Gearing up for the holiday season

Too soon you may say? Well, I'm like a little child when it comes to Thanksgiving and the Christmas holidays. I believe it is the most beautiful time of the year, where everything seems perfect (people angrily pushing at Target to buy the hottest gifts), people are sweet (rambling on top of one another for sales) and, I don't know, that special spirit is in the air (last minute shopping stress). Awww, you gotta love the season to be jolly.

Well, I have to start looking around for new additions to Brentwood Kitchen to gear up for the holiday season. Although it's another 4 months away, if you have any special suggestions for gifts that I should offer on the site, I would very much welcome them.

And of course, they will always be below the retail value!

Something a little different, and yummy

I may not be a food blogger. However, in the last few weeks, I have made the same new recipe about 3 times and I must say, it has become my new favorite dinner item.

I was at my parents' home on a regular Sunday, waiting for someone to get ready (it feels like eternity, waiting for either one of my siblings or parents to get ready to go anywhere), and watching the Food Network. I sometimes watch the Barefoot Contessa, although I think her food is not the healthiest, she prepares it with such elegance and passion, it's really a viewing pleasure.

She got my attention when she started using lime, avocado and big piece of tuna steak for her recipe. Three items, I love, love, love. After reluctantly waiting a week (different plans came up), the evening finally arrived where I would get to make it at home. I tweaked it a little bit of course, like every cook would, by adding a little more lime than recommended and not serving it on rolls (too heavy) but rather with tortillas.

I am sure you are going to love it.

Here's the recipe, I "borrowed" it from FoodNetwork.com:

Ingredients

nocoupons

• Good olive oil
• 1 pound very fresh tuna steak, 1-inch thick
• Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
• 1 lime, zest grated
• 3 tablespoons freshly squeezed lime juice (2 limes)
• 1/2 teaspoon wasabi powder
• 1 teaspoon soy sauce
• 5 dashes hot sauce (recommended: Tabasco)
• 1 firm, ripe Hass avocado, medium-diced
• 1/4 red onion, chopped
• 1 tablespoon minced scallion, white and green parts
• 1 tablespoon toasted sesame seeds
• 9 hot dog rolls, grilled or toasted
• 1 bunch baby arugula, washed and spun dry

Directions

Heat a charcoal grill with hot coals. Brush the grill with oil.

Brush both sides of the tuna with olive oil and sprinkle generously with salt and pepper. Cook the tuna over the hot coals for about 2 1/2 minutes on each side. Remove to a plate. The tuna should be seared on the outside and raw inside. Allow to cool and cut into cubes.

(If you don't want to heat a grill, you can sear the tuna in a dry saute pan over high heat. Heat the pan for 2 minutes, add the tuna steaks and cook for 1 1/2 to 2 minutes on each side until seared on the outside and still raw inside.)

For the dressing, whisk together 2 tablespoons of olive oil, the lime zest, lime juice, wasabi powder, soy sauce, hot sauce, 2 teaspoons kosher salt, and 1 teaspoon pepper in a small bowl. Toss the avocado in the dressing and then add the tuna, red onion, scallion, and sesame seeds. Line the rolls with arugula leaves, fill with the tuna mixture, and serve.

Handbag hooks --a place to hang your bag!

I get very excited when I add new items to the store. In particular, the new handbag hooks designed by Luxe Link.

Picture it: You are out to lunch at a french cafe, find a great seat. The chairs are wick with a round back. Just comfortable enough and adding to the beautiful french bistro feel. But, where do you put your purse? You can't hang it on the chair, b/c it fall right off the rounded edges. Alas, you relent to parking your beautiful purse on the floor.

If you hate doing that as much as I do, then the handbag hooks are just the right thing for you. Just whoop out the handbag hook, hang your purse handles on the hook and attach the designer top to the table. And voila, problem solved.

I can tell you, there has not been a single time that I am out at a restaurant, with my purse hanging of my decorative handbag hook, and at least one person asks me about it.

My best friend bought it for me for my birthday. I must admit,when I first received it, I thought I would never use it. I put it on my large hobo, thinking it someday it may come in handy. The first time I used it, I became hooked. Now, if I do not have it with me (because my busy head forgets everything at some point), I hold my purse the entire time, instead of putting it down. I'm so used to not putting my purse on the floor anymore, that the mere thought of it, 'grosses' me out.

It's convenient, pretty, practical and every woman will use it.

I decided to carry a selection of these handbag hooks in my store (although it's not technically houseware related) because I love them so much. I hand picked the designs available and hope that you will enjoy them.

Needless to say, I'm offering them below retail value. Always a deal at Brentwood Kitchen.

Let me know how you like them. I look forward to your feedback.

A new 'tomato' look

Phew! What seems to have taken forever, is no complete!

I have been working on making some structural changes to Brentwood Kitchen for a while now. I wanted to facilitate the shopper's experience, provide better images, ability to zoom in on a product image and decrease the checkout time. As I was drafting out plans for technical changes, I figured, why not go with a whole new look?

So after a lot of back and forth, I present to you the new 'tomato' look! Brentwood Kitchen in all its red glory is here to present a much better shopping experience. Take a browse and let me know what you think! I love to hear your feedback.

To celebrate the new 'tomato'--I'm offering a 10% discount on your next order during the month of July! Just enter the coupon code TOMATO at checkout.

The Housewarming Present-Part I

I've been a little invisible lately. Just a little. What can I say, life is unexpected and sometimes you are just blown away with the wind. My blog got neglected, but I have vowed a regular schedule of new blog posts with new deals, coupons and updates on Brentwood Kitchen.

Reality is, with the economy continuing the plummet, we all need more deals and are all shopping less. Personally, I'm coupon searching more than ever before and definitely shopping less. But the inevitable housewarming party gifts still drive me to shop, yet more carefully and mostly online.

I always try to personalize my gifts a little bit and depending on my relationship with the individual I can determine what the best gift would be. What do you suggest is the best housewarming gift?

Below is a list of suggestions;

A casual friend;


Beautiful glass bowl, which is 8 inches in diameter. The price is only $4.29! I found this product through Nextag.com. The price is so low for this beautiful piece, you can add a few floating candles to decorate the gift.


A trendy friend;



Colors, colors, colors! French Bull accessories are all about color splash and fun. Their Mosaic Salad Servers make any salad taste better, if you ask me. Who would say not to salad served with something so fun looking? If you have friends who love color in everything, you have got to give these salad servers! Cost: $15. If you like, add a salad bowl to make it a set!


The tea lover;
Another colorful set-but one of my favorites. If this individual is young at heart, I recommend the solids tea set for 6-stylish and contemporary. The price is right at $24.99. A nice addition to this gift would be a variety of tea assortments. My friend recommends www.Harney.com --it can be a bit pricey, but apparently their teas are amazing.

The bachelor:

For men, anything alcohol related will work. Whether they are young and you bring Martini and shot glasses, or for older more refined gentlemen, wine glasses alongside a bottle of wine. You cannot go wrong. For under $20 you have a lot of choices in the department.


More to follow shortly......

A New Year, New Jessie Steele Aprons

A new era has begun. With the ushering of a new President, we at Brentwood Kitchen decided to usher in some changes as well. We are currently working on updating our website (exciting!!) and of course, adding a whole lot of new products.

Jessie Steele Spring/Summer Collection 2009 is arriving in February! It is a very exciting time, and we have waited a long time. The new Jessie Steele aprons have been designed, and will arrive shortly! With more styles, more feminine touches, and more colors, this promises to be another season of chic cooking. If you pre-order your choice of Jessie Steele Spring Summer aprons by February 1, you will receive a 10% discount and priority shipping on your product. On all other Jessie Steele products you will be upgraded to priority shipping! I hightly recommend you take advantage of this offer! My Jessie Steele aprons are the most discounted on the web and you will receive your aprons before anyone else does!

Take a look at some of the new styles:

Bib Audrey Blue Poppy Fields -Spring/Summer 2009 (Pre-order through February 1 for just $25.17)

Bib Gigi Summer Lemons Apron -Spring/Summer 2009 (Pre-order through February 1 for $26.06)

The Bib Gigi apron has larger coverage with lots of feminine details. This new style is like the chef's & hostess aprons combined! The apron has a pocket, and an absorbent terry towel attached by the hip!

Bib Carmen Black with White Bias Apron ($27.92)

Half Ava Pink Paris Apron ($24.98)

And our best seller and always popular;

Jessie Steele Bip Josephine Cafe Toile Apron ($27.99)

Jessie Steele aprons are beautiful for the stylish chef and hostess. All Jessie Steel aprons are heirloom quality designer hostess aprons and constructed from a fine linen/cotton Blend. Ties at neck and wait for easy adjusting. Contrast bias-trimmed at edges with a flattering Drop-waist, and flouncy skirt. Exclusive Jessie Steele Designer Apron Collection.

Now, order some aprons and prepare for some chic cooking!