March 20-21, 2010Weekend of glutenous homemade gluten.
Visit flickr to see the ever-growing Weekend Diptych collection.
Visit flickr to see the ever-growing Weekend Diptych collection.
Showing posts with label food. Show all posts
Showing posts with label food. Show all posts
Monday, March 22, 2010
Friday, March 05, 2010
Bonus Bone: Picnic Plates
The weather was so totally nice in Chicago yesterday...
So this time, when I found myself waiting for my ride, instead of shivering and swearing, I was squinting and smiling. As my face soaked up the warmth of the sun, I actually started to think of spring. And then, since I was hungry, I started to think of food.
The sun, the snacks, the several minutes of trainspotting - it all got me in the mood for a picnic and these plates are so totally cute.
For these reasons, I, Cardboard, declare this a Design Boner.
So this time, when I found myself waiting for my ride, instead of shivering and swearing, I was squinting and smiling. As my face soaked up the warmth of the sun, I actually started to think of spring. And then, since I was hungry, I started to think of food.
The sun, the snacks, the several minutes of trainspotting - it all got me in the mood for a picnic and these plates are so totally cute.
For these reasons, I, Cardboard, declare this a Design Boner.
Friday, January 08, 2010
Bonus Bone: Big Ol' Bright Color at Crate & Barrel
Crate & Barrel is often noted for their clean whites and sophisticated wood palette but they're showing up with some in-your-face color with their latest catalog.
Check out some of the yum proving to be a welcome candy-coating to this dull Chicago winter:
For this reason, I, Cardboard, declare this a Design Boner.
Check out some of the yum proving to be a welcome candy-coating to this dull Chicago winter:
For this reason, I, Cardboard, declare this a Design Boner.
Thursday, December 17, 2009
I Am Cracker
Ever since watching this video...
...I haven't been able to open an egg to save my life. Every omelet is preceded by this Humpty Dumpty fumble of a dramatic eggactment.
Want your very own EZ Cracker? They do exist.
...I haven't been able to open an egg to save my life. Every omelet is preceded by this Humpty Dumpty fumble of a dramatic eggactment.
Want your very own EZ Cracker? They do exist.
Wednesday, December 02, 2009
Dining room mock-up
Clockwise from top center: PH5 pendant lamp, at DWR; Modern drape rod, at Pottery Barn; Wool panel with grommets, at West Elm; Norden dining table, at Ikea; Rona stemware, at CB2; Ikea 365+ dinner plate, at Ikea; Spin napkin, at Crate & Barrel; Strand flatware, at Crate & Barrel; Fiberglass shell chair, at Modernica; Wegner Wishbone chair, at Room & Board
After Thanksgiving, I've really had the desire to make my dining area look more put together. Our dining room shares space with my painting studio and it has worked out, for the most part, but it can get pretty cluttered.
I'm tossing around the idea of switching our dining room and our living room, although if you want to get technical, we'd be moving it into its properly designated room. I'd still share the front room, but this time with the boob tube. Imagine painting and watching some Gossip Girl, my semi-secret guilty pleasure! All of my paintings will start being of Serena and Blair.
Don't fret Cardboard! You will always be my muse!
My one big reluctance is that we'll go through the trouble of moving all of the heavy furniture and end up not liking it - only to be forced to move it back (and having Hardwood not too pleased with this hair-brained scheme of mine).
To get the creative juices flowing, I made a mock-up featuring a few items we already have (table, shell chairs, dishes/tableware) and a few Scandinavian classics that I've always wanted. We have three Eames shell chairs in yellow ochre, so I'd like to round out the set with a few more. (I'm currently scouring eBay.) I feel the black wishbone chairs at either end of the table would balance out all the lighter colors, as would the dark curtains and rod. And I'd give anything to get rid of our '80s chandelier. (Also scouring eBay for a good deal on the PH5 light.)
So how do you think I should propose these suggestions to Hardwood? Anything you'd add or subtract from the mock-up?
After Thanksgiving, I've really had the desire to make my dining area look more put together. Our dining room shares space with my painting studio and it has worked out, for the most part, but it can get pretty cluttered.
I'm tossing around the idea of switching our dining room and our living room, although if you want to get technical, we'd be moving it into its properly designated room. I'd still share the front room, but this time with the boob tube. Imagine painting and watching some Gossip Girl, my semi-secret guilty pleasure! All of my paintings will start being of Serena and Blair.
Don't fret Cardboard! You will always be my muse!
My one big reluctance is that we'll go through the trouble of moving all of the heavy furniture and end up not liking it - only to be forced to move it back (and having Hardwood not too pleased with this hair-brained scheme of mine).
To get the creative juices flowing, I made a mock-up featuring a few items we already have (table, shell chairs, dishes/tableware) and a few Scandinavian classics that I've always wanted. We have three Eames shell chairs in yellow ochre, so I'd like to round out the set with a few more. (I'm currently scouring eBay.) I feel the black wishbone chairs at either end of the table would balance out all the lighter colors, as would the dark curtains and rod. And I'd give anything to get rid of our '80s chandelier. (Also scouring eBay for a good deal on the PH5 light.)
So how do you think I should propose these suggestions to Hardwood? Anything you'd add or subtract from the mock-up?
Tuesday, December 01, 2009
Electric Soup
Zing! I love the deep, rich cobalt color of this stockpot. I just don't think my kitchen is big enough to contain all that electricity...
...Or this electricity:
Friday, November 20, 2009
Bonus Bone: Albion gravy boat
Albion Sauce/Gravy Pitcher, at The Conran ShopThanksgiving is less than a week away. Do you have your gravy boat ready? Excuse me, I mean sauce pitcher. Ooo la la! So fancy, those Brits! What they call a sauce pitcher, we call a BOAT.
Anyhoo, I love the simple, elegant lines of this boat designed by Terence Conran. The shape is a simplified, subtle bird. The spout is its beak while the handle and plumage act as tail feathers. This is a bird theme I can get behind.
Pass the gravy, darlin'!
For these reasons, I, Porcelain, declare this a Design Boner.
Anyhoo, I love the simple, elegant lines of this boat designed by Terence Conran. The shape is a simplified, subtle bird. The spout is its beak while the handle and plumage act as tail feathers. This is a bird theme I can get behind.
Pass the gravy, darlin'!
For these reasons, I, Porcelain, declare this a Design Boner.
Friday, November 13, 2009
Bonus Bone: Anti-Theft Lunch Bags
They complete my design trifecta: smart, a little gross, and funnyhaha.
For these reasons, I, Cardboard, declare this a Design Boner.
For these reasons, I, Cardboard, declare this a Design Boner.
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
Making my life easier: Mini food processor
Mini-Prep Plus 4-cup food processor, at CuisinartHardwood and I use our mini food processor a lot. It's great for buzzing up a bunch of onions, making a small batch of pesto, or blending a few bananas for a delicious cake. We still would love to get a full size food processor for making our own bread and pasta, but this mini version works great for our two-person household.
Thursday, September 17, 2009
Salad Days
Hardwood and I are both vegetarian, so salads as main courses are a big part of our dinner repertoire. Cardboard has inspired me to share our favorite new creation.- Baby spinach
- Cucumber, peeled and sliced
- Button mushrooms, sliced paper thin
- Vidalia onion, sliced thin
- Green Zebra tomatoes, cut into wedges
- Hard boiled eggs, cut into wedges
- Capers
- Walnuts
- Gorgonzola, finely crumbled
- White wine vinaigrette, highly recommend using this white balsamic
- Sea salt and pepper, to taste
The salad is a great balance of textures and flavors - with the crunchiness of the fresh cucumbers, sweet Vidalia onions and walnuts, melt-in-your-mouth pungent blue cheese, creamy hard eggs, and toothsome slices of mushrooms. Yet another one to try!
Monday, August 31, 2009
More on Onions...
Porcelain's mention of onions (and where to put 'em) last week reminded me of these fun lights. The Cibola Table Lamp by Scabetti has been in my MUST POST file for awhile. I love it, especially in the burgundy, which brings to mind red onions, which then brings to mind my favorite sandwich (see #7).
After locating the Scabetti website, I discovered they also make a similar Cibola Pendant. So chic! If you're crying out to get your hands on one, you must contact the designers, as each piece is made to order.
After locating the Scabetti website, I discovered they also make a similar Cibola Pendant. So chic! If you're crying out to get your hands on one, you must contact the designers, as each piece is made to order.
Thursday, August 27, 2009
Onion storage
Hardwood and I cook with onions a lot! We always have a bag or two laying around ready to be used in making vegetable stock, sautéed to put over a few pierogies or thinly sliced for a sandwich. Our current storage situation is rather pathetic. Behold!
Onions on a "festive" tray on top of our cat food storage (old litter container).
It's rather unsightly. Martha Stewart, we are not. So we've been looking around for other options - something that won't take up much space and that will allow some air flow.
I spotted the Grom storage containers in the new Ikea catalog and think they might be perfect. They can hang on the bottom shelf in our pantry and since they are so cheap we could grab a second one for some potatoes and other wintertime tubers.
Onions on a "festive" tray on top of our cat food storage (old litter container). I spotted the Grom storage containers in the new Ikea catalog and think they might be perfect. They can hang on the bottom shelf in our pantry and since they are so cheap we could grab a second one for some potatoes and other wintertime tubers.
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
A Salad Story
Urgh, making dinner. It can be fun, romantic, soothing, etc, but it can also be a pain in the arse.
Between having a broken refrigerator (2 weeks!), hanging out with Heat (3 months!), and working long hours (4-ever), I recently have found myself relying on easy, often-boxed dinners. This means a lot of frozen pizzas and eating out.
When I was living with Bamboo, the two of us got into the good habit of making simple but healthy dinners and exercising more. After a few months of this, I started craving nutrient-rich foods, like big ol' salads and crisp fruit. But I fear I've slipped back to dreaming of a gyros platter with a side of cookie dough.
To get back on track, I hit the gym yesterday and Heat & I made this inspirational salad for dinner:
Start with a big bowl. Throw this stuff in it.
OMG, oishii! I would have taken a photo of the dish but it was late and I was hongry. In truth, the salad isn't much to look at because the avocado smooshes all over but it is very spicy/tasty. And you should try it. And that is all.
Between having a broken refrigerator (2 weeks!), hanging out with Heat (3 months!), and working long hours (4-ever), I recently have found myself relying on easy, often-boxed dinners. This means a lot of frozen pizzas and eating out.
When I was living with Bamboo, the two of us got into the good habit of making simple but healthy dinners and exercising more. After a few months of this, I started craving nutrient-rich foods, like big ol' salads and crisp fruit. But I fear I've slipped back to dreaming of a gyros platter with a side of cookie dough.
To get back on track, I hit the gym yesterday and Heat & I made this inspirational salad for dinner:
Start with a big bowl. Throw this stuff in it.
- Baby spinach
- Cherry tomatoes
- Cucumber, chopped
- Avocado, chopped
- Carrot, grated
- Almonds, sliced
- Feta, crumbled
- BOCA Spicy Chik'n patties, cooked and chopped (I use one per person)
- Drizzle of Sriracha
- Dash of lemon juice
- Pinch of salt
- Splash of Newman's Own Low Fat Sesame Ginger Dressing
OMG, oishii! I would have taken a photo of the dish but it was late and I was hongry. In truth, the salad isn't much to look at because the avocado smooshes all over but it is very spicy/tasty. And you should try it. And that is all.
Thursday, August 13, 2009
Freezer Teaser
I just mentioned to Porcelain how I had never heard of anyone making grape ice cream/sorbet/gelato. Is it even possible?
Turns out, I just don't get my mouth out that much. Porcelain found this recipe for Concord Grape Sorbet on Gourmet. If you don't want to try it for the taste, what about making it solely for that color? Delicious, all around.
Anyone know of any other grape flavored icy desserts? Porcelain's got an ice cream maker and I feel like stuffing it with bunches.
Monday, May 25, 2009
Memorial Day Means More Than Grilling But We're Just Going To Simplify
No more snow grill! Get out there, dust it off, degrease it, derust.Let's start this summer thang cookin'.
Happy Memorial Day!
Happy Memorial Day!
Monday, May 11, 2009
This is My Love on Steroids
Dang it. I just found the perfect Mother's Day present and it's one day late.
These decadent apple orbs serve 8-10 people. 8-10! I do believe that, had I planned ahead and actually bought her one, this is what Mama Cardboard would have called an "apple huge."
Hope all you foxy mothers had a great holiday weekend!
Sunday, April 12, 2009
Wednesday, April 01, 2009
No Joke: April Food Day
Large-hearted bloggers, Pigtown*Design and Easy & Elegant Life, have joined forces to create April Food Day, a ONE-DAY fundraiser to raise money and donations for food banks across America. They're working with Feeding America (formerly Second Harvest), a national food bank with 200 member banks across the country.
They asked us to post about this fundraiser - actually, they asked Briggles to post about it but then she asked us (and then we e-bantered back and forth about the sale of Michael Jackson's arcade collection and suggestive prom dresses) ...Regardless...
The point is that you should think about donating to this cause - on this day - no joke. Seeing as how $1 will buy 10 pounds of food (!!), you don't have to break your bank to make a difference.
Read more about April Food Day HERE and give up your hard-earned goodness HERE.
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
Tofu & Pasta Necessity
You guys have to try this recipe! I don't care if ham-on-the-bone or skirt steak is your favorite, try this:
Pasta w/Fried Tofu, Roasted Peppers, Olives *
Serves 4
16 ozs extra-firm tofu, cubed
3 tbsp canola (etc) oil
1 tbsp soy sauce
6 garlic cloves, minced
7-oz jar of roasted red peppers, drained and diced
10 black olives, pitted and halved
1/2 cup fresh parsley sprigs, chopped
1/4 cup fresh basil leaves, chopped
1/2 tsp salt
pepper to taste
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
4 handfuls of pasta (rigatoni?)
In a large frying pan, fry the tofu in the canola oil until golden brown. Stir and flip occasionally.
Transfer to a large bowl, and drizzle with the soy sauce. Toss well and set aside. Save the pan!
In a large pot, bring several quarts of water to a boil. Cook the pasta in the boiling water until al dente. Drain, reserving 1/2 cup of the water.
Meanwhile, in the same tofu frying pan, saute the garlic in the olive oil for 30 seconds. Add the peppers, and cook 2 minutes longer.
Stir in the olives, parsley, basil, salt and pepper and tofu. Toss well.
Stir the reserved pasta water into the sauce. Cook for 1 minute.
Place the pasta in a serving bowl, and pour on the sauce. Mix well, sprinkle on the Parmesan, toss, and serve.
Pasta w/Fried Tofu, Roasted Peppers, Olives *
Serves 4
16 ozs extra-firm tofu, cubed
3 tbsp canola (etc) oil
1 tbsp soy sauce
6 garlic cloves, minced
7-oz jar of roasted red peppers, drained and diced
10 black olives, pitted and halved
1/2 cup fresh parsley sprigs, chopped
1/4 cup fresh basil leaves, chopped
1/2 tsp salt
pepper to taste
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
4 handfuls of pasta (rigatoni?)
In a large frying pan, fry the tofu in the canola oil until golden brown. Stir and flip occasionally.
Transfer to a large bowl, and drizzle with the soy sauce. Toss well and set aside. Save the pan!
In a large pot, bring several quarts of water to a boil. Cook the pasta in the boiling water until al dente. Drain, reserving 1/2 cup of the water.
Meanwhile, in the same tofu frying pan, saute the garlic in the olive oil for 30 seconds. Add the peppers, and cook 2 minutes longer.
Stir in the olives, parsley, basil, salt and pepper and tofu. Toss well.
Stir the reserved pasta water into the sauce. Cook for 1 minute.
Place the pasta in a serving bowl, and pour on the sauce. Mix well, sprinkle on the Parmesan, toss, and serve.
Saturday, March 21, 2009
RuMe Bags
Oh, pretty pattern! Not since the Envirosax have I been so attracted to a reusable grocery tote. Yet these RuMe bags (get it? roomy...) are less expensive (3 for $25) and they're constructed to stand open, like an "old-fashioned paper bag."
One last reason to grab some for yourself: apparently "Nicole Richie and Joel Madden LOVE their RuMe Bags" (yet the Delight link is broken so I'm wondering who, really, is behind this celebrity endorsement).
One last reason to grab some for yourself: apparently "Nicole Richie and Joel Madden LOVE their RuMe Bags" (yet the Delight link is broken so I'm wondering who, really, is behind this celebrity endorsement).
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