Author Archive
What’s Cookin’ – Chipotle Spiced Shortribs
Posted by: | CommentsCheck out a great recipe that is perfect for fall weather – Chipotle Spiced Shortribs over at the latest edition of Western Mass Women Magazine.
Is That Olive Oil Really Extra Virgin? Lawsuit Alleges Otherwise.
Posted by: | CommentsI am one that believes in credibility – and if you are a trusted brand and say that your olive oil is extra virgin, well then, I tend to believe you. Especially when we are paying top dollar, right? How upsetting it was to learn that consumers have been duped, as discussed in a lawsuit filed by various restaurateurs and prominent chefs against some leading olive oil brands. Allegedly, many well known brands including Bertolli, Fillipo Bario, Colavita and Pompeian have been selling olive oil branded as extra virgin but, according to the lawsuit, they were anything but. Even Rachael Ray’s beloved brand has been named as one of the olive oil offenders.
Currently filed in California and seeking class action status, this lawsuit is in response to a UC Davis study which showed that many olive oils that sought “extra virgin” status for mark-up purposes, clearly were not. It really has to make you think about what and where your ingredients come from and if they are, indeed, what they allege to be.
You can read more on the lawsuit HERE. After all this hoopla, I think that I will be purchasing my extra virgin olive oil from the Italian Market in Philadelphia. At least there I know they sell the genuine product.
Yay or Nay: Nutmeg Grinder
Posted by: | CommentsI have been on the fence regarding this gadget for a while now and have to ask – would you buy a Nutmeg Grinder. I tend to use my microplane when it comes to nutmeg but I was curious to see the viewpoint of those that might have this.
So what say you – Yay or Nay: William Sonoma Nutmeg Grinder
Could Nigella Lawson’s Doughnut French Toast Be The Next Guilty Pleasure?
Posted by: | CommentsI really have to hand it to the Cooking Channel – the fact that they are recycling Nigella Lawson episodes is a great idea. One of the recent airings showcased her Donut French Toast and, after a burst of culinary inspiration (along with some great local NJ blueberries), I can see why it could be considered a guilty pleasure.
This recipe was super simple and the blueberry sauce was a breeze to make with a mini-food processor. So, the next time you have a craving for Doughnuts, why not whip up this quick at home version.
Recipe courtesy of Nigella Lawson, Food Network
Ingredients
- 2 eggs
- 1/2 cup milk
- 4 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 4 slices from a small white loaf or 2 slices from a large white loaf, each large slice cut in half
- 1-ounce butter, plus a drop of canola oil, for frying
- 1/4 cup sugar
Directions
- Beat the eggs with the milk and vanilla in a wide shallow bowl.
- Soak the bread halves in the eggy mixture for 5 minutes a side.
- Heat the butter and oil in a frying pan/skillet, fry the egg-soaked bread until golden and scorched in parts on both sides.
- Put the sugar onto a plate and then dredge the french toast so that it is coated like a sugared doughnut.
For the Sauce:
Ingredients:
- 2 cups of blueberries
- 4 tbsp. of powdered sugar
- Juice of 1/2 a lemon
Directions:
- Mix the blueberries, powdered sugar and lemon in a small food processor until smooth.
- Serve over the doughnut french toast.
Line Up The Ingredients
Time for a Soak
Aren’t These A Lovely Golden Brown?
Have to Love New Jersey Blueberries
Time To Pulse
The Final Product – Well Worth The Guilty Pleasure Designation
Cooking ‘Round The Web
Posted by: | CommentsSome great posts to spotlight this week:
- Ess Eppis brings up some valid points in her post, “Does Eating Local Really Make a Difference?”
- Kathy at Panini Happy has cut out the middleman and does her panini pop-tarts.
- Michael Ruhlman gets practical in his video on parchment paper technique (Note: I was a circle trace girl, no longer!)
- Food Network’s Sunny Anderson is back in the studio as she starts filming her EIGHTH (yes EIGHTH) season of Cooking for Real. Congrats Sunny!
- Coco, of Coco Cooks had dinner at Top Chef Winner, Stephanie Izzard’s new Chicago restaurant, The Girl and the Goat. At this rate, I’m ready to book a quick flight to Chi-town and drag Hotfessional and Kristabella out for dinner there!
- David Lebovitz is, imo, one of the baking masters! I can sit there and leaf through is Ready for Desserts book and go “I CAN DO THIS!” and then I remember, “Lys, your baking skills – definitely need some practice first!”. His recent post on Baking Ingredients and Food Substitutions has been bookmarked and, eventually, I hope that, with practice, I can make my desserts look almost as delectable as his.
- Butter My Kitchen has a great recipe for refrigerator pickles which will help lead one into that lovely canning season.
- White on Rice sundried their own tomatoes – how cool is that?!?!
- And, finally, one of my absolute fave people, Chef Manouschka, spoke at a recent Hollywood event about her revalation and what put her on her current path towards a culinary entertainment career. Take a minute please and check it out – it really showcases the “right place at the right time.”
Back to receipes, spotlights and more next week – bring on the fall!
Deal Alert – Random House Cookbooks on HAUTELOOK
Posted by: | CommentsMuch like RueLaLa, HauteLookis branching out from stilettos and such into home items. Scheduled for Sunday’s “Farmer’s Market” sale are various Random House Cookbooks. This site is one of theree sample sites I check (and use) frequently and have located some really great finds. In their preview video, they have some great cookbooks spotlighted, including James Peterson’s BAKING.
Fab Friday: Cooking In Stilettos Edition
Posted by: | CommentsIt’s Friday and the weekend is almost here. Here’s a few things that have been on the brain this week:
Fab Friday – 8.27.10 by CookingInStilettos featuring patent pumps
1. Brian Atwood Drama Stilettos: I know, you are shaking your head going “Lys, you need part of that shoe fund to put towards that stupid Philly Business Priviledge aka Blogger License tax, what are you thinking?!?!” but a girl can dream, no?
2. Anthropologie “Lucille” Apron: I love aprons – I don’t use them as much as I should but still – this just speaks to my inner kitchen fashionista.
3. Bauer Pottery Teal Batter Bowl: I know I have a problem with all things teal. I finally acknowledged that fact when I caught myself trying to make mental accounting allocations that would allow me to buy a teal Staub pot even though I am a diehard Le Creuset girl. However, this is a bit more “wallet friendly” and I find myself reaching for batter bowls when mixing up various goodies in my kitchen. Easy to pour, looks great and just has that za za zue factor, no?
4. Daisy Martinez’s fabu cookbook, Daisy: Morning, Noon and Night: Bringing Your Family Together with Everyday Latin Dishes
5. Garces Trading Company: Have you been here – if you are living in or even VISITING Philadelphia, it’s a must. This spot has some fabulous coffee, amazing creations and the food – well, you know my opinion on that, it’s the vision of my fave Iron Chef, Jose Garces!
Pic Credits:
1. Net A Porter
2. Anthropologie
3. Bauer Pottery
4. Barnes & Noble
5. Haute Living Magazine
Guilty of Idiocy: ShopAtHome.com
Posted by: | CommentsI swear – some of these cashback companies just can’t walk the walk!
ShopAtHome pulled a MoreRebates-esque manuever. I got a rebate credited to my account for Hostgator, rebate was up there for 2 months and, the month when the check is due to be cut, the rebate is removed and dontcha know, they backdate the removal to the date I’ve ordered it. Shady dealings, in my personal opinion. However, I will say this much, their gal at Twitter is quick to DM and try to resolve, however, someone either above or beneath her pulled some form email b.s. and now, quite frankly, I’m done.
Yay or Nay – Kitchen Laptop Stand
Posted by: | Comments
Now that I find myself saving more recipes on the laptop, I find that I’m often dragging the laptop to my counter or, even worse, running back and forth from the dining room table to the stove as I prep a recipe. Sure, I could print it out but, quite frankly, the scraps of paper around my house would drive me to drink.
While I was browsing the web earlier in the week, I came across this gem – a Kitchen Laptop Stand.
So, I ask you dear readers – Yay or Nay.
Fab Friday – Cooking In Stilettos Edition
Posted by: | CommentsAhhh – amidst a very hectic week, I found some lovely things that needed a little spotlighting.
1. Dolce Vita Joelle Lace-Up Boots. Now, the military trend is hot and heavy and I’ve had my eyes on these gorgeous boots for a while now. While you may be wondering where my head is at with the military swing, trust me on this. Granted the ones I want are in black but when you put a 4″ heel and a 3/4″ platform, this boot has my heart at pitter patter for fall/winter. You know me and stilettos – I have to have that heel height. I’m short – it’s a must! Plus, living in Manayunk means lots of snow and ice and, somehow, I think this lug sole will help me from breaking my butt on the cobblestones.
2. Williams Sonoma is coming out with their fall items and this Bachmara Hammered Copper Couscoussier reminds me of my gorgeous Nigella Lawson stockpot that has been a mainstay in my kitchen. The top is a steamer, the bottom a stockpot. Double duty at it’s best. I love anything copper in my kitchen and this just adds to that rich look.
3. While we’re on the subject of copper, aren’t these NapaStyle Copper Tumblers gorgeous? Love Love LOVE!
4. Principessa Beauty is one of my fave lines for lotions and bath essentials. Their hand cream, Cattiva Diva, is a staple both at work and at home. This Casa Collection is a must for my kitchen to keep things gorgeous.
5. My new fave place to have cocktails during these summer months, the new deck at the Bourbon Blue. Granted, there’s no picture of it that I could clip but let me tell you, it’s to die for. I had the pleasure of being there for the Deck Opening Bash and the drinks, the food and the friends just made an evening perfect. It’s been a long time coming but they say the best things are worth waiting for, right? This deck – with it’s gorgeous views of the Manayunk canal – perfection, my friends – perfection.
