December 4, 2012

Candied Citrus Peel

There’s always a bunch of pressure with gift giving during the holidays. DANG! It can be overwhelming! I like to make edible gifts for my friends & family each year because it works well with my budget and I get to flex my kitchen prowess. RAWR! The act of making edible gifts also calms me in a way standing in line at a department store CANNOT.

This year Candied Citrus Peel will be one of the edible gifts I give. They’re made with love!

It takes a little bit of time (about a day to cure) but once you’re done, you’re left with 6 jars of awesomeness. These candied peels are delicious on their own, but can REALLY enhance a cocktail. You could also blend them up in a food processor and you’ll instantly have citrus sugar. It’s amazing on buttered toast or on top of a muffin. You could go a step further and dip them in chocolate. How about that?!

These are things you should tell whoever you’re giving these to.

It’s also a two-fer recipe! You get a really great citrus simple syrup that you can gift as well. You’ll have enough citrus left to make this cocktail!

And if you’re really into lemon, I suggest making a batch or two of Limoncello. You have time!

Inspiration

December 3, 2012

Give the Gift of Cookbooks

I have a few friends & family members who love cookbooks. This is probably why I keep them around 😉 These are the cookbooks I’ll be gifting this year. They inspire & dazzle and they’re guaranteed to earn me good points with the recipient. I just know this.

1. Canal House Cooks Every Day I really can’t get enough of this book. This Apple Galette was the first of MANY recipes that will grace my blog. If you’re buying this for someone isn’t aware of the awesomeness of the Canal House ladies, this is a brilliant introduction.

2. Food in Jars For the friend/family member who wants to can & preserve stuff. You should get them a bunch of jars while you’re at it and some cute labels. People who can can NEVER have enough supplies. Trust.

3. The Joy The Baker Cookbook For your baker friend who is also your best friend. This cookbook has a crazy amount of recipes I’d like to tackle thanks to my best friend. Guaranteed hit! Also…HILARIOUS writing. Totes amaze.

4. The Smitten Kitchen Cookbook Just do it. I mean…if you haven’t already you SHOULD. What are you waiting for?

5. The Sprouted Kitchen For that person who enjoys healthy/beautiful looking & tasting food, buy this one. Then get them to cook for you.

6. Bouchon Bakery Cookbook If you feel like enabling somebody’s serious sweet tooth, this is the cookbook to try.

7. Aida Mollenkamp’s Keys to the Kitchen For someone in your life who loves food and wants to learn MORE about it, this book is a masterpiece! If they’re into beautiful photos & graphic design, that’s an added bonus!

8. An Everlasting Meal For that person in your life who appreciates good writing & loves reading recipes in cookbooks, get this! It has definitely changed my approach to food in our household.

HAPPY SHOPPING! Tomorrow I’m sharing my first of many edible gifts this December. Stay tuned!

my everyday life, Photography, Uncategorized

December 2, 2012

My Everyday Life: Week 48

Here’s what this past week looked like:

RAIN. FOR DAYS. Seriously.

Uncategorized

November 30, 2012

I love lists, Friday!!

Need to soften butter? NO PROBLEM!
12 Ways to get the Best Glamor Shot. Greet ideas for holiday cards 😉
INA INA INA INA!!!!!
When It’s OK to Give Up.
A guide to gift guides! Thank you for this, Christine!
I adore photo lined envelopes, don’t you?
I’m down to try this hippie drink.
Oooooh. Hot chocolate made with Hazelnut milk!
Who needs to work on their latte art? ME.
I appreciate the truth, Jessica. I also appreciate nut butters.
This made me teary- The Truth about Santa.
This girl is TOO MUCH. So precious. Love her.
The art of Furoshiki! Wrap your gifts in fabric. BOOM.
What to Pack in Your Work & Gym Bag. This post pleases me!
Hater’s Guide to the Williams-Sonoma Catalog. HAHAHAHA
20 Edible Gifts for the Holidays – my pretzels are on that list!
Can I tell you HOW OBSESSED I AM WITH THIS SONG?!

POT LUCKY! There’s an all new JOY THE BAKER PODCAST UP! ENJOY IT in your ears.

Minted loves you, dear podcast listener… and they want to continue giving you deals! This week, when you spend $150 on your Minted holiday cards you get $25 off + free shipping! How’s that for awesome! www.minted.com/joythebaker. Get on it!

My Bites Around The Net:

Yankee in Nashville made my Brussels Sprouts Salad

The Little Bite ALSO made my Brussels Sprouts Salad.

Six Degrees LA made my Pumpkin Bourbon Milkshakes.

I AM A MESS made my Celery Salad with Parmesan & Walnuts.

The Frosted Vegan made my Homemade Amaretto.

Angie Muldowney made my Lemon Date Energy Bars.

Nourish, Preserve & Flourish adapted my No Knead Walnut Raisin Bread

Oven of Happiness made my Pumpkin Cake with Brown Butter Frosting.

My So Called Modern Life made my Mini Apple Pie Cheesecakes.

Eats Daily made my Mini Apple Pie Cheesecakes.

Half Naked Housewife made my Nut Stuffed Delicata Squash

Fleur made my Pumpkin Bourbon Milkshakes.

Hungry Redhead adapted my Brussels Sprouts Salad.

recipes, Uncategorized

November 28, 2012

Apple Galette

TWO days until December. That’s what I keep telling myself. I have a dry erase calendar next to my computer screen right now. It’s the kind where you write in the date. It’s supposed to be my “editorial calendar” where I write out what I plan to accomplish in the current month on Shutterbean. You know what month I’m on? SEPTEMBER.

I’m hoping to fill out my new calendar…in December.

The holidays are kinda getting in the way of my regular routine. I’m sure you know what I’m talking about. I’m still recovering from Thanksgiving! If I can conquer Mt. Laundry this week, I’ll be the happiest person alive. So, what do I do when I’m stressed out and barely staying afloat? Make a mess in the kitchen, of course! Baking is my GO-TO savior. Hands down.

This Apple Galette was the product of my pre-Thanksgiving stress.

I stressed baked this Apple Galette and then I stress ate soft vanilla & cinnamon speckled apples nestled in a flaky/buttery crust. My house smelled like sweet, delicious, warm, apple pie….and then I scorned myself for making Mt. Dish Pile in my kitchen. Some things never change…