Basil Seed Drink

I was in search of some Tapioca pearls to make Boba Tea as I LOVE LOVE LOVE me some Boba Tea.  The boyfriend recommended this chinese grocery store to have some. I stumbled upon this drink, Basil Seed.

I love anything with basil so I tried it.  The ingredients are basil seed, honey and banana flavoring and sugar cane.  Sounds good right?  Not really.  The drink is border line too sweet and the banana tastes very imitation.  It kind of tastes like banana runts...remember those?  The basil seeds are coated in a spongy membrane that resembles tapioca.
 After researching, when the seeds are soaked in water, they expand in size, thus producing the membrane.  I tried to find some health benefits to convince me to keep drinking it, but I only found that it MAY prevent swelling and help aid is losing weight.  I think I will pass.  I give this drink a 2.5.  Blah

 

Soft Shell Crabs

The most amazing seafood, I think.  Paired with some fettucine and a great white, mmm...  I was in search of a killer recipe and came across this fantastic site with information on the little buggers.  The boyfriend made them last week and I think he used EVOO, garlic, spices, reggiano, and old bay.  Fried them for 1 minute on each side with all the ingredients then finished them off by squeezing a tomato over them before taking them off. So f’ing good…I dream about them.

http://www.cookinglight.com/food/in-season/sensational-soft-shell-crabs-00400000001595/ 

Caramel Baby

I seriously love caramel.  It's an addiction.  I especially love Starbucks caramel Frappuccinos and Macchiatos.  And I especially loved it when they had their half priced drink specials for a week an a half.  Drinking them as much as I do was kind of putting a dent in my wallet, so I came up with a way to replicate.  Cold Caramel Frappuccino:

1. Brew coffee as usual.
2. While brewing, fill the bottom of the cup with caramel so it coats the bottom.  I like to use a big ass cup, like a tall frozen, insulated one (that's been previously frozen)!
3. Pour coffee into the cup, stir to disperse caramel and add milk/cream.  I don't add sugar as the caramel does the job.  If sugar is needed, then add as well.
4. Add ice cubes.  I usually add the ice last so all ingredients have time to mingle with each other.
5. Add whipped cream.  I use cool whip in a can because at the time, that is all that was in the frig and it worked well.
6. Drizzle caramel over the top of the whipped cream and viola'!

I wanted to make this drink in a blender so I could blend the ice and make a smoother drink, but unfortunately, the blender is broken.  Will let you know when the blender has returned.