I love end-of-the-year wrap ups, so I wanted to put my top 10 faves into a list. This blog has been a great outlet for me not only to share recipes, design ideas, & others' kitchens, but to keep track of thoughts for myself.
Here are a few items to help you get into the kitchen in 2010!
1. Dansko 'Professional Tooled' clogs
Here are a few items to help you get into the kitchen in 2010!
1. Dansko 'Professional Tooled' clogs
I found these beauties at Nordstrom mid-September - they're an embellished version of the clogs that a lot chefs and food-prep folks wear to save their feet. I wear these almost everyday and love how they are somewhat dressy but are incredibly comfortable. And in the kitchen they raise me up an extra 2 inches - all the easier to reach that top shelf!
2. notNeutral Ribbons Coffee Set
2. notNeutral Ribbons Coffee Set
This well-designed Polish porcelain set rounds out the black and white theme pervading through our house. This company offers a great selection of patterns in different colors, too. All of which will make a happy kitchen!
3. Julia Child's 'My Life in France' and 'Mastering the Art of French Cooking'
Two great books to light your cooking fires. The first trails Julia and her husband during their years abroad in Paris, Marseilles, and finally, their Provence country house 'La Pitchoune,' where she finished up her first book about French cooking. The nearly 700 page 'Mastering...' walks you through French sauces and so many other things in a clear, step-by-step explanation.
4. Staub La Theiere Teapot
I got this as a gift for Christmas 2008, but technically didn't start enjoying it until 2009. I love the color the most, but it offers the best functionality of any teapot I've owned with its secure lid and excellent pour. As a bonus, you can also use it for heating sauces. As you can see from the photo, it's well-loved.
5. Miso Paste
I didn't discover the power of miso until this year. This healthy soy product, ubiquitous in Japan, brings a sweet, nutty complex flavor to any salad dressing, marinade, or soup. Pick up some White Miso and try it in Chopped Miso Salad or Walnut Miso Noodles, and be sure to try the smokier red miso as in Miso Glazed Flank Steak or Red Miso Salmon.
And here are my favorite kitchen design ideas from 2009 (featured on the blog):
Thanks so much for reading! I've loved hearing from friends, family & new acquaintances who have enjoyed the blog over the year. I even feel like I've got some momentum to continue it into 2010. Happy New Year everyone!
3. Julia Child's 'My Life in France' and 'Mastering the Art of French Cooking'
Two great books to light your cooking fires. The first trails Julia and her husband during their years abroad in Paris, Marseilles, and finally, their Provence country house 'La Pitchoune,' where she finished up her first book about French cooking. The nearly 700 page 'Mastering...' walks you through French sauces and so many other things in a clear, step-by-step explanation.
4. Staub La Theiere Teapot
I got this as a gift for Christmas 2008, but technically didn't start enjoying it until 2009. I love the color the most, but it offers the best functionality of any teapot I've owned with its secure lid and excellent pour. As a bonus, you can also use it for heating sauces. As you can see from the photo, it's well-loved.5. Miso Paste
I didn't discover the power of miso until this year. This healthy soy product, ubiquitous in Japan, brings a sweet, nutty complex flavor to any salad dressing, marinade, or soup. Pick up some White Miso and try it in Chopped Miso Salad or Walnut Miso Noodles, and be sure to try the smokier red miso as in Miso Glazed Flank Steak or Red Miso Salmon.And here are my favorite kitchen design ideas from 2009 (featured on the blog):
6. Painting bold colors selectively
Nana's bright yellow shelf interiors always get positive comments - I think that particular shade is surprising alongside the cool grey.
7. Personalizing your kitchen accessories
Allison made the round stickers for these spice jars and labeled them with white marker. Perfect for someone who likes to accumulate unusual spices or curry mixes.
8. Leaving plenty of room for cookbooks
Philip & Stacy planned ahead and provided plenty of shelf space in the kitchen for their cookbook collection to grow. Prolific cooks that they are, four shelves are already full!
9. Windows behind the range
Using a ceiling hung vent hood, usually reserved for islands, Ryan and Laura get to enjoy a view while they're cooking. I also love the open shelves that float across the windows and are anchored into the window trim - clever!
10. Mixing textures & materials
From the set of Julie & Julia, this replica of Julia Child's kitchen shows how a collection of wares can be artfully arranged. If only we could all travel like Julia and build such a collection.
Thanks so much for reading! I've loved hearing from friends, family & new acquaintances who have enjoyed the blog over the year. I even feel like I've got some momentum to continue it into 2010. Happy New Year everyone!
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