The Specifics…

Ok people, listen up. As the Fabulous Food Fairy, I get lots of comments on my bakeware and cookware. I post lots of pictures of my red pottery collection, and many are jealous & curious about my super awesome red tagine, well here is my secret… Once a year, I shop at the Meals on Wheels Stock Up For Seniors sale at the Emile Henry warehouse. Now, normally the public does not have access to this warehouse, but this generous company opens their doors for one weekend only, and shares the profits with local charities. YOU DO NOT WANT TO MISS THIS SALE!!!

Thursday, October 10th is the Meals on Wheels “Stock up for Seniors” event to kick off the Emile Henry warehouse sale. Tickets for private access to one of the greatest sales of the year are available at the discounted rate of $25. Tickets will also be available at the door for $30. The best part is that you can shop guilt free! How awesome is that? You can pay $25 to get in before anyone else! You know you want first pick!

All of the proceeds from the ticket sales, as well as 5% of the Thursday night overall totals, benefit Meals on Wheels of Delaware. This important organization serves many of Delaware’s senior adults who rely on the hot meals and compassion of the many volunteers to safely deliver these meals directly to seniors’ homes. This is your chance to shop while giving back to your community.

This fabulous sale offers luxury items at discounts as deep as 80% off! Brands include Emile Henry, Rösle, Duralex, Mauviel 1830, Lékué and many more! An even better perk is that guests can enjoy light refreshments and desserts while they shop.

YOU SHOULD NOT MISS THIS SALE! If you love to cook, or need gifts for the cook in your life, you will not be disappointed. While this sale runs through the weekend, I ask that you please join me on Thursday night to shop and experience this wonderful event.

Click here to purchase tickets: http://mealsonwheelsde.org/sufs

What: Meals on Wheels Stock Up for Seniors Sale
Where: Emile Henry USA Corp., 802 Centerpoint Blvd., New Castle Delaware
When: Thursday, 6:30 to 9 p.m.
Tickets: $25 before, or $30 at the door.
The sale continues: The Emile Henry warehouse sale runs from
4 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Friday; 8 a.m. until 4 p.m. on Saturday; 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sunday.

The Feel Good Part…

Thursday night, all ticket revenue, plus 5% of the overall sales will be donated to Meals on Wheels of Delaware.

www.emilehenryusa.com/cookware-sale/Warehouse-Sale.html.

Disclosure of Material Connection: This is a “sponsored post.” The company who sponsored it compensated me via a cash payment, gift, or something else of value to write it. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.

Sucking in the Kitchen: Episode 2

The question I am most often asked is “How do you do it?”

People marvel at the fact that I am a working mother of three and I cook most nights of the week.

Well people, here is my secret…I SUCK at most things easy in the kitchen. I’m not exaggerating. While I can whip up a creamy corn chowder from scratch, or a melt in your mouth meatloaf, I am incapable of making a simple pot of coffee. In fact, I have been asked at work not to touch the coffee maker, and my awesome teammate, Mike, pre-loads the coffee maker for me if he knows he is not going to be at work the next day. It’s pathetic, and I am so very thankful for my Keurig at home. I burn garlic bread EVERY TIME I put it under the broiler, and no, you can’t just scrape the burnt parts off. Frozen waffles can prove to be a challenge when I am distracted. (You can read Sucking in the Kitchen: Episode 1 here) And finally, tonight’s moment of greatness, I ruined a frozen chicken pot pie. Apparently microwaving a basic frozen entrée is outside of my skill set.

Now, I sincerely hope my doctor is not reading this right now, because frozen chicken pot pie is numero uno on the list of worst foods to never put into your body, and I’m supposed to be eating super healthy, low fat meals, but I had one of those days where the first chance I got to eat my breakfast was on the way home from work this afternoon, compounded with dance carpool, homework, and a paper due for a grad class, frozen pot pie was the only thing I thought I could manage.

I felt guilt as I ripped open the box, read the instructions, and carefully placed it into the microwave, ensuring that the potpie was centered under the little gray crispy plastic film. I should have listened to the little voice inside my head telling me to abort the mission and make a better choice. Well, I shoved that inner voice out of the way and opened the microwave, only to be faced with the reality that I suck at making frozen dinners.

The last minute of cooking sounded like a tornado. Then, when I opened the door, what I found was nothing short of disgusting. It had collapsed in the center, oozed over the sides, sprayed the back wall, and laminated the inside of the cardboard box.

When I extracted the potpie, only half of the crust was baked; the other half was still raw! Then the guts had exploded and run down the sides, burning in the process. It was just plain awful. Who would eat this?

So, I will settle for a banana and some oatmeal. It’s relatively safe, and it will feed me for the week. I plan to officially retire from frozen entrees and go back to the real cooking which results in dinners that are actually edible.

Until next time, feel free to share with me, your cooking disasters and kitchen downfalls ❤

Lemon Lavender Asparagus

On most days I will agree with my husband that Target is a trap. While I love to wander the bright clean aisles, convincing myself that I need everything I see, I have often found myself wondering exactly how I could have spent $100 in 10 minutes, when I only came for one small item, like Band-Aids. But, Oh! How I love a productive trip to Target.

As I was walking through the grocery section, assessing my “needs”, I stumbled upon a pretty jar of lavender.

Whoa! They actually sell this at Target?

Ohhh!! It looked so pretty. I had to have it. This was not a “want”. It was a NEED!

So I tossed the pretty bottle into my cart of “essential things I have to have” (aka– $100 of stuff that I didn’t need before I walked in to the store) and off I went to figure out just what you do with a jar of culinary lavender.

I have to admit that I intended to use it in a martini or infuse it into something, but then I had a moment of creativity and it totally worked. I sprinkled it onto my asparagus and what a beautiful thing that was.

While my husband may roll his eyes at me and grumble about all of the “crap” (It is so not crap!) that I come home with, this time I am going to celebrate a victory. Just this once, I actually used an impulse buy, and it was worth the money spent. I highly encourage you to follow suit, give into the impulse, and invest in a jar of lavender for yourself.

Lemon Lavender Asparagus

 

Ingredients:

• 1 bunch of asparagus
• 2-3 Tbsp. of olive oil
• 2 Tbsp. of lemon zest
• 1 Tbsp. of lavender

 

Preparation:

Preheat oven to 425˚.

Wash asparagus well, and pat dry.

Line a baking sheet with parchment paper, and spread asparagus evenly.

Drizzle with olive oil.

Sprinkle with zest and lavender.

Roast in the oven for about 20 minutes, until tender. (Cooking time may vary based on the thickness of the asparagus)

This may be served hot, or at room temperature.

Zucchini Brownies– How to Win at Motherhood & Middle School

Let me share with you a conversation that I had with my oldest daughter this weekend (age 11)

Olivia: What’s for dinner?

Me: short ribs, red potatoes, & roasted zucchini with cherry tomatoes.

Olivia: UGH! Why do you insist on always being so healthy?? 

Me: **silence**

**Note- I let her have chicken fingers, fries, & a Sprite for dinner last night!!

Am I really that bad?? No!

Enter Amelia, my middle daughter (age 8), who could happily live on vegetables,  asking if we could make those yummy brownies that I made a few weeks ago.

Ummm…Yes. Yes we can!

Sometimes, the universe aligns itself in such a way that you look like a rock star mom. This was one of those moments.

Amelia and I made those brownies, and I served them to the anti-healthy pre-teen drama llama that lives upstairs. After “suffering” through my apparently too-healthy dinner, she was thrilled to see my chocolaty offering. She savored the brownies appreciating my momentary departure from all that is healthy.

I win!

I win, I win, I win!!!!

Rarely will you ever outsmart a middle schooler, but I succeeded, and I will savor this moment as I will savor another one of these brownies!

Zucchini Brownies
Prep Time: 10 minutes Cook Time: 25 minutes Total Time: 35 minutes

Ingredients:

• 2 cups of whole grain pastry flour (or unbleached white flour)
• 1 1/2 cups of coconut palm sugar (or regular granulated sugar)
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/4 cup cocoa
• 2 cups shredded zucchini
• 2 teaspoons vanilla
• 1/2 cup of coconut oil
• 2 large eggs

Instructions:
Pre-heat oven to 375° and spray a jelly roll pan with non-stick cooking spray.
In a medium bowl sift together the flour, sugar, salt, baking soda, and cocoa.  Set aside.
In a small bowl whisk together the oil, vanilla, and eggs. Add the zucchini and stir to coat.  Add to the mixture to the medium bowl with the dry ingredients. Stir until combined.
Pour into the baking dish and bake for 25 minutes or until the center is cooked. Allow to cool and sprinkle with powdered sugar if desired.

Frosting: (optional)
1 1/2 cups of semi-sweet chocolate chips 1/4 cup of half & half
1 Tbsp. of coconut oil
Pour over hot brownies and spread an even, thin layer.