Review: M&M's White Chocolate Peppermint Candies

M&M's White Chocolate Peppermint candies are a seasonal holiday twists on the popular chocolates. They appear to be a Target exclusive (I haven't spotted them anywhere else).

A 9.90-ounce bag was $2.89 at Target.

News: Del Taco - Cyber Monday Extra Gift Card Bonus

Del Taco is offering double their holiday gift card bonus on this upcoming Monday AKA Cyber Monday, December 2, 2013.

While they are offering a coupon for a free combo meal with every $25 in gift cards purchased online on their website throughout the holiday season, on Monday only, purchasers will get two coupons with every $25 in gift cards purchased.

Frozen Friday: Ben & Jerry's - Truffle Trifecta

Ben & Jerry's Truffle Trifecta is an exclusive flavor you can only get at Walgreen's. It features chocolate ice cream with marshmallow, fudge, and caramel truffles.

I picked up a pint for $4.99.

Reference: 2013 Holiday Gift Card Bonuses

It's the holiday shopping season and that means gift cards for the hard to please or just as an obligatory gift for that co-worker you don't know very well (or at all really).

Brand Eating's annual Holiday Gift Card Bonuses Reference Guide is a running list of bonuses that some of the biggest restaurant chains are offering as an incentive to buy their gift cards for a loved one (or sorta loved one) this holiday season.

News: Caribou Coffee - 2013 Holiday Menu

Caribou Coffee returns the Spicy Mocha and Maple Bacon Gruyere Sandwich as some of the featured items for this year's seasonal holiday menu . Also in season are the Fa La Latte, Ho Ho Mint Mocha, Gingerbread, and Reindeer Blend coffee.

Review: Popeyes - Cajun Turkey

Popeyes' Cajun Turkey is only available around the holiday season. Each Thanksgiving bird is a 9-to-13 pound turkey that's marinated with the Popeyes' signature blend of Louisiana seasonings, slow-roasted, and then flash-fried for a crispy coating.

Review: Starbucks - Pecan Tart

Starbucks' Pecan Tart is a new seasonal menu item featuring a buttery tart crust filled with pecans, honey, and spices.

It's served warmed and costs $2.95.

News: Dunkin' Donuts - 2013 Holiday Deals

Dunkin' Donuts has a couple of deals going for the holidays.

There's the currently available packaged coffee deal where you can buy three pounds of coffee for $19.99 either online or at participating Dunkin' locations (the deal doesn't start until December 2 for the New York Metropolitan area though). The regular price per 1-lb bag is $8.99, so you're saving about $7. Details on the offer can be found on the Dunkin' website here.

News: Chick-fil-A - Peppermint Shake is Back for Holidays

The Peppermint Chocolate Chip Milkshake is back at Chick-fil-A for this holiday season.

The shake is made with Chick-fil-A's Ice Dream soft serve blended with their milkshake base, peppermint syrup, and dark chocolate peppermint pieces, topped with whipped cream and a cherry on top.

Review: 7-Eleven - Pepperoni Pizza

7-Eleven's Pepperoni Pizza is available at participating locations (namely those with an oven) and are heated right in the oven in about 90 seconds when you order a one.

I picked a large 14" pie up for $5.55. It's also available by the slice.

News: Auntie Anne's Brings Back Snowball Pretzel Nuggets

Auntie Anne's Snowball Pretzel Nuggets are back for the holidays. First introduced last year, the wintry snacks are basically pretzel nuggets covered in powdered sugar.

News: KFC Festive Feast is Back

KFC is once again trotting out their Festive Feast meal deal for the holiday season. While not as festive as they offer in some other countries, the meal includes eight pieces of chicken, two large sides, four biscuits and a dozen chocolate chip cookies for $19.99.

News: Applebee's - Spirited Cuisine Menu Returns

Applebee's is featuring spirits to get you in the holiday spirit with the return of their Spirited Cuisine menu for a limited time.

The Spirited Cuisine line up features various entrees infused with flavors from wine, bourbon, beer, and tequila. It includes two new entrees: the Marsala Mushroom Sirloin and Chicken & Shrimp Tequila Tango.

Here's the full menu:

Review: Sonic - Southwest Chipotle Breakfast Burrito

Sonic's new Southwest Chipotle Breakfast Burrito features sausage, fire roasted red and green peppers, smoked chipotle sauce, grilled onions, scrambled eggs, tots, and melted cheddar cheese wrapped in a flour tortilla.

I picked one up for $3.39.

Taco Bell Friendsgiving Recipes

While I couldn't take you guys to Taco Bell's Friendsgiving meal, I did manage to get the recipes and grocery list for this year's Taco Bell Friendsgiving menu for any of you that want to try your hand at making any of the dishes yourself.

These are basically the edited chefs' notes for the menu. I've included some substitutions for stuff you can't easily get and notes of my own in italics.

Here you go (Enjoy!):

News: Papa John's - New Chipotle Chicken & Bacon Pizza

Papa John's goes with the spicy trend this holiday season with the introduction of the new, limited-time Chipotle Chicken & Bacon Pizza.

The new pizza features a creamy chipotle sauce, sliced Chicken Poppers, smoky bacon, sliced Roma tomatoes, and grated cheddar cheese as well as mozzarella.

News: Jamba Juice - Eggnog Jubilee Smoothie Returns for Holidays

The holidays mark the return of the Eggnog Jubilee smoothie at Jamba Juice. The "better-for-you" version of the classic holiday beverage features a frozen eggnog base, frozen yogurt, and soymilk (not exactly healthy, but compare it to the original's milk/cream, sugar, and whipped eggs).

It's also available in a "Make It Light" version which cuts out a third of the calories, carbs, and sugar over the classic version by using a "lower calorie dairy base" instead of frozen yogurt.

Review: Canadian Butter Tarts

My brother recently returned from a business trip to Canada and I requested Butter Tarts because I read that they're a Canadian thing and we don't have them here in the US.

So what is a butter tart? It's basically like a pecan tart but without the pecans and with a runnier filling (no cornstarch).

A 265g supermarket pack of six tarts (he ate one before giving them to me) was $3.89 CAN (~$3.68 US).

News: Starbucks Offers "Free Daily Espresso" Tumbler Black Friday Deal

Starbucks will be offering a Black Friday special on their Stainless Steel Espresso Refill Tumbler, a 16-ounce tumbler, which can be used once daily for a free handcrafted espresso drink throughout the month of January.

Of course, the tumbler doesn't come cheap, it's regularly $75 but will be offered for $65 this Friday, November 29, 2013 only. The deal is good at participating Starbucks stores in the US as well as online at www.starbucksstore.com while supplies last.

Around the World: KFC Japan Tries Out Japanese-Style Fried Chicken Concept

KFC is trying a Japanese-style fried chicken concept out in Japan. Japanese-style fried chicken or karaage features boneless chicken (usually thigh meat) that is marinated (usually in soy sauce, garlic, and ginger) before being battered and fried.

The first location opened earlier this year in October with the second and third locations set to open this week.