Tip Of The Day: How To Sprinkle Goat Cheese Without The Mess!

Goat Cheese is a wonderful addition to any dish. However, trying to get this soft cheese where you want it can be difficult at times. Here is a simple quick tip on how to sprinkle Goat Cheese say on top a salad.

• Prepare your salad as shown here.
• Take some scissors and cut the end off the tube of Goat Cheese
• While holding over the salad or dish, take a dinner fork and dig out the Goat Cheese in a shredding motion.
• The Goat Cheese will fall onto the salad in perfect pieces with out getting your hands or knife messy!

Come back and leave us a comment on how it worked for you!

Enjoy ;)

Childrens Wooden Kitchen Accessory Set

We received this adorable Wooden Kitchen Play Kitchen Accessory Set by Melissa & Doug from:

Pretend Kitchens

I have actually sat down and played with this adorable set with my Son. It was so cute watching him doing his own Food Network cooking show. Adding Lego's as ingredients, it was a hoot!

The product is very well made and just the right size for your little tykes! The set comes with two sauce pots and lids, one fry pan, wooden spoon set and a red and white checked hot pad (do not use on a real stove!) They were so creative in the packaging you can use the box for the little stove if you don't own the larger version from

I only promote items that I love! Christmas is right around the corner. I would recommend this little Kitchen Accessory Set as a great gift for that special little cook in your life ;)

Thank you Pretend Play kitchen Shop for sending it over!

Here is their link, hope on over to play kitchens see all their other fabulous fun items!

Happy Play Cooking ;)

This Product Was a Free Giveaway

Mixology With Michael Green How To Make A Ginger Gin Sour Cocktail

During the recent Buick drive event in Chicago we had the opportunity to sit in a Mixology demonstration with world-renowned very talented Mixologist Michael Green. So put that wine aside and lets start making some cocktails!

Michael says first you need the correct bar tools:

• Shaker
• Strainer
• Bar Knife
• Double Jigger
• Stirrer
• Tongs

You will need your recipes. This is important so pay attention! You need to measure your ingredients correctly. If you don't you will not get the correct taste. If you don't believe me do a taste test. Measure a cocktail and just wing it on the second one. Side by side you will taste the difference!

One very important ingredient you should always have to make the perfect cocktail is:

LARGE CLEAR ICE CUBES

(the larger the better)

Not crushed ice!

How to make a Ginger Gin Sour Cocktail

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 Ounces Gin (Beefeater Gin recommended)
• 2 Ounces Green Tea (Brewed full strength)
• 1 Ounce Ginger Simple Syrup
• 1 Ounce Fresh Lime Juice
• 1 One-Inch Square of Candied Ginger

Fill a rocks glass with ice.

Build the drink by adding the Gin, Green Tea, Ginger Simple Syrup and Lime Juice.

Stir with a spoon

Garnish the side of the glass with a square of Candied Ginger.

Enjoy!

Cake Balls With Michelle Garcia's The Bleeding Heart Bakery

Cake Balls

During a recent trip to the Windy City Chicago I had an opportunity to attend the Buick's Drive Event and meet Michelle Garcia from the famous Bleeding Heart Bakery.

Michelle Garcia and her Husband Vinny own and run the Bakery. The bakery is all organic from start to finish. She told her story on how she started and got to where she is now. She is a very talented Lady and has also competed on some of the famous Food Network's television shows.

Here Michelle is showing us how to make their very popular "Cake Balls" which was actually thought up by using the scraps from all the cakes they bake at the bakery. To keep their "foot print" in line to be considered an "organic" bakery they had to reduce their trash.

Here is what they did with the extra cake:

Ingredients:

• Baked Cake
• Frosting
• Chocolate for melting
• Sprinkles

The basic recipe for the Cake Balls is very simple anyone can do it! It is basically 75% cake and 25% frosting.

Break up the baked cake into a large mixing bowl, add your frosting (75% cake/25% frosting) mix well. Chill.

Using a scoop, scoop cake and frosting mixture into you hands and roll to make the ball uniform. Place on baking sheet. Chill.

While your Cake Balls are chilling, melt your chocolate in a double boiler.

When Chocolate is ready remove from heat, dip the chilled cake balls into the chocolate, then dip immediately into your sprinkles. place back on sheet or place into cupcake liners.

The idea of mixing the crumbs with frosting, rolling, dipping and rolling in toppings turned into a very profitable item. The best part is that they are so yummy!

Click here to see more about Michelle Garcia's Bakery: Bleeding Heart Bakery

Happy Cooking ;)

Chicago Cutlery Walnut Tradition 3-pc. Chef Knife Set

Chicago Cutlery a great option for a new set of knifes, made with real Walnut, if your looking check these out: Chicago Cutlery

Enjoy ;)

Food Network's Cat Cora and Buick at Chicago's Food & Wine Festival 2010

On a recent trip to Chicago I had the amazing opportunity to meet the one an only Cat Cora! You may know her from Food Network. She was signing her new cookbook Cat Cora's classics With A Twist at the Buick (Chicago's Food & Wine Festival's) Buick Lacrosse Display.

Read more from TTFM:

Cat Cora Spotted At Chicago's Food & Wine Festival 2010

Happy Cooking ;)

Fondue Parties For Tweens Teens And Adult Parties Are Back

Fondue Parties For Tweens Teens And Adult Parties Are Back

To Make Chocolate Fondue for your next party all you need is a Fondue Pot found at any local kitchen store, fun foods for dipping and some great Friends!

Ingredients:

• 16 ounces of good chocolate chopped
• 8 ounces of heavy cream
• pinch of salt
• fun food for dipping: (pound cake, pineapple, strawberries, Oreo cookies, bananas)

Chop with a serrated knife the chocolate, here we used white Ghirardelli my fave!

Take a small sauce pan and add two inches of water. Turn stove to med heat. Place a glass bowl on top to use as a double boiler.

Add the chocolate, cream and salt. Stir until chocolate is melted and smooth.

Pour into Fondue Pot and light tea light.

sing the Fondue forks or skewers dip cookies, cake and fruit into the chocolate!

This is great for any party Adult or Kids (with supervision).

HINT: Make sure to stir the chocolate every so often to prevent burning, add more cream if chocolate gets too thick!

Have fun ;)

Pretend Play Kitchen Pot and Pan Set On It's Way

Waiting on some fun Foodie stuff for you little tykes!

A wooden play kitchen pot and pan set is on the way from www.PretendPlayKitchenShop.com for B's review!

Stay tuned ;)

Zevia Natural Diet Soda Giveaway and Review

I received my Sample of Zevia Natural Diet Soda I am ready to let you all know how it was!

Well being a huge Diet Pepsi Fan it was a tough one. The sugar free, zero calories 100% Natural Stevia (an herb known as sweet leaf) Soda wasn't too bad.

My favorite was the Black Cherry. I really liked that a lot I actually will go and get some more.

The other flavors were okay. The diet cola, not so much, nor did I care for the Dr. Zevia. It has a bit of an after taste to me. Everyone has their own taste so some of you may like it.

I however recommend the Black Cherry! I just saw that Plum Market carries it so I know where I can find it ;)

Win your own FREE six pack of Zevia! Become their Twitter or Face Book Fan and you will be entered for a chance to win. Give away ends Oct 5th!

Come back and comment on my blog to let me know you have entered, do both and double your chance to win!

Twitter @Zevia or become a fan on Facebook: ZEVIA®.

Happy Cooking!

This Product Was a Free Giveaway

Tip Of The Day: How To Freshen Up Old Grapes

Did you buy to many grapes the last time you were at the store? Or, didn't the kids eat them up fast enough? If your like me I buy bulk from Costco or Sam's. Buying bulk means "bulk". You tend to get more than you need unless you plan way ahead.

If you have some prune like grapes in the fridge that have either sat on the counter too long or just didn't get eaten quick enough, don't throw them out! There is an answer!

BEFORE

Here is the photo of the before prune like grapes I had.

Take a large mixing bowl and fill with "cold" water. Immerse the grapes into the water and let sit for about an hour.

Drain and put back in the fridge. Your grapes will be good as new!

AFTER

Happy Cooking ;)

Top Chef Spin-Off

Guest written by our friend Mason Abbott

Top Chef: Just Desserts is a new show that will premiere on Bravo this fall. I like the original series, so I'll give this one a try, too. Gail Simmons, who acts as a judge on the original show, will be the host of this one. I'm interested in seeing more of Gail's personality. I feel that she's been overshadowed by Padma and Tom. I'm glad she's getting her own show. I think she can carry this show on her own without Padma and Tom.

I want to see how this spin-off differs from the original. Tom is actually my favorite judge on the original series, and he really brings the drama. Hopefully, Gail and the producers will come up with fresh, unique challenges. I don't know if I could stomach it if it was exactly the same as the original.

I don't think Bravo has announced a premiere date yet, but I'll be sure to check their website for updates. I've always been a fan of the Bravo channel, especially back in the good old days when they played Top Chef and Project Runway marathons so frequently. I plan to watch Top Chef: Just Dessert on my satellite dish fromwww.tvbydirect.com. A friend of mine goes to culinary school, and we'll probably watch the show together.

Zevia Natural Diet Soda Just Arrived

My pack of Zevia Natural Diet Soda just arrive for me to sample and review! I am so excited. Zero calories!

Zevia Natural Diet Soda has some cool flavors like Ginger Root Beer, Black Cherry, Orange, Cola, Dr. Zevia and Ginger Ale!

I will let you know in about a week what I think ;)

Stay tuned!

Karen B's Shiney New Toy A Weber Grill

Here she is!!

My shiny new toy, a Weber Grill! YeeHaw!

I am so excited! She (yes She) was just delivered off the truck two minutes ago!

Out with the "very"old rusty one to the recycle bin and in with the new ;)

Stay tuned for some fab recipes all Winter long from Karen B's Cooking Made Easy!

Happy Grilling ;)

Tip Of The Day: Vitamin B6 and B12 May Slow Alzheimer's

Vitamin B is shown to slow the Alzheimer's disease.

This just out today, research has shown from an Oxford University study found that a high dosage of the vitamin shortened the rate of brain shrinkage in elderly people with memory problems suffering from Dementia/Alzheimer's.

Vitamin B6 and B12, as well as Folic acid, lower the levels of an amino acid that is linked to the brain-cell damage similar to that seen in Alzheimer's.

Patients with the highest levels of the amino acid in their blood showed the most benefit.

The results conflict with earlier findings that Alzheimer's disease patients did not benefit from vitamin B.

This study is published in the journal of American Medical Association (article from CBS/WLS).

Those of you who have a family member suffering from this disease should be aware of the chances you may get it. It is important to prevent this from happening to you. See your Dr. and get a check up and ask about what you can do to prevent you from getting the disease.