Recipes Archives - InspiringKitchen.com

Oct 19
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Athens Phyllo Shells Make Entertaining So Easy

Posted by | Entertaining, Foods, Recipes | No Comments

Athens Phyllo Shells Make Entertaining So Easy – 6 recipes using Athens Phyllo Shells for desserts, appetizers and brunch.

Athens Phyllo Shells Make Entertaining So Easy Recipes Appetizers Desserts Phyllo Dough Dessert Recipes

The phone rings. Friends are stopping by in 30 minutes to hang out and catch up. Wine? Check. Dessert? Nope, nothing ready. Give me 20 minutes and I am all set, thanks to Athens Phyllo Shells.

Athens Phyllo Shells Make Entertaining So Easy

These ready-to-serve shells are the solution to so many entertaining dilemmas this holiday season.  Made from phyllo dough, a light, crispy and tissue thin dough used in Greek cooking, the shells make for the perfect bite size sweet or savory treat to share with guests.… Read more

Oct 16
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Rumi Spice Saffron Risotto

Posted by | Foods, Recipes | 18 Comments

Rumi Spice Saffron Risotto – Learning about the origination of Rumi Spice, it’s founders and how to harvest and use saffron in recipes like Saffron Risotto.

When you hear that a spice company was created by 4 military officers with Harvard and West Point backgrounds, what would you imagine the product is? If I told you that the company, Rumi Spice, works with Afghan farmers to bring the highest quality saffron to us, would you realize that their mission is to cultivate peace in Afghanistan? You would be right if you said yes.

I had the distinct pleasure of being invited to a dinner held at The Blanchard Restaurant in Chicago to learn about the company’s origination and more specifically how to use saffron in your dishes.… Read more

Sep 05
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Visit Brazil in the Garden at Chicago Botanical Garden

Posted by | Design, Garden, Travel | 10 Comments

Visit Brazil in the Garden at Chicago Botanical Garden – Explore the robust colors and textures of Brazilian modern landscape architect, Roberto Burle Marx.

Vibrant colors. Gorgeous tropical landscape. Brazilian designer. Beautiful artwork. Equals a glorious walk through “Brazil in the Garden” on the grounds of the pristine and expansive Chicago Botanical Garden in Glencoe, Illinois.

Visit Brazil in the Garden at Chicago Botanical Garden

We know that design comes in many formats. In this case, we are talking about modern aesthetics that Roberto Burle Marx, famed Brazilian modernist landscape architect and artist, inspired. Perhaps he is best known for his plan for the boardwalk along Rio de Janeiro’s Copacabana Beach, which continues his modern design using stone pavers.… Read more

May 22
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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

Mar 17
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Inspiring Kitchen Ace of Cakes colorful cake

How to Make a Tie-Dye Cake

Posted by | Baking, Celebrations, Dessert | 10 Comments

In the housewares world, March is the time of year when those of us who live and breathe this business get to attend the International Home and Housewares Show held in Chicago. I will be doing a post coming up to showcase my finds from this year’s show, but I did discover one creative item that I had to highlight for those who love to bake.

Duff Goldman, the Ace of Cakes, from Charm City Cakes was showing his baking tools and equipment at the show. I was fortunate to be able to bring home one of his colorful mixes – perfect timing as I was having a very special guest for the week to bake with.… Read more

Dec 17
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Mariano’s Italian Celebration: Eggplant Parmigiana

Posted by | 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!

Mariano's Italian Celebration: Eggplant Parmigiana

 

Mariano's Italian Celebration: Eggplant Parmigiana

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

Mariano's Italian Celebration: Eggplant Parmigiana
1) Whole milk ricotta had a whipped consistency that was creamy and light.… Read more

Oct 23
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Parmigiano Reggiano Academy

Posted by | 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

Jul 10
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Summertime and Sangria

Posted by | Cocktails, Foods, healthy eating, Party, Recipes | 15 Comments

Don’t you just love this time of year when the sun is out, grass is green, fresh ingredients are plentiful and everyone is enjoying the opportunity to spend time together outside? Well, living in the Midwest means I take advantage of any chance to do what I love to do: entertain friends with delicious dishes and even better, cocktails outside on the deck. Thanks to Beso Del Sol, I was able to introduce their new Sangria to my friends.

 

photo 2 (22)

 

 

My goal was to make a dinner that had a fresh, healthy and summery twist to it but wouldn’t take the whole evening to make.… Read more