nina in the kitchen

Carrie Quirconi Teglia’s Almond Biscotti

Posted on December 29, 2014 by nina in the kitchen

Almond biscotti brushed with dark chocolate and dusted with gold

Carrie Teglia was a friend to my mom. They worked together as fur finishers in downtown Chicago at all the upscale fur salons. Bermans, Evans, Bonwit Teller, I. Magnin’s. They shared much, including recipes. Carrie was from Florence, Italy. I imagine this is an authentic recipe from that region. I have adapted it by brushing one end of the baked cookie with dark chocolate and then dusting with gold.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
In a large mixer, whisk together until lemony color:

7 large eggs

Lemony Eggs

Whisk in

1 and 1/2 cups vegetable oil

Pinch of salt

In a medium bowl combine with a clean hand whisk:

5 cups flour

1 1/2 cups sugar

2 teaspoons baking powder

Dry ingredients whisked together

Add dry ingredients to the egg mixture with the mixer whisk
Add the following to the batter until combined:

3 tablespoons anisette or other licorice liquor

3 tablespoons whiskey or bourbon

1/2 cup or more finely chopped blanched almonds

Finely chopped almonds

Almond biscotti batter

Line 2 large baking sheets with parchment paper.
Pour the batter into 4 long logs onto the parchment.

Poured batter with uneven edges

Use a bread knife to form even edges to the logs. This is a very wet batter.

Even edges with bread knife

Brush entire area of logs with a slightly beaten egg white.

Brush with lightly beaten egg white

Bake 20 minutes or until light brown.

Baked loaves of biscotti

Slice in 1/2 inch sections while warm. For larger cookies cut on an angle.

Straight slices cut with a serrated knife

Angled cuts for longer cookies

Place cookies on their sides. Bake each side 10 minutes or until lightly browned or as desired.

Toasting the Biscotti

When cool, melt dark chocolate. Use a brush to paint one end. Place on clean parchment.
Using a toothpick and gold dust, tap the side of the toothpick to dust the chocolate as soon as it is brushed with chocolate.

Brush with melted chocolate and dust with gold

Cool and dry thoroughly on parchment. Store in air tight containers.

Makes about 5 dozen.

2 Comments

Posted in cookies and tagged almond biscotti, Florence biscotti, gold dust, soft biscotti. Bookmark the permalink.

Lisa Singer Williams’ Bourbon Balls

Posted on December 28, 2014 by nina in the kitchen

Bourbon Balls are a No Bake Cookie!

Thank you Lisa!

A Mid-Century Recipe using Karo syrup

These are a true bourbon cookie my friend Lisa Williams shared with me. My first taste of a bourbon cookie was in college at a Christmas party my choir director hosted. Shocking! Bourbon served at a Lutheran college professor’s home! They are so easy and my favorite Christmas cookie of 2014. Combine dry ingredients. Combine liquid ingredients. Mix together. Shape into balls. Roll in confectioners powdered sugar. Voila!

In a large bowl combine:

1- 12 oz. box vanilla wafers, crushed (about 3 cups)

2 cups finely chopped pecans

1 cup confections powdered sugar

1/4 cup cocoa powder

vanilla wafer crumbs, chopped pecans, cocoa, confectioners sugar, cocoa

In a small bowl combine:

3 tablespoons dark or light Karo corn syrup

1/2 cup bourbon

bourbon and Karo syrup

Add bourbon mix to the vanilla wafer mix and stir well. This should be moist. If not, add more bourbon.

Moist mixture

Form into bite size balls and toss in a small bowl of confectioners powdered sugar. Roll to cover thoroughly.

Roll bourbon balls in plenty of confectioners sugar

Place on a flat cookie sheet to meld flavors and dry out a bit.
Makes about 4 dozen

4 Comments

Posted in cookies and tagged bourbon, corn syrup, Lisa Singer Williams, no-bake cookies, vanilla wafers. Bookmark the permalink.

My Kitchen Re-Do! Quartz Backsplash

Posted on December 18, 2014 by nina in the kitchen

Week 12

Quartz LG Hausys Rococo

Today Stone Specialists installed the quartz backsplash in our kitchen and bathroom. After endless hours looking at backsplash materials, I chose the same material as our counters: LG Hausys Rococo Quartz. It has the Carrara marble look I want and reminds me of the ancient floors and walls of Italy and Spain, as does our Florida Tile in Silverscreen. Classic and aged.

Stone Specialists Arriving

Installation with Suction

Above the Range

Around the Window and Sink

This Kitchen is Ready for Work!

Love the Blending from Counter to Backsplash

Under Cabinet LED Lighting

Bathroom Vanity Ready for Plumbing Connection

Pendant Light with Crystals

Can’t Have Too Much Marble!

16 Comments

Posted in Kitchen remodeling and tagged backsplash, bathroom counter, Florida Tile Silverscreen, kichen counter, marble look, Owens Cabinet & Trim, Premier Tile & Stone, quartz. Bookmark the permalink.

My Kitchen Re-Do! Lights and Quartz are In!

Posted on December 10, 2014 by nina in the kitchen

Weeks 9 & 10

The day before Thanksgiving our LG Quartz Rococo countertops were installed. Love them! Only one seam and they matched the pattern well! They really do look like marble!

I found the light fixtures online on Houzz.com….Fantastic for endless ideas and inspiration. Ended up ordering them through Amazon. Bling bling!

An Asymmetrical Shaped Island! My favorite 🙂

LG Hausys Viatera Rococo Quartz Island and Counters

Barstools in Place

Counter Height Quartz Makes a Desk/Buffet

Glass Cabinets Placed Over Quartz Counters; Distressed Table and Chairs Are In!

Modern Crystal Pendants and Chandelier Add Some Bling!

The Island is Massive!

Crystal Chandelier Surrounded by a Sheer Drum

Love This Corner

Counter Space Next to Range

Now We’re Cookin’ With Gas!

Christened With Proscuitto and Mozzarella Paninis

Now we wait a little longer for the backsplash and other finishing touches! Almost home!

6 Comments

Posted in Kitchen remodeling and tagged crystal chandelier, crystal pendant lights, Griggs Building and Design, Reliable Heating and Plumbing, Stone Specialists, Woodard Electric. Bookmark the permalink.

Fennel, Celery & Pomegranate Salad

Posted on November 23, 2014 by nina in the kitchen

Thank you to Steve and Mary Kin for hosting our Dinner Club this week and especially for assigning me this recipe! I have made it 3 times this week! I hope to make it for Thanksgiving or Christmas too. The red and green colors are so festive!

Fennel, Celery & Pomegranate Salad

This recipe is adapted from Bon Appetit, October 2014. I only increased the quantities because I could not find small fennel bulbs and I wanted a larger quantity to take to a party. You can easily cut this recipe into thirds, but we ate dinner size portions of this with a small piece of meat on the side. It does not keep well, so use it within 1 day for best appearance. It gets a little wilted.

The key is to use a mandolin slicer to thinly slice the fennel, celery and shallots. Be careful of your fingers. Always use the protective handle.

Fennel, Parsley, Celery, Shallots, Pomegranate, Lime Juice, Olive Oil

A Mandolin Slicer set on the thinnest blade

Slicing the fennel with the protective handle in place on the fennel bulb

Slicing the celery 3 half stalks at a time

Coarsely Chopped Celery Leaves

Coarsely Chopped Parsley

Pomegranate Sliced in Half and Then Broken into Quarters

Sliced and Chopped Vegetables Ready for the Marinade

Completed Fennel, Celery & Pomegranate Salad

3 fennel bulbs, thinly sliced

9 celery stalks, thinly sliced

3 shallots, thinly sliced

1 cup flat leaf parsley, coarsely chopped

1/2 cup celery leaves, coarsely chopped (most of the leaves are on the inner celery stalks or the celery hearts)

Seeds from 1 whole pomegranate (slice in half and then break into quarters to easily pop out the seeds)

1/2 cup FRESH lime juice

1/2 cup olive oil

1 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon pepper

Place the mandolin slicer over a large mixing bowl and thinly slice the fennel, celery and shallots directly into the bowl.
Add the coarsely chopped parsley and celery leaves, and the pomegranate seeds
In a small bowl combine the lime juice, olive oil, salt and pepper. Mix lightly and pour over the vegetables. Toss with large mixing spoons.
Serve as a side dish or as the main course for a light salad lunch.

My Kitchen Re-Do! Nina is Back in the Kitchen

Posted on November 16, 2014 by nina in the kitchen

Week 7

Roasted Cabbage & Beef Roast is Our First Dinner in the New Kitchen

Roast Beef in the GE Advantium 120 Oven

Bottom Round Beef Roast Studded with Garlic Cloves

GE Advantium 120 Oven

Love the GE Advantium 120 Oven! We roasted a beef roast and also roasted cabbage wedges. The oven is quick to preheat, browns the food nicely & cooks in less time using the convection oven. Microwaving to reheat food is easy too. Switch the cooking trays and voila! It is interesting to have a metal lined microwave oven. Reading the Owners Manual is essential. This is not your typical microwave and oven.

Top Knobs Pulls in Venetian Bronze

Pantry with Pulls

Frig with Top Knob Pulls

Crystal Knobs in Venetian Bronze too!

Yes, that is snow out there

The beautiful hardware from Top Knobs is in. There’s even matching pulls in larger sizes for the pantry & frig. The cherry panels are on the frig too. It’s a Kitchen Aid that is called “panel ready”. It is actually black. Owens Cabinet made the panels and installed them.

Florida Tile in Silverscreen with Light Gray Grout

Rugs from Target

Loving the porcelain floor and Twister is cozy in his matching gray bed too. I found the best matching area rugs at Target: Threshold in Grey Trellis pattern.

8 Comments

Posted in Kitchen remodeling and tagged Bridget Owens, GE Profile Advantium 120 Oven, Griggs Building and Design, Kitchen Aid panel ready refrigerator, Metropolitan Appliances, Owens Cabinet & Trim, Premier Tile & Stone, Timms Appliance. Bookmark the permalink.

My Kitchen Re-Do! Barn Doors & Advantium Oven

Posted on November 9, 2014 by nina in the kitchen

Week 6: Friday

The frig was delivered midweek and today the rest of the appliances came and are in the garage waiting for installation. All except the GE Advantium Oven which is now in place ready to go! I bought this space saving oven rather then a double oven and microwave unit. The Advantium can switch it’s function from a standard oven, a convection oven, a warming oven and a microwave oven. It is sturdy and sleek and takes it’s spot as a built in unit. Our friends in Barcelona have a similar type oven.

Built In GE Advantium 120 Oven

It’s a Fancy Microwave/Convection Oven!

Stainless Interior!

The barn doors were installed Friday. They are awesome and add a lot more fun to laundry day! We replaced the old bi-fold doors which were always falling off their track, with two new six panel pine doors. Bridget Owens recommended the barn doors sliding concept. I found a HUGE variety of barn door photos at Houzz.com. Most were by RusticaHardware.com so I ordered from them, out of Utah. They offer all kinds of options. You can also order different types of stunning barn doors from them. After staining, the doors were hung with the new hardware. The rollers at the top are a very smooth black nylon. They glide seamlessly. My hangers are an arrow shape, but there are others to choose from. The floor guides are a wall mount adjustable double roller guide. Even though the doors hang from the top, the floor guides help keep the doors in place. The pulls are 8 inch Santa Fe style. Love love love it!

Old Style Bi-Fold Doors

Bi-Fold Doors Removed from Laundry Closet

Barn Doors in Place

Barn Doors Opened

Hardware Close Up

Arrow Hanger in Flat Black with Nylon Black Wheel

Wall Mount Adjustable Double Roller Guide

As week 7 approaches, we wait another two weeks for the quartz countertops which were measured this past Monday. During this time, the cabinet hardware and frig and dishwasher panels will be put into place and the remaining appliances will be connected! This weekend I began moving our kitchen belongings into the new space. It’s beginning to feel like home 🙂

My Kitchen Re-Do! White Cabinets and Powder Room Plumbing are IN!

Posted on November 6, 2014 by nina in the kitchen

Week 6

The white cabinets were installed this week. They are painted a very pale grey in the same family as the Repose Gray walls. Eider White by Sherwin Williams. This is the two tone kitchen look. It gives a contemporary twist to the traditional cherry wood kitchen.

All the cabinets go to the top of the eight foot ceilings for maximum storage and for a sleeker look. The staggered height cabinets are popular today, but in our space this made more sense.

The tile is porcelain Florida Tile in Silverscreen from Premier Tile and Stone and Beaver Tile and Stone. Woodward Electric is here often, lots of electrical. I especially like the LED can lights. They should last 50,000 hours/5.7 years of continual use.

Two Tone Kitchen: Clear Cherry and White Painted Cabinets

Counter area to left and space to right for GE Advantium Microwave/Oven/Warming Oven

Dishwasher and Frig Ready!

Gas Range/Electric Oven and Fan Delivery is Friday!

The Picture Window is an awning style. It cranks out from the bottom

Mirrored chest turned into a vanity

Delta Trinsic wall mount faucet and a 12 inch glass vessel sink

Powder Room waiting for ceramic backsplash and mirror

2 Comments

Posted in Kitchen remodeling and tagged clear cherry cabinets, Griggs Building and Design, Owens Cabinet & Trim, Premier Tile & Stone, raised panel kitchen cabinets, two tone kitchen, white cabinets, Woodward Electric. Bookmark the permalink.

My Kitchen Re-Do! Cabinets Are Here!

Posted on October 31, 2014 by nina in the kitchen

Week 5

Owens Cabinet based in Midland Michigan is a family business. They built our new cabinets and are excellent craftsmen. Bridget Owens is our kitchen designer and we think the world of her!

This week our cherry cabinets were installed. They are a clear cherry without stain which will darken with time. Since our house is a traditional style, we chose the raised panel style.The crowned molding was installed at the pantry so far and is gorgeous! The color and finish of all the cabinetry is exquisite! We are so happy and pleased.

The hardware/jewelry is from Top Knobs. I love them! Tuscan bronze with crystals from the Chareau Collection

Our countertops will be measured Monday and will take 2 weeks to process. They are a man-made quartz by LG Hausys called Rococo. I am going for the Carrara marble look.

I wanted the powder room to be unique and interesting. Up in Petoskey, Michigan at Lake Street Design Studio we found a mirrored gothic style wood chest that fits perfectly. We also discovered there an ornate metal mirror that is a cool curvy old world match to the chest. For a splash of color we are adding a small blue glass vessel sink. The faucet will be a Venetian Bronze wall mount called Trinsic by Delta. We’ll add a backsplash made of ceramic with a Carrara marble look.

Next week the phase 2 of our two-tone kitchen cabinets will be installed. White-grey painted.

Owens Cabinet is here!

Island with frig cabinet in back. Lower cabinets installed below window

Counter height desk area with pantry to right

Pantry with soft close pull out drawers

Lots of drawers! Notice the pretty crown molding.

Cubby ready for GE Advantium Microwave/Convection Oven/Warming Oven. Corner lower cabinet saves floor space

Corner cabinet swings open from middle

Island with gas range opening at left back. Sink below window and dishwasher to right of sink

Powder Room floor with finished floor and grout. Florida Tile in Silverscreen and light grey grout

Mirrored wood chest with glass vessel sink

Metal mirror with backsplash tile sample. Thank you Terry and TJ.

LG Hausys quartz in Rococo for the kitchen.

Jewelry! Top Knobs pull and crystal emerald knob from the Chareau Collection

Your suggestions and comments are welcome! Thank you for your interest 🙂

10 Comments

Posted in Kitchen remodeling and tagged Beaver Tile and Stone, Griggs Building and Design, Houzz, Lake Street Design Studio, Overstock.com, Premier Tile & Stone, Top Knobs. Bookmark the permalink.

My Kitchen Re-Do! Porcelain Tile Floors

Posted on October 23, 2014 by nina in the kitchen

Week 4

This week Griggs Building & Design is installing the gray Florida Tile. The color is Silverscreen. I chose 12×12 tiles that are slightly beveled and shiny because they have an old world marble look. The newer styles are the larger 20×20 inch squares or rectangles, but my open floor space is not that large, so I thought the smaller tiles would make a more noticeable pattern.

I had been contemplating the grout color until the last minute. When I saw this tile installed at the beautiful showroom of Beaver Tile & Stone outside of Grand Rapids in Wyoming MI, the grout used was Oyster Gray. My problem was the installers use a different brand of grout, with different names. Also interesting is that the color of yellow fall leaves reflect through the kitchen window onto the tiles, sometimes giving them a beige cast 😦 I’m sure the color changes will continue as the cabinetry is added and the LED light bulbs are installed.

Installing a tile floor takes a sharp eye for keeping the lines straight, plus artistry, strength and flexibility. Thank you Terry!

The kitchen walls are painted with Sherwin Williams Repose Gray 7015.