cdkitchen > feeddaily blog
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Tea has become quite the rage in the last couple of years. It seems that the U.S. has finally caught up with the rest of the world when it comes to appreciating tea. Between the increased interest in health and alternative medicine and a growing number of teashops selling specialty teas and tea-based products, Americans are becoming increasingly savvy about this versatile beverage. Hot, cold, green, herbal, black, white, fruity--even chocolate! From a comforting cup of Constant Commet to Starbucks' chai latte, tea has a wide range of flavors and personalities. In fact...
by
The word is in. Kids are quite influential when it comes to where the grocery money goes. According to a recent Just Kid Inc.'s FUNdamentals study, "most kids between the ages of two and 12 want to eat food with their fingers or be able to dip or scoop it." They also report that kids like to add things like sprinkles, sauces or toppings, and most children prefer products with filling or frosting, not to mention fun shapes and cool colors. But that's probably no surprise to you, right? And while it may seem that doesn't leave a lot of options for variety or nutrition...
by
As I write this, our kitchen is being re-modeled. In other words: the house is a mess. The kitchen is ripped apart. And we're eating off paper plates with no kitchen sink. Yeah, I knew it was coming. And yeah, it's a serious reality check. Just having to put together a meal and not having a sink with running water nearby is a challenge all in itself. Add to that: no stove, no oven and no counter space. On the positive side: toaster oven, microwave and a borrowed one-pot electric burner. Sounds like an interesting way to whip up meals...
by
This week I will be dedicating my column to vegetarian slow cooking. As I write this, I have just returned from visiting my brother and sister-in-law in the hospital with their new baby girl, Ella. She was born just after midnight last night and I couldn't be a prouder first-time aunt. The family won't be home for another day or two. While I am at their apartment dog-sitting, I have been thinking of simple meals that I can help them prepare in advance to make it easier for them get by in the first few demanding and sleep deprived months. My sister-in-law, Julie, is...
by
Just when I was wondering how I was going to get everything done - the idea struck: Kids' Night to Cook. Would there be a way that I could give the kids first-hand experience in the kitchen and give myself some breathing space? While so often it seems I'm scrambling at the last minute to see what's in the refrig or pantry - perhaps with just a bit of pre-planning, maybe I could put together a list of some items that a 13- and 8-year old could prep and cook together? So we started this grand experiment last week - and I'm writing to share with you the...
by
Today is my birthday, which unfortunately doesn't really mean anything since I still have to go to work and school. I love having a birthday in December; however, since I've been in college, my birthday has always come smack dab in the middle of final exam week. It's fine, though. I'll make it up on the weekend (after I turn in one last big paper!). Apparently, I was supposed to be a Thanksgiving baby. My mom's parents, my parents, and my mom's sister actually had a big Thanksgiving dinner the week before Thanksgiving, just in case I came on schedule. As my mom tells the...
by
The other day I thought I might go to the supermarket for a steak. I also decided to replenish my detergents, soaps, my cache of spring water and soda, and other various items that require the use of a buggy. I very rarely shop with a buggy. I usually use a small basket that I carry on my arm. One reason I don't shop with a buggy is that they call it a "basket" here in Austin, Texas. I hate hearing them ask, "do you need a basket" when I check out sometimes, especially when I do not need a buggy and used a basket to shop. The Easter Bunny uses a basket, not a buggy. I also...
by
You've completed all of your holiday shopping for the year. But then you wake up in the middle of the night in a panic, remembering that one last person who means something special to you and your family. Maybe it's your child's piano teacher, an elderly neighbor, or a work comrade. Certainly not someone you would want to forget during the holidays! Problem is you're burnt out on fighting the crowds while shopping, along with all the traffic and parking headaches. Not to mention the lines in the store. You could grab a gift card while checking out at the grocery store (and...
by
If you are in charge of the food for Thanksgiving this year (or even for part of it), you are probably a little frazzled by now and if you're spending any time online at all it's probably for some last minute recipe help. So, here's some help with the most common searches and inquiries we get on Thanksgiving Day
by
As you can imagine, Thanksgiving is CDK's busiest week of the year. So pulling off a full-fledged Thanksgiving dinner is sometimes a challenge. The recipe for success is in the planning. And while I have planned ahead, I'll share some hints for those of you panicking right now.
by
As I've written before, every time I move to a new state I attempt to master the local cuisine. I grew up on Georgia soul food, so I have the collards and deep-fried this-and-that down. When I moved to Minnesota, mastering the cuisine was something of a challenge since, well, since there really isn't one. Cooking authentic Minnesotan meant you went to the state fair for fried cheese curds (something you can't really do at home). It also meant that I tried my hand at Thai and Indian food (since I don't do Lutefisk, and "hot dishes" or casseroles are antithetical to my cooking philosophy).
by
Since the clock fell back, the evenings have instantly taken on the unmistakable feeling of autumn. Parts of the country have already had their first snowfall and others have felt a chill so cold it reaches down to the bones. Even in the sunnier states, the few leaves that aren't palms have largely turned colors. All of this means it is time to hunker down for a bowl of something hand warming, belly filling, and soul soothing. It might not be quite time to hibernate for winter, but there is nothing wrong with storing up for it with a big pot beans and...
by
Where did Frito Pie come from? According to a story passed on by Frito-Lay employees, Frito Pie was created by mumsie Daisy, who started inventing recipes to help market her son's chips and promote the growing company (as if donating her ring wasn't enough!). One day it donned on her to pour that staple of Texas diets (chili) onto the chips, and presto: Frito Pie! It's become such a standard in the Southwest that you'll frequently find a recipe for it in a number of Tex Mex cookbooks, all consisting of the same basic ingredients; the difference in style is what kind of chili you use and how you serve it.
by
Have you ever tasted something so hot that you felt the heat rising through your body and felt the need to go running for the nearest glass of water? Every time I cook or taste anything flavored with a fiery habanero pepper, I do just that, and then it takes my mouth a long while afterward to cool off. But the heat gives such a rush of flavor that it makes it worth it every time. Although generally I like heat on more of a mild to medium level, every once in a while a good dose of the hot stuff can shake things up.
by
There is no question that these are uncertain economic times. And there is no category where that is more evident than in the price of things we need every day like gas, diapers, and food. Rationing rice purchases at Costco may be an extreme measure for preventing a run on staple food items, but the fact is that even food we take for granted for its frugality, such as rice, is starting to lighten the wallet. Fortunate as we are that we live in country where rice is affordable to most people, the rising cost of food is making cooking wholesome meals from scratch more of...
by
I have a friend who can remember nearly every outfit she wore during special moments in her life. Her red Mary Janes on the first day of kindergarten, the hand-embroidered peasant blouse for high school graduation, the dangerously short Mary Quant mini skirt for dinner in London with her first real love--she can describe the outfits in exacting detail right down to the accessories. I have another friend who remembers the weather, how it rained on the day her college-bound boyfriend told her he loved her, the blinding snow storm on her first Christmas morning with her newly born daughter...
From The Editors At CDKitchen: Feed Daily
by
Tea has become quite the rage in the last couple of years. It seems that the U.S. has finally caught up with the rest of the world when it comes to appreciating tea. Between the increased interest in health and alternative medicine and a growing number of teashops selling specialty teas and tea-based products, Americans are becoming increasingly savvy about this versatile beverage. Hot, cold, green, herbal, black, white, fruity--even chocolate! From a comforting cup of Constant Commet to Starbucks' chai latte, tea has a wide range of flavors and personalities. In fact...
by
The word is in. Kids are quite influential when it comes to where the grocery money goes. According to a recent Just Kid Inc.'s FUNdamentals study, "most kids between the ages of two and 12 want to eat food with their fingers or be able to dip or scoop it." They also report that kids like to add things like sprinkles, sauces or toppings, and most children prefer products with filling or frosting, not to mention fun shapes and cool colors. But that's probably no surprise to you, right? And while it may seem that doesn't leave a lot of options for variety or nutrition...
by
As I write this, our kitchen is being re-modeled. In other words: the house is a mess. The kitchen is ripped apart. And we're eating off paper plates with no kitchen sink. Yeah, I knew it was coming. And yeah, it's a serious reality check. Just having to put together a meal and not having a sink with running water nearby is a challenge all in itself. Add to that: no stove, no oven and no counter space. On the positive side: toaster oven, microwave and a borrowed one-pot electric burner. Sounds like an interesting way to whip up meals...
by
This week I will be dedicating my column to vegetarian slow cooking. As I write this, I have just returned from visiting my brother and sister-in-law in the hospital with their new baby girl, Ella. She was born just after midnight last night and I couldn't be a prouder first-time aunt. The family won't be home for another day or two. While I am at their apartment dog-sitting, I have been thinking of simple meals that I can help them prepare in advance to make it easier for them get by in the first few demanding and sleep deprived months. My sister-in-law, Julie, is...
by
Just when I was wondering how I was going to get everything done - the idea struck: Kids' Night to Cook. Would there be a way that I could give the kids first-hand experience in the kitchen and give myself some breathing space? While so often it seems I'm scrambling at the last minute to see what's in the refrig or pantry - perhaps with just a bit of pre-planning, maybe I could put together a list of some items that a 13- and 8-year old could prep and cook together? So we started this grand experiment last week - and I'm writing to share with you the...
by
Today is my birthday, which unfortunately doesn't really mean anything since I still have to go to work and school. I love having a birthday in December; however, since I've been in college, my birthday has always come smack dab in the middle of final exam week. It's fine, though. I'll make it up on the weekend (after I turn in one last big paper!). Apparently, I was supposed to be a Thanksgiving baby. My mom's parents, my parents, and my mom's sister actually had a big Thanksgiving dinner the week before Thanksgiving, just in case I came on schedule. As my mom tells the...
by
The other day I thought I might go to the supermarket for a steak. I also decided to replenish my detergents, soaps, my cache of spring water and soda, and other various items that require the use of a buggy. I very rarely shop with a buggy. I usually use a small basket that I carry on my arm. One reason I don't shop with a buggy is that they call it a "basket" here in Austin, Texas. I hate hearing them ask, "do you need a basket" when I check out sometimes, especially when I do not need a buggy and used a basket to shop. The Easter Bunny uses a basket, not a buggy. I also...
by
You've completed all of your holiday shopping for the year. But then you wake up in the middle of the night in a panic, remembering that one last person who means something special to you and your family. Maybe it's your child's piano teacher, an elderly neighbor, or a work comrade. Certainly not someone you would want to forget during the holidays! Problem is you're burnt out on fighting the crowds while shopping, along with all the traffic and parking headaches. Not to mention the lines in the store. You could grab a gift card while checking out at the grocery store (and...
by
If you are in charge of the food for Thanksgiving this year (or even for part of it), you are probably a little frazzled by now and if you're spending any time online at all it's probably for some last minute recipe help. So, here's some help with the most common searches and inquiries we get on Thanksgiving Day
by
As you can imagine, Thanksgiving is CDK's busiest week of the year. So pulling off a full-fledged Thanksgiving dinner is sometimes a challenge. The recipe for success is in the planning. And while I have planned ahead, I'll share some hints for those of you panicking right now.
by
As I've written before, every time I move to a new state I attempt to master the local cuisine. I grew up on Georgia soul food, so I have the collards and deep-fried this-and-that down. When I moved to Minnesota, mastering the cuisine was something of a challenge since, well, since there really isn't one. Cooking authentic Minnesotan meant you went to the state fair for fried cheese curds (something you can't really do at home). It also meant that I tried my hand at Thai and Indian food (since I don't do Lutefisk, and "hot dishes" or casseroles are antithetical to my cooking philosophy).
by
Since the clock fell back, the evenings have instantly taken on the unmistakable feeling of autumn. Parts of the country have already had their first snowfall and others have felt a chill so cold it reaches down to the bones. Even in the sunnier states, the few leaves that aren't palms have largely turned colors. All of this means it is time to hunker down for a bowl of something hand warming, belly filling, and soul soothing. It might not be quite time to hibernate for winter, but there is nothing wrong with storing up for it with a big pot beans and...
by
Where did Frito Pie come from? According to a story passed on by Frito-Lay employees, Frito Pie was created by mumsie Daisy, who started inventing recipes to help market her son's chips and promote the growing company (as if donating her ring wasn't enough!). One day it donned on her to pour that staple of Texas diets (chili) onto the chips, and presto: Frito Pie! It's become such a standard in the Southwest that you'll frequently find a recipe for it in a number of Tex Mex cookbooks, all consisting of the same basic ingredients; the difference in style is what kind of chili you use and how you serve it.
by
Have you ever tasted something so hot that you felt the heat rising through your body and felt the need to go running for the nearest glass of water? Every time I cook or taste anything flavored with a fiery habanero pepper, I do just that, and then it takes my mouth a long while afterward to cool off. But the heat gives such a rush of flavor that it makes it worth it every time. Although generally I like heat on more of a mild to medium level, every once in a while a good dose of the hot stuff can shake things up.
by
There is no question that these are uncertain economic times. And there is no category where that is more evident than in the price of things we need every day like gas, diapers, and food. Rationing rice purchases at Costco may be an extreme measure for preventing a run on staple food items, but the fact is that even food we take for granted for its frugality, such as rice, is starting to lighten the wallet. Fortunate as we are that we live in country where rice is affordable to most people, the rising cost of food is making cooking wholesome meals from scratch more of...
by
I have a friend who can remember nearly every outfit she wore during special moments in her life. Her red Mary Janes on the first day of kindergarten, the hand-embroidered peasant blouse for high school graduation, the dangerously short Mary Quant mini skirt for dinner in London with her first real love--she can describe the outfits in exacting detail right down to the accessories. I have another friend who remembers the weather, how it rained on the day her college-bound boyfriend told her he loved her, the blinding snow storm on her first Christmas morning with her newly born daughter...