Palouse Living, April 2015

Your resource for buying, selling and enjoying your home on the Palouse.

Palouse LIVING

April 2015Moscow-Pullman Daily News

Clever alternativesto traditional Easter eggs

� | April �015 | Moscow-Pullman Daily News PAlouse liviNg

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Moscow-Pullman Daily News | April 2015 | �PAlouse liviNg

Easter is a time when Christian families gather to celebrate the

resurrection of Jesus Christ. Religious customs abound on Easter, but a number of secular traditions have emerged as well. Perhaps the most popular secular tradition associated with Easter is the coloring of Easter eggs.

Easter egg dyeing kits emerge in early spring. Consumers have a variety of alternatives to these kits at their disposal. There are some people who desire more environmentally friendly Easter eggs, so here are some creative and greener ideas for coloring eggs this year.

· Wooden eggs: Visit a craft store and purchase wooden eggs that can be painted and decorated however you desire. The wooden eggs will be durable and can be stored away for use each and every year. Because they are made of wood, a naturally recyclable material, they are easy on

the environment.· Consider natural dyes. Use

different food items to create all-natural dyes for the eggs. Tea, fruit and vegetable juices -- even packaged drink mixes -- can be used to tint Easter eggs in various colors. Because you’re controlling the materials you use, you can ensure they are safe to use.

· Experiment with papier mache. This ancient paper crafting technique uses recycled paper and a paste to create a hardened mold. Turn excess scraps of paper into delightful eggs put on display for the holiday.

· Purchase corn starch eggs. Corn starch is used in everything from packing materials to children’s craft products. Corn starch can be molded into solid forms or foam-type consistencies. Egg kits are sold with this green material. When Easter is over, the corn starch eggs can be put out for composting. Foam-type eggs

may be dissolved with water.· Make edible eggs. Traditional

Easter eggs can be wasteful if the eggs are boiled and used entirely for display. Rather, make eggs that will be enjoyed and are not at risk of spoiling too soon after being on display. Gelatin-dessert eggs is one way to use the eggs after Easter, and creative people can try crafting eggs out of meringue as well.

· Dough eggs: Have the children get out their favorite modeling dough and craft multi-colored eggs as a fun, rainy-day project. Those who want the eggs to last can purchase actual clay from the craft store or whip up their own medium at home. After drying, the eggs should be ready to paint.

· Drained eggs: Those interested in using the yolks and albumen from the eggs for cooking can poke small holes into the eggs and drain them. Then the remaining eggshells can be decorated and put on display.

Clever alternatives to traditional dyed Easter eggs MetroConnections

Before you set to work on a kitchen remodel, here are eight

tips for creating a functional kitchen.

1. Aim for a user-friendly room: Make sure that all elements are close to hand.

2. Create well defined zones: Group elements together in distinct activity zones (cooking, washing, storage, preparation, and daily provisions) to make your kitchen user-friendly.

3. Provide adequate storage: Plan sufficient storage room for everything so you can leave worktops free.

4. Build cabinets right to the ceiling: Full-sized cabinets mean lots more storage space and a lot less dusting.

5. More drawers: Exchange the lower cabinets for drawers, which give much easier access to their contents, including things hidden right at the back.

6. Include a spacious work surface: Be sure to plan a zone specifically for food preparation, ideally a kitchen island.

7. Build-in your appliances: Camouflage the microwave oven by building it into a cabinet or under the island.

8. Install well designed lighting: Don’t skimp on light. Install lights in the ceiling and under the cabinets, as well as dimmers, which are perfect for changing the atmosphere at a moment’s notice.

Eight commandments to follow for a functional kitchen

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It all began with the love of food, and the perfect combination

of flavors in each bite. This love is what inspired Keely Garrity to open Ampersand Oil & Vinegar Tap House, a gourmet, all-natural food shop in downtown Moscow.

The new store, which opened in November, offers more than 30 infused oils and vinegars on tap, plus salts, rubs, sauces, and cooking utensils. Additionally, Ampersand

offers cooking classes on food preparation and techniques for using unique flavoring items available in the store.

“I love good food, and I know the Palouse loves great tasting food as well. So I wanted to show people how to use our products in their cooking to make food flavorful,” Keely explained on why she began offering classes.

Multiple classes are offered throughout the month for up to eight participants in the store’s private kitchen. Keely and her chefs come out with a diverse range of new classes each month such as “Family Classics,” “Shrimp, Shrimp, Shrimp!,” “Delicious Desserts,” and the amazing “One Night in Bangkok.” Classes are open to the public, but private parties can also be accommodated and are becoming more popular as word spreads about this wonderful store.

I had the pleasure of attending

their “One Night in Bangkok” March class. Thai food is one of my personal favorites, so I was excited for the opportunity to learn to cook Thai cuisine. Yet, I was also nervous as I did not know what to expect in my first cooking class. The kitchen for the class is located in the back of the store, and I made my way there stopping to check out some new store items, and enjoy one or two tastings they had available.

Decorated with apropos ampersand artwork, the kitchen was abuzz with all the class attendees. The students took seats on one side of the kitchen island as Keely and Mia, another Ampersand chef, stood on the other side. Some attendees were first timers, while others were seasoned students.

To my left was Cheryl, who attended the “Blood Orange Extravaganza” class in February and loved it so much she was back for seconds. “The blood orange ice cream sandwich dessert was my favorite,” exclaimed Cheryl.

The class kicked off with a pre-appetizer – Thai Peanut and Cream Cheese Wontons with two different sauces; a Sweet Chili sauce and a Spicy Thai Lime sauce, both sold at the store. I couldn’t decided which of the two I liked more, so I devoured both.

As everyone was munching on the delectable and easy-to-make wontons, Chef Mia demonstrated how to prepare the best part of any meal – dessert! A Sweet Rice Coconut Cake topped with Lime Simple Syrup infused whipped cream, Lime Curd and sprinkled with Lime Fresco Sea Salt. Preparing dessert first allowed the rice cakes to bake during the class. My mouth watered as the chef discussed the ingredients and preparation. I could not wait to try it.

After the rice cakes were in the oven, Chef Mia began the Thai Fish Cakes with a Red Curry Paste dish.

As she went over the recipe, Chef Mia explained many of the ingredients that were new to most of the attendees, and were passed around

for everyone to smell and experience. “It’s all about the smell,” explained Chef Mia.

While Chef Mia finished the Cucumber Relish that would accompany the Fish Cakes, Keely had everyone introduce themselves by stating their name and favorite

item in their own kitchen. Mine was my red KitchenAid stand mixer. Other favorites ranged from espresso machines to toaster ovens. This was a great icebreaker, and everyone seemed to open up a little more while we bonded over kitchen favorites and devoured our appetizer.

Chef Keely was up next with the main Green Curry course. “I can’t wait,” one attendee said as she rubbed her hands together in anticipation. With the ingredients mixing together, the kitchen filled with the most amazing smell of spices. The recipe was easy to follow, and took no time to whip together creating delightful smells, and tasting scrumptious. The dish was spicy with the perfect balance of noodles and

A Night in BangkokBy Lindsey Pastrell, Moscow-Pullman Daily News Staff & Food Lover

� | April 2015 | Moscow-Pullman Daily News PAlouse liviNg

Pro-tiP“When cutting onions, keep

the root of the onion attached while you are cutting it. the

root is what releases the fumes that make your eyes

water. Keeping the root attached makes it easier to

cut and just throw away when you’re done.”

It’s A Great Timeto Buy or Sell a Home!

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We are agents whoListen, Care, and Take the Time…

Sweet Rice Coconut CakeRecipe provided by Ampersand Oil & Vinegar Tap House Ingredients

1 cup sweet rice 2 eggs1/2 can coconut milk

(preferably not lite)1/2 cup brown sugar1/2 tsp vanilla extract1/8 tsp Lime Fresco Sea Salt**

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.2. Cover rice with water and soak at

least 1 hour or up to 8 hours. While the rice is soaking, grease 6-8 ramekins or a cake pan.

3. Drain rice and distribute among ramekins or in the cake pan. Rice should be at least 1/2 to 3/4 inch deep in each ramekin.

4. Place eggs, coconut milk, brown sugar, vanilla and salt in a mixing bowl, stirring until sugar is dissolved.

5. Pour mixture over rice in the

ramekins/pan (if using ramekins, distribute as evenly as possible). Stir rice and egg mixture to combine.

6. Bake 35 to 40 minutes (an inserted fork should come out clean or nearly clean). Top warm or room temperature cakes with:

1 cup heavy whipped cream1/3 cup Lime Simple Syrup**Lime Curd**Lime Fresco Sea Salt**

** Ingredients available at Ampersand Oil & Vinegar Tap House

chicken.The night’s finale began with

teasing everyone’s palates as we passed around the bottle of Lime Simple Syrup to smell. One was tempted to lick the bottle, as Chef Mia removed the rice cakes from the oven, and whipped together the coconut cream with the Lime Simple Syrup.

Chef Mia then demonstrated how to top each individual cake with whipped cream, Lime Curd and Lime Fresco Sea Salt, both available in the

store. The plate was barely in front of me before I dove in with my spoon. It was the perfect dish to finish off the night. The whipped cream and lime curd cooled my spicy mouth, and was very refreshing. “You guys have the best curd I have ever tasted” was repeated by many of the attendees.

“It was delicious. So many flavors!” exclaimed Cheryl, and I couldn’t agree more. The evening was delightful. I expanded my cooking repertoire, and walked out happy and full after stopping to buy a few gadgets used in the presentation. I can’t wait to cook the recipes I learned during the class to share with family and friends. And, a special thank you to Ampersand Oil & Vinegar Tap House for providing the dessert recipe.

For more information about Ampersand’s Cooking Classes, check out their Facebook page. Price for each class varies, but typically ranges from $35-40 per person.

Ampersand Oil & Vinegar Tap House519 S. Main Street, Moscow208-883-3866www.ampersandoil.com

Moscow-Pullman Daily News | April 2015 | 5PAlouse lIvINg

Imagine waking up to a brand new bathroom. Imagine coming home to a tasteful gourmet kitchen equipped with the latest conveniences. We make it easier than you’d ever imagine to get started!

We service the Pullman area, and our policy here at Palouse Craftsman Construction is our customers always come first. We treat all of our customers like family and strive to provide excellent service in a time-ly fashion and at an affordable cost. We would love to help you out on your next project! For additional information, estimates, and other inquires please con-tact Morgan Linderman at (509) 339-3541.

Residential Remodeling Bathrooms & KitchensP.O. Box 384, Pullman, WA 99163

509-339-3541 • [email protected]

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Many homeowners recognize that improving and maintaining

a property makes a home more livable for its inhabitants and more attractive to prospective buyers.

According to the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development, home improvements not only raise the values of individual homes, but they tend to raise neighborhood standards as well. Home improvements can create jobs and help local communities flourish economically.

Home improvement projects can be expensive whether homeowners hire professionals or tackle renovation projects on their own. The following are a handful of options homeowners can consider as they look for ways to finance renovation projects.

· Paying outright: Paying for the renovations upfront and in full is perhaps the simplest way to finance a project. Homeowners who have the

cash to pay for renovations outright won’t have to worry about interest rates or balloon payments.

· Mortgage refinancing: Some homeowners tap into their home equity to cover home remodeling projects. Refinancing a mortgage means paying off the debt owed and starting over with a completely new loan. Refinancing comes with various fees and can cost between 3 and 6 percent of the loan’s principal.

· Home equity loans and lines of credit: Both of these options are commonly referred to as second mortgages. When homeowners apply for home equity loans or lines of credit, they are borrowing against the equity value in their homes. A home equity loan is a term, or closed-end, loan. It is a one-time sum that will be paid off over a set amount of time with a fixed interest rate and the same payment each month. This is a one-time loan from which a person cannot borrow

further. A home equity line of credit, or HELOC, is like having a credit card. It’s possible to borrow a certain amount for the life of the loan, which is a set time specified by the lender. During this time, homeowners can withdraw money as it is needed up to the value of the line of credit. HELOCs typically have a variable interest rate that fluctuates and payments can vary depending on the amount of money borrowed and the current interest rates.

· Title i property loan: Residents of the United States with limited equity in their homes may qualify for an FHA Title I loan. Banks and other lenders are qualified to make these loans from their own funds, and the FHA will insure the lender against a possible loss. Title I loans can be used for any improvements that will make a home more useful and livable. They cannot be used for renovations deemed luxury expenses.

· Borrow against retirement funds: Some people opt to borrow against a 401(k) plan, IRA or another retirement fund. If the retirement plan allows a loan without penalty, it can be another way to secure funds. Because it is the homeowner’s money, there will be no credit check required and less delay in getting the funds. Borrowers should keep in mind that taking a loan against a retirement account will usually result in a lower retirement balance than it would have been had they not borrowed money from the account - even after the funds have been repaid.

· Credit cards: Credit cards are an option when improvements are not expensive. Individuals with excellent credit ratings may qualify for cards with a no-interest introductory periods of several months or more. These cards can be a good way to pay off moderate improvements in a short amount of time.

How you can finance your home improvement projectsMetroConnections

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Moscow-Pullman Daily News | April 2015 | �PAlouse liviNg

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Palouse Living, April 2015