stop in to see Vinny at La Roma  934 South Salisbury Blvd in Salisbury, MD(410-742-2380). You can also "friend" Vinny on Facebook or check out the website at www.vinnyslaroma.com!

EAT HAPPY!

THE DAILY DONUT 2012

The first Friday in June is always National Donut Day! This is one of my favorite days of the year, right up there with Christmas and my birthday! Donut Shops all over the world are actually giving out FREE donuts! Did you hear me? I said, "FREE DONUTS!" How can you not love a day like today?! Spring is blooming into early Summer, the birds are singing, children are starting Summer vacations, and you, I , and the rest of the world can share and enjoy "little circles of love" for FREE!

Why? You ask...

Thank you Salvation Army for National Donut Day!

The Salvation Army started National Donut Day in 1938 to honor the more than 250 volunteer "doughnut lassies" who served donuts and other breakfast items to "doughboy" soldiers during World War I.

What a great day and great reason to celebrate. Please purchase a few donuts from your local shops along with your FREEBIE! Also keep in mind those who don't have enough to eat and support your local Salvation Army. 

EAT HAPPY!

WEIGHT UPDATE

For those of you keeping score, on June 1st, 2012 I, Keithaccino Nichols weighed in at 169 lbs. This is the same amount that I weighed on June 1st, 2010 when I first began this blog. Bring on the wildcats!