Joy Of Cooking Square Slotted Spatula

The Joy of Cooking Square Slotted Spatula features a large 4.5 inch wide flexible stainless steel turning surface making it easy to flip everything from burgers to pancakes Stainless steel shaft with plastic handle featuring the Joy of Cooking logo. A hole in the handle allows for hanging storage keeping your utensils in easy reach. Dishwasher safe!

Joy Of Cooking 2.5 Inch Silicone Spatula with Wood Handle

The Joy Of Cooking Silicone Spatula is heat resistant to 500 degrees F. Beechwood handle featuring the Joy of Cooking logo has a hole in the end for hanging storage keeping your utensils in easy reach. The 2.5 inch wide silicone head is stain resistant. Also dishwasher safe.

Joy of Cooking 2009 Desk Calendar

The three Joy of Cooking items above would go together nicely to make a great Christmas Gift bundle. Especially if, say, you happen to be my husband and are, oh I dunno, doing a little early Christmas shopping….

Joy Of Cooking, 75Th Anniversary Edition

I have to say, I LOVE the attitude of The Joy Kitchen.com. Their motto seems to be that it’s always the right time to enjoy good home cooking! It doesn’t matter what the economy’s doing or not doing - we shouldn’t obsess over what we can’t control. Instead, let’s focus on some of the things we can control. Things like providing our family with warm, home cooked meals and lighthearted, enjoyable meals together.

I don’t know about you, but when my family is sitting around the dining room table eating a meal that I’ve prepared - well, that’s Heaven on earth and it just doesn’t get any better than that.

The Joy Kitchen, which is an amazing website, is the online home of The Joy of Cooking - one of the most popular and finest cookbooks ever. I can’t even tell you how often I use my copy. I’d be lost without it, I can tell you that.

Below are a few recipes, used with permission, from The Joy Kitchen. I fully intend to make the Chili this week. I certainly don’t mean to leave the Vegetable Soup out, but it just so happens I just made homemade Vegetable Beef Soup a few nights ago. I love to make a huge pot on Friday, so we can eat on it throughout the weekend.

For my Vegetable Beef Soup, I used Tomato Juice as the liquid. Along with potatoes, carrots, celery, onions, stew meat (cooked with garlic), corn, and peas (not many, don’t want to gross out my husband), I always include Lima Beans and Okra (I use frozen). Add a little salt and pepper, and it’s beyond delicious. I usually serve this soup with cornbread, but we had rolls and/or sandwiches this time.

From The Joy Kitchen:

OHIO FARMHOUSE SAUSAGE CHILI
4 to 6 servings

A delicious “warmer-upper” after a fine tramp in the woods on a chilly day.

Brown in a large skillet:

1 pound bulk pork sausage
1 large onion, chopped

Toward the end of the browning, add:

1 celery rib, diced

When the celery is softened, add:

One 28-ounce can diced tomatoes, with their juice
2 cups tomato juice or chicken broth, or a mixture of the two
1 to 2 tablespoons maple syrup or molasses
2 teaspoons ground cumin
1-1/2 teaspoons ground sage
1/2 teaspoon black pepper

Simmer for 20 minutes. Add and simmer 15 minutes more:

3 ½ to 4 cups cooked red kidney beans, drained and rinsed

VEGETABLE SOUP (Soupe Paysanne)
About 7 cups

Heat in a large saucepan:

2 tablespoons olive oil or butter

Add and cook on medium heat until slightly softened:

½ cup diced carrots
1 cup diced onions
1 cup diced celery

Add:

4 cups hot stock or water, or both
2 cups chopped tomatoes
(1 cup diced peeled potatoes)
(1 cup diced peeled turnips)
2 tablespoons chopped parsley
1 teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon black pepper

Cover and cook about 35 minutes, then add:

(1 cup chopped cabbage or spinach)

Cook about 5 minutes more. Add:

2 tablespoons chopped parsley
Salt and black pepper to taste

For more great recipes, wonderful tips and techniques, and even a forum, visit The Joy Kitchen.

I know I’ve already proclaimed my intense love for Green & Black’s Organic Chocolate bars, but since I only fall further and further in love with them with each bite, I’m here to sing my praises yeat again.

I actually have a rich, minty bite of the candy bar you see above in my mouth this very moment. When I eat some of a Greeb & Black’s Organic Mint Chocolate bar (their monster size, so it only takes a few bites at a time) while drinking a cup of coffe, it’s one of the most Heavenly experiences you can imagine. I’m all about Mint, so it’s as though I’m combining three of the world’s biggest treats - coffee, chocolate, and mint all in one.

Oh, yeah, I’m a very happy girl right now.

If you’ve never experienced Green & Black’s Organic chocolate bars, don’t let the day end without finding one, opening it, and devouring every single delicious bite. Man, this is amazing chocolate!

I also recently tried their bag of bite size pieces of Dark Chocolate (they also offer the Milk Chocolate variety). Delicious! It’s the way chocolate was meant to taste - it’s very much what God had in mind.

Check your local Target - if you’re anything like me, you’re always there anyway. Or you can go to Green & Black’s Website to find other locations that are kind enough to sell this remarkable candy.

These bars and bags would make truly special, memorable Christmas gifts/stocking stuffers for chocolate lovers on your list.

Amish Horse and Buggy in Winter Photographic Print
Buy at AllPosters.com

Amish Egg Nog Pie Recipe

1 tsp gelatin
1 TBS cold water
1 cup milk
1/2 cup white sugar
2 TBS cornstarch
1/2 tsp salt
1/8 tsp nutmeg, if desired
3 egg yolks, beaten
1 TBS butter
1 TBS vanilla
1 cup whipping cream

Soak gelatin in cold water.

Scald milk. Combine sugar, cornstarch, nutmeg and salt - mix together well.

Add the sugar mixture to the milk and cook until thick. Add the eggs and cook a little longer.

Add the butter and gelatin. Cool, then fold in whipped cream and pour into pie shell. Cover with plastic wrap and chill for at least 3 hours. Serve with pecans and/or whipped topping.

This is really cute - If you go to Pringles.com, you can design your own Pringle’s can. The best part? They’ll donate $1 to the Children’s Miracle network for each can… I think up to $20,000.

I made the one in the post, featuring one of my cats, Alexa. I didn’t size the picture quite right, so I think I’ll try again when I’m not so hungry.

As it is, all I want to do is hit the kitchen up and see what it has to say for itself.

Click HERE to design your own Pringle’s can. There are themes available - as well as images and text. Or, like me and Alexa, you can add your own image.

The beautiful holidays are right here on us and I couldn’t be happier. Everything just seems more wonderful and magical than ever around this time of year. Thanksgiving was my father’s favorite holiday and I must say it holds a special place in my heart as well.

In this post are some things that will help every great cook (and not so great cooks!) around this wonderful holiday.

I know I preach and teach Betty Crocker a great deal when it comes to cookbooks, but there’s a really good reason. The name Betty Crocker will never let you down. It’s one of my “Big 3″ when it comes to cookbooks: Betty Crocker, Pillsbury, and Food Network. If a cookbook comes out that’s related to one of these 3, I’ll buy it first and ask questions later. Oh, skip that, I won’t even ask questions.

The Betty Crocker’s Complete Thanksgiving Cookbook is a cookbook that no serious cook should be without. Don’t even think about going ahead with Thanksgiving without this book! Whether you’re looking to make a traditional Thanksgiving like “mom” always made, plan on putting your own spin on Thanksgiving, or (like most of us) plan on a happy balance of the two: this is the cookbook you must have to pull it all off without a hitch.

When it comes to cooking your turkey, the following items will serve you well… so that you can do the same with your guests.

The
Camerons 7-qt. Multi-Purpose Roaster does more than just cook up the most moist and delicious turkey you could hope for. It will also roast several chickens or a roast with vegetables. But there’s more! This multi-cooker also comes with a lift-out poacher for gently cooking fish. Well-fitted handles on both roaster and lid provide stability when lifting. A domed lid traps steam for succulent results and doubles as its own pan for making gravy, holding four quarts.

The All-Clad 14×11x2-in. Nonstick LTD Roasting Pan with Rack is another wonderful way to ensure a delicious Thanksgiving. This Petite Roti Pan is ideal for all your smaller roasts, chicken pieces or cornish hens and seafood filets. This roaster will hold a 9-11 lb. bird in its nonstick rack. The high sides allow heat to penetrate food thoroughly as it surrounds, and the nonstick surface makes it easy to remove and serve food and to deglaze the pan. The sturdy rack elevates your food and lifts out easily by using the handles.

All-Clad LTD cookware is crafted from three permanently bonded layers of metal. A layer of pure aluminum rests between a charcoal black anodized aluminum exterior with an 18/10 stainless steel cooking surface. Sleek and functional, each piece is heavy weight and provides exceptional cooking performance by evenly distributing and retaining heat. Features long stay cool handles and well-fitted stainless steel lids.

Finally, don’t forget your thermometer! The Polder Preprogrammed Digital Thermometer
is as perfect as they come.

From Cooking.com:
Insert the cooking probe of this Thermometer into your meat, and monitor the inner temperature as it cooks in the oven. A digital readout displays the cooking temperature as the meat cooks and an alarm sounds when the desired temperature is met. There’s a setting for beef, lamb, veal, pork, turkey and chicken with a well done, medium and medium rare choice. There is also an option to manually program the desired temperature (from 32 to 392 degrees Fahrenheit). The probe and wire measure 3 feet, and the monitor lays flat or tilts up for an easier read. The thermometer has an On-Off switch and is powered by one AAA battery. Not intended for use with BBQ.

See Cooking.com for all your Thanksgving and Christmas baking supplies, cookbooks, etc. For those of us who love cooking, it’s our Toys R Us. When you go to their website, leave no page unseen, no link unclicked.

Les Poivrons Art PrintBuy at AllPosters.com

The American Dietetic Association had its annual meeting this past week in beautiful Chicago. The cancer prevention advice below came from this meeting and you and I should heed every single word.

• Get at least 30 minutes of activity every single day.
• Cut back on sodium, to the tune of way back.
• Eat a lot more vegetables, and eat a variety of them.  Don’t just eat the same ones over and over again, add more to the mix.
• The same goes with fruit - eat a wide variety of fruit and do so often.
• Eat more beans and whole grains.
• Cut back on beef, pork, and lamb.
• Avoid processed meats.
• Cut back on your calories.
• Avoid sugary drinks.  Try to drink your coffee and tea unsweetened.  (UNsweet tea?  How unSouthern!)
• Lose weight if you’re overweight - but don’t become underweight.

Walter Willett, MD, DrPH, an epidemiology professor who leads the nutrition department the Harvard School of Public Health pointed out that being as lean as possible within the healthy weight range - is “the most important, by far.”

All the more reason to watch what we eat more closely. Replacing red meat with more vegetables and fruit would help take care of the weighty issue, as would (cough, wheeze) unsweet tea in place of sweet tea or soft drinks.

Dr. Willett also said that Vitamin D supplements may lower risk of colorectal cancer as well as other cancers.

I have a deliciously beautiful and beautifully delicious online store to tell you about. And, with the holidays practically on our doorstep, the timing couldn’t be better.

Global Gardens Gifts has the most beautifully bottled and wrapped vinegars, mustards, oils, and gift baskets (plus a lot more) that you’ve ever seen.

I’ve personally tried the Strawberry Champagne Vinegar and the Blood Orange Vinegar, and if they are any indication of the other products.. quite frankly, I MUST try them all!

The Blood Orange Vinegar makes an unforgettable guacamole. I was a little skeptical at first, because I LOVE guacamole and didn’t want the flavor I adore so much to be screwed around with. (Besides, with the price of avocados, I didn’t want to regret it in the end!) But when I poured a drop or two of the vinegar on a piece of bagel and tasted it…. I knew it meant my guacamole no harm.

The. Guacamole. Was. Delicious. I can’t even tell you how fast it disappeared. Below is the recipe - it’s from the Global Gardens Gifts website, and it’s a total winner. Total!

Blood Orange Guacamole

1 Clove Garlic
3 Tbsp Global Gardens Blood Orange Vinegar
2 Avocados
Sea Salt
Fresh Ground Peppercorn

Mince Garlic and add Avocados and Global Gardens Blood Orange Vinegar and Sea Salt and Fresh Peppercorn to taste. Enjoy!

And enjoy you will - this is absolutely remarkable. It’d make a very impressive holiday snack. You know the ones you nibble away on while playing games, with one eye on the snacks and one eye on the family member who makes up her own rules. Every game my mom ever played came with two sets of instructions - the manufacturer’s and her’s. She seldom ever lost. She would have loved this guacamole!

I used the Strawberry Champagne vinegar with the recipe that follows.

Fruit Vinegar Reduction Glaze

Put the Global Gardens Fruit Champagne Vinegar into a heavy saucepan and bring it to a boil. Reduce the heat to a low boil for 20 minutes, stirring frequently and being careful not to let it burn or carmelize! Ratio of reduction will be about one half to one third of original measurement.

Use reduction glazes over meats, seafood, cheeses, fruits, cheese cakes…anywhere you want to add a little sour to your sweet. It’s easy to use all Global Gardens Champagne Vinegars this way…try them all!

I actually poured mine over sugar cookies. OMG - delicious!!!! I’m going to try it tonight over cheesecake and fish. I know it’s going to blend with the cheesecake in such a way that I’ll go a little bit delirious.

To see their other recipes, click HERE. The Savory Grecian Delight and the Pomegranate Appetizer Spread would also be perfect holiday snacks - for games, watching football, decorating the tree, wrapping presents, etc. The images on their recipe page aren’t showing up for some reason, but don’t let that slow you down - the recipes are the stars of the show anyway!

The Mediterranean Almonds would make great gifts. People LOVE things you prepare in your own kitchen.

Speaking of gifts, be sure to check out the following pages:
Gift Baskets

Mustards (These look amazing - I’m going to try them out asap.)

Gift Sets

Take a look around Global Gardens Gifts.com - you’ll love what you see. Also, rest assured that if you have gifts mailed to people on your list, they’ll arrive in a very impressive box, wrapped extremely well and read to impress.

Yay!!! November 1st is here and that means several things:

• I can break out my Thanksgiving and Christmas decorations (yes, I’m one of those early birds - an early bird draped in red, green, and gold).
• College basketball will soon be in full swing and we UK fans will soon become living room coaches, referees, players, and announcers.  We rest up all year for this.
• Hot chocolate!

And….and….and - Sweet Potato and Pumpkin Pie! I’m a pie fanatic, I love to make them and I love to eat them.  It just seems that I don’t make many during the spring and summer.  I’m more into cakes, puddings, cheesecake, and cookies in the warmer months.  But when God turns His thermostat down a little - that’s when I go all Pie lady.  Apple pie, Pecan pie, Pumpkin pie, Chess pie, Coconut pie, Chocolate pie, etc.

It seems like most people have a preference between Sweet Potato and Pumpkin Pie.  My husband greatly prefers Sweet Potato, and my middle daughter (Brittany) greatly prefers Pumpkin.  As for Stephany, Emily, and me - our favorite is whichever one happens to be in front of us.

The one below will be our next favorite (I’ll make a pumpkin one next, Brittany!). This recipe is from a little recipe booklet titled “Halloween Food & Fun” from Taste of Home. I keep it handy throughout the year, though, because it’s filled with fantastic recipes. Like this one!

Place the sweet potatoes in a large saucepan and cover with water. Bring to a boil, reduce heat. Cover and simmer for 10 minutes or until tender.

Drain potatoes and place in a large mixing bowl. Mash. Add marshmallow creme and butter and beat until smooth. Add eggs, milk, and extracts. Mix well.

Combine sugars, flour, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Gradually beat into potato mixture until well blended.

Pour into pastry shell. Bake at 350 degrees for 45-50 minutes or until a knife inserted near the center comes out clean. Cool on a wire rack and serve with whipped topping. Refrigerate leftovers.

You may also be interested in the following Pie Recipes:

Sawdust Pie
Peanut Butter Pie
Fudge Pie

P.S. When making pies, it’s a lot of fun to make your own pie crust - just be sure your water is as cold as possible and always remember the number one tip: Get a “Pie Crust Ring” to protect the edges of the crust from becomming overly brown. So unattractive! If you can’t find one of these rings, make one out of aluminum foil - it’ll save your pie. Maybe even your day.

Our girl Paula is everywhere these days, isn’t she?! I love her muchly, so I couldn’t be happier. I saw a sweet set of Paula Deen pans in Wal-Mart today.

The Paula Deen 4-pc. Spices, Assorted have also caught my eye and tempted my taste buds.

Check it out:
Paula’s Spice Favorites Pack includes the following: Lady and Sons Pepper Mix, which contains three different peppers. Silly Salt, which you can sprinkle on popcorn, french fries, or anything you may want to season (contains salt, onion, garlic, black pepper, thyme, savory). House Seasoning, which Paula uses in just about everything (contains salt, onion, garlic, black pepper). Butt Massage, perfect for seasoning any butt, from pork loin to beef brisket (contains paprika, salt, spices, garlic, onion, smoke flavor).

I could go for a little Butt Massage right now.

Kidding aside, the Butt Massage would be amazing on veggie burgers. I have a feeling it’d make some wings worth remembering, too.

Click through the link above to learn more about this IDEAL Christmas present and take a look at other Paula Deen products!