D'Licious​Chef Services, Confections & Events
  • HOME
  • ABOUT
  • CATERING
  • STORE
  • BLOG
  • CONTACT



​
Create the life you've always dreamed of....
One Moment at a time!

Best tips I've read on Hardwood Floors!

3/30/2014

1 Comment

 
Picture



ZAP THAT DUST!

Dust and debris really does take a toll on a floor’s sheen. Sweep or vacuum often…at least two times a week. Once a week, use a microfiber mop with a homemade solution (1 tablespoon distilled vinegar in 1 gallon of water) to wipe up stuck-on dirt. Avoid products that claim to “shine,” “polish,” or “rejuvenate”; they often contain additives, like acrylic wax, which actually create a buildup.  I love my SHARK STEAMER! Great deal on QVC at the link below:

 

BE COOL!

The best temperature for wood floors is 60 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit, with a 30 to 50 percent humidity level. Keep your thermostat in that range year-round and you’ll lessen the chance of planks gapping and buckling, which is caused by drastic changes in heat and moisture, says Miller. But don’t sweat slight heat fluctuations: The room temperature has to change radically and stay that way for a prolonged period to affect the wood.

 

WALK SOFTLY!

It’s not that you shouldn’t wear shoes, but whenever possible, try NOT to walk on wood floors in high heels, which can easily put dents in the surface. Furniture can scratch wood, too, so place felt stick-on pads to the bottoms of all chair and table legs. Put doormats outside every entrance to keep out dirt, sand, and salt.

 

CONSULT A PRO!

Properly maintained floors may never require replacement. According to the National Wood flooring Association, wood floors can last well over 100 Years if taken good care of! But when the wood loses its luster, hire an expert to apply a new coat of finish. If your floors see a lot of foot traffic, food spills, or pet mischief, have the surface sanded every 7 to 10 years or whenever you notice worn areas, loss of stain color, or gouges.

 

TAKE A PEEK

Q & A’s answered by National Wood Flooring Association:

http://woodfloors.org/top-ten.aspx




Take good care of your home! It is a reflection of who you are ;)

XOXO, Mich  




Picture
1 Comment

Zucchini-Pumpkin-Cranberry Bread! = LOVE;)

3/29/2014

0 Comments

 
Picture
Ingredients

  • 3  cups all-purpose flour

  • 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

  • 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg

  • 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves

  • 1/2 teaspoon salt

  • 2 teaspoons baking powder

  • 1 teaspoon baking soda

  • 3 large eggs

  • 1 cup canned solid-pack pumpkin

  • 1 cup packed brown sugar or 1/2 cup honey

  • 1/2 cup (1 stick) trans-free margarine, softened

  • 1 tablespoon vanilla extract

  • 2 cups shredded zucchini

  • ½ Cup dried cranberries

  • 1/2 cups finely chopped pecans or walnuts

    Directions

    1. Preheat the oven to 350°F. Coat a 9" x 5" loaf pan with cooking spray.
    2. In a large bowl, combine the flours, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, salt, baking powder, and baking soda.
    3. In a medium bowl, whisk together the eggs, pumpkin, brown sugar, margarine, and vanilla until
    light and fluffy. Stir in the zucchini & cranberries. Stir into the flour mixture just until blended. Fold in the pecans.
    4. Pour into the prepared pan. Bake for 55-60 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in
    the center comes out clean. Cool on a rack for 10 minutes. Remove from the pan and cool completely.


     


0 Comments

CIOPPINO Ai Frutti De Mare ~ Italian fruit of the Sea!

3/17/2014

0 Comments

 
Picture
Ingredients

  • 3 tablespoons EVOO
  • 4 large stalks of celery, chopped
  • 1 large onion, chopped
  • 3 potatoes, peeled & cubed into bite sized pieces
  • 5 scallions, chopped (including greens)
  • 2 teaspoons sea salt
  • 6  large garlic cloves, finely chopped
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried crushed red pepper flakes, plus more to taste
  • 6  large cans (28 oz) of diced tomatoes
  • 1 1/2 cups dry white wine
  • 5 cups fish stock
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 1 /2 pound calamari rings
  • 1 pound manila clams, scrubbed
  • 1 pound mussels, scrubbed, de-bearded (optional
  • 1 pound uncooked large shrimp, peeled and deveined
  • 1 1/2 pounds assorted firm-fleshed fish filets, such as tilapia, halibut or salmon, cut into 2-inch chunks
Directions

Heat the oil in a very large pot over medium heat. Add the celery and onion, scallions and sea salt and sauté until the onion is translucent, about 10 minutes. Add the garlic and 1/4 teaspoon of red pepper flakes, and sauté 2 minutes. Add tomatoes with their juices, potatoes, wine, fish stock and bay leaf. Cover and bring to a simmer. Reduce the heat to medium-low. Cover and simmer until the flavors blend, about 30 minutes.

Add the clams and mussels to the cooking liquid. Cover and cook until the clams and mussels begin to open, about 5 minutes. Add the fish. Simmer gently until the fish is just cooked through, and the clams are completely open, stirring gently, about 5 minutes longer (discard any clams and mussels that do not open). Season the soup, to taste, add shrimp last & simmer about 3 minutes, until shrimp are cooked through & still tender.  Taste & add more seasoning if necessary. Stir.  Turn off heat.

Ladle the soup into bowls and serve with large loaf of crusty Italian Bread (Or over your favorite pasta)! YUMMMMO!

 

 


0 Comments

Butternut Squash Fries & Green Chili Avocado Dipping Sauce

3/4/2014

0 Comments

 
Picture
I'M OBSESSED!!!!



BUTTERNUT SQUASH FRIES 



A great alternative to deep-fried potatoes!  These fries are slightly sweet, slightly spicy, and oven-baked for a nice roasted flavor.
  




INGREDIENTS






  • 3 sprays of olive oil cooking spray

  • 1 lb butternut squash, peeled, seeded, cut into sixteen 3/4-inch-thick slices (see note)

  • 1 tsp sea salt, or to taste

  • 1/2 tsp chili powder, or to taste (optional)

     




DIRECTIONS
 
1.  Preheat oven to 450 Degrees. 





2.  Coat a baking sheet with cooking spray. 




3  Arrange squash fries on prepared baking sheet and sprinkle with salt and chili powder, liberally coat with cooking spray. 




4.  Roast, turning once, until desired crispness, about 14 to 18 minutes. 
 
Note: Start with a large squash.  You will end up using about a 1 lb of squash and have the "bulb" of the squash left over.  Any hard winter squash will work for this recipe.


 

CHILI LIME AVACADO DIPPING SAUCE

INGREDIENTS




  • 2 firm avocado’s - quartered, pitted and skin left on for grilling;

  • 6 peeled garlic cloves

  • 2 small onions, quartered

  • 3 tomatillos—husked, cored and halved

  • 1 jalapeño—stemmed, seeded and quartered

  • 2 Poblano Chile—stemmed, seeded and quartered

  • 1/3 cup cilantro leaves

  • 1/3 cup water

  • 4 tablespoons fresh lime juice

  • Sea Salt




DIRECTIONS




  1. Thread the avocado, onion, tomatillos, garlic, jalapeño and chile onto skewers. Brush the kebabs with oil, sprinkle with sea salt and grill over high heat, (or broil in oven-skewers optional-watch closely) turning occasionally, until the vegetables are charred in spots, about 15 minutes; let cool slightly.
  2. Remove the ingredients from the skewers, remove avocado skin and transfer them to a blender.
  3. Add the cilantro, water, and lime juice. Puree until smooth!  Taste & add more salt if necessary.



Make Ahead:  The sauce can be refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 2 days. Serve With your sweet potato fries, over chicken, fish or beef (or anything else you desire). 































 


























































     














 




 




 


 









 


 





















































           





0 Comments

    Chef Notes!


    Welcome!

    I'm a Personal Chef , Sweet Maker, Event Planner and Philanthropist.......Creating and Celebrating the Art of Food, 
    an Organized Home and Fresh, Healthy Living.


    Each Day is a Gift! Open it, Celebrate it, Enjoy it, Share it!

    Most of all....Eat D'Liciously!
    A percentage of our proceeds are donated to Feeding the Poor,
    Animal Cruelty and Preserving our Beautiful Planet!


    I'm the youngest of six girls, happily married and have two wonderful sons, two new amazing granddaughters (OMG)...and a fabulous French Bulldog Gizmo.  I enjoy spending quality time with friends and family, reading home improvement mags, playing with my dog, gardening, fishing, cooking & baking (of course), entertaining and helping others in need.  I write poetry and dabble in painting and other artwork.  The joy of cooking and designing food has always been a part of my life......and quite naturally.....The Domestic Stylist was finally born! Rebranded to EatD'Licious - D'Licious Chef Services, Confections & Events - October 2016! (WooHoo).

    I'm a personal chef and our services extend beyond just that.  We also provide meals to the home-bound and elderly, design fabulous wedding and event cakes, cookies, pastries and desserts!  I hope to share all of my passions here with you!

    Archives

    December 2020
    March 2020
    January 2020
    September 2019
    December 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    May 2018
    February 2018
    November 2017
    August 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    June 2016
    April 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    November 2014
    October 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013

    RSS Feed

    Archives

    December 2020
    March 2020
    January 2020
    September 2019
    December 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    May 2018
    February 2018
    November 2017
    August 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    June 2016
    April 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    November 2014
    October 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013

      I'd love your feedback!

    Submit
Contact Us Today!
  • HOME
  • ABOUT
  • CATERING
  • STORE
  • BLOG
  • CONTACT