Okay, the pumpkin spice craze has officially gone too far. There’s apparently an active trade in jugs of the sweet, fall-flavored syrup.
While you can technically buy pumpkin spice syrup from Starbucks stores or their site, PSL devotees claim that it’s not the same stuff.
I grew up drinking a lot of Mexican hot chocolate, made from those granular discs of Ibarra Mexican chocolate that were always stashed somewhere in our pantry. Whizzed with hot milk in the blender, it made a great morning treat. Sometimes Mom added a dash of almond extract.
It’s only a matter of time before I turn something I love into ice cream. This is how a recipe evolves.
Who shops and eats here: Batya Stepelman of Sparrows & Spatulas, along with her husband, Matt Berman, and their young sons, Otis and Theodore
See her kitchen: Batya Stepelman’s Open, Garden-Powered Kitchen
Where: Denver, CO
Rent or Own? Own
We recently toured the open, garden-powered kitchen of Batya Stepelman and were inspired by her city garden and how she finds ways to bring healthier meals and more vegetables to her family’s table. Before visiting her home, Batya and I took a trip to the Cherry Creek Farmers Market, where we sketched out meals for the week, selected from seasonally ripe produce, and even gained some helpful gardening advice.
Batya shares her best time-saving tips on how she makes the most out of a trip to the farmers market and how local, seasonal eating influences her cooking style.
Reader Emilie’s kitchen was one of the entries in The Big Reveal 2014. While she didn’t take home the grand prize, she is enjoying her new kitchen, which got a bright makeover that involved some rearranging of appliances and plenty of IKEA cabinets. Take a look at how it turned out; we love this transformation!
When you’re a kid, it’s not so much about what’s in your lunch box, but what’s on your lunch box. Were you a Scooby Doo kid or more of a Strawberry Shortcake kind of gal? Did you like the hard plastic lunch boxes, or did you prefer the vintage metal look? You can learn a lot about someone based on their favorite childhood lunch box.
So think back, way back, and remember what your favorite childhood lunchbox looked like. Got it? Now read on to see what that says about you as a person now.
Think about some of the staples you keep in your pantry or fridge and use on a daily basis — peanut butter, marinara sauce, tomato paste, mayonnaise, granola, chicken (or vegetable) stock, spice blends. The list could go on and on. Have you tried to make these things yourself?
If not, you should! You might not always save time making these everyday items, but they’ll taste fresher, you’ll have fun making them, and it might even save you a little money. Here are 20 pantry staples that are easy to make at home, and in some cases even less expensive than the store-bought versions!
If you ask me about comfort food, I will answer promptly: Slow-cooked brisket. This old-fashioned pot roast, cooked quietly in the slow cooker all day with just a handful of ingredients and a mess of caramelized onions, makes a rich broth and meat that melts in your mouth. Sunday dinner, weeknight supper — whenever you eat it, this is a classic dish both convenient and comforting.
Who cooks and eats here: Batya Stepelman of Sparrows & Spatulas, along with her husband, Matt Berman, and their young sons, Otis and Theodore
Where: Denver, CO
Rent or Own? Own
I recently visited Batya Stepelman’s city garden and warm, functional kitchen, nestled in a historic section of downtown Denver. Originally from Brooklyn, Batya is a self-taught cook, seasoned vegetarian, first-time gardener, and author of the popular lifestyle blog, Sparrows & Spatulas. When you visit Batya’s kitchen, two things are certain: you won’t leave empty handed, and you’ll walk away inspired.
Let’s take a peek into her cozy, open kitchen and flourishing garden.
If you’ve never experienced the magic that is spaghetti squash, this is the recipe to kick off your new fall obsession. It’s called spaghetti squash for a reason, after all, and these tender strands of squash make a remarkable stand-in for our favorite pasta dishes.
Today, this mild-tasting squash is getting a lasagna makeover. Mozzarella, ricotta, meat sauce — the works. It’s a bowl of hot-baked goodness that you get all to yourself, no sharing required.
Loft apartments and homes require a particular type of kitchen. Yes, they can be light and airy, but they can also face some particular challenges. Here are seven loft-style kitchens — some huge and tall, and others tucked under the eaves — that make particular good use of their space. We’d love to cook in any of these.
