Category: Cora
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Thursday, July 24, 2014
Why You Need a Pampered Chef Scoop and Not Just Any Old Scoop
Friends, I need to do a follow-up post about scoops because I didn’t realize a little something about my scoops until now. My sister-in-law Cora said that I needed to do a follow-up!
Three years ago I wrote a post about how you absolutely need a scoop (or two) in your kitchen. I still firmly stand by that advice. HOWEVER…I learned this summer that there is a second bit of advice that I should have also included that I didn’t know was important. Not only do you need a scoop (or two), you need a Pampered Chef scoop.
Here’s the deal. When I went to New Jersey this summer I made cookies at my mom’s house. When I went to make the cookie dough balls, I got out the scoop that I had given her last year, a scoop that I had purchased at Michael’s and was not cheap, by the way. As I pulled it out of the drawer, my sister-in-law said, “Ugh, I’ve gone through three scoops since you wrote that post about scoops. They always break on me!” I was stunned to hear this.
And then I started scooping dough and the scoop kept getting jammed and the little swivel thingy kept getting pulled into the wrong place. It was basically the biggest pain ever. Cora was aboslutely right. The scoop could not handle a batch of cookie dough. It kinda blew my mind.
I have NEVER had any issues whatsoever with my Pampered Chef scoops. They are in the exact same condition as the day I got them, they never get jammed, they have never broken and I can make a billion cookie dough balls with no issues. Cora and I realized that my advice to “Get a scoop” really should have been “Get a Pampered Chef scoop.” I had no idea that it made such a difference!
Pampered Chef sells three sizes of scoops:
- Large Scoop (~3 tablespoons): perfect for making pancakes and filling muffin tins.
- Medium Scoop (~2 tablespoons): perfect for standard-sized cookies
- Small Scoop (~1 tablespoon): also good for cookies, just smaller ones
If you’re only going to get one scoop, go with the medium, especially if you’re getting it specifically for making cookies. It’s a great size.
This post is in no way sponsored by Pampered Chef. I just needed to tell you how much better their scoops are! And also apologize if you, like Cora, have been feeling frustrated the the scoop you may have gotten based on my advice.
Also, as usual, I love your feedback! If you have another brand of scoop that is equally as awesome as my Pampered Chef scoops, please share it with us!
Posted by Jane Maynard at 10:55 am 9 Comments
Categories: Cora, Kitchen Tips, the goods Tags: kitchen tips, pampered chef, pampered chef scoop, scoop |
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Wednesday, March 26, 2014
Boozy Beef Stew
Apparently it’s still snowing in some places. CRAZY. It’s even chilly and drizzly here in San Diego (don’t worry, I am not complaining), so I think we’re all probably in the mood for some cozy food.
My sister-in-law Cora made beef stew for the family this past summer and it was sublime. I make a pretty good beef stew, but hers was definitely better. I finally got around to bugging her for the recipe and, as usual, she obliged. She’s good like that.
Cora sort of follows Ree’s seef stew with beer and paprika recipe but changes a few things up. I followed her lead and ended up with this most delicious stew. The sauce is so rich in flavor, the meat so tender, the veggies cooked to perfection.
Yes, it’s called Boozy Beef Stew. Because there are two bottles of beer in the pot and how can you not name it Boozy Beef Stew with all that beer involved? Never fear, it doesn’t taste like a bottle of beer with a few chunks of meat thrown in. It just tastes good. So good.
Also, this recipe gives me an excuse to use one of my most favorite items in the kitchen – a bottle opener we got from Nate’s great-grandma Rose’s home when she moved into assisted living at age 99. We don’t drink around here, so this cute little bottle opener doesn’t get much action. But when I do take it out, it always makes me happy.
I modified the recipe just a bit so it is quite literally a one-pot dinner. I hate washing dishes. A lot. You’ll be able to cook it all in one pot, no extra dishes required! (Well, you will have to use a knife and cutting board, but that doesn’t count, right?)
Now, go booze up your beef.
Posted by Jane Maynard at 3:12 pm 19 Comments
Categories: Cora, featured recipes, main dishes, Recipes Tags: beef stew, beer, meat, soups, stew |
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Thursday, February 21, 2013
Sweet Potato and Black Bean Burritos {Sweet Potato Day with ONE}
Before we get into the heart of today’s post, I need to whet your appetite. You do not want to miss today’s recipe. It comes from my sister-in-law Cora and is amazing. Appetite whetted? Good.
Way back in the day, I was an International Relations major at Boston University, with a focus on developing countries. When I met the folks at ONE about a year ago, I was super excited to get involved and help support their work, especially since one of their main focuses is world hunger. My food blogging and international relations lives were coming together in a very cool way. The folks at ONE have been amazing to work with, too. Win, win, win!
Today is Sweet Potato Day, a special day coordinated with ONE where a big group of loving, talented bloggers are all writing about sweet potatoes to raise awareness on the issue of hunger. Why the sweet potato, you ask? We are trying to make the sweet potato famous! It is nutritional and hearty and is saving lives in Africa, making it a worthy mascot for the cause! (Click here to read the Sweet Potato Day kick-off post I wrote for the ONE website.)
As part of the big day, I am sharing a keeper of a recipe with you below. It is so so so so good. These Sweet Potato and Black Bean Burritos come from my culinarily-talented sister-in-law, Cora. The first night she made them, she called me simply to tell me how delicious her dinner was. I knew I would have to make it myself pronto! Each element of this “recipe” is great on its own: the black beans are deliciously sweet, the sweet potatoes are simple and flavorful with a hint of spice, and the slaw is fresh and has bite. When you put them all together, you get something really special.
To support Sweet Potato Day, I hope that you will visit ONE’s website and see how you can get involved. There are two main issues I would love for you to check out. First, the budget. You can learn more on the budget issue and send a letter to your Congressperson on this page. Second, food. ONE has oodles of great info on food and hunger on this page, where you can also sign a petition to encourage world leaders to make hunger and food a top priority. We really can make a difference. I am blessed with abundance and want to do my part to help share the love. I hope you’ll join me!
Sweet Potato and Black Bean BurritosAuthor: Cora Walling (Jane's awesome sister-in-law)Ingredients- Roasted Sweet Potatoes (see recipe below)
- Aunt Kathy's Black Beans (see recipe below)
- Jalapeño Slaw (see recipe below)
- Shredded cheese
- Sour Cream
- Flour tortillas
Instructions- Stuff all the good food above into your flour tortillas, eat, and enjoy!
Roasted Sweet PotatoesAuthor: Cora Wallin (Jane's awesome sister-in-law)Ingredients- 2 sweet potatoes, peeled and cubed
- Olive oil
- Salt
- Pepper
- Chili powder
- Oregano
- Cumin
Instructions- Spread cubed sweet potatoes on a large baking sheet. Drizzle olive oil over sweet potatoes evenly, to coat. Sprinkle sweet potatoes with salt, pepper, chili powder, oregano and cumin. Mix and move sweet potatoes around on the sheet to coat with spices. Roast in a 350 degree F oven while you prepare the beans. Cook until soft then remove from oven, 10-20 minutes.
Aunt Kathy's Black BeansAuthor: From Cora Wallin, slightly modified by Jane MaynardIngredients- 2 (16oz) cans black beans, mostly drained
- ½ cup water
- ⅔ cup olive oil
- ⅛ cup vinegar
- ⅓ cup sugar
- 1 tsp pepper
- 1 bay leaves
- 2 T fresh, minced garlic
- 2 tsp salt
- ½ tsp cumin
- 1 tsp oregano
- ⅓ onion, chopped
Instructions- Sauté onions. Combine all ingredients, including sautéed onions, in a large saucepan. Bring to a simmer over medium-high heat, then reduce heat to medium-low and simmer for about 20 minutes.
Jalapeño SlawAuthor: Jane Maynard via Cora WallinIngredients- ¼ cup lime juice
- 1 tablespoon white vinegar
- 2 teaspoons sugar
- ¾ teaspoon kosher or coarse salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- ½ cup chopped cilantro
- 1 16-ounce package cabbage and carrot coleslaw
- 1 jalapeño, sliced thin and chopped (add more if you want it hotter)
Instructions- Mix all the ingredients except the coleslaw together in a large bowl. Add coleslaw and toss to coat.
Be sure to visit the other blogs taking part in Sweet Potato Day! I have listed them all below. There is a lot of love and deliciousness in these posts. You will be well fed.Sweet Potato & Black Bean Burritos from This Week for Dinner
Truffle Sweet Potato Frites from Savory Sweet Life
Sweet Potato & Chicken Sausage Stew from Chefdruck
Honey Sweet Potato Biscuits from Food for My Family
Sweet Potato Burgers from Cutie Booty Cakes
What’s Gaby Cooking and Sweet Potato Day
The MIssion List and Sweet Potato Day
World Moms Blog and Sweet Potato Day
Go Graham Go and Sweet Potato Day
Cranberry Sweet Potato Crumb Cake from Barbara Bakes
Bourbon and Marshmallow Sweet Potatoes from Boston Mamas
Documama and Sweet Potato Day
Sweet Potato Bread Pudding from Eat the Love
Lamb Shanks with Sweet Potatoes and Sausage from Kitchen Gadget Girl
Sweet Potato Love To Help End World Hunger from Love That Max
Celebrating Sweet Potato Day with Mom Trends
Sweet Potato Chili from Righteous Bacon
Cooking Sweet Potatoes for Picky Eaters from Rookie Moms
Sweet Potatoes and Global Health from Third Eye Mom
Indian Spiced Sweet Potato Kielbasa ONE Skillet Bake from Tickled Red
Sweet, Dude, Sweet Potato Breakfast Hash from Helen Jane
Oh My Sweet Potato Apple Bake from Bowl Licker
Sweet Potato and Peanut Gratin from Non-Reactive Pan
Sweet Potato Fries from When You Wake Up a Mother (also found on Million Moms Challenge)Posted by Jane Maynard at 5:00 am 31 Comments
Categories: Cora, eat less meat, Eat Well. Heal the Planet., featured recipes, main dishes, ONE, Recipes, side dishes Tags: black beans, mexican food, sweet potatoes, vegetarian |
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Wednesday, August 12, 2009
Featured Recipe: Cucumber Sandwiches
These cucumber sandwiches are one of my sister-in-law Cora’s favorite recipes, so we made them for her baby shower last week. They were mighty delicious and very easy to throw together, so thought I better share the recipe with you! Great for parties, and nice and light in the summertime.
Featured Recipe: Cucumber SandwichesFrom Cora WallinAuthor: Jane MaynardRecipe type: Main Dish, SandwichesIngredients- Sliced cucumbers (pretty thin, with skins ON)
- Cream cheese
- Package powdered italian dressing mix
- Bit of milk – about 1 Tbsp
- Party-sized pumpernickel (I just learned about this bread – they come small and square like this, in the bread section at the store”¦the brand we bought was called Wild’s Party Pumpernickel)
- Dill (dried is fine)
Instructions- Soften cream cheese at room temp, mix in salad dressing mix and enough milk to make the cheese spreadable. Spread on bread, top with sliced cucumber. Sprinkle with dill. Voila!
Posted by Jane Maynard at 5:00 am 42 Comments
Categories: Cora, featured recipes, Recipes Tags: cucumber, main dish, sanwich |
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Wednesday, January 31, 2007
French Silk Pie
French Silk PieFrom Cora WallinAuthor: Jane MaynardRecipe type: DessertIngredients- 3 ounces unsweetened chocolate squares (melted and cooled)
- ½ cup butter
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 tablespoon vanilla
- 4 Eggs
Instructions- Melt and cool chocolate. Cream butter – add sugar and vanilla and mix. Add chocolate. Add 2 eggs and beat on high 5 mins. Add 2 more eggs beat on high 5 minutes. I use a premade graham cracker crust. Top with whipped cream. Keep refrigerated.
Posted by Jane Maynard at 10:42 pm 1 Comment
Categories: Cora, sweet things Tags: chocolate, dessert, french, pie |
Hi! My name is Jane Maynard and you've landed yourself on my blog, This Week for Dinner™. Every Sunday I share a weekly menu...and count on you to share yours! You'll also find other deliciousness that I hope you'll enjoy!
