Day 1 of “Super Bowl Eats” Barbecue Kielbasa

Crock pot apps!! I love it!! 3lb pkg of Keilbasa (sliced in 1/2 the long way, then into 1/2″ slices) 2 bottles of Kraft BBQ Sauce (we used “Original” but you can use any flavor depending on the flavor you want..Honey, Thick & Spicy….etc.) 1 cup of Brown Sugar (light or dark) 1 cup of Beer (optional) Slice Kielbasa. Add barbecue sauce, brown sugar and beer (optional) Cook in crock pot for 6-8 hours on low heat. Serve with toothpicks. Along with the Kielbasa we made “Mini-Junior Mint” Brownies!!! Both were a huge hit!! Stay tuned for the rest of…

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Women and the Superbowl

I love football and for me the super bowl is the highlight of the season. Having friends and family over to cheer the teams is great. Of course, I love “football food” too! For the big day, I like to make foods of the host city. This year, Super Bowl XLVII will be at the Superdome in New Orleans. Talk about a plethora of dishes in which to choose. Wow! I’m thinking jambalaya, shrimp etouffe, muffuletas, crab cakes, red beans and rice. Holey guacamole, my mouth is watering just thing about this! Don’t let the names of these dishes scare…

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How do I Clean my Wood Cabinets?

I know its 2 months away, but spring is really “just around the corner”! We all know that along with the warmer temperatures comes “Spring Cleaning”. The kitchen is at the top of that list. Spring cleaning in the kitchen means opening the windows and releasing the winter air. The next step is the inside of the cabinetry. Start with the can and dry goods. Are they expired and ready for the trash? Or, are you ever going to use it? If you’re not going to use it, now would the best time to donate it to your local food…

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The Differences in Cabinetry

Through the 36 years that I have been in the Cabinetry business, I have heard many different opinions on how and what cabinets should be made out of. Cabinets like any products come in a variety of materials, mainly to accommodate different price levels for different buyers. I like to divide them into 3 levels; Stock, Semi-Custom and Custom. Stock cabinets were introduced in the 1960’s. They were designed for the price conscience consumer. Typically they are massed produced in a large factory in materials such as particle board and solid wood. The frames, doors and drawer fronts are made…

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Experiences While Working in the Kitchen

Have you ever experienced the following? Can’t find a kitchen tool you just know you have? Coming home after buying a special ingredient only to discover you already had it? There are spices in a wall cabinet,  some in a drawer while others are in the pantry? Goodness, no wonder it takes so long to cook! Your kitchen is working against you. The layout is inefficient and it proves it every meal. Meal preparation should be fun not frustrating. Yeah, right! I remember reading one time “Food is love”. Well, if that is the case, why do you emerge from…

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Granite vs Engineered Quartz Countertops

How do you choose between Granite vs Engineered Quartz countertops for your kitchen???? Are you thinking of updating your kitchen by replacing that laminate countertop? With more than a dozen surface choices in countertops, Granite and Quartz are the two popular choices. “What is the difference?” “How do I decide which one is best for me?” These are the most common questions I hear from homeowners that are looking to replace their countertop. I will start with the fact that they are both made with the hardest natural stone, quartz. Granite is 40% – 60% quartz and engineered quartz is…

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Past Holiday Experiences

Family Holiday Parties Do you have your family holiday dinners at your home? We have always had Christmas at our house. I remember our first attempt at this like it was yesterday. I felt like Curly of the 3 Stooges. I literally read word for word of that Betty Crocker cook book. I really wasn’t a cook at the time. Yes, I was winging it and trying to remember how my mother did things for our holiday dinners as a kid. That’s always a safe haven when you haven’t a clue yourself. At the end of the day, let’s say…

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Now that the decorations are down…

Phew! While the holidays are joyful with family and friends it is somewhat of a relief they are over. Who am I kidding…it’s a tremendous relief! Looking back (now that you have some time to reflect) do you remember asking yourself any of these questions? Wouldn’t it be nice if I had the space that would allow me to have help with cooking, not to mention the cleanup? Why does that drawer always stick just when I really need it? You know, I could really use another oven. It’s not just during the holidays either. I really like to bake…

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Happy New Year

From everyone at Wood Palace Kitchens, we’d like to send you our best wishes for a happy, healthy and prosporous new year!  Whatever your goals are, we hope you achieve them, and then some.  Whatever your dreams are, we hope they come true. If you are going out to celebrate tonight, please drive safely and watch out for others who are not so safe. We will see you in 2013!

Christmas Cookies

This holiday season, I thought I’d share one of my favorite cookie recipes from Christmas growing up.  My great aunt made these every year, and I really looked forward to them. Russian Tea Cookies 1 lb. Butter 1/2c Confectioner’s Sugar 2t Vanilla 4c Flour 2c Pecans, Finely Chopped Cream the butter.  Add sugar, beat until light.  Add vanilla.  Add flour and mix well.  Fold in nuts.  Use a small ice cream scoop to make balls about 1″ in diamater, place on ungreased cookie sheet. Bake at 350 degrees for 10-12 minutes.  Cool slightly then roll in confectioner’s sugar.  Makes about…

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