The Kitchn Archive
2012
December

The Kitchn Archive: Dec 2012

Recipe: Fresh Grape Cake with Luscious Lemon Sauce
I came up with this recipe after one of my trips to Italy during which I discovered the appeal of cooked grapes. In this cake, the grapes stay whole, but soften into juicy, ruby orbs. And with the cake: A simple sauce. But don’t let the simplicity fool you. This is seriously good sauce. People will think you have pulled out a double boiler (and all the stops) to make custard. Not true: The sauce consists only of mascarpone and lemon curd, whipped together.
Sheri Castle
Dec 31, 2012
Breakfast Recipe: Inspired Toast with Sweet Citrus Butter
Toast goes upscale when you start with something more intriguing than plain bread. This is a tasty way to use up some of the baked goods that have made their way into the kitchen over the holidays and turned a tad stale.(If, of course, you have eaten your way straight through all your Christmas baked goodies, then sourdough bread, as shown here, works very nicely too!)For the butter, we continue the flavors from the Citrus Salad — honey, citrus zest, and fresh juice.
Sheri Castle
Dec 28, 2012
Recipe: Creamed Spinach with Baked Eggs
Creamed spinach is a classic, decadent side dish, but it also makes a fine nest for baked eggs. Despite its name, cream weighs down the spinach, so half-and-half or whole milk is a better choice. On the other hand, skim milk is puny, meager, and inadequate. Starting with fresh spinach requires an extra prep step, but the flavor and texture are so superior to frozen spinach that it’s worth it. (You can make the creamed spinach the night before!
Sheri Castle
Dec 24, 2012
Sticky Buns & Baked Eggs: A Holiday Breakfast That’s Easier Than It Looks
This holiday breakfast is warm, cheerful, and tasty. Everything on the menu is easier than it looks, so you won’t wind up stranded in the kitchen all morning. Whether you’re cooking for a crowd the day after Thanksgiving, or planning ahead for December brunch, this menu of creamed spinach with baked eggs and ultra-easy cheater sticky buns is the way to go. Imagine actually sitting down to enjoy the meal along with your family and friends.
Sheri Castle
Dec 24, 2012
Partner
Appetizer Recipe: Blooming Brie Bowl
There’s nothing better than an appetizer that’s completely heavenly, but also simple to make. This Blooming Brie Bowl is both and the flavor combination of creamy baked Brie and spices will have your guests going back for more. Delicious cheesy goodness and crispy sourdough bread? This one is a guaranteed crowd pleaser.
Sponsored Post
Dec 21, 2012
A Gift Guide for Kids Who Like To Cook
Especially when you’re young, cooking isn’t a chore – it’s an adventure and hopefully a tasty one! Here are some gift ideas for your young culinary sidekicks. • Gifts for Young Cooks Apartment Therapy
Carrie McBride
Dec 13, 2012
Is Homemade Eggnog Worth the Effort?
I was recently at a small Christmas gathering where the host served warm cocktails and homemade eggnog. Everyone was raving about the creamy, traditional nog so I tried a small glass and couldn’t help but think that the carton I’d bought at the store was better. Sure, I doctor it up with a little fresh nutmeg and rum or brandy, but still, the store-bought version was smoother and had more nuanced, subtle flavors than this homemade version, which tasted quite eggy to me.
Megan Gordon
Dec 13, 2012
Apartment Kitchen Disaster: How To Stop a Blaring Smoke Detector (And Keep It Off!)
It’s a party nightmare: guests have arrived, the food is in the oven, and all of a sudden the smoke detector starts going off. Besides assigning a guest the task of frantically flapping a towel in front of the smoke alarm, what else can you do? Try this easy tip to keep your cooking alarm free.It’s happened in every apartment I’ve lived in.
Stephanie Barlow
Dec 11, 2012
Tamar Adler’s Brooklyn Kitchen
Tamar Adler, accomplished chef and author of culinary memoir The Everlasting Meal as well as many published articles, is generous and passionate about fresh homemade food. Her Brooklyn kitchen is roomy, practical and functional—a place where wild tomato canning parties for 20 unfold and quiet solitary cups of tea are sipped. It’s a delightful place, where I wanted to stay and chat and pick the brain some more of one of my favorite authors.
Leela Cyd
Dec 4, 2012
Use Cream of Tartar to Clean Your House
It’s official: you can clean your entire home using ingredients from the kitchen. We’ve covered olive oil, citrus fruit, coconut oil, and Kool-Aid and now here’s another handy cleaner: Cream of Tartar. • Cream of Tartar for Cleaning Apartment Therapy
Carrie McBride
Dec 4, 2012
Resourcefulness
It’s been raining heavily here for several days now, and while it’s not impossible to walk to a near by store for provisions, I’m not so inclined to venture out into the cold, wet lashings and lake-sized puddles. This has given me the opportunity to dig a little deeper into my pantry and see what I can create from what’s at hand. This has also necessitated a slightly different approach to meal time. Instead of asking my usual question what do I want?
Dana Velden
Dec 2, 2012