Five Fabulous Gift Ideas for Foodies
PIN IT!It’s the most wonderful time of the YEAR! (I say in my jubilant, opera singing voice).
I’m definitely a certifiable Christmas junkie, but this is nothing new. My family does Christmas big. My grandma hosts a Christmas Eve party every year, in which my mom makes way too many appetizers and over 2,000 cookies, and everyone gets to together to laugh over way too many glasses of wine. It’s amazing to know that no matter how much I change, where I go, what happens in my life, we’ll always have Christmas Eve and Christmas morning at my grandparents. I’m not naïve to think that this will last forever, but for now, having this constant holiday tradition in my ever-changing life is incredible. That’s part of why I love this time of year so much, the warm fuzzies and nostalgia I feel each December.
Also, my mom loves holiday decorating and it’s hard not to get in the spirit when you grow up in a house decorated like this.
I told you, she loves to decorate.
Now, another awesome thing about December is that my birthday lies just a few weeks before Christmas [Dec. 6th to be exact]! So, as a kid, I’d write one list of what I wanted for my birthday and then one list, to go to Santa of course, of what I wanted for Christmas. Although my lists have dwindled substantially, I still write down what I’d like. It makes holiday shopping a little easier on everyone! Unlike the past years where I asked Mom, Dad & Mr. Clause for an iPod, new Ugg boots, an Iphone and the like, this year my list is filled with light boxes, baking utensils, cookie sheets, a food processor and a new camera lens. I’m officially a food blogger. So, as I work on my letter to Santa, I’m compiling some of the ideas y’all gave me yesterday into a list of the top 5 gift ideas food bloggers would love. Let me know if you agree!
Note: these aren’t ranked, just listed in a random order!
1. Dutch Oven
[photo via]
A bunch of the foodies I asked, virtually and in real life, wanted just one thing this holiday; a dutch oven! These brightly colored pieces of cookware are amazingly verstaile, pretty to look at and last FOREVER. We got one (a Martha Stewart brand) as a wedding present and I’ve already used it 10 times, on pot roasts, lasagna, casseroles and even steak! Although the price tag can be hefty (close to $250), this is the gift that will give years to follow. It’s well worth the investment and will make a foodie’s dreams come true! (And they may even invite you over for the delicious concotions they conjure up in these lovely ovens!)
Price: Varies anywhere from $50-$300
Where you can buy:
2. Camera equiptment
No foodie is complete without a camera to take photos of the beautiful masterpiece you just created in the kitchen. You don’t need a fancy camera to take fancy photos, just need proper lighting and composition! That’s where light boxes, external flashes and tripods come in handy! There’s nothing worse than spending hours prepping, cooking and staging a food shot only to have it come out poorly lit and blurry. I know I’m asking Santa for a lighting kit this Christmas!
Price: Equiptment varies, anywhere from $10-over $10,000
Where to buy:
3. Fun table clothes and placemats
[photo via Anna Williams]
My mom asked me what I wanted for my birthday and I told her “trendy placemats!” As gorgeous as food is placed on a crisp white plate on a wooden surface, fun and colored placemats add a fabulous look and feel to your presentation. In the photo above, the food would have sold itself, no matter what, however, the fun pink tablecloth and brightly colored placemats add such a unique and artistic flair and enhance the composition. To me, these additions make your picture a piece of art versus just a shot of some cake. Plus, placemats come in so many different colors, designs and shapes, you can please even the pickiest of food bloggers and foodies in your life!
Price: varies
Where to buy:
4. Bakeware and Baking Utensils
[via Anthropologie]
No foodie is complete without proper baking utensils! Although I’ve rolled dough out with a wine bottle and measured baking soda in a small spoon, having the proper equipment has really improved my baking and my sanity in the kitchen. And with the fun, brightly colored pie dishes, measuring cups and spoons and cookie sheets out there, you can really add some vibrancy to your holiday baking! I’m a huge fan of Anthropologie’s ornately decorated and vibrant utensils and bakeware!
Price: Varies from $2-$100
Where to get them:
5. Kitchen electronics
[image via]
One of the top items my food friends told me they wanted this year were electronics for the kitchen! Food processors, Kitchen Aid mixers and hand held blenders were the top items they suggested. Trust me when I say this, these machines will change your life! I can’t tell you how many mornings I’ve worken up with massively sore (in a bad way) arms because I had to hand mix multiple kinds of cookie dough the night before! In addition to saving your arm, these machines can cup up to 20 minutes off baking and cooking prep! That means more time to drink wine and catch up on Lifetime. 🙂
Price: Varies, depending on item
Where to buy:
Hopefully this makes your holiday shopping a little easier when it comes to your foodie friends and family! And if you can’t find something that works, I don’t know many foodies who would turn down a nice gift card to a snazzy local restaurant. We like to cook, but some nights we like others to cook for us!
What is number one on your gift list this year?
Weekend Wrap Up & Fabulous Foodie Gifts!
Hi folks! My poor blog has been seriously neglected over the holiday. It’s like when you leave stuff in the fridge over a long weekend and come back to find it wilted, rotten and just, well, pathetic. I’m sorry bloggy and bloggy friends for leaving you alone for so very long! I hope y’all had a fabulous weekend and holiday though. Sometimes, you just have to unplug. Since we were in the car until o’dark thirty last night, I didn’t have a chance to edit any of the lovely photos I took over the weekend but those will be coming once I get my act back together. Instead, here are some photos taken from my phone and by my MIL while in Charleston.
Not a bad view to wake up to on Turkey Day!
I spent most of Thursday helping my MIL prep for the 12 guests she was having! I made stove top stuffing, orange glazed green beans, chocolate pecan pie and jalapeño cornbread. Everything was SO good. As you can see above, I did my share of eatin’.
We got to meet our niece, Willow, for the first time! She’s so precious, however, as you can see, likes E a lot more than she likes me. Babies just hate me.
We had a GORGEOUS walk at Shem Creek on Friday, post massive turkey eating. I can’t say I was feeling 100%, but the views were gorgeous.
E and I went on a FASCINATING Charleston history tour on Saturday and it was so fun! First of all, the weather was perfect. It was 75, sunny with a slight breeze. And you wonder why I want to live there 🙂 After the tour (photos to come!) we had a bowl of delicious potato soup and beers at Tommy Condon’s, one of our favorite places to go downtown.
After a long nap, post walking-tour, we went to Graze, a trendy little eatery in Mount Pleasant. I ordered a filet mignon with the most delicious (and fatty) sauce I’ve ever had. This place is such a little gem, I’m definitely going back next time we are in town! After 3 days of solid poultry, it’s nice to indulge in a steak!
And then my whole day yesterday was spent like this. Well, not the whole day. Just 11 hours of it. Yipes! So there’s my weekend from my mobile. Hope yours was amazing!
Now, before I go, I’m doing a small poll. What, as a food blogger or foodie, is on your holiday wish list? I’m compiling the top 5 for a post later this week!
Claire
Tags:Charleston restaurants, Graze, holiday, instagram, thanksgiving
Pumpkin Almond Muffins
These soft and fluffy pumpkin almond muffins are the ultimate breakfast snack. Enjoy them for breakfast, lunch or a snack!
NOTE: The photos have been updated but the content remains as it was posted in 2011. Thanksgiving was always a really special time for me. I’d get together with all of my cousins and friends and we’d hit the town and paint it red. Then after drunken catching up and way to many shots, we’d stumble in the door at 5 am only to awake 3 hours later to assist in Meals on Wheels, a volunteer activity that delivers meals to elderly. Safe to say, the hungover would last well until dinner, we’d eat it away, then start all over. As much as I love my low key Thanksgivings now, I miss the days of my wild youth. Now, before I get too lost in the nostalgia of this day, I want to talk muffins.
Because, let’s be real, muffins make the world a happier place to live.
Scratch that. Pumpkin muffins make the world a happier place to live in. Pumpkin is magic. I’ve never had a pumpkin anything that didn’t taste like sweet, sweet heaven. Add chocolate, almonds and melted butter and you have one foodgasmic breakfast treat. Although I’ve been known to eat muffins for dinner (and brownies, and cake) this did not, in fact, make up my evening meal (I ate a well balanced subway sandwich, thank you). I showed massive restraint and did not eat one of them. Even as the soft butter melted into the warm center of the muffin I prepared for my husband. Instead, I snapped these pictures and stuffed these succulent treats into ziplock bags for our 10 hour drive tomorrow.
That is restraint.
I mean look at these, would you be able to not eat one? or 2? Now, I will tell you such restraint will not be shown this afternoon after 6 hours in the car. You’ll find me at mile marker 1 trillion with a plethora of muffin liners scattered on my lap.
Pumpkin Almond Muffins
Yields: 16 muffins
Prep time: 10 minutes
Cook time: 20-22 minutes
Ingredients:
- 1 1/2 cups whole wheat flour
- 1 cup all purpose flour
- 1 cup sugar
- 3/4 cup brown sugar
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 2 eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon almond extract
- 1 1/3 cup pumpkin puree
- 1/3 cup canola oil
- 1/2 cup chopped almonds
Directions:
- Preheat oven to 350F. Line muffin tin with liners or spray with cooking spray. Set aside.
- In a large bowl, sift flours, sugars, baking powder, pumpkin pie spice and salt together. Form a well in the middle. Add eggs, vanilla, almond extract, pumpkin and oil. Using a wooden spoon, stir until fully mixed. Add nuts, stir until incorporated.
- Put 2 tablespoons of batter into each cup (or until 3/4 the way full). Bake for 20-22 minutes, or until browned.
- Serve with butter or on their own and enjoy!
Nutritional Information per muffin:
Fat: 6 grams
Carbohydrates: 32 grams
Protein: 3 grams
Weekend Wrap Up
Hi friends!! First of all, can you flippin’ believe Thanksgiving is 2 DAYS AWAY? LITERALLY, 2 days? I’m in shock. I’m still recouping from Halloween! However, I’m really excited to get outta dodge for a few days and spend sometime in my happy place.
[via Richard Israel]
Charleston, my favorite city 🙂 As you know, this is where I got married in March! This place just has such a hold on me. I can’t wait to go back!
So, weekend wrap up! We had a busy weekend. Saturday was our Help the Homeless walk and it turned out AMAZING! We had over 10,000 people walk on the National Mall. It’s just incredible being a part of something that’s bigger than you are, ya know?
Even the National’s bobbleheads came out! I’m not a mascot person (men in sweaty suits walking around, mm no thanks) but I can’t help but like the presidents. I mean, they are so stinkin cute!
For the event, I worked from 5 am to 2 pm, so by the time I got home, I was exhausted. I watched a little football and passed out around 7pm. I know, wild life. Sunday I woke up completely refreshed, which was necessay because I had a brunch date with my love, Gretchen! We went to Natalia’s in Falls Church. Amazing local little bakery that has the BEST crepes and baked goods.
We both got their special for the day, a savory butternut squash, bacon and goat cheese crepe with a goat cheese salad on the side. Absolutely incredible.
The crepe was fluffy and the filling was incredible. There was just the right amount of bacon and the butternut squash was cooked to absolutely perfection.
The salad was fresh and was the perfect complement to the savoriness of the crepe. We both completely demolished our plates. For dessert, I picked up a stunning red velvet cupcake with a fondant rose. This cupcake was almost too pretty to eat!
When I got home, I was stuffed. So I took this beautiful creation down to my husband, urging him to “please save me a bite.” Well, 20 minutes later I went down to get my bite and that little heffer ate the whole thing! He basically ate the wrapper too, which just further indicated how absolutely delicious it probably was. Le sigh. I guess that means another brunch date, Gretchen? After an hour of decompressing, it was back to the kitchen. These apps aren’t going to make themselves!
I whipped up two delicious appetizers that were gone as quickly as they were made.
Butternut squash soup shooters with grilled brie croutons
Whole wheat cheddar cheese crackers
Seriously yummy appetizers that will be up on She Knows this week! I have such a rough job, don’t I? Then yesterday, which isn’t technically considered the weekend, I had a fabulous happy hour with my best friend. We’ve been friends for almost 20 years and she’s one of the only constants in my life. No matter how long we go without seeing each other, it’s like nothing has changed. She’s truly a once in a lifetime friend.
Us in Vegas, clearly.
I hope you all have a WONDERFUL Thanksgiving! I’m featuring an incredibly decadent (and healthy!) muffin recipe tomorrow so be sure to check back before you leave!
What is your favorite Thanksgiving recipe? Share in the comments!
Five Things Friday: Homeless Walk, Kashi, Wine & a Weigh In
Happy Friday to my dear fans, friends and readers! I hope you all have the best weekend ever. I seriously just can’t thank you enough for all of your support, your love and your wonderful words of encouragement this week as I take such a huge leap of faith. It’s not going to be easy (I had a mental breakdown because of pie last night) but it’ll be worth it. And in that end, that’s what matters.
SO, let’s begin with Five Things!
1. Homeless Walk DC. DC folks, PLEASE COME. Support this incredible cause and see me, bright eyed and bushy tailed at 9 am on the National Mall! There are so many heartbreaking stories with homelessness and it can happen to anyone, especially in this economy. Help the thousands of homeless who have lost everything and give them a chance to find their way again. If you can’t make it, you can still donate or sign up as a virtual walker! You can also follow along on Twitter tomorrow by following @hthdc and using the hashtag #homelesswalkdc!
2. Kashi.
I was sent a delicious box of goodies from Formula PR a few weeks ago and was asked to do some taste testing and reviews! I’m not one to turn down delicious goods, ESPECIALLY when they are Kashi. Kashi is my favorite brand for cereal [healthy with 7 whole grains!] and because of the hefty price tag, I don’t often get to eat it. I had a marvelous idea to make a kashi crusted salmon, but (surprise surprise) my husband ATE THE ENTIRE BOX of cereal I was going to use. I really can’t keep anything around him. So instead, I had a bowl of their Berry Blossoms for breakfast and am quickly working on my second. It’s seriously THAT good.
I’m actually thinking of crushing this up and having a berry crusted chicken. Thoughts?
3. Wine.
In addition to being sent Kashi, I also got two tetra paks of CalNaturale wine! If you aren’t familiar, this wine is made and farmed organically without the use of any pesticides or synthetic fertilizers. Plus, to make this wine even more sustainable, both brands of these wines are packaged in Tetra-Pak flexible packaging, which is better for the envionrment because they use less than half the greenhouse gasses, waste and energy in producing and transporting! Oh, and the wine is REALLY GOOD. Very crisp, very flavorful without any added “crap.” In addition to drinking it, I used the chardonnay to make this delicious green bean salad.
I drank the entire package of Cabernet. It was such a fresh, delicious wine. Fruity and not too dry.
4. Weigh in. GULP. So, in order to be more successful and accountable with my weight loss, I’m going to start sharing in my weekly weigh ins. Which, um, scares the sh*^ out of me. But, I want to be completely transparent and honest here so I have to do this. Plus, I’m so inspired when I read Gretchen, Kelly and Melissa’s weigh ins. It just makes me love them more!
Today’s weight: 157.5. How am I feeling? CRAPPY. I seriously can not believe I’ve let myself get here agian. I promised I would never let myself get this close to 160 and I’m here again. So, that’s why I’m trying so hard to be accountable. I need to lose this to feel like me again, to feel comfortable, to feel confidant. I’m so happy in every other aspect of my life, it’s about time I take control of this rain cloud that’s been hovering over me and just kick it. Hard.
5. Edible Cornicopia.
Y’all, MAKE THIS for Thanksgiving. It’s so festive! Plus, it’s really good. I mean, you can’t go wrong with carbs right? Oh and you’ll save money on a centerpiece 🙂 Check out She Knows for the recipe!
HAPPY FRIDAY! What’s on your list today?
