because you deserve it all

Almost any Italian chef will tell you that one of their secrets is the cheese they use.  Only authentic Parmesano-Reggiano will do.  It has a wonderful salty and nutty flavor that enriches pasta dishes, omelets, salads, meatballs, and vegetables.  It is a bit more expensive than the cheese you shake out of the plastic container that may or may not actually even be cheese.  But it is worth every penny.  You can grate it or shred it.  I like to grate a larger quantity and store it in a glasslock storage container.  It will keep for quite some time and that way I know when it was grated.  Some cheeses sit for quite some time after they are grated and they do not have the same freshness and flavor than if you do it yourself every couple weeks.  I also freeze it sometimes when I have a lot on hand.  You should save the rind and freeze it and drop it in your next soup or stew for an added layer of flavor and richness.  Check out the link below to shop for this cheese. 

http://eclecticgrocer.com/parequwh-10l.html

Almost everyone knows someone with a gluten allergy which can present a bit of a challenge when entertaining.  It is always a good idea to be prepared with a couple gluten free mixes on hand so there is no need to panic if you find out about such and allergy after a guest has arrived for the weekend or the day of a dinner party.  The Eclectic Grocer has a number of products that are gluten free and made in a dedicated kitchen.  They have chocolate chip cookie mix, lemon poppyseed bread mix, pancake and waffle mix, and a brownie mix.   Click the link below to check out the selection of fabulous gluten free products. 

http://eclecticgrocer.com/gluten-free-mixes.html

The secret to arranging flowers at home is simple, use the right vase.  You can keep it simple and stay with only one type of flower.  I didn’t use any floral tape for this, the roses are just stacked on one another.  Another common mistake is that people don’t cut the flowers to match the vase and the flowers don’t end up bunched together neatly.  Flower arranging is easy…  with the right tools.  Make sure you have a sharp pair of scissors and cut the flowers at an angle so they absorb more water.  Always add flower food and change the water daily to extend their life.  Store them in the fridge for a day or two before the party so you can get this done ahead of time. 

I have used this vase for a number of occasions, both casual and formal.  I typically use this for a dozen roses which is great because there is no guesswork when I am buying the flowers.  The main thing is that I know that this vase is perfect for a dozen roses so I always know that I have a classic centerpiece option if nothing else at the floral shop speaks to me. 

Everyone has heard about the dangers of reheating foods in plastic and the possible links to cancer.  Whether that is true or not, there are other reasons that glasslock or snapware storage are better than plastic.  Glasslock storage will not be stained by your tomato sauce and you can put it anywhere in your dishwasher without worrying about melting it like with plastic storage.  You can put glasslock storage containers in the oven, freezer, and microwave and we know that glass is safe.  If you added up the cost of all the plastic storage containers you buy in a year, you could have purchased a whole cupboard full of them in a year.  And the best part is you won’t have to replace them next year.  Click the link below for some great prices on glasslock containers aka snapware.

Visit the Eclectic Grocer —  Free shipping on orders over $99.99.

BPA Free Glass Food Storage Containers