Posts from — April 2011

The party preparations continue…

After work yesterday, Dave came home and dug out two 60-inch round tables, two six-foot-plus one 8-foot tables, and the 28 folding chairs from our cramped storage room in the garage. That, along with the 30-person seating we already have available in the back yard should cover it!

Sloane dropped off the table linens and a couple of cases of empty liquor bottles (for the entrance decor) from the hotel she works at. Then we did a bunch of food prep before she went home and Dave and I collapsed on the couch and ate leftover Easter food while watching TV.  We’re getting there!

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So many of you told me that you missed my Valley Dish segments from last week, that I’m posting links to them here.

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And it has begun… the major party prep for my Dad’s 1931 Speakeasy-themed 8oth birthday party! Not certain how many, if any, recipes I may get up this week, but I will be keeping you up to date on the party preparations. Today’s tasks; find, get out and clean all of the glasses, dishes, bottles, and party decor. Out of that list, “finding” is the hardest part! I have SO much stuff and it is stacked, stored, and stashed all over this house. The good news is that I don’t have to rent anything, the bad news, is I have to find it first! [Read more →]

For our Easter dinner yesterday, I served my favorite spring/summertime beverage. So light and refreshing.

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Happy Easter Blessings to you and yours.

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This is my last chance to get up an Easter recipe. These potatoes will accompany our Pomegranate Molasses Lamb Chops.  I’m naming them double-smoked because of the delicious smoked Gouda and the ever-popular smoked paprika.  During cooking classes, last week at Les Gourmettes, our guest chef, Joanne Weir, needed to borrow a bottle of my smoked paprika and was shocked by how much I use… the bottle was nearly empty. I do love the stuff!

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Several weeks ago, Karen Fernau, food writer for the Arizona Republic, called and asked me to submit an answer to a reader’s question for their “Ask A Chef” column. I did so and then forgot completely about it… big surprise! Anyhow, my mentor, friend, and boss, Barbara Fenzl, informed me that she’d seen it on AZCentral.com. Here is the LINK for it.  

This presents a good time for me to remind you about all the useful information you can find on The Basic Kitchen page, over there on your left. Things like a Glossary of Cooking Terms, a Pantry list, Kitchen Tools you should have, and even a list with some of my Favorite Cookbooks.

Those gorgeous eggs pictured above are this Easter’s Silk Tie Eggs that I made along with my friends, Lorie and Ronnie.  They turned out especially wonderful this year.  TIP: When searching your closet and thrift shop for 100% silk ties, look for bright colors. It’s tempting to choose the pretty pastels, but the colors don’t transfer as well.  Go for the reds, deep purples, and dark blues and you’ll end up with the best results.

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I have SO much going on right now, that I don’t have time to waste. But wasting time is exactly what I did for nearly two full days earlier this week. You see, I have a major flaw in my personality. I’ve been aware of the issue since I was very young, and I’ve come to accept it. The thing with this characteristic is that you never know when it will strike. It comes on suddenly and unexpectedly.  The problem is that I am easily obsessed. Any random thing can catch my attention and that is all I will focus on for…. well, I never know for how long. Until it ends, goes away, or I just can’t take it anymore. The story, along with a slight few of the 180+ pictures I took of the event… the event being my most recent obsession, begins here…

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This Easter I’ve decided to skip my usual big holiday dessert and jump aboard the cupcake bandwagon. Both of these Easter-themed cupcakes are easy and totally kid-friendly, so be sure and have them help! And remember to watch Channel 12 Valley Dish today and watch as Marissa, Tram and I show you, step-by-step, how to make Silk Tie Easter Eggs.

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That pretty much sums up my Easter theme this year. Lots of eggs, a plethora of birdcages, with plenty of moss, twigs, and natural materials. Yesterday I showed you my moss table runner and moss-covered pots, and today some of my egg ideas.  And tomorrow, some easy and kid-friendly Easter cupcakes.

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