RSS

Best 5 Manual Coffee and Espresso Makers | The Feed

Best 5 Manual Coffee and Espresso Makers | The Feed.

I love my coffee but like everyone else I try to limit the amount I have each day so it doesn’t get to me. I have been using a Keurig for several years now and have some mixed opinions on it as they don’t seem to hold up very well even though mine only gets used once or twice a day. Anyway, here are some inexpensive manual coffee maker alternatives for those who like a a deeper, richer flavor to their coffee. America’s Test Kitchen tested and rated these. I may just have to check one out myself and see how well it actually works. Let me know if you have these or any others that you think work well.

 
Leave a comment

Posted by on February 15, 2013 in Beverages, Cooking Websites, Equipment

 

Tags: , ,

BA-Approved Valentine’s Day Menus for All Kinds of Couples: BA Daily: bonappetit.com

BA-Approved Valentine’s Day Menus for All Kinds of Couples: BA Daily: bonappetit.com.

Okay, this is my last pre-Valentine’s Day posting, so it’s your last chance to find some recipes for your meal tomorrow night. Bon Appetit offers up 9 different menus to cover everyone’s tastes and desires. Check it out and see if you find something you like!

 
Leave a comment

Posted by on February 13, 2013 in Cooking, Cooking Websites, Holidays

 

Tags: , , , ,

Ultra-Romantic and Hassle-Free Valentine’s Day Menu and Recipes | Shine Food – Yahoo! Shine

Ultra-Romantic and Hassle-Free Valentine’s Day Menu and Recipes | Shine Food – Yahoo! Shine.

Still need some menu ideas for Valentine’s Day? These quick and easy recipes from America’s Test Kitchen can help you out without you having to spend a ton of time in the kitchen. They are all pretty simple yet elegant recipes that can be made in under 45 minutes. They come from their cookbook “America’s Test Kitchen Quick Family Cookbook,” which I have and use for some great weeknight meals without any fuss. Check it out and enjoy your day with your sweetie!

 
Leave a comment

Posted by on February 13, 2013 in Cookbooks, Cooking, Cooking Websites, Holidays

 

Tags: , , ,

The Dinner Kit Is Served – NYTimes.com

The Dinner Kit Is Served – NYTimes.com.

This is an interesting article in the New York Times today regarding these home delivery services that allow you to get an entire meal delivered. All of the ingredients and the recipes are included with the meal and everything is packed fresh and delivered to you. You just need to prepare the meal yourself. I do find this as an interesting alternative for some people who would like to make their own dinner but may not have the time to put in to get all the ingredients or find the recipes on their own. I was wondering if anyone out there may have given this a try before and what they thought of it? Feel free to leave your comments on what you think of the process and if you have tried it, how has it worked out for you.

My personal opinion on it is kind of split. While I do think it gives some people a chance to eat a home cooked meal instead of getting take out or dining out all the time, I think there are a few flaws in the services. From what I can tell, there does not seem to be much of an option if you are cooking for a child. This seems to me to be a service designed for a single person or a couple where both partners work but still want the home cooked meal. The meal choices seem somewhat limited and lacking. While it’s true that I am lucky enough to have the time to prepare meals on my own for my family, not everyone has this luxury so I can see the appeal. I also think it is a bit pricey for what you get. If you had the time, you could get the ingredients on your own and probably for a better price. Personally, that would be the way I would go, but I do enjoy the entire cooking process and some people may just want it streamlined for them so it can be easier.

I think it presents an interesting option for people who want a meal at home but feel pressed for time. What do you think? Check it out.

 
Leave a comment

Posted by on February 13, 2013 in Cooking, Cooking Websites, Dinner

 

Tags: , ,

9 Wintry Hot Cocoa Recipes for a Post-Sledding Warm-Up: BA Daily: bonappetit.com

9 Wintry Hot Cocoa Recipes for a Post-Sledding Warm-Up: BA Daily: bonappetit.com.

Tired of the cold winter, all the snow here in the Northeast and shoveling all day long? Then you might need to try one of these hot chocolate recipes from Bon Appetit. They give you some new ideas and twists that are perfect to help take off the chill and give you some great flavors. Check it out!

 
Leave a comment

Posted by on February 9, 2013 in Beverages, Cooking Websites

 

Tags: , , ,

Cooking a Valentine’s Day Meal at Home – NYTimes.com

Cooking a Valentine’s Day Meal at Home – NYTimes.com.

With Valentine’s Day coming next week, many people are looking to make a nice romantic meal at home. The New York Times put out this quick and easy menu as a suggestion of a nice steak, potatoes, salad and a one ingredient chocolate mousse. Check it out and see if it is something you might like to try!

 
 

Tags: , , ,

Game-Day Celebration | Williams-Sonoma

Game-Day Celebration | Williams-Sonoma.

If you are still looking for same game day snacks before the game starts, Williams-Sonoma has a good list of things you can make that will be perfect not just for today’s game, but for any kind of sports party you might be having. There’s a little something for everyone listed here. Check it out and enjoy the game today!

 
 

Tags: , , ,

Super Simple Stromboli for Sunday

With the big game coming on Sunday, many people are having different types of parties. I have posted different snacks that are good for football parties in previous posts, but this is something I just made this week for dinner but would also be great not just for football parties, but for any party. The basis of the recipe is from Scott Conant of Scarpetta restaurants and Food Network’s Chopped. I found this stromboli recipe on Food Network’s site and altered it a bit to fit what I had on hand. In his recipe, he makes the pizza dough himself. I don’t have the time or space to make dough, so I used store-bought pizza dough and I think it turned out fine, so do what you like best. You could use any pizza dough recipe you have I think and get good results.

Stromboli

1 pound store-bought or homemade pizza dough

2 cups mozzarella cheese

1/2 bunch fresh basil, chopped

1 teaspoon garlic powder

Freshly ground black pepper

4 meatballs, pre-cooked and sliced

2 Italian sausage links, cooked through and sliced

1 small onion, sliced and sautéed until soft

Extra-virgin olive oil

Salt

1/4 pint cherry tomatoes, halved

Tomato sauce, warmed, for dipping

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Remove the dough from the refrigerator and allow it to come to room temperature. Lightly brush a baking sheet with olive oil. Lightly flour your countertop and the pizza dough and roll the dough to a rectangle.

Place half the cheese, the basil, garlic powder, pepper, meatballs, sausage and onion in the middle of the surface of the dough. Fill two-thirds of the surface, leaving the bottom third and a little of the sides empty. Top with the remaining cheese and salt to taste. Roll the sides of the dough over the filling and then seal the ends and edges with your palms to make a loaf. Transfer to the oiled tray. Rub a little olive oil over the top of the dough. Place the tomatoes, salt and pepper on the top. Cover the tray with plastic and let it sit for 15 minutes to rest.

Place the tray in the oven and bake for a total of 45 minutes. After 20 minutes, turn the pan 180 degrees. Bake another 20 minutes, then turn the pan again and bake the remaining 5 minutes. Remove from the oven and transfer to a cutting board to allow the loaf to cool. Slice and serve with tomato sauce on the side for dipping.

There are dozens of different ways you can go with this recipe. You can fill the stromboli with anything you like really. You can use different meats, vegetables or cheeses depending on what is to your liking. I saw many recipes that use salami, provolone, eggplant, peppers and more, so use whatever you like best.

It can make a nice dinner with a simple salad or will be great for any party that you may have. It is even better as something to bring to party you are going to.

That’s it for today. As I have said, I do have a stockpile of recipes of things I have made recently that I have not had a chance to post, so I hope to get to some of them over the coming days. until next time, enjoy the rest of your day and enjoy your meal!

 

003

 
Leave a comment

Posted by on February 2, 2013 in Appetizers, Breads, Cooking, Dinner, Pizza, Snacks

 

Tags: , , , , ,

4 Ways With Mussels

4 Ways With Mussels.

I love mussels myself. They are great in a paella, served over rice or just by themselves. I have seen them for some pretty good prices lately and you can get them pretty much year-round now. They may a great appetizer or a great entree. Don’t shy away from them and think they are too hard to cook or tough to make. It just takes a little bit of prep work and cleaning on your part and just a bit of cooking and they will taste great. Williams-Sonoma posted this on their blog about, cleaning, serving and storing mussels along with a few simple recipes. Check it out!

 
 

Tags: , , , , ,

Girl Scout Cookie Recipes: Thin Mints, Samoas And More

Girl Scout Cookie Recipes: Thin Mints, Samoas And More.

Since it is the Girl Scout cookie time of year, why not take a shot at making some of your favorites on your own. The Huffington Post pulled together these cookie recipes from different sites that they say taste just like what you get from the scouts. Why not give them a try? I might try the Thin Mints myself!

 
Leave a comment

Posted by on January 29, 2013 in Cookies, Cooking Websites

 

Tags: , , ,

 
National Day Calendar

Fun, unusual and forgotten designations on our calendar.

Jennifer Probst

a little bit naughty a little bit nice

Laissez Faire

Letting Life Lead

simple cooking recipes

a blog to share with you the best