Back with the Cowl!

Posted on February 28, 2011 by KzooKitchen

I’ve been a little lax on the knitting lately. My other blog Kzoo Kitchen has taken over most of my attention and I’ve been a little busy at work (even though I only work part time).

Knitting is one of my passions and I really wish there were more hours in the day. I know I better get to it since before I know it, summer will be here and between activities and the warm weather knitting ain’t gonna be at the top of my list.

I absolutely love this cowl and it was a pleasure to make. I’d love to keep it, but I know that the boyfriend would kill me since I already have about 45 scarfs. Really.

This is a beautiful hand knit cowl in a variation of a basket weave pattern.

It is incredibly soft, made with Bamboo Yarn which is 77% Bamboo and 23% Polyamide. Because of this, it is not to be washed or dry cleaned, spot cleaned only. Perfect for those allergic to wool

Find this cowl in my Etsy store!

Vegetarian Stuffed Bell Peppers (to die for)

Posted on February 26, 2011 by kzookitchen

I have recently become obsessed with bell peppers. I mean it’s probably not normal to have this many peppers in the fridge at one time. Of course I do add them to everything, every day. WARNING: Get ready for a series of recipes involving bell peppers!

Traditional stuffed bell peppers are pretty much like meatloaf baked in pepper. Don’t get me wrong, I did love them, but now that I am meatless, I have created a vegetarian version which is really 100 times better than the original.

This recipe is actually a mish-mash of ingredients and you can substitute whatever you have available. Continue reading →

Drunken Desserts, best of both worlds

Posted on February 20, 2011 by kzookitchen

I caught this article in the Wall Street Journal last week about Top Chef: Just Desserts contestant Zac Young and his Drunken Doughnut. Every evening, Flex Mussels serves a different doughnut made with alcohol. While the alcohol cooks off and all that is left is the taste, I’m sure these doughnut are downright DELICIOUS!!!

The article inspired me to begin a project I have been thinking about for a while – Drunken Desserts. Sweets all made with beer and alcohol. The idea started a few years ago when I was in Murphy, California for a wedding. We ate lunch at a wonderful little restaurant called Alchemy. I know the meal was fabulous, but what I really remember is the dessert.

The owner suggested I try the peanut butter mousse pie. Always a sucker for peanut butter, I quickly ordered a slice. It was absolutely amazing, but what was even more amazing was the Newcastle which was suggested I drink with it. Generally I am not a Newcastle fan. I find it rather filling and a bit too nutty for me, but the taste of the Newcastle with the sweetness of peanut butter mousse pie was probably the best dessert I have EVER eaten. The nuts in the peanut butter popped in an unbelievable way when each bite was washed down with a sip of Newcastle. They layering of the nutty flavors was something I clearly have not forgotten.

I’ve dreaming about that peanut butter mousse pie and Newcastle ever since I devoured it that day in Murphy’s. Then I thought, what if I created a peanut butter cupcake made with Newcastle? For years I’ve made a rich yummy Guinness cake which is always a hit and peaks interest as soon as I announce that it contains Guinness. Imagine a series of sweets all made with either beer or alcohol? Decadent sure! Want you coming back for more, oh yeah! Continue reading →