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A Pleasant Little Wedding Brunch

Tags: A Pleasant Little Kitchen, market street, wedding

Wednesday, June 7, 2017 9:38:33 AM

Post and images by guest blogger, Rebecca White, of A Pleasant Little Kitchen.

Visit her full blog or find out more about her here.

There was a season of my life where it seemed like several weekends out of the summer involved parties celebrating the nuptials of dear friends. A few lucky times, I would be one of the friends who got to throw the get together.

The …
» Read More
A Pleasant Little Football Menu

Tags: A Pleasant Little Kitchen, football, menu

Thursday, September 14, 2017 10:49:00 AM

Post and images by guest blogger, Rebecca White, of A Pleasant Little Kitchen.

Visit her full blog or find out more about her here.

There is a question that seems to circulate in our household every week during football season…

“What are we making for the game?”

I dunno. What sounds good to you?

“Wanna grill?”

Absolutely I want to grill.

Yup. Almost every …
» Read More
Jalapeno and Caramelized Onion Mashed Potatoes

Tags: A Pleasant Little Kitchen, thanksgiving

Monday, November 20, 2017 3:56:00 PM

Post and images by guest blogger, Rebecca White, of A Pleasant Little Kitchen.

Visit her full blog or find out more about her here.

I ate a lot of mashed potatoes growing up. Once a week our family would have a roast at Granny’s house and instead of roast potatoes she would serve mashed potatoes.

I still remember the hand held potato masher my grandfather would man as …
» Read More
Spring Into Safe Cleaning

Tags: Spring Cleaning, Safe Cleaning

Thursday, May 3, 2018 11:15:00 AM

For many people, spending time in the kitchen offers a chance to step away from our hectic lives and put our creativity to work. Whether it’s a home-cooked chicken cacciatore or a freshly baked blueberry pie, the opportunities are endless.

Food offers so many great benefits aside from the nutrition it provides. Cooking helps relieve stress and gives us an outlet to …
» Read More
Nacho Party

Tags: market street, APLK, Big Game, Party Recipes, Feeding a Crowd

Tuesday, January 31, 2017 7:22:32 PM

Post and images by guest blogger, Rebecca White, of A Pleasant Little Kitchen.

Visit her full blog or find out more about her here.

There’s an impending large crowd to feed on Super Bowl Sunday and they are coming to your home expecting food and fun.

The amount of time available to prepare dinner is limited so not only does the meal need to be easily prepared and …
» Read More
Fast Dinners

Tags: market street, APLK, Fast Dinners, Weeknight Meals

Friday, May 19, 2017 12:27:49 PM

Post and images by guest blogger, Rebecca White, of A Pleasant Little Kitchen.

Visit her full blog or find out more about her here.

All evenings are not created equal and the dinner cooked each night needs to fit the need of each day.

An intricate recipe doesn't work on those busy weekday nights, but take-out doesn't always have to be an option either.

Quick, …
» Read More

6 Information Results For cooking classes

A Pleasant Little Wedding Brunch

  Post and images by guest blogger, Rebecca White, of A Pleasant Little Kitchen.  Visit her full blog or find out more about her here.  There was a season of my life where it seemed like several weekends out of the summer involved parties celebrating the nuptials of dear friends. A few lucky times, I would be one of the friends who got to throw the get together. The more I hosted, the more I realized being a good hostess is an art form and it takes practice to perfect it. Hosting is hard. But once you’ve figure out the ins and outs, it becomes a blessing not a burden.   Shower after shower my group of college girlfriends and I developed a systematic and successful approach to hosting. A few of the techniques we discovered that made the party successful were: Delegate responsibilities to the proper hostess. For instance: the outgoing hostess should greet, the organized hostess should manage checking off the list of day-of requirements, the creative hostess is in charge of table arrangements, etc. Having everyone at the post they feel most comfortable makes for a more relaxed gathering.   If possible, have two hostesses greet at the door to offer to take purses, jackets and gifts. One can direct the party goer to the gatherine while the other puts up the belongings and gifts. Make sure there is plenty of seating for everyone attending. Cluster the seating in groups of three or four to encourage conversation. Prep the night ahead if possible-- Arrange flowers, set-up the food and drink stations, etc. It makes the day of celebration less stressful.    Add fresh flower arrangements randomly throughout the party rooms. These bursts of color make for a romantic and beautiful touch. Market Street's floral department is full of beautiful prearranged bouquets that make the perfect touch to any gathering. If you're on a budget consider purchasing a few different types of flowers and make your own bouquets.   Aim to have everything set up 30 minutes before the party starts. This way all hostess should be able to catch their breaths AND be ready to smile and celebrate. Have a blend of homemade and pre-made food. Market Street has an excellent concierge service that will help you throw a tasty party. The concierge will assist you in selecting a few tasty add ons from their variety of menu items. If you go with a fresh fruit tray place it on a beautiful platter that you've picked up from one of my favorite spots, the Dish Department.   These days with small children it seems as though the opportunities to host showers, whether wedding or baby, are getting fewer and fewer. However, I have now taken this same approach of shower hosting to dinner party hosting and it still applies-- albeit there is only one hostess versus the five or six that’s offering a helping hand.   Celebrate your loved ones’ milestone with a party that is filled with intentionality, beautiful touches and delicious food. The next time you’re throwing a wedding shower let A Pleasant Little Kitchen be the hostess that arranges the food menu. And as always, these recipes are all make-ahead friendly which is critical to success when it comes to party throwing.   Watermelon Rose Granita Gougeres Fresh Fruit Tray Chive and Cheese Frittata Arugula Salad Cherry Tarts   Watermelon Rose Granita Author note: Another way to prepare this recipe is to pour the mixture into mason jars, cover, place in the freezer and shake every 30 to 45 minutes.   Ingredients 4 cups of fresh watermelon juice (about 6 cups of cut watermelon, that’s been juiced) 1/3 cup plus 1 tablespoon of rose simple syrup (click here for recipe) juice of 1 ½ limes mint for topping   Directions 1. Place all ingredients into a long glass pyrex and stir to combine. 2. Place in the freezer, and every 30 to 45 minutes scrape with a fork until broken up. (About 3 to 4 hours) 3. Continue this process until the juice has turned into a slushy delicious mess. 4. Serve in individual glasses and top with mint. Gougères Author note: Gougères are French cheese puffs. It is one of my favorite ways to make homemade rolls and feel fancy. These little cheese puffs are freezer friendly. Once baked, cool to room temperature and store in a freezer safe plastic bag. Reheat in the oven at 35o degrees for about 5-8 minutes. If you’re feeling fancy, you can pipe the dough into decorative shapes using a pastry bag. I prefer a spoon for a more rustic look.   Ingredients 3/4 cup whole milk 1/4 cup water 1 stick unsalted butter 3/4 teaspoon kosher salt pinch of nutmeg pinch of paprika 1 cup flour 3 eggs 3/4 cup grated gruyere 3/4 cup grated white cheddar   Directions 1. Heat the oven to 400 degrees. 2. In a sauce pan, combine the milk, water, butter, salt, nutmeg and paprika. Cook over medium-low heat until the butter is melted. Stir occasionally. 3. Quickly pour the flour into the saucepan and stir vigorously with a wooden spoon. Continue to do this until the dough pulls away from the pan and forms a ball. Stir until the dough begins to slightly stick to the bottom of the pan (about two minutes). 4. Remove from the heat and let cool for 1 minute. 5. Add one egg at a time to the batter, stirring constantly. The dough will get a somewhat shiny gooey exterior. 6. Add the cheese and stir well to combine. 7. Spoon the dough into 1 1/4- 1 1/2 inch rounds onto a parchment lined baking sheet. Baked for 22-25 minutes, or until the gougeres are lightly browned. Chive and Cheese Frittata Author note: I used to resort to the “flip” method of frittatas until I read Marcella Hazan’s Essentials of Classic Italian Cooking. Hazan preferred the “non-flip” method that simply leaves the frittata in the oven until it is completely cooked. I have since resorted to this method. Also, I don’t find it necessary to have a non-stick pan to have a successful frittata. With enough butter or olive oil to coat the skillet, the frittata comes out nicely. Finally, don’t be afraid to eat this anytime of the day– breakfast, lunch or dinner. It’s great with crusty bread and a nice salad.   Ingredients 5 eggs ¼ teaspoon kosher salt ¼ cup chives, chopped ¼ cup shredded mozzarella ¼ cup grated parmesan 2 tablespoons unsalted butter   Directions 1. Heat the oven to 350 degrees. 2. Meanwhile, place the eggs and salt in a medium size bowl and lightly beat. 3. Next, add the chives and cheese. Lightly beat to incorporate. Set aside. 4. In an 8-inch skillet, melt the butter on the stovetop. Once melted, swirl the butter around the pan to coat the bottom and sides. 5. Add the egg mixture into the skillet and then place in the oven. 6. Cook for 16 minutes, or until the eggs are cooked all the way through. Run a spatula carefully around the edges of the frittata to loosen it from the pan. Slide onto a cutting board, slice and serve. Arugula Salad Author note: This salad is incredibly flexible. Add whatever bits of herbs and vegetables you have lying in the fridge. Nuts or a boiled egg would turn this side dish into a protein rich meal. Gruyere, manchego, goat cheese or feta also work very well with this salad.   Ingredients 6 cups arugula 2 shallots, chopped 3/4 grated parmesan cheese 3 tablespoons balsamic vinegar 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil juice of 1 lemon juice 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt   Directions Add the arugula, shallots and cheese into a large bowl. Top with the vinegar, oil, lemon juice and salt. Toss well and serve immediately. Cherry Tarts   Ingredients for the filling 3 pounds fresh cherries, pitted pinch of kosher salt 3/4 cups sugar 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 1 cinnamon stick   Directions In a large saucepan, combine all ingredients. Stir and cover. Cook over medium-low heat for 20 minutes. Stir occasionally. Remove the lid, stir the mixture and increase the heat to medium or medium-high. Cook for 35-45 minutes (the cherries should maintain a steady boil). Stir frequently to prevent burning. When the mixture is reduced, thickened and coats the back of a spoon it is finished cooking. Remove from the heat and cool to room temperature. Store in the fridge.   Ingredients for the whipped cream cup cream 1/2 cup crème fraiche 3 teaspoons sugar 2 teaspoons vanilla extract   Directions Place a mixing bowl (stainless steel preferred) in the fridge and let chill for 15 minutes. Once the bowl is chilled, remove it from the fridge and place all ingredients into the bowl. With an electric mixer whip the cream mixture on medium until peaks form. Place in an airtight container and keep in the fridge until ready to use.   Ingredients for the tarts pastry shells cherry filling whipped vanilla cream   Directions Follow the pastry shells baking instructions. Let cool. Add the cherry filling to the baked shells. Top with a dollop of whipped cream. Serve chilled. Read More

A Pleasant Little Football Menu

  Post and images by guest blogger, Rebecca White, of A Pleasant Little Kitchen.  Visit her full blog or find out more about her here.  There is a question that seems to circulate in our household every week during football season… “What are we making for the game?” I dunno. What sounds good to you? “Wanna grill?” Absolutely I want to grill.  Yup. Almost every Wednesday when I’m headed to Market Street for weekly grocery shopping this question is tossed into the air and waits a reply. The answer is typically some form of grilling along with other grab and go types of food. I love this about football season. What I also love about football season is the culture of food and gathering it creates. There’s nothing quite like watching a game with friends and family while eating food that’s just as exciting as the game (or in some cases, better than the game). If you’ve experienced (or plan to experience) the same question I get asked weekly, today is your lucky day. Now you have an immediate answer. This weekend you’ll be cooking: green onion bacon dip + Market Street tortilla chips sirloin, sweet potato and garlic kebabs loaded fries cinnamon brown sugar popcorn with dark chocolate drizzle Now it’s your turn to pop on over to Market Street and make all your football watching, food grazing dreams come true. Oh! And don’t forget to throw in some Austin Eastciders Texas Honey, one of my favorite local beverages Market Street’s wine and beer department has available.  Soooooo… Wreck ‘Em Tech! Hook ‘Em Horns! Sic ‘Em Bears! Gig ‘em Aggies! Whatever your rally cry may be—happy watching AND eating!  Green Onion Bacon Dip    Ingredients 2 cups green onions, roughly chopped 1/2 cup chives, roughly chopped juice of 1/2 a lemon 12 ounces cream cheese, at room temperature 1 cup heavy cream zest of 1 lemon 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt 1 pound bacon chives, finely chopped (for topping)   Directions 1. In a food processor, puree the green onions, chives and lemon juice. 2. With a stand mixer or hand-held mixer, whip the cream cheese until smooth. 3. While mixing the cream cheese, slowly pour in the cream. 4. Add the onion and chive puree, lemon zest and salt to the cream cheese mixture. Mix well to combine. 5. Line a sieve with a few layers of cheese cloth (with excess hanging over the sieve). Pour the dip into the sieve, cover with the excess cloth, and place over a small bowl. Chill overnight. 6. The following day, cook the bacon until crispy and set aside on a paper towel-lined plate. 7. Once the bacon has cooled, chop it into bite-sized chunks. 8. Remove the dip from the fridge and uncover. Take the desired serving plate and place it on top of the sieve (make sure to align the sieve in the center of the serving plate). Holding both pieces together, carefully flip the sieve upside down (recruit a helping hand the first time you do this; it makes it easier). The dip will fall onto the serving plate. Remove the cheese cloth. 9. In large handfuls, cover the exposed surface of the dip with bacon. Continue this process until the entire cheese ball is coated. Sprinkle with chives. Serve chilled with tortilla chips or crackers. Sirloin, Sweet Potato and Garlic Kebabs   Ingredients 1 1/2 pounds sirloin steak, cut into 1 inch cubes 1 sweet potato, peeled cut into 1/4 inch thick and 1 inch long slices 1 onion, cut into 1x 1 1/2 inch pieces garlic cloves, peeled 1 teaspoon kosher salt extra-virgin olive oil pepper skewers yogurt sauce, for dipping (see recipe below)   Directions 1. 1 hour before grilling, soak the skewers in water (if using wooden skewers). 2. Heat the grill to 350-400 degrees. 3. On a skewer, alternate the pieces of meat, sweet potato, onions and garlic. Up to 3 pieces of meat per skewer. Be sure to leave a little room between each ingredient to help them cook evenly. 4. Coat each skewer with 1/2 teaspoon of oil, salt and pepper. 5. Grill 6-7 minutes per side. 6. Serve warm with garlic red pepper yogurt sauce. For the garlic red pepper yogurt sauce: Ingredients 1 cup plain yogurt 2 garlic cloves, rough chopped 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt 1 tablespoon olive oil juice of 1 lemon   Directions 1. Combine all ingredients into a small bowl and stir to combine. Store in an airtight container in the fridge. Loaded Fries Author note: Be creative with toppings for these fries. Guacamole, pimento cheese, brisket, shredded pork shoulder, brown gravy or fried onion strings could also be decadent toppers. If serving a crowd, set up a bar of toppings and let each guest decide how they want to top their french fries. There are no measurements listed on the amount of cheese to give you the flexibility to add as much as you would like.   Ingredients 1 bag frozen crinkle cut french fries shredded cheese 1 package of bacon, fried and chopped 1/2 red onion, diced sour cream 1 bundle of green onions, chopped 1/2 bundle of cilantro, chopped hot sauce   Directions 1. Cook the french fries according to the instructions on the back of the package. 2. Once the fries are cooked, lower the oven to 400 degrees and top the fries with a generous amount of cheese, bacon and red onions. 3. Place back into the oven until the cheese is melted. Finish the fries with dollops of sour cream, green onions, cilantro and hot sauce. Cinnamon and Brown Sugar Popcorn with Dark Chocolate Drizzle Author note: I prefer to pop my own popcorn for this snack, but when time is short and I use purchased popped popcorn.   Ingredients 2 tablespoon unsalted butter 1/4 cup light corn syrup 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon extract 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract 1/4 cup brown sugar 10 cups popped popcorn 3/4 cup dark chocolate candy coating   Directions 1. Heat the oven to 250 degrees. 2. In a small sauce pan, combine the butter, corn syrup, cinnamon extract and vanilla extract. Bring to a boil and cook for 5 minutes. 3. Place the popcorn in a large bowl. Pour the corn syrup mixture on top of popcorn and stir to coat. 4. Next sprinkle the sugar evenly over the popcorn and stir to coat. 5. Lay the popcorn on one large parchment-lined baking sheet (or two small ones). Place in the oven and cook for 1 hour, stirring every 15 minutes. 6. Remove from the oven and let cool completely. 7. Melt the chocolate candy coating per the instructions. 8. Drizzle on top of the popcorn to the desired amount. Let harden and serve. Read More

Jalapeno and Caramelized Onion Mashed Potatoes

Post and images by guest blogger, Rebecca White, of A Pleasant Little Kitchen.  Visit her full blog or find out more about her here.  I ate a lot of mashed potatoes growing up. Once a week our family would have a roast at Granny’s house and instead of roast potatoes she would serve mashed potatoes. I still remember the hand held potato masher my grandfather would man as he mashed the boiled potatoes. As he mashed he would generously add milk, butter and salt. They were delicious potatoes and part of my weekly diet. It’s the only thing I ever remember him making and he mastered it. Needless to say as I’ve gotten older, mashed potatoes has been on my list of sides to perfect. However just eating potatoes is not enough to understand the art of the potato. It requires a bit more research. Cooking with and reading about potatoes is also important. I’ve learned a handful of important pieces of information about potatoes from Marcella Hazaan, Jaques Pepin, Julia Child and through trial and error in my kitchen. I’d like to share them with you. 1) Not all potatoes are created equal. For mashed potatoes, go with a large Yukon gold potato (for baking select Russet potatoes). 2) Potatoes absorb liquid easily, so the less boil time the better. Slice or dice your potatoes in smaller sizes and decrease your cook time. 3) For the perfect mashed potato, do not whip your potatoes with a mixer, instead mash the potatoes with a hand held masher. 4) While the potato is being mashed salt the potato first before adding any liquid. 5) Potatoes and butter are best friends. Be generous with the butter. 6) Do not add cold liquid and butter to the hot potato. Cold ingredients will cool the potatoes. The goal is to keep the potatoes hot at the beginning of the mashing process. Add the cold ingredients (like cheese or sour cream) at the very end. 7) Warm the liquid (like whole milk, half and half or cream) and melt the butter together in a sauce pan before adding to the mashed potato. When using this method, a variety of flavors can be infused into the mashed potato. For example, add a few pieces of crushed garlic cloves to the liquid and the liquid butter mixture will have a hint of garlic flavor. Eureka! For a few years now I’ve longed to incorporate a Texas spin on Thanksgiving. At the heart of Thanksgiving is embracing the land in which you live and celebrating its culture on your table with loved ones. I live in Texas, so let’s honor Texas. No Thanksgiving table is complete without mashed potatoes and Texas would not be the same without jalapenos. Soooooooo….. Jalapenos + Caramelized Onions + Jalapeno Infused Cream and Butter = Everything I Want to Eat in My Potatoes It was even as if Market Street confirmed this Texas flavor profile in mashed potatoes. While gathering the ingredients at Market Street I was pleasantly surprised at the proximity of all the key ingredients. The potatoes, onions (grown in Texas too!) and garlic were all situated on the same stand. All I had to do was spin 180 degrees and there were the jalapenos. I win! Once home boiling potatoes and caramelizing onions, I decided that sautéed jalapenos weren’t enough jalapeno flavor for these potatoes. To infuse an additional layer of flavor into the mashed goodness I threw in the tops and bottoms of the jalapenos to the half and half butter mixture that was warming. Might have been the best decision yet because Jalapeno infused half and half is a treat. These mashed potatoes were filled with caramelized onions and sautéed jalapenos. It hit the bullseye on creating a hearty side dish that has a taste of Texas incorporated into it. So surprise the ones you love this Thanksgiving and serve them mashed potatoes that have a little bit of Texas “pop” to them. Jalapeno and Caramelized Onion Mashed Potatoes   Author note: These potatoes can be made up to three days in advance. To reheat, add additional half and half while heating on the stovetop, microwave or oven.   Ingredients 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil 2 onions, halved then thinly sliced 7 jalapenos, seeded and diced (set aside the stems to be used) 2 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt 8 cups Yukon Gold potatoes, peeled and diced 2 garlic cloves, crushed 1 cup half and half 8 tablespoons unsalted butter 1/4 cup sour cream   Directions 1. In a small saucepan warm the half and half, butter, garlic and jalapeno stems over low heat. Heat through for 15-20 minutes. Set aside. 2. Place the olive oil into a medium sized skillet. Add one layer of onions and season evenly with 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt. Add another layer of onions and season evenly with 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt. Cook on medium-low heat for 45 minutes. Stir occasionally. 3. Add the jalapenos and stir well. Cook for an additional 15 minutes. Set aside. 4. Meanwhile bring a large pan of water to boil and add the potatoes. Cook until tender. Strain the water. 5. Place the potatoes onto the stovetop. With a potato masher, mash the potatoes. Add 1 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt and stir. 6. Strain the half and half and butter mixture into the mashed potatoes. Stir well and continue to mash out any chunks of boiled potatoes. 7. Add the jalapeno onion mixture and sour cream to the mashed potatoes. Stir well until all the ingredients are well incorporated. Salt to taste and serve warm. Read More

Spring Into Safe Cleaning

For many people, spending time in the kitchen offers a chance to step away from our hectic lives and put our creativity to work. Whether it’s a home-cooked chicken cacciatore or a freshly baked blueberry pie, the opportunities are endless. Food offers so many great benefits aside from the nutrition it provides. Cooking helps relieve stress and gives us an outlet to introduce others to unique food pairings they have never tried before. But despite the time, effort and preparation we put into making our food healthy and delicious, the kitchen itself could still make us sick. Spring is a great time to do a little spring cleaning and learn about the hidden dangers in our kitchens and how to keep ourselves and our loved ones safe.   Cut to the Feeling Cutting boards serve a wide variety of purposes in the kitchen like cutting up raw meat, slicing veggies or acting as a pot holder for a finished meal. But all the wear and tear cutting boards go through makes them a great hiding spot for germs and bacteria to thrive. There are three main types of cutting boards; plastic, wooden and bamboo. For years, plastic was seen as the safest because it can be washed in a dishwasher. In tests performed by the University of Michigan, however, plastic cutting boards held more bacteria than wooden ones and were incredibly difficult to disinfect by hand. Wooden cutting boards are tougher on your knives, but if you get a good hardwood like maple or beech, the wood’s tight grains will trap moisture and bacteria, killing them as it dries. Make sure to wash all wooden cutting boards by hand and have a good disinfectant available to ensure the board is clean. Bamboo cutting boards, like these that we carry by Good Cook, have many of the same benefits as wood, but are actually even harder. The bright side of bamboo is that it absorbs less liquid than wood, so bacteria may have a difficult time thriving on those products.    My Chemical Romance Cleaning a kitchen takes time and, more often than not, a parade of chemicals and cleaners with difficult to pronounce ingredients. While it’s important to make sure the kitchen is safe to cook and eat in, what we use to clean surfaces and scrub with has a big impact on our health. The average person spends about $500 each year on cleaning supplies, but according to the Environmental Working Group, more than half of those products likely contain ingredients that could hurt our lungs. It isn’t just bleach and ammonia that are causing problems, either. Everything from oven cleaners and surface disinfectant sprays to window cleaners and air fresheners all contain toxins capable of causing a variety of respiratory problems. For example, chemicals like formaldehyde, sodium borate and chloroform can cause chronic problems like asthma, coughing, and wheezing, while others are known carcinogens. Some cleaning supplies are also capable of causing eye and lung irritation, dizziness, and nausea. The easiest way to avoid coming into contact with dangerous chemicals is to simply read the labels on your products to see what they contain. The Environmental Working Group allows you to search more than 2500 products and find out how they rank on an A-F scale. You can search products here: https://www.ewg.org/guides/cleaners Market Street carries a large variety of cleaning products that rank well on EWG's scale, like Honest brand dish soap, Seventh Generation multi-surface cleaner, Aunt Fannie's cleaning wipes, Lysol all-purpose cleaner, ECover Zero bleach and many more. Many of these cleaners are made with plant-derived elements, essential oils, and other thoughtfully chosen ingredients to keep your home free of toxic chemicals.   Radioactive Dishes and Asbestos Tiles You’ve probably heard the rumors about old Fiestaware dishes, cups and bowls being radioactive, and the rumors are true! From the 1930s until World War II, Fiesta dishes contained uranium oxide in the glaze, and could leach out of the plates if the food was highly acidic (like spaghetti sauce) or if the plate became damaged. After the war ended, plates were once again made using depleted uranium oxide until the ingredient was finally removed in 1972. Although Fiestaware plates do emit radiation and are likely to do so for many years, it isn’t the only manufacturer to add uranium oxide to its glazes. In fact, many bright red and orange plates, along with yellow, green and brown ones made during that time, all contained uranium to get their color. New Fiestaware and other colored ceramics are completely safe to eat off of and have been so for several decades.   What Have We Learned? Poisons come in all shapes and sizes, including products and items we never would have suspected. It might seem scary to think about, but you can remove a lot of the danger these toxins pose by just avoiding them. Use high-quality cleaning products or make your own to avoid nasty chemicals. To avoid cross-contamination, don’t use the same cutting board for raw chicken as you would for raw veggies and wash everything thoroughly. Put your grandmother’s Fiesta plates back in the cabinet instead of eating off of them, and have your kitchen - and home - checked for asbestos before attempting any kind of remodeling project. By making smarter decisions, you’ll avoid exposing yourself to toxins and find a little more peace of mind in the kitchen. Your body, and your family, will thank you!   Content provided by Mesothelioma + Asbestos Awareness Center Read More

Nacho Party

Post and images by guest blogger, Rebecca White, of A Pleasant Little Kitchen.  Visit her full blog or find out more about her here.  There’s an impending large crowd to feed on Super Bowl Sunday and they are coming to your home expecting food and fun. The amount of time available to prepare dinner is limited so not only does the meal need to be easily prepared and make-ahead friendly, but it also needs to be delicious. Within this hungry football crowd are sleeping food dragons. These are the difficult eaters—smug ‘foodies’ or an adult with a picky palate. May I suggest a nacho bar? A “Nacho Night” get-together is a winner for all, regardless of the team you root for. For the host, it is easy to plan and prepare. Meats and sauces can be made ahead, or even purchased from Market Street the night before and gently reheated before service. Clean-up is a cinch (disposable foil pie pans for all!). Toppings can be chopped and refrigerated a few hours before everyone arrives. You’ll be casually sipping on a margarita when everyone arrives…and silently laughing. You’re actually making them do the cooking. And they’ll love you for it. It’s a win for the guests because they are pleasantly surprised. Conversations become livelier as the diners dive into the nacho building process. There’s food options for the pickiest eaters. But the overarching point of a nacho bar is that it’s tasty, memorable fun. You’ll be adding a memory to their food story and that’s awesome. When people come knocking at your door ready for kick-off, you’ll be ready to score big with your fans. Offer up chips, a selection of toppings and lots of cheese. It’s nacho night in America! Here’s a brief game plan to follow for the nacho building: Chips- make sure the tortilla chip is thick, not thin. Also, open the tortilla chip bag at the bottom instead of at the top. This allows all the small chips to be on the bottom of the nacho pile instead of on top. Market Street provides an abundant selection of tortilla chips that are perfect for nachos. It ranges from Tia Rosa to Xochitl to Market Street's very own, house-made seasoned deli chips (that make my heart skip a beat). Cheese- Goopy “queso” is not invited to this nacho party. This makes the chips soggy and undesirable. Use a neutral blend of shredded cheese (Monterey Jack is a good option). Be very generous when adding the cheese. If your nachos are based on a theme (like Greek or Italian) use a meltable cheese that compliments the other ingredients. Meat- offer a variety of meats or just stick to one. Market Street’s premade rotisserie chicken is perfect for nachos. Shred and then season with a bit of salt and lime juice—it’s an easy way to add flavor. BBQ brisket is also another excellent option. Layers- When building the nachos, think lasagna: chips, meat, cheese and repeat. I generally go with two layers, you may want more. Simplicity- Keep it simple on what initially goes on the chips and into the oven. Meat and cheese is all that’s needed at first (add beans and diced onions at the most). Leave the rest of the show up to your party guests and the toppings you put on your nacho bar. Toppings- This is where the fun begins and Market Street’s deli and premade sections are the perfect place to grab a few goodies. Go BIG when it comes to nacho toppings, here are a few suggestions. raw onions: white, red, green. crumbly cheeses: blue cheese, feta, goat cheese. greens: cilantro, parsley, chopped romaine lettuce. sauces: buffalo sauce, ranch dressing, pesto, tzatziki. vegetables: pico de gallo (also available in the Market Street ready to eat section), radishes, cabbage, bell peppers, jalapeños. beans (canned and drained): black, pinto, cannellini. Or if you prefer to skip the nacho bar and stick with pre-made nacho options, try these recipes for Buffalo Chicken Nachos or Chicken Pesto Nachos. Happy Nacho-ing! Buffalo Chicken Nachos Author note: This recipe is a non-recipe. The ingredients are listed; however, the amount of chicken, chips, cheese and toppings is really up to you. The buffalo sauce is adapted from Alton Brown's Buffalo Wing Sauce. Feel free to use store bought buffalo sauce and ranch dip if time is limited. For the nachos:  Ingredients:  canola spray thick tortilla chips roasted chicken, shredded Lucerne shredded three-cheese blend cheese For the toppings: red onion, diced radishes, thinly sliced fresh cilantro leaves, lightly chopped buffalo sauce (see recipe below) buttermilk ranch sour cream drizzle (see recipe below)   Directions:  1) Heat the oven to 350 degrees. 2) Line a large baking sheet with foil and spray with canola oil. 3) Make 1 even layer of chips on the baking sheet and top with chicken. Then add a generous amount of cheese (and I mean a lot of cheese). Repeat this step one more time (think lasagna). 4) Place the nachos in the oven and cook for 10 to 15 minutes or until the cheese is nicely melted and slightly browned. 5) Remove from the oven and top (to your liking) with the red onions, radishes, cilantro, buffalo sauce and sour cream drizzle.   For the buttermilk ranch sour cream drizzle: Ingredients: 1/2 cup buttermilk ranch dip (see below) water   Directions:  1) In a small bowl, add the buttermilk ranch dip and water (1 tablespoon of water at a time) until the dip is a nice, drizzly consistency. For the Buttermilk Ranch Dip: Author note: This recipe is adapted from Food52’s Basil Buttermilk Ranch Dressing. If you plan to serve this with salty chips, decrease the salt content to 1 teaspoon to 3/4 teaspoon. 1 cup sour cream ¾ cup buttermilk 2 tablespoons chives, finely chopped 2 tablespoons parsley, finely chopped 2 tablespoons shallot, finely chopped 2 tablespoons garlic (about 3 cloves), chopped ¼ teaspoon paprika 1 teaspoon kosher salt zest of ½ lemon   Ingredients:  1.Combine all ingredients into a bowl and stir well to combine.   For the buffalo sauce: Author note: If you love buffalo sauce, like I do, double the recipe. Ingredients: 3 tablespoons unsalted butter 2 garlic cloves, finely chopped 1/2 cup hot sauce (such as Texas Pete or Cholula) 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt   Directions: 1) In a small bowl, melt the butter in the microwave. 2) While the butter is still very hot, add the garlic, hot sauce and salt. Stir well to combine.   Chicken Pesto Nachos Author Note: Nachos are a personal creation, preferences for meat, cheese and toppings differ from person to person. Because of that this recipe has no measurements for the ingredients, it is a non-recipe. Be prepared to be addicted. After I make a batch, I’m already planning when to make them next. Keep in mind when making these, the more cheese the better. Store bought pesto also works if time is limited.   Ingredients: tortilla chips roasted chicken, shredded or diced mozzarella cheese goat cheese basil arugula pesto (for recipe, see below) tomato and red bell pepper salad (for recipe, see below) crème fraiche drizzle (for recipe, see below)   Directions: 1) Set the oven to 350 degrees and spray a rimmed baking sheet with canola spray. 2) Place one layer of tortilla chips, (evenly distributed and not a jumbled mess) onto the baking sheet. Top with a hearty sprinkling of mozzarella. 3) Top the mozzarella with 1/2 the chicken and then place chunks of goat cheese evenly over the top. 4) Continue steps 2-3 one more time. 5) Finish the nachos with a final sprinkling of mozzarella. Place the nachos into the oven and bake for about 15 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and slightly browned. 6) Before serving top the nachos with the tomato red bell pepper salad, spoonfuls of pesto and drizzles of creme fraiche.   Basil and Arugula Pesto Ingredients: 2 cups basil 1 cup arugula 1/3 cup pine nuts 3/4 cup finely grated fresh parmesan 2 garlic cloves, chopped 1/3 cup pine nuts juice of half a lemon 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt 1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil   Directions: 1) Place all ingredients, except olive oil into a food processor. Puree the ingredients until smooth. 2) While the pesto is still being pureed, pour the olive oil into the mixture in a steady stream. 3) Remove from the food processor and store in an airtight container.   Tomato and Red Bell Pepper Salad Ingredients: 1 cup red bell pepper, seeded and diced 1 cup tomatoes, diced 1/4 cup shallot, finely diced 2 tablespoon parsley, finely chopped 2 tablespoons basil, finely chopped 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt 1 teaspoon extra-virgin olive oil   Directions: 1) Place all ingredients into a small bowl, stir to combine.   Crème Fraiche Drizzle Ingredients: 2 tablespoons crème fraiche 1 tablespoon water   Directions: 1) Combine the two ingredients into a small bowl. Mix well. Read More

Fast Dinners

Post and images by guest blogger, Rebecca White, of A Pleasant Little Kitchen.  Visit her full blog or find out more about her here.  All evenings are not created equal and the dinner cooked each night needs to fit the need of each day. An intricate recipe doesn't work on those busy weekday nights, but take-out doesn't always have to be an option either. Quick, delicious and satisfying meals can be attainable on those hectic nights--- and you might walk away feeling better satisfied because a home cooked meal was served. A few ways I accomplish quick weeknight meals are by: Purchasing premade ingredients: Whether it's store bought pizza dough, or pre-sliced fruit, some nights it takes a village to get dinner on the table. Check out Market Street's refrigerated section for Brooklyn’s Pizza Dough. Also don't forget to take a peek at the variety of sliced fruit in the produce section for a quick fruit salad. Making breakfast for dinner: A quick frittata makes an easy dinner. Crack the eggs, add some cheese, give a good whisk and pop in the oven. Prep is a breeze and cook time is about 15 minutes. Using quick cook-time proteins: Shrimp and scallops have extremely low cook times, which makes getting dinner on the table much easier. Be sure to chat up the fish monger next time at Market Street. Their assistance is a great help to point you to whatever seafood item fits your need (and budget). Doing some prep work ahead of time: If I know a busy day is on the horizon, I will do a quick five to ten minute prep the night before or the morning of. For example, I will dice vegetables or even cook sausage and let it sit in the fridge before it's time to cook. Tricks like this will save you minutes when it's cook time. Say it with me, I CAN cook dinner on a busy weeknight...I CAN cook dinner on a busy weeknight. Well said, my friends. Start this week with these three fast dinners that will leave you with time to spare on those busy weeknights: chive and cheese frittata + Market Street’s fresh fruit slices + crusty bread from Market Street’s bakery spicy garlic shrimp and avocado salad + Market Street’s fresh made tortilla chips + two-minute margarita roasted radish and sausage pizza + arugula salad Recipes:  Chive and Cheese Frittata Serves 2-4 Author note: I used to resort to the “flip” method of frittatas until I read Marcella Hazan’s Essentials of Classic Italian Cooking. Hazan preferred the “non-flip” method that simply leaves the frittata in the oven until it is completely cooked. I have since resorted to this method. Also, I don’t find it necessary to have a non-stick pan to have a successful frittata. With enough butter or olive oil to coat the skillet, the frittata comes out nicely. Finally, don’t be afraid to eat this anytime of the day– breakfast, lunch or dinner. It’s great with crusty bread and a nice salad.   Ingredients    5 eggs ¼ teaspoon kosher salt ¼ cup chives, chopped ¼ cup shredded mozzarella ¼ cup grated parmesan 2 tablespoons unsalted butter   Directions 1) Heat the oven to 350 degrees. 2) Meanwhile, place the eggs and salt in a medium size bowl and lightly beat. 3) Next, add the chives and cheese. Lightly beat to incorporate. Set aside. 4) In an 8-inch skillet, melt the butter on the stovetop. Once melted, swirl the butter around the pan to coat the bottom and sides. 5) Add the egg mixture into the skillet and then place in the oven. 6) Cook for 16 minutes, or until the eggs are cooked all the way through. Run a spatula carefully around the edges of the frittata to loosen it from the pan. Slide onto a cutting board, slice and serve.   Spicy Garlic Shrimp and Avocado Cucumber Salad Author note: Eat this salad with a side of tortillas to scoop up all the goodness.   Avocado Cucumber Salad Ingredients 1 pound spicy garlic shrimp (see recipe below), chilled 2 cups cucumber, peeled,seeds removed and sliced into bite sized-sticks 1/4 cup red onion, diced 2 avocados, cubed 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt juice of 1 lime   Directions 1) In a large bowl, combine the cucumber, red onion, avocado, salt and lime. Stir to combine. Place in the fridge and let chill for 30 minutes. 2) Pour onto a platter, top with the chilled spicy garlic shrimp. Serve immediately.   Spicy Garlic Shrimp Author note: Two mixing bowls are required for this recipe. This recipe is easily doubled. Ingredients 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil 4 garlic cloves, chopped 1 teaspoon kosher salt ½ teaspoon cayenne ½ teaspoon paprika zest of 1 lemon juice of 1 lemon ¼ cup chopped chives 1 pound shrimp   Directions 1) Heat the oven to 400 degrees. 2) In a medium sized mixing bowl place 2 tablespoons of oil, 2 cloves of chopped garlic, ½ teaspoon of salt, ¼ teaspoon of cayenne, ¼ teaspoon of paprika and the lemon zest. Stir well to combine 3) In a second medium sized bowl place 1 tablespoon of of oil, 2 cloves of chopped garlic, ½ teaspoon of salt, ¼ teaspoon of cayenne, ¼ teaspoon of paprika, juice of 1 lemon and the chives. Stir well to combine and set aside. 4) Add the shrimp to the first bowl (the bowl without the chives) and turn the shrimp several times to coat. 5) Pour the shrimp mixture onto a foil-lined baking sheet. Spread the shrimp out into an even single layer. 6) Place the shrimp into the oven and cook until pink, about 8 to 10 minutes. 7) Remove the shrimp from the oven and with a slotted spoon place the cooked shrimp into the second bowl. 8) Turn the shrimp several times to coat well. Place in the fridge and chilled   Two Minute Margarita Author note: This recipe is a combination of several margarita recipes that I’ve used over the years. When there is time, I juice the limes myself, but in most instances, I use store-bought fresh limeade. For this recipe, seek out the freshest store-bought limeade and rid yourself of the unnecessary packaged premade margarita mix. It doesn’t take long to whip up this margarita; in fact, it takes about 2 minutes. Ingredients 3 ice cubes (plus more for the individual drink) 2 ounces tequila 1/2 ounce orange liquor 3 ounces fresh limeade 1/2 teaspoon agave syrup squeeze of lime juice pinch of salt lime slices   Directions 1) Place the ice cubes into a cocktail shaker (or plastic cup as I do), and pour the tequila and orange liquor over the ice. Shake or stir to chill. 2) Pour the chilled liquor in a glass filled halfway with ice. 3) Add the limeade, agave, lime juice and salt into the glass. Stir well. 4) Finish with a slice of lime and serve.   Roasted Radish and Sausage Pizza Author note: This is a non-recipe simply because pizza is a personal creation. Adjust the toppings to your liking. Additional cheese, like parmesan or pecorino, would work well with this pizza. Ingredients pizza dough tomato sauce 1 1/2 -2 cups radishes, sliced 1 teaspoon extra-virgin olive oil pinch kosher salt 1 shallot, thinly sliced uncased sausage (I prefer spicy), about 3 links worth mozzarella cheese   Directions 1) Heat the oven to 400 degrees 2) In a small bowl combine the radishes, oil and salt. Evenly distribute on a foil-lined baking sheet. Roast for 10 minutes, until tender. Remove from the oven. 3) Increase the heat to 500 degrees. 4) Meanwhile, cook the sausage until slightly underdone. 5) Roll out the pizza dough. Place a layer of tomato sauce on the dough. Next add a handful of cheese to cover the sauce. 6) Add the sausage, radishes and shallots. Top with a sprinkling of cheese. 7) Place in the oven and cook until the dough is golden and the cheese melted and browned.   Arugula Salad Author note: This salad is incredibly flexible. Add whatever bits of herbs and vegetables you have lying in the fridge. Nuts or a boiled egg would turn this side dish into a protein rich meal. Gruyere, manchego, goat cheese or feta also work very well with this salad. Ingredients 6 cups arugula 2 shallots, chopped 3/4 grated parmesan cheese 3 tablespoons balsamic vinegar 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil juice of 1 lemon juice 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt   Directions 1) Add the arugula, shallots and cheese into a large bowl. 2) Top with the vinegar, oil, lemon juice and salt. Toss well and serve immediately. Read More

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