December 23, 2007
· Filed under Cooking, Food, Guelph, Kitchen Tools, Spring, Thyme to Cook, Winter · Tagged Christmas, Coffee Cake, Cooking, Guelph, last minute gifts, Thyme to Cook
Only 2 days left until it’s Christmas!! Many people have their shopping done. Some of us are still rushing around, trying to find the perfect gift.
If you have any entertaining to do over this holidays,
Blueberry Sour Cream Coffee Cake
Once one of our favorite baking mixes, we’ve broken down this delicious recipe for you to make and enjoy all on your own!
Ingredients
* 2 cups granulated sugar
* 2 cups all purpose flour
* 1 Tbsp vanilla extract
* 1 Tbsp baking powder
* 1/4 Tsp salt
* 2 sticks (1 cup) unsalted butter
* 2 eggs, beaten lightly
* 1 cup sour cream
* 1 – 13 oz. jar Stonewall Kitchen Wild Maine Blueberry Jam, stirred well
Directions
1. Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees.
2. Butter a 10” bundt pan and lightly dust the inside with flour.
3. In a mixer, or by hand, cream sugar and butter until light and fluffy.
4. Add eggs, blending well, and then add sour cream. Mix until combined.
5. Gradually fold in flour, vanilla, baking powder, and salt into creamed mixture until just blended.
6. Reserve 1/2 cup of batter and mix with 3/4 of the jar of blueberry jam.
7. Pour 3/4 remaining batter into the prepared pan, smoothing to the edges and creating a slight “trough” with a spatula.
8. Gently spoon the blueberry mix into the batter “trough”, being careful not to touch the side of the pan.
9. Pour the remaining batter over the jam and smooth the top.
10. Set pan on middle rack in the oven and bake for about 60 minutes, or until the sides of the cake pull away from the pan and a cake tester (or toothpick) inserted in the center comes out clean.
11. Cool on a wire rack for at least 30 minutes. Turn onto a plate, sprinkle with confectioners sugar, drizzle with remaining jam and enjoy!
Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, hope everyone’s safe, and happy and
December 14, 2007
· Filed under Green Holidays, Guelph, Thyme to Cook, Winter, gift suggestions, holiday · Tagged Downtown Guelph, Guelph Gift guide, Holiday shopping, Incarnate clothing, Pet presents
Being a downtown worker, I get a holiday discount card for 10% off selected stores!
Here are my favorite Downtown Guelph shops
Incarnate – My favorite shop downtown. Great selection of high quality clothing that looks great.
Ouderkirk and Taylor - Brand New Fine Foods store. A lot of locally sourced and farm fresh cheeses, gourmet olive oils and fresh baked breads. A must visit to try their Truffle Goat Cheese.
Shatki – funky clothes, accessories and home decor
If – Dream shoes
Macondo Books Eclectic Bookstore, great selection, amazing prices
Dutch Toko – the BEST wine gums in town
Gloss – Beautiful, fashionable clothing
Guelph Artisans Store - Support your local artists with original artwork
Harmony Crafts – Fairtrade selection, great jewelery selection, musical instruments and much more
On the Verge – Love this store!! Great clothing, original items for every room of your house, greeting cards and more!
Sweet Violets – Flower shop with great selection of flowers and beautiful arrangements
Tattle Tails Pet Boutique - Amazing selection of practical and fun pet items (Sweaters, food dishes….)
Pretty Chic Boutique – Jewelery! Fun, funky and trendy
If you have some holiday shopping to do, check these great stores out and beat the line ups at the mall!
December 11, 2007
· Filed under Green Holidays, New, Thyme to Cook, Winter, gadgets, gift suggestions, holiday · Tagged Christmas Gift, Fine Living, I Want That, Innovative Kitchen products, Kernels Popcorn, Neat Ideas, Popcorn
I found this on the Kernels website…
From their site..
“No more greasy popcorn fingers!
The Popcorn Fork is a new and exciting way to eat popcorn. You hold it like a pencil and pinch the tines with your thumb and first two fingers. Grab some popcorn and drop it into your mouth. Yummy! It works kind of like chopsticks – but it’s much easier to use.
The best part of the Kernel Season’s Popcorn Fork is the built-in shaker! You can fill the handle with your favorite Kernel Season’s flavor and shake the seasoning onto your popcorn as you eat it.”
I am a popcorn fiend, so this sounds super wonderful.
I love finding out about innovative new products, especially items for the kitchen! If you get the Fineliving Network, you should check out the show “I Want That!” It features cutting edge products. I have seen a lot of items we actually carry in the store on the show, which makes me proud!
That’s all for today!
December 8, 2007
· Filed under Thyme to Cook, Winter, gift suggestions, holiday · Tagged Cooking, entertaining, gift suggestions, Guelph, Holiday parties, hosting, Kitchen, Thyme to Cook
It’s the time of year where most of us have lots of parties to go to and some entertaining to do. It can be exhausting, but should be fun!
Often times if you’re going to a party, you’re expected to bring a hostess gift. My favorite picks for this holiday season are:
* A bread board with some dipping oil – elegant, useful and practical!
* A bottle of wine with a wine bag
* Decorative plates with spreaders
* Cheese Tray
I actually have to go get ready for a work party, so this post is going to be short, but I hope everyone is having luck with their holiday preperations!
With Cheer….
