This week my friends at Hestan dropped by to scoop up all the details inside our recent #KKDL renovation using their beautiful appliances. Check out what we selected to support our busy entertaining lifestyle and tap into one of my favorite sunny weather recipes just in time for the weekend.
With our home being built in 1924, we made some modifications to our kitchen when we initially moved in 13-years ago, but knew we would need to design an entirely new space at some point. The original single island on angle was bulky and inefficient. New double islands in our home’s signature colors of Snowbound and Salty Dog, allowed us to mix metal finishes, incorporate some of our favorite details and host friends and family properly in our new space.
Microwave: I love the way the Hestan 30” Drawer Microwave is conveniently tucked away into our dining island. It is large enough to re-heat casserole dishes and smooth enough to not worry about spilling melted butter for my popcorn snack time. With smooth and effortless opening and closing features, it supports quick and easy cooking.
Undercounter Wine Refrigerator: Our Hestan 24” Glass Door Undercounter Refrigerator offers flexible cold storage not only for wine, but extra ingredients and refreshments. Its easy access in our dining island allows guests to help themselves when we are too busy hosting other friends or family.
5-Burner Gas Cooktop: This isn’t a standard gas cooktop! With the restaurant quality center power burner, Sunday supper can go from zero to a beautiful boil in no time. The simmer feature also allows for a precise, continuous gentle flame for delicate sauces.
Double Wall Oven: Whether we are baking our signature Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies or roasting a chicken for a weekday meal, multiple specialized oven modes allow us to get it “right” every time. Roll-out oven racks and soft close doors make cooking effortless when friends and family choose to be a part of the cooking action.
Bottom Freezer Refrigerator: We love an organized refrigerator—turn all the labels forward, please!—and the Hestan 36” Bottom Mount Compressor creates the ideal backdrop with its customizable storage and deeper capacity. Its precise temperature control seems to also keep foods fresh longer, and who doesn’t love that!?
Dishwasher: We love the three-tiered racks in our Hestan Dishwasher that allow us to easily separate silverware and effectively wash delicate wine glasses and bulkier stock pots in one load. Not only does the dishwasher help keep things clean, it also keeps cleaning quiet and water efficient.
A Recipe from Kerrie’s Kitchen:
With the sight of the first vine-ripened tomato, I know summer has arrived and we are in for some wonderful roasted chicken with Panzanella Salad!
Salad: Serves 10-12 as a side dish.
· 3 tablespoons olive oil
· 1 small French bread loaf cut into 1-inch cubes
· 1 teaspoon kosher salt
· 2 large, ripe vine tomatoes, cut into 1-inch cubes
· 1 avocado, cut into 1-inch cubes
· 1 hothouse cucumber, unpeeled, seeded, and sliced 1/2 inch thick
· 1 red bell pepper, seeded and cut into 1-inch cubes
· 1 yellow bell pepper, seeded and cut into 1-inch cubes
· 1/2 red onion, cut in half and thinly sliced
· 20 large basil leaves, coarsely chopped
· 3 tablespoons capers, drained
Dressing: whisk together the following ingredients to create a vinaigrette.
· 1 teaspoon finely minced garlic
· 1/2 teaspoon Dijon mustard
· 3 tablespoons champagne vinegar
· 1/2 cup good olive oil
· 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
· 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
Heat the oil in a large sauté pan. Add the bread and salt; cook over low to medium heat, tossing frequently, for 10 minutes, or until nicely browned.
In a large bowl, mix the tomatoes, cucumber, red pepper, yellow pepper, red onion, basil, and capers. Add the bread cubes and toss with the vinaigrette. Season with salt and pepper. Allow the salad to sit for about half an hour for the flavors to blend and enjoy!
