My love affair with duck fat knows no bounds. If you haven’t had a potato cooked in this amazing substance than you simply haven’t lived. In the past I’ve had to meander over to our local butcher shop to get my fix but it appears that every cooks favorite store to splurge in (Williams-Sonoma) is now offering Rougié Duck Fat. This is a product of Canada and the fat is filtered and rendered from Moulard ducks raised in Québec.
If I were you I’d stock up. Imagine all of the compliments you’ll receive from holiday guests when you use duck fat to roast, saute and fry their meal. I think you might even get picky kids to try Brussels sprouts if you caramelize them with a dollop of added duck fat. It truly has a magical effect on food.
Just when you thought that cupcakes couldn’t possibly get any cuter someone comes along and designs costumes for them. For local readers please note that I happened upon these Yum Bot silicone bases while browsing at Henry Bear’s Park, a toy store in Porter Square.
While I’m never been one to geek-out over cupcakes, the science fiction nod that this product brings to the table truly speaks to my inner geek. These would, of course, make excellent additions to any child’s themed birthday party, but honestly I think I’d rather break them out for a Doctor Who marathon. As long as the Yum Bots don’t try to take over the world I think we’ll be in good shape.
It might just be because I didn’t have a proper lunch today, or maybe it’s simply that it’s really cute? Perhaps I’m just feeling nostalgic, but I find that this Candy Stash Wallet from Fred Flare is so delightfully yummy looking!
Admittedly though it’s not my style and I don’t think I could pull off keeping my T-Pass in this kitsch little clutch but I certainly hope at least one of you takes the plunge.
Just please, whatever you do, don’t leave it anywhere near me or I’m likely to start picking at it and maybe even nibbling incessantly, and then we’ll probably get into an altercation that is decidedly not sweet at all.
Congratulations to Stacy: the winner of the Better Homes and Gardens New Cook Book!
Fact: the Better Homes and Gardens New Cook Book was the first cookbook that I ever purchased for myself. I happened upon it at a company sponsored book fair back at my first job right out of college. The familiar red-plaid cover drew me in. I’d been paging through a similar cookbook for years at my grandmother’s house so I was instantly filled with happy childhood memories upon seeing it perched on the portable shelf. While flipping through the book the gorgeous photographs and familiar recipes, that appeared to be things that I could make without burning my apartment down, immediately convinced me that I had to have it and I promptly paid for the book and rushed up to my cubicle so I could examine it more closely.
It was through this cookbook that I gained a bit of cooking confidence. The detailed recipes introduced me to banana bread, meatloaf, classic white bread, and even macaroni and cheese. To this day it’s still one of my go-to cookbooks. If you’ve ever wondered what the one essential cookbook every home cook should own I wouldn’t hesitate for a second in recommending this one.
The 15th edition of the Better Homes and Gardens New Cook Book has been updated to include more than 1400 recipes (1000 of which are all brand new) and new chapters for “Breakfast and Brunches,” “Sandwiches and Pizza,” and “Convenience Cooking” have also been added. Plus, as canning has become ever so popular as of late the chapter on “Canning and Freezing” has been completely revamped.
As this is such a well-loved book I’d like to give you the opportunity to win a copy to keep on your own shelf for years to come. To enter the giveaway all you have to do is leave a comment on this post.
In addition, If you share the link to this contest on your own blog, Twitter, Facebook etc… you may have one additional entry for a total of two possible chances to win. If you choose this option please leave a link to your shout out as your second comment. A winner will be selected via the random number generator this Friday, October 1, 2010 at 6:00 PM EST and then I’ll promptly arrange to have the book shipped to your home. Best of luck!
(Please note: A copy of this book was provided to me free of charge by the publisher).
It’s been a big week in the world of foodie apps. At least three separate companies have released mobile applications to those of us who are surgically attached to our iPhones, Blackberries, and Droids.
PeaPod, which just happens to be my “go to” method of grocery shopping has created an easy to navigate application that will allow you to more succinctly get your shopping done while riding the bus to work or sitting idly in a waiting room. I’m definitely going to be taking advantage of this free app. In addition, to celebrate the release, PeaPod is running a contest. To submit an entry simply tweet the below sentence from your Twitter account for a chance to win a $100 Peapod gift card. Don’t forget the hashtag (#)!
“I am so excited about the new Peapod Mobile app! http://ow.ly/2xxC1 #PeapodMobile”
The venerable Cook’s Illustrated has also released a new application. This one is only for the iPhone though but it’s fabulous. I’ve been playing with it all week. It features the following cool perks:
- 50 of their all-time best recipes
- The ability to browse recipes by cuisine or category
- Overview videos for every recipe
- Dozens of taste test reviews for supermarket ingredients
- A shopping list feature
- The ability to start and manage multiple kitchen timers
- Organize recipes and ingredient reviews in your “Favorites”
- Share free recipes and ingredient reviews via email or Facebook
If that’s not good enough for you, the app also allows online members to log in and view the entire recipe collection. I love being an online subscriber and I’d definitely recommend going this route if you haven’t yet. By the way, in case you’re worried, the free recipes are actually really good ones like the Almost No-Knead Bread and the Best Buttermilk Drop Biscuits. Both of which I’ve made literally dozens of times.
And last but certainly not least, the gourmet giant Mario Batali had a personal hand in creating his new iPhone app. For $4.99 you’ll be able to do the following and more:
- Browse recipes by region, course, prep-time, season, category of food or kid-friendliness.
- Watch videos showing Mario cooking all 63 recipes
- Utilize built-in timers for any recipe step that requires timing.
- Review wine pairings with Mario’s notes on varietals and a wine list describing each wine.
I think this means we’ll all be spending a little time at the iTunes store this afternoon!
I think I have a little addiction to all of the designer discount sites that are popping up everywhere. It started with Rue La La and progressed rapidly since then. The thing is I don’t tend to buy sexy stilettos and leather handbags. Instead, I’m on the prowl for great deals on kitchen gadgets, cute dishes, and colorful utensils. Most of the time I’m able to curb my desire to impulse shop my way into the poor house but sometimes a girl can’t control herself and I hit the “submit” button on a great order of fabulous things.
One Kings Lane happens to be one of these addicting sites. Generally they specialize in designer décor, furniture, accessories and gifts, but they’ve recently announced that they’ll be expanding into kitchen goodies. Every Sunday (beginning on August 29, 2010) at 5:00 PM PDT, One Kings Lane will offer the latest in gourmet food. The debut “Surf and Turf” themed event will feature products from Estancia Beef, Lobster Anywhere, East Coast Gourmet and Cranberry Island Kitchen. Are you getting hungry yet? Then I think it’s time that you signed up!
My cousin kids that I have OCD because I shower twice a day. In reality I just really like to feel squeaky clean all the time. There’s nothing wrong with that, right?
Recently my bathing ritual has become that much more relaxing and fabulous with the addition of a new soap. Aveeno Hydrating Fig & Shea Butter Body Wash is beyond delicious. I’m very sensitive to scents so I have to be careful not to pick-up anything that is really floral in essence or I’ll spend precious shower time sneezing my brains out. This fig infused concoction is simply perfect. Not to sweet, not too spicy — it’s truly just right and leaves my skin feeling super soft. Get thee to your local drug store immediately and pick up a bottle. Fig is so in.
All I seem to talk about lately is how hot I am. How hot my apartment is. How hot my poor furry cats are etc… Perhaps the worst part is sleeping at night though. You see, I’m a spoiled girl who until recently had spent the last three city summers in chilly centrally air cooled glory. So my pajama selection reflected this lifestyle and has been essentially composed of pants of cotton or flannel (I know…I know…how unsexy) in various prints and colors. Which was fine, but did I mention that I’m hot and sweating to death every night?! I desperately need new pajamas that are short, cool, and preferably cute – STAT.
Well ask the internet and she will deliver. Check out this sugary sweet cupcake studded chemise from Munki Munki. It doesn’t get very much more adorable then that. This cheeky little number would be the perfect thing for me to beat the heat in. Especially since I’ve taken to running around the house in CK’s t-shirts hoping that I don’t inadvertently flash the neighbors. Click here to see a close-up view of the must-have cupcake print and start picking out the trashy beach book you’re going to devour after you slip on this baker-chic lounge-ware. Operation sleepless nights has been officially put to bed.
[Many thank to West Coast Erin for pointing out this funky brand to me].
I have another hot shopping tip for you. This Friday (June 18th, 2010) at 11:00 AM EST the venerable Rue La La is having a sale on Le Creuset products. Yay! Let’s hope they have pretty colors to choose from because I don’t actually own a proper full-sized brand name dutch oven. I shockingly enough just have a smaller version that I had to hunt down on eBay. Unfortunately I paid more for that unique pot in lilac than you’re going to pay for the gigantic version on Friday, but perhaps this sale will be good enough to tempt us all to splurge?
I also have one “don’t buy this” suggestion. I own a Caribbean Blue Le Creuset enamel stock pot and while I used to like it quite a bit I’m finding that I don’t like it anymore. It’s quite thin and contents on the bottom of the pot catch on all the time making it horrible to clean. So even if they have some of those for super cheap I’d avoid them.
Please remember that you need a Rue La La membership to access the sale, but don’t worry you can sign-up by clicking on this link. Sign me up for Rue La La right now! [Many thanks to Karen for the email alerting me to this fabulous sale].
I happened upon this lovely little teacup while browsing ModCloth (thank you so much Alejandra for introducing me to this amazing store). I just love having cute mugs at the office and I think this Little Red Riding inspired cup would be a fantastic work accessory.
The Better to Brew You With Teacup is not only adorable but functional and I love that you have the option of brewing an afternoon cup of comfort (Lady Londonderry anyone?) with fresh loose tea as opposed to whatever funky tea bags I’ve had stashed in my desk for ages and ages. Plus clean-up appears to be a snap. You don’t have to fumble with stubborn tea ball latches anymore, just flick the used tea into the trash, wash the metal insert and store your cup proudly next to your purple flower Post-it notes and Alba Cocoa Butter hand lotion. Oh wait…that’s probably just my desk.
