"WilliamsSonoma" news and stories

Last week I asked everyone for opinions about registering or not registering for china. I couldn't believe the number of responses I received! One of the arguments that stuck with me is that many of those who didn't register for china chose that path because it was passed down from a mother or grandmother. This is not the case for me, so I've made the decision to register for china (but only for dinner plates -- thanks to Jodi for that useful idea!) I also like the idea of a simple, clean pattern that will do double duty both for special occasions and everyday use, so thanks to everyone for chiming in.

Onto my next conundrum -- cookware! Do I register for a set or individual pieces? At first, I planned on solely registering for the All-Clad Copper Core set, but then I started having second thoughts. Sets, especially All-Clad, can get pretty pricey. What if someone wants to buy me a pot and something else? Am I limiting the options for my family and friends?

If I register for separate pieces, I can switch up the sets -- say by purchasing the Copper Core sauté pan, but also getting the less-expensive stainless-steel stock pot.

If you were to see individual pots and pans on a loved one's registry, would you be as inclined to buy them? Or would you navigate towards something else?

Really -- when the heck else are you going to give yourself permission to invest in an igloo cake pan and festive sugar snow for yourself or your favorite cook or eater? I've got my eye on the Dorset cocktail shaker, Shun Ken Onion boning knife and a new mandoline. Dare to dream.

Williams-Sonoma:
Friends and Family Event
Saturday December 20th through Wednesday December 24th Williams-Sonoma is having a Friends and Family Event at retail stores only. We will offer 20% off all merchandise in the store. See stores for details and visit www.williams-sonoma.com to find a location near you.

Pottery Barn:
Spend $100 and get $20 back
Friday, December 19th through Sunday, December 21st spend $100 at a Pottery Barn store and get a $20 gift card that can be used from 12/26/2008 – 01/31/2009. See store for details and visit www.potterybarn.com to find a location near you.

Know of a super kitchen-centric holiday sale? Share it in the comments below.

An extremely versatile Italian egg dish, a frittata can contain many savory ingredients. Don't be scared by the length of ingredients for this recipe - if you can use short cuts, feel free. I made it for dinner Sunday night and it made a repeat appearance last night for dinner (love leftovers!) Perfect for brunch, this dish can bake while you finish setting your table and get ready for guests. You won't miss a beat with this sure-hit, extremely satisfying meal.

Tip: Whole Foods didn't have any sun-dried tomatoes in stock, but they did have chicken sausages with sun-dried tomatoes in them. While the sun-dried tomatoes weren't as prominent, it did the trick! If you have leftover pasta, whether it be penne or another short cut, use that instead of making a whole new batch.

Look up cute in the dictionary, and you'll inevitably find a photo of of these adorable little veggies, made from Williams-Sonoma's new cast-aluminum petit four pan.

The ones in the photo are professionally done, so of course the fondant looks perfect (so perfect, in fact, that they look almost like marzipan...), but I'm sure they'd be great for kids to decorate, too.

The pan retails for $34, and can hold twenty veggies - radishes, pea pods, cabbages, and carrots - at a time. Not sure how WS made its "dirt," but you could definitely just crumble a bunch of chocolate cookies and toss 'em in a pan.