When I was in Philly for the Type-A Advanced Conference in April, Cheryl from Middlesex County Parent and I had lunch at a cute outdoor cafe. When our sandwiches arrived, they were served with a heap of fries drizzled with a sweet balsamic reduction — and it was incredible. I told her it would soon appear on SCB (and I totally wasn’t kidding). I’m telling you — you have to try this (and for the fries, the thinner, crispier and saltier, the better!). Since arriving home, I’ve even introduced my kids to this — and they love it too.

Get it: If you aren’t familiar with balsamic reduction, it’s just a thick, reduced version of the vinegar. You can sometimes buy it ready to go (it may be called glaze) or you can make your own at home. Here’s a good tutorial from Fit-Bottomed Eats.

KIND Bars

A few years ago, Cate from Sweetnicks and I headed to Seattle for a business trip and our host (Starbucks!) left a few KIND Bars in our welcome bags. I promptly fell in love. it should speak volumes that since then, I have regularly bought KIND Bars — especially when I need something quick when I am on the go. Of course, they can be pricey, so I make sure to stock up when they are on sale at the grocery store — particularly when they are $1/bar (Yes, it happens!).

Get it: You can buy these in many stores including Stop and Stop, Trader Joe’s and Whole Foods. Starbucks also sells them, but you pay a premium for the convenience of purchasing them there. Locally, Caraluzzi’s carries a big selection.

Coffee-Mate Natural Bliss Sweet Cream

Typically, I take skim milk and sugar in my coffee. I am not a big fan of half and half and have been on the fence about flavored creamers — until now. I recently discovered Coffee-Mate Natural Bliss Sweet Cream while trying to choose a creamer at the grocery store and fell head over heals in love with it. The ingredients list is super short (and totally familiar), and the flavor is sweet, but not cloyingly so. Now, this is what I grab in the morning for my coffee.

Get it: Grocery stores everywhere sell this. But Target sells a giant bottle of it, and it’s less expensive then the grocery store. That’s where I prefer to buy it.

KitchenAid 13-Cup Food Processor

I know some people rarely see the need for a food processor, but me? I can’t get enough of it. I love using mine for slicing, shredding and chopping because it’s just so easy. And last November, KitchenAid sent me their KitchenAid 13-Cup Food Processor to try — and I started using it daily. It’s sturdy, well-made (read: no annoying extraneous parts to break!) and easy to clean. Also, I love the adjustable slicing disc, which means less parts to keep track of. The only thing I wish it came with is an ultra-thin slicing disc, but overall this is one awesome food processor.

Get it: You can buy this food processor from Amazon and from many stores. KitchenAid also sells it on their website.

Hint Water

I am a water lover. I could drink it 24/7 and never get tired of it. But still, sometimes it’s nice to have a little flavor. And here’s why I love this water. It’s really subtly flavored with natural flavors (Strawberry Kiwi is my favorite) and it’s also unsweetened — as in no sweetener of any kind. The one thing is that you absolutely have to drink Hint chilled — it’s best that way. Also, I can’t remember how I first tried this water. It might have been a sample I was sent, but I’m not sure — I have been buying it for years now and really love its subtle flavor.

Get it: Hint Water is available at most grocery stores and can be purchased online from Amazon.

——-

Disclosure: As noted above most of these products were purchased by me. The KitchenAid food processor was provided by the company, but I wasn’t obligated or compensated to write about it. And in all cases, my opinions are totally my own.

The post 5 Things I Can’t Get Enough Of: May 2013 appeared first on Sarah's Cucina Bella.

Confession: Australia has never been on my must-visit list. It seemed like an awfully far distance to travel to visit a country that wasn’t that different per se. I mean, sure, they have kangaroos and the Great Barrier Reef and all. But that didn’t seem like enough to travel so far for. Good thing I can admit when I am mistaken. Which I totally was. BlogHer recently brought me to my senses when they invited me to a Tourism Australia event to learn more about the Australian food scene. I also looked into Australia a little myself and learned that Australia has the most beaches in the world — more than 10,000. And among those is Hyams Beach in Jervis Bay, New South Wales, which holds the world record for the whitest sand on Earth, according to the Guinness Book of Records.

Now, another confession: I’d never given a single thought to the cuisine of Australia. But let me tell you, I learned that it’s absolutely divine. Australian food is all about fresh, local flavors. And the farm-to-table movement? That’s totally their thing.

At the Tourism Austalia luncheon, BlogHer introduced about 20 bloggers from the New York metro area to the food and wine of Australia. It was kind of awesome. We started off with cocktails and introductions by the car at The Sunburnt Calf on 79th Street in Manhattan. Then we sat down for an interesting presentation and lunch.

We started off with shared appetizers. My favorite were the Oysters “Kilpatrick,” a tempura-fried oyster with pickled shallots and Worcestershire-bacon butter served in oyster shells. I am a huge, huge fried oyster fan, and these were absolutely a bite of heaven — sweet, salty, crunchy amazingness. The Steamed Buns (above) were pretty amazing too.

While we were enjoying these appetizers — including this Classic Prawn Cocktail with creamy cocktail sauce — they told us more about Australia food and tourism. “Real Australian food is a state of mind,” says chef Michael Moore, a top Australian chef and author of the new cookbook Blood Sugar: The Family. What really resonated with me is what Moore said of chefs in Australia: They aren’t in competition with each other but rather have more of a team mentality. “We connect. We work together. We are all working to do the common good of what we’ve got here,” says Moore.

Moore describes the food scene in Australia as sophisticated and connected, which is kind of awesome. This BBQ’d Barramundi Fillet, topped with frisee salad, new potatoes and anchovy aioli, was absolutely divine — I totally came home dreaming of recreating this dish because it was so good. (Salad on this firm, white fish? Absolutely amazing). I left The Sunburnt Calf with Australia firmly ensconced on my to-travel-to list. During the presentation, some breathtaking photos on a big screen showed how beautiful the Land Down Under is. (If I sound a little infatuated with it, I totally am now). And the Great Barrier Reef? It’s home to 500 varieties of seaweed and is the largest reef in the world — the size of the eastern coastline of the United States. That’s something to be impressed by, for sure. But then, there are lots of pretty sizable things in Australia, from the world’s largest oyster to the heaviest crab. And let’s not forget the unique wildlife like kangaroos and emus.

So, what can I tell you about cuisine in Australia? It’s a delicious mix of cuisines that relies on what’s fresh and local for them. Love that. I hope I can travel there to experience it for myself someday. How about you? Have you been to Australia? Do you want to go?

———

Disclosure: I am being compensated by BlogHer for this blog post and for attending this event. However, all opinions are, as always, my own.

The post Lunching with Tourism Australia appeared first on Sarah's Cucina Bella.

This morning, I woke up with that peculiar ache in my nose that signals the onset of spring. Of course, someone should clue Mother Nature in because it’s still way too cold out there. Despite that, I am already thinking spring here — and am so excited to see all the pretty spring-like kitchen accessories hitting catalogues and websites.

Window shopping for seasonal room makeovers is so much fun. So when I was asked to check out a whimsical Victorian Isles Collection at World Market and share some of my favorite items, it was a perfect fit. I decided to go with a spring makeover for my favorite room — the kitchen. The fun items above would bring such a refreshing sweetness to the kitchen this spring, wouldn’t they?

All of this comes from World Market, which I visited a few years ago in Seattle and absolutely love. With an incredible selection and good prices, I would shop there all the time if there was one here in Connecticut. Here’s what I am totally crushing on in the Victorian Isles Collection (photos above, links below — L-R, top to bottom).

• Rectangular Victorian Glass Plates, set of 4
• Beechwood Bird Spreaders, set of 4
• White Deep Dish Open Baker
• Eyelet Lace Tablecloth
• Aqua Bird Ceremic Salt Cellar
• Let Them Eat Cookies Canister
• Blue Lila Wallpaper Memo Board

Love World Market too? You can also connect with them on Facebook and Pinterest!

The Great and Powerful Sweepstakes presented by World Market

I’ve also been asked to share some info about a fun sweepstakes being presented by World Market (have I mentioned how much I love World Market)? There are some really fabulous prizes to celebrate a world of adventure. Check it out:

The Grand Prize Package:

• Private movie screening for you and 50 friends of OZ The Great and Powerful
• Free IMAX Movie Tickets for a Year
• $1,000 World Market gift card

Three First-Prize Winners:

• $500 World Market gift card

Want to enter? It’s easy to do online — just go to worldmarketsweepstakes.com.

Also, Disney’s OZ The Great and Powerful hits theaters on March 8, 2013. Experience it in IMAX 3D. (Psst. You can also check out the movie trailer!)

———–

Disclosure: This shop is part of a social shopper marketing insight campaign with Pollinate Media Group™ and World Market, but all my opinions are my own. #pmedia #WorldMarket. http://cmp.ly/3/8vNxcO

The post Spring Kitchen Makeover with World Market appeared first on Sarah's Cucina Bella.

After Will was in bed last night, Shawn plucked Will’s old coat off the couch and hung it up. He’d tossed it there when we returned home without a second thought, as kids do. It’s a battered and worn coat that we designated for outdoor play after getting snagged a few times one raucous afternoon outside. Yesterday, as we headed out the door for an early dinner at our cousin’s house, I’d told him to grab it knowing how much mud and mess four kids age seven and under can get into. This morning, as I returned from putting Will on the bus, I spied the coat near the door and took note of its heavy layer of dirt.

Clearly, it was a good call.

There was a time not that long ago when a dirt covered coat would have irritated me. I would have grabbed it from the hook and tossed it to the basement for a good cleaning — with a heavy sigh, no doubt. But things change. Perspectives change, and I can say with great certainty that mine has. So when I saw that dirty coat earlier today, I simply smiled. Yes, I’ll still wash it soon. But the dirt on the coat no longer bugs me — in fact, quite the opposite. That dirt and the well worn spots on the coat aren’t signs of some deficiency on my part but rather visual confirmations of the joy and fun my son had yesterday with family.

That dirt is signs of a life well lived. And really, that is what matters.

These days, I’ve finally learned to not sweat the small stuff (yes, a dirty coat that he uses for playing only is definitely just ‘small stuff’). Because at the end of every day, I want all of us to go to sleep knowing that we had joy. We had happiness. We had fun.

That’s probably why I also have been having more fun with dessert around here too. Dessert is still a once in a while thing, but it’s a more often once in awhile thing. I mean it’s something that brings such cheers and joy. There is nothing wrong with that.

When I spotted a recipe for something called Raspberry Ripple Dessert in a very old cooking pamphlet from Occident/King Midas, I knew I wanted to use it as inspiration for a new recipe. The original recipe called for a two crust pastry — one for the base and one to be crumbled on top. Also, given the amount of sugar involved (not a lot) and citrus, it was a lot tarter than I like my desserts.

My version, a Raspberry Swirl Cheesecake, starts with a really simple, thick cookie crust. It’s made with just two ingredients and bakes into a rich, vanilla-tinged layer. It’s topped with a slightly tart, super fluffy cheesecake that’s swirled with an easy, quick raspberry topping. Rather than baking, it’s refrigerated to firm up.

I was really tempted to call this a no-bake Raspberry Swirl Cheesecake, but that’s not entirely true. The crust does get baked, but the cheesecake part doesn’t. And all together, this is easy as can be.

The post Easy Raspberry Swirl Cheesecake appeared first on Sarah's Cucina Bella.

Hey! I contributed a little article to Home Made Simple recently and it just went live this week. Here’s a little preview:

Cleaning cast iron skillets, griddles and other cookware is a simple process you can do in minutes. You don’t have to soak it (in fact, you shouldn’t), and it rarely requires much scrubbing. Follow this guide to easily clean it, plus find cast iron seasoning instructions.

Join me over on Home Made Simple to read more. Thanks!

The post Got Cast Iron? appeared first on Sarah's Cucina Bella.

When I lived in New York, I thought New York pizza was unmatchable. Then I moved to Connecticut full time (I had spent summers here as a child) and discovered a whole new world of pizzas.

Connecticut pizza comes in a few varieties. There are the coal-fired brick oven pies of New Haven with their crisp crusts and charred spots that add a whole new dimension. There are the ultra-thin crusts, similar to New York pizza but often less greasy. And there are the Greek-style pies with their doughy crusts that are so unlike the others that they need their own category.

Last year, while on a business trip in Seattle, one of the other folks on the trip mentioned a pizza place in Connecticut that they were familiar with and something about it being the best in Connecticut.

I had to correct her.

Pizza in Connecticut is somewhat of a phenomenon. There are so many great pizza places, and everyone has a favorite — but it’s more than that. It’s like taking sides in a never ending pizza battle. And it’s not just us Connecticut people noticing these great pizza joints — many are nationally ranked as the top pizza places in the country.

Pepe’s Original Tomato Pie

The biggest players are the New Haven pizza places. Frank Pepe Pizzeria Napoletana (affectionately known as Pepe’s) and Sally’s Apizza are the most talked about, most known and most debated (as to which is best, of course). Both serve coal-fired brick oven pizzas and were started by relatives. There’s also Modern Apizza, which has its own devoted following as well.

At Pepe’s, the thin crust comes out crisp with little black bits of char. Their signature white clam pizza is loaded with fresh clams, olive oil, garlic, oregano and grated cheese — a perfect pie for eating so near the Connecticut shoreline. But most often, my family orders the Original Tomato Pie, which comes with sauce and grated parmesan. You can also order it with mozzarella. Their pepperoni pizza, something I am generally not fond of, is worth trying. It’s kind of amazing.

I haven’t tried Sally’s or Modern, but they are on my list of must-tries this summer.

One of my favorite pies comes from outside New Haven. Carminuccio’s is a pizza place located in Newtown, Connecticut. Their pizza has an ultra-thin crust that holds their signature sweet-savory sauce and just enough mozzarella to coat without overdoing it. My favorite pie there is the clams casino pie, which has clams, bacon, onions and more. It’s a must-order whenever my friends and I go.

Still, there are other pies that I keep hearing out like the hot oil pie at Colony Grill in Stamford, which was named one of the 8 Best Pizzas in Connecticut by Slice. It’s topped with a chile pepper infused hot oil that’s supposed to be amazing. Roseland Apizza in Derby, Connecticut also made that list with their famously rich tomato sauce.

As for the Greek-style pizza, Newtown Pizza Palace is a favorite. Famous Pizza in Bethel, Connecticut makes a great Greek-style pie too. Both feature addictive marinara sauces and a good layer of mozzarella cheese. But be warned, the Greek style can be a little oily.

I’m undoubtedly missing some fabulous pizza places here in Connecticut. Do you have a favorite? What is it?

Which Connecticut destination would you like to visit? Leave a comment below and you will be entered into a sweepstakes from BlogHer to win $1,000 to help you plan your trip!

For travel information and inspiration, visit CTVisit.com!

Visit BlogHer.com to read other Connecticut travel stories.

Sweepstakes Rules:

No duplicate comments.

You may receive (2) total entries by selecting from the following entry methods:

a) Leave a comment in response to the sweepstakes prompt on this post

b) Tweet about this promotion and leave the URL to that tweet in a comment on this post

c) Blog about this promotion and leave the URL to that post in a comment on this post

d) For those with no Twitter or blog, read the official rules to learn about an alternate form of entry.

This giveaway is open to US Residents age 18 or older. Winners will be selected via random draw, and will be notified by e-mail. You have 72 hours to get back to me, otherwise a new winner will be selected.

The Official Rules are available here.

This sweepstakes runs from 6/14 – 8/8.

The post Connecticut’s Fabulous Pizza Scene appeared first on Sarah's Cucina Bella.

Do you have a favorite park? One that’s special to you and your family? Parks are a wonderful resource for everyone. They are places where friends can gather and people can get out and explore nature and experience the world. Here in Connecticut, we have many wonderful parks. One I love is Dinosaur State Park, where the preserved fossilized footprints of dinosaurs were discovered and can be viewed right where they were found! There is something powerful about walking where dinosaurs once did. There’s also Hammonasset Beach State Park, which has more than two miles of beaches and facilities for camping.

But one of my family’s favorite parks in Connecticut is Kent Falls State Park in Kent, Connecticut, which is home to a series of waterfalls that flow down a mountain. It’s a picturesque place for hiking, picnicking and just having some great times with friends and family. Kent Falls is particularly breathtaking after heavy rains.

When I was asked to help spread the word about the America Is Your Park program, I loved the idea because I believe that parks like Dinosaur State Park, Hammonasset and Kent Falls are natural treasures that we should respect and revere. But moreover, we should support them by visiting these places and treating them well.

With the America Is Your Park program, you can help your favorite park win one of four grants. First prize, for the park with the most votes, is a $100K grant. For the runners-up, there are some great grants too: second prize is $50K, third prize is $25K, and a fourth prize of $15K will be awarded to a park that lands somewhere between fourth place and twenty-fifth place (chosen by random draw).

Imagine what a park could do with a grant like any of those!

So how can you help your favorite park win?

• Vote – Get online and vote in the America Is Your Park program.
• Check in – Go to your favorite park and check in on Foursquare to earn 100 points for your park.
• Share – Whenever you vote, share it with your Facebook friends and encourage them to vote too.
• Tell others – Tweet, talk and encourage others to vote and check in at your favorite park.

.

NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. Only legal residents of the 50 U.S. (and D.C.) who are at least 13 years old and reside within the U.S. at the time ofparticipation are eligible to vote for a Park. Participate on behalf of a Park by: July 15, 2012. The 3 most popular Parks will be offered a grant and there will be 1 Wild Card drawing at the end of the Contest to award an additional grant.  To participate, for Official Rules, and complete details including grant descriptions, visit www.LivePositively.com/parks. Void where prohibited.

Disclosure: I am being compensated for my time on this campaign through BlogHer and Coca-Cola’s Live Positively program. All opinions are my own and I chose to participate in this because I think it’s a program that can do a lot of social good.

The post What’s Your Favorite Park? appeared first on Sarah's Cucina Bella.

What’s the recipe for a relaxing summer night? Good company, laughter and a very cold drink. On the beach, of course. And if there is a little fire pit in the mix, even better. (Can you tell that I am super impatient for summer vacation to begin? I am and I keep reminding myself that we are almost there. Not close enough though. Yet.)

Whilst I am daydreaming about summertime now, I am also auditioning some new beverages for when I feel like something with a little more edge than water. Recently, BlogHer asked if I would like to try Michelob’s new Michelob ULTRA Light Cider (visit the website here), a new addition to their ULTRA line that slims down hard cider to a mere 120 calories, I figured why not? Hard ciders can be a nice change up in the summertime, and if this lighter version is good, it could be kinda awesome. So, I gave it a try after locating some.

The first thing I did when I cracked open a bottle of this Light Cider was to sniff it. I don’t normally sniff my drinks, but this time I just had to. And in case you were wondering, it smelled faintly of apples, and I suppose it should since it’s naturally sweetened and made with apples. On first taste, I found it be a subtly sweetened drink that tastes faintly of apples. But you won’t ever mistake this for the virgin variety of cider. No, this Light Cider has a crisp-tart-ness to it that’s refreshing — especially when chilled. And by chilled, I mean absolutely ice cold.

The biggest test of anything though is whether you’d purchase it again. And me? I would totally purchase this again. It’s the kind of thing that you can just kick back with and sip while reading at dusk. Or something you can crack open and enjoy while watching the waves lap against the shore (What? Isn’t everyone as beach-obsessed as me?)

Which favorite summer meal or activity do you think would go best with Michelob ULTRA Cider?

Visit the Michelob ULTRA Light Cider page on BlogHer.com for more information. Also, you can visit the Sponsor’s site.

The post Review: Michelob Ultra Light Cider appeared first on Sarah's Cucina Bella.

Last summer, the kids and I met friends at Kent Falls State Park in Kent, Connecticut, for a picnic and hiking. Though we’d been there before, it was the first time that the kids and I did the full falls hike, which is a majestic climb. Recently, when the topic of my favorite park came up, my mind jumped back to Kent Falls, which I totally voted for in the America Is Your Park program.

Have you heard about the America Is Your Park program that was developed by Coca-Cola in collaboration with the National Park Foundation, America’s State Parks and the National Recreation and Park Association? Basically, Coca-Cola is asking people to vote in the third annual America Is Your Park program for the chance for their favorite park to win a grant of up to $100,000 for improvements. You have until 11:59 PM EST on July 15, 2012, to vote. (Psst — here’s the link for voting. Go cast a vote for your favorite park.) Be sure to encourage your friends to vote too.

Of course, if you don’t have a favorite, you could totally give Kent Falls a nod. I don’t mind.

So, why Kent Falls? Let me show you…

Kent Falls is lovely in spring, summer and fall. When you arrive, you are greeted with this scene: a classic covered bridge, wildflowers and more. I smile every time I think about it.

Then there are the falls. You can see them from the bottom, but it’s not until you start climbing that you see the extent of the falls. And more falls. And even more falls. They just seem to go on and on. I love standing on the overlooks, watching the water and hearing its roar, though it makes me nervous with the kids — at least a little bit.

And the trails! The cleared paths are well maintained and easy to follow. That goes far with little feet — as does the park’s offering many different trail options (depending on skill level).

We’ll be heading back to Kent Falls this summer for another picnic. It’s too good to miss.

Do you have a favorite park? Vote for it in the America Is Your Park contest.

NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. Only legal residents of the 50 U.S. (and D.C.) who are at least 13 years old and reside within the U.S. at the time of participation are eligible to vote for a Park. Participate on behalf of a Park by: July 15, 2012. The 3 most popular Parks will be offered a grant and there will be 1 Wild Card drawing at the end of the Contest to award an additional grant. To participate, for Official Rules, and complete details including grant descriptions, visit www.LivePositively.com/parks. Void where prohibited.

The post My Favorite Park: Kent Falls State Park appeared first on Sarah's Cucina Bella.

What can I say about this book?

The Book of Jonas is a story of a boy in an unnamed Muslim country who loses everything when his village is attacked. He survives by a stroke of luck and ends up going to America where he lives as a refuge with a family in Pennsylvania. The book follows the boy, Jonas, as he grows and changes. He heads off to college on a scholarship and falls in love as well. But there’s an undercurrent of knowing that something isn’t right.

I had a hard time getting into The Book of Jonas. The book is told in halting prose, drawing on repetition and skipping freely between perspectives, times and places. There are flashbacks woven between passages that reflect Jonas’s internal struggle and need to escape his truth. It felt disjointed at first. Then it felt uncomfortable. But at some point, I found myself curling around my Kindle and settling in to read just a few more pages.

I don’t know what it was about this book — perhaps some emotion elicited by the author? But I am happy I read it. It’s far heavier than the light escapism novels I gravitate to. But that’s okay.

Look, this isn’t the feel good book of any time period, but it’s an eye-opening look at life and loss. It’s worth reading.

Be sure to see what others are saying on the BlogHer Book Club page for The Book of Jonas.

Disclosure: I was provided with a copy of this book and compensated for my review. All opinions are my own.

The post Review: The Book of Jonas appeared first on Sarah's Cucina Bella.