No Pudge Fudge Brownies

My friend has been raving about these brownies since she was a Weight Watchers member, and I've always been meaning to try them...so I recently did.

No Pudge Fudge Brownie Mix

These brownies are SO easy to make, just add some yogurt to the powder mix (directions are on the box) and bake. Because I am recently obsessed with making things in muffin tins, I made these as "muffins." Making them in a muffin tin not only let each one be an "edge" piece (my favorite!), but allowed them to be pre-portioned. :)

I highly recommend these brownies, so rush out and get the mix today!

Rating: so yummy, and gooey, and delicious!
WW PointsPlus*: 3

Squash Burger? Don't Mind if I Do!

A few weeks ago a friend and I took a day trip to Madison. Around lunch time I called my brother and asked him where we should eat (since he knows not only great restaurants in the area, but my food preferences too). He suggested Bluephies and we were on our way.

Located in a strip mall setting, the first thing we noticed when we entered was the brightly colored atmosphere and the gigantic desserts in the case at the entryway. The servers even wear shirts that say "I work here." :) What a great start to lunch!

The menu is AWESOME! There are so many selections that I wanted to try, but eventually decided on the squash burger - described as having goat cheese, squash, and polenta and topped with pesto. Burgers come with fries or soup, but the server didn't bat an eye when I asked to substitute broccoli. My friend decided on the Bowling Alley Burger, and substituted sweet potato fries.

This is what arrived at our table:

Back: Bowling Alley Burger with Sweet Potato Fries   Front: Squash Burger with Broccoli

YUM!

The colorful atmosphere was matched now with our colorful plates of food. We both immediately loved our choices and took our time enjoying our meal. My squash burger was so moist and the mozzarella cheese, pesto, and tomato toppings added great flavor. The broccoli was grilled, adding to its tasty flavor.

Anyway, I'd been dreaming about having another since I had the burger that day. I was also trying to figure out how to make one at home. Then, I found myself in Madison again this past weekend - how could I not stop and pick one up? Sure, it was completely out of the way from anywhere I was going, but would I be closer anytime soon? So, on the way out of town I called ahead and picked up an order to go. That night, at home, I warmed up the burger and broccoli and enjoyed the tasty meal from the comfort of my couch.

I'll be returning to Bluephies again...I'm still planning on making a version at home (and will post the recipe when I do), or maybe I need to buy the Bluephies cookbook next time I'm in Madison...all I know is that my mouth is watering just thinking about this burger while I type this post. :)

Noodles does sandwiches

So, it's no surprise to friends and family that read this blog that I am a regular visitor of Noodles & Company. (It doesn't hurt to have a brother who works for the company.) Anyway, I went to a Noodles last night for dinner and decided it was time to try a sandwich. I called my brother and he said I'd like the Med Duo (without mushrooms) with Tomato Basil Bisque. The Med sandwich is served on flatbread, so that made it a little less filling than a sandwich. It was pretty tasty, but, for me, the "zippy Med dressing" had a little kick to it. This was also the first time I had the bisque, and thought that was also tasty. It had little chunks of tomato that made the texture really nice. The good thing about adding sandwiches to the menu is that people that don't like pasta can still meet for lunch at Noodles, while their friends/colleagues enjoy their favorite Noodles dish. And, I didn't feel as full as I can after eating a bowl of pasta.

Overall, I liked my sandwich duo experience at Noodles and may try the Chicken Caesar, but I think if I'm going to Noodles I'm going to be more inclined to get pasta. :)