Weekend Finds

Weekend Finds 12:8:13

December 8, 2013February 7, 2017

Well, we’re officially over the Thanksgiving hump. In this weekend finds, we’re on to the world of Christmas, and starting to think about decorations and gifting.

1. Meyer Lemon and Sage Hot Toddy

Meyer Lemon and Sage Hot Toddy on Weekend Finds // Serious Crust by Annie Fassler — Meyer Lemon and Sage Hot Toddy

I’m having trouble thinking of much else other than hot, wintery, alcoholic beverages. The other day, I was cozied up on the couch with my big sweater, a blanket, some tea, and my knitting, and my roommate Sophie said to me, “You are made for winter.” I think it’s true, I am. I love being warm and cozy in big sweaters sipping warm drinks. I love this time of year because you get to drink things like this Meyer lemon and sage hot toddy.

2. DIY Limoncello

DIY Limoncello on Weekend Finds // Serious Crust by Annie Fassler — DIY Limoncello

A while ago when Jonah and I went to Toro Bravo, we were gifted some limoncello after we had to wait a little bit. And I must say, I really enjoyed it. So, while we’re on the topic of lemony alcoholic beverages, I think this DIY Limoncello would make a great gift. Plus, it’ll be a nice light after-dinner drink for those heavy Christmas dinners.

3. Geometric Ornaments

Geometric Ornaments on Weekend Finds // Serious Crust by Annie Fassler — Geometric Ornaments featured on Design*Sponge

Yesterday Jonah and I went with our roommates to get our Christmas tree! And it is all now decorated with Carmelle’s ornaments. When I get to a point in my life where I’m collecting Christmas ornaments (maybe I should say if I get to that point), I like to think I would collect things like these beautiful geometric ornaments featured on Design*Sponge. I especially like the second ones, by FlaneursPockets on Etsy.

4. DIY Vanilla Extract

DIY Vanilla Extract on Weekend Finds // Serious Crust by Annie Fassler — DIY Vanilla from HonestlyYUM

I’ve heard of lots of people gifting homemade vanilla extract for the holidays. And I think it’s a great idea. But before I read this post on HonestlyYUM, I never really thought about using a) different types of vanilla or b) different kinds of liquor. It might be cool to give people a “flight” of vanilla, as it were.

5. Winter Salad from 101 Cookbooks

Winter Salad on Weekend Finds // Serious Crust by Annie Fassler — Winter Salad from 101 Cookbooks

Sometimes in winter I have trouble making an interesting salad. I mostly just use mixed greens, dried cranberries, candied nuts, and some cheese. Same old, same old. BUT recently I’ve started using delicata squash in everything, including salads, after eating a delicious salad at Grain & Gristle. This salad from 101 Cookbooks not only looks unlike anything I’ve made before, but it also has delicata squash in it! Yum.

Weekend Finds 11:24:13

November 25, 2013February 7, 2017

It has been an interesting week. Jonah has been in Buenos Aires since the 16th, and on Tuesday, I will pick him up at the airport in Seattle, where we’re spending Thanksgiving/akkuh. I spent a few days in Seattle with my dad and Darla doing some belated birthday celebrations, which was incredibly fun. Lots of eating and adventuring. Which leads me to the weekend finds. Getting ready for the holidays, plus a little adventuring.

1. Pumpkin Chai Bread

Pumpkin Chai Bread from Adventures in Cooking // Weekend Finds, Serious Crust by Annie Fassler — Pumpkin Chai Bread from Adventures in Cooking

I’ve been waiting to venture into the land of pumpkin flavored things, though I’m not sure why. This pumpkin chai bread made an appearance tonight for commune dinner. It was a big hit. I definitely recommend it for a sweet but not too sweet dessert.

2. Jaipur Avenue Chai

Jaipur Avenue Chai // Weekend Finds, Serious Crust by Annie Fassler — Jaipur Avenue Chai

When I go to my dad’s house (which I did this past week while Jonah was gone), they almost always have at least one box of Jaipur Avenue Chai in the cupboard. This chai is so rich and delicious, and I love the flavor profiles. Saffron is my favorite! I’ve been able to find it at a store in my neighborhood called Foster & Dobbs, but my sister, who lives in Berkeley, has been ordering it online. It would make a great host/ess gift for the holidays!

3. Jalapeno Cornbread and Buttermilk Biscuit Stuffing

Jalapeno Cornbread and Buttermilk Biscuit Stuffing from Local Milk // Weekend Finds, Serious Crust by Annie Fassler — Jalapeno Cornbread and Buttermilk Biscuit Stuffing from Local Milk

While there are a lot of ingredients in this jalapeno cornbread and buttermilk biscuit stuffing, and you’ll have to make two other recipes before you can even start on the stuffing itself, this looks absolutely incredible. A delicious southern twist on traditional stuffing.

4. Not-your-normal Hanukkah treats

Frittelle Di Riso // Weekend Finds, Serious Crust by Annie Fassler — Frittelle Di Riso

I’ve been so focused on Thanksgivukkah that I’ve almost forgotten that Hanukkah lasts for eight whole nights, meaning lots of opportunities to try some different oil-laden delicacies. This article from the Kitchn has some neat suggestions, but I am particularly interested in trying frittelle de riso.

5. Bar Sajor

Bar Sajor // Weekend Finds, Serious Crust by Annie Fassler — Bar Sajor

This was (one of) my birthday surprise dinner(s) in Seattle. It’s one of Matt Dillon’s restaurants, a spot I’ve been wanting to go for a while now. The space was just beautiful, the staff was amazingly friendly and helpful and fun, and the food was spectacular. I can’t decide if my favorite dish was the chicken liver pate with delicata squash and chestnuts or the caramelized butter ice cream with chocolate chip cookies.

Weekend Finds 11:17:13

November 17, 2013February 5, 2017

1. Pie Alternative

Pecan Pie Ice Cream // Weekend Finds, Serious Crust by Annie Fassler — Pecan pie ice cream from A Beautiful Mess

Pies are great, don’t get me wrong, but sometimes it’s nice to have a little something else on your Thanksgiving dessert menu. This ice cream looks just lovely – I love the cream cheese in the base and the fact that, yes, there’s still pecan pie in it.

2. Fall soups

A Lighter Pumpkin Soup // Weekend Finds, Serious Crust by Annie Fassler — Pumpkin soup with roasted garlic and leeks from Recipes a Volonte

I love a creamy fall soup, but sometimes they’re too heavy. This roasted garlic, pumpkin, and leek soup seems a little lighter (milk instead of cream, and only a half a cup), and would be perfect for a Thanksgiving appetizer or any other fall night. (Also, a lot of the recipes on Recipes a Volonte look lovely.)

3. DIY Leather Coasters

DIY Leather Coasters // Weekend Finds, Serious Crust by Annie Fassler — DIY Leather Coasters from Design*Sponge

Jonah and I have recently made a couple of trips to Scrap, a bits and pieces craft store a block from our house. And they have leather scraps. So maybe, you know, I could make these leather coasters. Talk about a neat present for the holidays.

4. Sweet Potato Gratin

Sweet Potato Gratin // Weekend Finds, Serious Crust by Annie Fassler — Sweet Potato Gratin with chanterelles and cheese

I’ve been looking for a gratin recipe to make. Gratins are lovely for the winter – take root vegetables (or even something like cabbage), basically smother it in bechamel sauce, and bake it. Could there be something more rich and warm and comforting? Nope. This sweet potato one with cheese and chanterelles looks so rich and scrumptious, I might have to convince my mother to add it to our Thanksgiving menu.

5. Pie Trimmings

Pie Trimmings // Weekend Finds, Serious Crust by Annie Fassler — Old pie trimming tips on Buzzfeed

These old pie trimming tips look so beautiful, and just like something I’d use for my pie crusts. I particularly like the cornucopias and the ruffle effect.

Weekend Finds 11:10:13

November 10, 2013February 5, 2017

Weekend finds this week are all over the place. But you know what? So am I. I finished up my birthday celebrations this week, had a wonderful time at a blogger event (post coming soon), and have been trying to get used to just living at home for a while without jetting off some place every week. So maybe I’m not all over the place, but right where I’m supposed to be.

1. Oyster Shell Salt Cellars

Weekend Finds // Serious Crust by Annie Fassler — Gold leaf painted oyster shell salt cellars. Photo credit: Design Sponge

I know the DIY for these gold painter oyster shells says “WEDDING” on it, but please. These would be so gorgeous on any table, whether it be for Thanksgiving or just your everyday dinner. Now I just have to find oyster shells…

2. Tips from Isa Chandra Moskowitz

These are some great tips from vegan chef Isa Moskowitz. My favorite? Master 5 recipes – memorize, know them backwards and forwards, and then you can start to riff and improvise.

3. Cardamaro

A wine based amaro, huh? The name tricked me into thinking it had something to do with cardamom. And it doesn’t. But that’s ok. I like wine and I like amaro, so I think I’d like to give this liqueur a shot.

4. Ox Restaurant, PDX

Jonah took me to Ox for my birthday this week. While the wait was an hour (!), we enjoyed oysters and cocktails next door at Whey Bar while we waited. And when we did finally sit down, the staff (Elaina and Adam in particular) were so welcoming and fun, the food was impeccable (I recommend getting the carrots and the Uruguayan grass-fed ribeye), and the atmosphere was so warm. What a lovely way to celebrate.

5. Eggs poached in white wine from 101 cookbooks

I’m relatively new to the egg poaching game. I’ve done it successfully a few times, but I still don’t think to do it that often. Still, I wonder why I never thought to poach eggs in liquid other than water. This recipe for eggs poached in white wine looks lovely, and her suggestion to use it to top a winter root vegetable gratin sounds heavenly.

6. Chicken stock from Smitten Kitchen

I’ll admit, I’m planning on making this easy chicken stock tonight. We’ve had a cold going around our house (Jonah has gotten it, so I know it’s only a matter of time) and I can’t imagine how nice it’ll be to have this waiting for me in the fridge/freezer when I inevitably get a sore throat and the sniffles.