bacon jam goodness...

If you've never had bacon jam before {and assuming you eat and like bacon} then you've pretty much got to stop whatever you're doing now and get {or make} some STAT. Bacon jam is like savory, sweet, delectable morsels of bacon in spreadable form. I bought a jar from Perishable in LA, and it's been the shining star of my condiments shelf ever since. I put it on toast {topped with eggs, blue cheese, and/or avocados}, on burgers, grilled cheese sandwiches, scrambled eggs, apple slices...really, anything {I bet it would be amazing on maple ice cream too!}.

If you don't have an artisanal or gourmet shop near you that sells it, this version from Skillet Street Food and this recipe will give you more reasons to salivate.

{photo by Oh Joy. Above: sourdough toast topped with bacon jam and Point Reyes blue cheese}

currently snacking on...

...maple cashew chocolate crackle from Dufflet. It's kind of like crispy, nutty, sweet, salty, chocolaty magnificence. They call it crackle...but it should just be called CRACK...highly addictive, but waaaay safer...

{Available in the States right here, photo by Dufflet.}

currently snacking on...

...the golden raspberries I picked up this weekend at the Hollywood Farmer's Market. I am loving variations on a typical fruit that you often find at local markets. It adds a certain unexpected taste {and color} that I just love. If you've never had golden raspberries, they're a bit more tart and sweet than the standard...and so lovely to look at.

{photo by Oh Joy}

{taste it}: dragon fruit...

I never thought that hot pink existed in nature, until I came across the dragon fruit. Spotted at the Silver Lake Farmer's Market, I had to see what this tropical electric fruit was all about. Also known as a pitaya, it's the fruit of several cactus species. Housed in a succulent-like exterior, the pulpy interior has the taste and texture similar to a kiwi {but more mild}, mixed with a bit of melon and cactus flavor. They taste best after being chilled, simply slice in half and scooped out with a spoon!

{photo by Oh Joy}

very enjoyable cupcakes in {los olivos}...

If you haven't seen either of Enjoy Cupcakes' shops yet, they're painfully pretty and so much fun. With one location in Los Olivos and the other in Solvang, it's a nice day escape for those in the LA and surrounding areas. I had the pleasure of trying out some Enjoy Cupcakes last week which shipped directly to my house {yes, they ship!}.

currently snacking on...

...rainier cherries. I'm seriously addicted. While simply a cherry breed {mix of a Bing and a Van}, they taste like a cross between traditional red cherries and peaches...and I simply can't get enough...

{photo by Oh Joy}

got milk?

Feast your eyes on what I can only imagine will be an amazing addition to snacking. Got Milk's Magic Milk Straws encourage milk drinking of any kind (regular, soy, lactose-free) by making it fun and easy to add instant flavor to any glass of moo juice. Simply place the straw in the plain white milk. By the time it passes through the magic straw and reaches your mouth, it's turned into whichever flavor straw you've got. I have yet to try these amazing tubes of delight, but have heard rave reviews from a couple of my favorite 2-year-old and 4-year-old friends!

{You can find them for purchase right here and soon to be available at Target!}

chewy cookie goodness in {san diego}...

Here's a little story about my encounter with a cookie called 410 Degrees. During a routine trip to the Hillcrest Farmer's Market, I came across the 410 stand and found myself lusting after their round doughy delights. There were only a few cookies left before they were about to sell out for the day. So, I stood in line patiently hoping I'd be one of the lucky few to scoop one of their last treasures. Just as I was about to order the ONE remaining cookie, a girl got in line in front of me to buy said cookie {the line was disorganized so I don't totally blame her}. However, I was not about to let the cookie get away from me and piped up that I had in fact been in line and that last cookie was mine. She thankfully retreated and bowed out as I did not want to a girl fight to ensue over a cookie. However, the almost-fight was certainly worth it for the cakey, chewy delight that would soon follow.

currently snacking on...

...pretzel M&M's. I kid you not, they are SO good...sweet, salty, crunchy, delicious...

{photo by Oh Joy}

currently snacking on...

I took a quick work trip to San Francisco earlier this week, but unfortunately, all work and no play meant I didn't get a chance to go restaurant scouting. However, I was able to sneak over to Tartine and bring home these goodies. While I typically prefer soft and chewy cookies, these are the best crispy chocolate chip cookies I've ever had. Almost like a cookie crisp, the thin buttery cookie supports giant dark chocolate chunks and walnut bits creating an amazing texture like nothing I've ever had...

{photos by Oh Joy}