Food Lush

Stove Top Popcorn with a Whirly-Pop

By Dani

I grew up in a home that ran entirely on solar power, which meant we didn't have a lot of electrical conveniences (no microwave, waffle iron, etc).

So, to me, cooking on a gas stovetop feels therapeutic, simpler, like being home. I think even things as simple as popcorn are tastier when we eschew modern conveniences and take a minute to spin the handle and listen for the pop.

The Whirly-Pop is also great because it's easy to clean and super easy to make different flavors and healthier versions. My personal favorite is with coconut oil and salt and pepper - it's simple, satisfying and not nearly as nasty for your insides as the fake orange-covered gook from a microwave popcorn bag.

For $22 on Amazon, it's a good investment or a great gift for someone who likes simple things and experimenting with new flavors (or someone who lives on solar power, like I did. I don't think there are that many of us, but you never know!)

(Photo credit: Amazon.com)

Halsted Flatware from Crate and Barrel: Quality Issues?

By A'Dell

Six years ago, we received 12 place settings of Halsted flatware from Crate and Barrel as a wedding gift. It's a Lenox product and I've been really happy with it, for the most part. 

The thing is, all of the knives have a dull, rusty, film on them and the serrated portions are all a bit rusted. Just the knives, just on the blade. I've scrubbed them with Barkeeper's Friend, put them different ways in the dishwasher, hand washed and...they all end up rusty.

I have a friend that had this same problem with her flatware from Crate and Barrel, and she's exchanged her complete set TWICE and STILL has this problem. So, I'm wondering: has this happened to anyone else? The reviews at the site don't hint at this problem, but I have a hard time believing my friend and I are the only ones.

Serve It Up: Innovative Porcelain Stand

By Jessica

 

By now we've all seen the awesome DIYs where people have taken ordinary candle sticks and ordinary plates and turned them into adorable cake stands, right? The thing is, though, that once done it's permanent so you wouldn't really want to use your favorite china in that situation...or your favorite candlesticks for that matter. The other morning watching the Today Show, I saw a product that would change at least part of that equation, it's called Serve It Up

and it's a porcelain stand with a suction cup affixed to the top which would allow you to safely turn ANY PLATE into a cake stand. How brilliant is that? It comes in two sizes small and large and as you can see, in the photo above, allows you to stack them for height and design options. You can also use it for more than just plates, as evidenced by the bowl, shown there, as well. 

Even though I already have several cake stands, I plan on picking this up, it will take up much less space in my cabinets and allow me to change my cake stands on a whim. SO PERFECT!

 

{Photo from: Fusionbrands.com}

On sale: Valentine's Day kitchen items

By A'Dell

It's just a guess, but I'd bet lots of site mark down all of those cutesy heart-covered items either today or tomorrow. Keep an eye out for steals on these adorable goods. If you're extra-organized, make a list of who will need a small gift next year and get stocked up.

Sweet Heart Small Mug, $3.95

Quantities are limited on this one (and the large one is already sold out) but it is pretty adorable. Cram it with chocolates and tie on a Valentine. Even at full price for $4, it's still a cheapie.

Heart Apron (for kids) $17.99

This might be a good time to tell you that the adults in my house are not super into Valentine's Day, but my daughter ADORES it. She would love this apron. If you have a little girl in your life, this would make an adorable gift for next year. (Also? Already on sale!)

Red Cut Glassware, Set of 4, $34.99

Not EXACTLY Valentine's Day, but super classy and usable year-round. (This one is also already marked down, but not a lot.)

Red Heart Dinner Plate, Set of 6, $8.38

You'll probably be able to get a good deal on these in-store (and not spend on Target's RIDICULOUS shipping fees), but how fun would it be to get a table full of Valentine's Day serveware and host a party for the kiddos next year?

Pink Glitter Heart Cereal Bowl, Set of 6, $10.48

Target also has LOTS of other fun things on clearance already, but these glittery cereal bowls kind of have me smitten. Just think how much fun they'd be full of candy or necklaces or hair clips. 

 

Excellent Chocolate from SoCal: Chuao

by Elissa

My sister Katherine lives in San Diego. While I hate that she lives across the country from me (and I envy her San Diego's perfect climate), I love it when she introduces me to new foods from the region.

Part of my Christmas gift from her included this:

  
This is another great way to brighten up a winter day: rich chocolate flavored with a bit of cinnamon, pasilla chile, and cayenne pepper. It's incredibly aromatic and has a subtle spice that makes the drink even more warming.

Chuao is a chocolatier based in Carlsbad, CA. Started by a pair of Venezuelan-born brothers, they make a number of unusual chocolate flavors, including one that features Pop Rocks. They have several cafes in the San Diego area, and their products are available at places like Whole Foods and Dean and Deluca. Plus you can buy from their online shop.

I now have a new source for interesting and delicious chocolate gifts--check out Chuao if you are looking for chocolate that's a little off the beaten track.

And thanks, Kath, for another fabulous Christmas gift!

When Life Hands you Lemons, make...Limoncello?

By Nora

This week I received an offer I couldn't refuse. Elizabeth, one of the fabulous editors over at Style Lush, offered to send anyone who was interested a box of lemons direct from the prolific lemon tree(s) in her yard. All I had to do was pay shipping, and a big box of fresh, home-grown lemons would show up at my door. There wasn't even a question in my mind.  However, I realized that my use of lemons is usually limited to a garnish for an adult beverage or to add a kick to fish or chicken dishes. So what would I do with a butt-load of lemons, then? 

And then it came to me. I would make homemade limoncello and store it in my basement to age until Christmas, when I would then give away bottles as gifts. Inspired! Genius! And also somewhat CRAZY since I have never made my own alcohol before and really had no idea how to go about it. Limoncello is an Italian lemon liqueur that's made with lemon zest and grain alcohol(!) and it is a beautiful yellow color with the deep flavor of lemon, but without the sourness. I found a recipe that actually seems pretty reasonable, albeit somewhat time-intensive, but that's okay since Christmas is 11 months away. Here's the recipe I think i'm going to follow, from the aptly named site, Limoncello quest. (Also, PLEASE check out the first line in Step 1 for a good laugh.)

You know what else is awesome? The different ways you can bottle the limoncello once it's done. Go on over to Pinterest and search on "Limoncello" and see what comes up. It's a lemon-themed feast for the eyes! I think i'll package mine using the IKEA bottles featured on Leslie's post a few days ago! And I even have plenty of time to get personalized labels made up! I just love when a plan comes together...

 

{Photo from bostonist.com}

Almond Toffee

by Elsha

Although the Christmas goodies are pretty much gone around here, I am savoring one last treat. That treat? A box of Enstrom's Almond Toffee (dark chocolate!) that was a gift from my husband.  

Photo from: enstrom.com

Growing up my grandmother sent us a tin of homemade almond toffee every year at Christmas. I always thought it was alright, but it definitely wasn't my favorite thing. Based on that experience, I just figured almond toffee wasn't my thing. That was before I discovered Enstrom's.  

You've probably never heard of Enstrom's since they're a local company with only 6 retail locations, all in Colorado, 3 of them within a 20 mile radius of me. Fortunately for all you readers outside Colorado, you can order it online these days. You guys, this stuff is SO GOOD. It is just melt-in-your-mouth delicious. And, really, the first ingredient in it is butter, so how could it not be wonderful, right? At $20 for a 1-lb box it's a little spendy, but totally worth it. In fact, if I didn't limit myself to eating it only at Christmas I would probably gain a significant amount of weight.

Are you an almond toffee fan? Do you have a favorite brand? 

Rediscovering the French Press

By Leslie

A few years ago my beloved french press coffee maker tumbled out of the cabinet and crashed to the floor.  It was pretty sad, but I eventually got over it and have relied on the drip coffee maker ever since.  This year my kitchen was the lucky recipient of not one, but TWO french presses.  (My boyfriend and I gave them to one another.  Aww.)  However, in a strange turn of events I somehow purchased a miniature french press for him via RueLaLa.  When I say miniature, I mean it only serves one.  I gave it to him anyway because I thought it was adorable and figured we would just buy a larger one later.  

 

Since opening these gifts, we have had french press coffee almost every day.  I forgot how delicious and easy it is.  The Mr. Coffee is still good for the obvious reasons like the programmable feature, coffee stays warm, etc.  On the weekends and special occassions though, the french press will be used!  It's unbelievable how much better the coffee tastes.  Various sources tell me that the oils in the coffee are retained in the french press process. In the typical drip coffee maker the oils are absorbed by the filter.  Another benefit of the french press -- you can control the strength of your coffee with ease.  

In case you're wondering, the larger press is La Cafetiere and the smaller one is Bodum.  Both receive great reviews and so far they have been winners for us.  

Anyone a huge fan of the french press?  

What do I do with all this Rosemary?

by Jen L.

About 7 months after we moved to Alabama from NYC, I became obsessed with the idea of having an herb garden. There was already a perfect little bricked-off garden area on the sunny side of our house and I loved the idea of going out with my scissors, snipping some herbs, then tossing them straight into a pot or pan.  I had a great garden that first year, complete with 2 kinds of parsley, some sweet basil, a little sage, banana peppers, squash, mint and rosemary. Holy rosemary, Batman. Apparently Central Alabama boasts the perfect climate and soil for growing rosemary. Nearly 4 years later, I have a literal bush of rosemary. It's my only herb that has lived through every single winter and continued to grow.

My husband is not a fan of the flavor, so I always look for creative ways to use my rosemary. Imagine my happy face when I found this fantastic recipe for Rosemary Roasted Nuts. Not only would this make an awesome (and easy) gift for coworkers, hosts or teachers, think of what a tasty accompaniment these nuts would be to Christmas dinner or a New Year's Eve buffet!  

Chocolate Peppermint Marshmallows

By Erica

Based on your advice, we made chocolate peppermint marshmallows to give as small gifts for Christmas. We made enough to give 35 people three marshmallows a piece. For this amount, I needed three bags of marshmallows, three bags of crushed peppermints, three packages of almond bark and one package of 120 coffee stirrers. (Since I'm not a fan of white chocolate, I went with one package of that and two packages of milk chocolate.)

We gave everyone two milk and one white chocolate marshmallows and I packaged them in a cute little cellophane bag.  

For my kids' preschool teachers, I included some tasty hot chocolate.

Of course, my helper couldn't wait to have her own cup of cocoa with a marshmallow she made all by herself.

I'm definitely putting this project on the list for future Christmases. It was super easy, very fun and cheap(!) to make. And my daughter says it makes the best hot chocolate ever.