Best Holiday Baking Tools

Saturday, November 7, 2009

With holiday and family gatherings just around the corner, baking for big groups may be on the horizon for you. Check out these four fun and festive kitchen tools that will help you wow your guests.

Apple and Pumpkin Pocket Pie Molds

These cute individual-sized pie molds come in pretty fall shapes of apples and pumpkins. Just arrange refrigerated pie crust in the mold, add the filling of your choice and voila – you’ve got a festive and fancy looking sweet treat. Each set comes with two for less than 10 dollars. Tip: try freezing the molds for 20 to 30 minutes before using for best results.

These beautiful apple and pumpkin-shaped "pocket pies" are

sweet and easy-to-make treats.

Photo Source: Williams-Sonoma

Pancake Pan

Cooking breakfast for a large group? This Williams-Sonoma waffled pancake pan makes it easy for you to cook up to seven pancakes at once so that you can get a hungry group fed quickly. For mess-free measuring, invest in a “pancake pen” batter bottle.

Make breakfast for a big group with these

waffled pancake pan.

Photo Source: Williams-Sonoma

Fall Pie Cutter Shapes

These colorful fall pie cutters are cute accessories to dress up any pumpkin pie with fun shapes like leaves and acorns. Add a few cut pieces of pie dough for a special touch or go all out for a fun leaf-topped creation.

These little leaf and acorn-shaped pie crust cutters

can add a personalized touch to a tasty pumpkin pie.

Photo Source: Williams-Sonoma

Acorn Cakelet Pan

This acorn cakelet pan is perfect for baking fun festive fall bite-sized acorn-shaped breads or cakes. If you’re partial to pumpkins instead, check out the pumpkin patch pan, which also offers perfect presentation of fall baked goodies.

Create acorn cakelets made of cornbread, muffin mix

or any other bread or cake mix you desire.

Photo Source: Williams-Sonoma

Falling in Love with Fall Food Part II

Sunday, September 20, 2009

This second chapter in a celebration of fall food includes recipes for several seasonal fruits that make a sweet addition to any dish. Apples, figs, pears and pomegranates are just a few favorites that offered inspiration for the following collection of favorite fall recipes.

Apples

Nothing tastes more like fall than Apple Brown Betty, a variation of apple crisp that is a blend of tart apples, bread crumbs and a sugary sweet brown sugar sauce. Top with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a really decadent dessert.

Instead of using rolled oats like traditional apple crisp dishes, this Apple Brown Betty

incorporates fresh bread crumbs in the mix.

Photo Source: Saveur

Another recipe that offers a taste of fall is this Epicurious version of Apple Butter, a delicious spread that's great when paired with a crusty piece of bread or as a flavorful sandwich filler that will break the monotony of other brown bag lunch options.

If you're looking for a cocktail with a fall twist, try Honeycrisp Apple Sangria or Spiked Apple Cider.

Figs

Figs are a fall delicacy with their sweet honeyed taste and soft texture. They're a great ingredient to dress up a dish and give it a more gourmet feel. Like many fall fruits, figs are a favorite for baked goods, desserts, and pastries. If you're looking to get your fig fix from baking, then try out Autumn Muffins, which also include apples, cranberries and hazelnuts along with cinnamon and nutmeg.

Or, if you're looking for a fun appetizer for a wine and cheese party, then your guests will be impressed by Figs and Toasted Almonds Brie, an appetizer that's quick and easy to make, but is an elegant alternative to a typical cheese tray.

If you'd like to make dinner and include figs, then try out this recipe for Homemade Focaccia Bread with Figs and Goat Cheese, an Italian-inspired dish that includes fresh figs, pine nuts and goat cheese atop a doughy pillow of fresh focaccia bread. To save time on this recipe, simply use a boxed version of focaccia bread as the base instead of a homemade rendition.

Fig pizza, anyone?

Photo Source: Local Lemons

Pears

Another fruit of fall harvest, pears are tasty when paired with a salty ingredient like cheese. This Fall Pear Galette is a pretty dessert that plays on these flavor pairings, with sharp cheddar cheese and Bartlett or D'Anjou pears surrounded by a ring of pie crust, a fun alternative to the traditional latticed pie.

This Fall Pear Galette is a rustic fall dish with that combines the

sweet flavor of pears with sharp cheddar atop a pie crust.

Photo Source: MyRecipes

Roquefort Pear Salad is another recipe that gets it's flavor from the unlikely ying and yang pairing of pear and cheese, but this time Roquefort, a pungent, creamy, crumbly bleu cheese is used. With other flavorful ingredients like pecans, avocado and green onion, this salad offers a healthy choice for a fall lunch or dinner.

Pomegranate

With a powerful punch of sweet and tart flavor, pomegranates are a fun fall fruit to incorporate in your cooking. While pomegranates have become popular in recent years in the US, they're an ingredient that's been used in Indian, Middle Eastern and Greek cuisine for centuries. High in antioxidants and Vitamin C, pomegranates are offer a variety of health benefits.

Feeling adventurous in the kitchen? Try out POM Tiramisu for a sweet,

tart addition to traditional tiramisu.

Photo Source: POM Wonderful

If you've never cooked with pomegranates before, check out this About guide "All About Pomegranates." With a step-by-step guide to seeding pomegranates, as well as a video and information on how to select and store the fruit, you'll be a pomegranate connoisseur before you know it!

While Mexican Salad with Pomegranate-Lime Dressing derives pomegranate flavor from pomegranate juice, POM Tiramisu and Pomegranate and Lemon Herb Tilapia both incorporate the arils, or the fleshy seeds, as key ingredients. For more pomegranate recipes, visit the site of the maker of POM juice, which includes a variety of pomegranate-inspired dishes.

Falling in Love with Fall Food Part I

Monday, September 14, 2009

While the leaves haven't started changing colors yet, and the temperature is still 86 degrees in Charlotte, fall still seems to be in the air. School is in session, football season has kicked off and weekend camping trips are replacing days spent by the poolside. Along with the new smells and sights of fall comes a slew of new seasonal ingredients. Among favorite fall veggies now in season are pumpkin, squash, eggplant and sweet potatoes.

Pumpkin

Possibly my most favorite pumpkin recipe of all times is this Pumpkin Cake recipe that I've been making for years. The moist and delicious cake is a blend of yellow cake mix, canned pumpkin and pumpkin pie spice which includes one secret ingredient - butterscotch pudding. Serve warm with Cool Whip for an indulgent fall-inspired treat.

One oven-baked breakfast dish that I sampled for the first time last weekend is the Pumpkin-Cinnamon Streusel Buns, a delicious, time-consuming concoction that's well worth the effort to make.

This twist on traditional cinnamon buns is festive and flavorful.

Photo Source: My Recipes

Finally, if you're looking to break out of the realm of pumpkin baked goods, then sample this highly-recommended recipe for Pumpkin and Shrimp Bisque. A creamy blend of salty, rich flavors with notes of lemon, pepper and sage. A whopping 91 percent of those who tried this recipe said that it's a keeper and that they'd make it again.

Squash

In addition to pumpkin, many other squash varieties are in season during the fall and winter months including butternut squash, acorn squash and spaghetti squash, which are several of my favorites. If you're looking to serve a yummy squash dish, then I'd recommend Butternut Squash Soup with Sage and Parmesan Croutons. The rich, creamy soup is well-paired with the parmesan croutons. A dish that's sure to warm you up on a cool fall day, butternut squash soup keeps well and makes for a nice alternative to a brown bag lunch. Check out this Cooking Light article for tips on how to peel and cut butternut squash if you've never done so before. It can be a bit tricky, and if you think it may be too much of a hassle, your local Harris Teeter or another upscale grocery chain may have fresh and frozen pre-cut butternut squash.

When I stumbled on this Winter Panzanella recipe reviewed by Smitten Kitchen, I couldn't contain my excitement. Having recently made a summer version with fresh tastes of basil, tomato and chunks of yummy sourdough bread, I was thrilled to find a version with seasonal roasted vegetables, including squash.

Winter Panzanella incorporates tasty fall and winter veggies

for a fresh and colorful dish.

Photo Source: Smitten Kitchen

Eggplant

An avid eggplant lover, I can't get enough of this funky fall veggie. The key to this somewhat high-maintenance ingredient is in preparation. In some cases you may need to sweat the eggplant by placing peeled and cut slices on a plate and coating them in a generous layer of salt, which will bring out the bitter flavors. The process takes about 30 minutes, and you'll know when it's done because the slices will feel more flexible, bending easily to the touch. Check the eggplant recipe you're using to see if you need to go through this preparation step or if you can skip it.

My all-time favorite eggplant recipe is eggplant parmesan. While I've made it by sweating it and then baking it in a layered casserole dish, I've found that dipping the slices of eggplant first really makes for a much tastier (and much more unhealthy) final product. Try out this version for a hearty, meat-free layered dish. This is another one of those recipes where time equals taste, but if you need a quick eggplant parmesan fix (which I admittedly do at times), pick up some frozen, pre-breaded eggplant slices at your local Trader Joe's.

Other awesome tried-and-true eggplant recipes include Penne with Sausage, Eggplant, and Feta and Stuffed Eggplant, both of which are Cooking Light recipes and healthier options for flavorful fall dishes that will leave you feeling full. And, if you're an eggplant addict like me, then be sure to check out aubergines.org, a fun purple-themed site filled with hundreds of eggplant recipes.

This Cooking Light Stuffed Eggplant recipe received 5-stars from

reviewers and is a tried-and-true dish that plates pretty.

Photo Source: My Recipes

Sweet Potato

The final fall veggie that I'm spotlighting is the sweet potato - another rich, colorful ingredient that offers opportunity that extends beyond traditional Thanksgiving sweet potato casseroles and baked sweet potatoes.

To add some flavor and spice to sweet potato, try out Chipolte Sweet Potatoes or Roasted Spiced Sweet Potato Wedges, each of which draws flavor from a blend of spicy herbs. Finally, if you're looking for something on the sweeter side or for a dish that makes for great finger food, try the Harvest Sweet Potato Pecan Tarts. This dish was a big hit at the engagement party last fall. Party goers couldn't resist these sweet miniature sweet potato and pecan pie treats!

Opt for some spice instead of sugar with your sweet potatoes this fall.

Photo Source: Smitten Kitchen

Check back soon for more fall recipes! Part II will pull inspiration from recipes with fall fruits including apples, figs, pomegranates and pears.

The Hype about Skype

Wednesday, September 9, 2009

With a recent Oprah endorsement, Skype has seen user ship jump sky-high in just a few short months. Despite being in operation since 2002, the service, which is now owned by eBay, has gained a lot of popularity in recent years. So with all of this hype about Skype, you may begin to wonder – what’s the big deal?

Skype, which rhymes with type, is an Internet-based communication service that allows users to call each other from any place in the world through their computers for free. You can even make calls through your computers to cell phones and landlines for a small fee.

So what’s the catch? Well, there isn’t one really. You have to have Internet service in order to use Skype, and both users must have downloaded the program for your call to go through. Sometimes call quality is not crystal clear and there can be an echo or fading in and out, but with international phone rates being as much as $5 per minute, you can hardly complain about a service that offers the same for free.

This Skype screenshot shows a live video feed via web cam.

The computer-to-computer service is free worldwide.

Photo Source: Skype

In addition to being able to call users via Skype, you can also send instant messages, pictures and videos to users on your Skype buddy list, which allows you to see when they’re online and available. Call forwarding and voicemail are other features that are useful for travelers, students studying abroad and anyone who has a computer and doesn’t want to pay long-distance calling fees.

If you plan to Skype friends and family at home while you’re traveling, download the software to test it out before you leave. Test call each of your contacts to work out any bugs. For example, your computer has to have a microphone in order to use Skype, so while you can talk into the speaker on newer laptops, this may not be the case for PCs and older laptops. Working out these details in advance is the best way to prevent communication barriers once you’re on the road.

You'll never know when Skype will come in handy during your travels! Kris and I announced our engagement to our families and friends through Skype, which was a nice alternative to email to actually be able to share the night's events and excitement in realtime. Happy Skyping!

Digital Treasure Maps

Saturday, August 29, 2009

Long gone are the days when tourists relied solely on large printed foldout maps. These 2D tools may once have been the standard for adventure seekers, but today’s tech-savvy travelers have a variety of 21^st century aids at their fingertips thanks to the Internet and ever-advancing mobile and satellite technology.

One tool that I have found to be especially helpful in planning travel excursions, particularly when you may not speak the native language of the locality, is the My Maps function on Google Maps (Note: you must create a Google account to use My Maps). After you’ve located the city you plan to travel to, it’s easy to create placemarkers for attractions, parks, restaurants and nightlife places that you’d like to visit.

Google Maps is a great tool to plan out your travel itinerary.

Photo Source: Google Maps

Travel guides, online travel communities and publications are just a few possible information sources available, many of which include pictures along with user ratings and reviews. It’s better to add more than less to your map since you never know when your travel itinerary might change based on weather or a whole host of other factors.

To create a placemarker, search for an attraction by name and/or address, and once Google Maps points to this attraction on the map, it will show you where you can add an upside teardrop marker. It may be helpful to add a description remind yourself of why you selected this attraction for your map. A simple phrase like “Best coffee in Barcelona” or “Great picnic place” will do.

If you have a type A personality like me, you may even want to create a detailed, mapped out itinerary that sets out the path or order in which you plan to visit attractions. You can do this by drawing a line to connect placemarkers.

When you’re creating your map, remember that you can also search for other public maps Google members have created by browsing the directory. The Top 50 Places to See Celebrities in NYC Map and the Best Seattle Photography Locations Map are two popular public maps that could be a great source of information for travelers planning to visit those cities. Be sure to mark any maps that you make public so that others can benefit from any itineraries you create!

Another great resource to tap into is Gridskipper, an international travel blog dedicated to themed plots dedicated to a variety of topics ranging from Sing Your Heart Out in San Francisco to Cupcake Consumption in London or even Eating with the Obamas in DC.

This Gridskipper map features cupcake shops and bakeries across London.

Photo Source: Gridskipper

If you have a PDA, discuss temporary international plans with your service provider that will enable you to access the Internet abroad for easy navigation with the maps you or others have created. If not, print the maps out before you leave. Be sure to pay special attention to the zoom level so that important street names are clearly labeled, otherwise your map won’t be much help. Happy navigating!

Recipe Spotlight: Amazing Lemon Cheesecake Bars

Saturday, August 22, 2009

It's not often that I'm incredibly excited or inspired by boxed recipes, but Krusteaz's Lemon Bars are a baked treat that's been on my list of favorites for some time. Last weekend I tested out a recipe on the back of the box on a whim and was thrilled with the results. The Amazing Lemon Cheesecake Bars were quick and easy to make, but most importantly, they ended up being a big hit! They made for a nice summer dessert that was a refreshing and lighter tasting alternative to rich cookies or cake. The lemon bars can be served hot straight from the oven or cold as you would serve cheesecake. Enjoy!

These lemon cheesecake bars are an explosion of tastes with a tart

citrus filling and a creamy, cool layer of cheesecake

atop a sweet, crumbly crust.

Photo Source: Krusteaz

Amazing Lemon Cheesecake Bars

Ingredients

1 package Krusteaz Lemon Bar Mix

8 oz cream cheese, softened

1/2 cup sugar

4 eggs

1/2 teaspoon vanilla

1/3 cup water

Directions

Preheat oven to 350°F. Lightly grease 8x8x2-inch pan. Press full pouch of complete crust firmly into bottom of pan. Bake for eight minutes. Place cream cheese and sugar in medium bowl. Using an electric mixer, mix on low speed until smooth. Add one egg and vanilla. Continue to mix on low speed until smooth. Pour cream cheese mixture evenly over hot crust. In another bowl, stir full pouch lemon filling mix, water and three eggs together using a whisk until eggs are well incorporated. Pour lemon filling over cream cheese layer. Bake 35 to 40 minutes or until the center does not jiggle when shaken. Cool completely and cut into squares. Store covered in the refrigerator.

Recipe Source: Krusteaz

The Best First Dance

Sunday, August 16, 2009

The first dance is one of the most anticipated moments of a wedding. Everyone is watching, waiting to see which song the couple has chosen and how they'll add their own twist to a song that may have been played countless times before.

While some brides and grooms may decide to go the traditional route, selecting a sweet slow song, others may choose a more modern tune or select a pop culture favorite, choreographing a surprise routine for friends and family. So the question is which "first dance" genre is the best fit for you? What's your best first dance?

This happily wed couple's first dance is reminiscent of

old Hollywood-style glamor.

Photo Source: In Style Weddings

Classic

Always a popular option, many brides and grooms opt for a song that's stood the test of time. There's a long list of these tunes of yesteryear, which are a sweet and sentimental option, especially for couples who may not be interested in investing in dance lessons or coming up with complicated routines. Here are just a few of my favorite classic first dance songs.

"At Last" by Etta James

"Unchained Melody" by The Righteous Brothers

"It Had to Be You" by Harry Connick, Jr.

"When You Say Nothing at All" by Alison Krauss

"In My Life" by the Beatles

"Unforgettable" by Nat King Cole

"Fools Rush In" by Elvis Presley

Modern

Some couples opt for more recent songs, especially if the song holds a special meaning for them. Check out a list of 30 popular picks from the Knot for some inspiration along with a list of my own favorites below. Daily Candy Weddings has a fun first dance tool that can help couples choose a wedding song based on the bride's and groom's personalities.

"Come Away with Me" by Norah Jones

"Kissing You" by Des'ree (from the soundtrack of Romeo and Juliet)

"Lucky" by Jason Mraz and Colbie Calliet

"Ever the Same" by Rob Thomas

"Remember When" by Alan Jackson

"Iris" by Goo Goo Dolls

"You and Me" by Lifehouse

Funny

Then there are those who decide to skip the slow dance and opt for comical choreography that's often a surprise performance. When else is it appropriate to know all the steps to "The Time of My Life" and to do this dance in front of all your friends and family? Among infamous surprise performances are an irreverent "Baby Got Back" routine, numerous adaptions of "Thriller" and other Michael Jackson favorites and a more recent example in which the bridal party didn't bother holding out for the reception, they danced right down the aisle to Chris Brown's "Forever".

This Alabama couple decided to add some spice to their step for

their first dance. The song selection? A mix of pop, rap and Vanilla Ice.

Photo Source: NormanPhotography.com

Consider creating a dance to a funny surprise song, but be mindful of your audience. Some guests may not share your same sense of humor and may be offended instead of impressed, so choose carefully! Pick dance moves that you'll easily be able to do in your dress and shoes. Does your dress have a train? Be sure that it's not going to get caught up and ruined in your fancy legwork. Is your dress a mermaid style? If so, remember your movement may be much more limited than in your practice clothing. These are all questions to consider when planning out a routine.

Family Tradition

Some couples may choose to embrace a cultural wedding tradition for their first dance. For Jewish weddings, the Hora is a popular first dance where the bride and groom are lifted in chairs in a symbolic gesture as the two are considered to be the "king and queen of the night." For Greek weddings, a circle-style dance is often popular whereas an old Italian tradition is a special dance called the tarantella. Consider how you picture your guests in these more communal style dances. Will only one side of the family know the steps? You can always choose to incorporate some elements of your culture's wedding traditions into your first dance such as a particular song choice or steps without following every rule.

Some newlyweds may want to go with a special dance

that's family tradition like this couple did at their Jewish wedding.

Photo Source: Denny Fenbers Photography

Getting Ready for the Big Moment

If you and your partner aren't the most savvy steppers, consider investing in dance lessons. While the cost varies from city to city and is also based on whether you participate in group or private lessons, it may be worth every penny if it will help alleviate first dance jitters. Most people don't get a do over with the first dance, so lessons can help ensure that you get it right the first time around!

According to CostHelper.com, ballroom dance lessons can cost between $55 to $125 per person although I've seen advertisements for lessons as cheap as $25 per person in Charlotte. If you live near a university or college, you may even be able to take lessons for free if there is a student or community ballroom dance club. UNC-Chapel Hill offered free lessons every Monday throughout the school year when I was an undergrad, and they taught everything from the rhumba to the tango, the foxtrot and more! Visit BallroomDancers.com or Access Dance to find a ballroom dancing instructor near you. Or, if you think that you only need minimal help to prepare for that big moment, consider checking out some instructional dance videos on YouTube. Bottom line is practice makes perfect!

And don't forget to be sure that everything is in order with the music! It will be quite a disappointment if you've spent all this time practicing but the band turns out to be terrible, the DJ's sound system doesn't work or if you've left the CD at home in your player. Add this to your wedding day checklist and enlist the help of a family member or friend to remind you of any last minute preparations for music.

Finally, just enjoy the moment! Don't get so caught up in the routine that you let it pass you by. Whichever song or steps you choose, remember that this is just the first of many dances that you'll share with your new spouse for the rest of your life!