Tag: A Beautiful Mess

Weekend Finds 1:18:14

January 18, 2014February 7, 2017

What a week it has been. I spent my “weekend” on the coast with my mom and baby sister while Jonah was in Vegas (blech) for work. The coast, Cannon Beach specifically, is one of my favorite places in the world, any time of year. I am guaranteed to breathe deeper, be more reflective, and relax. I am also guaranteed to get teased by my little sister (endlessly), do some knitting with my mom, and visit all our favorite spots. And last night my dad and Darla arrived for a little weekend in Portland, so we’ve been hanging around and eating when I haven’t been at work. Let’s get on with weekend finds, shall we?

1. Noodles and Sauce

Matching Pasta and Sauces on Weekend Finds // Serious Crust by Annie Fassler — Matching pasta and sauces

Ever get to the store, wanting to make pasta, and you see all those cool noodle shapes and think, well I guess I’ll just put tomato sauce on it? Don’t think that. Check out this list of what noodles go best with what sauces. Speaking of pasta and sauces, these are some neat little tricks to add a little pizazz to any bowl of pasta.

2. Crest Bottle Opener

Beautiful bottle opener on Weekend Finds // Serious Crust by Annie Fassler — This beautiful bottle opener would make functional art in the kitchen.

I’ve seen a few variations of this bottle opener (including one made locally, which is what I’d prefer to buy, but I can’t remember where I saw it). This is a bottle opener that I would totally hang on a hook in my kitchen, because it is simply pretty enough to be a functional decoration. I love that.

3. Need help eating more vegetables? Try reorganizing your fridge.

Eat more vegetables! on Weekend Finds // Serious Crust by Annie Fassler — Tips to eat more fruits and vegetables.

It’s now well into January, and the resolutions are becoming more like distant memories… But we can do it! Let’s all go to the gym together! I’m kidding. But this is a great idea to get yourself to eat more vegetables. It’s hard when they’re all hidden and covered in that crisper drawer. I like their idea of getting some clear tubs to use on those shelves so the apples don’t go rolling around and the big leafy greens are still wrangle-able.

4. Cooking Slow by Andrew Schloss

Cooking Slow on Weekend Finds // Serious Crust by Annie Fassler — Cooking Slow by Andrew Schloss

Uhhhh yes please. It’s that point in the winter when I am getting tired of root vegetables and roasted chicken… this book sounds like everything I want to eat, but am not eating. Want.

5. DIY Sour Mix

DIY Sour Mix on Weekend Finds // Serious Crust by Annie Fassler — DIY Sour Mix from A Beautiful Mess

There’s really no reason not to make your own sour mix. I like a pretty dang sour whiskey sour, and this way I can a) always have it as sour as I want and b) not have to do nearly as much work for a whiskey sour, because there will be a beautiful bottle of sour mix waiting for me whenever I want. And really, should drinking always be that easy? (Ugh, I’m starting to sound like I drink a lot, aren’t I?)

Weekend Finds 12:15:13

December 15, 2013February 7, 2017

It’s time for weekend finds!

1. Chefs Feed

Chefs Feed // Serious Crust by Annie Fassler — The Chefs Feed homepage

My latest neat food-oriented website discovery is Chefs Feed, a website where you can look up chef recommended dishes, restaurants, and chefs in your town. Who better to trust than these experts themselves?

2. Winter Fruit Whiskey Mash

Winter Fruit Whiskey Mash from A Beautiful Mess // Serious Crust by Annie Fassler — Winter Fruit Whiskey Mash from A Beautiful Mess

This winter drink looks delicious. If I were in a rush, I would probably skip the persimmon simple syrup (though I think I need to give persimmons another try), and head straight for the muddled orange and pomegranate.

3. Reclaiming Provincial

Reclaiming Provincial // Serious Crust by Annie Fassler — Reclaiming Provincial

I found this blog through another blog (now I can’t remember which one), and I’m pretty happy about the discovery. With recipes like smoky cardamom ginger-molasses cookies and crispy sweet potato roast with herbed coconut creme fraiche, they seem unique, interesting, and the photos are beautiful.

4. Easy roasted chicken

Chicken Legs inspired by FoodSwoon // Serious Crust by Annie Fassler — Chicken Legs inspired by FoodSwoon

The other day Jonah and I bought some whole bone in, skin on chicken legs, and it was my job to figure out what to do with them. After some research, I based my creation on this recipe from FoodSwoon, except instead of doing either garlic or herbs or butter, I did all three. Preheat your oven to 450 degrees. Peel a few garlic cloves and cut each one into a few pieces, and pick a few herb leaves (I used sage). Peel back the chicken skin and place the sage and garlic underneath (I did probably 3 cloves and 6 sage leaves per leg), then tightly and carefully re-wrap the skin. Rub each leg with half a teaspoon of butter, and season with salt and pepper. Roast for 45-55 minutes, until chicken is cooked through. (Also, FoodSwoon looks like it will quickly become a recipe resource for me.)

5. Mulled Brown Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies

Mulled Brown Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies from London Bakes // Serious Crust by Annie Fassler — Mulled Brown Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies from London Bakes

I went out for drinks and a white elephant gift exchange with some former co-workers the other night, and the place we went had some mulled wine, which I promptly ordered. When they asked what I got, and I said “mulled wine!” with all the enthusiasm that one ought to have when you say that phrase, all I received in return were blank stares. THEY HAD NEVER HEARD OF MULLED WINE. I was sad for them. We’ve made mulled wine and cider a couple times this year, and I can’t get over how much I love mulling spices in anything. So this recipe for chocolate chip cookies with mulled brown butter from London Bakes seems pretty decadent and incredibly perfect. I love the idea of using orange chocolate for the chips as well, just to tie everything together. (Also, the inspiration recipe from Top with Cinnamon also sounds wonderful.)

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 9:21:13

September 22, 2013February 5, 2017

This weekend’s finds (and many of my finds lately) seem to be about learning. What’s the best way to load the dishwasher? Where can I take an online class about sauces? What about the best caesar salad? I’m finding lately that instead of thinking my ways (though tried and true) are best, I am more open to trying others’ recommendations.

1. Dishwasher loading

Weekend Finds // Serious Crust by Annie Fassler — Dishwasher loading tips? Yes, thanks.

This find is mostly dedicated to my mother, who my sisters and I always made fun of for being less than stellar at loading the dishwasher. But there’s always more to learn. For example, who knew to stagger your large and small plates? The rest of Chow’s YouTube channel is filled with videos of tips, etc.

2. Craftsy

Online classes are always kind of a gamble. You never know if it’s going to be worth what you’re paying for it. But the classes on Craftsy look pretty nice. You get downloadable recipes, and you can come back to revisit the material anytime.

3. A Fancy-Ass Caesar Salad

I always judge a restaurant by their caesar salad (let me just say, I really like the caesar-esque salad at my new place of work). And I always wish I made caesar salad more often myself, but I can never quite get that fancy feel. A Cozy Kitchen’s new post teaches how to make your own dressing, croutons, etc. to make the perfect salad.

4. Color Pop Cutting Boards

Apparently I’m on a cutting board kick lately. Last week it was pyrography, this week it’s color pop. I think it’s just because I love the idea of personalizing your belongings, making your kitchen (and your home, and your life) completely unique and 100% yours. This idea from A Beautiful Mess is a cute way to add color and tie in colors from your kitchen/home.

5. Chomp

Chomp is a new little food journal. Each issue (this is just the first one) will feature interviews with and recipes by 3 Portland chefs, plus a game of 20 questions. The first issue features Nong Poonsukwattana, Pascal Sauton, and John Gorham.