Cooking In Stilettos...
Friday, January 2, 2009
Cooking 'Round The Web...
Happy New Year Everyone!
Well, I'm still playing catch up from my travels , work and the holidays , but here are some great posts that I found and thought y'all might enjoy.
Bren over at FlanBoyant Eats is running one heck of a contest - the prizes are *to die for*. What are you waiting for - go enter and then come back. I'll wait. Promise! Congrats Bren on your one year blogiversary!!
Fabulously Broke In The City has a wonderful post on what to do with all those cords and how to organize them so you can clear the chaos.
Marc Vetri, one of my fave chefs, talks about his new book Il Viaggo del Vetri in the Philly Daily News
Predo over at Spartacus Wore A Skirt has a great recipe for Ice Cream + French Toast - fabulous for those kiddies who want Ice Cream for breakfast (c'mon - be nice, tis the holiday season!)
Jaden at Steamy Kitchen has a fabulous recipe for those soirees with her Coconut Shrimp with Sweet Chili Mayo
I picked up a few tips for food photography from The Constables' Larder and Vegan Yum Yum. Yes, that's one of my New Years Resolutions - learn to shoot better photographs!
Judy over at No Fear Entertaining did a fab Cilantro Pesto that I'm going to attempt for Super Bowl Soiree Central (that is if my E-A-G-L-E-S get a shot - wouldn't that be grand!)
Erin Cooks! has a great recipe for Raised Donuts (time to break in that bread machine...) Dunkin Who? Donuts What?
Susan over at Stickey, Gooey, Creamy, Chewy kicked butt in this month's Daring Baker's challenge with a Buche de Noel. First of all, my hat is off to these DBs. I would be curled up in a fetal position over some of the Challenges they do. Secondly - you must read what she went through to accomplish this challenge. I state for the record - I am a cook NOT a baker. She's a baker and an amazing one at that!
Sarah over at Pink Shoe Diaries has a dish that will brighten up the winter blahs - her Asparagus and Pea Risotto.
SpecktraBeauty (shush) has found some a recipe for some Truffles that are good for you... seriously.
Napastyle guru, Michael Chiarello, opened his new restaurant, Bottega. Check out some great photos and insight from the event.
And, of course, I saved one of my most faves for last - a video where Colin Cowie teaches you how his kitchen is organized. Have I told y'all I adore this man - seriously. And that kitchen - to die for. At least we know he uses his Electrolux appliances. Another spokesperson might not have the cooking chops to fully appreciate her Electrolux... jus' saying ;) If you can, check out his other videos at Epicurious.
Have a wonderful weekend!
Labels: Colin Cowie, Cookin' Round The Web, Great Blogs, Link Love, Michael Chiarello
Posted by Lys ::
2:17 PM ::
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Thursday, January 1, 2009
FoodBuzz 24, 24, 24: A Very Cranberry Soiree...
Ringing in the New Year last night, I decided to keep it safe, simple and, most of all, fun. I often joke that Central Florida is full of transplants - many of us are here sans family and find that we make our own family through our friends. Not to mention, they say who you spend your New Years Eve with sets the tone for the year ahead. Who better to spend it with but my friends.
I was honored to be selected by FoodBuzz to participate in their 24, 24, 24 New Year's Eve Event - 24 meals, 24 Hours, 24 Blogs. So, after much thinking, I decided to create a dinner for my "adopted fam" with one of the featured ingredients being the festive holiday fruit - Cranberry. I took some of my tried and true recipes and embellished on them a bit while I also attempted some new ones. I have to say it turned out to be a resounding success.
The Menu
Libations:
Spiced Apple & Cranberry Sangria
Castille del Diablo Merlot
Buffet Selections:
Large Shrimp with Cocktail Sauce and/or Cranberry Relish
Roasted Potato and Onions
Dessert:
I was pretty much pleased with the menu. Some of the menu selections were items that have been a hit at other dinners and the Spiced Apple/Cranberry Sangria was inspired by my recent trip to Jose Garces' restaurant, Amada, in Philadelphia (more on that in a future post). Couple that with my new fave linens from Williams Sonoma (in a festive shade of cranberry!), the party went off with nary a hitch.
Also, as a sentiment to start the New Year off right, my guests and those that were not able to make it will get a little "care package" containing some Cranberry centered items, namely their own small Cranberry Vodka, Erin Cooks! fabulous Cranberry Orange Dark Chocolate Chip Cookies and the recipes for all the recipes used (and some that were considered) for this event. I'm also surprising my co-workers with Confession of a (Sometimes!) Serendipitous Girl aka SSG's fabulous Apple Cranberry Crumble on Monday. I was going to make it yesterday however when I was going through the recipe, I forgot two very vital ingredients. Note to self: Shop with a grocery list NOT on the blackberry. Lys = Airhead. Oops! I'll make sure to do an entry on it with SSG's permission of course.
Well, not being one to exclude y'all, I'm also going to make the recipes available for my readers. So, should you want the recipes, shoot me an email at Justanothagal [at] gmail [dot] com with the subject "24/24/24 Recipes" and I'll be happy to shoot them off to you.
Much thanks to FoodBuzz and my wonderful adopted fam here in Orlando. What a way to ring in 2009!
~ NOTES~
* The recipe is an Orange/Cranberry Vodka because the FN Recipe for Cranberry Vodka is wrong. Just let the vodka soak in cranberries and you will love it. Trust!
** I substituted 2 tbsp. of cranberry chutney for the equivalent of grape jelly. The flavors were perfect with the chili sauce.Labels: 24 24 24, Entertaining, FoodBuzz, Friends, Giada de Laurentiis, Holiday, Jose Garces, Michael Chiarello
Posted by Lys ::
12:28 PM ::
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Thursday, December 4, 2008
Gift Idea: NapaStyle's Panini Grill
If you don't have a Panini Grill, seriously - what are you waiting for. You can do soooo much on there besides just the standard panini. Just think George Foreman grill, but better, ya know?
Anywhoo - during the holidays, I'm going to spotlight one great foodie gift per day for that culinary diva (or divo) on your shopping list (or you - you must gift yourself during the holiday season too - it's in the holiday rulebook!)
Spotlight today - Napastyle's Panini Grill. I get the Napastyle catalog and I mull through it page by page, wishing I had endless funds to entertain because, when it comes to class and style, seriously - Michael Chiarello has it. And he's spotlighting a deal of the day starting off today with this Panini Grill. When it comes to NapaStyle, you know it's quality. This guy is no joke and he's not going to be like certain peeps who just slap their name on something to get that endorsement check. He sells it in his stores, uses it in his kitchen and stands behind his products that he sells.
I have a panini grill and, in the interest of full disclosure, I spent a pretty penny on it. However, if I saw this deal and I needed a grill - you know I'd be purchasing that so quick my head would spin. $78 to $38.
Happy Shopping!
Labels: Deal Alert, Gift Ideas, Michael Chiarello, NapaStyle, Shopping
Posted by Lys ::
8:10 PM ::
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Tuesday, April 8, 2008
Deal Alert: Ruffoni Copper On Sale
This morning, in my inbox was an email from Michael Chiarello's NapaStyle saying that it's time for some Spring Cleaning and they took 50% off their clearance prices. Of course, you know I adore ANYTHING that's copper, especially Ruffoni pots.
Check out this Ruffoni Risotto Pan marked down from $246 to $86.99. Yes, you read that right. For something that will last you a lifetime, this is a gorgeous addition to your kitchen
If I didn't have my Polenta pot already, I'd be snatching this up in a heartbeat - the Ruffoni Polenta Pot at $56.99
Check out the entire clearance dept. on sale HERE.
Happy Shopping.
[Photos courtesy of NapaStyle.com]
Labels: Cookware, Deal Alert, Michael Chiarello, NapaStyle, Shopping
Posted by Lys ::
5:45 PM ::
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If you don't have a Panini Grill, seriously - what are you waiting for. You can do soooo much on there besides just the standard panini. Just think George Foreman grill, but better, ya know?