Spatulas, Corkscrews & Suitcases

GIVEAWAY: 5 FREE COOKBOOKS - The Complete Idiot's Guide to Vegan Baking by Donna Diegel

We're giving away 5 free cookbooks Thursday, July 7th! The Complete Idiot's Guide to Vegan Baking by Donna Diegel, and published by the Penguin Group and Alpha Books, is giving away five of my brand new, hot-off-the-press vegan cookbooks!

Something weird happened with submitting the previous blog post, and it never went anywhere online. Not sure what went wrong, but I think only my subscribers got the memo!

Because of this "glitch," I'm reminding everyone again about the cookbook giveaway and 45-minute Live Tweet Chat on Thursday, at 3:00pm ET/2:00pm CT. I'll get together with the "Penguins" and we'll do a Q&A session. Even if you're not vegan, there's plenty in this cookbook that can be substituted and changed so it works for you.

All the giveaway rules and how-to's can be found here. Make sure to leave your comment on the previous post so it will be counted correctly.

I changed a few things, so you may want to go check them out. One biggie is, you don't have to have a Twitter account to leave a comment on my blog post to win the book. We'd LOVE to have you join us at the Tweet Chat, but we recognize that not everyone Tweets! Sooooo, please go back and enter the giveaway now! All remaining rules will stay the same.

Also, please friend "The Complete Idiot's Guide to Vegan Baking" on Facebook to keep up with all the latest giveaway and Twitter updates.

• Log into Twitter around 2:55pm ET on Thursday July 7th.
• Search #AskCIG on Twitter and include #AskCIG to join the conversation!
• When you log in, tell us who you are, or your Twitter name.

 

FREE COOKBOOK GIVEAWAY: 'The Complete Idiot's Guide to Vegan Baking' Cookbook

 

Penguin Publishing is giving away five (5) of my new vegan baking cookbooks, "The Complete Idiot's Guide to Vegan Baking" by Donna Diegel—that would be me! In order to give the books away, we'd love to invite everyone to a Live Tweet Chat, Thursday, July 7th at 3:00pm ET/2:00pm CT. Don't worry! You don't have to be vegan to enter this giveaway.

From “The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Vegan Baking” Cookbook

“The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Vegan Baking” was published by the Penguin Publishing Group and Alpha Books in April, 2011. The book has over 160 recipes, and is available in either print or the Kindle version. (We'll be giving away the print version.) Whether your interest in a vegan lifestyle is to save the animals, your health, or the environment, your dedication to veganism doesn’t have to include boring food. From whole-grain yeast breads, to extra-creamy “cheesecakes,” and everything in between, this cookbook was designed to complete your culinary adventure into vegan living. All made with 100% animal-free products, “The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Vegan Baking” will have you saying, “I can’t believe it’s vegan!”

Actually, you don't have to be vegan to use this book at all. Most of the recipes can be adapted to use non-vegan products, or to go semi-vegan. If you're not ready to go all the way, use a few eggs when it calls for egg-replacer. Use whole milk when the recipe calls for soy milk. You get the picture! This way you can ease into vegan baking, but still get the benefits of whole grain, fiber-rich ingredients when making your Blueberry Muffins.

 

How To Enter the Cookbook Giveaway!

• Become a friend and like “The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Vegan Baking” Facebook Page to stay current with the Tweet Chat updates and future giveaways, recipes, and photos.
• The 5-book giveaway begins NOW! The giveaway ends Thursday, July 7, 2011 at midnight ET. I'm running the giveaway until midnight to give everyone a chance to enter after the Tweet Chat!
• First, you'll need to leave a comment here on this blog post. If you'll be attending the 45-minute Live Tweet Chat on Thursday, July 7th, please let us know, and make sure to include what your Twitter name is in your comment so we'll know to look for you.
• In order for us to know who won, you'll need to include your name in the comment or in your link and make sure we can get in touch with you somehow.
• Only one entry per person, only one book per winner (we can check these things).
• Only U.S. and Canada residents are eligible to enter.
• The five cookbooks will be given away using a random generator. I'll post the winners here Saturday, July 9th. They will be shipped directly from the publisher, so if you're one of the lucky winners, they'll need your name, mailing address, etc. 

On the Day of the Tweet Chat...

• Log into Twitter around 2:55pm ET on Thursday July 7th.
• Search #AskCIG on Twitter and include #AskCIG to join the conversation!
• When you log in, tell us who you are, or your Twitter name.
• The Tweet Chat will last 45 minutes, and will be a Question & Answers type of format.

*** IMPORTANT NOTICE: You don't have to have a Twitter account to leave a comment on this blog post to win the book. While we'd LOVE to have you join us at the Tweet Chat, we recognize that not everyone Tweets! Sooooo, please feel free to enter the cookbook giveaway now!

Please let your friends know about the Tweet Chat, and the book giveaway. We'd LOVE to see tons of people there!

The retail value of the book is $16.95.

CINCO de MAYO MEXICAN SALSA: Fresh Pico de Gallo with Heirloom Tomatoes and Corn

Similar to Mexican Pico de Gallo, this sugar-free tomato salsa with some garden fresh cilantro and chilies is quick and easy to prepare using readily available market ingredients, kitchen gadgets and tools. Warm tortilla chips and guacamole are the perfect accompaniment to this awesome salsa. Super easy to make and eat right now, or follow the recipe and can the rest for later!

Heirloom Tomato Varieties

It's not summer yet in the Northeast, but you can start thinking about growing your own heirloom tomatoes, or seek out a local farmer's market for the freshest tomatoes they have. Below are some of the most popular heirloom tomatoes available from growers and seed companies. Don't worry if you can't get heirlooms now. Fleshy red-ripe tomatoes from Whole Foods Market or Trader Joe's will do the job too. 

• Brandywine tomatoes are widely recognized with red and yellow being the most popular colors.
• Jubilee tomatoes are a beautiful golden variety.
• Green Zebra is a fun tomato to use because of its striking color and stripes.
• Cherokee Purple is a deep purple, almost "black" tomato.

Adding fresh tomatoes last to the fresh salsa will not only keep their flesh intact, but their colors bright and vibrant as well. Fold the tomatoes in carefully so as not to bruise or crush them.

Ingredients: Fresh Tomato Salsa Recipe

• 2 Tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
• 1 large Spanish onion, chopped small
• 1 large green pepper, chopped
• 1 large red pepper, chopped
• 2 large jalapenos, finely minced
• 28 ounce can crushed tomatoes, unsalted
• 6 ounce can tomato paste, unsalted
• 1 Tablespoon lime juice, fresh squeezed
• 1/2 cup honey
• 2 drops hot habeneros sauce (Bandana's Habeneros Sauce is good)
• 4 ounce can green chilies
• 1/4 cup Bragg's Liquid Aminos, tamari sauce, or low sodium soy sauce
•  2 pounds corn, fresh off the cob, or frozen (thawed)
• 3 pounds heirloom tomatoes, fleshy Italian plum tomatoes are best, chopped or halved if small
• 1/2 cup minced fresh cilantro

Directions: How To Make Fresh Tomato Salsa

1. In a large stock pot, saute onions and peppers in extra virgin olive oil until crisp tender.
2. Add crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, lime juice, honey, chilies, habeneros sauce and Bragg's Liquid Aminos, tamari or soy sauce.
3. Cook over very low heat for 10 minutes. Remove from stove, and carefully fold in corn and tomatoes.
4. Gently add cilantro and stir.
5. Cool completely and store in refrigerator, or can in a hot water bath for 25 minutes.
6. Makes 9 pints.

Check out These Favorites!

• Taco Salad Recipe - Veggie or Beef   
• Seven Layer Mexican Dip Recipe
• Mexican Salad Recipe
• The Best Guacamole Dip Recipe
• Zesty Pesto Pasta Salad
• Easy Retro Ambrosia Salad
• Ina Garten's Panzanella Salad Recipe
• Easy Tri-Colored Coleslaw Recipe
• Cobb Salad - An Edible Landscape!

Easter Ham Leftovers Recipes: Easter Sunday Ham Left Over Ideas

 

EASTER SUNDAY DINNER RECIPES: You made a huge Easter ham and now you have a bunch of left over ham. Make Ham Salad, Ham & Cheese Quiche, Split Pea Soup or Macaroni and Cheese with all those leftovers! 

Here are some recipes and ideas for getting rid of your Easter ham.

Ham Sandwich - The simplest of sandwiches - 2 slices of whole grain bread, mayo, as many pieces of thin-sliced ham as desired, lettuce, tomato and mustard. What a lunch!

Ham & Grilled Cheese Sandwiches - Grilled cheese can be made so much tastier with a slice of ham and tomato before finishing it on the grill!

Adult Mac & Cheese with Ham - Use this recipe and substitute ham instead of bacon. Very tasty and an excellent way to use up leftover ham!

Ham Salad Sandwich - Process 3-4 slices leftover ham in a food processor until coarsly ground. Remove to a small bowl. Add chopped onions if desired, mayo, sweet green relish and salt & pepper to taste. Spread over your choice of bread and add some lettuce.

Broccoli, Ham & Cheese Quiche - The perfect solution for what to do with left over ham! Make quiche!

Ham & Cheese Omelettes - When making your favorite omelette, add 1/4 cup diced ham on top of the cheese before folding over the egg omelette.

Split Pea Soup with Ham - My Vegetarian Pea Soup Recipe will please even the meatiest meat lovers, if you add the ham bone before simmering. Add an additional cup or two of dice ham and you'll have a very hearty, satisfying one-pot dinner!

Originally posted on Examiner.com

Easter Recipes: Hot Cross Buns for Good Friday and Easter Sunday

HOT CROSS BUNS for Good Friday: Soft, homemade hot cross buns with butter, vanilla, golden raisins, candied fruit and a touch of cardomon. The cross made of lemon scented icing makes them even more delicious!
 
History of Hot Cross Buns: What Does it Mean?

Hot Cross Buns do have Christian roots. "In many historically Christian countries, the buns are traditionally eaten on Good Friday, with the cross standing as a symbol of the crucifixion. They are believed by some to pre-date Christianity, although the first recorded use of the term "hot cross bun" is not until 1733," according to Wikipedia.

Hot Cross Buns Recipe

• 1 1/2 cups milk
• 2 packages active dry yeast
• 3/4 cup sugar
• 4 ounces butter (1 stick), melted
• 1/4 cup vanilla
• 2/3 cup water
• 4 large eggs
• 2 teaspoons salt
• 1 teaspoon nutmeg, ground
• 1/2 teaspoon cardamon
• 8-9 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup raisins
• 1/2 cup golden raisins or currants
• 1/2 cup candied fruit, optional

Glaze

• 1/4 cup honey
• 1/4 cup water
• Mix and heat in small saucepan until hot. Remove and set aside.

Hot Cross Bun Icing

• 2 cups confectioners' sugar
• 1 teaspoon lemon juice, or 1/2 teaspoon lemon extract
• 1-2 Tablespoons milk
• Mix in a small bowl until smooth and free of any lumps.

How To Make Hot Cross Buns

1. Heat milk in a small pan until it reaches 105 degrees F, or it feels lukewarm to warm. Remove from heat. Sprinkle yeast over the milk and let sit for 5 minutes. Stir.
2. In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with a dough hook, mix milk, yeast and sugar on low speed for about a minute.
3. Add the butter, vanilla, water, eggs, salt, nutmeg and cardomon and mix again.
4. With mixer on low speed, add 4 cups of flour and mix. Add raisins, currants and/or candied fruit. Mix again. Add remaining flour and mix until all the flour is incorporated.
5. Turn mixer to medium and continue mixing until dough comes away from the sides of the bowl and forms a ball. The dough is done when it starts to ride the dough hook to the top. The dough will be sticky st this point.If you feel it is too sticky, add a bit more flour.
6. Turn dough out into a greased or oiled bowl. Flip it over and cover the dough with a towel or plastic wrap. Place the bowl in a warm location until the dough doubles its size.
7. Punch the dough down and turn out onto a floured counter.
8. Divide the dough, and form it into approximately 30 - 36 balls, depending on the size. Place them in an oiled baking pan, and cover loosely with a towel. Set aside in a warm draft-free spot until hot cross buns double in size. This will take between 45 - 90 minutes depending on the warmth of your kitchen.
9. While the dough is rising, preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
10. When dough is doubled in size, put them on a middle rack in the oven and bake for  between 52-35 minutes, depending on size. The hot cross buns will be done when the tops are golden brown.
11. Remove the buns from the oven and brush them with the glaze. Let cool before decorating the hot cross buns with icing.
12. To decorate hot cross buns, put icing in a pastry bag with a large round or flat tip, and make the sign of the cross.
13. Let icing firm up before wrapping loosely with plastic.
14. Makes 30-36 hot cross buns. Hot cross buns can be frozen.

Check Out These Recipe Collections for Easter!

• 6 Best Lemon Dessert Recipes
• 9 Fresh Fruit Pie Recipes
• Leftover Ham Recipes
• Top 5 Quiche Recipes
• 10 Extra Creamy Cheesecakes
• 10 Strawberry Dessert Recipes
• 12 Sensational Salad Recipes
  
• Easter Brunch Recipes & Ideas - Over 20 recipes for brunch!
• 15 Red Desserts - Not just for Valentine's Day!
• 20 Awesome Holiday Desserts
• 30 Most Popular Cookie Recipes
• 30 Sinfully Rich Chocolate Desserts
• The Best Key Lime Pie Evah!
• Tons of Cute Easter Cupcakes & Recipes - including the "Master-Peeps Theater"

Originally Posted on Examiner.com

PEEPS Easter Bunny Wreath: How to Make Easter Fun with PEEPS Marshmallow Bunnies

PEEPS. Like milk chocolate Easter bunnies, we all bit their heads off and saved the tails for last. Yellow PEEPS Marshmallow chicks have been around for decades. We grew up with them. We ate too many of them, and most likely had tummy aches after eating all that sugar. But hey, that's what goes into an Easter basket, right? And when we got older, we experimented with how to blow up PEEPS in the microwave... or was I the only sick kid here that thought of things like this?

There's more to life than yellow PEEPS. Have you been shopping lately? PEEPS now come in a whole array of fun colors like pink, purple, blue, and orange. They also come in Easter bunny shapes too! That's what caught my eye this year, and after getting a copy of the new Celebrate magazine by Phyllis Hoffman, I thought I'd be a kid again and make my own PEEPS Easter bunny wreath this year.

Seriously though... I'm living on a sailboat. What am I gonna do with an Easter bunny wreath? I quickly thought of one of my granddaugters that absolutley LOVES crafts and sent the magazine to her hoping she would make the wreath and send me the pictures. She and her Mom did better than that. They made an adorable PEEPS Wreath and posted the How-To Make a PEEPS Easter Bunny Wreath tutorial on Erika's Stampin Mama, Living the Creative Life blog so you can see just how they did it.

Now you can make your own PEEPS Easter bunny wreath! Just make sure to buy one extra package of PEEPS so you can have the joy of biting their heads off. Oh, and be a kid again. Save the tails for last! ENJOY!

Copyrighted pictures used with permission by Erika Martin Designs.

VEGAN Baking Recipes: The Complete Idiot's Guide to Vegan Baking

You don't have to be on a vegan diet to enjoy these vegan baking recipes. Vegan Red Velvet Cake and Cupcakes Recipe and Vegan Cheesecake are just a few of the delicious vegan recipes in this brand new cookbook.

Save $5.90 by pre-ordering from Amazon, and Barnes & Noble now for only $11.05.

The Complete Idiot's Guide to Vegan Baking is due to hit the book store shelves on April 5th, and Amazon will send the books the day it's released. It's also available in the Kindle edition for $9.99.

I received my two author's copies in the mail last week from the publisher and have been totally excited ever since. I still can't believe I'm holding the book in my hands after 14 months. It seems like yesterday!

Order from Amazon here
Order from Borders here
Order from Barnes & Noble here

VEGAN PEANUT BUTTER PIE

Corned Beef and Cabbage Recipe: St Patrick's Day Recipes and Irish Favorites (VIDEOS)

Celebrate St Patrick's Day March 17, 2011 with Traditional Irish recipes. Corned Beef and Cabbage Dinner ranks high on the list of St Patty's Day Irish recipes, and it's no wonder. The grocery stores usually have corned beef brisket on sale around St Patrick's Day, and along with potatoes, cabbage, onions and carrots, it makes a real cheap meal.

Corned Beef and Cabbage recipes are so easy to make too. This awesome Irish dinner can be done in the crockpot, on the stove top, bake it in the oven, or cook it in a pressure cooker. Personally, I like using the pressure cooker because it's so quick, but there's nothing like a slow cooked corned beef dinner that's been simmering for hours.

The 3.89# corned beef I bought from my local Super Stop & Shop was on sale for $1.49 per pound ($5.80), 3# of cabbage was also on sale for .49 per pound ($1.50), 3# of red potatoes ($1.99), 3# of carrots ($1.99), 2 onions ($1.00), 2 stalks of celery (.25). So, all in all, I spent about $12.53 for the whole dinner that will probably feed 6-8 people. Not bad, eh?

I'll give you some Corned Beef and Cabbage recipe links and How-To videos. We're all using basically the same ingredients but the cooking methods are different. Watch them and decide which one you prefer. Paula Deen even has a Corned Beef and Cabbage dinner that takes, get this... 10 minutes! I don't think I'd like it, but I guess it serves a purpose when you're short on time looking for a fast meal.

Corned Beef and Cabbage Recipes

Food Wishes.com Corned Beef and Cabbage
Emeril Lagasse's Corned Beef and Cabbage
Tyler Florence's Corned Beef and Cabbage
Paula Deen's Easy Corned Beef and Cabbage
Alton Brown's Corned Beef and Cabbage Dinner
Food Network's Slow-Cooker Corned Beef and Cabbage

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

LOT'S OF ST PATRICK'S DAY RECIPES

• Last Minute St. Patrick's Day Recipes
• Healthy Irish Soda Bread Recipe
• Traditional Irish Soda Bread Recipe 
• Baileys Irish Cream Cheesecake Recipe
• Homemade Baileys Irish Cream Liqueur Recipe
• White Chocolate Baileys Irish Cream Mousse Pie Recipe

Zeppole for St Joseph's Day March 19: Felicia's Coffee, Rhode Island

 

Saint Joseph's Day is Saturday, March 19, 2011, but you don't have to wait until the Feast of St. Joseph to feast on Felicia's awesome Zeppole. They're available right now and for the rest of the week. This East Greenwich, Rhode Island coffee house/bakery is located at 5757 Post Road right next to the East Greenwich post office.

 
 

Felicia's luscious Zeppole are to die for. I'm sure these "Belly Bombs" aren't low-calorie, but it doesn't matter, it's not like you eat them every day. In fact, they're only available in certain bakeries around St Joseph's Day. Interestingly, this Italian holiday falls two days after the Irish holiday of St Patrick's Day on March 17th, which makes March a very tasty month! Don't forget we also had Mardi Gras at the beginning of the month to add to the feasting.

I have lots of Zeppole favorites around the tiny state of Rhode Island, but Felicia's Coffee makes the most humongous Zeppole I've ever seen. One of these tender pastries is enough to keep you full all day. At a recent visit, we sat down in the cozy East Greenwich coffee shop with a zeppola each and our favorite iced coffee. By the way, Felicia's Coffee is called Felicia's Coffee because they also have the best flavored roasted coffee beans.



Don't let the $3.99 price tag scare you off. Like I said, Felicia's Zeppole are huge. A box of four set me back $15.96, but it was the sweetest money I spent all week. After both of us eating one each, there's still two in the box for tomorrow.

Felicia's says, "of course our famous giant zeppoles are baked, never fried, made from scratch here in our kitchen with the freshest dairy cream, milk, eggs and cheese."

A word of warning... call in your Zeppole order ahead of time. They go like hotcakes and you risk them selling out before you get there. When you get there, have a seat near the fireplace, or if it's warm outside, sit at one of their outdoor tables. Felicia's is worth the drive.

 

 Felicia's Zeppole Flavor Choices

• The Classic - Delicious homemade boiled cream
• The Italian - Blended with ricotta, sweet cheese and golden rum
• Felicia's Blend - Fresh whipped with Felicia's Coffee Blend (this is my favorite)
• The Cream Puff - Sweet vanilla whipped cream
• Lucky Charm - Our own sweet Irish Cream
• Pumpkin - Pumpkin pastry cream

 

Felicia's Coffee

5757 Post Road
East Greenwich, RI 02818
401-886-4141

More Zeppole Articles

• Zeppole for St. Joseph's Day
• St. Joseph's Day 2010: Zeppole cause traffic jams
• St. Joseph's Zeppole on St. Patrick's Day? Baileys Irish Cream Italian Pastries
  
   

Lot's of St Patrick's Day Recipes!

• Last Minute St. Patrick's Day Recipes
  
• Healthy Irish Soda Bread Recipe
  
• Traditional Irish Soda Bread Recipe 
  
• Baileys Irish Cream Cheesecake Recipe
  
• Homemade Baileys Irish Cream Liqueur Recipe
  
• White Chocolate Baileys Irish Cream Mousse Pie Recipe

IRISH SODA BREAD RECIPE: St. Patrick's Day Recipes for Irish Leprechauns

Looking for Irish recipes for Saint Patrick's Day 2011? You're in luck! While many people are looking for corned beef and cabbage recipes, St Patty's Day is also known for its Irish Soda Bread and Bailey's Irish Cream.

The "green" holiday falls on Thursday, March 17 this year, which means you can wear green to work or school, or when looking for your pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. Because the Irish holiday falls on a weekday, you may not even want to cook or bake. That's when you get in the car and head to your local Irish pub for  some yummy corned beef and cabbage and a pint of Guinness. And while you're out, stop by the bakery and pick up a loaf of Irish Soda Bread!

Irish Soda Bread Recipe

• 7 to 7 1/2 cups Unbleached white flour, sifted
• 2/3 cup Sugar
• 1 tsp Salt
• 1 Tbsp Baking Powder
• 3 Tbsp Caraway seeds, optional
• 6 Tbsp Cold Butter (3/4 stick)
• 2 1/2 cups Raisins, Currants and/or Golden Raisins
• 1 3/4 cup Buttermilk
• 1/2 cup Sour Cream
• 2 large Eggs   
• 2 tsp Baking Soda 
• 1 egg yolk beaten with 1 Tbsp milk or cream

How To Make Irish Soda Bread

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or spray with vegetable spray.
3. Sift flour into a large bowl and add sugar, salt, baking powder and caraway seeds.
4. Cut in butter with a pastry blender until it looks like peas. You can also rub the butter into the flour with the palms of your hands. Keep your hands full of flour and with the butter in the middle, work it into what looks like small peas. Mix in raisins and set aside.
5. In a small bowl, whisk together buttermilk, sour cream and eggs. Add baking soda and mix.
6. Fold the wet and dry ingredients together. Working with your hands, pull up all the dry ingredients from the bottom of the bowl and mix just enough to make sure all the dry ingredients are blended with the wet.
7. Work the dough as little as possible. Add more flour if necessary to keep it from being sticky. The dough is ready when it holds together and and can be shaped.
8. Divide into 3 or 4 round loaves and place on baking sheet. Do not flatten loaves. Brush with the yolk and cream mixture.
9. Using a sharp knife, cut an X into the top of each loaf.
10. Bake at 350 degrees for 60-70 minutes or until loaf is golden brown and knife comes out clean.
11. Makes 3-4 loaves!

This recipe can also be made with a KitchenAid mixer, but you have to be real careful that you don't overwork the dough.

Lot's of Irish Recipes!

• Last Minute St. Patrick's Day Recipes
  
• Healthy Irish Soda Bread Recipe
  
• Traditional Irish Soda Bread Recipe 
  
• Baileys Irish Cream Cheesecake Recipe
  
• Homemade Baileys Irish Cream Liqueur Recipe
  
• White Chocolate Baileys Irish Cream Mousse Pie Recipe

Recipe originally posted on Examiner.com