Inspiring Kitchen, Author at InspiringKitchen.com - Page 26 of 32

Jun 23
1

Juicing for Healthy Living with Krisp

Posted by | Healthy, Juicing, Vegan, Vegetarian | No Comments

With our crazy busy lives, finding ways to take care of our selves can sometimes be challenging. Over the last couple of years, there has been much talk about the benefits of juicing fruits and vegetables to add to or balance out our diets. Understanding which ingredients to use in the recipe for taste as well as to offer the health rewards we are seeking can be trial and error. Or, you can trust the experts. Since this is my first real foray into the juicing world, I decided to try a brand called Krisp, out of Newport Beach, California.… Read more

Jun 11
1

Flatbread Appetizers and Pizza

Posted by | Entertaining, Recipes | 20 Comments

No matter the time of year, life can be really busy. Lots of running in and out of the house without much time to plan for a meal. I love to cook and tend to be more inventive when it comes to recipes. Following them sometimes, improvising most of the time — especially if I don’t have the specific ingredients the recipe calls for. So, when Stonefire sent me some of their naan, flatbreads and crisps, I was excited to play around with the components. 

Stonefire Flatbreads come in a number of different sizes allowing you to create appetizers, pizzas and sandwiches.… Read more

Jun 08
0
wave petunias in balcony baskets

How to Garden in Balcony Baskets & Planters

Posted by | Education, Gardening, Home Design | 39 Comments

I wish I could say that I have a green thumb. But I don’t. I try. Every year, I try to grow herbs and flowers in balcony baskets. Some years I have better luck than others. But this year, it is going to be different! I was fortunate to be able to attend a Petunia Palooza (how fun is that name!) presentation sponsored by Ball Horticulture at the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum. Ball is the parent company to many companies you may be familiar with like Burpee Home Gardens and Wave Petunias among other partners.

Kitchen wavepetunias picm

Katie was our teacher extraordinaire, especially appreciated by novice gardeners like myself.… Read more

Jun 02
0

Top 6 Themes from Sweets and Snacks Expo

Posted by | Candy, Snacks, Sweets, Trade Show | 22 Comments

Having not even finished the National Restaurant and BAR Show, I am adventuring into my third show of the week. The Snacks and Sweets Expo. Not a hard one to end the week with, that is for sure!

Inspiring Kitchen Top 10 Observations from the Sweets and Snacks Show

This was my first experience with this particular food show so I wanted to get an idea what I was going to see and what brands were there. This show definitely gives you a feeling of fun and enjoyment when you walk through the aisles. Very clever designs when it comes to displays, packaging and themes. When you first walk in, you see museum looking displays of dresses and bags made out of candy and wrappers.… Read more

May 29
0

New Paleo Cookie and Brownie Mixes

Posted by | Baking, Cookies, Foods, Gluten Free, Healthy, Vegan | No Comments

As people become more and more aware of the food in their diets, where it comes from and how it is made, many are searching for healthy alternatives. The paleo method of eating became popular a few years ago showing us how to eat simply and cleanly. Fulfilling cravings for sweet treats is always a goal no matter what your lifestyle. With that in mind, I wanted to share with you a line of cookies and brownies called Paleoful, that may be just what you need (or want!). 

Inspiring Kitchen Paleoful cookies

 

The story behind the brand’s creation comes from its creator, Lauren, in Salt Lake City, Utah, who struggled with food allergies feeling better when she followed the paleo diet.… Read more

May 26
0

2015 NRA Favorite Finds

Posted by | Restaurants, Retailer, Trade Show, Trends | 25 Comments

The 2015 National Restaurant Show just ended leaving me with lots of interesting products and trends to share with you. While the NRA show is predominantly for those who work in the food service industry, there are definitely items that can be found from the consumer standpoint as well as giving ideas of trends that will potentially be in the retail world for consumers to purchase. The vastness of the show includes such categories as restaurant equipment, foods, beverages, table top (dinnerware, glassware, etc), decor and technology. What I am sharing below is a taste of what I saw that I think you might find intriguing.… Read more

May 22
0

Best Southern Biscuits

Posted by | Baking, Bread, Cookbooks, Foods, Recipe, Recipes | No Comments

There is something very warm and inviting when your hostess places a plate of steaming hot, freshly made biscuits in front of you. In the South, this is a tradition that is passed down through families. Not so much here in Chicago. But it should be!

Inspiring Kitchen Best Southern Biscuits

It wasn’t until I received Jackie Garvin’s Biscuits cookbook that I really thought about making biscuits from scratch. As I paged through this cookbook, I discovered so many recipes that I wanted to try. Something great to realize is that most ingredients you need to make homemade biscuits are already in your kitchen. There is a recipe for monkey bread that is always a favorite at celebrations and a double crusted summer vegetable pie that looks ideal following a visit to the farmer’s market.… Read more

May 06
0

Wine, Tapas and Traveling Rioja, Spain

Posted by | Alcohol, Culinary Event, Education, Entertainment, Wine | 25 Comments

You might have heard that the James Beard Foundation hosted it’s 2015 award show this past week here in Chicago for the first time. While that alone is very exciting, the various events that joined in the festivities was also very fun for those of us who love exploring the food and wine world.

Inspiring Kitchen Wine Tapas Rioja Spain

 

The Rioja Wine and Tapas Festival planned a celebration of their wines to be held at Union Station benefitting the James Beard Foundation. More than 200 wines, tapas, jamon bar, cheese cave, paella garden, live music and a wealth of talented chefs were the hit of the show.… Read more

Apr 24
0

Mother’s Day Flowers with Bloomatini

Posted by | Design, Flowers, Holiday | 15 Comments

Mother’s Day. May 10, 2015. The most special day of the year where we honor our Mothers and thank them for all they have done for us. Finding that special gift that truly shows them how important they are to us is always the challenge. It’s one thing to give them a pasta noodle picture you put all your 5 year old heart and soul into making. But what do you do for your Mom when you are not 5 that is memorable (and that will last as long as that noodle picture)?

Since Inspiring Kitchen is all about sharing new trends and unique ideas, I am excited to introduce a new favorite find that celebrates Mother’s Day with flowers that will always stay beautiful and filled with color.… Read more

Apr 22
0

Vegetables with a Spiralized Twist

Posted by | Entertaining, Family, healthy eating, Housewares, Kitchen Equipment, Vegan, Vegetables, Vegetarian | 28 Comments

Aren’t we always trying to find a way to get more vegetables in our diets? Or maybe I should say, aren’t we always told we should do this?! But just how do we do this so that the dish looks as appetizing as it tastes? I have a solution for you in the form of a kitchen tool called a Spiralizer. (Paderno World Cuisine Spiralizer Pro, 4-Blade)

 Inspiring Kitchen Vegetables with a Spiralized Twist

There are a few brands that offer a piece of equipment that does something like the Paderno Spiralizer but this is the one I like the best and recommend. The Spiralizer is a fantastic way to creatively make dishes that contain vegetables, fruits, onions and potatoes that resemble noodles.… Read more