Bridal Registery 103: Stainless Flatware

Stainless Flatware
When purchasing everyday flatware I suggest 12 place settings. This covers everything from small buffet dinners to dinner for 2.  The question here is What to select??
There are a few pointers to follow:
1. Look for something with an 18/8 or 18/10 number.  WHAT IS THAT???
This is the number that refers to the percentage content of chromium/nickel. This is what  makes up the stainless steel alloy.  The higher the back number(nickel content) the higher the sheen. 0 means no nickel therefore, it looks dull and cheap.  The 18 is the chromium which keeps the flatware from rusting. 
2. Knife Construction is the next step. 
a. Is the knife made of one single piece of stainless stamped by a machine?
b. Is the knife constructed in the "drop forge" method where molten steel is poured in a mould?This gives the knife a better blade.
c. Is the knife constructed of a "hollow handle" with a higher quality blade inserted? This obviously makes the best of the 3.
3. Look at the final finish on the flatware.  In the stamped versions, the fork tines and edges of spoons are usually sharp and square. In the hand forged and hollow knife versions, more time is spent on the edges so they usually have rounded edges and smooth fork tines
4. Look at the design and weight.  The utensils should feel balanced and comfortable in your hand.
5.If future availability is important to you, stay away from boxed sets.  They are usually around for a few years and then the style is changed.
6. Price point--with the above information find the flatware that best fits your budget!

Bento Box #10

Bento Box #10
Background Fabric:  Kravet "Handwork Floral" Azure Cerise. This is an embroidered linen suitable for window treatments or decorative pillows.
Bottom Left: Duralee " Linen/Rayon" Winter White. This is a great linen that doesn't wrinkle because of the rayon content.  It is heavy duty and makes excellent slipcovers or window treatments.  If you are brave it is also good for upholstery.
Bottom Center: Osborne and Little "Varese" Teal.  This is a 100% cotton velvet, great for upholstery but lightweight enough for window treatments.  It is medium duty.
Bottom Right: Stroheim and Romann "Chadwick Strie" Garnet. This is a heavy duty velvet perfect for all upholstery.

Wall color:
 For the "Dramatic Spirit"
 Benjamin Moore "Venezuelan Sea" 2054-30 or "Beau Green" 2054-20 Trimmed out in Benjamin Moore "Acadia White" OC-38
For the "Quiet Spirit" Benjamin Moore "Crystal Blue" 2051-70 Trimmed in Benjamin Moore "Cotton Balls" OC-122

This is a great look for Living /Family Room or DiningRoom

Mercer's Yummy Corn Muffin's

Mercer's Yummy Corn Muffin's
Ingredients:
2 eggs
1/2c vegetable oil
1c sour cream
1 box "JIFFY" corn mix

Muffin Construction:
Beat eggs and add the rest.
Pour batter into greased muffin tin.
Bake at 350 for 45 minutes.
Yields --1 dozen small muffins.
SERVE with the Chili Recipes.

Cindy's Turkey Chile

Cindy's Turkey Chili
Ingredients:
1T olive oil
1 large yellow onion,chopped
3 Cloves garlic,minced
1 Red pepper, seeded and chopped
1 Green pepper, seeded and chopped
1 1/2 lbs. Ground turkey
2T flour
3T Chili powder
2T Cumin
2tsp Powered Cocoa
Cayenne pepper to taste
1/c Tarragon vinegar
2T coffee
1 28oz can diced plum tomatoes
2 15oz cans undrained black beans
S&P to taste

Chile Construction:
Heat oil over med. high heat in large pot. 
Add onion,garlic read and green peppers.
Saute' for 5 minutes.
Add turkey and continue to saute'.
Stir in flour,chili powder,cumin and cocoa.
Cook over low heat for 2 minutes.
Add cayenne,vinegar,coffee, tomatoes, and salt.
Bring to boil then reduce heat and simmer for 45 minutes.
Add black beans and simmer 10 minutes.
Serve with condiments: Sour cream,.chopped scallions, cilantro, cheddar cheese and sliced avocado.
Have for dinner with Salad and Corn Bread!

Debbie's Chili

Debbie's Beef Chili
Ingredients:
1 1/2 yellow onion diced
1 green pepper seeded and diced
1 stalk celery sliced
1 clove garlic diced
1 small jalapeno pepper seeded and diced
3lbs ground sirloin or chuck
1 14 1/2oz can stewed tomatoes
1 3oz. can tomato paste
1 8oz can tomato sauce
Tabasco to taste
1T Cumin
2T Chili powder
1 large can Red kidney beans
Cayenne pepper to taste
3oz beer
6 oz Pelligrino or Perrier
2 bay leaves
Salt and Pepper to taste

Chili Construction:
1. Saute onions, green pepper, celery , garlic and jalapeno pepper in 2T olive oil.
2. Add ground sirloin, brown and drain off liquid.
3. Add remaining ingredients EXCEPT the kidney beans.
4. Simmer over low heat for 2 hours. THEN add kidney beans and simmer for another 1 hour.
Serve with sour cream and shredded cheddar as condiments.
For dinner, serve with salad and corn bread!

Homemade Chicken Soup

SOUP TIME!!!
HOMEMADE CHICKEN SOUP
1 Chicken cut into pieces (discard the packet with giblet's)
1 large yellow onion skinned and cut in quarters
6 carrots skinned and cut in half
Leafy top part of 1 bunch of celery (cut the top 5" off the celery stalks)
6 stems of fresh  dill and parsley tied together with cotton string (this is your Herb packet)
1  32 oz box of College Inn Chicken Stock
1 bag  12oz. of Egg noodles of your choice
In a large stock pot:
1. Put rinsed chicken on bottom of pot
2. Add onion,carrots,celery on top
3. Cover this with cold water and box of chicken stock
4. Place Herb packet on top
5.Cover and cook over medium flame
6.When this begins to boil, lower the heat to a simmer and skim off  the top any foam that has appeared.
7.Simmer for 2 hours over low heat.
8. With tongs remove and discard the Herb packet
9.Place a strainer over another large pot and place chicken pieces and carrots in strainer and let broth drain off of them,  Reserve these pieces on a plate.  They will  eventually be  returned to the broth. Put broth that drained off  these pieces back into original stock pot.
9.Now drain the original broth through the strainer into a clean large pot.  Discard all the residue, onions,celery that is left in the strainer.
10. Cut carrots into slices and place in the pot with the strained broth.
11. Take skin off chicken and cut into pieces.  Place the chicken pieces you want in the broth. You can make  chicken salad with any chicken that you don't wnat to use in the soup.
12. Salt and pepper the broth mixture to taste and place covered in the refrigerator overnight.  As the broth chills the fat will rise to the top and harden. Remove this hard fat with a spoon and return the broth to the stove and reheat and season to taste.
13. In separate pot boil  salted water for the bag of egg noodles of your choice.Follow directions for this on the bag.  Cook noodles and drain
14. Place 1 cup of noodles in a bowl and ladle in the hot broth with carrots and chicken.
15. Garnish with clipped fresh dill.
16. Enjoy your homemade soup with a salad and sliced french bread.

Homemade Lentil Soup

SOUP TIME!!!
HomeMade Lentil Soup
Ingredients:
1. 1 large yellow onion diced.
2.  6 carrots cleaned and diced.
3. 4 stalks of washed and diced celery
4. 1 chopped cloved garlic
5. 2T olive oil
6. 3  32oz. boxes of  "College Inn" beef,chicken or vegetable broth
7. 1 bag of lentils (Rinsed in a strainer)

Soup Construction:
1. In a large stock pot , heat oil over a medium heat.
2. Add chopped garlic.
3. Add diced onion,celery and carrots and cook--stirring until onion is clear.
4. Add stock slowly stirring bottom to loosen any ingredients and continue stirring all  together
5. Season with salt and pepper to taste,
6.Add cleaned, rinsed lentils and simmer over low heat for 2 hours.76. Serve with a salad and sliced french bread.  Enjoy!

Variations:
You can add 1 ham steak or 1 package of canadian bacon Cut into bite size pieces BETWEEN steps 2 and 3.
This  makes the soup a heartier meal.