Get Your Bake On

November 30, 2024

I would rather toss something in the over than stand watching a pot on the stove any day. When the oven is on I reach for one of my favorites, either a classic Pyrex baking dish, a white glazed stoneware baker or a vintage Dansk Kobenstyle baker. I’ll decide on which based on what’s being prepared or how it’s being presented. If it’s a batch of Brown Butter Blondies or a sheet cake I might go with the Pyrex. If I’m entertaining for the holidays and I’m making a Panettone Bread Pudding or Sicilian Potato Gratin I will go with a white stoneware or the enameled Kobenstyle. The Pyrex is put to use all year long roasting vegetables while the other two are perfect for a seasonal fruit crisp or presenting a chopped salad to a group. And, it goes without saying any and all will handle the task perfectly when you are asked to whip up a batch of Funeral Potatoes or a Baked Mac and Cheese. Easy clean up for each makes it hard to pick a favorite.

 

 

Classic Pyrex   photo: crate and barrel

brssprtsdn2F

 

White Potluck Baking Dishes    photo: crate and barrel

veghash4F

 

 

White Enamel Dansk Kobenstyle Baker   photo: Food 52

 

photos except where noted: gp

 

Making the Cut

November 29, 2017

Well, it’s time to cull through the stack of Christmas cookie recipes, hold some auditions and see who makes the cut. Sounds brutal, but editing to one selection keeps things simple while still keeping the holiday festive. Espresso Hazelnut Cookies, classic Shortbread and Walnut Horns are being edged out by a twist on last year’s selection…the Chewy Molasses Cookie. By pressing a thumbprint into the center of the cookies while they’re still warm from the oven and filling them with 1/2 teaspoon of raspberry preserves…well, they were simply the hands down winner.

Chewy Molasses Thumbprint Cookies. Chewy, spicy with a little extra Christmas magic.

Photos: gp

 

 

Show Me Your “Ugly”

November 2, 2014

Less than a month until Thanksgiving and Christmas right on its heels. Still, you have no idea how to handle your ugliest interior design dilemma before the crush of holiday revelers start popping in. Well, help is here. Take a quick snap of an area in your home or garden that could benefit from a new set of eyes and send* it to me. I’ll select one  submission at random, come up with a plan and post the simplequietmodern resolution. There’s no time like now…I spotted my first installation of Holiday lights only yesterday.

lightsclrd4Fcrpt

scheme3Fadj

scheme2F

chouxdoneFcrpt

Keeps the pics to a few… add any detail that might help… and get them to me by midnight November 8, 2014 at gpettyint@comcast.net  with SQM in the subject line. Your place looks great but your holiday cooking or entertaining skills have you in a knot? I’ll take that submission as well. Let’s get started.