As I mentioned last week, Frisch's Big Boy has a clever promo going where you can nominate deserving folks to receive one of their award-winning pumpkin pies for free. When you're a really-big-deal internet personality like me, the brass at Frisch's give you one guaranteed nomination*. In other words - play your cards right and I'll make sure that you, dear eater, get that free pie.
I know some of you are thinking, "How do I win, Vizz?!" and the rest of you are wondering, "We're playing cards?"



I hate coming up with legitimate contests, so here's how you enter:
Tell me why you deserve a pumpkin pie in the comments section (here, not FB) before midnight on Sunday October 19, and I will choose a winner at random based on email addresses linked in the comment. Each email address only gets one entry, unless you up your chances by liking FvF on Facebook. If that seems unfair because you already like FvF on Facebook, send a friend to like our Facebook page and I'll enter the sender's name/email (again) along with the new fan. And while you're on Facebook, why not give Frisch's a like, too?


*They also give you a free pie and $25 gift card to help promote other aforementioned free pies. 

About this time last year, a the appropriately sweet Sarah, owner of Sweet Nothings, hooked me up with some of her finery so I could review it for the blog.  Not a week has gone by since that I haven't craved that toffee.  And the Grogg cake. And those heart shaped cookies.  Oh, and the brownies.  Even my favorite cupcakers at Cake, Hope and Love got into the groove and started featuring her toffees in some of their signature items!

This year, Sweet Nothings will be peddling their amazing sweets at Oakwood's Get Dressed!  Boutique on Far Hills February 13 and 14 from 12noon to 6pm.  For all of you filthy perverts, I know the name is prompting you to expect a tie-in with every housewife's favorite soft-core erotica best-seller, so here it is!  Remember those gorgeous sparkly cream cheese sugar cookies I went on about?  Well, they decided to slip into something more comfortable for this event, and they brought a game for later...

I can't even begin to take credit for this wonderfully simple recipe, but it was a BIG hit at the last family dinner. Ever wish you could combine a brownie with a pie?  Turns out you can.  I served mine with some Grand Marnier-infused freshly whipped cream and raspberries.  Then put it on styrofoam plates.  Pinkies up, bitches!

The minute there's a chill in the air at night, I want everything smell and taste like one of the following: pumpkin, apple, cinnamon or caramel.

I haven't made it to the orchard for the good apples yet, but I had some Gala apples from Kroger and a sweet tooth, so the time was nigh to fry them up.



If I have a fairly hearty fruit on my hands and want something sweeter than fresh fruit can offer, I add a little sugar and butter and fry those sons'a'bitches.
Basically, a tablespoon of butter, a tablespoon of sugar, and cinnamon to taste (at least 1/4 tsp, and Saigon Cinnamon is ideal for this) per diced apple should yield a tasty result. Cook them over medium for at least 5 minutes, or until they're as soft as you like them.

We've been to Christopher's plenty of times, and the food is always stellar, so what I'm about to tell you might not be news.

We went there for a tasting tonight since they're doing our wedding catering, and got to sample tons of things not on their daily menu. Namely: Angel Hair Carbonara, Turkey Roulades, Greek chicken (stuffed with spinach, pine nuts & feta) and plenty of sides. they were all magically delicious. The catering chef/manager, Holly, could not have been lovelier. Quick to tell us how we could save money, where we could cut corners, and even providing the linens through a local party supplier without a surcharge. The best part? Even though she knew I was firm on another baker making our pies (that's right - no cake for us!), she brought us all out dessert after the tasting, on the house. My mom and I both ordered the bread pudding because I recalled having it years ago and it was amazing. Mr. FvF had the tiramisu.

Christopher's bread pudding is the stuff dreams are made of. I had the assiest of assy days, and one bite of this dense concoction washed all of my troubles away in a way that would make Calgon dart away with their tail between their legs. The portion size was as big as my head.


The texture and weight was perfect, nice crispy edges on top and the butter rum sauce was to die for. If you never do anything with your life, do this: go to Christopher's and order the bread pudding. All of their desserts are tops, but they can't even touch this one. And don't get ahead of yourself - only go there for dessert if you plan on heeding my advice. Their daily menu is filled with gastric delights that will NOT allow room for your sweet tooth at the end (though I do highly recommend, on another visit, ordering the chicken salad-stuffed tomato plate, the pot roast stew, the chicken parm, or the Manhattan). Don't even think about getting it to go, either - you have to have it warm, right out of their lovin' oven.