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Soufflés are often under-looked and seem overwhelming for all the wrong reasons. If you are using a good recipe and can actually not open the oven door while it cooks, they are pretty fool proof (even without the proper equipment).
The make weekday dinners seem special, a welcome change on the frittata brunch and are great for any kind of entertaining.
Can you think of any other meal that can get such “wows” for so little $$?
I am not often up on the latest gizmos, gadgets, apps, and what have you, so if you already know all about this, I apologize.
Have you seen the new apps for iPhone (not sure if they have it for blackberries, other phones and PDAs yet) that analyze the colors in a photo?
Benjamin Moore Color Capture (free)
Sherwin-Williams ColorSnap (free)
MyPantone ($9.99 – so I haven’t tested it. I have a rule with myself to only download free apps, or I feel like it could easily be a slipperly slope)
You just take a picture on your phone and then point to any spot on the pic and it will tell you the color … pretty handy if you are painting a room or piece of furniture, but the possibilities are endless.
Want to find napkins that match the sunset – now you know the color. Or candles that are the same color at the flowers?
How would you use these apps?
Congrats Emily – you won the mercury glass candlesticks from John Derian!
Thank you all for entering – I am so excited to try all those great stores and your suggestions.
I included the screenshot just so you would know how I did it … a bit ugly, so next time I may omit that – hope you’ll trust me!
More giveaways to come…
I feel like Christmas is coming a bit early this year! Tomorrow I am checking out something new (to me): Sunday Suppers.
Sunday Suppers is “a class-cooking- dining experience, pairing friends and food. The food is market fresh, local and organic and the approach is to create seasonal and fresh meals together. The classes are held in a waterfront loft in Brooklyn, NY and are taught by Local Chefs. Photography and Food Styling by Karen Mordechai.”
Some of the pics above are from the Fall Harvest Dinner, and I think they speak for themselves. I cannot wait to see what is in store at the Winter Dinner, with guest chefs, The Jewels of NY.
Do you like cooking classes? I would love to hear about your favorites!
Oh, and notice the cabbage on that table – pretty snazzy…
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*In compliance with the new FTC regulations, this post and the future recap are sponsored by my lovely grandparents via my birthday. THANKS!!* {hehe}
Images via Karen Mordechai and Sunday Suppers
With holiday parties getting into full swing, I have had a few requests for drink ideas. I love the combo of whisky and apple, and these flavors work great hot or cold.
While there are of course differences in the taste between rye whisky and bourbon (both seen above), any of your favorites will work here, and will be a nice change from the ubiquitous vodka.
Sorry no pics of the drinks themselves – I am not so great at mixing cameras and cocktails. Someday maybe…
The cold version is inspired by the Whirling Tiger at Death & Co in New York, but while they use fresh fuji apple juice, I work the Simply Apple. The choice is yours.
To add to the “festive-ness” of the drink, these sterling silver straws would be a great touch. But if the Cristofle ones are a bit much, there are a few alternatives, including the silver spoon/straws similar to those at Little Branch (another great place for cocktail ideas). And if you are going to a party, rather than hosting, these double as a fab gift!
But back the scheduled cocktails…
These shrimp don’t have much of a story, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t great. In fact, when a certain someone had them, he said “are you going to write about these? You should.” I’ll take that as a good sign.
It really just started because I had some extra chipotles in the fridge, wanting to be used.
So that was easy – this sour cream, lime, chipotle sauce takes about 18 seconds, and is a regular for me. It is great smothered on tequila-lime chicken, or as a base for a little Mexi-pizza, just with chips, you name it…
All good choices, but none of those things were going to work for dinner here. (They required the store.)
But shrimp, that would be perfect. Shrimp are one of those things that I always have in the freezer. Always.
I just saw this little clip on our wedding videographer‘s website, and thought it was pretty fun. We always see the finished product of things, but I really like the behind the scenes too.
I obviously didn’t watch them put everything together as I was getting gussied up (and who really wants to watch tables be set for however long), but seeing it all as a 19 second time lapse is just perfect…
Do you like seeing what goes on behind the camera, or do you just want the resulting pretties?
Video via Videoquest Productions
I rarely have salads for dinner. With dinner, yes, but for dinner, not so much.
It’s not necessarily that I want something heartier (although, that is the case sometimes) or more (true other times too), but I guess I just like variety or not having the whole meal in one plate/bowl. I know it doesn’t make sense…
But sometimes, not often enough, I want salad for dinner. And strangely enough it happens in the winter. When I am usually wanting warm, cheesy things. I want something light and bright that reminds me of summer.
And then that happens, this salad is perfect.
Do you keep the same holiday decor every year, or do you switch it up a bit?
I know that it can be pricy to change decorations from year to year, but I do like mixing it up … maybe because there are so many fun things to try. Red with lime green – metallics – magenta and white – bright colors like the old-school Christmas bulbs – so many fun things. But one style I have never quite gotten into was the snowflake – until now!
Maybe because in sunny CA the snowflake seemed downright silly, or maybe because they always looked a bit cheesy – you know the ones on the blue and white paper plates? But I think I am officially a convert.
The snowflakes on the Saks building inspired me, and I just couldn’t stop.
I found all kinds of great things for a winter wonderland in silver, pewter, grey, white, and cream.
There are lots of lovely ornaments that can be found at great prices, but you don’t have to stop at the tree. Gather bulbs in bowls, vases, apothecary jars, you name it!
