Top 10 Tips for More Successful Baking from The Kitchn

One of my favorite cooking & baking blogs, The Kitchn, recently posted their Top 10 Tips for More Successful Baking. I make no secret of the fact that I LOVE baking, and I am always eager to learn new techniques and methods, so I thought I'd share the list.

1. Adjust the Oven Temperature - One of the best things you can do for yourself is buy an oven thermometer so you know exactly how hot your oven is, no matter what the dial says. If the temperature is very off, adjusting the oven dial or calling in a professional can help.

2. How to Whip Egg Whites - Here's how to tell the difference between soft peaks, firm peaks, stiff peaks, over-whipped white. Same scenario applies to making whipped cream.

3. How to Separate Eggs - No more headaches over broken yolks!

4. How to Quickly Soften Butter - Because we don't always have the foresight to set out a stick of butter to soften ahead of time.

5. How to Tell When a Cake is Finished Baking - Cakes can be such fussy things. The last thing you want to worry about is whether it's finished baking.

6. Baking Soda vs. Baking Powder - For anyone who's ever run out of one and been tempted to substitute the other. (Also, here's how to tell if baking soda has expired.)

7. How to Keep Brown Sugar Soft - And what to do if it hardens up.

8. How to Transfer Pie Crust - You go to all the trouble of making a pie crust from scratch, but how do you get it in the darn pan?!

9. How to Toast Nuts - Not only does this make your house smell amazing, but you'll be surprised at how much better your baked goods taste.

10. How to Fold Batters - This is how you get the fluffy baked goods instead of door stops.

Read the post on The Kitchn blog for the list complete with links to instructions for each of the tips!

neVer forgeT

Being a Hokie is not a mercenary relationship. It is not a business proposition. It is not an exchange of goods and services for money. It is a shared bond, a love that comes from somewhere we don't understand and can't explain to others. We do not take from this university; it gives to us. Perhaps when we first arrive on its campus, we have our own selfish interests in mind, but by the time we leave, we are transformed. We are Hokies.

It is sad and tragic that this happened to us. Because we love this university, we are devastated by what happened here. But if it was necessary for us to suffer in order for others to benefit, it is a burden we will bear, because our motto -- Ut Prosim, That I May Serve -- tells us that's what we must do. If our tragedy brings you together, if our loss makes you safer and makes you value what is important in life, if our suffering is not in vain, then we are prepared to shoulder this load ... so you don't have to. That has always been the mission of this university, and we are honored to carry it out.

Do not let the deaths of these 32 victims be in vain. Look into your hearts and see what it teaches you, and how you may be better because of what we have gone through. And know that when the bodies are in the earth, when the media has left, when others have moved on and life resumes its course, that for us, there is only one emotion left: Love. Love for this university, love for the people who died on April 16th, 2007, and love for those who are left behind.

Remember this, and what happened here will not have been for naught.

William Neal Stewart

Always remember..

from Crush Party via Plum Pretty Sugar

My favorite wedding EVER.

I mean it. Titled by Style Me Pretty as "Beyond Chic in Napa Valley", I am in love with the the blush tones, the ranunculus bouquet, and THAT DRESS. I showed this wedding to Derek and even he said, "it's the dress, isn't it?" It is sheer perfection by the incredible Monique Lhullier and I would wear it in heartbeat. Did I mention I'm obsessed with the dress? Admire it all for yourself..

Yup, I just died.

Two Bean Turkey Chili

I'm always looking for meals that are easy to prepare, hearty (because I need to fill up my eternally hungry German boy), and healthy. Not only does homemade chili meet these requirements, but I can make a lot at one time to hopefully last a few days. Like most of the meals I make, I tend to change this recipe based on what we're in the mood for and what's on sale. If ground chicken or beef is on sale, I'll substitute it for chicken. If we're in the mood to eat vegetarian, I'll add more variety, like black beans and chick peas. Any way it's altered, chili is always delicious comfort food.



Two Bean Turkey Chili

1 large onion, diced

1.25 pounds of ground turkey

1 large can (or 3 smaller cans) of kidney beans

1 large can (or 3 smaller cans) of pinto beans

2 28oz cans of petite diced tomatoes

1 package of McCormick 30% less sodium Chili Seasoning

4 cups of water

Toppings

Shredded cheddar cheese

Diced onions

Nonfat plain yogurt or nonfat sour cream



In a very large pot, sauté diced onions for 5 minutes, or until tender, stirring frequently.

In the meantime, open and drain the cans of beans, and open the cans of tomatoes.

Add the meat to the pot, stirring frequently until brown.

Once the meat has browned, add the beans and tomatoes to the pot, as well as the chili seasoning and water.

Let the chili simmer until you are ready to eat.

Top with the toppings of your choice and serve with rice, chips, or bread.

Enjoy!

I'm dreaming of a white.. kitchen

When we start looking to buy our first home, Derek and I both know that neither of us wants to purchase something that is "move-in ready" or "recently renovated".  We are excited to make it our own, from top to bottom, even if that means weekends spent hammering away and a few days without running water.

I can't wait to have a bright and airy, white kitchen. One of my favorite places to find home design inspiration is a website called Houzz. After making an account, you can save pictures to "ideabooks". Pictures of everything from kitchens to kids' rooms are added frequently by designers. Here are just a few of my favorite white kitchens..

eclectic kitchen design by philadelphia kitchen and bath William V. Noval

traditional kitchen design by other metros Witt Construction

traditional kitchen design by san francisco architect Wm. F. Holland/Architect

traditional kitchen design

traditional kitchen design by seattle general contractor Logan's Hammer Building & Renovation

traditional kitchen design by seattle general contractor Logan's Hammer Building & Renovation

contemporary kitchen design by san francisco architect Sutton Suzuki Architects

contemporary kitchen design by other metros home staging suzanne pignato

traditional kitchen design by bridgeport architect Austin Patterson Disston Architects

traditional kitchen design by chicago kitchen and bath Rebekah Zaveloff

contemporary kitchen design by boston architect LDa Architecture & Interiors

eclectic kitchen design