Salt and Pepper

I was looking through my spice cabinet the other day and came across an odd wedding present from one of my eclectic taunts. The present was a salt and pepper shaker. They were in the shape of two frogs with magnets on their lips so it looks like they are kissing. I thought this an odd gift, and although I never use them, I could not get rid of them.

I then started thinking and browsing the Internet for other salt and pepper shakers. The more I think of the odd frogs, the more I kind of like them. Here are some others I found online that I enjoy. If you like a little bit of funk in the kitchen, then these salt and pepper shakers are for you.

These three are from Urban Outfitters (http://www.urbanoutfitters.com/). I especially like the cupcakes. I think they are pretty. The gorilla's are fun as well.

These two are from Chiasso (http://www.chiasso.com/) the item on the left is the Scope Magnetic Salt and Pepper Shaker, on the right are the Chemistry salt and pepper shaker. These are modern with a twist of fun as well.

I just think this set is cute. It reminds me of my kissing frogs, except less green. This item is from Clio (http://www.clio-home.com/).

From Crate and Barrel, the set on the left is the Classic Century Salt and Pepper Shaker (I think it looks like birds) the set on the right is called the Spiral Salt and Pepper shaker.

The set on the the left is designed by Stefano Giovannoni and Rumiko Takeda and the set on the right is from Stefano Giovannoni. I really like the playfulness in these. You can find them at http://www.blisshomes.com/.

I know this is sort of a random topic. But I enjoy everyday items with a twist. These are all fun shaker sets that are certain to spice up your kitchen.

Very Orange Chocolate Chip Cookies

I was on one of my favorite blogs, and saw this recipe. It was on Baking Bites: http://www.bakingbites.com/ and was posted by Nicole on May 20, 2008. I would like to pass it along and let those reading know that this was a really yummy recipe. So, thank you Nicole!

Very Orange Chocolate Chip Cookies:

1 cup all purposed flour

1/2 tsp baking soda

1/2 tsp baking powder

1/4 tsp salt

1/4 tsp cardamom (I personally did not have this in the kitchen, so i improvised and used ground ginger)

1/4 cup shortening

1/4 tsp cinnamom

3/4 cup turbinado sugar

1 tbsp molasses

1/2 tsp vanilla

1 tbsp orange zest

1 egg

1/4 cup chocolate chips (I may have used a bit more...I just really enjoy overloading on chocolate chips)

Preheat oven to 350

Whisk together flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt cardamom and cinnamon;

Cream together shortening and sugar. Add in molasses, vanilla, Orange zest and egg, Beat until well combined and light;

Add flour mixture to egg mixture and stir until just combined. Add Chocolate chips;

Form cookies into tablespoon sized balls. Flatten before baking for a flatter cookie, or leave as a ball for a puffier cookie;

Make, in over at 350 for 11-12 min. ( I baked for 10, I like a more gooey cookie);

Made 13 cookies (bakers dozen)

These were really good, the batter didn't seem to make a lot but they came out perfect!

This weekend I was in a very fall mood and went to Pottery Barn to make a center piece for my kitchen table. This is what the woman at the store and I came up with...

I was pleased at how it came out. I am really enjoying mustard colors and orange this year. Let me know what you think!

Fashion in the Kitchen

So, I am a bit obsessed with aprons...I don't think they are a thing of the past, I am tired of getting flour all over myself and I have seen so many cute ones out there that I have decided to bring some fashion into my kitchen. Here are some examples of some cute aprons I have seen...

This one is from The Cupcakery in Las Vegas. They have a lot of other cute girly designs in their store as well.

This Jessie Steele Onyx Apron is a good apron for someone who likes to feel sophisticated.

The Jessie Steele Apron also comes in this really cool Pink color.

I like this Jessie Steele Cupcake apron. Very cute and the little pink bow on it is really girly.

Don't forget about fashion for the man. This Camo is pretty manly.

Get creative with your aprons, they are great for those cooks who like to through dinner parties and don't want to get messy, but still want to look good. If you are one who is blessed with the ability to sew, pick up some fun fabrics and design your own. I think they are great and I will be stocking up on them myself.

Some Great Websites

I have some websites that I love browsing on, these sites are fun and yummy and they give me the inspiration I need to get out there and get baking!

First, I love taking a look at The Flour Pot Cookies. This site seriously makes me want to drop what I am doing and make some beautiful cookies. My issue however, is that I don't think I could make cookies to ever look like these ones. If you are interested in looking them up, go to http://www.flourpotcookies.com/ and their blog is http://www.flourpotcookies.blogspot.com/, this site is worth looking at...

A little about the owners (copied straight from their blog)

Mother-daughter team, Margie and Abbey Greenberg are co-owners of The Flour Pot Cookies, a cookie company based in Ambler, PA. Margie's love for design and sweets, plus Abbey's stellar business skills have helped The Flour Pot grow into a thriving business with customers like Polo Ralph Lauren, Saks Fifth Avenue and The Omni Hotels. The Flour Pot has garnered praise and well-deserved attention since its inception, and has been featured in countless national magazines as well as on The Food Network and Entertainment Tonight.

I also like to go online to Dean and Deluca. this website does everything from gourmet cheese, to meat, to baked goods. It's pricey, but just look at some of the baked goods they sell...

That Pumpkin cake alone will set you back about $120 dollars, but it looks like it may be worth it.

These are just two of my favorite baked goods store. I also like are Blue Frog. This is a store based in New Orleans that sells chocolates.

Go online and find some bakery stores that you like. Its always great to see what other bakers are up to and to get ideas on how you yourself can improve.

Happy Baking!

Cream Cheese Brownie Pie

So, pie season is coming up! You know, fall is coming and now until after the holidays is always a good time to bake pies. For me, I have never lived in a state that really had any seasons, so, through my baking, I create them myself.

I always feel cozy and the need for comfort food and pies beginning around September. Soon I will need to start baking my apple pies, pumpkin pies, baklava, breads, ect. I'm getting really antsy though, and so I decided to start my pie season a little early. Although its not quite time for the apple and pumpkin pies, there are many others out there that are good to start the season off with.

This weekend (as he does most weekends) my husband request my yummy Chocolate Chip Cookies. He claims they are the best (I just use the recipe on the back of semi-sweet chocolate chips, so no real cookie secret there.) As I was getting the ingredients, I decided that I would like to start going through the pie recipes I have been collecting over the year. I thought I would keep the chocolate theme going with a Cream Cheese Brownie Pie, a recipe I found off the Pillsbury baking website. This is a great website, and recipes that are usually ones that don't have to necessarily be baked from scratch.

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Ready In: 4 Hours 5 Minutes

Servings: 8

1 Pillsbury refrigerated pie crust

1 Package (8 oz) cream cheese, softened

3 tablespoons sugar

1 Teaspoon vanilla

3 eggs

1 box (15.1 oz) fudge supreme hot fudge swirl premium brownie mix

1/4 cup vegetable oil

2 tablespoons water

1/2 cup chopped Pecans (optional: I did not use)

drizzle of Carmel topping (I added because its yummy)

1) Heat oven to 350 degrees. Place 1 pie crust in 9-inch glass pie pan as directed on pie box

2) In medium bowl with electric mixer, beat cream cheese sugar, vanilla and 1 of the eggs on medium speed until smooth; set aside

3) Reserve hot fudge packet from brownie mix for topping. In large bowl, beat brownie mix, oil, 1 tablespoon of the water and remaining 2 eggs 50 strokes with spoon

4) Spread 1/2 cup brownie mixture in bottom of crust-lined pan. Spoon and carefully spread cream cheese mixture over brownie layer. Top with remaining brownie mixture; spread evenly. Sprinkle with pecans (which I did not use).

5) Bake 40 to 50 minute or until center is puffed and crust is golden brown. After 15 to 20 minutes of baking, cover crust edge with strips of foil to prevent excessive browning (pie may have cracks of surface).

6) In small microwaveable bowl, microwave hot fudge from packet of High 30 seconds. Stir in remaining tablespoon water. Drizzle fudge over top of pie. Cool completely, about 3 hours. Store in refrigerator.

Nutrition information:

1 serving: Calories 610 (calories from Fat 305) Total Fat 34g

I really liked this pie. It's my first time making it, and it will not be my last. I had a slice last night with some coffee frozen yogurt on top. The coffee mixed with the fudge (and drizzle of Carmel I put on mine) was Fabulous!

Try it out and let me know what you think!