Thursday, September 10, 2009
I Heart Fancy Flours
Equally as terrific is their selection of vintage wedding cake toppers and baking embellishments. I so can't wait for the next party I have so I can order up some goodies from there!
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
French Macarons and a Lovely Blog
Go here for the recipe. If you score a good batch, shoot me a line and some photos; we'll compare notes!
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
Deep Dish Pumpkin Pie Bars
After my little sister graduated college, she came to live with me for a few months. She made plans with some of her friends to go camping in Vermont for a week. Being the oldest, a bit doting, and totally old fashioned for my age, I packed her a large vintage metal tartan picnic basket with sandwiches, cookies, and these wonderful bars. While at the time my sister found my gesture to be somewhat lame and embarrassing, she credits it for encouraging her to learn how to cook and bake herself.
Ingredients
3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
2/3 cup firmly packed brown sugar
2/3 cup granulated sugar
2 cup cold butter or margarine, cut into small pieces
2 cup chopped nuts
1 (15-ounce) can pumpkin (2 cups)
1 (14-ounce) can sweetened condensed milk (NOT evaporated milk)
2 eggs
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground allspice
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions:
Preheat oven to 350°F. In medium bowl, combine flour and sugars; cut in butter until crumbly. Stir in nuts. Reserving 1 1/2 cup crumb mixture, press remainder firmly on bottom and halfway up sides of greased 13x9-inch baking dish.
In large bowl, combine pumpkin, sweetened condensed milk, eggs, cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, salt and vanilla; mix well. Pour into prepared dish. Top with reserved crumb mixture. Bake 55 minutes or until golden. Cool. Serve with ice cream if desired. Store leftover covered in refrigerator.
Monday, August 24, 2009
Breakfast at Home
Vintage china, lacey table cloths, a simple arrangement of flowers from the garden, and a tray of scones; what could be better? A few cozy chairs, a nice bright window, and a pot of coffee close at hand would make anyone content with beginning the day on a happy note.
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
This is where I want to be...
There are few things that make me happier than a cozy porch. In this respect, I believe I am a Southern girl at heart. One of the criteria which needs to be met in order for me to settle on a home to buy is that it has a porch, screened in preferably. I believe I would spend half of my life on it. Here are a few that make my heart pitter patter:
Thursday, July 23, 2009
Pico de Gallo
Here is what you'll need:
5-6 roma/plum tomatoes, chopped
1/2 of a large sweet onion, finely chopped
1 clove of garlic, finely chopped or grated
1/2 cup of chopped cilantro
juice of one ripe lime
1 Tablespoon white vinegar
couple dashes of Cholula hot sauce
kosher salt to taste
Combine all ingredients and cover. Refrigerate for at least one hour. Tastes best when it sits over night!
If you've never made homemade tortilla chips before, you are truly missing out. It's super easy and worth the little bit of extra time.
You will need:
1 bottle vegetable oil
1 package small corn tortillas (usually found near cheese and butter)
Pour bottle of oil into a wide pot (at least 10 inches). Turn heat to about medium. If you have a thermometer, great. You want the oil to reach 350 deg. If you don't have a thermometer handy (which I never do), allow the oil to heat up for a few minutes and test with a piece of tortilla (use tongs!).
While oil is heating, take 6-8 tortillas and cut into quarters (one horizontal and one vertical cut). Cut as many as needed. I figure half a package of fifty usually is enough for the amount of salsa prepared above.
Carefully place about 8 "chips" at a time into the hot oil. Once the color of the chips darken and the bubbling of the oil slows down, they are ready. Remove and place on layered paper towels or brown paper bags.
You can salt if you'd like, but it isn't necessary. This is a delicious summer treat, and the possibilities of it are endless! Enjoy!
Thursday, June 25, 2009
Best English Scone Recipe!
I've had my fair share of scones. Some good, some were like eating hardened mud. Of all the recipes I've tried though, this one is my absolute favorite! The trick is to use COLD butter and a hand pastry blender.
5 TBS sugar
1 stick of cold butter, cut into 1/2 cubes (approx)
Kitchen Inspiration
Here are some products that will give you the same effect without sacreficing convenience.
KitchenAid appliances in Martha Stewart Blue. Available at Macy's.
Vintage fruit and flowers tablecloth. Scour flea markets and antique stores, or if you would like a new reproduction, check out Tabletop Couture's online store.
Another flea market favorite is the enamel/porcelain top table. The one pictures is from Ebay. There are so many different styles and colors available. Most also come with leaves. Perfect for a breakfast nook or use as an island.
Toleware chandeliers are making a comeback! The new ones look authentic, with the exception of possible wiring issues! This one with pretty yellow daisies is from Posh Living.
Last but not least, Anthropologie. Their selections of kitsch is dependable. These are just a few of my favorites. If you are lucky enough to have a store within driving distance, it's worth checking out their sale section every few weeks. I've found killer juice glasses and frames for a quarter of the original price!
Friday, June 19, 2009
Bee Happy
I am not French nor am I of royal descent, but I am captivated by the bee, often seen surrounded by a laurel wreath. As with anything, too much is a bit hokey. But a bee here and there in a home is lovely.
My first and favorite find is the Laguiole flatware from Horchow. On the handle of each piece sits a stainless steel bee. 20 piece sets with your choice of stainless or wooden handles is on special for $99.90. Often I receive emails for an additional 30% off all items, including sale! Williams-Sonoma sells the very same thing for $279.
Ballard Designs has a selection of glassware from La Rochere. I love the little juice glasses and carafe for breakfasts in bed!
Another lovely is this Royal Jelly bee soap from Gianna Rose. How beautifully it displays in the bathroom next to a pretty little guest towel!
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
Summer Salads
Strawberry Fields
De Vincennes Strawberry Dinnerware, $16-$24