want it now (b4 thanksgiving!): super smart apron
I am one of those cooks who always makes a mess. I splatter, splot, drip and am constantly reaching for a towel or a rag to wipe my hands on. Sure, I have worked my way through a few aprons, but none of them have become indispensable and are often left hanging on a hood rather than around my neck. But this lovely, clever number from Studio Patro makes my heart flutter. Its straps are on grommets and designed not to strain your neck and it has pockets for those constantly misplaced tasting spoons and tea towels. The linen/cotton blend gets softer with each wash. At $68, they are a bit pricey, but a wonderful gift idea of the chef in your house. – Angela M.
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real life test kitchen: bourbon sweet potato bundt cake
I am just getting this one in under the gun: It’s November 15th — National Bundt Cake Day! I knew it was this week, but thought perhaps it was Thursday after watching the video this Martha Stewart link. I’ve been seeing Bundt cake recipes everywhere lately, like this delicious collection at the Kitchn, but ultimately decided to celebrate the season with this one I spotted on MSL: It’s a sweet potato bourbon Bundt cake from Bundt Classics by Dorthy Dalquist, the grand dame of Nordic Ware. I had never baked with sweet potatoes before, and was curious how this would turn out. The texture was moist, and a little dense (perhaps I over mixed?) but super yummy. A touch of pumpkin pie spice makes it taste like, well, pumpkin pie. It’s the syrup — made from sugar, butter and bourbon — that really throws this one into the stratosphere. It was amazing the first two days but quickly got stale by day three. Any suggestions on the best way to store? — Angela M.
Click here for the recipe at Martha Stewart Living.
More Shelterrific Bundt cake posts:
Chocolate Spice Cake with Vanilla Buttercream
Pear Persimmon Pudding Cake with Whiskey Cream Cheese Icing
Chocolate Walnut Zucchini Cake with Cream Cheese Icing
real life test kitchen: peanut butter & chocolate buckeyes
One of the best things about marrying a man from Ohio is that he introduced me to buckeyes. The state sweet, they are creamy, peanut-buttery chocolate balls of joy. They resemble the nut that falls from the state tree and bear the same name as Ohio State’s beloved college football team. I don’t know how I lived 35 years without them. Recently, we introduced some neighbors to buckeyes by bringing a spooky version to Halloween party. I was talking to the hostess when someone came over and urgently asked “Where are those chocolate peanut butter balls?! They are amazing!!” I beamed with pride and decided we’d make them for a bake sale we had coming up at our child’s preschool. Recipe to follow on the next page. Don’t eat them all once! — Angela M
wanna get organized for the holidays? let’s do it together!
We know what you’re thinking: Here it is just 20 days until Thanksgiving and I don’t even know who’s coming over for dinner, let alone what I’m cooking yet! Don’t worry, you’re not alone. The holidays manage to hit all of us like a snowstorm in October. This season, Shelterrific is excited to be working with the folks over at iVillage in The Get Organized For the Holidays Challenge. Sign up for the challenge, and starting November 14th you’ll receive daily tips in your inbox written by some familiar voices: Us! Week one is about planning a menu and a budget for Thanksgiving with Angela M.. Week two, Becki S. will put her shopping know-how to work and help you tackle your gift giving strategy. Week three, Mary T. will guide us through holiday decorating and some fun craft ideas, and finally former Shelterrific contributor and current iVillage food editor Lisa Cericola will help you host a holiday party with ease and grace. There will also be a dedicated message board where you can give and get advice to specific questions. We may not have all the answers, but together we can figure it out.
So stop worry and sign up today!
real life test kitchen: holly’s perfect pumpkin muffins
The other day we had the pleasure of crashing at the home of our dear friend Holly in Richmond, VA. A baker extraordinaire, she always has something delicious to offer. On Sunday she sent us on our way with a plate full of the best pumpkin muffins. They were moist, light and had a subtle complexity due to a mix of cinnamon, cloves, ginger and cardamon. But what really made them extra devourable was some dark chocolate chips hidden inside. Needless to say, all the pumpkin muffins are gone now. Holly was kind enough to share her recipe, so I will try to replicate over the weekend. Even if they’re just half as good as hers, they’ll be heaven in a paper cup. — Angela M.
Click through to the next page for the recipe. (more…)
