Now, I shall address what is most likely on everyone’s mind: the festival FOOD!
I’d like to tell you that I really made a good attempt to stay healthy over the course of the weekend. I’d like to tell you I packed carrot sticks and fruit leathers and nibbled on them slowly while sitting in the grass listening to Al Greene. I’d also like to tell you I drank nothing but water and made sure I stayed incredibly hydrated over the course of the weekend.
But honestly, when you’re at an outdoor music festival and surrounded by thousands of very dirty and very drunk people, all good intentions sort of go out the window. And while I didn’t drink any alcohol, I did fill up on sweet iced tea and icy watermelon agua fresca that was so frothy and sweet that it tasted like a fruit smoothie.
I was totally impressed by the quality of the festival’s food. I don’t know if this was standard, but it was more than a pleasant surprise to see all my favorite Bay Area restaurants set up with booths.
Favorites of the weekend included a shared plate of Farmer Brown’s fried chicken and waffles with mac & cheese and watermelon spears (eaten in the grass for the total festival experience, Almanzo’s Aggie-hand corrupting me one piece of fried chicken at a time)
Another shared plate of Tacolicious carnitas and chicken tacos with onions, cilantro and salsa verde:
I love, love, LOVE Tacolicious. I ate their tacos for the first time last November during the Foodbuzz festival and have been dreaming of them ever since. The tacos themselves are only about six inches long, but the filling (veggie, carnitas or chicken) is just so incredibly flavorful that two small ones are more than enough. You could really taste the beer that the chicken was steamed in, and I especially loved the homemade habanero sauce, which was thick and bright yellow. It almost looked like mango puree!
However, the real winner of the weekend was this bad boy right here.
That my friends, would be a homemade gourmet s’more from the Charles Chocolates stand. Oh.my.goodness. Poor Almanzo didn’t even stand a chance with this puppy. We waited in line for almost thirty minutes and pooled the last of our food money together for this and it was more than worth it.
Imagine a thick homemade graham cracker topped with a bar of creamy artisan dark chocolate and an extra large vanilla marshmallow, toasted to absolute perfection. We got it to share (share? What’s that?) but I took the first bite and then went off running into the crowd with it.
Just kidding. I didn’t really run away with it but I thought about it. It was that good. The chocolate was at that perfect point where it was halfway melted but the middle was still a little firm. It got all over my face and up my nose (with the black boogies most likely!) but I didn’t care. No, I didn’t care at all. When you’re faced with absolute s’more perfection, details such as these vanish into thin air and all you can do is just relish the moment and lick the marshmallow fluff off your upper lip with pure triumph and joy.
And then, just like that, it was gone. And I almost cried and begged Almanzo to count our pennies and dimes and stand in line for another, but Phoenix was about to start playing and I got dragged away just as I was about to make a break for it.
YOU CAN’T HOLD ME DOWN! YOU CAN’T HOLD ME DOWN!!!!!
So yes, I’m probably in desperate need of a lettuce leaf right now. Or some carrot sticks and almond butter. Maybe a pear or a piece of wheat bread. I don’t know. It was worth it though, I’ll tell you that….and I’d do it all over again if I had the chance, so what kind of person does that make me? A sick person who is completely and totally obsessed with the way a piece of quality chocolate melts onto a homemade cinnamon graham cracker, forming the most perfect puddle of warm chocolate cream, that’s what. There should be help somewhere for people like me. A support group where we write down our feelings and draw pictures of apples and eggs. Instead though, I’ll just go eat a lettuce leaf now and pretend it’s a gourmet vanilla marshmallow. And then I’ll start researching recipes for s’mores pies and s’mores tarts and re-watch my humiliating “how to make a marshmallow” video while I bite my lips in anticipation.
I have issues.
***
Read Part I of the festival recap here!
{ 99 comments… read them below or add one }
Oh wow. I’ve never seen food that amazing looking at a music festival. I love your face in the first picture!
My husband and I have a rule that when we go to festivals and fairs, we get to pretend we aren’t healthy-minded people. Is that wrong? If it is, I refuse to be right.
My favorite picture was the chicken and waffles. Yes, I’m a black man’s wife. :p
That s’more is GIANT. I need one of those asap.
Wow that smore looks TO DIE FOR. I want one!!!
haha I love the melted bags of it’s it’s!! The mint ones are amazing! And nothing beats a good s’more
glad you had fun!!
This post cracks me up.
When you find a support group for folks like yourself, give me a call. I think I need help too, as foods like homemade s’mores actually talk to me sometimes and force me to eat them.
Sounds crazy? Maybe. Just a little.
Try these, so good:
S’mores Brownie Bars
Yields 16 servings
For the crust:
1.5 cups graham cracker crumbs
6 tablespoons unsalted butter; melted
2 tablespoons sugar
For the brownie layer:
8 tablespoons unsalted butter
4 ounces unsweetened chocolate
1 1/4 cups sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 eggs
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
For the topping:
20 large marshmallows; cut in half
Directions
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line an 8-inch-square metal baking pan with foil and spray lightly with nonstick cooking spray.
2. Combine the graham cracker crumbs, 6 tablespoons of melted butter in a bowl and mix until the crumbs are moistened. Press the crumbs evenly into the bottom of the pan and bake at 350 degrees for 7 minutes. Allow crust to cool on wire rack.
3. Turn the oven temperature up to 400 degrees and prepare the brownie layer.
4. In top of a double boiler set over barely simmering water, or on low power in a microwave, melt butter and chocolate together. Stir often, and remove from heat when a few lumps remain. Stir until smooth.
5. Stir in sugar, vanilla and salt. Stir in eggs one at a time, followed by flour. Stir until very smooth, about 1 minute, until mixture pulls away from sides of bowl. Scrape batter into prepared pan and bake for 18 minutes.
6. Let cool completely, then lift out using the foil and place brownies onto a broiler safe pan. Move your oven rack about 6 inches from your broiler and preheat your broiler to low.
7. Layer marshmallows (sticky side down) across the top and toast under the broiler until golden, (watch this like you have never watched anything before…it can burn QUICK), about 2 minutes. Cool and cut into 16 (two inch) squares.
WAIT. You were at Outside Lands?!?! I’ve been wanting to go to that since I was in like middle school. haha. Clearly, I never have. I’m glad I got to live it through you
haha you are so silly
I would have done the same thing for that s’more!!
GASP!!! almanzo’s an AGGIE!?!?!?! i don’t know if i like him that much anymore…(totally kidding…college rivalries are for sissies…right?
) that food looks incredible! i’m super impressed at how fresh it all looks!
Heather,
I lived in Austin for a few years after graduating from A&M… that makes us cool right?
i guess i’ll cut you a break this time considering i had some really great friends who went to A&M
and austin? sigh…i could totally go for floating the river right about now and eating some Salt Lick bbq…
Jenna, you are so real.I love love love that about you and how you show your true integrity to all your posts. No lies, no second guessing!
The music fest looks and sounds so much fun! Great to hear you had a wonderful time.
When you post a smores recipe up I’m the future,I’m daring myself to make it and eat it. Oh,a gourmet smores would be perfect right now.
I am drooling over that s’more – the marshmallow looks perfect!
Love the new direction of your blog – especially the pictures. I wish I had your talent!
mmm s’mores. I totally agree with what you’re saying about the chocolate – melty, but still firm in the middle – that’s how you tell a perfect s’more from a good one (can there ever be a bad s’more? didn’t think so!).
If I were able to get my hands on a s’more like that- I’d have the same issues! Taking the “when in Rome” approach always makes for the best food experiences and by the looks of everything, you and Almanzo definitely had a fantastic food & music experience
Carrot sticks and fruit leathers when you have that at your fingertips?! Hell naw. You did it right
there are no words…i’m not even going to try. i’ll just wipe the drool from my chin, and continue on with my day.
wow, that looks like so much fun! I’ve never been to a festival like that before.
That s’more looks amazing too! I feel the same way about chocolate.
Haha, that food looks WAY more gourmet that any music festival food I’ve ever eaten. And way more delicious, too!
I am in awe of that smore. It has totally inspired me to try a GF version at my house. I think i have some chocolate left over from France. Perfect.
I love festivals. I’m so jealous! I’m glad you had a great time!
Wait! Phoenix was playing? I love them!! I also love all your pics – it’s so awesome to see you (or anyone else for that matter) relaxed and loving life . . . or living in the moment . . . . or insert philosophical observation
If loving s’mores is wrong, I don’t ever, ever want to be right.
I will be waiting in anticipation for the s’more recipe I know you are dreaming up right this minute, but until then, I’ll start looking for a place for us all to gather for our support group meetings…
I’m pretty sure that looks like the best dessert I have ever seen.
The S’more looks amazing and so, so worth it. I agree with Jasmine – sometimes you just need to embrace the experience and the s’mores
Wow. the s’more looks amaaaaazing. There are no words.
That food does look awesome!
Okay, so they don’t have food like THAT at the Russian River Blues Fest! I think a SF music fest might be next on my list {but only for one day, not two} The home made s’more! YUM! I’ve never seen anything like it!
i can’t tell you the last time i had a s’more…oooo…i want one now! that is my end of the summer goal!
This kiiiind of puts my normal campfire s’mores of the weekend to shame…I can’t stop looking at it! It’s GIGANTIC! Gosh.
I think (in my experience at least) it’s pretty standard for local food establishments to show up at music festivals. Local, organic fare often features, I spose cos it fits in with the general vibe of the folks attending. Hippies…
Those pictures are terrific! I love the one with the icing on the mouth
OMG the s’more looks divine!! That is one amazing festival!
I mean really Jenna…….you are just the most adorable dang thing……..
Your boyfriend’s an Aggie?! Whoop! I’m class of ’05. Just out of curiosity…does Alamanzo = Adam?
Tyler,
Almonzo=Adam… And yes, I’m also class of ’05. What major were you?
Whoop! How cool! I was accounting (PPA). You? I swear the first time I saw you on this blog you looked familiar.
Oh dear, I am a few days behind I guess – I just saw a comment from a few days ago saying you were in the business school. It’s no wonder you look familiar, you were probably hanging out at Wehner High at the same time I was! And I probably saw you around campus because you were so involved in Fish Camp and other organizations (I am weird and never forget a face!). Anyway, great to see you here. I’ve been following the blog forever, but this Aggie sighting is my first time to comment! Jenna, love your blog and way to go on snagging that Aggie!
Gig ‘em!
I knew he was an AGGIE! I am from TX myself (yee-haw) and saw his ring in a post a couple of days ago. While I couldnt make out the letters–but I just knew it. You see, the only people who actually wear college rings after college are in fact, Aggies. A little face I didnt know if you were aware of.
Woop.
wHoop <—–
I thought I saw an Aggie ring on your BF’s hand! Im an Aggie as well…WHOOP! Class of 03′
A smore that good looking would most certainly derail my sanity, so I fully sympathize. I honestly don’t know what looks better the chicken and waffles or the smores.
By the way, I love your marshmallow video! It’s informative and hilarious.
You are too adorable!!
oh my god I would really do anything for that s’more right now. I think I may attempt to recreate something like that soon. I had a s’more dessert at a restaurant last week and it was layered in a bowl with Graham Cracker crumbs, thick gooey peanut butter or pb mousse, thick melty chocolate, and a thick & sticky layer of marshmallow. I was in heaaaaven!
oh my – what a wonderful weekend you have had!!!!
All that food looks dangerously delicious! There’s nothing wrong with a little indulgance every now and then!
Oh, now I want a s’more. Really bad. Maybe I should join that support group too. haha
I just want to say how much I love your blog! Longtime reader and I knew I had to comment the minute I saw Almanzo’s Aggie Ring
Have a great week!
Must. try. to. replicate. that. s’more!
Wow. That Smore is incredible. Totally craving one now – and I do have graham crackers! …and I always have chocolate (an entire 2 shelves devoted)…now for the ‘mallows.
Great post and well written!
Ohhhhhh my God. S’mores are one of my favorite things on earth and I crave them constantly. Yum.
I’d want to virtually smack you if you picked carrot sticks over that s’more. Because oh my goodness that is one monster of perfection.
Ever try smores ice cream? Graham wafers are great. And chocolate is always a must!
YES!!!
Oh my gosh. I need that S’More. I would give up oxygen for that thing!
ahhh I’m from the East Bay area and was at Outside Lands yesterday too!! The minute I saw the Charles Chocolates sign I was all about that organic s’more…and it was AMAZING. The food, the music…lovelovelove Outside Lands
I died. Yep, just looking at that s’more picture and before I knew it I had plopped right into heaven. This place is on my must-visit-while-in-San-Fran list… At this point its the only thing, so it should work out
. I am a Jenna in training.
I spy an Its-It!! I spent my early years in Monterey, CA, but left 14 years ago and I STILL remember Its-Its. They were sold in my elementary school cafeteria (!) and after lunch we’d go outside and eat an Its-It ice cream sandwich on the black top. Heaven.
That gourmet smores looks so good and gooey.
You look like a kid in a candy store with that s’more! Were you working the entire weekend or did you get some free time to enjoy the festival as well?
yep—we were free pretty much the whole time…we just had to sport the shirts!
HAH!! Great post!! Luckily, I am not much for sweets or I’d be in serious trouble right now. The Tacos look beyond fantastic!! You and Almanzo make a terrific foodie pair! You were near the fab Cole Valley places on Cole Ave above Haight Asbury–where tie-dyed hippies meet Lexus SUV driving yuppies–and everyone can agree on the food.
Instead of eating today, I’ve been compiling a list of ‘expat’ & ‘vagabonding’ resources: http://tinyurl.com/oe4ezq
Off to find some comparable tacos to those pixed!
The only thing I have had that might even begin to compare was invented fireside at a friend’s house over an open pit (after much wine had been consumed). The peanut butter cup s’more– take said graham cracker, place peanut butter cup on top, and then toast the perfect mallow. Heaven.
A gourmet *s’mores?* Does it get any better?
Mmmmm that looks really really soft and warm and sweet. It looks so rich I can kind of feel that sickness that would happen if I ate it happen just by looking at it……in a good way.
O.m.g. That smore! Those carnitas! But that smore!!!! I have a serious obsession with smores. It isn’t normal.
Jenna! This was probably my favorite post you’ve ever done. I don’t know if it’s cuz you were blunt about doin’ your thang the other day or what. But this post was golden. Thank you for being such an amazing blogger.
And another proud Aggie! Enjoy the game when you go…….it’s an experience to say the least!
Food looks great, California music festivals know how to throw down!!
I LOVE how free and honest you are about your love for good food! As a fellow food blogger, I sometimes feel ‘guilty’ if everything I put into my mouth isn’t ‘healthy’… or at least other people’s view of healthy! Sometimes I just want to go out to eat and devour the rich, creamy pastas or fried chicken and mac&cheese and NOT feel guilty about it!
I am an Aggie too! Class of 03. Such a fun weekend!
S’moregasm
Ah, my sister goes to A&M as a Texas girl by origin I know their love for fried chicken.
Also we are going camping this week, the s’mores ingredients are already packed
the ones you had look delish!
Ah, my sis is an Aggie and being a Texas girl by origin I know their love of fried chicken.
Those s’mores look so delish. We are going camping this week at Sequoia and the s’mores ingredients are already packed :]
Ummm all good food needs to be eaten so there are little bits and bites all over your hair and faceee
P.s I <3 that you blog about boogies.
I have issues.
WOW those are some amazing food options for a music festival! Lucky girl!
xo
Kris
i actually like the new direction you are going with your blog. Do you eat healthy 24-7? No. but you eat healthy most of the time…you’ve lost most of the weight you’ve gained when you first moved to SF so you must be doing something right. All I know is, is that the bf is treating you right and you are ENJOYING life without thinking of what we WANT you to eat.
a sign that you live in northern california: when you have access to artisan s’mores at an outdoor music festival.
i may have to move there. now my only question is: was the graham cracker doughy? or was it crunchy like Honey Maid?
WOW! Mega s’more!, there is a time and place for everthing and that was it.
oh my good golly…. ummmm… YUM! That s’more goodness looks AMAZING!
I am uber jealous of your weekend, sounds like a blast!! Loooooooove the smore. Holy yum
YES! I had homemade smores the other night too. They are unreal. It was huge. I had to take three breaks throughout to finish it, but you know I am no quitter. Delish.
My husbands an aggie and I swear he wore his ring till the day we got married at which point his texan male brain told him two rings were one too many.
What?? You had NO alcohol at a MUSIC FESTIVAL?
At least you enjoyed the food…
~Amanda
That s’more looks and sounds AMAZING!!
Yum the food looks great!
You are so ridiculously cute with all this melted marshallow and chocolate on your face! I would’ve gone back for seconds too. Ahh a homemade smores. There possibly could be nothing better.
I recently made s’mores cookies! Not quite the same as the treat above but all of those ingredients in a cookie sure equals bliss!
I adore this post. Also, I am kind of ashamed yet proud to say that I am so full from breakfast still but I would kill for one of those s’mores this instant!! They look heavenly. Actually, all that good looks pretty dang delicious.
That s’more looked unbelievable. What I wouldn’t give for one right now . . .
Wow that s’more looks totally epic! I would do the same thing were I in that situation! Why feel guilty, live it up! SOmetime sits nice to just let yourself go and eat totally heart-stoppingly, amazing food and enjoy it and then go back to healthy eating later. I think that is healthier in the long run!
You are so slipping cute!
You are not kidding those are def eats to brag about! You had me at “homemade gram cracker” -
I think my eyes rolled back into my head just LOOKING at that picture of the S’more. Seriously, where is mine? lol
I feel like I need to be an Aggie in order to comment on this post…but sadly, no.
This day looks amazing, as do all the others. What a great day!!
I’m with you on the s’mores love! These are no gourmet s’mores, but they’re dang tasty if you need a fix: http://www.thesweetslife.com/2010/07/smores-bars.html
Also just made these s’mores granola bars turned s’mores crumble…whatever they were, they were DELICIOUS! http://www.thesweetslife.com/2010/08/smores-granola-bars.html
That s’more looks INCREDIBLE
I want all that food; o my goodness….looks divine and so delish!
I didn’t know he was an Aggie! I’ve got one of those rings, myself, though it’s a little smaller since I’m a lady. That automatically makes him a great guy in my book.
Whoop!
Oh, and I’m ’05, also. Great year!
Whoa… that s’more looks AWESOME! If you do find a way to replicate it, please share the recipe!!