Crisp Kitchen Tools – A Review

Tags

Crisp, fruit, healthy options, kitchen tools, vegetables

Happy New Year!

Now that it’s most of the way through the first month of the new year, I have to ask – How is everybody doing with those resolutions?

Did you resolve to eat more healthy?

There are so many ways that one can interpret “healthy” eating, and whether you believe in making resolutions or not, one way that we can all improve our health is by eating fewer processed foods and committing to a more plant based diet.

If one of your promises to yourself was to incorporate more fruits and vegetables into your diet, maybe new kitchen tools will be just the inspiration you need to keep that resolution even longer.

I collect kitchen gadgets like other women collect handbags (though if I am to be completely truthful, I am just as guilty as the handbags thing too. My hubby and sons probably groan, “Oh no, not another kitchen tool” just as often as they say “Do you really need another purse?”)

I love my collection of kitchen gadgets, though I don’t know about you, but I find that I am enamored with many of them initially and then lose interest because they are just more trouble than they are worth. Like a good handbag that gets used over and over again, my favorite kitchen tools are the ones I am attracted to initially because they are cute but then realize just how well they fit my needs.

Last fall I attended IFBC (the International Food Blogger Conference) held here in Seattle. During the vendor fair (imagine a whole banquet room full of food and cooking vendors!), I was drawn to a table full of kitchen tools that caught my eye with their brightly colored and ergonomic handles. Oh my! I found myself drooling over them! These would look great in my kitchen! But would they be just as useful as they were adorable?

The company was so nice to offer to send me a few samples to try out in my own kitchen and I have to say I have been very impressed with these babies!

Crisp creates “tools for healthy living.” Developed by award winning housewares designers, they make healthy cooking more fun and playful and fit in your hand just like they were made to be there. These uniquely designed tools that help you solve your everyday food prep problems are also dishwasher safe and affordable.

Help your produce take center stage with the following tools:

Herb Mincer:  For more healthy cooking, fresh herbs can be used to add flavor in place of unwanted fat or salt. But who likes chopping them? Knives can leave herbs uneven and bruised, as well as a big mess on your fingers, knife and chopping board. This mincer is the best! The sleek and comfortable shape fits in the palm of your hand and keeps your fingers safely away from the five stainless steel blades that chop and mince in no time! It comes apart for ease in cleaning. And if you have ever been challenged with getting the leaves off the stems you will love the two sizes of leaf strippers at the end of the mincer.

Straight Peeler: I have tried so many peelers over the years but this one actually works! The versatile handle is designed so that you can hold it in a variety of positions and the angled head makes peeling so much more effortless. Removing skin from your fruits and vegetables is fast and easy with the high quality stainless steel blade and the built-in eyer is handy for getting rid of bruises and blemishes.

Berry Baskets (3 pack): We eat a lot of berries around here. My teenage son, who does not really like many fruits and veggies, at least enjoys berries and grapes. So during berry season I buy a lot! Sturdy and stack-able, these attractive containers are great for rinsing, serving and then storing fruit in the refrigerator. The open design allows the berries to breath so that they stay fresher longer. The three-pack of baskets includes one in each bold color – red, purple and green.

Zester: This multi-use tool will help to make any dish more exciting! It includes a scoring blade and channel knife and two zesting blades – a traditional size, and for big jobs a larger one that folds right into the handle for safe and easy storage.  Premium stainless steel blades make for efficient cutting and the ergonomic handle provides comfort while getting the job done.

Fast & Easy Holiday Baking with Reynolds

Tags

Allrecipes, Allrecipes Allstars, Allrecipes.com, chocolate, Chocolate Mint Crinkles, Chocolate Peanut Butter Blossoms, Cookies, Holiday Baking, Parchment Paper, Reynolds

I just love holiday baking!

Every year I try at least one new recipe. This year I tried a couple new recipes – but I also tried a new way of baking.

As part of the Allrecipes.com Allstars brand ambassador program that I belong to, Reynolds recently sent me some parchment paper to use in my cookie baking.

I should tell you that I have never understood the appeal of liners for cookie sheets – parchment paper or silicon mats – but then I have also never had any problems with cookies sticking to my baking sheets.

What I do have are stained baking sheets from overuse. And without the joy of a dishwasher cookie pans are always tough to get clean.

To try out the parchment paper, Reynolds gave us a choice of several recipes. I am partial to chocolate cookies so the recipes I chose reflect that taste.

These cookies are fast and easy – so if you are looking for some last minute selections to leave out for the big guy or to just have some treats to serve up for guests who pop by in the next several days these are both great choices.

I love the combination of mint and chocolate (especially at the holidays) so these Chocolate Mint Crinkle Cookies were an obvious choice for me.

And they are just like magic when they flatten up in the oven to create that crinkled look.

These turned out a bit minty for me so I would probably cut the mint flavor in half if I made them again.

But they are a wonderful choice for displaying on a platter at the holidays because they are so beautiful.

Peanut butter blossoms have always been my hands-down favorite cookie at the holidays and otherwise.

So when I saw these Chocolate Peanut Butter Blossom Cookies I just knew I had to make them.

I was a bit skeptical with the added chocolate to the dough. I was afraid that the extra chocolate would overpower the peanut butter taste.

I could not have been more wrong! They are just perfect! And the dark chocolate kiss (instead of the milk chocolate) is a welcome change since, personally, I much prefer the taste of dark to milk.

I know I may be in the minority here but for me, the darker the chocolate the better.

These are definitely a keeper!

And the Reynolds parchment paper worked wonders! I am a convert!

The cookies baked up perfectly and kept the trays so clean. And the sheets of parchment just slid right off the baking pan.

What are you baking up this holiday season? Do you use parchment paper when you bake?

Disclosure: I am an Allrecipes Allstar brand ambassador (a voluntary position) and I’m not compensated for my work with Allrecipes.com. Products received from Reynolds were only used for experienced-based reviews on KristinPotPie. The reviews, content and opinions expressed in this blog are based purely on my own opinions. To learn more about the Allrecipes Allstars program visit, Allrecipes Allstars.

Beauty by Vera

Tags

Hair, home services, Makeover, makeup, Vera Beautify Seattle

I went to my office holiday party this last week, an evening event – timed for right after work. Since I am working with some looming deadlines and had a multitude of tasks to accomplish, I decided that I would work right up until I had to leave the office for the party.

About ten minutes before I needed to head out to the event, I found myself rushing to the ladies room to quickly change into my fancy dress, dab a bit of color on my lips and cheeks, brush mascara onto my lashes and finger comb my unruly locks of hair into a smoother version of a birds nest.

Does this sound like a familiar scenario to you? It was fine – I looked fine (got plenty of compliments on my dress!) – but I had a thought that there could be a better way to set myself up for a fun night of revelry.

A more calm, relaxed way. One that really gets me in the mood to celebrate – And one that can involve a glass of bubbly!

Enter Vera Beautify. A new service in Seattle that allows you to go online, peruse their selection of stylists – complete with reviews and photos, choose one that fits your needs and book a service (updo, blow-out or makeup) to be performed in the comfort of your own home.

I recently had a makeover from Vera Beautify with Ashli who came to my home to do my hair and makeup.

She arrived punctually and was set up in no time – while I poured myself a glass of sparkling wine! All she needed was a clear workspace with a flat surface, chair, a mirror and some light.

It was so indulgent! She started with aroma-therapy and a light neck massage.

How relaxing! Ashli was so warm and friendly. And her focus was on my needs and comfort.

While Ashli worked on my blowout we talked like we had known each other for years.

We talked about everything from hair and makeup (of course), blogging and family, to the arts and even philosophy.

She just made me feel so comfortable – and at home!

And, oh how she pampered me with the gentle strokes of her make-up brushes – I felt like a queen!

While I hardly ever wear makeup, she told me how fortunate I was to have the lashes I have and made me promise to at least apply mascara when I go out – I’ve been keeping my promise Ashli!

She primped…

and primped!

Until ta-da!

Ashli transformed my look better than I could have ever imagined! I did not feel “done up” – I was still me – but a much better, more polished me!

Now I just need my fancy dress!

 

How to Enjoy Your Own Dinner Party – Part II

Tags

Dinner Parties, Easy entertaining, entertaining, Kitchenbug, Party Planning, Party tips

Don’t be intimidated by entertaining – today, in Part II of her guest post, blogger Rachel Myerson from Kitchenbug shows you more of how a little bit of planning can help you relish a lovely evening with friends in your own home.

Planning a dinner party is never an easy task but it doesn’t have to be stressful. Read on for more tips about how to enjoy your own party (for Part 1 click here).

Step 3: Prepare

Preparation is inextricably linked with planning, but let’s break it down a little.

1. The week of the party:

•  Consult your Kitchenbug box containing all your pre-planned dishes and prepare as much as you can in advance of the big night. The freezer is your friend so research which elements of your menu can be frozen. Soup is my savior – you can make it months in advance, stick it in the freezer, defrost it the night before your party and heat it up 15 minutes before you intend to serve it.

• Shop for your food 2 – 3 days in advance. This will ensure that everything stays fresh for your dinner party, but also allows you to see if you forgot to buy something, and fix it without a last-minute panic.
• Don’t rely on your guests bringing things (wine, flowers etc.), it’s best to have bought them yourself so you can cross things off your to-do list, and avoid any panics if the guests forget.

2. The day of the party:

• Busy yourself in the morning with final food prep, set the table and cross as many things as you can off your list (see my check-list below for inspiration).
• If you discover you’ve bought the wrong ingredients, or a recipe flops, search Kitchenbug by ingredient or recipe to view other options or adjustments.
• Write a Timings List, particularly for the few hours before and during the dinner party to allow yourself time to be with your guests, as opposed to running to and from the kitchen. e.g.: 6:30 pm put chicken in the oven, 7:00 pm chop salad etc…

A final word of advice: The point of a dinner party is to spend time with your friends, not to prove yourself as the next Martha Stewart. Do not apologize or point out flaws in your food, they won’t notice. If all else fails: alcohol and laughter are your friends. Bon Appetit!

Dinner Party Checklist:

• How many guests are attending?
• Menu (consult Kitchenbug.com for inspiration!)
• Decor
• Playlist
• Drinks (for before and during dinner)
• Canapes (if applicable)
• Starter
• Entrée
• Dessert
• House Cleaned
• Table set (correct amount of cutlery, crockery, place mats, chairs, serving spoons, seating cards)
• Place to hang coats
• Dishwasher empty
• Decor assembled (flowers in water, candles lit etc.)
• You are showered, dressed, wined!

How to Enjoy Your Own Dinner Party – Part I

Tags

Dinner Parties, Easy entertaining, entertaining, Kitchenbug, Party Planning, Party tips

Many people I talk to say that they avoid entertaining because they never feel relaxed enough to enjoy their own parties. Today, in Part I of her guest post, blogger Rachel Myerson from Kitchenbug shows you how a little bit of planning can help you relish a lovely evening with friends in your own home.

Dinner parties can be the cause of grey hairs and lost sleep, but guess what? This doesn’t have to happen.

With planning, realistic expectations and asking the right questions, you can enjoy your own dinner party as much as your guests.

Pre-Party Planning

• Step 1: Ask Questions

First, ask yourself:

1. What is my budget?
2. Do I want my dinner party to be formal or informal?
3. Who do I want to invite?

Once you know who is attending, ask your guests:

1. Do you have any allergies, dietary requirements, or foods you dislike?

Yes, that is the only question they need to answer. Your job as host/ess is to spoil them, not annoy them with questions.

• Step 2: Plan

The most important step to enjoying your own dinner party. Done well, you can minimize surprises that may occur during cooking or at the party, and feel calmer on the night of.

1. Plan your menu.

• Pick a theme: Spanish, Italian etc, to help shape your menu.
• I found the perfect planning tool to help me shape my ideas: Kitchenbug, an online recipe platform which can instantly analyze the nutritional information of any recipe on the web.

Kitchenbug allows you to organize your collected recipes in boxes according to theme, course, food type – anything that helps to organize your ideas. For instance, I created an “Indian Vegetarian Feast” box to plan an informal Indian themed dinner party, and a “Brunch!” box to inspire me when I need to feed people on a lazy Sunday morning. Kitchenbug can help you find the right recipes for your guests specific health needs such as gluten free, dairy free etc..

Make your life easy!

2. Plan the ambiance.

• Continue your food theme with decor. A Moroccan theme could involve draping scarves over your ceiling to create a tent effect, and sitting on the floor on colorful cushions.
• Or, keep it classy with flowers (nothing too high, or it could stunt the conversation around the table), candles or a pretty table runner etc.

• You can plan a playlist weeks in advance and cross something of your list. I prefer jazz, something upbeat but that fades into the background.
• A seating plan is only necessary if you are throwing a large party, or the guests don’t know each other.

Stay tuned for Part II – advice on preparation, and how to conduct yourself on the big day.

 

Toasting to Fall with a TRIbella Giveaway!

Tags

Aerator, holidays, Hostess Gift, perfect pour, Red wine, Stocking Stuffer, Thanksgiving, Tribella, wine

The weather here in Seattle this fall has been just gorgeous.

Aside from the sun setting earlier, sunny days and temperatures in the 70’s tricked my brain into thinking that it was still summer.

Then the rain came and I snapped out of it.

Though I am still having a hard time wrapping my head around the fact that Halloween is next week (followed closely on its heels by Thanksgiving and the holidays!), for me the loss of summer has led to a preoccupation with one thing – holiday entertaining will soon be upon us!

And with that, red wine drinking season will also be in full swing – As the colder weather settles in many shed their Roses and Chardonnays for the warmth and more full-bodied flavor of various red options.

Whether you are entertaining this holiday season and want to delight your guests with the perfect pour, or you are attending a soiree and need an elegant gift for the wine lover in your life, the TRIbella™ wine aerator will put the festive in your festivities. Presented with a bottle of red, this would make for a much appreciated hostess gift. Alone, it is a terrific stocking stuffer.

TRIbella™ is wine aeration made beautiful. This patented, trademarked, and innovative aerator, launched in 2014 and designed and engineered in Portland, Oregon is a simple, yet fine-tuned device, created for everyday use. The TRIbella™ allows wine to be poured in three elegant and drip-free streams and to naturally breathe while it falls gracefully into your glass.

TRIbella™ exposes wine to air to open up and enhance the flavor of the wine creating a more pleasant experience with beauty and elegance.

TRIbella™ allows wine lovers to enjoy their wine with a blend of art and science and is now available on Amazon and through select wine sellers. It even comes in its own protective carrying case so you can take the perfect pour anywhere.

In celebration of the fall season and the upcoming holidays, TRIbella™ is offering a free TRIbella™ Wine Aerator to one of my lucky readers!

To enter the giveaway simply leave a comment here on the blog telling me – what are you pouring this Thanksgiving or fall?

For extra entries (you must leave a comment here on the blog for each of these you do):

• Like KristinPotPie on Facebook
• Follow KristinPotPie on Twitter
• Follow KristinPotPie on Instagram
• Like TRIbella on Facebook
• Follow TRIbella on Twitter
• Follow TRIbella on Instagram

This giveaway will end Midnight Pacific Time, Thursday, October 30. I will choose one winner from the comments on my blog Friday morning and will email the winner. Winner will have 24 hours to respond before I choose an alternate winner.

Good luck!

Photos taken by, and used with permission of, Richard Brown Photography.

Prost! – Oktoberfest Northwest 2014

Tags

beer, Chicken dance, Family event, German food, Hammerschlagen, Manuela Horn, Oktoberfest, Oktoberfest Northwest, Puyallup

I just love this time of year! With our German heritage, my family and I enjoy celebrating Oktoberfest each and every fall.

Some years that means hosting a gathering at our house (here are some ideas for hosting your own!), some years we just make a special intimate dinner with a smaller crowd (serving this authentic rouladen recipe!) and some years we make the trek to Leavenworth for their big multi-weekend event.

But last year we decided to try something different.

Longing to enjoy a big to-do, but not really wanting to expense a whole weekend east of the mountains (it gets pricey with a two-night minimum stay on festival weekends), we checked out the festivities at Oktoberfest Northwest held at the Washington State Fair & Event Center in Puyallup, WA.

And we were not disappointed!

This weekend marks the 10th anniversary of this fun indoor event and I hope you will join me in the revelry!

Event Dates:
October 3-5, 2014
Event Hours:
Friday- Noon – midnight
Saturday – 11a – midnight
Sunday – 11a – 6pm

Location:
Washington State Fair and Events Center in Puyallup

Admission:
FREE on Friday from noon-3pm
Regular Price after 3pm on Friday and all day Saturday ($10)
Sunday HALF PRICE all day ($5) courtesy of Alaska Airlines and The News Tribune
Children 12 and under FREE ALL WEEKEND

The biergarten certainly is impressive, but to keep us all safe please be smart about your transportation plan –  there are free soft drinks or drip coffee for those who sign up as a designated driver.

Families are welcome in the Festhalle Biergarten until 7 p.m. each evening (Sunday, families are welcome all day!); for the remainder of the evening, guests must be 21 years of age or older.

And there are plenty of activities for the whole family!

The German School of Tacoma will be on site with special arts and crafts projects.

Kids won’t want to miss the opportunity to take part in an authentic May Pole dance with members of the Enzian Schuhplattler Dancers, pumpkin decorating and games like Corn Hole Toss and more.

On Saturday and Sunday only there will also be free face painting and an ALL-NEW Scavenger Hunt with a fun prize for every child who participates while supplies last.

Kids can pick up their Scavenger Hunt instructions at the Root Bier Garden between noon and 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

The game, Hammerschlagen, is a popular activity at Oktoberfest. The goal is to drive a nail into a cross-section of wood faster than your opponent.

Each year the Best of the Best compete for a space in the Hammerschlagen Tournament of Champions Wall of Champions.

Who will be champion in 2014? Could it be you? Sign up on site at the event for your chance at bragging rights, glory, and a whole mess of great prizes.

2014 Prizes:
1st place: $150 and commemorative Seahawks Super Bowl Champion  stein
2nd place: $50 and event stein
3rd place: event stein

Children are encouraged to not play Hammerschlagen in the adult area for safety reasons.

There is a Kids Hammerschlagen with kid-sized hammers and easy to hit nails (children need to be supervised by an adult to play)!

Find that perfect gift for someone (or yourself!) while wandering among all of the great souvenirs at the German Corner.

The German Corner features everything from steins to cookbooks to authentic German clothing. Browse their selection ahead of time at www.germanplaza.com

I plan on buying one of these cute little purses this year! I do hope they have them again!

---

Entertainment at Oktoberfest Northwest keeps the party going all day long and late into the night!

Whether you’re looking to sway to the sounds of Edelweiss, get plucky with the Chicken Dance or hit the dance floor to the late hours of the night, Oktoberfest Northwest has it all!

On Friday, October 3, at 6:15pm join in the fun as they tap the Oktoberfest Firkin to officially open Oktoberfest Northwest!

And don’t miss  the swing girl! Manuela Horn & her Oktoburlesques! At nearly seven feet tall, this Austrian Amazon will perform yodelicious interpretations of new & classic Top 40 hits.

Manuela is the Queen of Oktoberfest.  With the motto “It’s always Oktoberfest somewhere,” Manuela emcees and headlines the biggest Oktoberfests across America.

Oh! And the FOOD! My goodness!

You want brats and beer? You’ve got it.

Plus pretzels, schnitzel, strudel, and a whole list of other authentic German treats! Like the tasty Cabbage Rous (Kraut Roulden) in tomato sauce, and the Kartoffelpuffer (potato pancake) served with apple sauce and sour cream!

German food heaven!

Also back by popular demand this year is the Oktoberfest Northwest Running of the Wieners!

Multiple races, costume contests, great fun for the whole family in a stadium atmosphere right inside the heart of the event.

This is a Sunday-only attraction. Go here for more details or to register your wiener. Click here for a schedule of events!

Don’t forget – admission if free on Friday (today!) until 3 pm – so hurry down (and maybe we can do the chicken dance together!) See you there!

 

IFBC and a Noosa Yoghurt Giveaway!

Tags

Giveaways, IFBC, Noosa Finest Yoghurt, Pumpkin, Seattle

This weekend I will be surrounded by hundreds of other people who love talking about food just as much as I do – I am so excited to attend the International Food Blogger Conference (IFBC) again this year, being held right here in my lovely hometown of Seattle!

While I prepare myself to answer the one question I always get when I tell people the name of my blog – “So, you write about potpies?” – I am at the same time scouring the IFBC website and planning how to get the most out of the conference.

Last year was my first time at a blogger conference and I have to say that I was a bit overwhelmed just taking it all in. The speakers, the sessions, the food, the networking! Not to mention the SWAG!

But this year, with last year’s experience under my belt, it is much easier to make a plan and set some goals. One of which is to get out there and make more connections – connections with more bloggers I don’t know, and connections with the companies sponsoring the event.

IFBC has some pretty impressive sponsors. As an event planner myself I am acutely aware of just how important sponsors are to an event and I want to make sure that they know how appreciated they are by us bloggers.

In a strange course of the stars being aligned, I was recently contacted by a food company that wanted to do a giveaway on my blog. They had no idea that I was a registered attendee for an upcoming conference they are sponsoring…

And I did a double-take while perusing the IFBC website and realized (after I had already happily agreed to do the giveaway!) that Noosa Yoghurt is a sponsor for this weekend’s IFBC. What a happy coincidence!

I enjoy yoghurt as part of my breakfast almost every morning (and frequently for a dessert in the evening!), so I was thrilled when Noosa sent me some samples to try out the new tropical flavors (pineapple and coconut) of their Aussie style yoghurt.

With a recipe that originates from Noosa, Australia and produced in Colorado, this rich and creamy yoghurt, similar to Greek yogurt, is made in small batches and infused with honey to give it a delicious sweet-tart tang, and smooth, velvety texture that sets it apart.

They add just the right amount of fruit purees, made from the best the seasonal market has to offer, and pack it in clear tubs so you can see for yourself the lusciousness of what you’re about to enjoy.

Noosa Finest Yoghurt is free of artificial ingredients of any kind and made using Morning Fresh milk which is free of artificial growth hormones (rBGH) and artificial preservatives.

Family-owned and operated since 1894, Morning Fresh is renowned for the sweet, rich, all natural milk their happy cows produce. Why are their cows so happy? All of them graze on open pasture at least 90 days per year, and the rest of the time, dine on home-grown grain, silage and alfalfa to ensure the highest quality feed without the use of harmful pesticides.

Noosa is the host for our Saturday morning breakfast. Koel Thomae, Noosa’s founder, will share with us bloggers about her start in the U.S. and how she makes her fantastic tasting yoghurt  – including the new pumpkin flavor debuting just in time for fall and being officially rolled out at this weekend’s conference.

Since I can’t take you with me to the conference (and I am all about sharing!) I am partnering with Noosa to give away a Noosa Finest Yoghurt 10 pack (ten – 8 oz containers) to one lucky reader so you can try it out for yourself!

To enter the giveaway simply leave a comment here on the blog telling me your favorite yoghurt flavor (or the Noosa flavor you are just dying to try!)

For extra entries (you must leave a comment here on the blog for each of these you do):

• Like KristinPotPie on Facebook
• Follow KristinPotPie on Twitter
• Follow KristinPotPie on Instagram
• Like Noosa Yoghurt on Facebook
• Follow Noosa Yoghurt on Twitter
• Follow Noosa Yoghurt on Instagram

This giveaway will end Midnight Pacific Time, Wednesday, September 24. I will choose one winner from the comments on my blog Thursday morning and will email the winner. Winner will have 24 hours to respond before I choose an alternate winner.

Good luck!

Photos used with permission of, and provided by, Noosa Finest Yoghurt.

 

 

Amazing Grazing at the Sunset Supper

Tags

pike place market, Pike Place Market Foundation, Piketoberfest, Rachel the Pig, Seattle, Sunset Supper

There are some days when nothing tastes good. Like when you are sick – as I have been this last couple of weeks.

Then, there are days when everything you eat just tastes amazing! That’s what happened when I attended this summer’s Sunset Supper at the the Pike Place Market last month.

I know it’s been a few weeks, but I would be remiss if I didn’t share with you my favorites bites (and sips) that I enjoyed at this wonderful event.

I happened to be hanging out with a pescatarian that evening, and joyfully for her there was plenty in the way of seafood.

One of my favorite tastes of the night was this house smoked salmon with buttermilk, chives, jalapeno and steelhead row on a bagel chip from Manhattan restaurant.

Chef Thierry Rautureau was there representing his downtown Seattle Loulay Kitchen and Bar.

The Chef in Hat served up some lovely smoked salmon with fingerling potato, citrus creme fraiche, cherry tomato and basil.

At the City Catering Company booth there was a savory hamachi crudo with sea beans, french breakfast radish, togarashi powder and yuzu oil. What a gorgeous dish!

And Flying Fish featured shrimp ceviche with pineapple, jicama, mango, avocado and cilantro.

After several seafood tastes, this meat eater was in the mood for something more to sink my teeth into and this event did not disappoint!

These grilled beef short ribs from Chan Seattle called to me and momentarily satisfied my craving for (RED) meat!

Then it was on to this Asian duck confit on a homemade brioche roll with spicy aioli, homemade kimchi and micro greens from Thomas Cuisine Management.

Kaspars Special Events & Catering was grilling up some enticing looking coiled sausages. I am not one to pass up sausage of any type!

I was delighted with this grilled lamb and potato sausage with curry cabbage slaw.

Just a few booths down was more sausage at Local 360…

The rabbit bratwurst with stone fruit mustard and house kraut was tasty indeed.

I do love dessert, but my preference tends towards the savory side. I was thrilled with the nice selection of not-too-sweet-desserts.

Such as this breakfast complete in a mini cupcake from Yellow Leaf Cupcakes. Pancake cupcake with maple frosting topped with crumbled bacon.

And this olive oil ice cream from Aragona. Very interesting – I loved it!

The prettiest dessert of the night and the favorite among my friends, who like their sweets sweet, was this strawberry shortcake from Macrina bakery.

But my favorite is always chocolate, and City Catering Company had done it up right with this peanut butter daquoise with devils food cake, peanut feuillantine and dulce de leche.

Drinks were aplenty at Sunset Supper as well.

We tried this lovely Verna Mae Viognier from Sonoris Wines.

And some rose from Alexandria Nicole winery – they also make one of my favorite Washington reds – the Jet Black!

3 Howls Distillery was also on hand trying out samples of their fantastic spirits – I’m not a big shot person but just loved the blood orange vodka!

Rachel was all decked out for her big night, and she had every reason to the celebrate! Through Sunset Supper, the Pike Place Market Foundation raised $286,565 for community services in Pike Place Market!

Speaking of raising funds for this worthy non-profit, on Sunday, September 28 from 5:00-9:00 PM, Pike Brewing Company will host PIKETOBERFEST— a Fall Harvest Festival featuring beer, wine, spirits, cider, local artisan foods, sausage, and charcuterie.

PIKETOBERFEST is a harvest festival featuring local and imported German-style food and drink. It is an opportunity to compare local craft beers spirits, liqueurs, wines and spirits with their German counterparts.
There will be an abundance of extraordinary foods to sample and Pike Brewing Company is teaming up with The Pike Place Market Foundation to make Piketoberfest a benefit to support efforts in providing medical services, low-income housing, child care, and other social services to people in need.

2ND ANNUAL PIKETOBERFEST FALL HARVEST FESTIVAL
Featuring Beer, Wine, Spirits, Cider, Local Artisan Food, Sausage, and Charcuterie
Benefit for PIKE PLACE MARKET FOUNDATION

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 28, 2014
5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.

PIKE BREWING COMPANY
1415 1st Avenue, Seattle, WA 98101

Cost: $40.00
Admission includes: all food, authentic Piketoberfest beer mug, 10 drink tickets, music, and up to $4 of validated parking at Russell Investment Garage.

Purchase tickets HERE.

 

The Big Melt – Seattle’s Grilled Cheese Festival

Tags

cheese, Discount code, Fork, grilled cheese, Magnuson Park, Seattle Grilled Cheese Festival, The Big Melt

I just go crazy for grilled cheese sandwiches.

To me, two slices of buttered bread are a blank canvas to which one can add a variety of cheeses, vegetables, other proteins and even fruit!  Though I am adventurous when it comes to adding toppings (stuffings?) – my go-to recipe includes a light spreading of mayo, a couple of different kinds of shredded cheese (sharp cheddar, jack and Havarti being one of my favorite combos) and slices of fresh heirloom tomato.

What’s on your favorite grilled cheese sandwich?

Are you a traditionalist? Or perhaps more of an adventurer? Regardless, you’ll want to be at Seattle’s only grilled cheese festival, The Big Melt, to debut this Sunday, September 7.

The ooey-gooey goodness of melted cheese combined with the crisp crunch of hearty grilled bread are the essential elements of one of the most simple, yet classic, comfort food creations. Participants in The Big Melt will be adding their own twists to the classic as they try to stand out from the crowd.

Festival-goers will reap the rewards as they wander around the festival-like atmosphere, sampling creations from Beecher’s Seattle, Metropolitan Market, The Ultimate Melt and others, while also enjoying award-winning craft beer from Stoup Brewing, local wines and other local specialty beverages, snacks and desserts.

The Big Melt will support Northwest Harvest as attendees will be asked to contribute to the “mac and cheese tower” by donating boxes upon arrival.

Event: The Big Melt

Date: Sunday, Sept. 7

Time: 11am-4pm

Place: Hangar 30 at Magnuson Park (7400 Sand Point Way NE, Seattle, WA 98115)

Visit www.getfork.com/thebigmelt for more information, to purchase tickets or to enter the competition.

BONUS: The fine folks over at the Big Melt are giving my readers a discount code for $5 off tickets to the event. Enter code TBM5 when purchasing tickets.

The Big Melt is brought to you by Fork, an iPhone app and community of food, photos and friends. Attendees and participants will be using the Fork app to compete against one another to see who can take the best grilled-cheese photo during the event.