Blogs

Vote for Cottage Dreams

By Penny Caldwell, posted Nov 30th 2009

[UPDATE: The contest is now closed.] Trust the irrepressible Seana O’Neill of Cottage Dreams to roust me out of my little blog hiatus. She needs our help for a very good cause—to expand the Cottage Dreams program in Northern Ontario. Seana’s not asking for money (though...

DIY Birchbark Votive Candles 2

By Corinna vanGerwen, posted Nov 26th 2009

Here's a DIY project to bring some rustic charm to your cottage dinner table using found pieces of birchbark. You'll need: Birchbark, clear-glass votive or tea light holder (a glass jar can also work), double-sided tape, scissors or utility knife. How-to 1. Start with a...

Eat to the beat; how to whip eggs 1

By Martin Zibauer, posted Nov 24th 2009

Devo's performing tonight. There's a lot of misinformation out there on whipping eggs, but I found a video that comes closest to getting it right. One tip to add: Eggs separate more easily when cold, but egg whites whip faster and higher when they're at room...

Homemade limoncello recipe

By Martin Zibauer, posted Nov 20th 2009

I'll start my own limoncello this weekend and report back in a few weeks when it's done: The comment section on Chowhound points out two errors in the video: It's important to remove the bitter, white pith from the peel, and the measurement for the simple syrup should be 1 1/2...

Breaking news: Eggo shortage 4

By Martin Zibauer, posted Nov 19th 2009

Kellogg's is reporting a shortage of Eggo waffles in the US. Although Belgium has agreed to an emergency airlift of waffle rations, supplies are not expected to stabilize until next summer. Until the crisis passes, Americans are asked to substitute crepes: Sweet Crepes by Jane...

Spring Mattress Wine Rack

By Corinna vanGerwen, posted Nov 18th 2009

Mattresses tend to stick around a lot longer than they should at a cottage, long past any point of being comfortable. Next time you're ready to retire a squeaky spring mattress, give it a second chance as a wine rack. You can find more information about this project here....

3 great ways to use leftover steamed rice 5

By Martin Zibauer, posted Nov 17th 2009

1. Congee (a.k.a. jook) The first time I had congee, a thick rice porridge or soup, was late at night in Hong Kong after an evening in the bars. It's just as good for lunch or a light dinner at home. It's usually made with uncooked white rice, but a cheater's version using...

Abate pears in Kensington

By Martin Zibauer, posted Nov 17th 2009

Corby Kummer visited Toronto's Kensington Market and Chinatown recently and is all excited about finding Abate pears: Best, of course, is the flesh: buttery and sweet, but not as cloyingly perfumed as Comice can be, and, though not spicy like Seckel or Bosc or as refreshing as...

Flourless Chocolate Pfeffernusse Cake (secret ingredient: black beans)

By Martin Zibauer, posted Nov 15th 2009

I'm trying to speed up my writing, so I'm tasking myself with finishing the recipe post while the cake is baking. I give full credit for this recipe to Margaret Tung at The Atlantic. Her Black Bean Chocolate Cake is the basis for mine. All I really did was adjust the quantities...

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Vote for Cottage Dreams

DIY Birchbark Votive Candles 2

Eat to the beat; how to whip eggs 1

Homemade limoncello recipe

Breaking news: Eggo shortage 4

Spring Mattress Wine Rack

3 great ways to use leftover steamed rice 5

Abate pears in Kensington

Flourless Chocolate Pfeffernusse Cake (secret ingredient: black beans)

Who knew? 2