Apartment Blog

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Potlucks have been around forever, but they are still an effective way to feed a large number of people on a budget.  You can be the host and offer your house as the gathering place, but ultimately you want to delegate responsibilities to the attendees.  The potluck theme can extend beyond food, if you plan on entertaining people in different ways.  You can have each guest bring their favorite CD or movie along with an assigned dish.  The CD or movie can pertain to a broader theme for the party.  You can make the gathering fun by creating an entertainment theme around the most relevant time period to the prospective guests. For example:  ”Thankful for the 80’s”  can be a theme that allows guest to reminisce on those times and think about how they got from that time period to today.

The idea behind the potluck is to allow all attendees to participate in making the event a success.  If everyone contributes, they will feel like it is their party and won’t feel guilty for not helping in some way, shape, or form.  This is an ideal situation, especially during a holiday where the focus is being thankful for what you have and not focusing on what you don’t have. The potluck puts everyone on the same level for that evening, even if some guests are otherwise struggling financially.  It is important, especially with the recession still in place, to work together and build each other up.  Who knows, your gathering could be just what someone needs and propel them into 2010 with a new attitude about life!

During this holiday season it is important to factor in the safety of all of your family members; even the little furry ones! You’d be surprised what dangers are lurking for your family pet during this festive season. So to help out all of our pet-friendly readers, we have compiled a list of items to watch out for this year. A trip to the veterinarian hospital would not be a pleasant thing!

Ingesting items:
Everyone knows chocolate is bad for dogs. But did you know that onion, grapes and raisins are horrible for them too? Fatty foods like turkey skin or gravy is not good for their stomach and alcohol is toxic! And be aware of things they can get into and eat such as plastic wrap, toothpicks, napkins, disposable plates or flatware. Items likes these can definitely do some damage to their internal organs.  If you are traveling with your animal or having friends staying at your home, make sure all medications are put in a place where curious animals cannot find them.

Safety for your pet:
This is not only about the safety of your animal, but also safety for humans around your animal. A pet that lies down in the middle of the kitchen is an accident waiting to happen. Make sure all of the left-overs are properly sealed and stored away where counter surfers cannot reach.  If serving turkey, make sure the carcass is in a plastic bag and taken out of the apartment. You don’t want to leave it around where any animal can take interest. And be sure to tell your family/friends visiting that feeding your pet is not good for him/her.

And finally, make sure you keep your animals’ routine as normal as possible. If your cats are terrified of people, let them have one room (perhaps a bedroom) to themselves. Or if your dog doesn’t like to be pent up in the house for too long, take him/her out for long brisk walks (for small dogs make sure they are dressed accordingly). Since there will be people coming in and out of your apartment, make sure that your animal wears proper ID tags should they escape in the confusion.

Wishing you and your family, all of them, a very happy and safe Thanksgiving!

I’ve only lived with family for a roommate, but I still have some interesting stories. There have been awkward situations, tense moments and belly aching times (from laughter). Me being such an organized person, I don’t even understand how someone can live without actually being able to see the floor (literally covered with clothes).  But that being said, there have been many fun nights coming back from girls’ nights; staying up snacking and watching movies.

However, not everyone’s roommate experience is pleasant. Here’s a story from a contributor.

My college experience was jam-packed with great memories.  Fun times.  And repulsive roommates.  Not everyone has had the “pleasure” of having that roommate from “you know where”.  But many need only to think back to the past to remember when you fought for shower time or when you came back to your dorm room after an evening workout only to be surprised by something you wouldn’t even want your worst enemy to see.

My freshman year of college was extremely exciting.  Like many kids entering their first year, going away to school was a huge jump from high school life - that experience of moving away from home, no parents, getting to experience life by setting your own schedule.

Move-in day was great.  One of my roommates happened to be a good friend from high school.  The other was a mild-mannered girl from instate.  Or so I thought.  Everything started out great.  The three of us shared a rather large dorm room, which was attached to a suite bathroom.  But living with someone in close quarters magnifies their imperfections.

I’m not even sure if “imperfections” accurately applies to this girl.  We took the bunk beds; I was on the bottom and she was on the top.  She would get up for an early morning class; climb down from her bunk to her desk, hop on IM for a few and roll out for class.  Mind you, there was no time taken to change clothes, brush hair, let alone brush teeth.  Disgustingly enough, this was her normal routine.

I remember a night when there was a group of us hanging out in our room and she was eating some popcorn and some fell on the floor.  I don’t care if a floor is freshly vacuumed…it’s still the floor.  Well this girl proceeds to pick the popcorn off the floor and eat it.  She puts the popcorn in her mouth and a huge piece of lint is hanging from the corner of her mouth.  Gross doesn’t even begin to describe that situation…

Staying on the topic of food, that girl loved Easy Mac.  She ate it pretty much every night.  The smell started to make me sick after awhile.  That’s probably the reason I’ve never tried it.  I even stopped eating Kraft Macaroni and Cheese.  Too similar.

And she never cleaned.  Ever.  I don’t even think she knew how to work a vacuum.  We had come up with a schedule for cleaning the bathroom (which we shared with our suitemates, three other girls).  I’m not sure what her idea of cleaning was, but it was just that - an idea.  Someone else was always cleaning up behind her.  She was just filthy.

Unfortunately, my experience happens too often; I say often because once is too often.  But you live and you learn.  I wonder what she’s up to these days…well really I don’t.  Hopefully she’s somewhere taking a shower.

So I KNOW you guys have got some interesting roommate stories! So let’s hear them! Oh and they don’t even have to be funny just mildly entertaining because I am easily amused.  In fact, the contributor with the most unique story will get published on our blog! Happy writing.

While on one of my favorite question and answer sites, I saw a question for July 4^th that really stuck out in my head. It was about a cooking contest this individual’s family does on July 4^th. I thought, how fun? A July 4^th cook-off between friends & family would be an awesome party idea!

Imagine it, you call and invite a couple of your friends over for a July 4^th party. You ask them to bring over a dish as it makes less work for you. But instead of just any ordinary dish, one that will be entered into a cook-off challenge that will be judged based on presentation, creativity and overall taste.  Everyone at the party can vote, whether they have entered the contest or not, and the top three can have a prize. Suggestions from other members on the site included something like a gift certificate or a chef apron with mention of the events title ‘Geller’s 5^th Annual July 4^th Cook-off’ or something to that effect.

This competition actually reminds me of an episode of ‘Friends’ where Monica and Ross were playing football on Thanksgiving for the ‘Geller Cup’ which was really just a troll doll nailed to a piece of two by four (see photo).  However, hopefully your cook-off competition won’t become as brutal as the Monica, Ross face-off where Ross was sent to the hospital with a broken nose during “Geller Bowl VI”.

This idea is a new spin on a usually traditional gathering. This can really add some fun and make it a July 4^th party to remember!

 Are you planning on cooking this St. Patrick’s Day? Or perhaps you’re thinking about throwing a party?! Having a pot-luck at work? If you’re a little stumped on what to bring or what to cook this year, look at a few ideas I’ve just tossed together. There are some for the serious chef or for the low-maintenance cookers.  Categorized in two ways, dishes that are Irish or dishes that are GREEN!

Irish Items:

• Irish Stew
• Corned Beef ( include sandwich fixings for a Rueben)
• Roasted Potatoes or Irish Potato Salad
• Lime Pie
• Rhubarb Pie
• Irish Soda Bread
• Sheppard Pie
• St. Patrick’s Day Punch (sherbet ice cream and Sprite)

‘Green’ Items:

• Spinach and Artichoke Dip (with tortilla chips)
• Green Tortilla Chips
• Shamrock Sugar Cookies
• Green Cupcakes
• Salad (w/green ingredients-green peppers, cucumbers, broccoli, etc.)
• Shamrock Shaped Biscuits/Toast (or use green food coloring for color)
• Green Fruit Tray (green grapes, green apples, honeydew melons, kiwi, etc.)
• Green Veggie Tray (cucumber, broccoli, celery, green peppers, zucchini, pickles)
• Green Bread Loaf (using green food coloring in the dough)
• Drinks: Sprite, 7-up, Mountain Dew, Limeade
• Coleslaw

Most sites, like FoodNetwork.com, will have recipes for these cuisines.  Or you can check out our ‘Holiday Recipes’ section which has traditional St. Patrick’s Day recipes.  Whatever you choose to do, have fun this St. Patrick’s Day!

I was watching TLC’s ‘Take Home Chef’ this morning while at the gym and I saw this decadent dessert that I must share. This is a dish I definitely plan on making for Valentine’s Day. When I saw how easy it was to prepare and how delicious it looked, it made me want to hop off the elliptical machine and run to the store (literally run to burn off the extra calories I’ll be consuming)!

Here it is…..

Chocolate Cheesecake

Makes 6

Ingredients:

For the cheesecake crust:

8 ounces/225 g semisweet chocolate wafer cookies
5 tablespoons/75 g unsalted butter, melted

For the cheesecake filling:

8 ounces/225 g good-quality semisweet chocolate (such as Scharffenberger), chopped
1 1/2 pounds/700 g cream cheese, room temperature
1 cup/200 g superfine sugar
3 tablespoons/30 g all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons/10 ml vanilla extract
3 large eggs

For the chocolate sauce:

2/3 cup/155 ml heavy whipping cream
4 ounces/115 g good-quality semisweet chocolate (such as Scharffenberger), chopped

Method:

To prepare the crust: Finely grind the cookies in a food processor. Blend the butter into the crumbs to form a moist sandy texture. 

Press the crumb mixture evenly over the bottom (not the sides) of six 4-inch-/1-cm-diameter spring form pans. Refrigerate the crust while preparing the filling.

To prepare the filling: Preheat the oven to 300°F/150°C. Place the chocolate in a heat-proof bowl, then set the bowl over a saucepan of gently simmering water. Stir the chocolate until melted then set aside to cool to lukewarm.

Using an electric mixer, beat the cream cheese in a large mixing bowl until smooth and creamy. Add the sugar, flour and vanilla extract and beat until smooth. Add the eggs, one at a time, beating until well blended.

Stir the melted chocolate into the cream cheese mixture to blend. Spoon the cream cheese mixture over the chilled crusts, dividing it equally.

Place the cheesecakes on a heavy baking sheet and bake in the oven for 25 minutes or until the cakes puff slightly but the tops do not crack and are slightly darker in the center. The cakes will be slightly wobbly but will become more firm as they cool.

Turn the oven off and leave the oven door open to allow the cakes to cool for 1 hour. The cheesecakes will have cooled but will still be slightly warm. If desired, they can be refrigerated at this point until they are cold.

Meanwhile, to make the chocolate sauce: Heat the cream in a small saucepan over a medium heat just until it begins to simmer. Place the chocolate in a bowl and pour the hot cream over the chocolate. Let stand for 5 minutes to allow the chocolate to melt slightly.

Stir the cream mixture with a whisk until the chocolate has melted completely and the sauce is smooth.

To serve: Run a small sharp knife around the pan sides to loosen the cheesecakes from the pans. Release the pan sides and transfer the cheesecakes to plates.

Drizzle the warm chocolate sauce over and around the cheesecakes and serve.