Category Archives: Kitchen

kitchen cabinets: two-toned color trend


kitchengray kitchen cabinets: two toned color trend
Image via the deocorologist

The easiest way to transform your outdated kitchen is to slap on a fresh coat of paint to those worn-out kitchen cabinets. And that’s exactly what I plan to do this spring or summer.

I’m not the most timely of DIY-ers, that’s a well-documented fact on this blog. But I hope to knock out this much-needed task soon — yet the paint decisions are driving me crazy!

Do I go all white? Or should I do a universal black-and-white decor? Or, should I be daring and take a risk with a fun color? I hate to get too trendy, or I’ll need to repaint in a year.

So here is what I WILL be using — a two-toned kitchen cabinet color scheme. Darker paint on the lower cabinets, lighter on top.

It’s not terribly new — designers have been using this idea for a few years now. But for those who think it’s too out there, think again. You can really get creative with this trend– while keeping the look sophisticated and subtle.

kitchenbluewhite kitchen cabinets: two toned color trendImage via the kitchn

From a visual perspective, it’s a good idea to keep the darker color on the lower cabinets  – love the indigo blue in the above kitchen. Then use a crisp, lighter shade on top. This will make your space look larger. You really can’t beat a bright white for a a clean look.

glossykitchen e1364142000956 kitchen cabinets: two toned color trendImage via Better Homes & Gardens

But just because there are certain “rules” for two-toned kitchen cabinets, that doesn’t mean you can’t have fun with finishes. This glossy look is a perfect example. The glossy paint from the lower cabinets gives these basic espresso cabinets a modern touch.

This would be a good option for a more traditional kitchen, like mine. Or for those who want an updated, yet approachable look. I for one, don’t want my kitchen to look so sleek and perfect that you can’t get your hands dirty!

green kitchen e1364141840767 kitchen cabinets: two toned color trendImage via Design Traveler

And for the more daring, you can still get very creative with kitchen cabinet color, as well. You can choose to color block your kitchen cabinets, so to speak. Paint an island cabinet section white, then choose a bright shade for the opposite block of kitchen cabinets. You can’t go wrong with green, especially this year!

The bottom line in kitchen design is to have fun, be creative and make your kitchen the most comfortable room in your home!

Hot Tea – My warm, relaxing ritual.

RD020113DragonmoonTea Hot Tea   My warm, relaxing ritual.

On this first day of February, I am well into my lots-of-hot-tea-drinking season. Although that season really lasts all year for me since just the sound of an air conditioner kicking on in the summer has me reaching for hot tea.

I first found joy in hot tea during my university years abroad in Sydney, Australia. Growing up near the southern United States, sweet tea was always the drink of choice at Grandma and Grandpa’s home and at my best childhood friend’s home too so I had never tasted hot tea with milk and sugar until the airline flight to Australia from Los Angeles. Why on earth would anyone put milk in their tea? No fears, I soon learned the ways of tea time, milk and sugar and Earl Grey.

It’s the morning ritual of clicking the burner on to heat water that starts every day familiar and happy. And these days, my tea of choice is green tea with just a bit of honey or jasmine green tea. But I drink everything from chamomile and mint to chai to rooibos as well.

RD020113DragonmoonTeaDecor Hot Tea   My warm, relaxing ritual.

If you’re local, try a visit to Dragonmoon Tea Co. in Tulsa. You’re sure to leave with something wonderful to try and be sure to grab lunch while you’re there. Everything I’ve had is tasty!

Need to learn more? I signed up for an email series at The Republic of Tea and now they’ve got an article, “Guilt-Free Tea Treats for Cold Weather Sipping.” I’ve moved past my guilty-pleasure tea treats (which could barely be classified as tea) to try some of their suggestions along with this chai recipe from Beauty that Moves. Complete with printable recipe page.

RD020113DragonmoonTeaMantel Hot Tea   My warm, relaxing ritual.

So sit back, put your feet up and enjoy a warm mug of tea while you think about Valentine’s décor. For me, Valentine’s day marks the middle of winter. I feel it’s the coldest time of year so along with my leftover white, gold and silver decorations that do double duty for the holidays and winter, I use February as an opportunity to start bringing in bright colors. Red, coral and greys help me to segue nicely into a fast-approaching Spring.

All images mine at Dragonmoon Tea Co.

Soup’s on: Spice up your winter soups and stews

winter corn soup alone1 Soups on: Spice up your winter soups and stewsImage of Winter Mexican Corn Soup via Verses from My Kitchen

It’s post-holiday winter, so in my house that means hearty soups and stews. But we all get bored with the same old varieties, right?

I not only like to try new recipes, but I love experimenting with new ingredients. So here we go — I’ve done some research and found some exciting recipes to try! First, is Winter Mexican Corn Soup . I’m all over this for many reasons, the main being that it involves ancho chili powder. This kicked-up spice is made from dried poblano peppers, and it gives your recipe a kick of heat and warmth we all need in the winter.

chickpea Soups on: Spice up your winter soups and stewsImage via Martha Stewart 

Wouldn’t you know Martha Stewart has already experimented with spices for us? Her recipe for Indian Stew includes one of my favorite winter ingredients – ground ginger. It’s not just for holiday cookie recipes! This adds a lovely aromatic element to your stew. Can’t wait to try this one out — maybe for the Prairie Hive gals’ next meeting!

balsamicstew Soups on: Spice up your winter soups and stewsImage via Baked Bree

Even if you’re craving the classic beef stew, you can add an unexpected flavor to make it special. This recipe for Balsamic Beef Stew is just the trick. Use that aged balsamic vinegar you got for the holidays for a rich flavor.

chipoltestew Soups on: Spice up your winter soups and stewsImage via A Bitchin’ Kitchen

I’d never thought to combine these flavors in the recipe above — Chipolte Sweet Potato Soup. I love chipolte in adobo sauce , so I always have some in my freezer (hint, you only need one or two of these smoked jalapenos, so freeze the rest of your can when done!). I”m not the hugest fan of sweet potato casserole at the holidays, so some heat would do me just fine.

What’s your favorite go-to stew or soup recipe for winter?

A New Year, New Cook’s Tools

vintagetooks A New Year, New Cooks ToolsImage via Etsy

Happy 2013! Hope you had a happy holiday season and have had a good transition back into Normal Life.

For many of us, that means getting back into the routine in the kitchen. Not gonna lie — it’s been tough for me to get back into the grind of making dinner every night. I’ve been quite the slacker! But a good resolution is always to make a healthier meal, or at the very least, a homier one.

So, I’m glad I got some foodie goodies for Christmas! Here are a few new cook’s tools and gadgets we got in our stockings this year. Because I’m big on baking and because my hubby’s a barbecue fanatic, we get a healthy assortment of cooking supplies each year, and they’re so much fun to try out.

From individual steak thermometers to reusable cupcake liners, I thought I’d share these fun and inexpensive gadgets to try this year. Have fun experimenting!

  A New Year, New Cooks Tools

1. Silicone cupcake liners, Amazon 2. Mini steak thermometers, Creative Kitchen 3. Zeroll ice cream scoop, Sur La Table 4. Nielsen-Massey Vanilla Sugar, Williams-Sonoma 5. Clip-on spoon rest, Amazon

Warming up in Winter: Making Homemade Bread

We love homemade bread around here. Not only does the hot oven warm up the house on a frigid day, but it’s tastier, healthier and less expensive than any purchased at the grocery.

RD010413 Homemade Bread Warming up in Winter: Making Homemade Bread

We’ve struggled for years to make this a habit without too much success until we were gifted this book for Christmas (in 2011). I highly recommend you try Artisan Bread in Five Minutes a Day. So easy.

This is just the simple Boule, one of the “Peasant Loaves” that they recommend you try before moving on to flatbreads, pizza dough, enriched breads and pastries. There’s a sandwich bread, but we just keep using this one and it makes fantastic sandwiches, especially grilled.

RD010413 Homemade Bread 1 Warming up in Winter: Making Homemade Bread

If you’re ready to get started right away, just go to the Bread in Five website. It looks like there are plenty of tempting recipes to get you started.

I think I might try those chocolate espresso doughnuts they recommend ringing in the new year with.

RD010413 Homemade Bread 2 Warming up in Winter: Making Homemade Bread

See, warm and not-too-dense in the middle and slightly crusty on the outside. You’ll never love a grilled cheese and tomato soup more.

New Year’s Eve Bubbly: Easy Champagne Cocktails

champs2 New Years Eve Bubbly: Easy Champagne CocktailsImage via Revel: Revel

Happy New Year’s Eve! For festive party-goers or for curl-up-and-stay-home-bodies, the night is a perfect excuse to bust out some of that bubbly you’ve been saving.

Champagne, or sparkling wine, is one of my favorite beverages. I’ve always been a fan of the bubbly, and I drink it on every special occasion.

That said, not everyone in your party is always a huge fan. So sometimes, they are more apt to try a glass of the festive stuff if it’s in the form of a cocktail.  Fair enough!

champs22 New Years Eve Bubbly: Easy Champagne CocktailsImage via WildFleur

Sometimes, all you need is a few drops of Chambord or another flavored liqueur to brighten up those glasses of bubbly. Or, you can liven up a party with a Champagne punch. No matter what you choose, it’s a fun way to celebrate the New Year!

Here are a few of my favorite Champagne varieties and recipes. Have a safe and happy New Year’s Eve!

 New Years Eve Bubbly: Easy Champagne Cocktails

1. Individual cans of Sofia, by Francis Coppola Winery 2. Pomegranate Champagne Punch, Martha Stewart 3. Frozen fruit skewers for a slushy Champagne garnish 4. Blackberry Champagne Cocktails, Williams-Sonoma 5. Cosmopolitan Champagne Cocktails, Epicurious 

Gluten-Free Desserts, or Getting Through the Holidays

Having just left a party where I passed on both pizza and cookies, on the drive home, I dreamt of desserts I can eat.

So here’s a quick round-up of pins, saves and links I’ve emailed to myself over the past couple of months mostly of gluten-free desserts and sometimes little or no sugar too.

I must’ve known my sweet tooth could not go unsatisfied forever.

RD121412ChocolateMousse Gluten Free Desserts, or Getting Through the Holidays

Image from Real Simple by Kan Kanbayashi

Let’s start with the Chocolate Ricotta Mousse in Real Simple’s gluten-free dessert round up. While  you’re there you should browse through the other 32 dessert options.

Next up, Spiced and Salted Pumpkin Pie Minis at My New Roots. Definitely stick around My New Roots for a bit, there’s plenty of unique, satisfying recipes to peak your interest.

RD121412PumpkinPie Gluten Free Desserts, or Getting Through the Holidays

Image from My New Roots

This is a good one to keep in your back pocket and when you’re craving warm chocolate chip cookies late at night, cinnamon baked apples might help curb it. Although, I think I’m still gonna have to do something about no more late-night chocolate chip cookie making, it’s kind of a tradition with the women in our family.

RD121412BakedApples Gluten Free Desserts, or Getting Through the Holidays

Image from Norcal

2 (to 4) Ingredient Fudge. Yum.

 RD121412Fudge Gluten Free Desserts, or Getting Through the Holidays

Image from Heather Eats Almond Butter

We love watching Cook’s Country any time we can catch it and the America’s Test Kitchen book is the staple cookbook in our kitchen. While I can’t say we’ve ever followed a recipe fully, it’s always the best place to start. Consider it the new go-to newlywed kitchen gift.

These Buckeyes are another great weapon in your calm-the-cravings arsenal. You probably have the ingredients and they look pretty quick from start to finish. Maybe even faster than chocolate chip cookies!

 RD121412Buckeyes Gluten Free Desserts, or Getting Through the Holidays

Image from Cook’s Country

I’ve never made coconut macaroons before, but these have jumped to the top of my list and I think might make a less expected contribution to any party you may attend.

Most of my picks have been about one thing – satisfying my own sweet tooth – but that doesn’t mean you can’t bring gluten-free for everyone to enjoy. I think these travel well and are great almost-one-bite desserts.

 RD121412Macaroons Gluten Free Desserts, or Getting Through the Holidays

Image from Mark Bittman

I’ve had the ingredients to make these raw brownies for awhile now, but I keep eating the dates before I get around to making the cookies. Both the Raw Brownies and Raw Peanut Butter Oatmeal Cookies sound yum. Plus, no wheat or sugar! It’s a win-win.

 RD121412RawCookies Gluten Free Desserts, or Getting Through the Holidays

Image from Triumph Wellness

Maybe some  of these links will come in handy for New Year’s Resolutions too!

 

Recipes for National Peanut Butter Lovers Month {Celebrate!}

November is a great month for so many reasons – crisper weather, gatherings of friends and families, turkey and stuffing – but also because it is National Peanut Butter Lovers Month.   And if you know me, then you know I’m definitely that!  As a peanut butter lover, I’m always intrigued by new or creative recipes that incorporate the ooey-gooey ingredient.  Here are a few I’d love to try (or have made for me… hint, hint):

This one is found on the Peanut Butter Lovers as a 2012 contest winner.  I love Chai almost as much as I love PB, so I know this one would be a hit with me.

DET PB01 Recipes for National Peanut Butter Lovers Month {Celebrate!}

Chai-Peanut Butter Apple Breakfast

1 cup boiling water
3 chai flavored tea bags
3/4 cup creamy peanut butter
1/3 cup honey
2 tablespoons cinnamon sugar
1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
2 tablespoons butter
3 large Granny Smith apples, peeled, cored and sliced 1/2-inch thick
1 cup granola

1. Combine boiling water and tea; steep for 5 minutes. Transfer to a bowl. Add peanut butter and honey. Whisk until well combined. Set aside.

2. Combine sugar and flour. Melt 1 tablespoon butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the apple slices; sprinkle with the sugar mixture. Cook apples for about 5 minutes per side or until browned, shaking and turning occasionally.

3. To serve: divide sauce into individual bowls, top with apple slices and granola.

courtesy peanutbutterlovers.com

 

A friend enlightened me the other day when she mentioned that you can make a Butterfinger-esque treat when you melt candy corn, mix with peanut butter and cover in chocolate.  World. Officially. Rocked.  And what a delicious way to get rid of all of that leftover candy corn!

DET PB02 Recipes for National Peanut Butter Lovers Month {Celebrate!}

 image via Buns in my Oven

What a fun twist on the classic peanut butter and jelly sandwich!

DET PB03 Recipes for National Peanut Butter Lovers Month {Celebrate!}image via Jif

 

Chocolate Peanut Butter Macarons sound divine!  I bet and hope we Tulsans can pick up a dozen at Antoinette Baking Co. some time.

DET PB04 Recipes for National Peanut Butter Lovers Month {Celebrate!}

image via The Baker Chick

 

And November 20th is National Peanut Butter Fudge Day, so why not use it as a great excuse to try out this Chocolate Peanut Butter Fudge Crunch recipe?!

DET PB05 Recipes for National Peanut Butter Lovers Month {Celebrate!}

image via Blissfully Domestic

Halloween Cocktail Recipes {Drinks to Die For!}

If you are planning on staying home with the porch light on and answering the door to the sounds of “Trick or Treat!” tomorrow night, why let the costumed kiddos have all the fun?!  Treat yourself to an evening of “treats” (hold the “tricks”) of the adult beverage variety, and sip on some of these tasty fall-inspired cocktails as you “ohhh” and “ahhh” over the adorable mini-Captain Americas and tiny fairy princesses and pass out handfuls of candy.

This warm Apple Pie Martini sounds scrumptious!  It may just be the winner in my book.

DET HalloweenDrinks01 Halloween Cocktail Recipes {Drinks to Die For!}

image via Tasty Kitchen

Apple Pie Martini

courtesy of Tasty Kitchen

  • 2 ounces, fluid Vanilla Vodka
  • 1-½ ounce, fluid Unsweetened Apple Juice
  • ½ ounces, fluid Simple Syrup, Store Bought Or Your Favorite Recipe
  • ½ ounces, fluid Lemon Juice
  • 1 pinch Cinnamon
  • Optional For Garnish: 2 Or 3 Apple Slices

Directions:  Combine all the ingredients (except garnish) in a cocktail shaker. Fill the shaker with ice, shake well and pour into a chilled cocktail glass. Garnish with a slice or two of apple.

 

Or how about this wonderful way to use the most classic Halloween candy – Candy corn!  For those who can’t get enough of the seasonal treat, find the recipe here for a Candy Corn Cordial.

DET HalloweenDrinks02 Halloween Cocktail Recipes {Drinks to Die For!}

image via Food Network

 

My favorite fall hot cafe drink is sure to be tasty in this recipe of Bourbon Chai.

DET HalloweenDrinks03 Halloween Cocktail Recipes {Drinks to Die For!}

image via Saveur

And you can never have too many pumpkin-flavored goodies, so what about this Pumpkin Party Martini?

DET HalloweenDrinks04 Halloween Cocktail Recipes {Drinks to Die For!}

image via Tasty Kitchen

Halloween Spice Cake Cookies

  cookietray1 Halloween Spice Cake Cookies

I’m a sucker for all things Halloween — especially for the sweets and cookies.  And October also happens to be National Cookie Month, so that spells double trouble for me!

For a few weeks now, I’ve been keeping my eyes peeled for a new Halloween cookie recipe to make this month. But due to a home project that got bumped up two weeks,  time became a major issue this weekend.

So I had to think fast and improvise. I ran to the grocery store and walked around the baking aisle when I saw a row of boxed cake mixes on sale. I remembered that my mother also makes the best cake mix cookies each Christmas, so I grabbed a box of spice cake mix, a can of pumpkin and a can of pre-made cream cheese frosting.

cookiestuff 768x1024 Halloween Spice Cake Cookies

The recipe, for Pumpkin Spice Cookies did just the trick. It was the easiest and most impressive 30-minute cookie recipe I’ve made in ages. Simply add a can of pumpkin puree to the dry cake mix, and combine. Then add walnuts, bake and frost with cream cheese icing. I was surprised they were so moist and fluffy!

So with Halloween in two days, and kiddos running every which direction this week, the good news is you still have time to make wonderful treats that will work for Halloween or Thanksgiving.

tray Halloween Spice Cake Cookies 

Pumpkin Spice Cookies

1 (18.25 ounce) package spice cake mix

1 (15 ounce) can solid pack pumpkin

1 can cream cheese frosting

1/3 cup walnut pieces (optional)

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease cookie sheets.

2. In a large bowl, stir together the cake mix and pumpkin until well blended. Drop by rounded spoonfuls onto the prepared cookie sheet.

3. Bake for 18 to 20 minutes in the preheated oven. Allow cookies to cool on baking sheet for 5 minutes before removing to a wire rack to cool completely.

cookiefinish2 Halloween Spice Cake Cookies

 Happy Halloween!

pixel Halloween Spice Cake Cookies