Dec 11 2013

Let’s Talk Kitchen Stuff!

Okay, today’s post starts with a little exercise. No, I’m not going to ask you to get on the treadmill—after all, where would you hang all those clothes piled on top of it? It’s very simple and you won’t even break a sweat. Ready?

Quick, go to your kitchen. Think of all the great meals you’ve made in there, the happy recipe accidents that ended up even better than the original, the day you finally conquered pie (yay!), and all the smiles on people’s faces after you’ve fed them something they love. Now look around and tell us:

What are some of the things in your kitchen that you consider absolutely essential? Stuff you just can’t live without?

Got it? It can be anything at all: tool, gadget, appliance, food item, or even something as simple as a step stool. (I have tall cabinets and not-too-tall legs. Things are constantly beyond my reach.)

Now here’s a follow up question:

What is the one kitchen item you don’t have but wish you did?

I’ll start us off. I have lots of tools and gadgets I love (like cookie scoops and Mason jars of all sizes) but I have to say I can’t live without my rice cooker. What can I say? I’m a rice girl. Sure, I know how to make rice in a pot. But I’ve been using a rice cooker almost all my adult life and I love the convenience of not having to worry about a pot on the stove and always having warm rice available.

I pretty much just make do with whatever I have, so I had to think hard to figure out what I wish I had. Does a wood-burning pizza oven count?

Betsy loves her Le Creuset Dutch oven, especially this time of year. It’s perfect for soups, braises, everything! She adds, “I’ve never had a high power blender, so I’d love to have one of those someday. I think I’m waiting for my old one to conk out on me.”

Ree chimes in too! “I can’t live without my inexcusably high stack of half-sheet pans/baking sheets. They are worn and scratched and well-loved. I use them for cookies, roasting vegetables, baking biscuits, roasting chicken legs … everything!”

Now we want to hear from you! What’s essential in your kitchen, and what’s at the top of your wish list? Let us know!

Dec 4 2013

Let’s Talk Food Gifts

Posted by Erika (TK) in Holidays, Kitchen Talk

Food gifts are a great way to give something personal and unique. They also make the recipient feel extra special, because they know you spent your valuable time and effort making it just for them.

We’ve already established my lack of crafting skills and sadly, that extends into the realm of wrapping up Mason jars or assembling gift baskets. So our topic this week is:

What are your favorite food gift ideas?

My favorite food gift ideas have all come from Tasty Kitchen. I love Bakerella’s lovely Cowgirl Cookies (I bow to her genius). The cookie mix looks so lovely layered in the jar, and for me, that’s already most of the decorating done for me. In fact, Bakerella’s original blog post includes instructions on how to package them, complete with downloadable labels and instruction tags in pink or brown so you can gift these to boys or girls. I think these are perfect for a family with kids.

My other absolute favorite is this Cranberry Butter from MissyDew. It’s so quick and simple and everyone I’ve given it to has loved it.

Betsy loves their tradition of giving cinnamon rolls. She says, “Delivering something to a friend’s door is great, because you get a chance to stop in and say happy holidays. I remember making those rounds with my mom, and it was always a fun, happy experience. Also, everyone can use an easy breakfast during the busy season. I’ve had friends come to expect the cinnamon rolls and look forward to the special delivery.”

It’s a cliché that bears repeating because it’s true: It’s the thought that counts. People appreciate whatever they receive and often we worry too much that what we make isn’t impressive enough or packaged nicely enough. Those who truly love us will always be grateful for us—the gift is simply a nice bonus. But it’s always nice to learn new ways we can make our gifts a little bit more special for them because we love them too.

So if you have any great tips for food gifts or just suggestions for pretty packaging, we’re eager to learn!

Nov 30 2013

Turkey Sandwiches

Posted by Erika (TK) in Holidays, Looks Delicious!

How was everyone’s holiday? Good? Stuffed? Voices hoarse from all the talking and laughing and football cheering? Have tons of leftovers and don’t know what to do with them?

In case you’re looking for ideas, here are two that caught our eye. They both call for turkey deli meat, but who says you can’t use some of that great roasted turkey you have?

First is Faith’s Satay-Inspired Turkey Grilled Cheese with Nutty Masala Sauce. This sandwich gives your turkey a completely different flavor profile with its earthy flavors. I think the peanut butter is a nice touch and a little cranberry sauce on the side won’t hurt. Or you can grab your leftover turkey meat and vegetables and make Megan’s Cheesy Roast Turkey and Veggie Panini. Her recipe calls for spinach but I don’t see why you can’t throw in some broccoli rabe or even Brussels sprouts in there if you have any left over.

Here are the printables for both sandwiches. Have a great weekend, everyone—and get some rest in between all that shopping! !

Printable Recipe

Satay-Inspired Turkey Grilled Cheese with Nutty Masala Sauce

by Faith (An Edible Mosaic) on November 5, 2013 in Main Courses, Sandwiches

See post on Faith (An Edible Mosaic)’s site!

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Description

The Nutty Masala Sauce I made for this sandwich was inspired by satay sauce, but has butternut squash puree for a fun twist. It’s amazing on this sandwich, but I’m sure you can think of at least 10 other uses for it off the top of your head (it’s amazing even eaten off a spoon).

Ingredients

FOR THE SAUCE:
2 Tablespoons Creamy Peanut Butter
2 Tablespoons Butternut Squash Puree (See Note)
½ Tablespoons Honey
½ Tablespoons Rice Vinegar Or Apple Cider Vinegar
1 teaspoon Light Soy Sauce
¼ teaspoons Garlic Powder
¼ teaspoons Ginger Powder
⅛ teaspoons Garam Masala Spice Mix
⅛ teaspoons Crushed Red Pepper Flakes
Salt To Taste
FOR THE SANDWICHES:
8 slices Your Favorite Bread
8 teaspoons Butter
4 teaspoons Sesame Seeds
½ pounds Oven-roasted, Thinly Sliced Turkey Deli Meat
1 whole Medium Red Bell Pepper, Quartered, Seeded, And Thinly Sliced
4 ounces, weight Mozzarella Cheese, Shredded
2 whole Scallions, White And Green Parts, Thinly Sliced, For Garnish

Preparation Instructions

1. Use a fork to stir together all ingredients for the Nutty Masala Sauce in a medium bowl. Taste and add salt as desired. Set aside for now.
2. For the sandwiches, spread 1 teaspoon of butter on 1 side of each slice of bread. Then sprinkle 1/2 teaspoon sesame seeds onto the buttered side of each bread slice, gently pressing the seeds in.
3. Lay 4 bread slices onto your work surface with the butter/sesame side facing down. Spread some of the sauce onto the bread and top with the turkey, red bell pepper and mozzarella. Place the remaining slices of bread on top of the cheese with the butter/sesame side facing up.
4. Preheat a large nonstick skillet over medium-low heat. Once hot, carefully add the sandwiches and cook until the cheese is melted and the bread is golden, flipping once. It should take about 4 minutes per side (you can turn the heat up or down as necessary).
5. To serve, transfer the sandwiches to serving plates and sprinkle on the scallions.

Notes:
– Butternut squash puree: This is super easy to make; however, if you don’t have time to whip up a batch, canned pumpkin will also work. If you’re using canned pumpkin, look for solid-pack pumpkin, not pumpkin pie filling (which has spices and sweeteners).

Printable Recipe

Cheesy Roast Turkey and Veggie Panini

by Megan {Country Cleaver} on November 14, 2013 in Main Courses, Sandwiches

See post on Megan {Country Cleaver}’s site!

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Description

Take a bite of this crispy and totally cheesy roast turkey and veggie panini for those chilly fall nights. It’s even better with a side of completely creamy tomato soup.

Ingredients

2 Tablespoons Butter
1 whole Onion, Sliced And Caramelized
4 slices Hearty Garlic Artisan Bread
3 Tablespoons Mayonnaise
1 Tablespoon Dijon Mustard
½ pounds Roasted Turkey Sliced Lunchmeat
1 whole Tomato, Thinly Sliced
1 cup Spinach
4 slices Cheddar Cheese

Preparation Instructions

To caramelize onions, preheat a skillet over medium-high heat. Add in butter and allow to melt and start to simmer. Add in thinly sliced onion and toss to coat in butter. Let simmer and stir occasionally until the onions turn golden brown and reduce down. Remove from skillet.

For the paninis, preheat panini maker to 375ºF. (If you don’t have a panini press, make this like a grilled cheese—it’s fantastic!)

Top slices of bread with mayonnaise and mustard. Top slice of bread with turkey, tomato, caramelized onion, spinach and then cheese. Top with another slice of bread.

Spray panini press with nonstick spray and press until bread is golden brown and the cheese has melted inside. Remove from press, slice and serve.

Nov 27 2013

Last-Minute Thanksgiving Recipes

Posted by Erika (TK) in Holidays, The Theme Is...

We know most of you pretty much have your entire menu set for tomorrow, and bravo! That means you get to avoid the supermarkets today.

But some of you might have suddenly found yourselves in a bind. Maybe a guest who was assigned to bring a dish suddenly cancelled, or surprise! Your planned host can’t do it after all and now everyone’s gathering at your place. (Yikes!) Or maybe you’re a great planner and organizer and you actually have time to make an extra dish or two for tomorrow.

Our TK members have been so wonderful sharing their holiday recipes with us and we want to make sure you get a chance to see them before tomorrow. So if you’re looking for any last-minute recipes or the temptation to tweak your menu is strong, here are few ideas from our recent recipe submissions.

Dressing. Filling. Stuffing. However you do it and whatever you call it at home, it’s definitely good eats. These two look absolutely scrumptious!

Here are some starchy sides that are sure to complement the main course. In fact, they’re so good they just might steal the bird’s thunder!

Brussels sprouts always get a bad rap. Let’s help fix that with these.

Mmm. Homemade cranberry sauce. So easy and so much better than canned.

Don’t forget the drinks! Nothing like a refreshing cocktail to start off, and that hot toddy will do wonders for this chilly weather we’re having.

And of course, there’s always room for dessert. Always.

How about you? All set for tomorrow? Are you traveling? What’s the main attraction in your menu? Whatever your plans are this holiday weekend, here’s hoping you have a great time. Safe travels!

Nov 19 2013

Let’s Talk Table Settings

Posted by Erika (TK) in Holidays, Kitchen Talk

Let me start by saying this: Put me in a room and, in all likelihood, I will be the least crafty person in that room. And by crafty, I don’t mean slick or clever or sly, though that applies too. No, I mean Martha Stewart, Ina Garten, Katie Brown kind of crafty. My talent […]

Nov 13 2013

Let’s Talk Pie

Posted by Erika (TK) in Kitchen Talk

Got any great pie tips? All pie-related tips, questions, problems, troubleshooting tricks are welcome. Join the conversation!

Nov 7 2013

Let’s Talk Gravy

Posted by Erika (TK) in Holidays, Kitchen Talk

Welcome to part 2 of Kitchen Talk this week! Today, we’ll talk about gravy. Because gravy’s where it’s at, friends. So here we go: Why do they call it gravy? Is it very, very somber? Is it so delicious it could raise the dead? Share your answers below! Inquiring minds want to know. Just kidding. […]

Nov 6 2013

Let’s Talk Turkey

Posted by Erika (TK) in Holidays, Kitchen Talk

It’s time for a special two-part edition of Kitchen Talk, and today, our topic is turkey. So, let’s have it: Why do they call 3 strikes in a row a turkey? Leave your comments below, then stay tuned tomorrow for another related topic! Just kidding. (Although I really do want to know why.) Okay, […]

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Let’s Talk Kitchen Stuff!

What are some of the things in your kitchen that you consider absolutely essential? Stuff you just can’t live without?

What is the one kitchen item you don’t have but wish you did?

Let’s Talk Food Gifts

What are your favorite food gift ideas?

Turkey Sandwiches

Printable Recipe

Satay-Inspired Turkey Grilled Cheese with Nutty Masala Sauce

Print Options

Description

Ingredients

Preparation Instructions

Printable Recipe

Cheesy Roast Turkey and Veggie Panini

Print Options

Description

Ingredients

Preparation Instructions

Last-Minute Thanksgiving Recipes

Let’s Talk Table Settings

Let’s Talk Pie

Let’s Talk Gravy

Let’s Talk Turkey

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Step-by-Step Recipes

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