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Do you like to spice things up in the kitchen around the holidays with your spouse? I know we like to cook together when we have a little extra time, especially when my husbands off work for the holidays. One of the things we like to do while we are cooking is have fun, and to do this we do things like joke around and listen to music. I have several play lists on my phone and like to pick one that's upbeat and keeps the mood fun, then play it on a wireless speaker like the SONOS PLAY: 5 Wireless HiFi System. After we've found our "mood" music we like to get creative, and what better way to start the day than with a big breakfast before we start cooking for our big family meal. I like to keep it simple, but my husband on the other hand likes to go all out (as you can see from his "breakfast bomb" in the photo). And cooking together in the kitchen allows us to explore both of our personalities through making multiple dishes that can be "spiced up" by adding little extras on top.
Of course once we've gotten our bellies full we are ready to get things going for the "big meal" with our family for Thanksgiving. Of course if you want to make a meal great you need to start out with great cookware like the Calphalon Stainless Steel Cookware set. I've always believed that part of making a meal great is what you use to prepare it. I've had old pans that my food stuck to no matter how much oil I used and it just wasn't as good, or as satisfying to use. So it's definitely worth the extra investment to start out with good cookware.
And of course the best part of cooking a meal is when you finally get to enjoy it. And well they say presentation is everything so you better have a nice set of dinnerware to showcase your handy work on. I really like the Threshold Bistro Ceramic 16-Piece Dinnerware Set. It has a beautiful flow of white and color that would make a perfect match to our country decor. Holidays are the best time to break out the best and show off your cooking skills on your best china.
You can find these items and more online at the Target Wedding Registry.
Win it: One lucky reader will win a $25 Target Gift Card. This giveaway will end December 15th at 12:00 AM EST. The winner will have 48 hours to respond to my email. If no response, a new winner will be chosen. Open to residents of the US.
Entry Method: Please use Rafflecopter form to enter.
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Yes, I usually have my husband "prep" and I start cooking!
ReplyDeleteYes make sure you pack your patients and plan to do most of it lol
ReplyDeleteI don't have a significant other but my daughter helps me cook. we divide and conquer
ReplyDeleteYes, make sure you plan it out and get everything you need. Talk about what you both are planning as certain food items just don't go together.
ReplyDeleteMy best tip is to use disposable pans for less mess and clean up.
ReplyDeleteI find that things work best if everyone helping has their own space to work :) Tough in our tiny kitchen, so we take turns and we also use the kitchen table as a work area. That way, no one is getting in anyones way and the kids get to help too :)
ReplyDeleteCooking with my children is the best I like to see her face when preparing something that they like. My tips would leave the children to cook and learn from them.
ReplyDeleteHave the kids help and get family and friends to all bring 1-2 dishes. It helps reduce the load and everyone has more time to spend together instead of cooking!
ReplyDeleteDivide into groups such as prep and cook.
ReplyDeleteWhat works best for us is to divide up the work.
ReplyDeletethank you
Make a few dishes the day before so you're not overwhelmed.
ReplyDeleteTry pot lucks.
ReplyDeleteDo you have any tips for cooking together for the holidays?
ReplyDeleteget up early if you wanna eat late
Have each person make and bring their own recipe.
ReplyDeleteHubby and I cook together a lot! I usually do the prep while he does most of the actual cooking!
ReplyDeleteAssign every separate tasks
ReplyDeleteI let him set the table and wash the dishes. He really doesn't know anything about cooking and better just leave that part to me.
ReplyDeleteprizewinner at hotmail dot com
Each person should have his/her own task which he/she should do properly. :)
ReplyDeletei make a list and plan ahead.
ReplyDeleteMy husband does the cooking
ReplyDeletePrepare as much food ahead of time as possible.
ReplyDeleterounder9834 @yahoo.com
Do overnight prep work.. it's a real time saver.
ReplyDeletePrepare ahead, open the wine, take moments for yourself and enjoy your guests.
ReplyDeleteThe only tip I have is to just appreciate the help and enjoy the company.
ReplyDeleteWe usually cook a big breakfast on Christmas morning so I designate a certain job for everyone to do to make it easier and faster. Thanks so much for hosting this giveaway!
ReplyDeleteEloise
furygirl3132[at]comcast[dot]net
Try not to stress and have everyone bring a side to help out.
ReplyDeleteI don't have any good tips other than to make sure you make enough food. BWallace1980(at)hotmail(d0t)com
ReplyDeleteMy tip would be to make food everyone likes. DamianMom at yahoo dot com
ReplyDeleteWe try to divide dishes so we don't get in each others way
ReplyDeletePrepare as much as possible in advance
ReplyDeleteMake it a potluck!
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately our kitchen is too small for two people to cook together.
ReplyDeletekeep it simple!
ReplyDeletePaper plates!
ReplyDeleteWe try to use disposable as much as possible (less cleanup means more socializing) and try to prep as much as we can early!
ReplyDeletemy only advice is that if you have no idea what you are doing in the kitchen and don't intend to really want to help cook or prepare, then don't get in my way! lol i meant it in the nicest way possible. but seriously i always use disposable plates,spoons, forks and knives becauses no one wants to ever help wash the dishes
ReplyDeleteI definitely think 'mood music' makes cooking as a couple easier and more fun. Especially if you can reenact the "Ain't Too Proud To Beg" kitchen dance scene from one of my favorite movies, "The Big Chill"!!
ReplyDeletewe have everybody bring something
ReplyDeleteDO what you can ahead of time so that the day of the party or event is not stressful.
ReplyDeleteCook whatever dishes you can ahead of time.
ReplyDeleteWe plan ahead so that we have enough time to fix what we want without stressing out.
ReplyDeleteAs a family, we make a gingerbread house together. The kids enjoy decorating the house.
ReplyDeleteWe have a candy making/cookie baking marathon, then go out to dinner. So much fun!
ReplyDeleteWhen you cook with someone in the kitchen, make sure there's a clear division of tasks. That way everyone knows what they are supposed to do and when to do it.
ReplyDeleteNancy
allibrary (at) aol (dot) com
Do prep work ahead of time (chopping veggies, etc), and clean up as you go!
ReplyDeletei always ask for help
ReplyDeletefreebiel0ve@yahoo.com
Have some prep and some cook.
ReplyDeletejessica edwards
My tip is to always have an understanding of who is going to do what. This ceases confusion in the kitchen and everything goes smoothly. Most importantly, the food comes out great.
ReplyDeleteI find that having one person be "in charge" (that's me!) and then clearly asking the other person to do certain tasks works well for us.
ReplyDeleteprep everything before you start cooking
ReplyDeleteNot too many cooks in the kitchen
ReplyDeleteNo, I do not have any tips.
ReplyDeleteMy tip is to use crock pots to keep the sides warm.
ReplyDeletePrep everything ahead of time so it's easy when you want to enjoy your time together. Use the crock pot too!
ReplyDeleteMy best tip is to get everyone involved doing a cooking task they like to do. Less work for you.
ReplyDeleteHave everyone bring a dish, this is the easiest way.
ReplyDeleteKeep everyone who isn't helping out of the kitchen--too many bodies in the kitchen plus they'll be stealing tastes of everything!
ReplyDeleteWhen cooking together have set chores/cook preps you each do if for 2 people and always keep the sink free of dishes and what not so things run smoother.
ReplyDeleteMy advice is no schedule. Leave all the stress at work and enjoy each other and the holiday.
ReplyDeleteMy tip is to prep as much as you can. It makes everything much more easy and less stressful.
ReplyDeletethanks for the chance to win
We don't cook as much together, but I do have him clean while I am cooking. That is helpful.
ReplyDeletehave everyone bring something.
ReplyDeleteMy best tip is to put together as much of the dishes I am making at home. That way there is minimal work at my folks' place, which cuts down kitchen traffic.
ReplyDeleteMy tip is to prep as much as possible the day before, then when it's time to cook all the cutting of the veggies, shredding the cheese, etc. is all ready to start cooking. This always makes things go much quicker for my family!
ReplyDeleteandysavi.mom@gmail.com
We all like to bake together here and decorate, the Kitchen table helps out as counter space, the kids love to get their hands in on the action! We get cookies made way before Christmas!
ReplyDeleteTips for cooking together is each take a different task to make a complete meal- so no one is on top of one another :)
ReplyDeleteAgree to all partake in cleanup!!
ReplyDeleteWe try to prep as best as we can and have all our recipes ready and have a game plan!
ReplyDeleteCarly D.
Actually I have my hubby helping and getting the ingredients together. He does one part and I do the other part. We try to tag team in the kitchen.
ReplyDeletetweety800265(at)yahoo(dot)com
we all try to bring a dish and that helps with the dinner
ReplyDeletePlan ahead and try to prep ahead the night before.
ReplyDeleteWe plan the menu ahead of time and we have small kitchens so even if us ladies arent all cooking we sit at the breakfast bar and converse with the lady cooking so she isnt left out
ReplyDeletecrazyweirdo33@yahoo.com
Yeah do everything ahed of time
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