Spice Up Dessert: Walnut Cayenne Tahini Cake

A Flavorful Twist on Classic Baking

Get ready to tantalize your taste buds with our Walnut Tahini Cake recipe! Brace yourself for a flavorful journey where nutty walnuts, creamy tahini, and a hint of cayenne collide in a symphony of taste sensations. Despite its fiery name, rest assured, this cake brings the perfect balance of sweetness and spice. So, roll up your sleeves and let's dive into baking bliss!

Ingredients

1/4 cup butter

1/2 cup shortening

1 1/2 cup sugar

3 eggs

1/2 teaspoon baking powder

1 1/2 cup flour

1/4 lb walnuts

1 tablespoon tahini

1/2 teaspoon ground cayenne

1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/2 cup milk

Tools

mixing bowls

spoon

measuring cups and spoons

mixer (hand or stand)

knife

cutting board

nonstick 8-inch pan

plastic butter knife

parchment paper

pencil

scissors

Yes, it says "cayenne" in the title. No, the cake is not spicy. No need to panic.

For best results, start with all ingredients at room temperature, and do not preheat the oven!

Set your round pan on a sheet of parchment paper and trace around the base with a pencil. Trim off the excess with the scissors. Set your parchment circle into the bottom of the baking pan as a liner to prevent sticking. The cake you're about to make gets awfully comfortable where it is and doesn't like to leave the pan again without an assist, so skip this step at your own risk.

Dump out a comfortable amount of walnuts onto your cutting board, grab your knife and chop them as fine as you like. Due to picky eaters in the household, we went extra fine with ours. Scrape the cutting board off into a mixing bowl and repeat the "comfortable amount of walnuts" thing as many times as necessary to get through a quarter pound. We used a small cutting board and did it in three waves. If you have a larger board - maybe one of those comically huge industrial ones - surely the whole quarter pound at once is no obstacle for you.

Measure your flour, baking powder, cayenne, and cinnamon into the mixing bowl full of walnut pieces and stir them all together until everything is fully incorporated.

In another mixing bowl, cream together your softened butter and shortening. Add the sugar slowly, mixing all the while. You'll get a granular, fluffy, pale concoction in a minute or two.

Add one egg and your tahini. Run the mixer until you have one uniform color, then proceed to add the other two eggs. Try not to overmix, but don't leave any yolky spots.

Add your dry ingredients slowly and stir them into the wet ingredients by hand until everything has been dampened. Now you're safe to add your milk - again slowly, and again mixing by hand.

Feel free to bring back the mixer now to finish it off and get rid of any lumps. (We just didn't want the high speed with the thin liquid sitting on top of lumpy mush.)

Pour your batter into your lined baking pan, pop it in the oven, shut the door, start the oven heating  to 350 and set a timer for one hour and ten minutes. Do not open the oven door - at all! Not even to check on it! Turn the oven off when the timer finishes, but leave the door closed another ten minutes before removing the cake so it can cool.

After it's had a chance to cool for 20 minutes or so, work around the edge with a plastic knife. Again, this cake likes where it is and will need to be convinced to move. The parchment should ensure the bottom just pops free after you've loosened the sides.

Serve warm.

As you savor the last crumb of our Walnut Tahini Cake, consider the magic that lies within your kitchen. Yet, even the most beloved recipes encounter hiccups along the way. Should you find yourself facing challenges with your major appliances, like your stove or oven, remember that Appliance Rescue Service is here to lend a helping hand. Don't let appliance woes disrupt your culinary endeavors. Schedule a maintenance appointment via our website or give us a call, and let our expert technicians ensure your kitchen runs smoothly. Until next time, happy baking!

Contact Page

(214) 599-0055

Decoding the Dishwasher Dilemma: Upgrade, Downsize, or Stay Put? Your Comprehensive Guide to Smart Choices

Beyond Suds and Rinses:Tailoring Your Dishwasher Choice to Fit Your Lifestyle

We are not often the ones to tell you to give up on a dishwasher that works. After all, one of our key mottos is that we will keep trying to fix something until you tell us to stop, so long as it is fixable.* So why would we, clients rescue services, tell you to replace your dishwasher? Well, there are a few circumstances where it's just necessary.

Choosing a Dishwasher for a Bustling Household

If your family has recently grown by two or three people, congratulations! Whether it's a marriage, birth, or family moving in, when you add more people to your household, your dishwasher is going to be used much more often. And that four-setting dishwasher that you had before isn't going to be able to handle now having a family of six or more, at least not without being run multiple times in a day. At this point, you might look into a larger model with more features to help deal with all of the dishes that you now need to get done.

Growing Family
Courtesy of Craig Adderley

You might look at features such as fold-down tines or rows to add in space and ensure everything gets cleaned. Cooking for larger groups also includes larger pots, so an adjustable or free-flex rack can help get dinner dishes taken care of quickly. Info lights and auto-release doors are features that we adore as they let you know if your dishwasher is done and ready to unload. (Honestly, these are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to features, but they are some of the most useful in our opinion.)

Compact Dishwashers: Small Size, Big Efficiency

The flip side to that is if you're downsizing your home, potentially an equally joyous time. It might be that the kids have all survived to adulthood and are starting their own homes. It might be that you're living on your own for the first time, and you don't need a large dishwasher. Or it might be that you're outfitting a mother-in-law suite. Whatever the case, you don't always need a full-size dishwasher. Instead, you can consider how many people you're doing dishes for and whether a compact dishwasher might not serve you better.

Empty Nesters

Courtesy of Kampus

So this would lead you to question what is a setting, and what is the smallest dishwasher I can use? So according to the Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers, a full setting includes the following: a large dinner plate, bowl, knife, small snack plate, coffee cup, two teaspoons, a saucer, drinking glass, dinner fork, and a salad fork. Most dishwashers on the market can fit between 10 and 12 full settings and are approximately 24 in. A compact dishwasher fits a setting and is typically only 18 in as of the time of writing. While there are other even more compact dishwashers, such as one that can be set up in your sink, we advise against those. As of yet, the engineering in them is not the best, and we cannot guarantee your dishes coming out clean or in one piece.

Beyond the Bills: Energy and Water Efficiency in Dishwashers

My Electric Bill

Courtesy of Google Deepmind

Or if you're struggling with an exorbitant energy bill or water bill, you might want to look into a new model to replace your old workhorse. Just because it still runs perfectly doesn't mean that it's still serving you best. As we've talked about many times, with every passing year, companies are making more efficient dishwashers. If you want to learn more about energy-efficient dishwashers, we'll share our post going into what defines energy and water efficiency and how to find them, in the Additional Reading section at the end.

Deciphering Decibels: Finding Your Ideal Sound Level

If your current dishwasher can wake the dead… Maybe you have a new baby in the house, or you have somebody who's ill and needs as much sleep as they can get. If it's not a matter of something being faulty, a new dishwasher might be a better choice.

Finally some quiet

Courtesy of sound-on-

While dishwashers used to average about 60 decibels, we've come down to 45 to 50 being the standard, with some models being as quiet as 30 decibels. To better illustrate that an older dishwasher would be around the level of a loud vacuum, the average for modern dishwashers is about as loud as typing on your keyboard, and 30 decibels would be someone whispering near you. Additionally, modern dishwashers are designed with advanced noise reduction technology built into the frame. This might mean additional soundproofing; this might mean better-joined components, whatever it is, the manufacturers are working on making them quieter with every generation. More recently, however, the dishwasher space has changed. Where older models averaged about 60 decibels—just below the sound level of a vacuum—modern dishwashers average between 45 to 50 decibels, which is about as loud as typing on a keyboard. It’s not completely silent, but also not loud enough to wake someone up.

Signs It's Time to Let Go: Beyond the Obvious Breakdowns

Or in the rare cases when we've tried everything, and we have to say we can't fix it. It's not often, but occasionally we do run into appliances that we can't fix, or getting the parts to fix them is worth more than purchasing an entirely new model. While we are always eager to help keep your home running smoothly, we do understand having to balance your checkbook against practicality.

We will always try our best to keep your home running smoothly. Whether it's your dishwasher giving you fits or your washer isn't draining properly, Appliance Rescue Service is here for you. You can get hold of us via our website or by giving us a call at ( (214) 599-0055). We'll work with you to find a date and time that works for your schedule and send one of our expert technicians to get the job done right.

*If something is shattered on the floor or has met its demise in an irreparable state, we reserve the right to reconsider our stance—because even we can't work miracles on shattered dreams or appliance ghosts.

Additional Reading

5 Energy Efficient Dishwashers For Your Home

Dishwasher Deep Dive

Kitchen Safety 101: Protecting Your Little Ones at Home

Beyond Baby Gates: Safeguarding Every Corner of Your Kitchen

Babies are chaotic. When they start learning how to move their limbs, they will grab everything they possibly can and kick everything within reach. Once they gain mobility, it is an all-out war between you and the baby. No matter how much you love them, trying to keep them safe is difficult because safety is not a concept they understand. Therefore, your job is to baby-proof your entire home against anything they can get up to. That's where this week's article comes in. We are taking a look at your kitchen and the mischief your baby can find, whether you're looking or not.

Baby chewing on a utensil - Courtesy of Yan Krukau

Let's start when your baby is still non-mobile. At this point, you have to carry them everywhere. Unfortunately, they can still get hurt in your kitchen. All it takes is a kick or a flailing hand that grabs hold of a spoon and both you and the child are covered in something. If you're lucky, it's something that's cool or room temperature. If you're unlucky, it's something boiling, and you now have a burned baby.

You can prevent this by making sure pot handles, and utensils are turned towards the inside of your stove if you are working at the stove while holding your little one. You can also look for clips that will clip to the side of a pot and hold a spoon or spatula in place to keep little hands from grabbing and pulling. 

Another major issue is stove knobs. They click, they turn, and they push! To a baby, it's the best thing in the world whether they're in arms or crawling and standing on their own. To keep little ones from lighting themselves or anything on top of the stove on fire, there are a couple of different methods you can use. If it is a temporary issue, you can just remove the stove knobs. Most stove knobs will pop off of a central rod very easily for cleaning. Toss them all in a dish outside of baby reach, and you're good to go. Some families are perfectly happy doing this as a measure until the child is big enough to be left on their own; others aren't. Use it at your discretion. The next option is a cover. There are knob covers that will clip over the top of the knob and can be very easily opened when you need them, but they are a little more complicated than most babies can figure out.

And other than pulling at paper towel rolls or any hanging things, that's about it if your baby is in your arms.  But like all things, babies grow. 

Once your baby is mobile, you need to do more than just make it so they cannot push or pull things. Now, you need to be concerned with everything.  

Baby climbing over a baby gate Courtesy of Jep Gambardella

Most people will start with the straightforward baby gate. If a baby can't get into the kitchen, they can't cause problems. You also don't have to baby-proof anything else within the kitchen. However, your blogger would like to point out a number of children in her acquaintance who figured out how to climb over baby gates at a far more rapid pace than is usually thought possible. So, in the interest of keeping your particular small human safe, we advise considering further steps. The baby gate should be the first line of defense but not the only line.

What about cabinets and drawers? As your child starts to explore, like we mentioned, they'll want to pull on things. At first it might be simply a matter of pulling as they figure out how to get up and things accidentally coming open. But very quickly, that turns into repeating to see if they can do it a second time. And once they've figured out the precise mechanism of it, they'll want to keep doing it because there are things hidden behind the door or drawer. There are latches that can be attached to your drawers and your cabinets. These are great for keeping small children out. Some varieties have clips, some varieties have magnets, some varieties are the DIY version, and just have a rubber band. Take your pick. Our point here is just to keep your child out of pots, pans, food boxes, and cleaning supplies that might be on their level. These latches can also work on your refrigerator. The model you have will inform you how best to apply them. 

As a side note, if you have the space, we advise moving your cleaning supplies entirely out of reach of small children. While many of us store our cleaning supplies under the kitchen sink, even cabinet latches are capable of failing. Given the poisonous nature of most cleaning supplies better to keep them entirely out of reach.

Baby getting into a drawer Courtesy of PNW Production

The next thing to consider is the oven door. Whether you have a stove and oven combo or an oven that stands on its own, the door handle for an oven is a great place for little hands to reach and grab and then use it to lever themselves up into a standing position. Once again, the latches that we mentioned earlier are a great way to keep the oven from being opened. However many of them still have a small amount of give to them. While this is acceptable for a cabinet, an oven that is on can easily lead to burns if little fingers get in between. Another option to double up protection is to put high-backed chairs in front of the oven. If they can't get to the oven, they can't open it. 

Finally, understand that no amount of baby-proofing will stop the force of nature that is a baby. The best thing that you can do is to prevent what you can and stay aware of your child or make sure that somebody is paying attention once they gain mobility. If this isn't an option, consider setting up a separate area enclosed within the kitchen so that you can keep an eye on your little one without them getting out.

As we conclude this guide to baby-proofing your kitchen, we hope you've found valuable insights to create a safer environment for your little ones. Remember, a secure home is a happy home.

If you have additional baby-proofing tips or want to share your experiences, join the conversation on our Facebook page.

It's essential to recognize that malfunctioning kitchen appliances pose a threat not only to babies but to everyone in the household. Vigilance and regular maintenance are key to preventing accidents.

At Appliance Rescue Service, we understand the importance of a functional and safe kitchen. For all your major appliance repair needs, reach out to us at (214) 599-0055 or visit our website. We're here to ensure your appliances are in top-notch condition, promoting a secure and comfortable home for you and your loved ones.

Thank you for entrusting us with your appliance care. Stay safe and secure!

Additional Reading

10 Kitchen Hazards to Avoid this Holiday Season

Why Does My Oven Keep Flipping the Circuit Breaker? 

Bugs of Summer: Fleas, Lice, Ticks and Bed Bugs

Savor Every Bite: Mastering Pork Chops with Baby Potatoes and Onions

 Elevate Your Culinary Skills with a Flavorful Homestyle Dish

Indulge in a savory delight with our mouthwatering recipe for Pork Chops with Baby Potatoes and Onions. This simple yet flavorful dish is perfect for busy weeknights or casual gatherings. Packed with wholesome ingredients and seasoned to perfection, it's sure to become a family favorite in no time.

Ingredients

4 or 5 thin boneless pork chops

1 red onion

1 1/2 lb baby heirloom potatoes

3 tablespoons olive oil

2 tablespoons red wine vinegar

1/2 teaspoon rosemary

1/2 teaspoon parsley

1/2 teaspoon oregano

salt and pepper to taste

Tools

large skillet

knife

cutting board

measuring spoons

tongs or spoon

You know what we're going to say here, but we'll say it anyway: wash your veggies before you begin.

Chop your baby potatoes to half-inch wide chunks. You'll see in the photos we actually have some purple potatoes in the mix - we found "gemstone medley potatoes" in the store this week and decided to try them.They make a great visual pop, without altering the flavor. 

Drizzle the olive oil into the skillet and start the potatoes cooking on medium-low. We like to sprinkle them with a little salt at this stage, but you can omit the step if you prefer. Stir occasionally. 

While the potatoes cook, slice your onion, the thinner, the better. Flip it into the skillet when you're done, and open up the package of pork chops.

Season your pork on both sides with the rosemary, oregano, salt, and pepper. You don’t need to crust it with spices, but a good dash of seasons is important. 

 Don't add it to the pan yet - those potatoes will take quite a while to cook, and the pork will most likely be done quickly. Just let it rest where it's at, and go stir the potatoes and onions.

Once the onions are translucent, you can add the pork to the skillet. Nudge the potato and onion mixture to one side of the skillet and lay the pork chops in the open half. Once they're down, try not to disturb them for three minutes. You can continue to stir the potatoes and onions occasionally during that time.

When your time has elapsed, flip the chops and let them cook through on the other side. Splash the pan with the red wine vinegar, add a little more salt and pepper, and give the potatoes and onions a stir again. Let everything simmer for a few more minutes until the pork is done.

If you're unsure whether or not the meat is done, you can grab a meat thermometer and check. The safe temperature is anything over 145 degrees, although we normally shoot for 155 or higher.

Assuming your pork chops have reached the safe temperature, go ahead and remove them to a plate to let them rest a few minutes while the potatoes finish up (stubborn things that they are). The potatoes are done when they spear easily with a fork.

Elevate your weeknight dinners with our delectable Pork Chops with Baby Potatoes and Onions recipe. Simple yet satisfying, this dish embodies comfort and flavor in every bite. Whether you're cooking for family or friends, it's sure to impress even the most discerning palates. So why wait? Treat yourself to a culinary delight that's as easy to make as it is delightful to devour. Enjoy!

When your kitchen appliances falter, it's more than just an inconvenience – it's a disruption to your daily life. Imagine the frustration of a dishwasher that refuses to clean or a refrigerator that can't keep your food cold. At Appliance Rescue Service, we understand the urgency of these situations. With our team of skilled technicians specializing in the repair of major appliances like washers, dryers, dishwashers, ovens, stoves, refrigerators, freezers, and ice makers, we're here to restore functionality to your kitchen. Our commitment to prompt, reliable service means you can trust us to diagnose and resolve issues efficiently so you can get back to enjoying the convenience your appliances provide.

Discover peace of mind with Appliance Rescue Service, your trusted partner in appliance repair. We specialize in the maintenance and restoration of major household appliances, including washers, dryers, dishwashers, ovens, stoves, refrigerators, freezers, and ice makers. With our team of skilled technicians, we deliver prompt and reliable service to ensure your appliances operate at peak performance. At Appliance Rescue Service, we understand the inconvenience of a malfunctioning appliance, which is why we prioritize efficiency and precision in every repair. Whether it's a noisy dishwasher, a malfunctioning refrigerator, or a faulty dryer, our experts have the knowledge and experience to diagnose and resolve issues promptly. We take pride in our commitment to customer satisfaction, striving to exceed expectations with every service call. With transparent pricing and honest assessments, you can trust us to provide cost-effective solutions tailored to your needs. Don't let appliance troubles disrupt your daily routine. Trust Appliance Rescue Service to keep your home running smoothly. Contact us today to schedule your next repair appointment and experience the difference firsthand.

Contact Page

Call Us : (214) 599-0055

Embracing Peach Fuzz: Pantone's 2024 Color Palette Unveiled

 From Celeb Endorsements to Home Palettes, Exploring the Versatility of Pantone's Choice

It's that time of year again when Pantone announces their color pick for 2024. This year, they've chosen a lovely, gentle tone called Peach Fuzz, and we are going to tell you all about it. 

The color is already being adopted by celebrities such as at Taylor Swift and The Rock, which means you can be sure to see it widely spread throughout the year.

Color of the Year 

Peach Fuzz is a soft and velvety peach color that Pantone says “ echoes our yearning for closeness and connection, a color radiant with warmth and modern elegance.”  

Peach Fuzz is less bold than Viva Magenta of last year, but that's intentional. Viva Magenta was supposed to evoke power and grace as our world emerged from the pandemic and had to grapple with social unrest all around. Peach Fuzz, though, reflects our need for calm and rest. To remind us of our connection to one another in a year that's already being rocked with war and rising tensions. 

According to Pantone's Leatrice Eiseman, “Peach Fuzz captures our desire to nurture ourselves and others. The velvety, gentle peach tone, whose all-embracing spirit enriches the mind, body, and soul. It is a shade which resonates with compassion, offers a tactile embrace, and effortlessly bridges the youthful with the timelessness.“ 

Pantone’s Way of Choosing the Colors 

2024 marks the 25th year of Pantone choosing their color of the year. According to Lori Pressman, the VP of Pantone Color Institute, “Color of the Year began as a way to engage the design community around the world in a conversation about color. “ Experts on color will look at more than just media. They look at travel destinations and technologies, fashion and design, movies and art. They look to see which colors are affecting the world at this moment in time. Which ones are rising in the cultural zeitgeist, and which ones are on a downward spiral?

Leaving news forecasting tools combined with color psychology to predict coming trends. They work together to narrow down their options to just one that they feel will set the tone for the year ahead.

Color Palettes 

While we will undoubtedly see more color palettes pop up throughout the year,  some of the ones that we are most interested in are monochrome, vintage '80s look, a beachy palette, and a more modern palette.

Monochrome is the most straightforward. You start by pairing peach fuzz with warm, buttery yellows, bright oranges, and soft pinks. This one is very warm and encouraging while also being soft.

The vintage '80s palette is one that already existed. Like many colors peaches have been popular in the past. While peach fuzz specifically might not have been highlighted in the '80s, it is still very reminiscent of that time.. So if you pair it with mauve, teal, ocher and seafoam green, not only do you get a nice '80s feeling but you also get a layered and detailed palette. 

The beachy palette It is one that your blogger is rather fond of. Pair peach fuzz with deep almost carmine reds and bright blues. It has a very beach town feeling to it. We can see this one working inside or outside as is common in many beach towns.

Finally, our modern palette. This one is really good for working with the minimalist decor. You start with peach fuzz, pair it with a warm gray, add in cinnabar, and crimson to bring in colors that would be on a natural peach. It's very dark but also rich and inviting without being overwhelming or decadent. 

Do you have any pallets that you are particularly excited by?

Where to use the color 

In years past we have made suggestions of specific rooms or ideas or even styles the best fit a color. However as you can tell from the pallets, there really isn't a place where peach fuzz wouldn't fit in. You could use it in your entryway, you could use it on the outside of your house. You could use it in your kitchen or you could use it in your bedroom. There isn't a place or a style that this color doesn't fit. 

Do you have anywhere specific that you are excited to use Peach Fuzz? 

Predictions from the community

Finally, we wanted to take a look at the predictions from around the community for what we might see in relation to this couple.

• Soft diffuse colors 

• Pastels, peaches, yellows, lilacs 

• More tan focused warm toned looks, 

• Continued influence from East Asian trends

• A continuing rise of balletcore 

• And a new surge of rococo styles

What about you? Where do you think this year's color will end up influencing trends?

As we embrace Pantone's 2024 color choice, Peach Fuzz, it's clear this gentle hue represents more than just a trend—it embodies our collective yearning for tranquility and connection. Whether it's resonating with celebrities or echoing through design, this color carries a message of compassion and timeless elegance.

We've explored its versatility across various palettes, from the warmth of monochrome to the nostalgic '80s vibes and even its suitability for modern minimalism or beachy aesthetics. It's a shade that transcends boundaries, fitting effortlessly into any space or style.

We're eager to hear your thoughts! Join us on our Facebook page to share your predictions and where you envision Peach Fuzz making its mark this year. Remember, no matter the color of your appliances, Appliance Rescue Service is here to assist. Reach out through our website or give us a call at ((214) 599-0055)—we're ready to help bring your vision to life.

Additional Reading
Viva Magenta: Color of the Year 2023 

Veri Peri: :The Color of 2022