Cardenas Vinegar & Olive Oil Taproom is an inspiring Guilty Pleasure

As you know, quality friendships stand the test of time. Two of Thin Mint's best friends from college came to visit this weekend.  The SUNY triplets had a blast reminiscing and laughing.  Everyone turned out just fine and with great kids. Of course any great weekend always includes a variety of Guilty Pleasures. While a late dinner at the Han Dynasty was a spicy symphony that everyone loved, their Italian Market Food Crawl earlier in the day was the real showstopper.  Luckily, Saturday's weather in Philadelphia was spectacular.  It finally felt like spring.

From Kermit's Bake Shoppe on Washington to S. 9th St., the city was alive with with upscale shoppers. After a long lunch at, Thin
Mint and friends, aka The Upstate Hotties, wandered into Cardenas Oil &Vinegar Taproom.  It's an epicurean oasis that rejuvenates the Guilty Gourmand.

The Olive Oils,Vinegars and salts at this premium specialty food store are so amazing. You can spend hours discovering new flavors and savoring every Guiltorious moment. Their Salt Bar will transport you from the famed Murray River in Australia to the Himalayan Mountains to the Crown of Creation Salt from Mediterranean Sea. Laurissa knows her stuff and she will  take excellent care of you.

There specialty products will make your food taste much more flavorful and adventurous. Shopping at Cardenas Oil & Vinegar Taproom is an inspiring Guilty Pleasure.

Thin Mint's Coca Cola Ham is destined for the top of Mt. Guiltmore

Crafting menus is one of the best parts of custom-to-the-client catering.  Each menu is different.  You listen, you research and you create.  It's a very exhausting and rewarding process.  Last evening, Thin Mint put together a terrific action station for a Wedding at the Olde Homstead Golf Club She put together a sensational selection of Guiltorious comfort that has greatness written all over it.

Her client now has a Biscuit Bar with Southern Biscuits, Sweet Potato Biscuits and Jalapeno Chive Biscuits.OMG!  They sound awesome, but the real showstopper are the two toppings that Thin Mint added.  Our Executive Chef went back into our culinary vault and chose two eternal classics. Thin Mint's client will have Chef Bruce's famous Chicago Bears sausage gravy. We have had many chef's over the years prepare this slice of the South and very few do it justice.  We're not sure why, but it's a good test of their cooking skills. No one even comes close to matching Bruce's heavenly creation.  It's incredible.

However, my beautiful bride climbed Guilty Peak with her Coca Cola glazed spiral ham. This slow-smoked Country Ham was worthy of being on Mt. Guiltmore.  The salty flavor combined with the soda's sweetness is the ideal accompaniment to the flaky biscuits. Thin Mint's Guiltness Greatness is always appreciated.

Generation to Generation...Cast Iron Skillets are trusted tools

There's something magical about cast iron skillet.  It's always adds a Guilty touch to cooking.  Scrambled cheesy eggs ith Applewood bacon become a masterpiece. Fried chicken tastes Southern.  Duck fat fries taste like heaven and charred Brussel sprouts become epic. AWESOME!!!

That's all great. but it's not the secret of the skillet.  The real treasure of a cast iron frying pan is that we go retro. It's a culinary portal  Now we are cooking great food just like our parents, grandparents and great grandparents did.  That cultural lineage is pure magic.  Trusted skillets are included many wills.  Children fight over them.  With the right skillet, recipes that are handed down from generation to generation, now taste like they did in 1914.

This particularly true when it comes to making breakfast.  No shortcuts are permitted. Thin Mint and I only go out to for breakfast or brunch at restaurants that swear by the skillet. We particularly like the Green Eggs Cafe in Philly.  They have three locations and their food is incredible.  My mouth is watering for scrambled with cheese, potatoes, peppers and onions, topped with a homemade jumbo biscuit and country style pork sausage gravy in a cast-iron skillet.  What a great way to start the day.

Guilty's Super Bowl Poetry

                                    Guiltfully in the Kitchen we love to create.
                           A top secret Superbowl sauce for those who celebrate
                                   Knowing an extra ladle of love will make it great,
                                      All those found Guilty can hardly wait.
                                 Cherishing our bountiful second and third plates.
                        Come Sunday, Guilty and his front row friends will be there.
                                            Ribs, Hoagies and tasty sides
                                                  Broncos and Seahawks,
                                                  Oh what a decadent ride.