who we are when doing business in the Steamy Kitchen family water closet, my son, Andrew has kindly made name tags. In true gentlemanly fashion, he also has thoughfully made a blank name tag for visitors.
"D" for dad, "N" for Nathan, "M" for Mama, "A" for Andrew,"Blank" for guests of the Steamy household (the marker is taped on the other side of the door)
Andrew informed us that when we go use the potty, we have to find our name tag and move it up higher next to the door knob.
The tags are dual purpose. In addition to reminding you who you are, it also notifies others whether or not you need to wear a clothespin on your nose, gas mask or a hazmat suit before entering.
Efficiency is his middle name…
***
Food Photography Tips….
I know. I still owe you. The next Steamy Secrets post was supposed to be about Food Styling. It’s taken a lot longer than I thought, mainly because I wanted to show "before" and "after" photos but my brain just will not allow me to make ugly food for "before" shots.
I just can’t.
The freaky part? I so so so want to make ugly food, but I think I have a certain brain disorder, called "Fear of Ugly Things," which is why garden gnomes and things like this
give me heebie jeebies.
***
Espresso Porn
Entering my Espresso Con Panna porn into the Click event!
Espresso with whipped cream in a Bodum double walled glass.
***
A little tease….
What is that, you ask? Well, it’s a future prize for you! I’ll be product testing again - this time tsp spices, a very cool, smart product that packages the finest quality, organic herbs and spices in single serving 1tsp packages - so that you only unseal what you need. Smart, smart smart. Yeah, and pretty packaging too (almost too pretty to open!)
Here’s what I’ve got:
Marjoram, Sage, Ginger, Turmeric, Thyme
Lemon Zest, Orange Zest, Nutmeg
True Cinnamon, Crusted Ancho Chile Pepper
Basil, Dill Weed, Oregano, Rosemary, Tarragon
Chile Pepper (mild), Coriander, Cumin, Fennel Seed
Allspice, Anise Seed, Koritje Cinnamon, Cloves
Wanna help me test? Comment below and tell me which spice you want a sample of. I’ll send you a 1 tsp single serve packet of the spice. Here’s the deal: use the spice in any recipe that you want, photograph the final dish and email the photo + your short 2-sentence review of the spice by February 10th. Deal?
Thank you guys - got lots of testers!
January 16th, 2008 at 2:45 am
Green cardamom sounds great. I would love to try some.
January 16th, 2008 at 2:59 am
DAMN ;);) Are the steamy household’s first names intentional
January 16th, 2008 at 3:18 am
anything in those attractive boxes has to be good since we know it’s the outside that counts and to always judge a book by its cover.
January 16th, 2008 at 3:45 am
what a cool product–both the toilet signs and the spices
January 16th, 2008 at 4:33 am
Nathan is my name too!
January 16th, 2008 at 5:18 am
sounds great…I would love to try Chile Pepper (mild)…
January 16th, 2008 at 5:30 am
The coriander/fennel seed one, please. I’m not sure if you meant the whole bunch of herbs in one line are mixed together though. It’s a bit early for me. Bleary-eyed. Dogsitting from yesterday and this morning giving the furry one (not the hubby) a walk at sunrise…
January 16th, 2008 at 6:18 am
That’s a truly funny way of knowing who’s where from your son. Cute………very schweeeeet.
Corriander would be my thing. The boxes are so darn attractive. Looks like chocolates inside
January 16th, 2008 at 7:18 am
the challenge is not for the weak of heart…if only i could convince my always craving mind to think of something that would deserve this gourmet treat. besides, i live on the other side of the world soooo, i guess that would be my lame excuse not to execute a meal out of them. i am quite content looking and reading for now steamy…i know you don’t mind. love everything about you.
January 16th, 2008 at 7:24 am
Welllll … if you really want to get technical, anything having to do with being in the loo for its intended purpose is food-related.
January 16th, 2008 at 8:10 am
I would go for the Crusted Ancho Chile Pepper but I doubt your package would arrive to Italy in time for Feb 10th! I look forward to seeing what you all come up with!
January 16th, 2008 at 8:39 am
True Cinnamon & Crusted Ancho Chile Pepper
would be my choice..i love the package
January 16th, 2008 at 9:41 am
I would love to try either the anise seed or the ancho chile powder…yum!
January 16th, 2008 at 10:14 am
Ooo, how fun! I’d love to give the Ancho Chili Pepper a try. I’ve seen it in recipes and have never been able to find it.
January 16th, 2008 at 10:18 am
I would love to try the cumin and the chili pepper!
January 16th, 2008 at 11:00 am
I’ll email you kiddo!! Too funny of a story by the way!!
January 16th, 2008 at 11:13 am
Potty talk on a food blog. Gotta love that.
January 16th, 2008 at 11:42 am
I love the way you son have used tags.
ANd about using gask mask it is just hilarious
January 16th, 2008 at 12:19 pm
Kids are so funny. They do love structure and predictability, don’t they?
January 16th, 2008 at 12:37 pm
I’d test the cumin. I use that a lot.
January 16th, 2008 at 1:04 pm
I’d love to try the nutmeg, rosemary and tarragon.
January 16th, 2008 at 1:07 pm
andrew is not only efficient, but that is also very conciencious! lol! i see the chile is very popular, so i will give the dill weed a try then.
January 16th, 2008 at 1:12 pm
Great… I go missing for a day and you have a competition! In case I am not too late I’d love some oregano or basil. I am in the midst of trying my hand at Italian stuff.
Andrew’s exercise could be put to use in a meditation class. A constant reminder of “who we are”
January 16th, 2008 at 1:14 pm
oh! how funny, i thought they were chocolates at first too! but i am such a dork, i actually got MORE excited about herbs and spices than i would about chocolate.
sage!!! or either of the cinnamon options. or if there’s something that no one wants to try, i could do that too.
January 16th, 2008 at 1:35 pm
We saw these people at the Fancy Food Show! I didn’t get a chance to talk to them (they were very busy), but I do love their concept!
I would be happy to test the orange or lemon zest for you. I’ve always been curious how dried zest performs against fresh zest.
January 16th, 2008 at 1:52 pm
Free stuff?? Hell yes!!! Oh, sorry, my true colors are showing. But if you would send me something…I’ll let you decide so it’ll be more challenging (if you don’t mind. kind of like going to a restaurant and telling the chef to cook whatever he wants!) and I’ll do my best to do them proud…thanks!!
And also thanks for your Fuji Apple & Crab salad recipe. I made it for a dinner party last night and it rocked!! I’ll be giving you major props on the blog.
January 16th, 2008 at 2:24 pm
I’d love to try ‘Dill Weed’ but I’m guessing it won’t reach me in Portugal on time…
Packs love beautiful and elegant!
January 16th, 2008 at 2:25 pm
I think I may be able to work with this ‘dried’ zest. Send me a package and I’ll be glad to whip up something.
January 16th, 2008 at 3:51 pm
The True Cinnamon, Crusted Ancho Chile Pepper
is too intriging to pass up. Send me some and I’ll give it a whirl. Gotta lova a blog that combines food, potty humor and contests!
January 16th, 2008 at 4:23 pm
Yeah I’ll try the chile pepper. I cook often with the other ones–not so much of the chile pepper though. a lot of people are under the misconception that Latin food (or Cuban, specifically is spicy (hot))and it’s not. i’ll give it a try if you have extra…
January 16th, 2008 at 4:39 pm
Orange zest or anise fr me:)
btw, I think we all can take some tips from Andrew:)
January 16th, 2008 at 6:28 pm
You know, what? We already have most of those spices and herbs in our pantry…and actually make use of them. The only thing I don’t think we have is allspice - because we used it up in a turkey brine recipe. If you deem me worthy to receive a spice package, make it allspice.
January 16th, 2008 at 7:37 pm
I especially like that Andrew put not one, but TWO stickers! on his name tag and left the rest of you lowly servants with none. My kind of kid!
January 16th, 2008 at 9:20 pm
I’d love to try some orange zest! That sounds like it would be fun to try in a recipe.
January 16th, 2008 at 11:51 pm
Usually, I think I’m better off with the cat, but the laughs I get from your two boys sometimes make me want to reconsider.
January 17th, 2008 at 2:11 am
I love this post! You start out in the toilet and wind up in the kitchen. What a trip! If you’re serious about the spices, I’d like to try the orange zest and the crusted ancho chili pepper. What on EARTH is it? I’ve used ancho chili, but crusted? Gotta try it! Sounds like they’d go great together on a chicken….
January 17th, 2008 at 2:47 am
I am sorry i didn’t get here in time to participate. The concept of fresh spice is a great one. Can’t say how many times I opened a can of spice and found it had lost its kick and flavor. Will I ever see this in my local grocery?
January 17th, 2008 at 10:12 am
I would love to try these spices.
January 17th, 2008 at 5:37 pm
I thought they were chocolates too!
Love the potty story!
January 17th, 2008 at 7:09 pm
My god woman…I know you have only the best intentions for your readers and those box spices sure do look purdy….but i went to there web site and saw the cost?????? If they had not been given to you or to anyone else for that matter, paying $42.00 for 12 teaspoons of four different herbs and spices is a little much dontcha think? I cook daily and use my spice cabinet very liberally and refresh it monthly. http://www.savoryspice.com The best herbs and spices for mine, and yours , and your readers money.
January 17th, 2008 at 8:47 pm
as a designer i am particularly appreciative of companies who put forth the extra effort to incorporate good design into their packaging, etc. so i really love with tsp has done here! can’t wait to see what the product testing yields =).
ps. i just took those pecan sticky cinnamon rolls out of the oven and am eating two. they are simply to die for.
January 17th, 2008 at 10:34 pm
Brilliant kid that son of yours! Hubs and I have a foolproof way of dealing with toilets - we both have our own so no need for tags or gasmasks there.
January 17th, 2008 at 11:16 pm
I’m on a damn diet! This is the only thing I can actually eat!
January 17th, 2008 at 11:58 pm
The panna cotta is delicious looking:)
Your kid is one smart cookie!
January 18th, 2008 at 12:53 pm
The crusted Ancho says dark chocolate truffle alll over it….:-)
You sendy I makey
January 19th, 2008 at 1:25 am
Your son is brillers. What a great concept!
January 20th, 2008 at 11:12 pm
Funny how Andrew decorates his name tag with stickers, and leaves the rest of the SK household stickerless!