Tools

Brown Sugar Shortbread Recipe & Handy Tools for Holiday Baking

by Ann-Marie on December 5, 2012

Maybe it’s because I have been blogging Christmas deals since mid-November, or maybe it’s because stores have been playing Christmas music and selling their holiday wares since October, but I feel like Christmas is coming up fast, and I’m so not ready! Our house is 70% decorated indoors, and only 25% outdoors. Shopping is 50% done. Baking, something I truly enjoy, was 0% until today when I made these absolutely delicious Brown Sugar Shortbread cookies.

Several times this year I have had the privilege to share some recipes, tips and fun facts as a Table Talk contributor for Indiana’s Family of Farmers. I enjoy cooking and baking not just for my own family, but to share with others. Whether it’s a for a friend with a new baby, someone who is ill, or just because (which is my favorite), it brings me great joy to share meals and treats with others.

Indiana’s Family of Farmers sent me an array of wonderful baking tools, and a couple of them came in handy for baking these cookies today:
[click to continue…]

{ Leave a Comment }

Join The Daily Sip for Wine Tips & Recommendations

by Ann-Marie on September 26, 2011

Share this one with your girlfriends, neighbors and book club!  The Daily Sip offers a fun, quick read email newsletter with wine pairings & recommendations, wine reviews, tools & gadgets and more.

This post may contain affiliate links. By using these links you support my site – thank you! See my disclosure policy here.

{ Leave a Comment }

Tasty Top Cake Pops Kits B1G1F

by Ann-Marie on August 25, 2011

Aren’t these the cutest things ever?!  This special “As Seen on TV” product is only available online, and not in stores. Using a regular, store-bought cake mix (or if you feel so inclined, go at it the made-from-scratch route), use their Tasty Top silicone bakeware to make Cake Pops from home.

Here’s what’s included in the Tasty Tops Cake Pops B1G1F deal:

  • 4 Silicone baking pans that are dishwasher-safe
  • 50 cake sticks
  • Easy Idea Decorating Guide

To get the Tasty Tops Cake Pops 2-for-1 including shipping, will cost $28.85.  It breaks down like this: $14.95 for the items included, and two separate shipping charges of $6.95 each due to the B1G1F deal.

So while it may not be a great money-saving deal, it’s a novelty item that would kind of be fun gift idea for someone who loves to bake and decorate cakes!

Check out my other favorite online deals!

This post may contain affiliate links. By using these links you are supporting my site – thank you! See my disclosure policy here.

{ 1 comment }

All Recipes All the Time!

by Ann-Marie on September 22, 2010

Let’s say the kids just got home from school, it’s 4:30pm and  you have no clue what’s for dinner.

Check the fridge. Hmm… ground beef.

Check the pantry. Egg noodles.

What can I make with ground beef and egg noodles…  ???

My favorite feature on AllRecipes.com is the “Ingredients” search!  Simply plug in a couple of ingredients you know you have on hand, and click the Search button. Voila!  You’re presented with any recipe in their database that contains those ingredients.

You have additional search features such as keyword and category, where you can find recipes from contributing brands such as Bob Evans and Pillsbury, or food categories if you’re looking specifically for, say, appetizers.

So what did the wonderful Ingredients search come up with for my ground beef and egg noodle conundrum?   Of the 67 recipes displayed, I chose about the 4th one down, which was so creatively named, “Hamburger Casserole“.  (Couldn’t the submitter have come up with something a little more flavorful for the title?!)  In addition to my search ingredients, it also calls for salsa and canned chili, which I happened ot have both of.

While you’re browsing recipes on AllRecipes.com, be sure to check out reviews from people like you and me. It offers great tips, criticisms and tweaks to the recipe. For this particular Hamburger Casserole, several reviews mentioned mixing in (or topping with) cheddar cheese, and adding garlic into the ground beef while it’s cooking.

After you’ve found your perfect recipe, you can print it (full page, 3×5 or 4×6 for your recipe box), and/or save it in “My Recipe Box” if you sign up for their free membership.

This is the area I most frequent on AllRecipes.com. Have you found a favorite feature on AllRecipes.com, or do you have a favorite go-to website for recipes?  Share with us!

{ 1 comment }