COCKTAIL OF THE WEEK: Jessica Rabbit

Last week, after having purchased Organic, Shaken, and Stirred by Paul Abercrombie, I decided I would slowly make my way through the book, endeavoring to make at least one new cocktail a week. I started with a delicious basil margarita, which I’ve since made two more times to equally rave reviews. For this week’s cocktail, …

ADVENTURES IN DOMESTICITY: Basil Margarita Edition

As readers of this blog may know, my friends and I are ardent fans of gathering and making drinks together, specifically of the handcrafted variety. It’s a ritual we creatively call “Fresh Cocktail Hour.” I’ve only documented a few of these forays into mixology on this blog (see examples here, here, and here), but I …

ADVENTURES IN DOMESTICITY: Homemade Chocolate Ice Cream!

Not so long ago, I asked the readers to help me decide whether I should get a slow cooker or an ice cream machine from CSN Stores, who had graciously offered me a gift certificate to use in return for a product review. It was a divisive debate, and when I opted for the slow …

ADVENTURES IN DOMESTICITY: Bundt Seriously, Folks

Once again, CSN Stores gave me a gift certificate for me to use in return for some reviews of whatever I purchase with it. For my latest batch of housewares, I ordered a Bundt pan because, well, why not? I wouldn’t say that I’m an avid Bundt maker, but it’s nice having the pan, and …

ADVENTURES IN DOMESTICITY: Slow Cooker Galbi Tacos

Not too long ago, I received a slow cooker from CSN Stores (who have a lovely variety of table lamps, I should note), and I was quite excited to put it to use. Sadly though, I totally messed up my debut dish after attempting to execute a dutch oven recipe in my new device. The …

ADVENTURES IN DOMESTICITY: My First Slow Cooker Experience!

Recently CSN Stores gave me a $40 gift certificate to use at my discretion, as long as I reviewed whatever item I purchased from them. After taking an informal poll on the blog, I opted for a slow cooker (just barely edging out the ice cream machine, which has been out of stock anyway). I …

ADVENTURES IN DOMESTICITY: Mango Coconut Shrimp

Last week I suddenly had a sudden and intense craving for coconut shrimp. However, I don’t deep fry things in my apartment; so I was left to investigate various baked coconut shrimp recipes. Long story short, I found a method that worked delightfully, but sadly, I was lazy and did not document the experience for …

ADVENTURES IN DOMESTICITY: The Taste of Victory!

As part of my ongoing series of reviewing my free purchases from CSN Stores, I must now move on to my most needed addition to the kitchen: a citrus juicer. My friends and I often convene for what we like to call “Fresh Cocktail Hour,” in which we whip up a batch of beverages totally …

ADVENTURES IN DOMESTICITY: Charity Chocolate Tartlets Edition

Back in December, my friends Cathy from the site gas•tron•o•my and Diana from Diana Takes A Bite organized a charity bake sale called “Eat My Blog,” in which local Los Angeles bloggers and businesses offered up tasty morsels to support the Los Angeles Regional Foodbank. The event raised several thousand dollars and was such a …

ADVENTURES IN DOMESTICITY: Whole Wheat Bread Edition

About a week and a half ago, I posted about housewares I intended to buy with a gift certificate for CSN Stores (the last of the order arrived today; reviews shall be forthcoming). I implored the readers to weigh in with their opinions on the matter, and at one point, the idea of an ice …