jan milliman

Actually, you might want to look some gift horses in the mouth.

Over the St. Patrick’s Day weekend, The Mister and I had occasion to sample a variety of odd foodstuffs. In the interest of science, we said yes to each opportunity. In the interest of saving your taste buds, I’ll share our thoughts.

Truffle in Paradise

On Saturday, we meandered over to our favorite gourmet chocolatier Hedonist Artisan Chocolates (and Ice Cream) to stock up on some Easter goodies. The staff was doling out seasonal treats for those wearing green and we both made the grade. On the chocolate side of the business, that meant a complimentary corned beef and cabbage truffle.

Verdict: This was one weird treat! The ingredients were top-notch as is Hedonist’s way, but the sensation of waves of chocolate mixed with hits of cabbage and a finish of chewy beef bites was pretty bizarre.

Afterward, we bought a couple of dark chocolate salted caramels that were delightful, as expected.

Cold Comfort

Next, we were off to the ice cream side of Hedonist to stock up on a pint of mint with cacao nibs for The Kiddo. (Also absolutely delicious – a mint tea vibe to the base flecked with crunchy cacao bits. Yum!) Our wearing-of-the-green paid off here as well, and the staffer scooped us up some corned beef and cabbage ice cream.

Verdict: I must admit I couldn’t handle cabbage ice cream, even in a sample size. One tiny taste was more than enough for me. The Mister was braver, but I don’t know if he’s any happier about that. He tells me that the caraway seeds were both the genius and the downfall of this delicacy. Chewing them prolonged the flavor, which was pretty much the last thing you wanted. But caraway seeds in some non-cabbage ice cream could be interesting.  Or maybe just some kimmelweck jimmies?

Bugging Out

On Sunday, we trekked out to the Buffalo Museum of Science to check out their Insect Weekend. We got to hold a millipede and pet a tarantula, among other buggy fun. But I was most interested in the museum’s offer to “Help us start a new Buffalo snack sensation by sampling our Cheese and BBQ flavored bugs.”

Previously, I had sampled some stale snack bugs from the Genesee Country Village gift shop, and some others left out too long in the Louisiana humidity at the Audubon Butterfly and Insectarium, so this time I was hoping for something a trifle tastier.

Verdict: The bugs were the best free treat of the weekend! The museum aide was stocked up with a fresh case of Larvets. I tried the nacho cheese and found the bug’s texture pleasant. The Mister likened it to that of a popcorn hull. Overall, not bad.

The nacho cheese seasoning that the Larvets folks use is a little on the low-end side. I think they could get creative with their flavors and maybe drum up a little more interest in the product. I bet curry or sriracha Larvets would develop a following. I know I’d give them a try!