Searching for culinary creativity? Dreaming about drool-worthy treats you can actually make yourself? Look no further, Dormestic Goddesses. Here are my 4 web resources that are sure to inspire. Enjoy!
Joy the Baker
If you haven’t already added this blog to your bookmarks bar, your life is incomplete. You think I’m exaggerating…but I’m not. Not only is Joy’s writing style simultaneously witty and relatable, her pictures are the stuff of legend. Do not — I repeat — do not look at this blog on an empty stomach. Besides the fact that the user interface is pretty, the recipes are exactly the kinds of dishes you wish you knew how to make — and you actually can! Each recipe has a print-able version for easy access, and Joy breaks her repertoire into categories in the Recipe Index. She even includes occasion-specific recipes, like “Brunch Date,” “Bikinis are Stupid” and “For My Dad.” She also has a recipe called “Oh! My! God! Doughnuts!” …I don’t know about you, but that’s pretty much all the convincing I need.
YouTube: bethennybakes
One time I watched “The Real Housewives of New York City.” Okay fine it was three times. Okay FINE! I Tivo-ed it and watched every episode. Maybe it was a waste of time or maybe it was a great introduction to Bethenny Frankel’s sassy, snarky array of cooking YouTube videos. Frankel sticks to simple recipes (on-the-go snacks, several kinds of dip, standby treats like chocolate chip cookies and banana bread, and even cocktails!) and keeps them health-conscious without being freaky (there’s no way I’m going to make a “healthy” recipe if I have to go buy strained sunflower seed powder or tofu juice or whatever those things call for). Not to mention, she says everything in a Long Island accent. What more could you want?
Foodporndaily.com
The. Absolute. Best. Way. To. Procrastinate. My roommate and I once spent an entire hour clicking through the pictures on this website and taking turns saying “oooooh that looks good.” But be aware: the photos have crystal-clear quality, and your keyboard is (probably) not waterproof. So keep your mouth closed. Or keep a napkin nearby. The best part of this website? There is no text to bog down the visual experience — you can use the click-through links if you want to get the step-by-step directions, but if you’re less…driven…you don’t even have to pretend like you’ll make an effort to make each item. Win!
“Barefoot Contessa” on Hulu
I have a really awkward obsession with Ina Garten. She’s one of those ladies who you can totally picture being one of your mom’s friends. Or maybe your super-domestic, hapless-in-an-adorable way kooky aunt? In any case, I love her measuring style (“Just throw some of that basil in. Doesn’t matter how much, just throw it right in!”), I love her wardrobe of Oxford shirts (Striped? Pastel? Chambray? Her collection is impressive to say the least), and I love her catch phrase: “How easy was that?” I trust Ina in all things food. Not to mention the Food Channel favorite is like a real show — the Barefoot Contessa brings us shopping around Cape Cod, introduces us to her husband and takes us to bring dinner to friends. No yapping behind the stove while wearing a low-cut shirt to be had here! Check out http://hulu.com/barefoot-contessafor clips and full-length episodes, and prepare to develop your own embarrassing mom-crush.