Rex and Regina Blog » registry

A Registry Must: The versatility of white china

rreditor — Wed, 10 Nov 2010 22:56:35 +0000

One of things I always mention to brides when they are registering is to add white dishware and serveware to their registry list. Oftentimes couples pick patterned dishware that doesn’t end up matching their new apartment or that just doesn’t fit their taste years later.

White dishware never goes out of style and is so versatile. These tablescapes below show how a white plate can be a simple building block for a beautiful table. It doesn’t take much to make the white pop — many times just a bright leaf, a patterned tablecloth, or a beautiful napkin does the trick perfectly.

design by Phoebe Howard, featured on House Beautiful

design by Victoria Amory, featured on House Beautiful

design by Martha Angus, featured on House Beautiful

A fall leaf provides a pop of color to white dinnerware; featured on Celebrations.com

this fall tablescape featured in Country Living uses white dinnerware as a foundation

An Easter table features white plates and neutral linens with a pop of pink

Registry Must Haves: Kitchen Essentials

rreditor — Tue, 06 Jul 2010 21:41:46 +0000

We’re remodeling our kitchen in a couple of weeks and so I’ve begun the process of cleaning out cabinets and drawers in preparation for the new cabinets. It’s amazing what kitchen tools we’ve accumulated over the years. As people who love to cook, we’ve become “gadget and appliance freaks,” always loving to try new tools.

But the process of purging and sorting has really made me think about what the essential tools of the kitchen really are. What are the things that I could not do without? Here’s a list of my essentials — which I’d highly recommend adding to any registry!

All Clad Measuring cups and spoons — I am in love with these measuring cups and spoons and am still grateful to the friends who gave them to us as a wedding present! I love that the 1 cup measuring cup has marks for smaller quantities like 1/4 cup and 3/4 cups, that way I don’t have to dirty multiple measuring cups. They are also very sturdy and feel substantial in the hand.

All Clad measuring cups and spoons

Kitchen Aid Mixer — Makes the perfect batch of chocolate chip cookie dough. Need I say more?

Kitchen Aid Artisan Stand Mixer

Heat-resistant silicone spatula — I use this when I cook, when I bake… it is my go-to mixing spoon and I love that I never have to worry about it melting.

OXO heatproof silicone spatula

Nesting bowls — I use these every day. Ev-er-y-day! I keep them in the cupboard in two sets so that they are easier to lift out.

glass nesting bowls

Colander — I prefer this type of colander to the large mesh colanders as the latter are very hard to clean — especially after draining pasta.

Footed Colander

Creamer — My Apilco Creamer comes in handy for not only serving up cream with coffee, but also when making small batches of vinaigrettes or for serving sauces.

Apilco Porcelain Creamer

Zester — We use this microplane zester way more than I ever would have imagined. It is easy to use and washes fairly easily, too.

Microplane Rasp Grater

Whirly Pop — OK, this may not be an essential, but I really can’t live without it! My husband and I love homemade popcorn and the Whirly Pop makes the best popcorn we’ve ever had.

Whirley-Pop Stovetop Popcorn Popper

The Best Wedding Gift of All Time? The Panini Grill

rreditor — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 00:05:07 +0000

August is Panini Month. That’s right. Panini Month. When I learned about this from @Foodimentary on Twitter, I nearly fainted from excitement.

I love panini. But not just any ‘ol panini. I particularly love the panini I build from scratch in my very own kitchen.

The absolute best wedding gift we received when we got married was our Krups Panini Maker (thanks, Dianne and Jay!). I think we used it every week for at least the first year of our marriage. We made savory panini with prosciutto or with brie and apples, and sweet panini with nutella and bananas.

Brides, if you have not already added a panini grill to your registry, do so immediately. Do not pass go. Do not collect $200. Just add it!

One of the things I love about a panini grill is that it begs for creativity, inviting you to find the absolute best combination of bread, ingredients, and condiments for that perfect sandwich creation. And, it’s interactive. My husband even brings our panini grill into work for occasional “Panini Fridays” with his team at the office.

So, knowing it was Panini Month, I thought it only right to celebrate with a nice panini and soup lunch this past weekend. For my panini creation, I chose to pile on a few of my favorite ingredients: Cowgirl Creamery Mt Tam Triple Cream cheese, thinly sliced Granny Smith apples, and baby spinach — all set between two slices of fresh French bread from Cenan’s Bakery in Vienna.

Triple Cream, Apples, and Spinach Panini

To accompany the panini, we made Onion Soup from Julia Child’s Mastering the Art of French Cooking and served them both on a panini plate.

French Onion Soup and Panini

Happy Panini Month, everyone!