Annual Girls Party

This morning I hosted my annual girls only gift exchange party.  Each year promises fantastic food (each guest brings a favorite item) and great gift exchange items. Of course there are no photos from the actual party or all the amazing food that we consumed, but I did take a photo of the little party gift I gave each gal as well as the table early today.

"A little something for your Mistle-Toes"

1st Day of School Teacher Gift

I've heard all about 'Welcome Back to School' gifts for kids.  But what about the teachers?  My son is heading to kindergarten and already has a new backpack, lunchbag, clothes and shoes... he doesn't need another gift!  Though we thought his teacher might appreciate a little something.  And after a visit to the Walmart near our cabin I found a perfect idea that didn't break the bank, a $3 insulated beverage cup that looks just like the ones sold at Starbucks and Tullys.  

So I combined the insulated cold drink holder with two packets of cold brew ice tea and two Starbucks Via iced coffee packets.  Add some cello and a tag and it looks pretty fancy! 

Now to figure out what we'll do for C's preschool teacher.  I mean teachers!  I had no idea there would be two teachers for her class so now I've got to get creative... But darn... that might mean I get to keep the other insulated cup! :)

Thank You!

Today is the last day of preschool for Blake.  This fall he will begin his kindergarten career!  To thank his teachers we gave each of them a little rose plant.  A trip to Trader Joe's resulted in very cute and fragrant flowers for a very reasonable price.  I love that store!  Great foods and even better teacher or hostess gifts.

Gifts for the Kitchen

If you have someone on your list that loves to cook, check out a few of these ideas.  I have all of these in my kitchen, and they all get used constantly! Most of these can be found at local specialty kitchen stores or online at websites like Amazon.com.

iSi Basics Flex-it Measuring Cups, Set of 3 (approx $25)

I received these as a gift last year and wasn't sure what to think.  I have a liquid measuring cup as well as metal measuring cups.  So why did I need more?  These do more than just measure.  You can use the big one to make smoothies with your immersion blender then easily pour directly in to serving cups without spilling.

You can pour pancake batter, drip free.  Cupcake batter... filling for mini quiches, pies, muffins.  I think of more uses every time I bake something.

Immersion Blender ($20 and up)

You can puree soups as they cook on the stove.  In the pot!  No need to transfer soups to a blender.  You can use your immersion blender emulsify, whip, to make smoothies, milkshakes, salad dressing, mayo, quick blending of batters or mixes.

I have the Cuisinart Quick Prep, which costs around $20.  Its not fancy, its just your basic immersion blender.  Plus, mine came with a mixing cup that fits the blender perfectly.  I've never had an issue with it, and mine gets heavy use.

Trudeau Utensil Pot Clip (Prices vary, but start at $7)

Best invention!  My mom and I have given these to most of our friends.  Used them as stocking stuffers, hostess gifts, as a garnish to a kitchen themed gift...  They come in a rainbow of color options.

It clips to the edge of your pot and holds your mixing spoon or spatula so you don't have to deal with placing the utensil on the kitchen counter and making a mess.  If you don't have one of these, add it to your wish list.  Better yet, just buy one for yourself the next time you're near a kitchen shop!

Silicone Sleeve for Pot/Pan Handles ($8 and up)

I have made the mistake of grabbing the handle of a hot frying pan that needs to come out of the oven.  Do not make this same mistake!  The next day I went out and purchased a silicone pot handle sleeve for all of my All-Clad cookware and to protect my hands the next time a recipe calls for a dish to go from stovetop to oven.  This isn't something people usually think of for themselves!

They come in a variety of colors.  This is a purchase for someone with cookware that goes from stove to oven. This isn't a must for everyday stovetop cooking. 

 

Silicone hot pads or mitts ($8 and up)

Anyone who bakes or cooks can always use a nice set of hot pads or mitts.  I'm embarassed at the amount of hot pads and mits that I own... thick cotton, the 'Oven Glove', holiday themed,... but my silicone hot pads are my go-to item.  They withstand a lot of heat, can be used as a protector of tabletops, can be rinsed off in the sink (instead of the need of a washing machine with cloth pads/mits), and come in a variety of colors.

I own the brand from Sur la Table for both the silicone sleeve hot pad, and love them! 

Mini Food Processor ($35 and up)

I have the DeLonghi mini food processor that is no longer available online (very similar to the Cuisinart brand).  Perfect for grinding flaxseed, oats, seasonings and herbs, making breadcrumbs, making baby food, etc.  Making small batches of salsa, dressings...

I have the giant Cuisinart, so having the option of using something much smaller for quick items is nice.  Plus, it has less parts to clean.

Kitchen Scale ($20 and up)

I LOVE my kitchen scale.  It allows me to: measure things exact; divide things evenly (like pie dough or cake batter poured in 2 pans...); easily half a recipe or double/triple a recipe when odd measurements are involved.  These days, I think most people assume kitchen scales are used for dieting.  But if you love to cook, a kitchen scale is a must.  I've even used it to weigh non-food items.

I have the EatSmart Precision Pro.  It measures in ounces/lbs/grams/kgs and has a tare feature that lets you subtract the weight of the plate or bowl holding the item you're weighing.

Salt Keeper ($10 and up)

I cook/bake every day of the week.  This results in lots of salt being used.  Salt in boiling water, seasoning steaks, chicken or fish, marinades... I used to keep a mini glass prep bowl full of kosher salt on my stove.  It was very convenient, but very unattractive.  It also spilled on occasion, and cleaning spilled kosher salt from my circa '84 stove is a chore.  Thats where a salt keeper, also called a salt pig, comes in handy.

These pretty ceramic or wood vessels for salt are meant to be kept out on the counter and within arms reach of the stove or kitchen prep areas. Available in many colors too!  I own a beautiful olive wood salt keeper from Sur la Table.  It is higher priced ($48.95) but a little piece of art on the kitchen counter, and something I never would have bought for myself.  One of my favorite gifts that I received this year.

These are just a few of my favorite things in the kitchen.  Do you have a favorite thing in the kitchen, or that makes the perfect gift for a person that loves to cook?

Meyer Limoncello and Lemon Curd

What do you get when you combine 18 meyer lemons worth of peel and a bottle of vodka?  Hopefully a very nice limoncello liquor in about 60-80 days!  I saw an article about limoncello and have always wanted to make some.  Due to the lengthy process, I had to make it today in hopes that it may potentially be ready in time for our Christmas Eve party. I seem to be good at finding 'must do now' projects.

I thought peeling the lemons would be a cinch.  Turns out you 'can't' have any white pith on the skin - just pure yellow.  This is a bit more work being so careful!

By the end of all these lemons I got pretty good at peeling in one continuous strip.

I divided my one 750ml bottle of vodka between 3 jars, then divided the peels evenly between jars.

Turns out I was able to fit all the peels and vodka in to two jars... So much for me dividing the lemon peels in to three pretty, little piles and weighing them (yes, I weighed them)...  The color of the peel in the jar is so vibrant, this picture doesn't do it justice.

I then placed the two jars in a dark and cool place and will check on them in 30 days! At that time, I'll add a sugar mix and another 750ml bottle of vodka and let it sit for another few weeks before giving it a try! Stay tuned and stay patient since this will be a long time in the making!

When I was done making liquor I realized I had 18 lemons remaining.  What to do, what to do!  And I was in the mood to make something with immediate return, instead of the 2-3 month torture of the vodka lemon mix.

I searched the internet for meyer lemon recipes and the one that kept coming up was meyer lemon curd.  The curd is imilar to a pudding and is spread on scones, pancakes, muffins, or used in tart-like desserts.

Eggs whisked in bowl.

Lemon juice heating up on stove.

Whisking sugar in to the eggs.

The eggs and lemon mixture on the stove.

Adding cream, vanilla and salt after mixture has been removed from stove.

Pressing the mixture through a strainer directly in to a jar.

The finished product is a gorgeous lemon yellow (no pun intended).  It's flavor is similar to a semi tart lemon pudding and is amazing on toast, pancakes, and scones.  You must give it a try - especially if you make a batch of limoncello!

Lemon Curd, courtesy of Cooks Illustrated
1/3c. lemon juice, from 2 lemons

2 large eggs
1 egg yolk
1/2 c. sugar
2 Tbsp unsalted butter, cut into 1/2-inch cubes and chilled
1 Tbsp heavy cream
1/4 tsp vanilla extract
pinch table salt

Heat lemon juice in small nonreactive saucepan over medium heat until hot but not boiling. Whisk eggs and yolk in medium nonreactive bowl; gradually whisk in sugar. Whisking constantly, slowly pour hot lemon juice into eggs, then return mixture to saucepan and cook over medium heat, stirring constantly with wooden spoon, until mixture registers 170 degrees on instant-read thermometer and is thick enough to cling to spoon, about 3 minutes (see photos, below).


Immediately remove pan from heat and stir in cold butter until incorporated; stir in cream, vanilla, and salt, then pour curd through fine-mesh strainer into small nonreactive bowl. Cover surface of curd directly with plastic wrap; refrigerate until needed.

Pumpkin Butter

After roasting two big sugar pumpkins I was left with a pile of inner goodness.

A quick turn of the immersion blender and the innards were turned in to smooth puree.

Taking about 3 1/2 cups of puree and heating on the stove with sugars and spices, I simmered the mix for about 30 minutes and ended up with mouth watering pumpkin butter.  What is pumpkin butter?  It contains no butter, but could be called a sweet, pumpkin-flavored butter substitute.  You can spread it on toast, pancakes, waffles, apple slices....  If you're too lazy to make it yourself, you can always pay $11 for a small jar at Williams-Sonoma or $7 for an even smaller jar at Sur La Table.  Thus, I recommend you make it from scratch and save some cash. 

The occasional stirring on the stove and your house filling with the smell of warm, spicy pumpkin is worth it.  Both of my kids couldn't eat their afternoon snack of toast and pumpkin butter fast enough.  Both asked for more.

The best part of this recipe?  You'll have some extra for friends or neighbors.  I already have a list of recipients that will receive some pumpkin butter in the coming weeks.  Cross your fingers that you're on that list!

Jodi's Pumpkin Butter
30 oz fresh pumpkin puree (about 3 1/2c) or one large can of pumpkin puree.
3/4 c. apple juice
1/4 tsp salt
1/2 tsp vanilla
2 tsp ground ginger
1/2 tsp ground cloves
1 c. brown sugar
1/4 c. white sugar
1 Tbsp ground cinnamon
1 tsp ground nutmeg
Juice from a large lemon wedge

Combine pumpkin, apple juice, spices, and sugars in saucepan and mix well. Bring mixture to a boil and stir often to avoid burning.  Lower heat and simmer for 20-30 minutes or until the mixture has thickened a bit. Stir frequently and stir in lemon juice.

Once mixture has cooled, pumpkin butter should be stored in an airtight container in the fridge.

Happy Anniversary!

To me!  My husband and I celebrate our sixth anniversary today.  An anniversary of 'iron' and 'sweets' or 'wood' if you go with the modern theme.  This morning we have family photos with a photographer that captured our family just three weeks before Miss C arrived and when Miss C was a newborn.

To give a bit of an anniversary twist to our photos, I created a '6' out of wood branches from our yard and placed it in a wood and iron frame.  Hopefully this will be incorporated in to some of our photos!

Its amazing what a fallen branch, some extra time while the little one naps, (patience!) and some stiff paper will create.

And as a gift to my husband?  A print that is original and unique, just to us.  It may take some deciphering for those who don't know us well, but each line has a big significance!

If you are interested in me creating a unique print for you too, contact  me!