Grillable Veggie Burgers

Easy, grillable veggie burgers with just 10 ingredients (give or take a spice)! Flavorful, hearty and perfect for summertime grilling. Hearty enough to please meat-eaters and vegans alike! Author: Minimalist Baker Serves: 5 Ingredients 1 cup (155 g) cooked brown rice* 1 cup (120 g) raw walnuts (or sub bread crumbs) 1/2 Tbsp grape seed or avocado oil, plus more for cooking 1/2 white onion (~55 g | 3/4 cup), finely diced 1 Tbsp (~8 g) each chili powder, cumin powder, and smoked paprika 1/2 tsp each sea salt and black pepper, plus more for coating burgers 1 Tbsp (12…

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Cape Cod Downsize

So many baby boomers are selling their larger homes and moving into a cozy beach home on the Cape in the Cape of good Cod. Falmouth was this couple’s choice to retire in this Cape Cod Downsize. The kitchen was the typical outdated ’80s kitchen. Light oak with a raised panel door were the rave in cabinets back in the ’80s. Unfortunately nobody wants it in their homes anymore. Not only was it outdated, but the layout didn’t work either. Being clients of Wood Palace over the years, they came back for their 3rd kitchen remodel when they did their Cape…

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Choosing Colors To Decorate Your Kitchen

Decorating starts with color.  Choosing colors to decorate your kitchen is no exception.  It is one of the most important aspects of planning a room.  It can make or break the finished look and it is the most challenging for most people because the number of options are overwhelming.  Color affects us visually, physically and emotionally.  There is a whole psychology about color and many books have been written about it.  You can choose a color based on the function of the room, to match the furnishings, based on an inspiration piece or photograph from a magazine.  You can even…

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Kitchen Lighting

Don’t forget to think about the kitchen lighting you want in your kitchen.  Many people make the mistake of putting one ceiling mounted light and expect it to illuminate the room.  There is nothing worse than dark spots in your kitchen when you are trying to read a recipe or prepare food. Besides, who wants to work in a dark and gloomy place when they can have a light and bright space?  There are four types of kitchen lighting to consider for your kitchen.  Not only does kitchen lighting illuminate, but it also helps to decorate and accentuate. Ambient lighting….

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Give Your Kitchen That Magazine Look

The secret to giving a room that pulled together, magazine look is accessorizing, even in the kitchen.  Picking the right accessories and knowing how and where to place your accessories is an art.  It is what gives a room that professionally decorated feeling.   So what do you use for accessories?  Anything you want, anything you like.  The more interesting it is, the better.  But, there are a few good design principles to follow: Think multiples of odd numbers:  3, 5, 7 and group things together. A few larger accessories make a better statement then a lot of smaller ones.  Smaller accessories can begin to…

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Spaghetti with Chianti and Fava Beans

When I saw Giada De Laurentiis do this recipe on Food Network, I thought it was very creative.  Try it! Ingredients One 750-milliliter bottle Chianti wine Kosher salt 1 pound spaghetti 2 tablespoons olive oil 12 ounces spicy Italian sausage, casings removed  1 shallot, chopped  1 clove garlic, minced  cup freshly grated Parmesan 1/4 cup mascarpone, at room temperature  2 pounds fava beans, shelled, blanched and peeled 1 teaspoon chopped fresh rosemary    Directions Add the wine, 8 cups water and a handful of salt to a pasta pot. Bring to a boil over high heat. Add the spaghetti and cook…

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Summertime Serenity

The thoughts of summer in New England start in early spring. Winters are long around here so thoughts of those summer getaways are always popping up in our minds. Whether it’s an all summer long getaway or just a few weeks of vacation, thinking of the beach and the sand through our toes bring a smile to a New Englander. This month’s featured kitchen comes from a Connecticut client who vacations as a family in the summer here on our beautiful  Massachusetts beaches. It’s a beautiful summer home where they unwind from the normal, hectic life back home. The summer house needed an uplift so they hired…

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Downsizing Is A Tough Decision

So, it’s that time in your life where all the kids are gone and on they’re own. The beautiful home you bought to bring up your children, and have extensively remodeled over the last 10 years is too big for the two of you and too expensive to keep up and you are thinking about downsizing. I probably hear this at least two times every week from frustrated clients who struggle with the decision that it might be time to downsize.   Making a life-changing decision like downsizing is hard to swallow for all of us baby boomers. Let’s face it,…

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What Your Kitchen Pro Needs To Know If Your Cabinet Becomes Damaged

Our kitchens are the heart of our homes.  They get a lot of traffic from the whole family and sometimes guests as you entertain.  What if your kitchen cabinet become damaged in some way?  We are careful and hope it never happens, but what do you do if it happens to you. For small scratches and nicks a Touch-Up Kit may exist and you can contact your kitchen provider to see what is available.  But for larger damage, cabinet repairs are best left to your kitchen pro.  You can, however, help immensely with trouble shooting and even speed up the…

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How To Avoid Wear and Tear Damage To Your Wood Kitchen Cabinetry

Like anything else your wood kitchen cabinetry is subject to wear and tear.  To keep your wood kitchen cabinetry looking beautiful for years to come follow these simple tips. Avoid Moisture Damage Avoid draping damp clothes or dishtowels over cabinet doors. This moisture can cause permanent damage — such as peeling and discoloration — to the cabinet’s finish. Avoid Heat Damage The heat generated when using an oven’s self-cleaning feature is much greater than during normal cooking. If this heat escapes from the oven, it can damage your cabinets. While this is a rare circumstance, you can minimize the risk…

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