8 posts tagged “martha stewart”

Sunday we went to Vroman's Bookstore in Pasadena for the Martha Stewart book signing.  Martha was signing her 66th book, Martha Stewart's Cooking School: Recipes and Lessons for the Home Cook. I didn't realize when we bought our books a couple of weeks ago, that our tickets were numbered. Turns out we were 81 and 82, so got to be pretty near the front of the line of what was close to 400.

Parking was our first and really only issue. The lot was crazy, and people were started to get a little huffy. We ended up paying for parking, but worth not fighting over a parking space.

The signing was held upstairs, but we were lined up around the perimeter of the store. Groups of 15 or so were let in as the line moved up the stairs. The event was set to start at 4pm. Martha arrived early and those with small children or handicaps were taken care of first. We were done by 4:40pm, so not bad. The line was still snaking around the front of the bookstore when we left around 5:15pm.

The highlight of the signing was a guy a few people ahead of us, Tony Briant. He told Martha that he loved her daughter's show. Martha was thrilled, picked up her cell phone and tried to get Alexis on the line. She got her answering machine, and Tony left a message. It is in the video above.

I found the video using Twitter Search. It comes from Anotorias also found a couple of other people who were there. Vroman's is on Twitter, but really missed an opportunity to connect with their customers today. They need to read Twitter Revolution.

Martha Stewart did another signing at B&N in Glendale at 11am Monday. There were no details on their site. I called and it appears they are handing out wristbands when the store opens at 9am. A wristband guarantees that your book will be signed. They did not know how many they will be giving out though. It was recommended to arrived before 9am though. It should be a zoo. Still a part of me wanted to go because I have a copy of the book I would love to have signed. Don't ask. And yes, I know I have issues.

on the night stand :: Martha Stewart's Cooking School: Recipes and Lessons for the Home Cook

originally posted in my blog

strawberry cupcakes

2 comments

Today Martha Stewart had on Candace Nelson, the owner of Sprinkle's Cupcakes. They currently have locations in Beverly Hills, Newport Beach and Dallas. Next week they are opening in Phoenix. For those who don't live nearby, or prefer not to spend $3.25 for a cupcake (after waiting in line for an hour), here is the recipe for the strawberry cupcakes and frosting. These are my favorites, although the most popular reportedly is the red velvet (probably doesn't hurt that they have red velvet everyday). They have fresh strawberries in both the cake and icing. If using fresh strawberries be sure they are ripe.

sprinkle's strawberry cupcakes

i n g r e d i e n t s

Makes 1 dozen cupcakes
2/3 cup whole fresh or frozen strawberries, thawed
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, sifted
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon coarse salt
1/4 cup whole milk, room temperature
1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, room temperature
1 cup sugar
1 large egg, room temperature
2 large egg whites, room temperature
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

i n s t r u c t i o n s

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line a 12-cup muffin tin with cupcake liners; set aside.
2. Place strawberries in a small food processor; process until pureed. You should have about 1/3 cup of puree, add a few more strawberries if necessary or save any extra puree for frosting; set aside.
3. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt; set aside. In a small bowl, mix together milk and strawberry puree; set aside.
4. In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream butter on medium-high speed, until light and fluffy. Gradually add sugar and continue to beat until well combined and fluffy. Reduce the mixer speed to medium and slowly add egg and egg whites until just blended.
5. With the mixer on low, slowly add half the flour mixture; mix until just blended. Add the milk mixture; mix until just blended. Slowly add remaining flour mixture, scraping down sides of the bowl with a spatula, as necessary, until just blended.
6. Divide batter evenly among prepared muffin cups. Transfer muffin tin to oven and bake until tops are just dry to the touch, 22 to 25 minutes. Transfer muffin tin to a wire rack and let cupcakes cool completely in tin before icing.

i n g r e d i e n t s

Makes icing for 12 cupcakes
1/2 cup whole frozen strawberries, thawed
1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, firm and slightly cold
Pinch of coarse salt
3 1/2 cups confectioners' sugar, sifted
1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

i n s t r u c t i o n s

Place strawberries in the bowl of a small food processor; process until pureed. In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat together butter and salt on medium speed until light and fluffy. Reduce mixer speed and slowly add confectioners' sugar; beat until well combined. Add vanilla and 3 tablespoons strawberry puree (save any remaining strawberry puree for another use); mix until just blended. Do not overmix or frosting will incorporate too much air. Frosting consistency should be dense and creamy, like ice cream.

If you want to make the little decoration on top, you'll need to get your hands on some fondant and fondant cutters. Personally I think the little dots on top are dangerous and likely to chip a tooth. They don't even taste good.

If you didn't order flowers by the 2nd, you can still get 15% off over at Martha's Flowers. Just enter LOVE at checkout.

2 week old martha roses

This is a continuation of yesterday's tip. As I said, NOW is the time to make your plans for the 14th of February. In fact if you are thinking flowers, Martha's Flowers is a great source. The flowers are shipped directly from the farm and arrive in a lovely box complete with instructions on how to make them last longer. All you have to do is order by February 2nd. Your flowers can be scheduled to arrive on the 14th (or whatever day works for you).

Here is the link!

McCormick Spices took out an ad in Everyday Food. They want people to know that old spices lose their flavor, and can change the outcome of your dish. Okay, they want to sell more spices, but they do have some good information.

For example, if you have any metal tins of McCormick Spices, they are at least FIFTEEN YEARS old (black pepper is the only exception). Also, check your glass jars of spices - anything that says Baltimore, MD, on the label is also FIFTEEN YEARS old - at least! Sawdust probably has more flavor.

I have a feeling if I check the cupboards here in this house, I might find a few of these specimens. Kind of gross. B's Mom doesn't like to throw anything away.

I keep threatening to go all Martha Stewart on the kitchen cupboards. You know, put down shelf paper. Remove the paper bags that are currently be used as such. Toss out anything rusty, crusty, or too dusty. And of course, put things back so they are easy to get out. Currently if you use the dishwasher, you have to unload all the dishes, cups and glasses onto the counter first as the door of the dishwasher blocks the cupboards where all of these items are kept. Plus, why bend down? One of the nice features of the kitchen is that it has lots of upper cupboards. B thinks this is a bad idea. His Mom just wouldn't appreciate it.

Tonight I'm thinking I will just go to bed with my clothes on. This way, should the fire alarm go off again, I will be ready.

Last night I woke up around 3:15am to pee. When I noticed the time, I thought to myself, 'good - looks like it isn't going to go off tonight.' And then I drifted off to sleep only to be awoken to that blaring sound a few moments later.

Although I did find my clothes pretty quickly, that noise is really hard on the body. As it was, I ended up going back to bed with my clothes on over my nightgown - just in case.

I feel so off balance as it is right now. This being in limbo, or whatever you want to call it. I haven't been sleeping well to begin with. I have been dreaming in the morning, which is weird. And the dreams are vivid and strange. In one I remember B and I being attacked by alligators. In another I talk Martha Stewart's ear off (figuratively, thankfully).

Yesterday was our 'cleaning day' so we took the recycling out. We found a place at a Safeway, only to discover it was closed on Monday. I was a bit upset. I just wanted to get it over with. B went into Safeway to get some water, and while I waited in the parking lot I saw a homeless man with a cart filled with bottles and cans. It was like a message: things aren't so bad, be patient.

I am trying to be patient and grateful. I know that I am blessed. Still this is hard.

boxC13

This box also contains the complete EveryDay Food magazines.  Well, issue 9 is currently AWOL, but I suspect it will turn up.  Additionally Good Things for Entertaining, Martha Stewart Holiday Special Baking Issue, and Special Foods Issue are also located here.

Boring, but necessary in terms of keeping track of everything.

I did meet former President Jimmy Carter as well as Martha Stewart. All in the same place and the span of a week.

Yes, I went to a book signing.  Here in Chicago at the big Borders on Michigan Avenue.  I waited several hours in both cases.

The way it worked was that you got in line to get a number, and then you came back to get in line according to said number.  It was an interesting system.  There were rules about taking photographs, how many books, etc.

Security was understandably tight during the President Carter signing.  But this guy was amazing.  He could sign several hundred books in an hour.  In fact, he had no limit on the number of books each person could bring.  There were several people who clearly were there to make money.

At Martha Stewart's signing, a local restaurant came and brought cupcakes make from a recipe in the cookbook she was signing.  They only made about 200.  And it was kind of sad how people who were further back tried to make excuses to get one.

Also interesting at the Martha signing was that the first thing she did was have any moms with small children come to the head of the line.  I thought it was nice, but given that the woman who was number one in line had gotten there at 5am.  I think I might have been a little upset, although it did get rid of the screaming children.

So that's my brush with fame.