FIRST KITCHEN BLOGS

 

We discovered a really simple and refreshing, but impressive dessert to serve to our friends.  On a recent trip, we were served this elegant dessert in a restaurant and we thought – hey we can do that.  So here it is if you want to give it try.   It’s just lemon sorbet and some real lemons.   

Cut a lemon in two- making one part larger than the other.  The one side is just the “hat” for the dessert. 

Scoop out and discard the lemon to make a lemon cup.  Fill the cup with lemon sorbet, top with the hat and place them in the freezer.  Allow them to freeze until firm.  They’re ready to serve.  If you want to get creative, add a few berries and sprig of mint on the side or maybe a cookie or maybe a chocolate. Yumm!

 

So if you’re a first time cook or just looking for a simple recipe, try this idea of your next dinner party.

Stay cool!

 

 

 

 

Smart Cooking means Smart Savings. With the rising cost of gas, milk and everything else, it's important to find ways to cut costs. One big way to save is to reduce the amount of money  spent on food.

Here are a few of our favorite tips to help you cut cost on your food...

The best way is to...COOK AT HOME! Two things before you go to the grocery store; make a list  and never ever go hungry!

At the store, keep in mind these money saving tips....

When buying fruits and vegetables try to buy seasonal, but if what you want isn't in season head to the frozen food aisle. This may be your best value. 

"Wise Size"- keep this in mind when deciding what quantity to buy. The economy size may seem like the best option but if you don't use it all in time it can be a big waste!

Check out www.firstkitchencooks.com/fk-shop.html to find more ways to save money, as well as recipes and tips that are quick, healthy and hassle-free. 

We'd like to hear from you. Let us know how it goes or if you have any questions.

 

Spring has sprung here in Minneapolis but in a blink we’ll find ourselves in the middle of a hot steamy summer.  Since the nice days are few and far between we decided to host an impromptu soiree to celebrate the weather with our good friends and food!  

 

Parties don’t always have to take weeks to plan, sometimes these unplanned get-to-gathers are the most fun and can be much less expensive.   So, we took a couple of hours on Saturday to clean the house, sweep the patio and run to the store.  All in all the food was under $40! 

 

We included the essentials that you need for any party: food, atmosphere, entertainment, and beverages.  Since the party started later in the evening we decided to have a fruit and cheese theme and kept the decorations simple with fresh flowers and candles.  

Cheese is perfect for entertaining because you can choose a variety for your guests to try and almost everyone will like at least one kind.  We suggest you get at least 4 kinds and try to get a mixture of soft and hard cheeses.  Remember: I’m not talking about the sliced cheese you get from the deli, this is “specialty” cheeses.   For instance we decided on Brie, Sharp Cheddar, Gouda, and Bleu Cheese.  Grab a few French baguettes to slice up as well as a box of crackers, your choice, to serve along side the cheese. Next, head to the produce isle to pick up some fresh fruit such as grapes, apples or strawberries. Try to buy seasonal if you can to save money.   You could also pick up some dried fruit like apricots and some nuts like almonds or cashews. 

Usually your grocer will have a variety of fresh flowers for sale so grab a few that you like on your way to the check-out, these make for a beautiful spring decoration.  Beverages are up to your discretion.  It is nice to have non-alcoholic on hand such as sparkling water with fresh lemon slices or iced tea.  Good old water can be fancied up with lemon or cucumber slices to make for an inexpensive and refreshing beverage option. 

When you get home, create a killer ipod mix (and listen to it while you get ready for the party).  Make sure you include some songs to dance to!  Pull aside furniture to have space for mingling and need we say, dancing!  Arrange your food/beverage table to your desire…get creative!

 

We’d like to hear your ideas for hosting an impromptu par-lay! 

 

 

Keep it simple…don’t forget to enjoy the weather AND the company of good friends.  CHEERS!