Showing posts with label eat. Show all posts
Showing posts with label eat. Show all posts

5.30.2011

lunchbox roundup:

We are (well, Cole is) starting Kindergarten in August!  And although this is both a hugely happy and frightening change, a big part of me is feeling so excited about lunch-boxes and backpacks and back to school clothes.

Of course school gear is all so new to me, so I've spent time searching.  I've started with lunchboxes and these are my very different favorites:


For the days of yummy leftovers.  Sturdy Dutch design.  All bpa-free and dishwasher safe.  Choose blue, green or orange.



Because he's only a kindergartner once!  Soft, insulated, wipe-clean design with special inside mesh pocket that holds a coldpack.  (Choose from 8 animals.)  Super!



Made of washable (and stain-free) neoprene, zips closed and stores flat.  (It's been a favorite bib brand of ours for years now.)

*****

[update: I need to add Chelsea's recommendation because it looks amazing!]


Made to keep food separate.. and decorate with stickers?  This seems like a winner, too!


Anything to share from your search or experience?

5.06.2011

organic bamboo cutting boards.



I want this year to be the year I really work on perfecting my kitchen.  Add more favorite pots and knives (sharpen my current ones!).  Finally get that mandoline.  Replace my can opener.  Build a collection of white serving dishes (one Alpilco piece at a time).  Buy a roaster.  Bring in more color.  Sort and simplify.

These seem like the perfect place to start.  

5.05.2011

tip: italian clamp lid jars!


These images aren't new (although still dreamy and inspiring), but this just in: Italian clamp lid storage jars aren't only for amazing open pantries and celebrities.  


I've searched and searched and found that Crate&Barrel outlet has Fido brand jars on clearance in a variety of sizes (from $3.95- $9.95)!  Save some for me.. 

5.04.2011

my next housewarming / dinner party / hostess gift



Because they're practical and pretty and colorful.  Choose from Buttermilk, Dijon mustard, Vintage Aqua and Blood orange and try not to suddenly crave a gourmet salad.  

[Seen in Real Simple Magazine]

3.22.2011

pointer: freeze fresh lemon juice in cubes.


Our meyer lemon tree gave us a huge crop this year.  After giving away bags and bags and keeping a large bowl for myself, I opted to juice the remaining 60 lemons last night to freeze and store for year-round meyer lemon recipes.  (My arms are sore.)

Ice cube trays make for the perfect measurement.  1 large lemon = 2 cubes.  Also, so easy to thaw a couple of cubes to then measure out tablespoons if the recipe calls for such.

dining tables, continued.

(a new favorite, I think.)


Two more natural, sturdy, (large) kitchen tables to add to my collection of options.

2.23.2011

new green toys & tableware organization.



divided plates, snack bowls, 
bowls, divided tray

If there is one thing I just haven't figured out in the last 5 years of parenthood, it's consistent child-friendly (and child-proof) tableware.  We've recycled many (nice, boutique and Target, cheap) cracked plastic divided plates and bowls and now the mis-match of it all drives me crazy.  Wouldn't it be great to have a cabinet full of these- all made from safe, friendly, dishwasher-safe, recycled plastic milk containers.  My experience with this brand tells me yes, it would!


And once I find the right set, I would love for them to all be stacked neatly like this.  Man, I'm in love with this image-- the painted silhouette of each dish.  I feel a high priority to-do.    

1.27.2011

winter citrus.


seen: (here)

seen: (here)

One of my favorite parts of Sunset's February issue is all the talk about citrus.  I once had a dream to own a meyer lemon tree.  I do now- 2 potted dwarf citrus plants right by the sliding back door.  And we were also lucky enough to move into a home with a great (overgrown) lemon tree in the corner of our very small concrete back "yard" that doesn't stop giving us big lemons.  They make me happy (something about citrus in the winter), but I have an over-abundance.  We've done fresh squeezed lemonade for a dinner for 9, lemon yogurt muffins, lemon ricotta pancakes, lemon & parmesan risotto.  Every week, a new lemon recipe is almost necessary before my bowl of picked lemons slowly shrink and shrivel.  I can't keep up with them & love this dilemma.

Inspired by this couple who owns 1/4 acre backyard with an orchard of citrus trees in Costa Mesa, Sunset says to "share the season-- give your extra lemons and limes to neighbors, or host a citrus party."  Of course.  A citrus party.

seen: (here)

Now I'm wanting to start a citrus club.  My lemons for your kumquats/tangerines/mexican limes/blood oranges.  Anyone in?

11.18.2010

baby carrots


Have you heard of the new & hip baby carrot campaign "brought to you by a bunch of carrot farmers?"  They're trying to get Americans to eat 'em like junk food and are starting with new packaging, mimicking the likes of Doritos and Cheetos, a rock-n-roll website and several clever advertisements.  
"It's not an anti-junk-food campaign," says Jeff Dunn, Bolthouse Farms CEO and a former North America president at Coca-Cola. "It takes a page out of junk food's playbook and applies it to baby carrots."  (source)
This $25 million dollar effort plans to show itself in school vending machines.  I really like that part.
Do you think it will work?

10.19.2010

because sometimes Fall is all about food.



Today, I need this kind of cake.

inchmark's potted pumpkin pies



For the love of pumpkin season, quickly read this tutorial if you're on the search for a fun but traditional Halloween-ish (or Fall-ish) party dessert or favor. 

10.13.2010

inspired: edible block prints


[originally from here.]

9.25.2010

spiced blueberry sour cream coffee cake


I really love breakfast breads and try to make a new (or favorite) recipe weekly (muffins, cakes, waffles, rolls..).  For dinner.  It's become a tradition that my family votes to keep on and I'm all for it.  (I've realized that baking is more enjoyable to me than cooking.  It's kind of my weekly cooking break even if I have to get a head start on the meal.)  

We eat ours with any variety of eggs, fresh fruit and yogurt.  

This week was spiced blueberry- sour cream coffee cake.  It's the perfect merge from summer (fresh berries) to fall (warm spices) and nutty, gooey topping.  And it's delicious:

Topping:
1 cup pecans
3 tablespoons unsalted butter
3 tablespoons packed light brown sugar

Cake:
about 2 1/2 cups unbleached all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon baking powder
3/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
2 teaspoons ground ginger
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
1 1/2 teaspoons finely chopped lemon zest
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
3 large eggs, at room temperature
1 1/2 cups sour cream, at room temperature
2 cups fresh blueberries, picked over, rinsed if needed, patted dry

1. To make the topping, position a rack in the middle of the oven and preheat to 400F.  In a shallow metal pan, like a cake tin, toast the pecans in the oven, stirring them once or twice,  until they are crisp, fragrant, and lightly browned, about 8-10 minutes.  Remove the pecans from the pan immediately and cool, then coarsely chop.  Lower the oven temperature to 350F.  Generously butter the inside for a 10-inch by 4-inch (4-quart) tube ban.

2. In a small bowl, with a pastry cutter or two knives, cut together the butter and brown sugar until bits the size of large crumbs form.  Using  your fingers, mix in the pecans.  Spread the pecan mixture evenly over the bottom of the prepared pan, covering it all.  Chill the pan in the refrigerator while you prepare the cake batter.

3.  To make the cake, sift the flour onto a piece of waxed paper (or plate).  Spoon the flour into a dry-measure cup and sweep level to measure about 2 1/2 cups plus 2 tablespoons.  Set aside another 1 tablespoon flour.  Return the rest of the flour to the canister.  Onto the piece of waxed paper, sift together the 2 1/2 cups plus 2 tablespoons of flour, the baking powder, salt, and baking soda.

4.  In a large bowl, combine the butter, ginger, cinnamon, and nutmeg.  With a handheld or standing electric mixer, thoroughly cream together the butter and spices.  Beat in the lemon zest and vanilla.  Gradually add the sugar, beating until light and fluffy.  One at a time, with the mixer on medium speed, add the eggs, beating just until incorporated.  Add the sifted dry ingredients in thirds alternately with the sour cream, in halves, mixing just enough after each addition to fully incorporate the ingredients.  

5. In a small bowl, toss the blueberries with the remaining 1 tablespoon flour.  Spread one-fourth of the batter evenly over the pecan layer in the bottom of the prepared ban.  Scatter one-third of the blueberries over the batter layer, being sure to place some near the sides of the pan so that they will be visible in the finished cake.  Repeat three more times with the remaining batter and twice more with the remaining berries, ending with a batter layer.

6.  Bake the cake until it is golden brown and has just begun to pull away from the sides of the pan, 65-75 minutes.  The top of the cake, when pressed lightly, should spring back, and a tester, inserted deep into the cake, should come out clean.  

7. Cool the cake in the pan on a rack for 20 minutes.  Run a long sharp knife carefully between the cake and the sides of the pan, and between the cake and the central tube.  Invert the cake plate over the pan, then carefully invert the plate and the pan together; the cake will drop out.  Scrape up any pecan topping that may have stuck in the bottom of the pan and spread it over the gaps on top of the cake.

8.  Serve slightly warm or at room temperature. 

9.07.2010

how does your garden grow?



jme kids:  have you had a chance to browse the Jamie Oliver shop recently?  Suddenly (?) so many great little kits for our mini cooks and gardeners.  

8.27.2010

inspired: a balloon cake

seen: a balloon cake by inchmark

8.26.2010

saucer




boon: They call it a stay-put plate, possible because of the slip-resistant base and"edgeless" design.  Wish I would have known 4 "child" plates ago (he's a thrower and our tile isn't forgiving).  

BPA and PVC-free of course.  $5.99

inspired: gourmet popsicles


Just in case you wanted to switch up the fudgesicles (haagen-dazs vanilla and almonds?) or whole fruit-sicles with some more adult flavors.  [We've recently & quickly gone through a Costco box of Ciao Bella blood orange sorbet bars and they were nothing short of inspiring.]

8.17.2010

inspired: forget laundry blog



seen: pieces of a great Secret Agent party


This featured Secret Agent party (above) brought me to this blog and I found these projects that I think are especially creative (& simple- my running theme).. and just suit us.  I'm excited to make:





8.12.2010

diy special picnic details


Twig & Thistle for Amy Atlas's Sweet Designs: for my next birthday, I would love an Asian picnic.  An outdoor meal with special details is my kind of happiness project.    

8.09.2010

monday report:



It's a sleepy Monday morning at our house.  We did a to-and-back trip to Sacramento yesterday ( 2.5 hours each way) to see our new little niece/cousin, Joy.  We had a great visit but are feeling painfully tired from pulling up to our house at midnight.  Nothing some cheerful link inspiration cannot fix.  


☛ Last day to put your name in for the K. Grace giveaway.  (I wore my Lake Dress over the weekend and felt fancy.)  And don't miss the 20% off discount code.  Hooray for green fashion.  

☛Another Purl Bee project: the cheerful quilted playmat is so pretty.  But I especially love the room: grey wood floors, those grey dots and quilts stacked on top of an especially tall armoire.  


☛ This is a sweet nursery.  (Sweet Baby James-- love that song.)  The x's quilt, Binth poster and Chad Wys art are my favorite parts.  


☛ More balloon invite love (seen on Hip Hip Hooray blog).  


☛ Stephanie's tart cherry crumb cake sounds so amazing right now.  I tried this recipe over the weekend and think this may happen tonight.  Doesn't it look like a big bite of summer?


☛ While we're on food, I still need to make my way to Paulette Macarons in San Francisco.


☛ I really loved reading these tips over the weekend!  Do you have the book?  [Seen here.]

p.s.  I've been listening to The Cranberries greatest hits all weekend.  Do you remember how amazing they are?  And I finished the Hunger Games.  Loved that book and now need to find another equally exciting.  Any favorites?  


Hope your weekend was restful.