kim, Author at Lovin' From the Oven

My Must Have Kitchen List Part 2: Things You Don’t Really Need

August 4, 2014 by kim 165 Comments

Since my last “must-have” kitchen list, I’ve been putting together a list of things that you don’t really need, but want for the kitchen. We all know that everyone has that list, too.

OXO Good Grips Small Cookie Scoop:: The key to making perfectly uniform cookies. It’s great to own at least one, but they do come in a variety of sizes depending on how big you want your cookies to turn out. Note: these aren’t meant for frozen cookies or cookies that have been refrigerated for long.

OXO Good Grips Multi-Purpose Pastry Scraper/Chopper:: This device comes in handy when you are making scones or working with dough a lot. It’s a great measuring tool as well.

Microplane 40020 Classic Zester/Grater:: I LOVE my zester. I use it all the time for lemons. I hate eating lemon desserts, but I have no problem making them for everyone else to eat!

EatSmart Precision Pro Digital Kitchen Scale, Silver:: When you’re using recipes that aren’t from the states, a kitchen scale comes in handy! Actually, it always comes in handy when you’re trying to make those perfect cookies or cake.

Crock-Pot SCCPVL610-S 6-Quart Programmable Cook & Carry Oval Slow Cooker, Stainless Steel:: Okay, this is more of something that you really DO need, but since it wasn’t on my first list, I’ve included it on this one.

Wilton 2104-7778 Master Tip Set:: You need this in order to decorate cupcakes like a pro!

Cupcake Courier 36-Cupcake Plastic Storage Container, White Translucent:: Of course, you have to carry those pro-looking cupcakes around somehow. I use this carrier if my cupcakes are on the larger side and if I have a lot to carry.

Snapware 6032 Large 2 Layer-Cupcake Keeper:: This case is smaller than the one above, but just as sturdy and versatile. I can carry cookies and smaller items if I only want to take one layer instead of two.

Nordic Ware Leakproof Springform Pan, 10 Cup, 9 Inch:: Springform pans are great if you’re really into baking. Cheesecakes come out with ease and you don’t have to worry about taking everything out in one piece.

Nordic Ware Original Platinum Collection Bundt Pan:: All you need in your kitchen is ONE good bundt pan. Just one. You can use it over and over again for different kinds of bundt pan recipes and they’ll all come out perfectly shaped.

Wilton 4-Tier Stacked Cupcake and Dessert Tower:: Last but not least, a display for your baked goods. When you have guests over, you’ll want to show off your hard work, right?

When I’m doing my shopping for all of these items, I make sure to use my American Express card because of all the great offers that the card provides. For example, the Amex Offers are created especially for me depending on my area and my shopping history. It immediately allows me to save more money by simply shopping at the stores I already love. There are no coupons to clip or codes to remember, you just log on to AmexOffers.com and get the discounts right in the account dashboard. All I have to do is click on “Save Offer” to save the offer to my Card. If you’re tech savvy, you can also connect your Amex Card to social networks like Facebook, Foursquare, Twitter and TripAdvisor to add offers to your Card right in those places. Once that’s done, just spend away like normal and the savings will show up on your statement as credits. So far, Card Members have saved over $90 million with Amex Offers, so go ahead and give it a shot! Here are some of my favorite current offers right now:

Whole Foods– Spend $75, get $10 back from 7/21/14-9/30/14
Gelson’s– Spend $50, get $10 back from 7/21/14-9/21/14
Dollar Tree– Spend $101, get $20 back from 7/21/14-9/2/14

Want to win a $100 AMEX gift card so that you could buy items on your “want, not need, kitchen list”? Just answer this question in the comments: What do you like most about AMEX Offers?

Sweepstakes Rules:
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This giveaway is open to US Residents age 18 or older. Winners will be selected via random draw, and will be notified by e-mail. The notification email will come directly from BlogHer via the sweeps@blogher email address. You will have 72 hours to respond; otherwise a new winner will be selected.

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This sweepstakes runs from 8/4-9/1.

Be sure to visit the Amex Offers brand page on BlogHer.com where you can read other bloggers’ posts!

MorningStar Farms Buffalo Chik’n Patty  Burger

July 28, 2014 by kim 84 Comments

With my DF’s picky palate, my cooking is pretty limited. I stick to the same meats with the same ol’ seasonings. We eat quite a bit of meat in my household, so I decided to change it up a bit with MorningStar Farms. They are always introducing new flavors and products, including Spicy Black Bean Burger, Mediterranean Chickpea Burger, Roasted Garlic & Quinoa Burger, Buffalo Chik Patty, and Original Veggie Sausage.

I started off with the Buffalo Chik Patty because I wanted my DF to eat the food without me having to convince him first. He’s very… stubborn when it comes to trying new foods. The best way to disguise it was to use it in a burger since it looks exactly like a chicken patty. Little did my DF know that his “burger” was actually meat free, vegan, and gluten free!

He took a bite and I questioned him what he thought. Since I was staring at him the entire time he was chewing to see if he noticed anything strange, he finally asked me what was in the burger. I told him that there was, in fact, no meat in the burger that he just swallowed. He was so surprised! The meat-only eater liked eating a meatless burger. Imagine that.

These Buffalo Chik Patties would be great in place of chicken parmesan. You could also cut them into strips and use them to top a salad or on a bowl of pasta. Actually, I would love using these in a spring roll and dipping them in a buffalo-mayonnaise sauce. I’m coming up with plenty of ideas just sitting here typing! Imagine all of the other possibilities that you could come up with.

I could slowly replace the meat in our meals and my DF wouldn’t even notice! That’s how close they are to the real thing. Since they’re so tasty, MorningStar Farms makes it easy to eat smart. Plus, all twelve MorningStar Farms veggie burgers have a great source of protein, just like meat.

MorningStar Farms Buffalo Chik’n Patty  Burger

Ingredients

1 MorningStar Farms Buffalo Chick'n Patty
1 sandwich bun
half of a tomato, sliced
mixed greens
1 slice of pepper jack cheese
couple dashes of Frank's Buffalo hot sauce

Directions

Toast your bun and cook the chick'n patty as directed.
Create your burger as desired, stacking all of your ingredients. Serve immediately.

https://lovintheoven.com/morningstar-farms-buffalo-chikn-patty%e2%80%a8-burger/

You could use this recipe or find other recipes from MorningStar Farms online. After all, who says you can only use patties for a burger? There are over 30 MorningStar Farms products available in stores. Now’s your chance to enter to win a $100 Visa gift card! All you have to do is comment on this post letting me know which MorningStar Farms product is your favorite or which one you’d like to try first (if you’ve never had the chance to try anything yet).

Sweepstakes Rules:

No duplicate comments.

You may receive (2) total entries by selecting from the following entry methods:

Leave a comment in response to the sweepstakes prompt on this post
Tweet (public message) about this promotion; including exactly the following unique term in your tweet message: “#SweepstakesEntry”; and leave the URL to that tweet in a comment on this post
Blog about this promotion, including a disclosure that you are receiving a sweepstakes entry in exchange for writing the blog post, and leave the URL to that post in a comment on this post
For those with no Twitter or blog, read the official rules to learn about an alternate form of entry.

The Official Rules are available here.

This sweepstakes runs from 7/28-8/31/2014.

Be sure to visit the MorningStar Farms brand page on BlogHer.com where you can read other bloggers’ posts!

Banana Waffles with Caramelized Bananas

July 21, 2014 by kim 3 Comments

Bananas are a no brainer for breakfast items. There are banana muffins, banana pancakes, sliced bananas on oatmeal, banana bread, bananas on yogurt, and banana french toast. Well, I took it a step further and made bananas waffles with caramelized bananas so you can add another goodie to that breakfast list.

Don’t forget that you can always eat them as is. That’s usually how my DF prefers them.

As for me, I’ll take them caramelized or flambéed any day.

This dish is definitely restaurant worthy. If I ever open my own breakfast spot, these waffles would be on the menu.

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Instead of using whipped cream on top, Cool Whip would make it even better since it could stand up to the heat of the waffle without melting. I had to take these pictures quickly before I had a puddle of whipped cream dripping down the sides of the waffles.

The caramelized bananas were sweet enough on their own, so you don’t need to add any maple syrup. A little sprinkling of powdered sugar would be sufficient if you really needed that something extra. I chose to use cinnamon.

Another tip when it comes to making waffles is that when you remove the waffle from the waffle maker, don’t put it on a plate immediately after. Place it on a cooling rack so that the bottom can cool a little and crisp up. If you place the waffle on a plate straight from the grill, the bottom will get soggy from the heat having no where to escape.

You can also place them in the oven to keep them warm while you’re making another batch.

As for the caramelizing part, it’s a beautiful sight.

Yes, just yes. Give me a spoonful of that, please!

Thank you, Dole® Bananas, for making my day so delectable. They actually have a Peel the Love “Banana Cabana” Tour that’s making its way across the US right now. It’s coming through the LA area from July 31-August 3, but you can find specific dates for other cities here.

Banana Waffles with Caramelized Bananas

Ingredients

1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
3 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
pinch of salt
1/2 cup milk
1/2 cup vanilla greek yogurt
1 egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 bananas, mashed

For the topping:

1 banana, sliced
1 tablespoon butter
1 tablespoon honey
1 tablespoon sugar
1 teaspoon cinnamon
sprinkle of sea salt

Directions

Mix together the flour, baking powder, cinnamon, salt, milk, yogurt, egg, vanilla, and banana until smooth. Make sure not to over mix.
Pour 1/2 cup of the batter into your waffle maker and cook as instructed.
Meanwhile, to make the topping, place the butter, honey, sugar, cinnamon, and salt in a small saucepan over medium heat while continually whisking.
Once the mixture bubbles, turn the heat down to low-medium and add the sliced bananas. Cook on each side for 3-4 minutes, until lightly browned. Immediately pour over waffles and serve.

https://lovintheoven.com/banana-waffles-caramelized-bananas/

This is a sponsored post, but the opinions expressed are my own.

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