Go fancy (easily!) for your Independence Day barbeque by elevating your must-have condiments: 1. EMPIRE White Truffle Mayonnaise 4 oz. jar, $8 2. MCCLURE’S Garlic Relish 9 0z. jar, $8.50 at Dean & Deluca 3. BALAKIAN FARMS Organic Tomato Sauce Various flavors, $10-14 Complete the set with Sir Kensington’s scooping ketchup
Category: MAKING THINGS
BUY: SIR KENSINGTON Scooping Ketchup
Think all bottles of ketchup are equal? I used to. Then I happened upon SIR KENSINGTON Classic Scooping Ketchup at Sur La Table. (image: Sir Kensington) Using vine-ripened pear tomato puree instead of tomato concentrate and swapping out high fructose corn syrup with a blend of agave, honey and raw brown sugar makes one hell… Continue reading BUY: SIR KENSINGTON Scooping Ketchup
Sew: Felt Fish
These felt fish were inspired by a wall-hanging I bought in China. An auspicious symbol, they’re a great craft idea for the upcoming Chinese New Year. I hand drew my pattern and have yet to digitize it (coming soon!) so I don’t have anything available for download. You can always enlarge the photo above and… Continue reading Sew: Felt Fish
Cook: Shrimp & Mushroom Pizza
As you may already know, I’m a wee obsessed with Trader Joe’s refrigerated pizza dough. Most of the time I keep it pretty basic– a little sauce, mushrooms and cheese. But, every once in a while I like to change it up and I’ve become a big fan of the shrimp and mushroom variety.
Buy: DIVINE TWINE
If you haven’t already jumped on board the baker’s twine train, you should. Baker’s twine is great for a variety of purposes– wrapping gifts, crafting, scrapbooking…the list goes on and on. I love the variety of of colors from DIVINE TWINE. Available in singles or sets (The Sweet Dozen, shown above) you’ll find all the twine… Continue reading Buy: DIVINE TWINE
Sew: POCKET NINJA
Make your own pocket ninja! Pattern included in post.
Cook: Tom Kha Gai (Thai Coconut Soup)
Every time I visit Durham, my friend, H., makes this awesome Thai coconut soup. Finally got the recipe: 2 chix breasts (sliced) or shrimp or both 1 can chix broth 2 cans coconut milk 1 can straw mush (fresh is better if you can find them) 1 package button mushrooms 1 can oyster mushrooms (fresh… Continue reading Cook: Tom Kha Gai (Thai Coconut Soup)
Buy: URBAN CHEESECRAFT (DIY Cheese Making Kit)
I can’t wait to get my hands on one of these do-it-yourself cheese kits. Fantastic! Mozzarella & Ricotta Kit $22 from Urban Cheesecraft
Buy: Rachael Ray EVOO Bottle
For years, I’ve been keeping my cooking oil in a plastic squeeze bottle. Before that it was a repurposed glass bottle but the oil often dribbled down the side. The squeeze bottle– designed for dressings–worked well but for those of you that have used plastic bottles before, you know this delivery method isn’t long-lasting. Inevitably,… Continue reading Buy: Rachael Ray EVOO Bottle
Drink: BELVEDERE Bloody Mary
BELVEDERE Bloody Mary is infused with black pepper, horseradish, bell pepper, chili pepper, vinegar distillate, tomato and lemon. Check out the recipe for Fresh Tomato Bloody Mary below.
Buy: What Up, My Ninja?
When my friend, F., sent these to me my response was only two words: Um…AWESOME. If I need go on an explain why, you just don’t get the awesomeness. Molded from rugged, food-safe ABS plastic. Each cookie cutter measures approx. 4 inches x 3 inches. $7.99 at Perpetual Kid
Cook: Braised Short Rib
I finally decided to jump on the slow cooker wagon with this braised short rib recipe I found on Epicurious. I set my cooker on low and after about five hours the meat was still quite tough. I turned the heat up to high and cooked it an additional five hours, adding the potatoes for… Continue reading Cook: Braised Short Rib