Photo Gallery: Taco Bell Headquarters Tour

I got to tour Taco Bell headquarters in Irvine, CA recently as they were preparing for the launch of the Doritos Locos Taco. I thought I'd share some of the highlights of the tour and something I whipped up in their test kitchen (it might take a while to load, there are quite a few pictures).

Review: Krispy Kreme - Chocolate-Enrobed Krispy Juniors

Krispy Kreme Chocolate-Enrobed Krispy Juniors are mini cake donuts dipped in dark chocolate. Similar to Hostess Donettes, they come in a portable pack of six.

They don't actually sell these at any of my local supermarkets, I picked these up from the Krispy Kreme Blogger Summit. I'm not sure how much they cost but I would guess between $1 and $2.

Frozen Friday: Marie Callender's - Swedish Meatballs

Marie Callender's Swedish Meatballs (aka Beef Stroganoff except with meatballs) is served with egg noodle pasta and a sour cream sauce.

The box touts a new recipe but I'd never tried it before so I really can't comment on the old recipe.

A 13-ounce box retails for about $3.99 but it's not uncommon to find it on sale around $2 to $2.50.

What's on the Menu: Lent 2012 Round Up

Here it is! A round up of the limited-time seafood fair some of your favorite fast food restaurants are offering this year. I've included pictures and descriptions to the menu items that I never got around to doing a news post for and have linked the posts I did manage to write up.

Arby's - Arby's Fish Sandwich is back

Boston Market - Baked Whitefish only on Fridays and only for a limited time.

News: Ben & Jerry's - New Flavors for Spring 2012

Ben & Jerry's has a few new flavors to try this Spring, perhaps they'll catch your fancy. They are: the returning Chocolate Therapy (last seen in pint form in 2005), Chocolate Nougat Crunch, and Rocky Road-ish.

While Chocolate Therapy has been available in Ben & Jerry's Scoop Shops, it now returns to your grocery aisle in pints. It features chocolate ice cream with chocolate cookies and swirls of chocolate pudding ice cream.

News: Papa Murphy's - New Mini Murph Make 'N' Bake Pizza Kit for Kids

Kids can now make their own pizzas courtesy of Papa Murphy's new, limited-time Mini Murphy Make 'N' Bake Pizza Kit.

Each kit is contained in kids-sized pizza box and includes:

- A seven-inch pizza crust rolled out on Papa Murphy's signature bake 'n' serve tray
- a container of pizza sauce
- 100% all-natural, whole-milk mozzarella to sprinkle on the pizza
- almost a dozen slices of pepperoni
- a temporary "Murph" tattoo
- and baking instructions

Review: McDonald's - Shamrock Shake

McDonald's Shamrock Shake is a seasonal St. Patty's Day-themed shake and blends mint-flavored syrup with reduced fat vanilla ice cream and tops it off with whipped cream and a maraschino cherry.

I paid $1.89 for small 12-ounce size at a local McDonald's.

News: Ben & Jerry's - Free Cone Day Set for April 3, 2012

It's that time of the year again... Free Cone Day at Ben & Jerry's! This year on Tuesday, April 3, 2012, you can once again wait in line as many times as you want (or can stand) and stuff your face with free ice cream cones!

When: Tuesday, April 3, 2012, 12pm to 8pm

Where: At participating locations. You can check at their store locator to see which locations are participating: http://www.benjerry.com/scoop-shops/scoop-shop-locator/index.cfm

News: Starbucks - "Espresso Twice, Half the Price" Event

Starbucks is kicking off spring with a "buy one, get one half-off" promo that they're calling the "Espresso Twice, Half the Price Event."

The event runs from Thursday, March 8 to Wednesday, March 14. During "Espresso Twice, Half the Price," if you buy any espresso-based drink before 11 a.m. and bring back your receipt the same day after 2 p.m., you can get a second espresso-based drink for half-price.

News: Jimmy Dean Launches New Breakfast Quesadillas

Having already "been there, done that" with breakfast sandwiches and breakfast bowls, Jimmy Dean is expanding their breakfast line with new Breakfast Quesadillas which gives your the familiar eggs, sausage, and cheese but in a quesadilla.

There are two varieties to choose from: Jimmy Dean Sausage Quesadillas and Jimmy Dean Delights Turkey Sausage Quesadillas. Jimmy Dean Delights is the Jimmy Dean line of "better-for-you" breakfast options offering lower fat and lower calories than the regular line.

News: Just Born - New Hot Tamales 3 Alarm Candy

If you like your candy extra spicy, you're in luck because Just Born just released new Hot Tamales 3 Alarm cinnamon candy.

It's called "3 Alarm" because each package actually has three different levels of heat denoted by different colors. There's the most familiar and lowest heat in orange Hot Tamales Cinnamon. There's the hotter red Hot Tamales Fire. And, finally, there's the "hottest" Hot Tamales which are a dark red.

News: Dairy Queen - March Blizzard of the Month - Mint Oreo

For March, Dairy Queen's Blizzard of the Month is Mint Oreo coinciding with the 100th birthday of the Oreo cookie. Wow! That's a lot of years on the Oreo.

Mint Oreo takes Oreo cookie pieces and mixes with cool mint and creamy vanilla soft serve. It's like mint chip except mixed with cookies 'n cream.

Dairy Queen also has a buy one, get one for 99 cents Blizzard promotion all of this month.