March 7, 2013 in Contests and Carnivals and Roundups
Virgin Vegan
Just a quick, fun announcement – the five winners of our new cookbook giveaway are:
1. Stephanie-Oh
2. janet @ the taste space
3. Ashley
4. Tamra Augostino
5. Cookin’ Canuck
Congrats all! Please email us at ourapronstrings [at] gmail [dot] com with your shipping address (within a week) and we’ll send them along. Happy veganing!
January 30, 2013 in Contests and Carnivals and Roundups
Northwest Gourmet Basket
Thanks again to everyone entering our anniversary giveaway! It’s been an amazing and delicious four years. And for us, the fourth anniversary is apparently the fruit anniversary. So without further ado, time to announce the winners of these glorious Oregon fruit baskets from The Fruit Company.
First, the grand prize goes to:
10. Madeline Brubaker!
And the three runners-up are:
29. Darla Schmecekr!
15. Kimberly James!
and
34. Meghan Finley!
All selected via Random.org. Congrats, winners! Please email us at ourapronstrings [at] gmail [dot] com with your mailing addresses!
We’ll be having another giveaway – and a big announcement – coming up in just a few weeks here. Stay tuned!
**Important disclosure: We are not affiliated with, nor are we receiving any compensation from The Fruit Company for this post.
January 17, 2013 in Contests and Carnivals and Roundups
Hard to believe that it was just over 4 years ago, in October 2008, that we attended a BlogHer convention in Boston, with my 6 month old baby in tow. We had absolutely zero clue what we were doing, other than the fact that we had enjoyed collaborating on our first little cookbook and wanted to start a food blog. A few months later, we launched Fab Frugal Food, which through the course of a few more conferences, eventually evolved into Apron Strings. To say we’ve learned a lot in the process is a massive understatement. When we first started, we didn’t even include pictures with every post. Can you even imagine?
Rewinding even further: in the first year after Donna and I first reconnected, checking the mailbox was always a big event. So much was exchanged in those early months, nearly every week seemed to bring a new surprise my way. One day I’d get a thick envelope filled with copies of old photographs, and would spend hours marveling at the novelty of seeing my resemblance in others. Another delivery brought a few favorite childhood toys that she had never gotten to pass down to me. Then, one of the most memorable parcels arrived: a huge, fairly hefty box of cherries.
True confession time – I had never really liked cherries much before. I associated them with the freakishly bright maraschino cherries, a flavor (and color) I found unappealing, and I think I had only tasted the real thing once or twice, probably a sad out-of-season representative of its kind. But I was thrilled to try a food that Donna herself had sent me – and from a place that was literally minutes away from her home. Somehow this made me feel even more connected to her.
I sat in my Middletown, Connecticut apartment and made an evening of pitting the cherries, something I had never done before – and savoring samples of them as I went. Cherries were a whole new experience, the taste and texture seemed freshly magical and meaningful. I decided to take it a step further, and set out to make my first from-scratch cherry pie. I must say, though it wasn’t much to look at (my baking skills are limited even now, and were all the more limited 13+ years ago), the flavor was spectacular.
Other orchard offerings were to follow, pears and apples in particular, and I made ample use of each and every one of them. If only I had known that blogging would become the wave of the future, I’d have snapped some pictures of the tarts tatin, almond frangipanes, and other creations that resulted, but alas, Instagram was not yet available.
What a long, strange, wonderful trip it’s been. We think this calls for a giveaway.
Though we love giving away big gun items like Blendtecs and Kitchen Aids (and surely will again in the future), this time we thought we’d switch it up a little, with something a little more personal. For each of the four years we’ve been blogging, we’re giving away a huge box of glorious Hood River orchard fruit and other savory treats, courtesy of The Fruit Company, the same place from which Donna sent me those cherries, pears and apples.
Behold the Northwest Gourmet Basket Grand Prize:
Northwest Gourmet basket for that “Northwest State of Mind”
January 2, 2013 in Contests and Carnivals and Roundups
2012 will be known here at Apron Strings as The Year of the Egg. It was a quirky idea of mine to cook eggs inside rings – and not just any rings, but EDIBLE rings. Rings that are easy. Rings that are pretty on a plate. Rings that are healthy.
The Onion Ring Sunny-side Up Eggs has been our most popular post of all time, giving us the biggest day ever on Apron Strings: 51,422 views on March 11, 2012. We are thrilled that everyone loved these eggs so much. But also a little embarrassed. I mean, after all this is just two ingredients – eggs and a ring from a large onion. It’s not a complicated culinary masterpiece, by any means. But. In a way, this post represents what we hope Apron Strings is all about: easy, fun, delicious, pretty, healthy food made with love.
Anne and I are so grateful for this culinary journey, and we are still amazed and astounded that we surpassed ONE MILLION TOTAL PAGE VIEWS in September 2012. Whooda thunk it???
We want to shout out a huge THANK YOU to all our followers – and please stay tuned for our huge anniversary giveaway this month celebrating 4 years of food blogging. Trust me, you’re not going to want to miss this one!
And, one more huge cyberspace hug goes out to the fabulous Kalyn of Kalyn’s Kitchen, whose amazing, colorful, flavorful food inspired us to start this blog four years ago.
It all started with Eggs in Bell Pepper rings – I thought of this because a slice of bell pepper looks like a flower – so I dubbed them Flower Power Eggs. They really are pretty on a plate – and so easy!
Perhaps my favorite egg-ovation (that’s for Anne, a lover of food puns!) is the Eggs in an Avocado Slice. Gentle cooking turns an avocado slice into a creamy, custardy delight. So YUM.
One other edible egg rings that were created this year:
Now, eggs aside- we had other fun food fabulous-ness.
Anne had a recipe featured on Bob’s Red Mill site: her Gluten Free Cranberry Bars.
We are huge Julia fans here at Apron Strings, so when her 100th birthday happened in August, we celebrated by making her Chocolate Almond Cake, which she said was her favorite dessert, and which is my favorite bite of cake of all time.
Our Avocado Chopped Salad – served two ways, one with a potato gallette and one with shrimp – were a huge hit in 2012 and such beautiful presentations!
All in All, 2012 was a fabulous year. May we live and blog forever!
– posted by Donna
November 16, 2012 in Contests and Carnivals and Roundups, Holidays
This post is becoming an annual tradition. I knew we HAD to be related when I found out we shared a favorite holiday: yes, the foodiest holiday of all, Thanksgiving!
Donna, we’ve come a long way since our first Thanksgiving together, haven’t we? This was the very first big holiday I got to attend with the rest of your family. I remember being a little worried about being the vegetarian in the midst*. Luckily, even the most traditional turkey dinner includes a veritable cornucopia of hearty sides that are naturally vegetarian, provided that the cooks make note to avoid adding meat products when they’re not central to the dish (i.e. using vegetable stock instead of chicken, etc), and provided that the diner is willing to forgo the gravy if necessary. I remember reassuring you that I’d have plenty no matter what, but if we really wanted to go all out, there was always Tofurky.
Yes, for those who haven’t had the pleasure, it’s a stuffed tofu loaf that comes in a box complete with veggie gravy, tempeh drumsticks, and even a Tofurky jerky wishbone. Donna was both generous and game, and set out to procure a Tofurky for me. Lo and behold, it turned out that Tofurky was actually a local product, produced exactly where Donna lived at the time: Hood River, Oregon.
We prepared it with love, to the amusement of her other kids (two of whom later became vegetarian themselves), joking that we should create a competing brand, Fauxturkey. And a holiday tradition was born. Little did we know that years later, Donna and I would co-author a tofu cookbook, kicking off our more formal foodie collaboration. Though I no longer eschew meat altogether (as long as it’s well-sourced whenever possible), Tofurky will always have a funky little place in our hearts.
Without further ado, let us share some of our favorite recipe creations from our favorite holiday. Have a delicious Thanksgiving, everyone! Read the rest of this entry →
September 7, 2012 in Contests and Carnivals and Roundups
Our latest giveaway!
Have you been enjoying the waning weeks of summer? I truly am canning like I’ve never canned before: exotic melon jams (two kinds), garlic pepper jelly with a serious kick, tangy lemon cukes pickled bread and butter-style, and chutneys are a-coming this weekend! (Look for a post on that next week!)
So in that spirit, it’s time at last for the big reveal of our FIVE winners!
Comment 14: Linda Carter!
Comment 21: Amy!
Comment 16: Mary Ann!
Comment 10: Tenntrace!
And finally, comment 5: Morgan!
So what do you need to do? Just email us at ourapronstrings@gmail.com with your snail mail address and we’ll get your copy in the mail as soon as possible. Thanks for “putting up with us” as it were, and happy canning! Drop in and let us know how you’re enjoying it.
– posted by Anne
Happy weekend, everyone!
August 24, 2012 in Contests and Carnivals and Roundups
Just comment to get a chance to win a copy of “Putting Up”!
For the first time EVER, my very own modest little garden is actually coming along. Seasoned pros would probably have to stifle a laugh at my progress, but for me, it’s a victory! Put that together with the bounty that has been flowing off the tables in farmer’s markets, and it all adds up to one thing: CANNING. I love that a culinary art with such a rich history has been undergoing a renaissance for a while now. I first tried my hand at this just two years ago, and have been looking forward to jumping back in again.
Since there are a number of great books on the topic, I thought I’d poke around Powell’s and pick one up. I came across a copy of “Putting Up: a Year-Round Guide to Canning in the Southern Tradition” by Stephen Dowdney, leafed through it and loved what I saw, then flipped it over- lo and behold, it’s a Gibbs Smith publication. Gibbs Smith just happens to be the publisher that put out our first joint effort, “101 Things To Do With Tofu”, as well as a variety of Donna’s other cookbooks.
Though late summer is prime canning time, I also love the concept of canning throughout the year, and this book is the perfect introduction. I’m really looking forward to making so many of these recipes, from jams to chutneys to pickles. It’s the pepper jelly that really intrigued me first, though.
Pepper jelly has a touch of personal history in it for me – though it’s a longstanding tradition in some areas, I had never tasted or even heard of it until my biological dad sent me a jar of pepper jelly from my birthplace, Tucson, not long after we first met more than a decade ago. Tasting something so unique and savory from my literal homeland was a revelation, and a favorite flavor combination ever since. Of course, my first foray into “Putting Up” just had to be a pepper jelly, and this version did not disappoint!
Author Stephen Dowdney says of it:
I first made the garlic pepper jelly for lamb chops – sweet and meat are a favorite secret of mine although I disclose it in book II, Putting Up More. I have a website with an embedded blog that has added recipes and helpful canning hints. With the economy the way it is going canning is coming into its own once again and this time there are as many guys as dolls!
I liked the book so much that after giving the original copy as a gift AND getting another one for myself, I decided that we really ought to do a giveaway. Thanks to our publishing company, we got some copies right away, and are ready to pass some along to you!
So, to enter, tell us: what’s YOUR favorite thing to can? Or, alternately, a canning tip, or a favorite canned item to eat if you’re purely an appreciator. We’ll pick 5 winners at random from the comments. (Please make sure you include a working email when you post your comment so we can contact you and get your address!) You’ve got a full week and a holiday weekend to enter as many times as you like – keep it up through Labor Day and we’ll announce the five winners that week.
And without further ado, now for the recipe. Read the rest of this entry →
May 29, 2012 in Contests and Carnivals and Roundups
We’ve really had a great time reading through so many of your comment entries. If only we could give a prize to each and every one of you! But thanks to Random.org, we have a fair and impartial way to select our lucky winner. Without further ado, comment number 58 was selected – and that winner is . . .
Tiffany Hales with her comment about cooking every single night for six kids!
| With six kids I am a mom who cooks EVERY night. I also work full time so I need to have cooking be easy and simple. I have a six week menu rotation. Once a week I sit down and make my grocery list for the next week based upon the menu that up in the rotation. Then each night I know whats for dinner and have all the ingredients. It has also saved me a ton of money. We spend about $150 a week for groceries. Not every kids likes every receipe, but they know if it is something they don’t like, it will be six weeks before they see it again! |
Tiffany – email us at ourapronstrings[at]gmail[dot]com with your phone and your snail mail address and we’ll send this ruby red beauty off to you!
Thanks to all who visited, commented and helped spread the word in some way. We love blogging and being connected to so many enthusiastic cooks. If you didn’t win this time, come back and visit often, since we will be doing more giveaways in the future.
We were so touched by so many of the comments we have decided to give away some BONUS prizes: Donna’s book – Quesadillas.
Here are the 3 comments that earned a book:
June 13, houseworm:
| Unfortunately, I lost my mom when I didn’t even know how she looked. I was just a 11 month baby then. However, my granny was the person teaching me everything about cooking. During the time living with my big family, I had never been a cook in all meanings. I never thought I could cook even though my granny always believed that I could (simply she was a great cook as well as my dad, so should I). Now I’m with my own smaller family, and just naturally I’m the chef in our own kitchen. All the lessons from granny years ago just bumping up day by day in my kitchen now. She taught me to keep veggies green and fresh in dishes, make great caramel for simmered fish, lessen bitter taste of bitter melon, do fishes from scratch, mix great dipping sauce, and a lot more etc. As much troublesome I felt to be forced to learn cooking before, as much grateful I’m now. I’m always thankful my granny whenever a new dish is made in my kitchen. My mother’s day is specially for my granny. This comment is for my granny too. |
June 16, Elizabeth Davila:
| I have many great memories with my mom when it comes to cooking! Every single one of them involve laughing until you almost pee your pants and lots of comment on how I wasn’t married and more recently, why I don’t have kids at 28-SO OLD, RIGHT?!?!? I’ll start off by saying that our family recipes involve a lot of flavor and a ton of love. The best advice my mother ever gave me was, well there are a few, 1) never cry when you are cooking or others will cry (yes, we are very superstitious), 3) never chop jalapenos when you are angry or the peppers will be super hot, and 4) always cook with lots of love – that’s the best type of seasoning. Our fav reciepes include empanadas, chiles rellenos (filled poblano peppers), and rice. Our family traditions (every single woman in my family experiences this) include burning the first batch of rice and slighty over crisping the first batch of fresh tortillas! |
June 13, Justine:
| Sadly, my mom did not think that teaching “domestic skills” was going to be a priority since the goal was to teach me independence and get me educated enough for a “satisfying career” instead. Who would have guessed that I would go on to have 6 children and create a life (as well as a career)for myself that revolves around family, children, babies, and birth. Learning and embracing all things domestic: cooking, sewing, canning, gardening, herbalism) has become a bit of an obsession of mine lately. Luckily, Sir Hubby shares my passion for learning these arts and is our resident chef and baker. Continuing to provide un-gendered examples of how a household functions is a priority for us, and our son takes as much pleasure in cooking and sewing as our daughters do in mower repair and foraging for food in the woods. |
So, Elizabeth, houseworm and Justine – email us with your mailing address and we’ll get a book off to you asap!
Cyber Hugs and Kisses to all!
– Donna and Anne
May 22, 2012 in Contests and Carnivals and Roundups
Mother’s Day itself has come and gone, but you’ve still got another entire week to enter our fabulous giveaway!
One week to go - and you can STILL increase your odds for taking this home!
We just wanted to give you a friendly reminder. We so wish we could give one to everyone – but you CAN still increase your odds! Besides, we’ve just loved reading through the memories so many of you have shared. Please do keep on sharing them!
Click on through for details on all the possible ways to enter.
- Anne and Donna
Just wanted to give you a friendly reminder. We so wish we could give one to everyone – but you CAN still increase your odds!
May 13, 2012 in Contests and Carnivals and Roundups
Adoptive mother Faith, adoptee Anne, and birthmom Donna. (This is before the time digital cameras become commonplace; forgive the scratchy authenticity.)
Mother’s Day, as you might imagine, is a pretty big deal around here. First, because the very heart of this blog is the family connections we nurture through food; and second, speaking for myself, is because I am doubly blessed to have had TWO mothers who are loving, generous and generally amazing people. And of course, I became a mother myself just four years ago.
Can you guess how we’re celebrating? Let us give you a subtle hint:
That’s right. Once again, we’re doing a fabulous giveaway. Starting now, winner to be announced on Monday May 28! We’re going all out with a number of ways you can enter. Just click through HERE to be dazzled by the prize you can win (I’m sure you haven’t guessed it yet). You’ll just have to promise us one thing if you win: use it to make a recipe from your family and share it here with us!
For a couple of years now, we have been sharing our mother-daughter stories and family recipes. Now, It’s your turn. We want to hear from you about how you learned to cook from your Mom. About how your Mom inspired you. About how you as a Mom cook for your family. About your favorite Mom food tips. About any other Mom figure in your life who nourished you. You can leave one comment every day with a “Mom” theme - click through on the link above to see other ways to enter to win!
HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY!
- Anne & Donna
