from marthastewart.com

Happy Halloween!

Whether your a fan or foe of the most ghoulish of American holidays, no one can deny the implicit sweetness of Halloween treats.  From popcorn balls to candy apples, this holiday is a sweet-toothed fiesta.  My fondest memories of Halloween were built around sitting on the floor of my parents’ living room, rooting through all the loot collected that night, and exchanging candy with my little brother while we watched Disney’s Halloween Night Special.  As a kid, it was the day that began my favorite time of year: the Halloween-Thanksgiving-Christmas continuum.  Even to this day I still enjoy a spectacularly well thought-out costume, or a devilishly rich chocolate cake, and eagerly anticipate the coming holiday season as the Halloween moon brings a chill over the city.

Today was a busy day, folks, so apologies for the silence.  Tomorrow is Halloween, and with a half dozen Halloween party invites, I am in for something sweet!  With the spirit of all things ghostly, check out this YouTube video on making Halloween Cupcakes with Food Network’s Giada de Laurentiis.  Spooks and specters never looked so delicious.

Witch cupcakes from MarthaStewart.com

Probably the biggest “duh” moment of a Fall-centric post is to mention Apple Cider.  Whether it’s from a jug, or you’re some crazy urban farmer that makes batches yourself; a mug of hot cider is the quintessential put-a-light-in-my-autumnal-fire drink of the season.  Spike it with rum, spice it with cinnamon and clove, or drink it straight out of the fridge.  RecipeKey offers a more inspired version that incorporates orange juice for a bit of a tang.  Make a batch and share with friends after a brisk walk in the October chill.

photo by Muran-hime on Flickr

Apartment Therapy’s kitchen-focused site, thekitchn.com, posted an article today all about food processors.  Considering my current obsession with KitchenAid’s newest (see said manic obsession here), I had to link to this wonderfully written article.  Also, I would encourage all of you to check out The Kitchn’s site!  It’s beautifully designed and the content is both fabulous and inspirational.

With the change of seasons comes a change of color: from vibrant, lively summer hues to muted, earthy autumn tones.  While I certainly don’t plan on revamping my entire china collection with the change of every season, a serving bowl here or decorative vase there can truly transform your table.  The handmade bowl pictured is a rich brown, the perfect addition to your Fall decor.  Use to serve a more colorful dish such as Cranberry Glazed Sweet Potatoes.  Made by Papapots, find their Etsy shop here.

by Jenni Ferrari-Adler

I recently finished Jenni Ferrari-Adler’s collection of personal stories that all talk about the experience of eating alone.  Some are joyful, some more wistful.  Perhaps the most interesting part of the book, however, is how intimately familiar you become with the authors.  They confess their most bizarre solo-eating habits; things you normally only know about a significant other or best friend.  I found myself nodding in agreement with the stories; my own neuroses about dining solo reflected back at me from the page.  It made me contemplate: what does it mean to me to eat alone?  Continue reading →

Photo by Jen of simplybreakfast.blogspot.com

With the scent of apples, leaves, and warm fires filling the air, Autumn is by far my favorite season.  It is truly unlike any other time of year, where the New England forests become a firework display of reds and golds.  The crispness of the air is detectably distinct and ignites not only my senses, but my appetite as well! 

Continue reading →

Welcome to the new RecipeKey blog!

As you can see, the RecipeKey interface has undergone a Joan Rivers-caliber face-lift. We’ve Botox’d the heck out of the site, added new features, and made several technical improvements. If you’re new to RecipeKey, welcome! If you’re a repeat offender, please feel free to share your comments regarding your before-and-after RK experience with the admins.

One of the newest features (and greatest, in my exquisitely humble opinion) to the RK website is this blog! Check back for reports on the latest gadgets, foodie news, and ideas to try in your home kitchen! Any suggestions can be emailed to rebecca.hansen@recipekey.com.

For an inaugural post, I wanted to share with all of you out there in cyberspace the newest kitchen gadget that makes me squeal with joy and want to hug a puppy: Continue reading →