The Social Menu: Weekly Trending Foods in Social Media

Ube Donuts have made center stage everywhere there is a screen in the culinary world within the past couple of weeks. I first found these out on Facebook from a friend within a day went viral. The Observer and ESPN were making references to these so-called, luxurious delicacies.

What is Ube? It is a yam that is widely used in desserts and pastries in the Philippines. You can make anything from jams to cakes to ice cream.

I was reluctant to share these items, because this yam and its creation got so viral that viewers might be tired of seeing them or even bored, depending on where you are from in the world. In any case, America has now been officially introduced and here are the results, compliments of Manila Social ClubManila Social Club in Brooklyn:

Ube Bae Donuts

The Piece de Resistance: Golden Cristal Ube Donut

This edible “jewel” is $100 per donut or $1000 per dozen. They are made with ube mousse, champagne jelly and covered with champagne icing, sprinkled with 24k gold. Do I need to say more? It’s an exotic piece of culinary luxury that you almost want to find a way to wear it rather than eat it.

The question is: Is it worth it? Time will only tell until the day I get to go back to New York and decide to spend $100 on a donut.

The Social Menu: Weekly Trending Foods in Social Media

Though the weather is getting a little colder outside, I had a hard time finding the emergence of “comfort food”. What I did find, however are two decadently different recipes that would not loose my sight. Not sure why: One of them I would most certainly try if I could make the extra time today. In any case, these two “different delicacies" can either catch your eye, your appetite, or both!

Want to take a vintage Jello recipe to another level? Try Ruby’s Jello Cake. This is not your average 1950’s Jello mold.

Peanut Butter & Jelly Donuts. I am a peanut butter addict so usually I would just assume you do too and say…well, do I need to say more?

The Shack Full of Sugar

Sugar Shack, one of the infamous, modern donut shops of America, straight from the heart of Richmond, Virginia. I think it is safe to say that thanks to this donut shop, donuts have become the new “cupcake” of DC, which is fine by me. I think it is time for another confection to have some attention.

I have been procrastinating about trying this place out in Alexandria for months. I do not have a family so there is no real need to get a box of a dozen donuts unless it is for work or if I had an unusual, intense craving. Additionally, I live on the other side of town so I had to have some extra motivation to get up to make the trip.

Before I go into the donuts themselves, I must say that as a professional knitter, I was impressed with the oversized, knit donuts hanging from the ceiling. 

There was not much of a visible copy of the menu inside so you have to go by what you can see or what is listed online if you have a smartphone. I was told by word of mouth that I had to try the Tastes Like a Samoa™ donut, and despite my inclinations of taking the Mystery Box of a dozen donuts, I just stuck with my one donut.

Results? First, the donut alone was perfectly baked. You can feel your mouth break through the crust into a soft pillow of dough that had just enough of its own chewy texture. The icing on top is simply a mysterious masterpiece of a Samoa Girl Scout Cookie that I have yet to figure out myself dusted with coconut. I had an impression that the icing was somehow baked under the crust because it absorbed into the dough like glue. The donut was a sure winner, and I am pretty sure I will be back next weekend to try more.

What I recommend after finally trying these new gems of the DMV area? Buy the Mystery Box to discover more of what Sugar Shack’s menu has to offer.  Luckily, it is located near the Four Mile Trail in Alexandria so if you really feel guilty after devouring these treats, you can always go for a run.