Ooh, good question. I think for me, it’s fruit. If it looks/smells really good, I’ll buy it, even if the price is outrageous. No point in saving money by buying something less expensive with no taste.
Peanut Butter, naturally! Great in sandwiches, ice cream, cookies, or just plain. I also love these locally made candies called Utah Truffles. They are so amazing, I have a hard time NOT buying them!
My daughter was visiting here (UT) from Washington. Every time she went to Walmart she would pick up a couple of different kinds of Utah Truffles. There would often be one or two open. We just took little slices and enjoyed the chocolate goodness! I noticed she packed several in here bag to take home! They are tasty!
I won $100 worth of Utah Truffles on someone’s blog a few months ago. They are divine. And yes, just a little slice off a bar here and there is plenty of a splurge. Still have a number of them!
Parmigiano-Reggiano. The real deal – not from a green can. I grew up with it and will accept no substitutes! A little goes a long way and it lasts (almost) forever in the fridge.
I was going to say vanilla beans but I also spend a bit of cash on good chocolate. By the way, did you know that the whole vanilla pod is edible? You can grind up dried vanilla pods and add the powder to ice cream, batter, and dough instead of vanilla extract. I use a little electric coffee grinder for grinding my vanilla and whole spices. A small investment up front, but it saves money over time and produces wonderful fresh-ground flavor.
Good cocoa powder. I use Valrhona which I get for $12.00/lb…and that’s the cheap price! But it makes SUCH a difference in baking, I would never go back to Hershey’s. I also pay lots for good chocolate.
Cindy–I think I just saw them plug a new place probably in SLC on Studio 5 recently. You could check KSL.com/Studio 5 website. Probably just type in “gelato” on their search.
Good chocolate is very important as is good cheese. I just discovered gruyere cheese, my life has changed forever!
I’m with you Mike. I cook often with what I have on hand and try to keep it pretty simple. But when it comes to TWD, I’ll get what I need and try to get the best. :)
I am currently hooked on medjool dates – which cost $19.99 a kilo! I love them stuffed with cheese or on their own.
Cadbury chocolate. Especially a good flake bar. I am weak.
fancy olive oil
Ooh, good question. I think for me, it’s fruit. If it looks/smells really good, I’ll buy it, even if the price is outrageous. No point in saving money by buying something less expensive with no taste.
Peanut Butter, naturally! Great in sandwiches, ice cream, cookies, or just plain. I also love these locally made candies called Utah Truffles. They are so amazing, I have a hard time NOT buying them!
Maybe you could send me some of those truffles. You know, so I could share your joy.
My daughter was visiting here (UT) from Washington. Every time she went to Walmart she would pick up a couple of different kinds of Utah Truffles. There would often be one or two open. We just took little slices and enjoyed the chocolate goodness! I noticed she packed several in here bag to take home! They are tasty!
I won $100 worth of Utah Truffles on someone’s blog a few months ago. They are divine. And yes, just a little slice off a bar here and there is plenty of a splurge. Still have a number of them!
I used to work at a Utah bookstore in college that sold them at our counter. They are good! I put them in my husband’s stocking every couple years. :)
For me it’s vanilla beans. Yum!
Domino sugar, which is outrageously expensive–sometimes $5 a bag–around these parts.
Chocolate. I know no budget when it comes to chocolate.
Surprise–I agree, Leslie!
Parmigiano-Reggiano. The real deal – not from a green can. I grew up with it and will accept no substitutes! A little goes a long way and it lasts (almost) forever in the fridge.
I was going to say vanilla beans but I also spend a bit of cash on good chocolate. By the way, did you know that the whole vanilla pod is edible? You can grind up dried vanilla pods and add the powder to ice cream, batter, and dough instead of vanilla extract. I use a little electric coffee grinder for grinding my vanilla and whole spices. A small investment up front, but it saves money over time and produces wonderful fresh-ground flavor.
Wow, that’s cool, Nancy. I didn’t know that about vanilla pods.
Good cocoa powder. I use Valrhona which I get for $12.00/lb…and that’s the cheap price! But it makes SUCH a difference in baking, I would never go back to Hershey’s. I also pay lots for good chocolate.
I absolutely agree. I also use Valrhona cocoa and the flavor is unequaled.
Ciao ! For me it’s chocolate and cocoa, But in these hot days I’m indulging in super delicious gelato from the best gelateria in Roma !
I’m jealous, good gelato in my small town in Utah is hard to find!
Cindy–I think I just saw them plug a new place probably in SLC on Studio 5 recently. You could check KSL.com/Studio 5 website. Probably just type in “gelato” on their search.
Good chocolate is very important as is good cheese. I just discovered gruyere cheese, my life has changed forever!
Gruyere is my favorite! I made a squash gratinee this week with tomatoes and onions with gruyere cheese and I might as well have been in heaven!
Sounds like a great combo–hope you blog about it!
I have fairly cheap tastes, so I guess my foodie splurge is “Whatever TWD calls for this week.”
I’m with you Mike. I cook often with what I have on hand and try to keep it pretty simple. But when it comes to TWD, I’ll get what I need and try to get the best. :)
Parma Ham-prosciutto de Parma
good stinky cheese. And beer and whiskey if that counts!
I’ll splurge on great chocolate, cocoa powder and vanilla. I also get a local flour and dairy.
But if I had to narrow it to one. I’d say I most often splurge on great chocolate. It’s like $8 for 2 oz.