For the most part, each day I eat the same foods as the day before. For example, breakfast today will be the same breakfast yesterday and this breakfast has been the same with a few slight modifications since April 27, 2013. This presents some mindless behavior where I no longer think about food or the decision of what to eat. Even at a restaurant, I go straight to the salads and select the most interesting one…dressing on the side, of course.

The primary exception is the Splurge Meal. This is the one meal each week where I put together the most exciting meal that I can develop. The splurge meal is a true gastronomic delight, often including combinations of my favorite foods off-limits and not included on the normal eating plan. Think Deep-dish pizza with garlic breadsticks, brownies and root beer. Think fried cheese. Think fried anything. Think bacon-double cheese burger with seasoned hand-cut fries and strawberry milk shake. You get the idea!

I thought it might be fun to catalog some of these splurge meals. Here is the one from last night:

1. Beverage: Dream Machine Beer from Magic Hat Brewery
2. Sandwich: Pastrami Dip – Pastrami and Swiss on a pretzel bun from Jake’s Deli
3. Sides: Kosher Dill Cruncher Potato Chips and Potato Salad
4. Dessert: Kopp’s Caramel Cashew Custard and Chocolate Chip Cookie

What is your favorite Splurge Meal?

Click here for a picture of the finished product.  This is a great appetizer that looks gourmet, but is very easy to make.

Ingredients:
Dried Apricots (bigger the better)
Crumbled Blue Cheese
Chopped Pistachios
Honey
Fresh Cracked Black Pepper

Steps:
1.  Shape the apricots into little cups
2.  Please apricots on a cookie sheet
3.  Fill with cheese and pistachios
4.  Lightly drizzle honey then lightly sprinkle fresh ground pepper
5.  Transfer the canapes to a serving platter and enjoy.
6. Use your finger to mop up the leftover goodness on the cookie sheet.

Perhaps the perfect dessert for the nut lover in your house.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees
13 x 9 inch pan, greased

Crust
1 package (18.25oz) yellow cake mix
2/3 cup butter melted

Topping
1 2/3 cups butterscotch chips (1 package – 10oz)
3/4 cup corn syrup
3 tablespoons butter
2 cups salted mixed nuts

1.  Crust – In a large bowl, combine cake mix and melted butter, mixing until well blended.  Press firmly into prepared pan.  Bake 25-30 minutes or until golden.  Cool completely in pan or on a wire rack.

2.  Topping – In a saucepan over low heat, combine butterscotch chips, corn syrup and butter, stirring often until smoothly melted.  Cool slightly.  Spread over cooled base.  Scatter nuts evenly over top.  Press gently into topping.  Chill 1 hour or until firm for easy slicing.  Cut into small squares.  Enjoy slowly.

A few weeks ago I enjoyed this creation. Foot long deep fried hot dog covered in three cheeses, sauerkraut, bacon, and a bunch of other stuff with French fries (of course).