October Kitchen Tools

Fall is all about baking delicious apple pies and cooking hearty soups, so this month I thought that it might be a good idea to share three of my favorite tools that certainly get a serious workout in my kitchen this season.  Today's list of tools are all multipurpose essentials for my kitchen and make my time spent preparing foods much easier.  All practical staples that I would highly recommend outfitting in your own kitchen.  

Kitchen Aid 9-Speed Hand Mixer

I was one of many who dreamed of the day when I would finally own a Kitchen Aid Stand Mixer.  Stand mixers (aka "The Work Horse") really are the ultimate kitchen accessory and very practical addition to any kitchen.  While I do agree that the Kitchen Aid Stand Mixer is a work horse (and work of art), they are not cheap.  Not everyone has  $300-$500 that they can easily spend on a stand mixer, nor does everyone have the countertop/storage space to accommodate such a prominent kitchen electric.  

My alternative solution?  The Kitchen Aid 9-Speed Hand Mixer.  Not only does this mixer come with all of the same standard attachments as a stand mixer (dough hooks, power beaters, whisk and even a liquid blender!), but it's also a fraction of the size and cost!  I have gone through my fair share of hand mixers from all of my cooking and baking over the years, but this Kitchen Aid hand mixer continues to stand the test of time.  This hand mixer is definitely a great alternative (or additional) mixing electric for any kitchen. 

10-Piece Glass Bowl Set

Whenever I am cooking, baking or even displaying ingredients for a blog post, I always find myself pulling out my 10-piece glass bowl set to help get the job done.  I love this set of mixing bowls because there is a bowl size to fit every cooking/baking need, they are dishwasher safe, BPA Free and are beyond reasonably priced ($39.95!).  Heck, I have even used these bowls on occasion as serving pieces!  You really can never have too many bowls.  This fabulous set is definitely a great buy. 

Williams Sonoma Silicone Spatulas

When we acquired our nice pots and pans, I quickly realized that the days of using metal cooking utensils were over.  In an effort to preserve the aesthetic of my cookware I made the switch over to wooden cooking utensils to avoid any potential scratching.  Using cooking wooden utensils was fine at first, but I quickly grew tired of the constant hand washing of each piece and never feeling like the utensils were actually clean.  Enter the Williams-Sonoma Silicone Spoonula with Stainless Steel Handle. Discovering this utensil (actually the entire line of silicone cooking utensils) was a breath of fresh air!  Not only can they be used for both cooking and baking, but they are also heat resistant up to 600 degrees fahrenheit and dishwasher safe!  I love having hygienic cooking tools that can be used for an array of purposes and are safe to use on both my cookware/bakeware. This line of stainless steel/silicone cooking utensils certainly fits the bill!

Pumpkin Puffs Recipe

Today's recipe is a Fall favorite of mine and one that I have been looking forward to sharing with you all since last Fall when I first debuted a photo of these tasty treats on my Instagram page.  Why do I love this recipe? It's very easy to make, chock full of quintessential fall flavors, and the best part- it's a somewhat "skinny" recipe! By that I mean that it's not quite guilt-free, but certainly way less than say, a pie!   These pumpkin puffs are an instant crowd pleaser and definitely a treat worthy of serving at your next Fall dinner party.  

Ingredients

• 1-8oz Container Lite Cool Whip
• 1 pkg Instant Vanilla Pudding Mix
• 1-15oz can Pumpkin Puree 
• 1/2 tsp Pumpkin Pie Spice
• 1/4 tsp Cinnamon
• Simple & Crisp, Dried Pear Crisps
• Gingersnap Cookies (finely crushed)

Instructions

1. In a bowl, whisk together whipped cream, pudding mix, pumpkin puree, pumpkin pie spice and cinnamon
2. Once combined, scoop contents into a gallon size ziplock freezer bag
3. Squeeze pumpkin mixture to one corner of bag, then cut the tip of the bag (about 1/2in) with a pair of of scissors 
4. Pipe swirls onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper
5. Once piped, place in freezer for approximately 1 hour to set
6. When ready to serve, place a frozen swirl onto a Simple & Crisp Pear Crisp (or a Gingersnap Cookie) 
7. Garnish with gingersnap cookie crumbs and serve at least 10 minutes after removing puffs from freezer so that the puffs have ample time to thaw 

Glamming Up My Pumpkins

For some reason, the Fall and Holiday Seasons always have me in the mood to be extra crafty.  I think it's primarily because I will get specific decor visions in my head for how I want to decorate the house for Fall, Halloween, Thanksgiving or Christmas, but then I can never find those specific items I need to achieve that exact vision.  So of course this translates to spending an obscene amount of time perusing the aisles of Michaels.  (*FYI- if you have yet to visit a Michaels, get ready.  Every aisle is chock full of the most fabulous craft items for anything from baking to painting and they even have a fabulous framing section.)  

Anyway, the most recent DIY project I have been working on is "glamming up"my pumpkins.  Last year I went for a more natural/organic Fall decor look with lots of browns, whites and greens.  This year I wanted to create a slightly more glitzed/glam look by incorporating an array of metallic colors into my decor starting with my pumpkins.  Here is what I used to create these lustrous gems:

• White Pumpkins (Stems and Stemless in an array of sizes)- Trader Joes has a great selection of pumpkins at very competitive prices. 
• Foam Brushes- If using the Martha Stewart Craft Paints, these brushes are great for application. 
• Paper Grocery Bag or Newspaper
• Krylon Leafing Pens- for painting pumpkin stems quickly and with excellent precision. 
• Krylon Premium Metallic Spray Paint- This is the quickest and easiest method for painting and drying your pumpkins.  Only drawback is that this spray paint has a potent smell, so you need to apply this paint either outside or in a well ventilated space. 
• Martha Stewart Crafts Multi-Surface Metallic Acrylic Craft Paint- Non-toxic/no smell alternative, but requires a little more work painting multiple coats on each pumpkin with an hour of drying time in between each coat. For my pumpkins, I used Gold, Rose Gold and Rose Copper. 

If I am going to be honest, the Krylon products are my favorite because they make pumpkin painting super easy and very quick.  The Martha Stewart paints work just as well and are definitely easier on the nose, but painting the pumpkins was more of a process.  With that said, I am totally in love with my newly glammed pumpkins.  The array of metallic tones is very reminiscent of the fall foliage and I have been having so much fun trying to figure out where to place these lovely little gourds throughout my home. Taking matters into my own hands and creating the exact pumpkins I had envisioned for my Fall Decor was totally worth it!

Host a Fall Picnic

I recently came across the most fabulous picnic basket from West Elm, complete with wine holder (it was an immediate must buy)!  The moment I spotted this ultra chic picnic basket, I knew I not only needed to buy it, but also began brainstorming different ideas for how I was going to use it/incorporate it into a blog post.  Since I had purchased this picnic basket over the summer, I originally thought that a summer picnic could be a cute idea.  The more I thought about it I realized that the summer was way too hot for dining "Al Fresco."  When it's hot and sticky outside, the last thing I want to do is consume wine and cheese.  

Fast forward to planning for our weeklong trip in the mountains--It wasn't until we started planning the various activities for our North Carolina vacation, the lightbulb went off and I realized that hosting a romantic Fall picnic for two in the mountains would be a perfect way to break in my new picnic basket.  So I immediately got to work mapping out the details of the menu and picnic location prior to our arrival in North Carolina.  Our mountain accommodations are next to a lake and there is a perfect stretch of grass with the most beautiful mountain views in the backdrop.   It is truly picturesque.  

Unfortunately, this initial venue idea was cancelled due to the heavy rain we have been experiencing all week.  Determined not to let a little rain spoil my picnic plans, I found a 2hour window the other day to put out the spread and finally enjoy a little time outside with my husband sipping delicious wine and enjoying a few cocktail nibbles. Below is a breakdown of what I used to create this most delicious spread. 

Picnic Essentials

• West Elm Picnic Basket (Currently on Sale!)
• World Market Olive Wood Cheese Cutting Board
• Caspari Albemarle Hall Paper Cocktail Napkins
• Waiter's Corkscew
• Sur la Table Classic Soft Cheese Knife
• World Market Hammered Metal Tiffin Lunch Box
• World Market Mini White Ceramic Jar with Spoon
• Govino Shatter Proof Recyclable Wine Tumblers
• Rustic Picnic Blanket

The Menu

• Black Creek Sharp Cheddar Cheese Aged 9 months
• Cypress Grove Sgt. Pepper Chèvre Cheese
• Fresh Thyme (garnish)
• Pepita/Pumpkin Seeds, Roasted and Salted
• Somersaults, Sea Salt
• Dried Tart Cherries
• 34 Degrees Crisps, Rosemary
• Simple and Crisp, Pear
• Phantom by Bogle Wine, Red Blend

It was so nice to finally have a moment to enjoy the gorgeous scenery of the mountains (even if it was from our back porch, with the rain threatening to start up again at any second).  Whether you are looking to set up a romantic party for two or entertain a large group, I love the idea of hosting a picnic during the Fall. The weather during this season really can't be beat and throwing together a delicious spread like the one pictured in this post is relatively easy (i.e. no cooking required!).  So if you are looking for a fun way to entertain this Fall season, I highly recommend hosting a Fall picnic.  

Host a Wine and Cheese Party

Since we arrived in the mountains on Sunday we have seen nothing but rain.  Today we have a 5 hour window of no rain, but then it is expected to start up again and continue for the remainder of our time here.  In an effort to not have the rain affect our time in the mountains, I thought it would be a fun idea to have a wine and cheese pairing party with my brother and husband.  I asked each of them to select a wine, research pairings and put together a small tasting station.  

To set the stage for this wine and cheese pairing party, I provided the foundations:

• Chalkboard Paper Table Runner
• Chalkboard Markers (for labeling the cheeses)
• Wood Leaves to frame each cheese and add a festive fall touch
• Cheese Knives (Classic Soft Knife and Classic Hard Knife)
• Gold Serving Papers to consolidate the accoutrements for each pairing

The results from this party were fantastic.  Below is a breakdown of what each person contributed (Wine, Cheese and Accoutrements).   

Napa Cellars, Cabernet Sauvignon

As soon as I announced this party, my brother immediately called dibbs on Napa Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon.  This particular wine is full bodied and complex.  It has notes of dark fruits, cinnamon and a hint of tobacco.  In general, Cabernets tend to be on the heavier side, so my brother looked for more of a neutral cheese with deeper flavored pairing accoutrements. Typically you find that cabernet sauvignons pair best with flavors that match in intensity like  espresso gelato, juniper berries, red meats, robust cheeses.  Below is a breakdown of what my brother decided to pair with this wine.  

• Cheese: Cypress Grove's Midnight Moon
• Accoutrements: Fresh Rosemary, Dried Dark Cherries, Sea Salted Chocolate, Rosemary 34 Degree Crisps
• Additional Pairing Ideas: Blue Cheese, Camembert, Washed Rind Cheeses, Cheddar, Walnuts

Phantom by Bogle, Red Blend

My husband decided that his wine contribution would be Phantom by Bogle (a current favorite of ours).  Phantom is red blend consisting primarily of Petite Sirah and Zinfandel grapes tend to be on the fruitier/full-bodied side.  Petite Sirah's and Zinfandels tend to pair really well with spicy foods (ex. chili pepper, cajun seasoning).  My husband elected to pair this wine with spicier accoutrements (Cajun Peanuts and Spicy Plum Chutney), which are recommended with Petite Sirah wines and a sharp cheddar (which is a recommended pairing with Zinfandel wines).  Thyme and fresh apple finished off the pairing station as both items go very well with cheddar and the other accoutrements.  

• Cheese: Black Creek, Sharp Cheddar Aged 9 months
• Accoutrements: Fresh Thyme, Fresh Sliced  Granny Smith Apple, Cajun Spiced Virginia Peanuts, Natural 34 Degree Crisps and Virginia Chutney Company's Spicy Plum Chutney
• Additional Pairing Ideas: Olives, Roquefort, Fresh Oregano, Anything with Heat

La Crema, Chardonnay

Since my brother and husband both chose red wines, I selected a white wine to balance out the spread.  Whites are much lighter in flavor and body and tend to have higher acidity (notes of citrus),  so I looked for more of a lighter cheese and accoutrements that had fresh bright flavors.  This La Crema Chardonnay has a buttery clean taste with hints of peach blossom, meyer lemon, vanilla and yellow plum.  The nose is a combination of both oak and citrus.  Given the flavor profile of this particular wine, here is what I chose for pairings:  

• Cheese: Cypress Grove's Sgt. Pepper Chèvre 
• Accoutrements: Fresh Sage, Simple & Crisp Dried Pear Crisps, Truffle Marcona Almonds, Fresh Blackberries and Eat This Peach Habanero Preserves
• Additional Pairing Ideas: Basil, Tarragon, Ginger, Nutmeg, Saffron, Citrus, Fish (ex. Smoked Salmon), Apple, Brie, Gouda and Compte. 

While the pairings may have not been textbook (traditional pairing combinations), they were still delicious and I loved all of the new ideas shared on what to serve with each wine.  This party ended up being a major success with my brother and husband.  They both had a great time researching and sharing their various contributions with the group.  As well it was also fun to get to try an assortment of wine and cheese pairings.  This party idea is great idea for fall and can work both indoors or outdoors (although I would recommend outdoors if your weather permits because its always nice to have a reason to be outside…especially before winter sets in and we all go into hibernation mode).