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Snacking in the Kitchen

~ Culinary Adventures In & Out of the Kitchen. Recipes, Reviews, Culinary Musings.

Category Archives: Kitchen

Kitchen Drawer Organization

04 Wednesday Dec 2013

Posted by snackingkitchen in Kitchen

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Tags

cleaning, kitchen, organization, recycling, recylcing

kitchen drawers organization

When’s the last time you tried opening a kitchen drawer just to find it jammed with utensils, tools, and random items that you can not remember making their way into the drawer in the first place?   If you are lucky to get the drawer open, you are likely to spend the next few + minutes rummaging through the tools, trying to find the one you need.  Sounds familiar?  I bet we all have a drawer like that.

The solution?  Organize, de-clutter, clean, etc.  The marketplace has a vast variety of tools for the job – drawer dividers, containers, boxes, you name it.  But have you thought about using something that you might already have in the kitchen?

How about loaf pans?  Today, when cleaning the kitchen at the work studio, I pulled out a few of the loaf pans that we hardly ever use to organize one of our drawers and it worked out great!  Peelers went into one loaf pan, the other one was filled with scoops, and whisks and peelers found a new home.  Now when we open the drawer, it actually opens and we can find everything that we need neatly organized.

Want to share your trick for organizing kitchen drawers?

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Window Shopping and Day Dreaming at the Metropolitan Market

17 Wednesday Jul 2013

Posted by snackingkitchen in Kitchen, Seattle, Writing/Publishing

≈ 1 Comment

The last time I window shopped, I admired sparkling diamonds, jewel-toned stones, and strands of white gold.  On previous occasions, I brushed my hand against soft silk scarves and felt luxurious leather bags.  This time around, I headed to my local Metropolitan Market to do a little bit of window shopping for my kitchen.

Granted, my kitchen is pretty well stocked.  Years of collecting random dishes, silverware, lots of bowls, and the recent gift of a KitchenAid mixer have served me well.  That being said, I could not resist the offer from the Metropolitan Market to enter the Gourmet Giveaway for Bloggers for a chance to win three kitchen items of my choice.  

Let me be honest, choosing was not easy.  I was pulled in many directions by wine glasses, printed kitchen towels, and whisks of different shapes and sizes.  I looked at lunch bags and cutting boards, and played with salt and pepper grinders.  In the end, I settled on the three items below:

Le Creuset Enameled Cast-Iron Round French Oven in Flame:  clearly this had to be in flame because of my obsession and love for everything orange.  I have cooked with Le Creuset in the past and have a smaller red French oven at home, so I appreciate the durability and excellence of this kitchen item.  This particular French oven would add great versatility to my kitchen.  I can already dream of making chili in it or smelling the aroma of a roasted chicken!

For my second item, I picked this ice cream maker by Cuisinart.  How could I not?  We are experiencing a heat wave of sorts in Seattle and the summer berries are at their peak – perfect time for ice cream to keep me cool and collected.  Come fall, I’ll scoop ice cream over pies; and in the winter, the ice cream will make a sweet topping for chocolate brownies.

For my third and last dream item, I selected a set of orange and turquoise Thin Weave Sateen Placemats made by Pacific Merchants Trading Company.  Besides being my favorite color combination, these placemats are stylish enough to use for inside dining and are durable to be used on a patio for al fresco dining.  They would also make colorful background for future food styling.

If you were to pick your three dream items, what would they be?  This is a perfect time to do some shopping, as the Metropolitan Market’s Annual Housewares Sale is just around the corner!  Visit your local store July 18-21st to find everything you might desire for your kitchen!  Selected items are up to 70% off and all regularly priced iteams are 20% off.  They have it all – baking dishes, pots and pans, and small kitchen appliances; towels, napkins, and placemats; cups, glasses, and kettles.  Once you buy your dream items, you can carry them home in bright reusable totes.

I couldn’t leave the store without picking a few items for dinner.  I grabbed a pint each of raspberries and blueberries, along with an heirloom tomato, fresh mozzarella ball, prosciutto, garlic naan bread, and castellano olives.  At home, I whirled up hummus, arranged cheese, tomato, and proscuitto slices with homegrown basil, and grilled naan over a gas flame.  Berries and olives went straight into decorative bowls.  And a chilled bottle of Chardonnay Viognier blend completed this light supper.

 
Disclaimer:  I will be receiving a $25 giftcard from the Metropolitan Market for participating in the Giveaway Contest and posting this write up.  All opinions expressed in this post are my own.
 

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Knife Safety in the Kitchen ~ Where to Store Your Knives

08 Wednesday May 2013

Posted by snackingkitchen in Cooking Classes, Kitchen, Writing/Publishing

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As some of you may know, I teach Knife Skills classes – the essential know-how for every cook in the kitchen.  As part of my classes, I discuss knife safety and a variety of ways to keep the knifes safe.
 
I’ve been dreaming of a magnetic knife strip for quite some time and am happy to report that the dream is now a reality. 
 

Usually, the magnetic strips are attached on the kitchen’s backsplash and the knives hang vertically.  The Artist and I hung the strip on the bottom of the kitchen cabinet (ok, he hung it up and I just watched).  The knives are attached to the strip horizontally, taking very little space.  I love it!

If you have kids or pets in your household, I would recommend a different system to store your knives, for safety reason.

Interested in signing up for a Knife Skills class? Let me know – I teach both individual and group classes.

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Happy New Year 2013 from Snacking in the Kitchen

02 Wednesday Jan 2013

Posted by snackingkitchen in Gifts, Holidays, Kitchen

≈ 1 Comment

I hope your year is off to a great start!  I wish you lots of delicious dishes, healthy and new discoveries in the kitchen, culinary travels, brave cooking attempts and lots of joy!

This year, my kitchen received a beautiful bouquet of red utensils made by Le Creuset.  I’m calling this Red Tulips for the Kitchen.  Look forward to using them.  Thank you, Artist!  As you can see, the “vase” is resting on a silicone trivet.  I love it!

Have you received anything kitchen-related this year as a gift?  Please share!

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Kids Say the Darnest Things

29 Wednesday Jun 2011

Posted by snackingkitchen in Kids, Kitchen

≈ 2 Comments

This has very little to do with actual cooking or snacking, but since the conversation did happen in the kitchen, while I was teaching a kids summer cooking camp, I thought it’s only fair and appropriate that I share it with you.

On the second day of camp, when the kids felt already quite feisty and comfortable with me, the following convestaion took place between me and a 10-year-old boy.  Let’s call him Peter.

Peter: do you have a kid?
Me: no
Peter: are you married?
Me: no
Peter: are you engaged?
Me: no
Peter: do you have a boyfriend?
Me: no
Peter: wow, you say “no” a lot!
Me: well, you’re asking, I’m answering.
Peter: do you have a crush on someone?
Me: sure!
Peter: is that like being in love? are you going to marry him?
Me: let’s go cook something!

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New in the Kitchen

31 Tuesday May 2011

Posted by snackingkitchen in Kitchen, Product Review, Seattle

≈ 1 Comment

If sharing is caring, then I’m definitely cared for!

Yesterday, I got a delivery from my sister (aka Mango Tomato).  She recently attended Eat Write Retreat in Washington, DC where she was the official photographer for the conference.  As such, she got a pretty fabulous swag bag and generously shared some of the items with me!  Thanks 🙂  If you are interested, you can read about her experience as a photographer at a conference here.

SoftWorks OXO Stainless Steel LiquiSeal Travel Mug
Mine is actually magenta in color, which is even cooler!  And it’s BPA free, double wall insulated and spill proof.  Since I already have a tea mug, this will be dedicated to coffee.

OXO Soft Works LiquiSeal™ Travel Mug - Silver (13.5 oz.)
Photo from Amazon.com

Multi-functional Apple-shaped Slicer Jacinth (in red)

Multi-functional Apple-shaped Slicer Jacinth
Photo from Gadgettown.com

OXO Good Grips Pepper Mill with Pink Peppercorns from My Spice Sage.  I love the fact that you can see exactly how much spice you have in the spice grinder. And having the hand-operated handle makes me feel like I’m using an ancient appliances.  Trying to figure out what to do with pink peppercorns.  Perhaps truffles! Any suggestions from you?

OXO Good Grips Pepper Mill
Photo from Amazon.com

And last, but not least, my own purchase!  Hand-painted ceramic bowls from Ross.  Now, there’s a story about these bowls that I am not going to choose on line, but if you care to find out what it is, please let me know!  These bowls are not exactly what I was looking for, but they are definitely an improvement from eating out of a plastic bowl.

What’s next in the kitchen?  I’m thinking I am in definite need of a food processor and hand mixer.  What’s on your list?
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Sitting in the Kitchen – New Bar Stools

15 Tuesday Mar 2011

Posted by snackingkitchen in Furniture, Kitchen, Seattle

≈ 2 Comments

Four months after acquiring a new kitchen, I’m happy to report that from now on, “Snacking in the Kitchen” will be happening sitting down, instead of standing up or sitting on the floor.  Thanks to my good friend Era, I am a happy and proud owner of 4 bar stools!

The search has been quite challenging to say the least.  The combination of style, price, availability was a tough one to find and I spent many mornings, days, and nights, standing up by the kitchen counter, eating.  My visitors have done the same, or settled for a more casual dining – on the floor.  I am happy to report that “on the floor” option will continue to be available.

I assembled all four chairs and did my best to tighten up the bolts and screws.  But just in case, every visitor will be signing a consent waiver, taking complete responsibility for a potential chair failure 🙂

In the near future, I plan to reupholster the chairs (as much I am a fan of fake black leather – ok, I’m really not, but that’s how they came).  I might wait for the couch (it will come eventually), or be brave and choose a fabric for the upholstery.  Feel free to send your recommendations.

For now, I look forward to sitting at the bar in my own kitchen and enjoying a meal with you!  Bon Appetit!

(Chairs are from Fred Meyer where they are buy 1 get 1 free this week with an additional 10% discount)

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Snacking in the Kitchen Gets New Dishes – Lenox Chirp

25 Tuesday Jan 2011

Posted by snackingkitchen in Decorating, Kitchen

≈ 2 Comments

New apartment, new kitchen has meant no plates, no bowls.  I’ve been looking for several months already but have yet to find something that I love.  Please, if I see another Fiesta dish set, I might just lose all hope.  It’s tricky.  I’m looking for solid, but light salad plates and cereal/soup bowls.  Not really interested in sauces, cups, etc.  So far I’ve been eating out of storage containers and mixing bowls. It’s been fun!

Then today, on my trip to Marshalls, I came across Lenox Chrip salad plates, on clearance!

Simply Fine Lenox® Chirp 4-pc  Place Setting Simply Fine Lenox® Chirp Dinner Plate

I’ve seen the plates before, and if you know me, you know how much I love turquoise color.  So I thought and thought, and ended up buying all 4 plates at $10 each.  (They are sold at Lenox for $27 each). Now what?  I would really love to buy a few more and then some matching bowls.

I am concerned a bit about how food will look against the turquoise.  Thoughts?

Simply Fine Lenox® Chirp  Bowl or Simply Fine Lenox® Chirp All Purpose Bowl

These gorgeous bowls are $30 each!  No way, I will keep on looking for a better deal.  If you see them on sale, clearance, please let me know 🙂

Photos directly from http://www.lenox.com

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My future kitchen is getting a few new things

06 Wednesday Oct 2010

Posted by snackingkitchen in Kitchen

≈ 5 Comments

One of these days I will have my own kitchen.  Yesterday, I took a full advantage of my discount at Sur La Table to buy a few things for my future kitchen.

Lodge Cast Iron Skillet – so excited about this purchase.  I hear a lot of you have received cast iron skillets from your grandmothers.  I wasn’t so lucky.  So finally I decided to buy one.  What to cook first in it?  I’m thinking chicken!

Plastic flexible cutting boards, color coordinated, with non-slip bottom to prevent them from slipping.

A wine decanter – I’ve used it before as a juice pitcher or a vase.

Centro Glass Pitcher


‘The Grid’ Silicone Pot Holders in Lime Green

‘The Grid’ Silicone Pot Holders
A few fiesta bowls, just because they were so cute!

Terra Cotta Collection Dip Bowls

Now that I’m looking on the website, I think I’ll get a set of nestling bowls too (more useful).
Nested Glass Mixing Bowl Set
I also picked up a few wooden spoons, a microplane and an apple corer (for my mom).  I’m sure there are a few more things on my list – perhaps a Classic Scanpan Skillet
Scanpan® Classic Skillets
and a Shun Classic Chef’s knife? 
Shun Classic Chef’s Knife

What would you get for your kitchen?

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