Time for an installment of Friday Things:
1. Nearly a year ago, the National Peanut Board approached me and wanted to know if I could submit some peanut butter recipes for an upcoming cookbook they were publishing.
I’m the peanut butter queen and this was no problem for me.
35+ National Peanut Day Recipes
Peanut Butter and Jelly Recipes
Independently, I was writing my own cookbook, Peanut Butter Comfort, which is being released in 6 weeks and is available now on Amazon for preorder.
For the 24 Hours of Peanuts cookbook, I submitted Peanut Noodles with Mixed Vegetables and Peanut Sauce (vegan, GF)
And Peanut Butter and Jelly Blondies
Stay tuned this weekend. I have a giveaway coming up that may interest you.
2. Set of 4 Slate Placecard Holders with Soapstone Chalk, $12.95 Crate and Barrel. How fun would these be for a party or for labeling different items on a big buffet spread.
3. Seven Recipe-Saving Sites to make your recipe-saving life easier. I’ve blogged many times about how I have recipes on paper note cards, scratched on napkins, and my online recipes were a hodgepodge of emails I sent to myself, bookmarks, Pins, and nothing was well-organized until I started using ZipList.
It only works if the blog I visit has signed up to use it, but if they have it’s wonderful and more and more bloggers seem to be getting on board.
I can save any recipe I see online in a handy virtual recipe box that I can access and then scroll through for rainy day inspiration. Sign up for free if you haven’t already.
4. The weather is getting nicer here and it puts me in the mood for something lighter like easy, no-mixer, whisk together Banana Yogurt Muffins
5. Secrets to the perfect cheese danish using puff pastry as a handy shortcut from America’s Test Kitchen.
“…Important to score a 1/2-inch border in the individual pastry rectangles and prick the centers with a fork. Doing so prevented the pastry from rising too much in the center—making room for the cream cheese filling—and helped to form a pretty edge.” source
This recipe for Avocado Cream Cheese and Salsa-Stuffed Puff Pastry (vegan) is one of the most popular on my site. From sweet to savory, puff pastry is such a versatile workhorse.
6. Dream hotel minibar inventory from New York Times columnist Maureen Dowd. I concur that Pringles, Kit Kats, White Cheddar Pirate’s Booty, and gummy bears taste pretty dandy at 2am after a night out. Don’t forget the peanut butter or cheese mini Ritz sandwich crackers, maybe a few Tootsie Pops, and a Little Debbie Oatmeal Cream Pie wouldn’t hurt.
And eating Pringles in hotel beds is totally okay because even if crumbs get in the bed, it doesn’t matter because the maids are changing the sheets in the morning.
7. I want this look from Anthro, especially the blouse. Love the color and the print. And the purse. And the shoes. And the white capris. Yeah, the whole look.
8. Wall-Mounted Cabinet Bar that exists to put your home bar to shame. Stunning.
9. Jars Cantine 16-piece Dinnerware Set, $366.95 at Williams-Sonoma. Crafted in the south of France at the award-winning Jars pottery, I love the look. Simple yet vibrant, fun, unfussy enough to be practical.
10. It’s been quite a week and my heart goes out to everyone effected by the Boston tragedy. I plan to eat chocolate with a spoon as I continue to reflect.
And I wish I was eating one of these Peanut Butter Cup Cookie Dough Crumble Bars. I’ve been thinking about them ever since I made them.
What are your Friday Things?
If you’ve made anything, done, seen, or bought anything fabulous recently, feel free to link it up in the comments.
Cookbooks you’re loving lately? Weekend plans?
Dream mini-bar list? Dream outfits or cute dishes you’ve seen?
Have a great weekend and check back for two giveaways!
I need to try those peanut butter & jelly blondies Averie! I need a copy of that book. If I don’t win it, I will def be buying it! You know I can’t get enough of my peanut butter. I’m making peanut butter banana bread today. Mmmm so good. That Anthro outfit – adorable. Maybe when I’m a millionaire. And when you are too – from all the PB Comfort sales. :) That wall mounted cabinet bar is gorgeous. How clever! And my dream mini bar list would include your PBJ blondies, Mike n Ikes, tootsie pops, your hot fudge and a spoon.
Mike & Ikes. Omg too funny. I would have to go with Nibs (licorice) or Twizzlers or gummy bears before I’d go Mike & Ikes but all the same family :) Sugar that sticks to your teeth. lol
And thanks as always for being my #1 cheerleader and always being so positive! xoxo :)
Averie,
I am drooling over those peanut butter cookie cup crumble bars and I am making them in the morning for my friends birthday, who is obsessed with Reese’s.
And I just pre-ordered your peanut butter cookbook. I share that obsession right along with ya.
Fabulous recipes you create. My taste buds thank you!
Amy
That’s wonderful you’re going to make them. You could even do them tonite so they have a good long chance to chill over night and settle in, but either way, you’re going to love them! LMK what you think, ok!
And P.S. thanks for the preorder! I appreciate it!! :)
Ahhh I CANNOT wait for your cookbook! yayyy!
Thanks girl!
I think I’m definitely going to have to try ZipList. I have recipes EVERYWHERE. A lot are pinned on Pinterest, which has helped, but I hate flipping through binders trying to find things. But mostly it will help for my fledgling blog.
I just got Bobby Deen’s From Mama’s Table to Mine, and there are a number of recipes I want to try. I have to try and keep my actual meals healthy so I can indulge on your Sugar-Doodle Vanilla Cookies on occasion!
I am DROOLING over the PB Cup Cookie Dough Crumble Bars! I made your Peanut Butter Oatmeal White Chocolate Cookies this week, so those will be on the list for next week!! I love your explanations and descriptions of texture in your recipes. So helpful!! I bet your book will be fantastic.
The Peanut Butter Oatmeal White Chocolate Cookies are some of my faves! So glad you tried them and that you like my explanations and descriptions. I like to really paint a picture since that’s helpful for me when I read blogs who are descriptive like that. I love the details and try to do that in my posts. Glad you enjoy!
I can’t wait for your book! That cabinet is so cool too!
omg, the peanut butter bars looks sooooooooooooo good. I do a post on Friday’s favorites too, this week I’m loving Moroccan Oil shampoo/conditioner and Estee Lauder’s Time Zone. Good stuf.
I am glad to see you submitted both a savory and a sweet recipe – I would have been shocked if it were just the savory!
that mini-bar list is great – love that Patron is on there. I always love a huge bag of popcorn at 2 am. That’s when I am all about cravings for salt, not sweet. Peanut butter cups, too. Obviously.
peanut butter is so amazing. love all your recipes!
I made the peanut butter crumble bars….they were AMAZING!! Dangerously good…..almost ate all of them by myself. But I did cut them smaller so it made about 12 to 14 for me.
That’s so awesome that you made them and almost devoured them all yourself. I can relate :)
Feel free to copy/paste your comment on the original post so that others now just how good these babies are! http://www.loveveggiesandyoga.com/2013/04/peanut-butter-cup-cookie-dough-crumble-bars.html
Whoa, those pb cup cookie dough bars look scrumptious!!! You have made some incredible pb dishes…a big congrats on your upcoming cookbook release!!!
You really are the peanut butter queen! And I am so incredibly excited for your book launch in 6 weeks!
Your cookbook looks amazing, Averie!! Congratulations! So happy for you!
Congrats on your cookbook and recipes you’re having published in the other one. Your recipes and photos never cease to amaze me!
Thanks, Marcie!
I literally gasped out loud when I saw that wall-mounted bar service. And when I saw those Peanut Butter Cookie Dough Bars. Dang! All kinds of beautiful!
I know that bar…just stunning!
Hail to the Peanut Butter Queen, I’m so impressed, and I can’t wait to get my hand on your book.
6 weeks????? Can’t wait can’t wait can’t wait can’t wait!!!!
You are the peanut butter queen! My dream mini bar must of course include craft beer, but I was recently in a hotel in Palm Springs that had a tub of caramel corn in the mini bar. Even though it was $17, I ripped right into it, now I think it should be a staple.
Salty & Sweet, and crunchy. Yes, can totally see that being great minibar food!
Congrats on being approached by the National Peanut Board! I’m not at all surprised though – you’re truly the Queen of all things peanut butter. Also, I need that wall-mounted cabinet bar in my life!!
P.S. Just used the lemon zester that I won from you – it’s amazing!! The zest comes out as thin and beautiful as thistle. Thank you so much! xo
YAY so glad it works – great gift for you, the lemon recipe queen!
Love all your Friday things – such happy and bright colors, much needed after this sad week!
Thank you, Laura. I know – what a week!
Whoa, how did you not tell us sooner about the book?! Huge congrats, Averie! It’s funny, as all these other ‘big bloggers’ come out with cookbooks, I always thought, “Averie ought to write one!” I am sure it will do great.
I made an announcement a few months ago http://www.loveveggiesandyoga.com/2013/02/my-cookbook-peanut-butter-comfort.html Thanks for your support, Liz!
Better to find out late than never. ;)
Okay so…how did I miss the fact that you were writing a cookbook on MY FAVORITE FOOD IN THE WHOLE WORLD!?!? That’s insane. And awesome. So awesome. Can’t wait to get my hands on a copy!!
I made an announcement a few months ago http://www.loveveggiesandyoga.com/2013/02/my-cookbook-peanut-butter-comfort.html Thanks for your support, Joanne!
Ok, seriously love that outfit too! Now if only I were as tall as you to pull it off LOL. A friend just gave me a vegan grilling cookbook. I’m loving some of the ideas in there. Lots of recipes for sauces/marinades. I’m not good at following recipes, but love the ideas I’m getting.
I have a couple vegan grilling books that I should dust off for marinade ideas – good call!
I am so excited for you book Averie! Huge congrats. I know it is going to be filled with the most amazing peanut butter recipes around!
Things I’m loving this Friday: I really want to get the new book Replenish by Daphne Oz. I’m hearing great things about it! It incorporates great recipes along with other helpful life tips… Need to get it soon!
Also, for planning my life (I love agendas and planners) and I found MayBooks! You can create custom planners AND other types of books… I’m putting in my order for one soon!:)
Also, loved the idea of an online custom cookbook- I definitely need to sign up for that! Thanks for the tip!
Very excited for Peanut Butter Comfort, I’m a peanut butter lover too so can’t wait to get my hands on it!
Thanks, Pamela!
congrats on this pb cookbook and continued congrats on you own cookbook! I can’t wait for it to come out :)
Thank you, Laura :)
I love PB, so I’m super excited about your new cookbook! Also, I love that outfit…totally my style!
Glad you’re a fan of both PB and the outfit – me too!
Yay! Cannot wait to pore over your new book! Congrats, friend.
I’m loving a pot of Korres lip butter in mango that I bought at Sephora this week. It tastes like I’m wearing a smoothie on my lips.
You are The Peanut Queen :) Congrats on a book ond on this approach.
That bar is incredible!!! We have a little vintage gold bar cart that I found for $60… nothing special but I adore it! But that definitely puts my sweet little bar cart to shame haha!
Finally got around to posting about my cleanse today! It was definitely a great experience and I would do it again… but I’m also happy to be in the land of solid food again :) I’ve had your avocado cream cheese pastries pinned forever to try… they sound SO good!
Congrats on the book!!… will be looking forward to it. Those place cards are awesome!!!
What a tremendous Friday Things list, Averie! Love that you contributed to the National Peanut Board cookbook. Who else could do such a swell job with a sweet and savory recipe featuring PB? Also, cannot wait for your cookbook release, girl. And, I adore the Anthro outfit as well as appreciate the ATK shortcut. But, that bar? Swank City, baby! A most excellent choice to feature here in your list. Sorry about the artist passing on. RIP, dude. Your bar design rocks! ;) Have a great weekend, Averie! xo
Thanks for the nice comment and congratulations. Enjoy your weekend too!
HUGE HUGE congrats on the book Averie!!!!! I am so happy for you!!!! I know it will have so much success! You have worked so hard and it has paid off!!!!
Thanks, Katie! Wow, we’ve known each other for what, 4-5 years now…time flies! And thanks for always being such a sweetheart! Hope you and your beautiful family are doing wonderfully! xoxoxo
The wall mounted cabinet bar was love at first sight (I think I’d be afraid to see a quote to have one made) and the outfit from Anthro is definitely cool! I am anxious to get your cookbook and cook/bake my way through it! My husband was offered a full time teaching position at the police academy here (he has been wanting to do that for a while now) so we are going out for a little celebratory dinner tonight.
The guy that made the cabinet apparently died in 2008. RIP. Because what an amazing artist he looks to have been!
Congrats to your hubby – that’s awesome! And cooking your way thru my cookbook, I am seriously touched and flattered and humbled :) Thanks, Paula! And have a wonderful weekend! Have a fun dinner and celebration!
You are truly The Peanut Queen!
I have been searching for a peanut recipe, or one to adapt, from my childhood. It was a sort of quick bread or unfrosted cake that they used to serve us in grade school, it was a peanut butter bread baked in a 9 x 13 pan that was delicious! So much so that I remember it to this day and that was many, many moons ago. It was just peanut butter quick bread, nothing more, so simple and perfect.
I also love King’s Arms Tavern Cream of Peanut Soup from Williamsburg, VA. Peanuts are the perfect legume.
That bread sounds amazing! In my cookbook I have a wonderful peanut butter cake, as well as some other peanut butter breads, muffins, biscuits, banana bread and more. But they’re not on my blog. The recipe you just described sounds like a fun one to recreate, actually!
I can’t wait to get your book. I love peanuts, they are the ultimate comfort food ingredient and are pretty good for you to boot. Congrats on the book!
Thank you! :)
HOW did I not know you have a book coming out? That’s so exciting! And you are indeed the peanut butter queen :-)
Yes I do and it’s all about PB! :)
You’re quite the tease, with all the PB pictures, I can’t wait to see the book! My friday thing is a springtime thing-artichokes! All spring produce, actually, is making me happy, but I made fancy stuffed artichokes:
http://scrumptiousgruel.wordpress.com/2013/04/17/all-choked-up/
My picture of a plate of arugula is far less exciting;)
love the name – All Choked Up. Good one!
And I love!!! artichokes. But rarely make them. I seem to suffer more failures than successes with them!