Tuesday, January 4, 2011

Grassy Rugs

How-To: Crochet or Knit Grass Rug

Our friends over at Lion Brand Yarn have posted a fun new project that's great for spring and summer knitting and crochet. The pattern for this grass rug comes in knit and crochet, so pick your yarn craft of choice and whip one up this week!

Fun with Jello - from Craft blog

Jelloware: Cups You Can Eat

The lovely ladies from The Way We See The World are trying to get a new product off the ground: Jelloware:

What is Jelloware?

Jelloware are biodegradable, edible (and vegan!) cups that are flavored to compliment the drink inside. You can eat your cup as you sip your drink, and any leftover remnants can be composted.

Why do we need your help?
The concept of Jelloware began when we entered the GSS Jell-O mold competition, but it turned into something bigger than any of us could have ever imagined! People all over the world want to use Jelloware at parties and events in place of disposable cups. There is still work to be done: prototyping and user testing are crucial before we can arrive at the perfect biodegradable cup. We believe Jelloware can have a significant positive impact, and this impact begins with you.

Our Goal:
We want to see Jelloware in contexts where disposable cups would normally be used, while introducing a new sensorial experience when drinking. Imagine a world where you can eat your cup instead of throwing it away!

More:

Jell-O Mold Winners

Yummy Recipes from a favorite blog - "Craft: transforming traditional crafts"

Our Top Recipes of 2010

It was a great year on the CRAFTZINE blog for foodies as well as those just casually looking for an easy meal, a homemade gift from the kitchen, or a new main to serve to the fam. I've collected some of our more popular recipes -- those that took off on Facebook, really excited the editors, or made a splash on StumbledUpon. I think it's an awesome list, and I plan on making all these recipes in the new year.

A few words of warning -- going through this list may make you extremely hungry, thirsty, or both. It's best to sit down with a pad and paper so you can start your shopping list for the ingredients you'll soon be craving.

Balsamic and Thyme Roasted Portabella Mushrooms -- Good for Thanksgiving, good as appetizers, good for vegetarian feasts.

Flavorful Fudge -- Fudge needs no explanation. And we've got five variations of no-explanation-needed for you to try.

Grilled Balsamic Basil Flank Steak -- This was a popular recipe throughout the summer, and with good reason.

Enchiladas Verdes de Jocoque -- Green chile, cheese, and sour cream makes for a delicious sauce.

Linguini with Lemon-Roasted Asparagus and Goat Cheese -- The springtime bounty of asparagus makes this pasta dish really stand out. Plus goat cheese, yummy!

Snickerdoodle Cake -- An 8-year-old's birthday request turns out to be quite a popular (and tasty) recipe.

Sage Rush Cocktail -- "A simple cocktail and a darn good one," as explained by Cooking for Geeks author Jeff Potter.

White Bean Hummus with Spinach -- Great for spreading on sandwiches, and/or as a dip with pita chips or fresh cut vegetables.

Brandied Cocktail Cherries -- An unbelievably delicious homemade alternative to store-bought maraschino cherries. Perfect as a garnish on Manhattans.

Vegetarian French Onion Soup -- A classic soup, now in a yummy vegetarian version. This, it turns out, is something lots of people were wishing for.

Flaky Cheddar and Ham Biscuits -- Tender and flaky, plus they're perfect for making breakfast sandwiches!

Brown Butter Frosting Madelines -- Quick and delicious, this recipe uses store-bought cookies and a Martha Stewart glaze that can be whipped up in a jiffy.

minty fresh: candy cane chocolate bark

What’s the easiest thing to make for the holidays? Candy cane chocolate bark! Two ingredients, chocolate and candy canes. What could be simpler? Not much.

candy cane chocolate bark
1. Crush 1 package of candy canes (12 regular sized ones will do). How you crush them is a matter of preference. I’ve tried using a heavy duty freezer bag and a hammer but my favorite method is using a mortar & pestle and pent-up fury. Gets the job done every time!

2. Get your double boiler ready. When the water is boiling, add 500 grams of good chocolate to the double boiler and melt on low heat, stirring constantly until everything is nice and melty. The choice of chocolate is yours. I like using white Belgium chocolate cuz it looks extra pretty and festive.

3. When the chocolate is melted, remove from heat and quickly add and stir in the crushed candy canes.

4. Pour mixture onto a cookie pan lined with waxed paper or parchment paper and spread somewhat thinly with a rubber spatula.

5. Let cool on your counter until the bottom of the pan is no longer warm. Transfer to the fridge to firm up for about 30 minutes or so.

6. Break into bite sized pieces and wrap up nicely to give to someone as a gift.

* I also make this very successfully with mixed nuts. I just add a similar amount of salted mixed nuts instead of the candy canes to some dark or milk chocolate and follow the same directions. I used salted nuts because I love the sweet-salty dichotomy, but if you aren’t into that, just use plain nuts!

Possibly related posts:

Etsy Find: Nesting Ranunculus Bowls

ready-to-ship Five Nesting Ranunculus Rose Flower Ceramic Bowls

From whitneysmith

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The Five Nesting Ranunculus Flower Bowls are a newly designed set of ceramic bowls emulating the gorgeous ranunculus, one of my favorite flowers. Five wheel-thrown and carefully carved bowls nestle perfectly inside each other, creating a sculptural, three-dimensional flower with a wonderful botanical feel.

These Nesting Ranunculus Bowls have a fun, geometrical feel, and an Art Deco look that I find very appealing. They are completely functional for serving food while also creating a beautiful centerpiece for your dining or living room.

The Five Nesting Ranunculus Flower Bowls are glazed in my Poppy Red glaze, making this set really pop. Please note only the smallest bowl has the yellow texture detail.

Largest bowl is 6.5" wide, smallest is 2.75" wide.
Food safe.

••This item is ready to ship••

Browse more bowls here:
http://www.etsy.com/shop/whitneysmith?section_id=5195996

Is this a gift? I'm happy to send directly to the recipient with a note. Please include all of your shipping details at checkout.

Browse more bowls here:
http://www.etsy.com/shop/whitneysmith?section_id=5195996

Etsy Find: Red Water Goblets

Red Water Goblets

From GoodMemoriesCafe

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Set of 8 gorgeous dark red water goblets. Just in time to set at your holiday table.

1 goblet has a large chip on the bottom, but has no bearing on the stability of the goblet.

All other pieces are flawless.

~*~Your purchase confirms you agree with my 'Shop Policies' for payment AND shipping....so please read them prior to your purchase. ~*~

As you all know... it is very hard to guesstimate shipping for many places. I will send a refund to your pay pal account if I am over by more than $2.00.

Thank you for browsing at Good Memories Cafe'

http://www.etsy.com/listing/62796377/red-water-goblets?utm_source=bronto&utm_medium=email&utm_term=Image+-+http%3A%2F%2Fwww.etsy.com%2Fview_listing.php%3Flisting_id%3D62796377&utm_content=etsy_finds_010411&utm_campaign=etsy_finds_010411

west african groundnut stew

Posted: 03 Jan 2011 05:47 PM PST

Vancouver is going through a cold spell and when I stepped outside today, the frost on the ground was thick and full of sparkles. It’s the kind of cold where you can see your breath and I’m amazed that there isn’t any snow (though they are forecasting some for tomorrow). We’re packing on the sweaters but it’s not enough. So when I thought about dinner, I looked through the crisper and spied the usual winter staples: yams, cabbage, onions. In one of my Moosewood cookbooks I found a recipe for West African Groundnut Stew and decided that I’d use the basics but add my own twist: unique spices ranging from cardamom, cinnamon, tumeric, cumin, coriander.

The flavours were complex and interesting and it reminded me of one of my favourite soups, this African Yam & Peanut soup, but less rich and heavy. The resulting stew was delightfully belly warming, the perfect meal for a cold winter’s eve.

elsewhere: Over at ReadyMade check out my latest post on being a mindful eater – probably useful for all your new years resolutions.

west african groundnut stew
(inspired by Sundays at Moosewood Restaurant)
1 t coconut oil
1 onion, large dice
1 T fresh ginger
1 large yam, 1″ dice (approx. 2 c)
2 c chopped green cabbage
1 t dried chilis, crushed
1 T cumin
1 t coriander
1/4 t cinnamon
1/4 t cardamom
1/4 t tumeric
1 t salt
1 c diced tomatoes
1 c apple juice
1/4 c natural peanut butter
juice of 1 lime

In a large heavy pot, melt the coconut oil and add in the onions, ginger, cabbage, yams and spices. Saute for 5 minutes and then add in the tomatoes and apple juice and cover pot. Let simmer for 20 minutes or until the yams are soft. If you find the stew a bit dry, add in more apple juice. Add in the peanut butter and lime juice and stir until combined. Serve over rice, millet or your favorite grain of choice.
http://everybodylikessandwiches.com/