Steam Cooking the "IT" Appliance!


An appliance that is becoming a standard "IT" appliance when making appliance selections in kitchen design is quickly becoming the Steam Oven - taking on as much importance as a standard oven.  Over a decade ago Miele lead the way in designing and manufacturing a built-in steam oven for residential use, giving consumers a smarter, healthier way to prepare, cook or reheat food.   Pairing the Miele steam oven with Miele's wall oven is the prefect solution for a "double oven" configuration in any new kitchen design.  The triple crown combination for me would consist of Miele's Steam Oven, Wall Oven and Coffee System ~ it doesn't get much better than that...and the Steam Oven really is the "IT" appliance!
Miele is one of the #BlogTourCGN sponsors and I will have the pleasure of meeting with Miele executives during my trip to IMM Cologne International Furniture Fair as a member of the #BlogTourCGN Team.  I look forward to learning as much as I can about the Miele Steam Oven and all of their other amazing products that I have grown to love over the last 20 plus years I have spent in the Kitchen and Bath industry as a Kitchen Specialist.

I digress, lets get back to Miele's crowning glory ~ 
The Miele Steam Oven!

Unlike conventional ovens, which use hot air to cook, the Miele Steam Oven uses "fresh steam" to cook, displacing the oxygen responsible for chemical reactions which dissipates nutrients in food.  In the Miele Steam Oven, steam is generated in water outside the oven.   Steaming with an external steam generator not only provides gentle cooking, but will not dehydrate the outer layers of food. Steam ovens which generate steam inside the oven can cause overheating within the oven atmosphere. Additionally a dry, aggressive heat often emerges during the preheating phase. The Miele Steam Oven features a powerful steam generator which delivers a superior balance of heat and
moisture. This combination delivers evenness and consistent results on all shelf levels.
 
The Miele exact temperature control system measures and controls the temperature in the oven assuring the right combination of time and temperature, regardless of the amount of food being prepared. For instance the required steam setting for peas is 212°F for five minutes – whether fresh, frozen or a mix of both, in 2 or 10 ounces. This electronically controlled steaming process virtually eliminates the possibility of overcooking.
The Miele Steam Oven is ideal for cooking more than just vegetables. “Steaming is a fabulous way to retain vital nutrients,” explained Christine Avanti, nutritionist and author.  “The benefit of steaming is the ability to gently cook food at a low heat thus retaining nutrients and palatability, whether cooking meats, poultry, fish – even desserts.”

Featuring four shelves that fit a variety of stainless steel trays, the Miele Steam Oven allows users to easily prepare an entire meal – from appetizers to desserts in one oven.  Flavor transfer is eliminated as pressurized convection steam creates a protective layer around the food, ensuring your salmon tastes like salmon and desserts stay sweet and delicious, all while cooking simultaneously.
No matter what your cooking style, if you are cooking for a crowd or cooking for yourself the Miele Steam Oven is a wonderful way to cook and also has amazing nutritional benefits.  If you have to select one appliance that will be your "IT" appliance it is worth learning more about how the Miele Steam Oven and how it can fit into your Kitchen.
~photo credit Miele



Style Pairing Winner | CompanyC

In October I attended #HPMkt, High Point Market, and I visited CompanyC's showroom to hear guest speaker Gretchen Aubuchon speak to customers and design bloggers about fashion’s influence on home décor.  It was during this visit to CompanyC 's showroom that I heard about their StylePairing contest.   (About my entry in the CompanyC Style Pairing Contest click here to read)

I am thrilled to say that I was the winner!!
And this week I received my prize~
my prize - CompanyC Gretchen Bedding

I won CompanyC's Gretchen bedding and Madeline sheet set - all in my favorite color, Capri Blue.   Thank you ComapanyC for my amazing prize!  I am looking forward to putting a room together with this beautiful new bedding!
photo credit companyc

My Winning Entry
photo credit fashion decor website & companyc



Christmas Traditions ~ Christmas Eve Fondue


One of many of my childhood memories and family Christmas Tradtions , that I will always cherish, was our Christmas Eve fondue Dinner.  It was this fun interactive meal that allowed us to share a meal and enjoy the festiveness of the fondue experience.  Thinking back I think it was a really clever diversion my parents created to take our attention off of the presents under the tree.


I have been wanting to bring this tradition into my own home for many years and this year I had the pleasure of creating a holiday fondue meal with my mom, my Aunt Trudy and Uncle Jerry and my dear friends and self-adopted parents Burt and Nanette.


Here is our menu and a pictorial glimpse of our evening....


FIRST COURSE
Classic Swiss Cheese
Fondue Neuchatel Oise
blend of Gruyere and Emmentaler
served with baguette bites


SECOND COURSE
Salad - cranberry, onion, mushroom,
carrot, almond and goat cheese over a
bed of mixed greens served
w/ raspberry walnut vinaigrette



MAIN COURSE
New York Strip w/ sour cream dill sauce
Key West Shrimp w/ tomato cocktail sauce
Chicken Breast w/ chile-peanut sauce


DESSERT
Classic Chocolate Fondue
w/ strawberries, bananas,
pineapple and pound cake


What Christmas or Holiday traditions do you have?

The Kitchen Sink - Blanco, Style and Function

Often overlooked as a design element, the kitchen sink is truly an integral part of the Kitchen, it serves a monumental role in the every day function of the Kitchen.  And lets just say the kitchen sink has come a long way.
photo credit Prang's aids for object teaching--The kitchen -  Library of Congress

One company who gives great thought to the function but also the style and design of the kitchen sink is Blanco. 

Family-owned since 1925, BLANCO’s humble beginnings included making copper galvanized parts for cookers and hot water bottles with a team of 30 loyal employees. Today, their company has produced more than 40 million sinks, and is recognized as a world leader in quality, innovation and unsurpassed service.
Long gone are the times when a sink was merely used for function. These days, it can be the muse for a kitchen – or perhaps an entire home. Because of their dedication to quality, they ensure that every sink is inspected multiple times before earning the BLANCO name. It’s just a part of their commitment to their craft and their customers.  (excerpt taken from Blanco.com website)

CERANA is BLANCO’s first Fireclay sink in the U.S. market, and offers a unique reversible design that goes from traditional to contemporary offering exceptional style and versatility.The reversible BLANCO CERANA Apron Front sinkis BLANCO’s first Fireclay sink in the U.S. made of natural material that is highly resistant to shock, heat, acid, discoloration and chips. The unique, reversible design with two different corner radius measurements adds versatility as the ultra slim sink installs to feature either a traditional rounded or contemporary contoured apron front.

Engineered for smaller spaces, CRYSTALLINE'S compact hideway design offers up clean lines, contemporary details, innovative features and premium quality.

A unique chamfered rim edge delivers an intriguing appearance making BLANCO VISION the focal point in any kitchen“BLANCO VISION’s compact design and eye-catching style is perfect for smaller kitchens with limited space,” states Tim Maicher, Director of Marketing for BLANCO. “The high-functioning VISION single bowl comes with a unique chamfered rim edge providing the ideal balance of form and functionality with plenty of space for large pots and dishes.”
As part of the #BlogTourCGN Team, I will be getting a VIP tour of IMM Cologne/Living Kitchen where I will see the latest trends and introductions in kitchen design today from some of the top innovative leaders in the world - including Blanco. BLANCO HAS A PASSION FOR PERFECTION!

Christmas Tree Time2Design 2012

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas!
Time2Design is decking its halls with Christmas Decorations....


Time2Pack | #BlogTourCGN | BlogTour 2013


Last year I created this I love BlogTour Suitcase Collage Photo and rightly captioned it Suitcase Envy.  It was my way of expressing to many of my blogger/designer friends who were participating that I was, how can I say....well just slightly envious of them jetting off on a BlogTour Interior Designer's dream tour!  Never did I dream that I would be asked to attend.  


Well dreams do come true and I am off to Germany in January where I will be attending the IMM Cologne International Furniture Show, Living Kitchen and a quick trip to Amsterdam as part of BlogTour!  This is one of those moments in life that you pinch yourself because you can't believe it is true.  But it is true, and I am thrilled to have been chosen to participate in Modenus' BlogTour to Cologne Germany in January 2013. 

What is BlogTour you asked? Well here is the scoop....

Fifteen interior design and life-style writers will be taking Cologne by storm in January as part of the latest leg of BlogTour by Modenus.  BlogTour invites groups of carefully selected bloggers to international destinations where they immerse themselves in trade shows, showrooms, design events and local culture.

And here are the selected Bloggers...
Left to right ~ Courtney Price | Alexandra Williams | Darren Morgan  | Tina Ramchandani | Katie Treggiden | Stacey Sheppard | Paul Anater | Sarah Sarna | Brandon Smith | Lisa Smith | Michele Alfano | Kathy Sandler | Carmen Christensen | Todd Vendituoli

As part of BlogTour Cologne fifteen bloggers,  eleven from the  USA and three from the UK and one from Dubai, along with the Modenus editorial team from the USA, UK, and Germany,  will be visiting the giant IMM (International Furniture Fair) and Living Kitchen as well as other design destinations in the city before moving on to spend a day in Amsterdam for a guided tour of the City's design hotspots in collaboration with home design magazine Eigen Huis and Interieur.  BlogTour Cologne runs from  January 13 through January 18, 2013.

Veronika Miller, CEO Modenus
Speaking about BlogTour Cologne Veronika Miller, CEO of Modenus says, “We have never crammed so much excitement and so much inspiration into one tour. This is also the first time a single Modenus BlogTour has included more than one country. We are, of course, looking forward to IMM. It is one of Europe’s most important furniture shows and it will be fascinating to see how the bloggers, especially the American bloggers react to it..“

Recent BlogTours in London and New York have resulted in over forty million social media impressions and hundreds of blog posts. BlogTour Cologne, with its excursion to Amsterdam can be followed on twitter with the hashtag #BlogTourCGN and through BlogTour At-a-glance on Modenus.com .

I look forward to sharing this experience with you and I am just bursting at the seems excited to take this journey.  So be sure to check back for more updates.
   Carmen
photo credit www.german-architecture.info