I wish I could convey in words how much I love lavender. I really, really, really love lavender. In our home you will find: lavender shampoo and conditioner, hand/body soap, dish soap, perfume, aftershave, baby oil, lotion, and diaper ointment. We are lavender fiends! Two summers ago, when I was on a Kouing Aman binge […]
Kitchen Q & A: Cake Decorating
Darling Hannah, and a few other friends and readers have asked me about cake decorating. I’ve compiled a list of products/tools, etc. that I use myself and would recommend. My disclaimer is this: I am a TOTAL amateur, but I know what I like and have success with. Someday I’ll take a class or two […]
Kitchen Q&A: Cake Decorating–Icing Colors
I have to be honest–I am not a big fan of the food coloring drops. When I’m decorating a cake or cookies, I prefer vibrant, varied colors. I like gel food coloring the best. I use Wilton Gel icing Colors. Here’s what I like:1. many color choices2. don’t thin out icing (particularly good for classic […]
Kitchen Q&A: Cake Decorating–Spatulas and Other Tools
Another piece of advice I am going to offer you, if you ask me about cake decorating, is to buy a few good spatulas. First and foremost, you want to start with a delicious cake, then you want to make sure you have a clean canvas–i.e. a smooth surface. I love, love, love my flat, […]
Kitchen Q&A: Cake Decorating Tips and Pastry Bags
I have gotten many, many questions about cake decorating. Now, you all know that I am not a pro (like Steph), but I do like to dabble in cake decorating. In any case, I love the questions regarding which products I would recommend. My first question to you is going to be: What will you […]
How-To: Glazed Lemon Cookies
When I first saw the recipe for Glazed Lemon Cookies in my first issue of Cooks’ Illustrated magazine, I passed it over. I’d had lemon cookies before. They were just sort of eh. And I love lemon and butter and sugar and flour together. It’s a good combo. I lent my issue to my husband’s […]
How To: Homemade Marshmallows
I don’t know why I haven’t made homemade marshmallows until now. I’m a huge marshmallow fan, for one. And for two, I’m a pro at making meringues. (Wink, wink) Actually, I am a marshmallow lover, but making marshmallows has been a little intimidating. (My work table.) I had planned on making homemade marshmallows for the […]
Mashed Potatoes 101
Do I really need to post a 101 about Mashed Potatoes? Probably not. Doesn’t everyone know how to make mashed potatoes? YES._____________________________________ Here’s my disclaimer– Everyone I know has their preferred method for mashing potatoes. I’m not going to say that one way is necessarily better than another. I can tell you the tips I’ve […]
Potato Ricer
I love my potato ricer. It falls under the category of “unnecessary kitchen gadgets.” I happen to love unnecessary kitchen gadgets. I don’t own many UKG for space reasons, but one day when I have my dream kitchen…watch out. I may even buy some of those gimmicky kitchen gadgets shown on infomercials. (Magic Bullet anyone?) […]
The Replacements
Ever thrown out an appliance because one of the parts broke or got lost? I just discovered a website called The Gourmet Depot Co. that offers replacement parts for dozens and dozens of brand name appliances from Cuisinart to Hoover, as well as a store to purchase new appliances. I think I might just have […]
