Tuesday, June 30, 2009

Bare it all Wednesday featuring Kitchen Stories

Meet Deirdre with Kitchen Stories.




Where are you originally from?
I'm from Montreal, Quebec Canada, I speak English and French and both of my parents are immigrants from Ireland, Mom, County Mayo and Dad, Dublin. My Mother cooked every single night, used only pure and natural ingredients and everything she made was absolutely delicious so, I suspect she is the culprit behind my desire for great flavour and interest in cooking.


What's the inspiration behind your shop?

Good flavor doesn't have to come from a box. It's about going back to the very basics without all of the preservatives. Many people assume that they are eating healthy foods because they are preparing them from scratch but when they open up a packet or box of seasonings, it's not quite scratch anymore and just look at the list of ingredients! This isn't so natural anymore, is it.


How did you get started creating spice blends?
Upon arriving in Minnesota, from a Canadian's perspective, I thought I could introduce these folks to good food, easy and simple preperations using fresh (dried) herbs and blends. I spent my savings on a brick and mortar shop I called Oregano --I was a shopkeep and I absolutely loved it and my guests were very enthusiastic about my product line, home decor items and antiques but, just not enough to pay the rent and still keep my shelves stocked. I closed it in 2006 --it was a dark day : (


What is your favorite spice blend that you make, and what do you use it on?
I love all of my spice blends quite equally but being in love with the idea of other people loving my products, I have go with Ultimate Steak. I introduced this spice blend to my husband and now, he cannot live without it. It's on his Steak, it's in his burgers, it's even on his potatoes! Imagine the canister stuck inside the palm of his hand... He loves it, period and since it makes him so happy, it makes me happy. Boy, that was a corny answer.

What's a good spice or blend that is hot-spicy but mild enough for those who don't really love hot-spicy, like a good introductory spice to hot spices?
I love heat but too much is hard to handle! I make a lot of Stir Fries and sprinkle in a little hot curry powder, Tumeric or Garam Masal. Just a little goes a long way and it doesn't impart an Indian meal necessarily. It just provides another layer of flavour and heat. If you're not too keen on that, I love my Spicy Southwestern which I sprinkle all over a Chicken then bake it. It's similar to Old Bay but with a little zip or shall I say Ooh La La !

Do you have other Etsy Shops?
My first stint on etsy (and partially still is) is with Costello's


Go shopping today! You will LOVE the wide assortment of spices and mixes that Kitchen Stories offers!

Tasty Tuesday!

Welcome to Tasty Tuesday! Get your drool bibs out... you are going to need them!

Post by Double Dipped Sweets

JustBakin' Cherry Bombers
I've tried many of Bonnie's creations, but not this one...Yet! It gets rave reviews from anyone that tries it!

CakeboxCookies
Cherry Blossom Medallions

Aren't these Amazing? The best part is not only are they gorgeous, but they taste DIVINE!

ASugarAffair Paradise Brownie
I've been craving brownies...if only she lived closer...Lacie's brownies are HEAVEN!

And lastly... KitchenStories Garlic and Herb Blend
Sunday night I stuck some chicken in butter and these herbs, added potatoes, carrots, and onions...30 minutes later, I had an amazing dinner that even the kids loved!

If you like what you see here, go to etsy.com and search for "team eeat"! We have over 40 members who have amazing goodies!

Sunday, June 28, 2009

Cool off with Tea!


Now that the dog days of summer have arrived, I can only think of 2 things that make me happy in the hot days of summer...swimming with my kids and Iced Tea. Yep you heard me right, iced tea makes me happy!
The number one way to drink tea in the US is serving it iced. Cold bottled or fresh brewed or even sun tea, the US consumes more iced tea than any other country in the world. The rest of the world that drinks tea perfers it hot. Tea is also the single most consumed beverage in the world. Even water comes in second.
I am creating some great flavors to reflect the summer and the diferent places people come from or visit durring these hot, dry days. I also have a recipe to share for the perfect sun tea from either tea bags or loose leaf. With this recipe you can create your own perfect flavor.
Sun Tea Recipe
12 tea bags or 6 teaspoons of loose leaf tea
1 gallon of water (not cold or hot)
1 glass pitcher or sun tea jar
add all ingredients to pitcher. let brew in full sunlight for 4 hours or longer, depending how strong you like it. you may also like to add more or less tea. if using loose leaf tea, now is the time to strain off he leaves. Add ice and fresh fruit if you like. The fruit can be added at the beginning for a more infused flavor. serve with a fruit skewer or an umbrella just for fun!
For the more exotic flavors of tea just check out my shop, www.TranquiliTea.etsy.com I will be adding new flavors as I create them. Enjoy your summer!

Post by TranquiliTea

Tuesday, June 23, 2009

Sales for a good cause

This is such a GREAT cause by LeBellaCaramella. PLEASE click on the image to read it!!
(And if anyone knows how to resize it, let us know!)



Where is that recipe?

Do you get stuck in recipe ruts--making the same things over and over again? If so, these are great websites to browse for recipes and new cooking ideas:

http://foodgawker.com/
http://www.tastespotting.com/
http://allrecipes.com/
Also try: http://rarabakes.blogspot.com/ for unique and fun recipes!

My goal is to make at least one new thing every week. It's always a pleasant surprise to come across new favorites!

These websites are also great for using up those "random" leftover ingredients that you have. Just type in an ingredient or two into the search features and see what comes up.

Happy cooking!

Post by Caramel Jubilee

Monday, June 22, 2009

Cookies!


Covered in Chocolate


Does a small dainty cookie appeal to you or does that monster chocolate chunk with M&M's make your mouth water up?

As an online business I find describing a cookie rather hard. Displaying a cookie so a person understands that it's bigger than a normal size cookie - okay whats normal size you ask? Recipes have certain standards.

Normal size cookies are to me about 1 1/2" to 3" inches. This would cover say a Swedish Tea Cake (round) to a chocolate chip cookie (flat) Standard drop by teaspoon on to cookie sheet.

Big size cookies to me go 2 1/2" to 4". Standard drop by tablespoon/two tablespoons onto cookie sheet.

Then monster size cookies anything over 4". Most of my monster cookies are about 5"-6" inches. Standard drop by ice cream scoop or 1/4 cup onto cookie sheet.

Then each size will also vary a tad in cooking time.

Bar cookies also have different sizes.

Just about any baked good can come in all shapes and sizes. Cakes, candy, pastries, bread now days can come in a single serving size to a size that 30 folks can enjoy at one time.

Personally; I love baking monster cookies. Two baking pans, 20 minutes of prep, just a little over 30 minutes of cooking time, and then I'm done for the day with lots of time left to read and explore more recipes.

Then dunk a cookie in milk as a special treat after dinner for several nights.

Blog post by: Covered in Chocolate

Saturday, June 20, 2009

Recipe Series Part 9


Strawberry Cheesecake Trifle

By Vanessa


One of my favorite things about summer is fresh and sweet strawberries! We can find strawberries here in Arizona almost all year round. The only problem is they are not always sweet. Here is a delicious trifle recipe I enjoy making with fresh strawberries and cream cheese. Mmmm tasty!!


Strawberry Cheesecake Trifle

2 8oz packages of cream cheese softened

2 cups powdered sugar

1 8oz container of sour cream

½ tsp vanilla

1 cup cool whip

4 tablespoons sugar

1 angel food cake or pound cake cut into bite size pieces

2 quarts fresh strawberries thinly sliced

In a large bowl beat cream cheese and powdered sugar until light and fluffy; add sour cream, ½ tsp vanilla

Fold the cool whip into cream cheese mixture

Fold in cake pieces; set aside

Combine strawberries and sugar (stir until sugar is dissolved)

Layer in a large glass bowl or trifle dish (alternating with 1/4 of the strawberries 1/3 of the cake mixture finishing with strawberries)

Cover with plastic wrap and chill several hours

Enjoy!!

Vanessa
Bears Baked Goods


Thursday, June 18, 2009


Friday Food Fest time!


Join us in Etsy Chat at 8pm EST for fun, food, and Prizes!




Rules:

* Sales are good for Friday nights only- unless specified by shop owner
* Secrets: Find the word "Secret" in an item description and you get the prize that the shop owner has outlined. Convo finding to shop owner to redeem prize.
*Only 1 secret per person per night please!

Sales and Secrets!

Del Alma Bakery
10% off all orders placed during the FFF event.
3 "secrets" for $5 off an order, pre-shipping, one per customer.

Double Dipped Sweets
15% off orders, before shipping.
2 secrets, for a $5 off an order

Just Bakin'

15% off orders, before shipping.
2 secrets, for a $5 off an order.

Fancy That Cookies
10% off on your order(before shipping)
2 "Secrets", get second item 30% off


Bears Baked Goods

20% off orders, before shipping.
2 secrets, for a $5 off an order.

A Thyme To Bee Comforted

15% off orders, before shipping.
2 secrets, for a $5 off an order.

Megs Creations

10% off all orders including shipping!
Also all orders over $15 gets a free Snickerdoodle mix!
2 secrets worth $5 off any order, one per person.

Fudge by Maggie

10% off all orders (before shipping cost)

CiaoHound
20% off before shipping
1 secret for $5 off any order

Fortune Cookie Cafe
6 additional FREE cookies with each purchase
2 secrets: $5.00 off order

VintageConfections

10% off orders before shipping

Sweet Lollipop Shop
10% discount off all order placed during FFF (before shipping)
Free bag of rainbow crystal jewels if you find SECRET in my listings (one per customer)


Stay tuned for more sales!



Friday, June 12, 2009

Team EEAT Yart Sales



Some of Team EEAT's members are participating in the Second Annual Yart Sale sponsored by Team ESST!

Here are the sales!

Sweet Treats by Maryann
All cookies have been marked down 15% through Sunday June14th

Caramel Jubilee
All one pound packages of vanilla caramels are 20% off!

Purchase two pounds (any flavors) and receive one additional pound free! The free pound will be one of my new flavors that have not yet launched on the website.

Double Dipped Sweets
30% off select items in "Yart Sale" section.
Plus, get 6 FREE Dipped Oreos with every Regularly priced item!

Fancy That Cookies

Get 10% off on all items($20 or more) in my shop.
Refund to be sent via Paypal. Also free cookies when you buy $20.

Del Alma Bakery

10% off orders over $20.00 pre-shipping & buy 2, 3rd ships free.


Have fun shopping!


Saturday, June 6, 2009

June Team EEAT Challenge

June is the month that we honor our fathers on Father's Day and brides are planning their wedding day. Here are some of our team members picks. First up some yummies for Dad...



and if you're looking for some delicious treats for your wedding reception here's some to get you going

You can find more incredible edibles by searching "team eeat" on Etsy



Announcing Edible Arts Team Sampler Boxes!

***June Boxes are SOLD OUT!***
July Boxes coming soon!


Can't decide what to buy?
Too many shops making you drool?


Well, no more worries! Here is your opportunity to try many different sellers at once!

Introducing...
The Etsy Edible Arts Team Sampler! (The boxes will not look like this!)

ALL PROCEEDS GO TO:
The Great American Bake Sale!
100% of the funds we raise go to help FEED KIDS!


The boxes include treats from up to 15 of our Team Members!
A Sugar Affair
Double Dipped Sweets
Just Bakin'
Caramel Jubilee
Vintage Confections
Del Alma Bakery
Sweet Treat Maryann
Sugar Smitten
A Thyme 2 b Comforted
Fancy That Cookies
Le Bella Caramella
Sweet Lollipop Shop
Ciao Hound (Pet Treats)
Megs Creations
Fortune Cookie Cafe

Buy them HERE on Etsy.com (coming soon)

Please help feed KIDS by feeding yourself!


Donate directly to the Great American Bake sale here: http://gabs.strength.org/site/TR?pg=team&fr_id=1080&team_id=69422

Friday, June 5, 2009

Friday Food Fest 6/5/09

It's Party time!

Friday Food Fest this week at 8pm EST in Etsy Chat!



First, off a little Reminder:

1 in every 6 children GOES HUNGRY everyday! Please help by purchasing a
Edible Sampler Pack!
Up to 15 Team EEAT sellers in one box!
Feed yourself while feeding Kids!

Boxes ship on June 16th - for Father's Day!

Buy a box today


Rules:
* Sales are good for Friday nights only- unless specified by shop owner
* Secrets: Find the word "Secret" in an item description and you get the prize that the shop owner has outlined. Convo finding to shop owner to redeem prize.
*Only 1 secret per person per night please!

Sales and Secrets!

A Thyme To Bee Comforted

15% off before shipping. refunded via paypal
2 secrets: Find and get $5 off any purchase in my shop!


Just Bakin'
15% off before shipping. refunded via paypal
2 secrets: Find and get $5 off any purchase in my shop!

Sweet Treats by Maryann

15% off before shipping. refunded via Paypal
2 secrets: Find and get $5 off any purchase in my shop!

Double Dipped Sweets
20% off before shipping. refunded via paypal
2 secrets: Find and get $5 off any purchase in my shop!

Bears Baked Goods

15% off before shipping-please contact me for an adjusted invoice.

Fancy That Cookies
Buy one item and get 20% off on your second item (except the fortune cookies please)
2 secrets: if you find it, you will get $5 off on your "Father's Day Gift Box" in my shop(I will mail out on the date you want)

Del Alma Bakery
15% off before shipping. Refunded via Paypal.
2 secrets: Find and get $5 off any purchase in my shop.
** Crispy Marshmallow Treats only, all other items currently not available.**

CiaoHound
20% off before shipping, refunded via paypal
1 secret = $5 gift certificate to my shop

Megs Creations

10% off all orders all day!
No secrets

Nicole's Homemade Treats
15% off your purchase (shipping excluded). Please wait for revised invoice to pay.
2 secrets - $5.00 off your purchase. Please wait for revised invoice to pay.

The Fetching Hound, LLC

Buy 3 dozen Bitty Bites, get the 4th FREE. Sale good through midnight on Sunday.


Wednesday, June 3, 2009

Monday, June 1, 2009

Bakery Mixes

What a great idea! Buy a mix for Pancakes, Muffins, Cookies, Brownies... and make it when you are ready!