When I first came across Toast & Sip I was immediately taken back by the concept. Custom recipe art just has a nice ring to it! And once you learn more about Sarah Persing’s concept it’s a “why didn’t I think of that” moment.

Toast & Sip creates custom recipe canvases that are brilliant. What a great way to pay tribute to a family recipe. I like the idea of hanging a signature recipe in my kitchen or even gifting someone their own signature recipe that has been preserved in a fun and unique way. Simply send in your recipe details (title, ingredients, steps, etc.) and she creates a ready-to-hang canvas following your specifications.

I’m always in favor of paying tribute to those great family cooks that have gone before us. If you’ve ever wondered how to honor your grandma’s famous banana cake, I can’t think of a better way!

Images: Toast & Sip

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(Occasionally disaster happens too) But last Sunday I whipped up last minute mashed potatoes for Robby and I that we enjoyed at approximately 10 PM while watching our newest addiction, Dowtown Abbey.

Everything about this simple recipe encompasses what I love about cooking. Making mashed potatoes is a right of passage for any home cook. We all should know how to do it. Once you’ve learned the skill you can really start to have fun. Rather than the traditional Yukon golds, I had baby red potatoes on hand. I placed them in cold water, brought them to a boil, and cooked until fork tender. I strained, returned to the pot, added a few tablespoons of melted butter and a splash of heavy cream. Lots of salt and pepper and some fresh herbs that I had hanging out in my refrigerator. A quick mash with a potato masher and Wa-Lah! Mashed potatoes on a Sunday evening. It was a cooking impulse that ended up being even more satisfying than a big bowl of popcorn while watching our favorite flick.

While mashed potatoes and a movie shouldn’t always be justified, it sure felt right that particular evening. The best part is I’ve got a side dish in my back pocket for weeknight dinners.

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Are such luxuries and I sincerely hope that I never have to surrender either one. While it makes me nervous to think about the future of cookbooks becoming digital, I have to admit that I’m pretty smitten with some of the amazing work that I’m seeing lately.

Pat LeFrieda’s Big App for Meat 101 is nothing short of amazing. Pat LeFrieda is a world class butcher that has put together “a definitive butcher’s guide to every cut of meat.” We’re talking 360 degree views of every piece of meat you can imagine in addition to over 50 minutes of butchery video. For a small girl, I have an unusual fascination with meat and the lost art of butchery. This is like savory eye candy for me. (Did I mention that the first episode of Kelsey’s Essentials season 3 is all about butchery?!)

A tried and true sweet foodie app that has been around for a bit longer but still remains one of my favorites is Martha Stewart’s Cookies App. With Valentines day right around the corner and cookie baking resurfacing, this app is a must for anyone who is a die hard cookie baker. Not only do you get a fantastic library of over 90 cookie recipes, there are how to videos, shopping lists, and more valuable than anything, the design and photos leave me filled with inspiration every time I glance at the app.Talk about a cookie wonderland!

Images: Martha Steward & Eater.

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When it comes to surviving the chilly months in the winter, a girl has got to do what a girl has got to do. By surrounding myself with some of my favorite essentials this month, I’ve beat the January blues and actually enjoyed a great kick off to 2012!

Hug Mug There’s no better month for a steamy cup of hot chocolate. Nothing gets the job done better than the Hug Mug. Because of its shape you can perfectly hug the mug with both hands creating the coziest hot chocolate drinking experience ever.

Goal Tracker I love to set goals. Especially when I have something as cute as this little diddy to write them on. I love that there is a place to check off a completed goal on each day of the month. Completed check marks are so satisfying.

Cozy Blanket Due to a drafty apartment, I’m wrapped up in a blanket 90% of the time at home during these long winter months.

Paper Source Planner I keep a calendar on my phone and a weekly datebook where I map out my days hour by hour. I’m going on my third year with a Paper Source Calendar and I’m a huge fan. Great design, just the right size, and spiral bound.

Eternity Scarf Although I grew up in a state that enjoyed big winters every year, nothing compares to the cold on the east coast. It goes through your bones and straight to your soul making you grumpy from January – March. (drastic? maybe) In addition to my sleeping bag coat, I can’t live without my trusty eternity scarf to wrap snugly around my neck keeping all the cold out.

Citrus Juicer It’s easy to gravitate to hearty comfort foods this time of year but I always like to implement a lot of citrus into our meals during the winter. It’s in season and really brightens up some of those heavier dishes that warm your heart. This lemon squeezer is one of my favorite tools for extracting fresh citrus juice.

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Something must be in the water because everyone I know seems to be having a baby! My good friend Casey is due in just over a month and we showered her this past weekend with gifts, games, and a whole lot of bacon. I headed up the food effort for the baby shower and had a blast.

I actually get a lot of questions from people about “what to cook for a shower.” There are a couple of recipes that I think are tried and true winners but it’s always fun to think outside of the box as well. Our game plan was brunch and I knew that I would be trekking food for 30 from one side of Manhattan to the other (literally). So in addition to picking my favorite recipes, I had to pick recipes that could be transported by only 2 people strategically packed in IKEA bags (thanks Robby). Trust me…this was tricky. After mapping out a decent game plan the menu was set. My sweet sister Kylie, who is also a big fan of mama to be Casey, designed the invitations and a menu for us that was framed and put on the food table. She’s also responsible for the adorable cake banner.

A few of the recipes were original and a few were favorites from friends. My personal favorites were the Savory Cheesecake and Candied Bacon on a Stick. The fruit salad with mint is a fantastic recipe found by Kathryn that I’ve been using ever since she brought it to a Central Park picnic. The Bacon, Cheddar, & Chive Biscuits and the Lemon Curd used in the tartlettes are both from season 1 of Kelsey’s Essentials. Because I will never make cake as good as Amy’s Bread and it’s Casey’s favorite, we all finished off the celebration with the most delicious and decadent Devil’s Food Cake in the world. Guests were sent home with a darling box of homemade Maple Nut Popcorn that was inspired by good ole’ fashioned Cracker Jacks.

Congrats Casey! We can’t wait to meet baby Harper!

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