InspiringKitchen.com Inspiring Kitchen, Author at InspiringKitchen.com

Dec 26

Homemade Chocolate Covered Toffee

Posted by Inspiring Kitchen | Desserts, Hostess Gift, Recipes | 6 Comments

If you have always wanted to experiment with candy making but were hesitant to try it , then this decadent, melt-in-your-mouth toffee is just the recipe for you. It is so easy tomake with just a handful of ingredients.

These are ideal for giving as hostess gifts whether you wrap them in decorative cello bags or find a pretty plate to put them on. In fact, many times I will find plates that have a decoration on them that is either seasonal or fits the personality of the hostess to leave with them. If I am attending a number of different parties, then finding dessert or appetizer plate sets (they typically come in sets of 4) works great.… Read more

Dec 17

Mariano’s Italian Celebration: Eggplant Parmigiana

Posted by Inspiring Kitchen | Celebrations, Desserts, Italian cuisine, Recipes, Wines | 17 Comments

In celebration of La Tavola Italiana, Mariano’s grocery stores offered classes celebrating Italian culture. Chef Tony Priolo from Piccolo Sogno (http://piccolosognorestaurant.com/) shared his recipe for Eggplant Parmigiana and homemade cannoli. No meal is complete without a delicious wine to compliment each dish. And Terlato Wines presented the perfect accompaniment to each course. Never underestimate all the amazing cooking, food and beverage related tips you can learn in your grocery store!

The evening began with an introduction to the different types of ricotta cheeses that are offered in the market.

1) Whole milk ricotta had a whipped consistency that was creamy and light.… Read more

Dec 10

Creative Cocktails: The Porthole

Posted by Inspiring Kitchen | Barware, Cocktails, Serving Piece | One Comment

What’s the most memorable way you have ever been served a cocktail? How about from a Porthole? No, not in front of one or through one but created and presented in one. In Chicago, we are known for many amazing restaurants and chefs. Yet, there is one chef that is widely known for his innovative dishes and dining experiences. You may already be very familiar with Chef Grant Achatz of Alinea, Next and The Aviary fame. In these locations, the food becomes works of art not just in taste but in presentation as well.

With that in mind, Martin Kastner from Crucial Detail, designed an incredibly unique vessel that showcases the ingredients used to make the infused cocktail, tea or oil so that it becomes a part of the experience.… Read more

Nov 21

25 Best Holiday and Hostess Gifts

Posted by Inspiring Kitchen | Art, Candles, Cocktails, Coffee, Cookbooks, Cooking, Foods, Gift Guide, Gifts, Holidays, Home Decor, Home Design, Knives | 16 Comments

It’s the fabulous time of year for celebrating the holidays with your family and friends. When it comes to choosing hostess and holiday gifts, sometimes it is hard to know where to start. Inspiring Kitchen is here to be your personal holiday shopper. You will find a range of gifts that focus on cooking, entertaining, home décor, foods and beverages to thrill your host, hostess, family and friends. Don’t forget to treat yourself as well to these wonderful gifts.

Finding unique gifts for the food lover is always challenging but have I got two solutions for you! Both items are perfect for those who love making a dish their own.… Read more

Nov 04

Best Cooking Tools and Tips for Thanksgiving

Posted by Inspiring Kitchen | Cooking, Entertaining, Gadgets, Gift Guide, Holiday, Housewares, Kitchen, Thanksgiving | 11 Comments

I love this time of year. A slight chill is in the air (although yesterday’s temp and snow are not welcomed!) and the holiday season is fast approaching. In just a few short weeks, we will be celebrating my favorite holiday: Thanksgiving. It’s the one time of year that family comes in from near and far to celebrate the holidays. We spend the day catching up on the happenings that have gone on throughout the year for everyone. The really fun part of this holiday though is we get to cook. Yes, that is exciting to me! Having the best cooking tools really makes a difference. … Read more

Oct 31

How to Choose the Best Pepper Mill

Posted by Inspiring Kitchen | Housewares, Kitchen Design, Kitchen Tools, Pepper, Recipes, Seasonings | 5 Comments

Salt and pepper. The two ingredients in just about every recipe. The key to using pepper in a recipe is having a pepper mill with strong grinding capabilities. Have you ever bitten down on a chunk of peppercorn that hasn’t successfully been ground down enough and your whole mouth is now on fire – let alone how your tooth is feeling? Ouch.

When it comes to certain kitchen tools, sometimes you need to spend a bit more to have quality materials so the equipment or gadget will do a great job on the task it is assigned. In this case, we are talking about the grinders used in pepper mills.… Read more

Oct 30

Smart and Bagels? Yes Please

Posted by Inspiring Kitchen | Breads, Cookies, Gluten Free | 6 Comments

Bagels. Sandwiches. Who doesn’t love them? No matter the time of year (it’s not always New Year’s Resolutions!), eating healthy foods is always a good thing. As someone who truly enjoys breads in all forms, I was happy to be introduced to Toufayan Bakeries Smart Bagel and Smart Pockets. The family owned bakery has been making breads since 1926 offering Gluten-Free, Low Carb, Breakfast, Flat Breads, Pita Breads and Snack Breads.

Toufayan products (http://www.toufayan.com/products/) are made with quality ingredients and offer a healthy base for your breakfasts, lunches and snacks. Over the years, I have found some low calorie breads to be tasteless and have the consistency of cardboard.… Read more

Oct 23

Parmigiano Reggiano Academy

Posted by Inspiring Kitchen | Cheese, Education, Entertainment, International, Retailer | 3 Comments

I went back to school recently to attend the Parmigiano Reggiano Academy. Actually happy to go to school again! Mario Batali’s Eataly hosted the Academy. The classes were originally online only but have moved to locations across the country.

The class was taught by Nancy Radke, Director U.S. Information Office. It was fascinating to learn about the history of the cheese as well as the techniques to truly appreciate this highly regarded product.

We were taught about the difference that aging makes in Parmigiano Reggiano as it evolves from a young 14 month cheese to a mature 24 month cheese to an extra aged 36 month cheese.… Read more

Oct 22

Creative Bakeware

Posted by Inspiring Kitchen | Bakeware, Entertaining, Housewares | 15 Comments

Have you ever been invited to a friend’s house and wanted to bring a baked item but didn’t want to worry the hostess with returning your pan? Or wanted to bake cupcakes but pictured a really fun and creative wrapper? I just learned about an award winning brand of baking pans that are made of oven-safe paper and plastic and come in a wide variety of colors, themes, designs and sizes. For me, this is a perfect opportunity to try out all the recipes that I have been collecting of different breads, desserts, muffins and cakes as it makes sharing so much easier.… Read more

Oct 10

Cookware 101

Posted by Inspiring Kitchen | Bridal Registry, Cookware, Housewares, Kitchen Design, Wedding | 19 Comments

Having been involved in the bridal registry space from a housewares standpoint for a long time now, I recognize how intimidating the walls of cookware in a store can be for someone unfamiliar with all the brands, sizes, styles and surfaces. When I talk with registrants about what cookware they are currently using, many times they tell me it is from college, their mom or a discount store. All absolutely fine answers. Until I ask them if they like to cook. When they say they love cooking, then I know we need to have a deeper discussion on their style of cooking and how many people they tend to cook for.… Read more

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