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Weekend.

February 22nd, 2010 by Catherine

Here on the east coast this weekend, we got a taste of spring, with unseasonably warm weather and lots of blue skies. And with nothing to do but go about my Saturday at a very leisure-friendly pace, I got a chance to remember the feeling of warm sun and fresh – not biting – air. I wasn’t the only one enjoying the break from hibernation, either. All around me, people emerged from their homes to enjoy this break from the brutal cold and snow we’ve had over the past three months, reenergizing the world around me. So for the rest of the weekend, I enjoyed the simple things in life – a teary movie, a good book, and time spent catching up with good friends.

I also learned that the very best cure for winter Sunday night blues is a giant helping of vegetarian chili, served with sharp cheddar cheese, copious amounts of cilantro, and warm cornbread. While the cornbread came from a box, my chili was a labor of love for much of my Sunday afternoon. For the recipe, click through to read on.

How did you spend your weekend? (more…)

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Gimme, gimme s’more.

February 17th, 2010 by Catherine

During the summer, my favorite treat is definitely a s’more. There’s nothing more delicious than crunchy graham crackers, gooey marshmallows, and melty chocolate to culminate any evening. But without a working fireplace or gas stove, I’m out of luck trying to roast marshmallows indoors for the next few months. So with that in mind, would it be out of line to buy the Micro S’more? Marketed as the “10 Second Treat that’s Fun to Eat”, it’s enough convincing for me and my sweet tooth that we need this now…

MicroSmore Technology?

MicroSmore Technology?

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Sweet escape.

February 16th, 2010 by Catherine

While our current season ranks lowest on my scale of favorite times of year, what it lacks in preferable climate, it makes up for in candy. Right around February, my absolute favorite sweets start popping up on shelves, making the winter seem not too terrible after all. What’s your top Easter treat?

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Irresistibly sweet in any color.

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Impossible to resist. These Mini Eggs are my weakness.

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Cream eggs. Perfection.

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Colorful tulips make winter days brighter.

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The sweetest thing.

February 12th, 2010 by Catherine

Even if you’re not a natural Betty in the kitchen, you’re bound to appreciate the sweetness of Layer Cake Shop. Stocked full of darling little baking accessories (think cake toppers, adorable packaging, edible glitter, and the like), the online baking mecca has everything you need to transform those made-from-a-box cookies into something fabulous.

{Cherries Cutter, $2.75}

{Cherries Cutter, $2.75}

{Beer Can Picks, $2.75}

{Beer Can Picks, $2.75 for 12}

{Blue Sweet Flower Baking Cups, $4.25 for 50}

{Blue Sweet Flower Baking Cups, $4.25 for 50}

For a full selection of their sweet products, click here.

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Sweet treats.

February 8th, 2010 by Catherine
Sweetie Pies, $49.00

Sweetie Pies, $49.00

I’ve grown to love Valentine’s Day. What’s sweeter than a day recognizing the people you love? The fact that the holiday centers around chocolate and other treats doesn’t hurt, either. While I was hoping to make some confections from scratch this year, it doesn’t look as though I’ll have the time. Thankfully, Williams-Sonoma has got my back with these sweets, available online and guaranteed to arrive by the 14th if you order by today!

Perfect Endings Heart Red Velvet Cake $68.00

Perfect Endings Heart Red Velvet Cake $68.00

Heart Madeleines, $19.95

Heart Madeleines, $19.95

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Go bananas.

February 3rd, 2010 by Ruth

Skinny Laminxs Banana Bread

Skinny Laminx's Banana Bread

Inspired by Design*Sponge and Skinny Laminx, I plan to let the bananas on top of my refrigerator go brown. Why, you ask? Heather Moore of Skinny Laminx, an illustrator and designer from South Africa, frequently makes this recipe as it’s been in her family for decades. Her trick? Let those bananas get a little bit sad-looking.

I find this image to be incredibly tantalizing, and if that’s what on-the-way-to-rotting bananas do to a dish, it’s going to be a big hit in my house. I’ll let you know how it turns out, chicskates!

Click through for the full recipe.

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Krank it out.

February 1st, 2010 by Ruth
Perpetual Gardening Calendar, Krank Press Etsy.com, $20

Produce Calendar, Krank Press Etsy.com, $20

After reading about Krank Press on T Magazine’s Blog, I was quick to visit the studio’s Etsy shop. Notorious for quirky calendars and off beat stationery, Elinor Nissley cranks out ingenious calendars, stationery, books and bags with her drawings and woodcuts on them.

Krank Press created the most useful item for any chef – the produce calendar! Not only can it be reused yearly but it displays two columns of important information every month; planting recommendations and monthly market produce. Contact Elinor and let her know what area you reside and she will create a calendar indigenous to your area ie New England, New York, Washington DC, Texas, North West, Midwest, Southland, etc.

At $20 a pop, these produce calendars are a no brainer.

Produce Calendar, Krank Press on Etsy.com, $20

Produce Calendar, Krank Press Etsy.com, $20

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Steamed mussels.

January 29th, 2010 by Ruth

Steamed Mussels

A simple seafood meal for any chicskate is steamed mussels. At approximately $6 per pound, mussels are incredibly affordable and are widely available. Paired with standard ingredients like onions, celery, garlic, white wine, and olive oil, you can create a light, delicious meals in under 10 minutes! Soak up the delicious sauce with fresh baguette bread from your local bakery.

Click through to find the recipe!

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Sea salt.

January 27th, 2010 by Ruth

Artisan Salt Company Fusion White Truffle Salt

Artisan Salt Company Fusion White Truffle Salt

Artisan Salt Company Fusion Roasted Garlic Salt

Artisan Salt Company Fusion Roasted Garlic Salt

Nadine Niznik, a dear friend of mine, gifted me with delicious gourmet sea salts from Artisan Salt Company.

Not your run-of-the-mill potent garlic salt, Fusion Roasted Garlic Salt has a sweet richness that warmly lingers on the palate, and tastes incredible with fish, potatoes and salads. The other, Fusion White Truffle Salt, with its musky, rich aroma, lends a gourmet touch of the northern Italian countryside to your dishes.

{Artisan Salt Company Fusion Salts, SaltWorks.US, $18.00}

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Blue water grill style.

January 26th, 2010 by Ruth

The best piece of Miso and Soy Chilean Sea Bass I ever had was at the Blue Water Grill, here in NYC. The fish tastes like heaven and seems to just melt in your mouth. However, I can not frequent the restaurant as often as I’d like to so I’ve tried to mimic my favorite dish with this recipe, found at AllRecipes.com.

I have to say, after following the recipe to a T, I was able to bring Blue Water Grill style into the comfort of my own home. With my own broiler, I recreated the caramelized crunch and buttery texture I’ve come to love.

Get the full recipe after the jump.

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