Archive   |   June, 2010

real life test kitchen: cold sesame noodles

Posted by in cooking

sesame1

sesame

This weekend many Americans will be celebrating Independence Day with parades, parties and food-filled barbecues. I’ll be cooking for a few of those myself and celebrating my independence from a hot oven and stove with this quick, simple recipe that my mom threw together for just such occasions. With few ingredients, this dish is easily customized to your taste preference. Increase the soy sauce for a tangier bite, up the Dijon ante for greater zip or turn up the heat with the red pepper oil without ever breaking a sweat in the kitchen. — Sarah C. Read on for cold sesame noodles! (more…)

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etsy find: chef’s pencil set from paperpastries

Posted by in shopping

chef pencils

Around this time of year there’s always buzz about cookbooks for recent college grads who are beginning their adult lives and embarking on voyages of discovery in the kitchen. Another helpful gift to that end? This set of chef’s pencils, $11 from Etsy seller PaperPastries. With definitions for common culinary techniques and adjectives, a simple glance is all the reminder needed achieve cooking success. That grilled cheese isn’t going to cook itself! – Sarah C.

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snack saver: resnackit reusable snack bags

Posted by in crafting, living green, organizing

resnackitstrawberries

We have a toddler who goes to daycare, so I feel like I’m constantly packing lunch and snacks for him (and myself). Plastic baggies are a last resort for us, so when I spotted the ReSnackIt ($12.95) at Paper-Source the other day, I had to buy it. It’s a machine-washable cotton bag lined with nylon that’s BPA/lead/PVC/phthalate-free. Perfect for snacks, it’s also big enough for a sandwich. And it’s stylish. I love it, and so does our son. The cheerful prints are appealing to kids, and the velcro closure makes it easy for them to use. I’m planning to get a couple more from the ReSnackIt site where there are more prints and better prices than at Paper-Source.

If you’re handy with a sewing machine, there are also a few cute do-it-yourself opportunities to be had. We’ve posted before about the Reusable Sandwich Wrap by Betz White from CraftStylish, but some other ideas include this Recycled Reusable Sandwich Bag from Noodleheads (she uses the pocket from pair of men’s pants!), and the reusable Snack Bag from French Sleep Deprivation Study. – Michelle V.K.

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weekday diy: the light bulb bud vase

Posted by in crafting, living green

starredesigns

At my apartment we’ve almost completed the switch to compact fluorescent bulbs. In the energy smart era, the incandescent bulb will soon be a fixture of the past, but ReadyMade has a fun way to make even those a little greener by recycling them with this nifty DIY project. Like the idea but don’t have the tools or technical prowess? Etsy user StarRedesigns has you covered with her freestanding versions. Based on washers for a customizable angle, various bulb sizes and shapes are available starting at $11.50. — Sarah C.

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whimsical wallpaper by trove

Posted by in decorating

trove wallpaper

I confess: I’m a little prejudiced against wallpaper. The term itself conjures up images of Nanas’ sewing rooms and newborns’ nurseries papered with fussy tea pots and tumbling teddy bears. I know now that I had just never met the right one. The wallpapers from New York-based Trove are intricate and gorgeous enough to hang in your house instead of art. Doves mid-flight, glam patrons sitting in opera boxes, ghostly jellyfish, fluttering butterflies — they all manage to feel sophisticated instead of silly. – Katie D.

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