Hello my peeps. Today I took a field trip over to EvolvedMommy and posted this week’s five foodie finds for Friday over there. I know that many of you are already a big fan of Stephanie McCratic’s technology blog… yet some of you may not have heard of her yet (gasp). She is an up-and-coming “it girl” and recently nominated (currently in 4th place) for Circle of Mom’s top 25 tech mom’s recognition. She is making Northwest Arkansas proud! Do me a favor and check her out and take a ...
Stop! Please don’t store your tomatoes in the fridge.
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Do mealy, mushy, and messy tomatoes frustrate you? Are you fooling yourself by saying, “But it is wintertime, not tomato time. It is nature’s way. What else should I expect?” Okay, technically it IS wintertime and not tomato time, yet you should EXPECT more. You know I just want the best for you. I want you to have the freshest, cleanest tasting, ripest, and most delicious food experience each time you open your mouth. Unless you have a greenhouse, I know you are not able to buy fresh ...
Maximize your slow cooker by adding… layers!
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Let’s continue our slow cooker series. Earlier we talked about which size slow cooker was right for you and today you are going to learn how to maximize your slow cooker to reach its fullest and deepest potential. Let me explain. Ever been frustrated by slow cooker recipes where everything turns out as one big unidentifiable mush? Or, ever been proud of yourself that you preplanned a slow cooker dinner only to remember that you still have to prepare the side dishes? Today you are going ...
Five foodie finds for Friday, February 22nd.
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Hello my foodie friends, here are five more foodie finds for you to enjoy. 1. Beige ladle rest. Are your spoon rests currently letting you down? Mine work fine when it comes to the wooden spoon and a spatula, but for my ladle? Forget about it. It’s like playing utensil gymnastics and is all fun and games until the ladel hits the counter. If you are like me, this ladle rest is intriguing for its shape and the interior ledge to hold the ladle in place. Great price, ...
Up your French Press experience with Le Creuset.
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If I were a woman of leisure, each morning would begin with a steaming hot French press cup of coffee. Ideally while lounging in an Adirondack chair watching the wood ducks dive for their morning meal. I wouldn’t have a care in the world, no agenda for the next two hours, and the moment would be shared with a loved one. There is something about a French press that inspires that kind of experience. Whether your dream-coffee-moment occurs in the cafes of France, sitting in front of a ...
Make French Onion Soup and awaken your senses.
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Hello Monday. It is mid-day and your sky is darkening. The pitter-patter of your raindrops are picking up to a thunderous roar and the dark shadows from your clouds have tripped off my floodlight on the porch. Dark and stormy afternoons like these are actually quite romantic. Know what else is romantic? French Onion Soup. Have you ever noticed that French Onion Soup is often on the menu in romantic, linen table clothed, candlelit, and over-priced-but-worth-it fancy ...
Five foodie finds for Friday!
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Hello my foodie friends, here is something fun for you to discover today. Make that five. 1. Chestnut tree honey. Be still my heart. Who wouldn’t want 8.8 ounces of dark aromatic French honey, produced by the fourth generation of the Gabriel Perroneau family based in Burgundy, France? Get this, according to the website, “the beehives go "on vacations" to selected French regions and gather the nectar of specific flowers to produce over 30 different varieties of honeys.” ...
No-grain-ola.
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Whether you are on the Paleo diet, adding healthy living into your every day life, or simply enjoying delicious foods, this is your granola. Scratch that. This is your NO-grain-ola. Why no grain? On Friday my friendly U.S. Postal Service Worker delivered a care package from my sister who lives in Pennsylvania. As I hungrily tore open the package I discovered a Ziploc quart bag filled with granola and a note. Scribbled in pencil was a note “Love U! Hope you like it!! PS – I ...
Which size slow cooker is right for you?
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Are you looking to replace your old slow cooker or wondering whether or not to add a new size to your collection? Walk into any Walmart, Target, or Sams Club and you may quickly find yourself scratching your head, wondering which size slow cooker is right for you. Do you go with the large oval shape? The medium round one? Oh man, there is a banquet size one tempting you, do you need that also? Or, do you simply go with the size you had before instead of trying something new? The answer is ...
Drop off chicken soup to a sick friend.
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You made all that soup last month for National Soup Month, right? And your best friend is sick. What to do. What to do. I know! They need soup. And oranges. And love. Lots of love. Let’s do something different together. I am making a conscious effort to just-do-something instead of always asking that “let me know if you need anything,” question. Of course they need something. They just don’t want to ask or even think about the logistics of it all. Here is an idea for ...
Braising lamb shanks is not difficult.
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You have to wonder why lamb shanks are not cooked more often by home cooks or why this succulent dish doesn’t make it to a fine restaurant dinner menu. It can’t be because it is difficult to make. It is so simple and failproof. It can’t be because it isn’t pleasing to the eyes. It’s gorgeous and a sight to behold. It can’t be because the taste is unappealing. It has more depth and flavor than a filet mignon. It can’t be because it is a gamble to serve guests who are turned off by ...
Sumptuous roasted beet and goat cheese salad.
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You haven't lived until you tasted a sumptuous roasted beet and goat cheese salad. Roasted beets married with goat cheese and the addition of the simplest of ingredients, wow. Just wow. Why roasted instead of boiled? This method is less work than boiling and brings out a deeper, richer, and meatier beet for this beet and goat cheese salad. Yes, yes, yes... a boiled beet will taste absolutely delightful. But a roasted beet? A roasted beet makes this salad absolutely sumptuous! Roasting ...
10 snack ideas for your Big Game party.
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if you have never eaten a roasted radish, you are seriously missing out Hi there. Can I help? I figured you are deciding what snack foods to make for Super Bowl this Sunday. Here are ten snack ideas from various nwafoodie posts throughout the years. Some are good enough to make it to the potluck table. All will help you balance out those cheetos. Slow cooker bone-in beef ribs that will hit the spot. Roasted radishes that will surprise and impress. Spicy ...
Egg drop soup. It’s fast, easy, and perfect.
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As a kid, mom made egg drop soup often. As a kid, I often wished she didn’t. I blame it on the seventies. No offense, mom. Apparently I am not the only family member who feels this way. My sister texted me the equivalent phrase of“ewh, gross” after I casually mentioned that I made dad egg drop soup for lunch. “No Stacey,” I told her, “this isn’t mom’s version of egg drop soup. This one is rich and smooth. It’s like comfort in a cup.” You see I’ve had time lately to experiment a bit to ...
It’s time to order your seeds.
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Gorgeous seed packets from Italy; I have no idea if they will work but at least I can frame the packets! Planning your vegetable and herb garden layout now will ensure you get the exact seeds that you want in case they go out of stock. Oh yes, it happens. Did you know there are die-hard gardeners out there who plan with gusto, swooping in to snag the choicest seeds? For example, I had my eye on a prolific flowering zucchini seed imported from Italy that is touted as “the best” for ...
The world’s best spicy slaw!
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We interrupt winter with this important message. You don’t need soup. You need slaw. Not just any slaw. How about spicy, crunchy, and reminds-you-that-summer-is-coming slaw? Yes, you need the world’s best spicy slaw. {Disclaimer: I gave it that title so please don’t sue me if you actually do own the rights to the world’s best spicy slaw.} This is my brother’s slaw. Ricki lives in Maui where every day is slaw day. I’m not kidding. Really. He came to visit a week ...
Hellooo beautiful stainless steel compost pail.
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Compost. Compost. Compost. Beautiful, earthy, rich-smelling, crumbly, and gorgeous compost. Do you compost? Do you have a beautiful stainless steel compost pail? With a lid? 1.6 gallon capacity? One that smoothly swivels back and forth as you walk with a spring in your step towards your compost bin? I found a beautiful one that is perfectly balanced and just the right size. Lee Valley Tools sells them online for $23.95 and yes, your complete satisfaction is ...
