tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-82875128379803956812012-02-22T07:12:01.034-08:00Renee Sheltonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13813357322534891715noreply@blogger.comBlogger611100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8287512837980395681.post-44091236942563727132012-02-22T07:12:00.000-08:002012-02-22T07:12:01.126-08:00

Rice pilaf is a name for a dish, and a method of cooking rice. This recipe calls for cooking the rice on the stove then finishing it in the oven. Rice pilaf is a name for a cooked rice dish, and is also a coined method of cooking rice. Most rice pilaf recipe procedures begin with sautéing rice with or without vegetables first, then adding a liquid and finishing the dish in the oven or on

Renee Sheltonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13813357322534891715noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8287512837980395681.post-18060595154983624152012-02-20T09:43:00.000-08:002012-02-20T11:38:29.475-08:00

We like pancakes, and with three active kids, a stack of hot cakes go by fast. There are a few recipes I use in my fancy little black kitchen recipe book (okay, cheap wooden 3x5 index card holder) but these whole wheat pancakes are usually gone as soon as they are flipped. In celebration of National Pancake Week - 19th through the 25th of February - try making these whole wheat pancakes. Whole

Renee Sheltonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13813357322534891715noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8287512837980395681.post-21243042137914946532012-02-20T09:17:00.000-08:002012-02-20T09:17:33.084-08:00

For those of you who like free giveaways - I've listed another one on the Pastry Sampler blog: Set of Standard Closed Star Pastry Tip Pack. It includes 17 different closed star pastry tips, plastic nails, couplers, and more. Begins today and ends next Monday. The winner will be chosen by random and listed on the Pastry Sampler blog. For this one, 'like' the Pastry Sampler facebook page, with

Renee Sheltonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13813357322534891715noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8287512837980395681.post-52609002165375094442012-02-19T23:30:00.000-08:002012-02-19T23:30:52.572-08:00

Editorial Calendars - Just the thought of them can make your head spin, but they are very handy. Since I write for a variety of platforms in a number of different subjects, having one helps me focus on one theme or idea or holiday at a time, on any particular day, and also helps me narrow down what to write about if a day has too many possibilities. Or if I'm brain dead and I'm fortunate the

Renee Sheltonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13813357322534891715noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8287512837980395681.post-65116275844873217272012-01-16T08:20:00.000-08:002012-01-16T09:45:03.269-08:00

Let's say you have a brand new kindle that Santa left you, and are wondering what to put on it. Something fun, something short, something with a little crime in it, or maybe something akin to the twilight zone? Three Shorts (Matthew Iden, 2011, Smashwords & Kindle versions) fits the bill for all areas. Iden's three shorts include a story about the mob, about a visitor, and about a mailman. "Up a

Renee Sheltonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13813357322534891715noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8287512837980395681.post-65960782011698065832012-01-15T08:41:00.000-08:002012-01-15T08:41:51.337-08:00

I have a gorgeous little hardback flexibound book that I'm giving away on the Sew Now This blog. It's the Lark Studio Series: Tables (Lark Crafts, ISBN: 9781454700852) and it's small and compact (5x5 inches) so it's sized to fit perfectly in a handbag. I have the full series that I'm giving away, one book at a time.  Here's how to enter, along with a review of the book: Book Giveaway for Lark

Renee Sheltonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13813357322534891715noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8287512837980395681.post-8891288269567682132012-01-13T09:09:00.000-08:002012-01-13T09:09:00.175-08:00

I bake at home. And I bake with the kids, a lot. Heck, we even wrote a book together on the subject. But anyone who says baking with kids is easy, well, hasn't baked with kids. Here is one person's very funny 'dirty little secret' of hating to bake with their kids. Even parents who do cook and bake with their kids on a regular basis can sympathize (and empathize). :) Dirty Parenting Secret: I

Renee Sheltonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13813357322534891715noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8287512837980395681.post-62822937046736116412012-01-13T08:34:00.000-08:002012-01-13T08:34:15.749-08:00

Limited time - and only for the first 10,000 customers a day: free card and free shipping. Click here for a Free Card from Cardstore.com. Exp 1/15/12. Valid in US and Canada only. Includes Free Shipping. Limit 10k orders per day

Renee Sheltonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13813357322534891715noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8287512837980395681.post-4061570511633466032012-01-11T07:14:00.000-08:002012-01-11T07:14:15.036-08:00

In case you were wondering how information data works, is collected, and how networks use your information, here is a video that graphically breaks it down for you. Really good graphics. Network from Michael Rigley on Vimeo. Information technology has become a ubiquitous presence. By visualizing the processes that underlie our interactions with this technology we can trace what happens to the

Renee Sheltonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13813357322534891715noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8287512837980395681.post-57348670272467938852012-01-01T11:03:00.000-08:002012-01-01T11:11:21.317-08:00

Okay, what a way to start out the year: vegan recipes that "turn every bite into happy hour". The Tipsy Vegan (De Capo Press, 2011, ISBN 9780738215075) is small, square, and the perfect size to pack in a tote bag when shopping for the dinner party, as well as for keeping in the kitchen for everyday dinner inspiration. Fun read, with 75 different recipes using ingredients that are easy to find.

Renee Sheltonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13813357322534891715noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8287512837980395681.post-73631247867659957602011-12-29T07:19:00.000-08:002011-12-29T07:19:22.969-08:00

The holidays off with the family gave me time to explore two books: The Sweets of Araby and The Cake Decorator's Motif Bible. Both are fully reviewed on the Pastry Sampler blog if want to read up on them, but here are some highlights. The Sweets of Araby (Muna Salloum and Leila Salloum Elias, Countryman Press, 2011, ISBN: 9780881509298) was a delightful read, and full of gorgeous illustrations

Renee Sheltonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13813357322534891715noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8287512837980395681.post-64541618634118316662011-12-23T10:39:00.000-08:002011-12-23T10:39:06.483-08:00

Eggplant and tomatoes. I love cooking with both, they pair nicely together. If you do a quick search in a search engine for 'eggplant and tomatoes', you'll get all kinds of recipes from bruchetta appetizers to dinner casseroles.  I created this dish for an easy meatless meal, but this also goes well with grilled meats, with brown rice, or even chilled and used to stuff pita pocket sandwiches. It

Renee Sheltonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13813357322534891715noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8287512837980395681.post-33518205869814521112011-12-21T08:21:00.000-08:002011-12-21T08:21:11.376-08:00

My Pastry Chef Kid's T-shirt is listed in a new treasury on Etsy. How fun! Treasury is called 'Easy to Please...Easy to Love...' and curated by Jamie Birkholz of jaysworldatetsy. Big Thank You, Jamie!! Renee.

Renee Sheltonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13813357322534891715noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8287512837980395681.post-15831066216759245772011-11-21T07:34:00.000-08:002011-11-21T07:34:05.554-08:00

Beets are a colorful addition to any salad, and are high in fiber and vitamins. Here is a salad to try if you have never worked with beets before: simply roast, cool, slice, and serve with segmented oranges, basil and a vinaigrette. Use the quantities needed for the occasion. Small dinners for two may need only a couple of beets with an orange or two for the recipe, and large family dinners may

Renee Sheltonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13813357322534891715noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8287512837980395681.post-37388658565941736812011-11-13T09:33:00.000-08:002011-11-14T06:48:55.277-08:00

I'll admit - I'm behind reviewing this book on digital publishing as I've been busy self-publishing my own book. But if you are interested in self-publishing and publishing digital versions of your book, David Graughran's book Let's Get Digital (available on Smashwords, and on his website) is an excellent primer necessary in starting out. A little background on David Graughran: he is a short

Renee Sheltonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13813357322534891715noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8287512837980395681.post-79833315388305265772011-11-03T07:08:00.000-07:002011-11-03T07:28:05.722-07:00

Veterans Day is traditionally held on November 11, and this year the calender date will read: 11-11-11. At exactly 11 am on this day, a wreath will be laid on the tomb of the unknowns followed by a parade of colors and a speeches from dignitaries. According to the Department of Veterans Affairs, the ceremony is intended to honor and thank all who served in the United States Armed Forces.

Renee Sheltonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13813357322534891715noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8287512837980395681.post-33779501282339200522011-10-31T08:52:00.000-07:002011-10-31T08:52:05.926-07:00

Okay, you've got flour, sugar, butter, eggs, maybe some milk (all the ingredients required for a cake and some buttercream), and need to make a cake for the Halloween party, and don't know where to start? I've listed some ideas for Halloween Inspired Cakes to get you on the road to spookycakeville. Happy Halloween!

Renee Sheltonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13813357322534891715noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8287512837980395681.post-10414537240314917152011-10-30T19:53:00.000-07:002011-10-30T19:53:52.839-07:00

The Union-Tribune's online newspaper, Signonsandiego.com, has mapped out the best costumes from around the county. All are the best ones from those that have been sent in. Click on any region to view the costumes. Is yours up there? San Diego Union-Tribune's Spooky Spots for the Best Costumes

Renee Sheltonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13813357322534891715noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8287512837980395681.post-30888657986535753032011-10-29T20:03:00.000-07:002011-10-29T20:03:59.616-07:00

History of Rap a la Jimmy Fallon

Renee Sheltonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13813357322534891715noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8287512837980395681.post-959054101990808472011-10-28T07:11:00.000-07:002011-10-28T07:11:04.030-07:00

Incorporating music with funky beadwork, Rachel Nelson-Smith has turned her love for both into an artfully presented beadworking book: Rachel Nelson-Smith's Bead Riffs. Fun titles, intro to basic beadwork materials, and color illustrations make the book both functional to use and fun to read. Blending Musical Theory and Jewelry Nelson-Smith approaches "beading in the way a jazz musician

Renee Sheltonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13813357322534891715noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8287512837980395681.post-41332628953510272022011-10-27T14:50:00.000-07:002011-10-27T14:50:47.948-07:00

For those familiar with Maggie Meister, you know that her beadwork is breathtaking. Her fans love the works she creates from archaeological elements (like a Byzantine knot created from a design taken from a Byzantine floor). Those who are new to her work can create some masterpieces at home with her book Maggie Meister's Classical Elegance. 20 Different Jewelry Designs Maggie Meister's designs

Renee Sheltonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13813357322534891715noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8287512837980395681.post-46235302555354311182011-10-25T16:12:00.000-07:002011-10-25T16:12:38.581-07:00

Pumpkins are great for roasting and incorporating into recipes and being used as side dishes. Save the seeds after using the flesh for a tasty, nutritious snack. Healthy Snack: Pumpkin Seeds are Loaded with Nutrition Pumpkin seeds, also known as pepitas, are a protein-rich food, and a great source of the omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids. They are high in fiber and contain such nutrients as iron,

Renee Sheltonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13813357322534891715noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8287512837980395681.post-22464829630710290452011-10-22T07:17:00.000-07:002011-10-25T16:16:17.257-07:00

Make a Difference Day - or the national day for helping out is today. It is held on the 4th Saturday in October. You can register your group or event with the national organization and have people find you and your community service project, or find an event to help out at with their searchable project database. If you are wanting to help a community or organization that is sewing-based, scroll

Renee Sheltonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13813357322534891715noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8287512837980395681.post-11489227012959466542011-10-10T08:06:00.000-07:002011-10-10T08:06:15.420-07:00

South Africa is similar to the U.S. in that there is a wide ethnic influence on foods available. South African Gourmet Food & Wine (Myrna Rosen and Lesley Loon, Dorrance Publishing, 1997, ISBN: 0805941878) is a selection of different foods with wine or spirit parings for much of the recipes listed. The cookbook is broken down into these chapters: South African Traditional Recipes; Appetizers;

Renee Sheltonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13813357322534891715noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8287512837980395681.post-78431880816516359492011-10-01T22:40:00.000-07:002011-10-01T22:43:01.698-07:00

21st Century Jewelry: The Best of the 500 Series Curated by Marthe Le Van and juried by 80 jewelers, this collection contains the best of the different "500" jewelry books. The result is a stunning collection of around 10 years of work by artists around the world. The total pool to draw from was 5,000 different pieces, and this book celebrates the pieces most representative from this era, most

Renee Sheltonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13813357322534891715noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8287512837980395681.post-55770271333628766102011-09-29T07:02:00.000-07:002011-09-29T07:02:18.124-07:00

Freebies & Specials - all celebrating National Coffee Day - List of deals from Delish.com Who's taking part? 7-Eleven, Krispy Kreme, Dunkin Donuts, Klatch Coffee (SoCal), Cafe Kili (Florida), Dunn Bros (Midwest), Thorntons, and Chick-fil-A.

Renee Sheltonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13813357322534891715noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8287512837980395681.post-17880366119503319402011-09-26T09:35:00.000-07:002011-09-26T09:35:09.107-07:00

If getting the family together for a dinner meal seems next to impossible, apparently you're not alone. Les & Leslie Parrott's new book The Hour That Matters Most (2011, ISBN13 9781414337449) shows that while it is hard to do with everyone's schedule in different directions, it can really help the family unit. According to the authors, dinnertime is the one time that brings the family together

Renee Sheltonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13813357322534891715noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8287512837980395681.post-46348903022444663392011-09-10T21:40:00.000-07:002011-09-10T21:40:11.145-07:00

I have a thing for hummingbirds. They are some of the smallest birds I've seen, and while they look delicate & fragile, they are also aggressive and very outgoing. They sometimes are very cordial to each other and eat peacefully at the feeders, and at other times constantly fight and dive bomb each other. When I refill our hummingbird feeders, they are so used to me that they will fly right to my

Renee Sheltonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13813357322534891715noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8287512837980395681.post-10215444723850546292011-09-06T11:46:00.000-07:002011-09-06T11:46:19.119-07:00

The Food Safety and Inspection Service (a branch of the USDA) is spending the month of September reminding people to follow packing cooking instructions properly when cooking and reheating foods, to raise awareness and prevent food poisoning. The Cook It Safe campaign highlights these four important elements when cooking: Read and Follow Package Cooking Instructions. Know When to Use a Microwave

Renee Sheltonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13813357322534891715noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8287512837980395681.post-69386623707280215052011-08-31T14:45:00.000-07:002011-08-31T14:45:18.829-07:00

Royal Teas with Grace and Style, written by Eileen Shafer and published by Dorrance Publishing, is a beautifully laid out tea guide and recipe book. Shafer does a great job with listing all the elements of what constitutes a proper tea, and provides simple recipes to try for different tea menus. Eileen Shafer is a former proprietor of Royal Tea Impressions, a teashop with two different locations

Renee Sheltonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13813357322534891715noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8287512837980395681.post-61816697163158744992011-08-31T11:06:00.000-07:002011-08-31T12:41:34.569-07:00

Stefan Swanepoel helps readers identify which unique skills they possess through a fable that takes place in the African Serengeti. The fable revolves around the personal struggles of Sean and Ashley, a married couple who come to Africa and meet others who are struggling just as they are, but in different ways. Through exploring the surrounding landscape, witnessing the great migration of animals

Renee Sheltonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13813357322534891715noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8287512837980395681.post-49422370563103954162011-08-29T09:30:00.000-07:002011-08-29T09:31:28.940-07:00

Let's say you're reading a recipe and would love to try it. Only problem is that the baking temperature for the oven is reading in Fahrenheit and you go by Celsius. Alternately, it's an Italian buttercream recipe you have to cook the sugar to a stage listed in Celsius and your thermometer only reads in Fahrenheit. Enter: Algebra for Baking. Don't let the big A scare you; converting temperatures

Renee Sheltonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13813357322534891715noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8287512837980395681.post-83766143582952438952011-08-23T11:32:00.000-07:002011-08-23T11:32:06.188-07:00

We are a strange household, but then again, maybe average. Everyone likes to eat different things, but together, so it makes meal times somewhat complex at times. Case in point - my husband enjoys low-carb meals and subscribes to the low-carb ideology, and I'm just the opposite. I prefer to eat whole grains, legumes, and lots of fruits and veggies. Not a vegetarian, but those are the foods I eat

Renee Sheltonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13813357322534891715noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8287512837980395681.post-83407098628815648742011-08-16T11:09:00.000-07:002011-08-16T11:09:42.769-07:00

If you've notice a soft & spiky round-shaped fruit with sometimes an oval look to it that has thick hairs surrounding the outside, with colors ranging from deep red to brown, it's not something from another planet. Chances are you're looking at a rambutan, and it's one of my favorite fruits. Rambutan is a Southeast Asian fruit, and is related to the lychee and longan fruits. What does it taste

Renee Sheltonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13813357322534891715noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8287512837980395681.post-18904425649166152832011-08-16T10:12:00.000-07:002011-08-16T10:12:00.290-07:00

These suckers are huge! OK - not the best way to talk about produce, but the jackfruit is one of the largest fruit available. It is also my latest 'favorite' at the Asian market. It's big, sometimes smelly, and can be very sticky. It's also very tasty. The bulb covering over the seeds is the sweetest part, and the flavor is a tropical combination of pineapple-banana-mango. If you've seen them

Renee Sheltonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13813357322534891715noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8287512837980395681.post-35703264569315056962011-08-10T14:17:00.000-07:002011-08-10T14:29:05.419-07:00

If you're visiting a Farmers Market this week (it's National Farmers Market Week) or you have a bounty from your garden, chances are you have a basket full of tomatoes. If so, make a tomato tart. I used mozzerella, but other grated semi-soft cheeses would work equally as well: fontina, provolone, even a Swiss cheese or cheddar cheese. Here's how I made mine:  Recipe for Tomato Tart Pie

Renee Sheltonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13813357322534891715noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8287512837980395681.post-39657868200123852972011-08-07T10:18:00.000-07:002011-08-07T10:20:25.155-07:00

National Farmers Market Week is August 7-13 this year, and according to the USDA, there are 7,175 farmers markets in the U.S., with 729 in California alone. Want to visit one this week but don't know where one is in your area? The Farmers Markets Search portal on the USDA Agricultural Mareting Service's page will let you search by zip code, giving you products available at the markets in your

Renee Sheltonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13813357322534891715noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8287512837980395681.post-88759878880961392582011-08-05T23:25:00.000-07:002011-08-25T10:06:18.083-07:00

For anyone who wears silver jewelry, or has created jewelry out of silver, you know how utilitarian yet beautiful it is. The color of silver can be worn up or down, dressy or casual, with lots of colored gems or beads or all by itself. If you are interested in designing silver pieces or viewing some truly terrific designs, 500 Silver Jewelry Designs would certainly give ideas. Silver: Not so

Renee Sheltonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13813357322534891715noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8287512837980395681.post-41129720269022385462011-07-30T09:13:00.000-07:002011-07-30T09:13:26.342-07:00

My goal of getting my business plan done for 2011 has ended, like, 6 months ago. I've found as the month of July rolled around, the harder it was to sit down and map out all the elements needed for a constructive and in-depth business plan. It's not that I don’t know what's in it (I did one for myself years ago) but with my goals changing and the business environment I'm in now, the old one

Renee Sheltonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13813357322534891715noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8287512837980395681.post-53635158383479141232011-07-29T10:02:00.000-07:002011-07-29T10:02:04.988-07:00

 Cha cha cha - Save 10% off kids t-shirts  Save 10% off kids t-shirts (or anything in the store for that matter) for the entire month of August. Coupon Code: BCK2SCHL2011 How to use it? Enter the coupon code above in the Apply Shop Coupon Code space at check out, and recieve an automatic 10% off your entire order. Enjoy! If you have a custom request, convos me via etsy.

Renee Sheltonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13813357322534891715noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8287512837980395681.post-12382273315232407612011-07-21T23:37:00.000-07:002011-07-21T23:37:41.099-07:00

My card set - Pompano fish with the inscription 'Thank You' was listed in a new treasury on etsy - entitled "Under The Sea". Wow!

Renee Sheltonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13813357322534891715noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8287512837980395681.post-24884099608326758732011-07-16T07:39:00.000-07:002011-07-16T07:39:35.142-07:00

My Pastry Chef T-shirt was listed in a new treasury "They Are Our Future" by beliz82 on etsy. Fun stuff! Kid's Pastry Chef T-Shirt - S-M-L, Black lettering on white t-shirt.

Renee Sheltonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13813357322534891715noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8287512837980395681.post-70223849648422634092011-07-15T07:57:00.000-07:002011-07-16T07:59:58.246-07:00

Another 'Foodie Friday' on Old School Pastry: Dipney, or 'mopping sauce'. The recipe is from an old Southern cookbook, dating back to 1913. You'll also learn what the author of the book thinks the word 'barbecue' comes from.

Renee Sheltonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13813357322534891715noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8287512837980395681.post-65896644674738828792011-06-06T11:32:00.000-07:002011-06-06T11:32:56.809-07:00

I'm an affiliate through CardStore.com, and I'm passing on a free offer to everyone. Today, Monday 6/6/11, through Monday, 6/13/11, Cardstore.com is offering a FREE CARD (any card on the entire site) plus FREE standard shipping. You have to enter the following coupon code at checkout: FREECARD to get it. Limited time: Free Card with code FREECARD Exp. 6/13/11. Everyone must be logging on to

Renee Sheltonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13813357322534891715noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8287512837980395681.post-28092808056005279792011-06-06T05:53:00.000-07:002011-06-06T05:53:44.278-07:00

Pastry tips are not just for cake decorators - they are for crafters as well. I'm listing sets of different families (of pastry tips) on etsy. Currently you can find multi-hole, plain, basketweave (left), leaf, star, drop flower, and more. Selection changes as inventory is moved in/out. I'll see you there!

Renee Sheltonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13813357322534891715noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8287512837980395681.post-75836879762417377922011-06-04T16:01:00.000-07:002011-07-15T14:20:58.860-07:00

Cristina Ferrare's Big Bowl of Love I'll admit it - I need all the help in the kitchen I can get when it comes to organizing. Pre-kids, I knew where everything was at, what was in the freezer at any given time, and could realiably count on a leftover being there for another meal. Now, forget it. With three little sets of hands in everything, I'm finding it absolutely necessary to have a well

Renee Sheltonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13813357322534891715noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8287512837980395681.post-43677568341038408222011-05-28T22:13:00.000-07:002011-05-28T22:13:05.025-07:00

 Smoked Paprika The moment I first smelled it, I fell in love. Its rich aroma, slightly sweet and smoky, could be added to anything, and the foods made with it enjoy a deep reddish color. If it were a person, I'd imagine him to be a tall, dark, deeply fascinating individual that I could take to a BBQ or to an occasion serving canapes made with endive and hummus. I'm talking about smoked

Renee Sheltonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13813357322534891715noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8287512837980395681.post-38195375154708456102011-05-28T17:57:00.000-07:002011-05-28T20:22:37.566-07:00

Let's say you have a bumper crop of plain old parsley in your herb garden (or better yet the Italian flat leaf variety). Add in a handful of cilantro, some red wine vinegar and olive oil. Blend it with fresh garlic and maybe some chili flakes. Salt to taste. What do you have? A simple accompaniment to steaks, poultry, grilled vegetables, even a spicy topping for a sandwich. A chimichurri sauce

Renee Sheltonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13813357322534891715noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8287512837980395681.post-38292646391104756432011-05-17T16:28:00.000-07:002011-05-17T16:28:25.561-07:00

So, what is completely fat-free, can be dressed up with just about any dessert sauce (or just crushed, sweetened berries), and is easily converted to a gluten-free version? If you guessed angel food cake, you'd be correct. I've made this a ton of times before, but when faced with the task of creating a gluten-free version for lovetoknow.com, I found out this cake is very adaptable. By the way, if

Renee Sheltonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13813357322534891715noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8287512837980395681.post-37158184283436714432011-05-13T10:11:00.000-07:002011-05-13T10:11:15.112-07:00

My 'Sweet Cookie' kids t-shirt was featured in a new treasury on etsy.com. Fun stuff! Raspberry Ice Cream and Oreos Esty Treasury.

Renee Sheltonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13813357322534891715noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8287512837980395681.post-4101642274888000062011-05-13T10:07:00.000-07:002011-05-13T10:07:16.957-07:00

What is a bead maker? It is a silicone mold that can make various shaped beads that can be strung up on a cake in strings, or cut into individual beads for decorations. Use rolled fondant, gum paste, or any edible candy clays for the beads. Instructions for using the bead maker can be found on PastrySampler.com: Creating Pearl Bead Borders for Cakes Using a Bead Maker.

Renee Sheltonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13813357322534891715noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8287512837980395681.post-36540025740083067672011-04-27T11:17:00.000-07:002011-04-27T11:22:45.236-07:00

Roasted Beet & Orange Salad Photo and recipe by Renee Shelton Salads are more than a lunch or quick dinner. They can be made into filling and flavorful meals as well. If you're stumped as to what to create, here are some ideas for salads to get you started. There is a salad to be made for whatever ingredient you have on hand. These are most of my salad recipes on Suite101. If a unique and

Renee Sheltonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13813357322534891715noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8287512837980395681.post-9595213960951927532011-04-24T10:12:00.000-07:002011-04-24T10:12:43.044-07:00

My 'resident baker' t-shirt was recently listed in this treasury on etsy: Patty Cake Patty Cake. Fun!

Renee Sheltonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13813357322534891715noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8287512837980395681.post-32349732878524539542011-04-21T18:04:00.000-07:002011-04-21T18:04:00.536-07:00

Today was a wine day. After writing all about it, I'm ready to sip a little. White Wine Varieties for Fish and Seafood: On fishingchef.com, I listed the many different varieties of white wine that pair well with fish and seafood dishes. What are the Noble Grape Varieties? On beachcuisine.com, I listed in pictorial format, the noble grapes for both white and red varieties. And in case you're

Renee Sheltonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13813357322534891715noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8287512837980395681.post-79128935853472360632011-04-19T21:00:00.000-07:002011-04-19T21:00:52.766-07:00

My surfboard t-shirt was listed recently in the "Sunny Casual California" etsy treasury. And I'm a new member to the CCCOE team - California Crafters Club on Etsy. Enjoy!

Renee Sheltonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13813357322534891715noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8287512837980395681.post-43255147161654585292011-04-14T12:01:00.000-07:002011-04-14T12:01:23.512-07:00

Surprising to no one, in the cake decorating world pastry tips come in just about any size and different shaped opening you can think of for creating a wide range of borders, flowers and piping decorations on cakes and more. On PastrySampler, I've broken them down, listing all the pastry tips in their respective families, which include: Star - Closed - Open - Fine/French styles Plain/round

Renee Sheltonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13813357322534891715noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8287512837980395681.post-59180399008709618782011-04-02T14:31:00.000-07:002011-04-02T14:31:00.380-07:00

Peanuts are a nutritious snack and food ingredient. If you are wanting ways on how to use them, or interested in how they are grown, read about this healthy and great tasting...legume.

Renee Sheltonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13813357322534891715noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8287512837980395681.post-14615361439782630822011-03-22T09:55:00.000-07:002011-04-02T14:58:02.636-07:00

I love old books. I collect old books. Mostly cookbooks, books about cooking and baking, and fish books. One of my favorite places to go to online is Abe books, to sift from the many collections that others have, so I can add to mine. One major draw to reading old cookbooks is seeing what others used for flavoring or ingredients way back then, when all the modern conveniences weren’t even thought

Renee Sheltonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13813357322534891715noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8287512837980395681.post-80533804475375035862011-03-10T15:17:00.000-08:002011-04-02T15:31:56.613-07:00

So, what happens when you mix a bunch of squid and a handful of pantry ingredients? Simple pan seared calamari salad. Or maybe even stuffed squid. If you think stuffed squid sounds complicated, it’s not. Here is a basic step-by-step of how to do it. For the recipe and ingredients, check out my recipe for it on FishingChef.com: Bacon Stuffed Squid in a Tomato Vermouth Sauce. Click on each

Renee Sheltonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13813357322534891715noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8287512837980395681.post-43241633115311018912011-03-08T15:32:00.000-08:002011-04-02T15:36:41.520-07:00

Flourless chocolate cake with dark chocolate ganache What is a flourless chocolate cake? Simply a chocolate cake made with no flour. Its structure comes from whipped egg yolks, and egg whites, that are folded together with melted chocolate and butter. It’s sort of like a grown up brownie cake, and is light in texture, yet very rich in taste. It’s best served fresh and at room temperature,

Renee Sheltonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13813357322534891715noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8287512837980395681.post-26971097539771309572011-02-13T15:10:00.000-08:002011-04-02T15:15:30.207-07:00

I posted on Pastry Sampler’s Pastry & Bakery News tips and resources for making resumes for pastry professionals, such as pastry chef, pastry cooks, bakers, and cake decorators. Helpful links for anyone wanting to brush up their resume. Also what are some specialties in the pastry field? Chocolate work, showpiece sugar work, and an artisan baker are a few.

Renee Sheltonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13813357322534891715noreply@blogger.com0