Cathie Mooers - Kimball Distributing - Viking Range Corporation

Its summer it’s HOT, most of us are not thinking about cooking on our Viking appliances…but there are some simple things we can do to make it a lot more enjoyable and have a meal on the table in less than thirty minutes.

Rachel Ray I’m not, but I think I can handle myself pretty well in the kitchen, even I struggle with having a meal on the kitchen table in less than thirty minutes, with out complete chaos.

This means talking about one of my favorite subjects and that is ORGANIZATION, not, but if I have learned anything in life, it is that I do not thrive on chaos and the opposite of chaos is being organized.

If you are going to be cooking your meals in fewer than thirty minutes that means you need to get yourself organized, have your pantry ready, and your tools (pots and pans, etc) ready to go. Yes it will take a little effort on your part to get yourself organized, but it is definitely worth the effort. That way you will be ready to “shoot from the hip”, as they say.

You will want to be using quick techniques such as broiling, boiling, sautéing, steaming, poaching and of course my favorite grilling.

Begin with the dish that will take you the longest to prepare, and then move between each recipe so they will be finished at the same time. Don’t think you have to finish a dish before you have to start on the next one. If you need 1 cup of onions for a recipe and need a ½ cup for the next, it is much easier to chop them all together.

To be able to finish a recipe in less than 30 minutes, that means you STAY FOCUSED, no chatting on the phone, watching TV, reading your mail. If you can, have someone else set the table, possibly while you are prepping for one recipe somebody can be prepping the next recipe.

Just stay cool, everything will be fine. Here is a great, quick and easy recipe. For more go to kimballdistributing.com

Hamburgers Stuffed with Herbed Goat Cheese
1 lb ground beef
1 lb ground turkey
Sea salt
Fresh ground pepper
1 tbl Worcestershire sauce
6 oz goat cheese
3 tbl pre-made pesto

Combine beef, turkey, salt, pepper and Worcestershire sauce. Form into 6 patties.
In a small bowl combine goat cheese and pesto, stuff the goat cheese into the patty and mold the meat around it.

You can sauté in a heavy pan or grill on the grill. Cook until done.

Serve with a fresh salad and some fresh artisan breads.

ENJOY
Culinary Director
Kimball Distributing
Cathie Mooers

For “Basic Inventory for Your Pantry Set Up” , recipes, cooking classes and more;

Web site; www.kimballdistributing.com
or e-mail me at cmooers@kimballinc.com

The “sleepers.”

They’re the ones I love in any Parade … all of those builders you haven’t heard of, and whose work you’ve never seen. They’re “sleepers!” Little known, under the radar … they come out of nowhere and often go on to become “players.”

Always on the look out for rising stars, I stopped by Baldwin Homes “Liberty” model in South Jordan. The home looked nice … good curb appeal … but certainly not out of the ordinary. Still, the exterior set the stage for a positive experience…and mine was much more than that.

After slipping on those comfortable paper slippers all of the builders provide…my feet were in store for a treat. Beautiful wood flooring greets you in the entryway. The home is warm and inviting, but I thought it might be a bit small. I was wrong.

First stop…the master suite on the first floor of this two story. Great use of tile in the master bath which was laid out really well. Or I’ll put it this way…I prefer to have the two sinks/vanities separated so you-know-who doesn’t start stealing your counter space. Anyway, great shower…I really enjoy it when the builder constructs the shower in such a way that there’s no need for a door or shower curtain.

The bedroom itself was just about the right size…not so big where you get lost… not so small you can’t fit in the nicer furniture pieces. What makes it really work, in my humble opinion, are the smaller windows strategically placed above the wall where the king sized bed is placed. Nice touch.

On to the great room and kitchen. Well done…very comfortable and not over the top at all. Just comfortable. But here’s where the surprise came in. Off the kitchen, over by the laundry room, is an almost hidden stair case leading up to a second floor with more room than you’d ever expect. Not one, not two, not three…but four bedrooms. And they’re big bedrooms with those cozy, sloping ceiling and alcoves. Plus they’re spread out…not jammed together side by side. There’s a common area that connects all four bedrooms and is open, over-looking the great room below. The 2nd floor alone is far more than I bargained for and I thought it made a big difference, giving the Liberty far more value than I’d expected.

The finished basement has the same sort of touches found throughout the home, including a home theater that didn’t have all the bells and whistles but has everything needed for a great time with your family watching Pirates of the Carribean (is it an HBA requirement that all home theaters play the Pirates trilogy during the Parade? Just wondering…).

The Liberty sits on a nice, over-sized lot…and while I heard some other Parade goers wondering about 1300 West, you’ve got to think the traffic will subside once all of the construction on Redwood Road is finished…making Baldwin Homes an even better buy long term.

Looking for something a bit more affordable with lots of room, lots of bedrooms and lots of nice touches and finishes? Check out Baldwin…one of the “sleepers” in this years Parade! Learn more about Baldwin Homes

Imported lime stone from Jerusalem!

I’d never seen this kind of stone in any of the homes I’ve gone through during The Parade… or at any other time. So I asked Tom Haselton, the builder of The Chambord and the master-mind behind HT Homes, what kind of material he used and where he got it.

Lime stone…from the Holy Land he answered. I thought Tom was kidding. He wasn’t!

If you’ve already toured The Chambord, I’ll bet you noticed this too because it’s a prominent feature of the great room. If you haven’t had a chance to see this home yet, make sure you do before the Parade ends on Saturday, August 11.

If HT Homes is a company good enough to be featured on the cover of the Parade Magazine, then this is a company worthy of your time and attention. Personally, I’d never been to visit one of Tom’s homes before, so once again, not knowing what to expect, I was more than pleasantly surprised.

First of all, the home has a great setting in Draper. Elevated high above Stag Ridge Drive, Haselton did a great job of situating his home at the foot of the Wasatch Range with the mountains as a back-drop. This kind of curb appeal only whets your appetite for what’s to come.

Once inside the ornate front door, you’re greeted by a towering spiral staircase in an entry-way with extremely high ceilings. To one side of the foyer, you’ll find an impressive home office, a warm place to work with it’s rich, dark wood finishes. On the other side of the entry is a nice, bright living room/sitting area with huge windows and lots of sun-light to keep everything bright.

Upstairs you’ll find another one of those amazing master suites…the kind that makes you wonder if you’d ever leave this retreat. A sitting area, a flat screen monitor mounted high on the wall, a fireplace beside an elevated tub, a luxurious vanity area with all the amenities and a walk in closet with, once again, a much
welcome daylight window (why don’t more builders put windows in places like this?).

To my surprise, there’s a second set of stairs…providing privacy and an alternative route to the great room … which is hi-lited with ceilings two stories tall. The stone accenting the fireplace and the entire wall above the fireplace? That lime stone from Jerusalem. I really like the use of this rock…it set the room off. Just off the great room…another killer kitchen. Nothing missing here, as far as I can tell. It’s a little darker, but for some reason, I liked that. Haselton does a great job with those deep, dark, rich tones in the woods, granite and tile finishes he employs.

There’s a great patio for entertaining (built-in bar-b-cue center) and the land-scaping, particularly in the back yard (check out the water feature) is what you’d expect in a home with this 7 figure price tag. No question about it, The Chambord has tremendous value and as far as I can tell, it’s worth every penny and then some.

So kudos to Impression Landscaping, Maryann Mathison (Interior Design), Landform Designs (Architect), and the man who brought it all together…Tom Haselton with HT Homes…one of the big HITS in this years Parade of Homes.  Learn more about HT Homes

O-k, I want to go on record right from the start. I haven’t seen a home I haven’t liked in the Salt Lake Home Builders 2007 Parade of Homes. Any of us would be privileged to live in any one of the 33 Parade entries. That being said, I have never been in a home that’s more fun, more whimsical, more serendipitous…than Chateau de Villandry built by Kyle & Dominique Naccarato of Synergy Homes.

Expect a surprise around every corner. The creative designers and builders of the Chateau have come up with all kinds of ideas that will make you smile, and even make you laugh. I, for one, enjoyed the wine cellar that doubles as a dungeon for those who offend the Lord and/or Lady of the house! As someone who loves sports, I was blown away by the upstairs playroom that’s a replica of Texas Stadium, home of the Dallas Cowboys. There’s an astro-turf field, television monitors with Cowboys hi-lites, and a locker room for the little grid-iron stars to suit up. I’ve never seen anything like it before.

Same goes for the “sports lounge.” Sure it’s a little over the top…but that makes it more fun. It’s not the typical home theater room. Those are great…but this has the real feel of a sports lounge. Multiple monitors, cool lighting, a bar area…and yes, even a monitor in the floor of the entry way.

The fun doesn’t stop there though. The double edge negative pool has a 50 foot waterslide, there’s a 2 story water feature inside The Chateau, there’s a dance studio and just for good measure, an indoor basketball court in a Tree House setting.

Before you think I’m talking about Disneyland, rest assured, this French Country home is worth every bit of the $4.2 million dollar asking price. The kitchen is exquisite, the master bedroom suite is luxurious in every way, and while The Chateau is located in a serene mountain setting, it’s been positioned to capture the views of the valley, and the lights of the city.

I know I’m probably not doing The Chateau justice with this description. So just take my word for it. You won’t see anything else like The Chateau in this year’s Parade. And I think you really do have to see all these features to believe them. If nothing else, go for all the great creative ideas you can get. Kyle and Dominique Naccarato have built a home that will make entertain you, convince you it was worth the time (and gas money), and leave you smiling as you leave Chateau de Villandry in Draper’s South Mountain community.

One of the things I like the best about the Salt Lake Home Builders Parade of Homes…is that I finally get to tour the models of builders I’ve been meaning to see. For a long time! Like Caliber Homes!

I’m well aware of the fact Caliber has been building beautiful homes for a long time. But for some reason, I’ve never had the privilege of walking through one of Caliber’s models. The Parade of Homes took care of that.

After winning “Best of Show” during the 2006 Parade, Caliber had the challenge of meeting, or beating expectations. Since I didn’t know what to expect, I have to say I was pleasantly surprised by the quality built into The Sherfy, Caliber’s Parade Home in West Jordan at Naylor Farm Estates…a great community in a terrific Westside location!

Loved the floor plan in this rambler. It flows well…very open and airy. The family room blends with a beautiful, well appointed kitchen (which I’d love to have). The knotty alder doors and the 5 inch moldings throughout the home really stand out and speak to the quality of this home, and this builder.

Down stairs, Caliber keeps things flowing nicely from the game room (and it’s Checker board ceiling) into the state of the art home theater area. Tons of room in the finished basement, that also included two big bedrooms, a full bath and a very nice crafts room. By the way, the ceilings in the basement are 9 foot high so you don’t feel confined or cramped.

The granite and tile throughout the Sherfy made me feel I was in a much more expensive home but the coolest thing about this model might be the iPod sound system that allows you to hear music in every room of this well thought out floor plan.

Again, if you can’t get to all of the homes in this year’s Parade…I think you have to put Caliber on your short list. That’s just my opinion…let me know what YOU think!

Vote For Your Favorite Salt Lake Parade Home. Leave a comment or use the poll to the right.
[page_polls]

Salt Lake Parade Home number 26.

I keep hearing the same refrain during this years Salt Lake Home Builders Parade of Homes.

Over and over. Home #26…Home #26. There’s a good reason Parade goers keep muttering this mantra…a reason that’s apparent from the moment you set foot on Steve Luczak’s property called the Retreat at Corner Canyon.

Steve has long been one of my favorite builders … his architectural style, plus the natural materials he uses create a feeling few others can. And creativity is key when it comes to Kodiak America’s Retreat, over-looking Corner Canyon in Draper.

The approach from the street appears to be a gently curving natural sand-stone rock wall, the kind you might see in the Zion Narrows. The wall not only guides and invites you into the home…it also provides a sense of privacy, shielding the front door from prying eyes. The stone slabs under my feet only enhance the expectation that I’m headed for something special.

Once inside the front door, I see I’m right. This 5 bedroom, 6 and a half bath home is unlike any other I’ve seen thus far in this year’s Parade. It’s not the size of the home but the way it’s built and put together, complementing a lot that’s more like a ravine…a ravine many thought a home could never be built upon.

What catches my eye immediately is the way the granite, slate, travertine, copper and hand scraped woodwork all work together… the way they all blend together in a warm, natural way that makes you let down your guard and relax. Hundred year old barn wood and corrugated steel on the roof pitches and over-hangs compliment the look Kodiak’s come to be known for.

The views are spectacular, especially from the the back deck over-looking an incredible pool with cascading waterfalls. The deck has more the feel of a dock and it feels like a safe harbor for visitors. There’s also an amazing climbing wall on a separate wing of the home…a wing that can only be accessed by an enclosed bridge which crosses over a cascading waterfall. This bridge leads to a master bedroom that’s as cozy as any I’ve ever seen. The circular staircase leads to a home office below the suite that would be the envy of just about any executive.

Back in the main wing, the kitchen is the center of this universe. The look is clean and calls to mind, for some reason, a bit of an Asian influence. It pulls everything together in this home that took more than a year to build…which is evident when you look closely at all of the details and craftsmanship…the signature of Steve Luczak.

There’s 33 homes in this years Parade. If you can only see 5…make sure that Home #26 is one of them.   Learn more about Kodiak America Homes

Bangerter Homes showcase in the 2007 Salt Lake Parade of Homes. This charming Victorian style home tops our list of must see homes in the home parade.
Vote for your favorite Parade Home

With any decorating project, start with something that inspires you. Use a piece of fabric, a pillow, a rug or a piece of wrapping paper for that matter. It does not matter what inspires you as long as it makes you feel good. Carry it in your car or purse so that you can pull it out when you are shopping. Your object of inspiration will help you create a mood and color pallet for your room. You will then to begin to find pictures, lamps, and other accessories that will tie the room together. Remember, using many textures and correlating patterns will make your room more interesting and inviting.

Look for wasted space in a room. We added a window seat to a large bay window. You might have a little corner that would benefit from a small lamp table and lamp. Or, you might consider adding a bench in a hall or under a window. Create beautiful places around your home for your eye to rest. When hanging pictures over tables, remember that they are part of the furniture grouping and should not be hung too high.

Floating furniture in a room can add interest and functionality. Find the focal point in the room, a fireplace, a television or a beautiful view, and create a conversation grouping around it. U shaped patterns, L shaped patterns are inviting and allow for plenty of seating. Make sure the that there are varying heights in the room. Doors and windows create height as well as book cases and well placed pictures and mirrors. Incorporate technology into your decorating. Enclose a TV in a beautiful wall unit or frame a flat screen with a nice frame. This will soften it’s cold, hard lines and it will blend better with the rest of the room.

Tips provided by At Home Furniture. At Home Furniture is showcased at Bangerter’s parade home #13 in Daybreak.

Time to get out your slip-on shoes, grab a good map, a good compass, and a good navigator…and head out for the Salt Lake Homebuilders 2007 Parade of Homes!

I’ve only seen one of the homes at this point, but I here’s a sneak preview. The Isabelle, by Bangerter Homes at Daybreak, has got to be on your list of homes to see.

I know, it’s tough to get to all 33 homes. It takes time, gasoline and tremendous navigational skills. So you may have to be a bit selective. If you can’t get to all of the models in this years Parade, then make sure you get to Bangerter’s entry because there’s nothing else like it.

As the producer of Hot Homes on KSL 5 and KJZZ 14, I got to tour The Isabelle when we video taped our interviews and shot our footage of this Bangerter Home for this coming week’s show (10:30 am on KSL 5 and 4:30 pm on KJZZ 14). Driving up to the home, I was immediately taken by the exterior design of this Victorian Cottage. With it’s circular front porch, the inviting swing and the swooping roof lines, the home harkens back to a simpler place and time.

That feeling carries inside The Isabelle which draws on the turn of the century historical architecture found in The Avenues as well as the Harvard-Yale area in Salt Lake City. Lynne Davis of At Home Furniture has done a marvelous job of decorating the home, enhancing the design dreamed up by Blair Bangerter & his in-house architect Barbara Fowler.

Kudos on an amazing job, seamlessly blending the look of a bygone era with exciting modern amenities. The gourmet kitchen, high tech entertainment center and cavernous four car garage are all state of the art. But the attention to detail speaks to and resonates with our parents generation…maybe even our grand-parents.

You’ll notice the transoms above the doors, accented by antique glass. You’ll be impressed by the towering, ten foot ceilings…not to mention the molding and mill-work. The light fixtures compliment the look and feel of the home, as do the plumbing fixtures with the pewter finish.

Bottom line? The home is quaint, comfortable…and one of a kind. Plus you can’t beat the location in Daybreak, just across from the new Oquirrh Mountain LDS Temple, with amazing views of the valley and the Wasatch Front.

Having done this for more than 4 years now, I’ve seen a lot of homes and it’s getting tougher to impress me. But Bangerter Homes did indeed impress me with “The Isabelle,” and I think you’ll be impressed too. Even if you’re just looking for design and decorating ideas, make sure you make it to this home. It’s that good! Learn more about Bangerter Homes

View Bangerter’s exclusive VIDEO OF THE ISABELLE only on Hot Homes of Utah.