Buctober!

The Pirates are in the Wildcard Playoff game starting tomorrow!  It is time for buctober in Pittsburgh.  Will you be watching?  Here are some game highlights for tomorrow.

A look at the National League wild-card playoff between the San Francisco Giants and Pittsburgh Pirates:

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Schedule: Wednesday, at Pittsburgh, 8:07 p.m. EDT (ESPN).

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Season Series: Pirates won 4-2.

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Projected Lineups:

Giants: CF Gregor Blanco (.260, 5 HRs, 38 RBIs), 2B Joe Panik (.305, 1, 18), C Buster Posey (.311, 22, 89), 3B Pablo Sandoval (.279, 16, 73), RF Hunter Pence (.277, 20, 74), 1B Brandon Belt (.243, 12, 27), LF Travis Ishikawa (.252, 3, 18 with Pirates and Giants), SS Brandon Crawford (.246, 10, 69).

Pirates: 3B Josh Harrison (.315, 13, 52, 38 doubles), RF Travis Snider (.264, 13, 38), CF Andrew McCutchen (.314, 25, 83, 38 doubles, 84 walks), 2B Neil Walker (.271, 23, 76), C Russell Martin (.290, 11, 67), LF Starling Marte (.291, 13, 56, 30 SBs), 1B Gaby Sanchez (.229, 7, 33) or Ike Davis (.233, 11, 51 with Mets and Pirates), SS Jordy Mercer (.255, 12, 55).

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Starting Pitchers:

Giants: LH Madison Bumgarner (18-10, 2.98 ERA, 219 Ks).

Pirates: RH Edinson Volquez (13-7, 3.04 ERA).

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Relievers:

Giants: RH Santiago Casilla (3-3, 1.70, 19/23 saves), RH Sergio Romo (6-4, 3.72, 23/28 saves), LH Jeremy Affeldt (4-2, 2.28), LH Javier Lopez (1-1, 3.11), RH Jean Machi (7-1, 2.58, 2 saves), RH Tim Lincecum (12-9, 4.74, 1 save), RH George Kontos (4-0, 2.78).

Pirates: RH Mark Melancon (3-5, 1.90, 33/37 saves), LH Tony Watson (10-2, 1.63 in 78 games), RH Jared Hughes (7-5, 1.96 in 63 games), LH Justin Wilson (3-4, 4.20), RH John Axford (2-4, 3.95 in 62 games with Indians and Pirates), RH John Holdzkom (1-0, 2.00 in 9 games), RH Jeanmar Gomez (2-2, 3.19 in 44 games).

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Matchups:

These teams met once before in the postseason, with the Pirates winning the 1971 NLCS 3-1 on the way to a World Series title. ... The franchises are linked by home run king Barry Bonds. They are the only two teams he played for. ... Pirates won two of three at home against Giants in May and two of three in San Francisco in July. Harrison hit a two-run homer in a 5-0 win over Bumgarner on July 28. Harrison is 4 for 5 in his career vs. Bumgarner and hit three HRs vs. the Giants this season. ... Bumgarner is 1-3 with a 3.24 ERA in four starts vs. the Pirates, with the Giants scoring just one run in those games. ... Bumgarner was tied for the major league lead with 11 road wins this season and had a 2.22 ERA in 18 road starts. ... Ishikawa was the Pirates' opening day starter at 1B before being designated for assignment on April 19. ... Pence has the most experience hitting off Volquez, batting .194 with 3 HRs and 16 Ks in 36 ABs. ... Crawford is 3 for 20 with 7 Ks. ... Lopez has allowed two HRs vs left-handed hitters in past five seasons, with one coming against Alvarez in 2012.

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Big Picture:

Giants: After winning the World Series in 2010 and 2012, the Giants (88-74) are hoping to keep up their every-other-year pattern. San Francisco missed the playoffs after each of those championships but is back this season as the second NL wild-card team. ... After relying on stellar pitching during those two title runs, the Giants are more balanced this year, finishing fifth in the NL in runs and seventh in ERA. ... The Giants went 65-18 when scoring first and 22-56 when allowing the first run. ... Workhorse RHP Matt Cain made just 15 starts because of a season-ending elbow injury, and two-time Cy Young Award winner Lincecum was removed from the rotation. ... Bumgarner is 3-2 with a 3.79 ERA in seven postseason appearances. He threw seven shutout innings in a World Series win over Detroit in 2012. ... Panik is batting .345 since Aug. 4 and provided a big spark with his midseason call-up. ... Posey batted .393 in September but was slowed during the final week of the season with a bad back. ... The Giants will likely be without two of their starting outfielders. CF Angel Pagan is out for the season with a back injury, and LF Michael Morse is doubtful with a strained oblique. Morse could be available as a pinch hitter.

Pirates: McCutchen, the reigning NL MVP, put together another stellar season, but the Pirates (88-74) took off once Harrison started playing regularly. They went 77-66 with the former utility player in the lineup. He finished second to Justin Morneau in the NL batting race. Harrison, who made the All-Star team, tied McCutchen with a team-high 38 doubles. ... Volquez signed a $5 million, one-year contract to fill out the back of the rotation and ended up leading the Pirates in starts (32). He went 5-0 with a 1.64 ERA in his final 11 starts. ... Volquez did not face San Francisco this year. He is 2-2 with a 5.72 ERA in 11 career starts against the Giants. ... The Pirates outscored the Giants 29-23 during the season series. ... Pittsburgh's team OBP of .330 was third in MLB and second in the NL behind the Los Angeles Dodgers. ... Watson and Melancon became a potent 1-2 punch after the Pirates traded struggling closer Jason Grilli to the Angels. Melancon was 2-3 with a 1.23 ERA in 28 games after the All-Star break. ... Pittsburgh set an attendance record with more than 2.3 million fans at PNC Park. The Pirates went 51-30 at home, tying St. Louis for the best home record in the NL. ... Martin put together his finest offensive season since 2007. His go-ahead, three-run homer in the eighth inning against Milwaukee on Sept. 19 helped the Pirates win a key series. He was even better defensively, throwing out 37 would-be base stealers, most in the majors.

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Watch For:

— Bumgarner's Bat. Bumgarner is far from an automatic out at the plate. He batted .258 with four homers, 15 RBIs and a .470 slugging percentage this season. The last pitcher to have more RBIs in a season was Mike Hampton with 16 in 2001 for Colorado.

— Backing It Up. The Pirates proved they were more than a one-year wonder, following up last year's 94-win season by going 88-74 even though starting pitchers Francisco Liriano, Gerrit Cole and Charlie Morton made multiple trips to the disabled list. They made up for their pitching issues at the plate, hitting .259 and scoring 682 runs, the fourth-highest total in the NL.

— Elimination Experts. The Giants are well-tested in win-or-go-home games, having won six of them on the way to the title in 2012. Many of the players who overcame a 2-0 series deficit in the division series to Cincinnati and a 3-1 deficit in the NLCS to St. Louis are still in San Francisco and won't be overwhelmed by the pressure.

— Sterling Starling. Pittsburgh envisioned Marte as its leadoff man for the rest of the decade, but he struggled early on. He batted .254 in 31 games leading off before being moved down in the order, where he flourished. Marte improved as the season wore on, hitting .344 in August and .364 in September. His go-ahead single against Atlanta last week clinched a playoff spot for the Pirates, a year to the day after his home run against the Chicago Cubs did the same.

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12 Great Housewarming Gifts

Thinking about a gift for a housewarming party can be a challenge.  Trying to balance a budget, while also trying to find something useful can be hard for any guest.  However, you do not need to settle for a gift card for your next housewarming party.  Here are 12 gifts that are creative and great for any new homeowner.  You can learn more atApartment Therapy.




When your friends or family members move into a new home, you want to celebrate with them. And while you can go the practical route (cleaning supplies or pantry staples they might have tossed are always appreciated), it is also nice to warm their home with a splurge that they wouldn't buy for themselves.

Need some ideas? Here are 12 good-for-everyone gifts that will add a touch of homey luxury to their new kitchen.

Geo Bottle Stoppers, $49 from West Elm: We're always of the opinion that going glam is perfect for bar tools, and these highly giftable bottle stoppers do not disappoint.

10- x 14-inch Cheese Board, $33 from Brooklyn Slate: These simple (and affordable) slate boards are the perfect addition to any kitchen. Pair them with your favorite cheese for a well-cultured present.

All-in-One Kitchen Tool Set, $40 from MoMA Store: Ideal for someone with a small kitchen, this colorful set includes everything from an egg masher to a citrus juicer, and it takes up barely any cabinet space.

Acacia Wood Cake Stand, $49 from Kaufman Mercantile: A cake stand makes a great gift because it's more versatile than you might expect. When not holding a baked confection, it can stand is a holder for olive oils and seasonings by the stove or as a place to display specialty liqueurs and bitters on a bar.

Short Stack Editions Complete Set, $105 from Short Stack Editions: The complete set of the mini, single-ingredient cookbooks from Short Stack Editions would make a very generous gift. You can also choose your favorite ones a la carte.

Indigo Pomegranate Print, $45 from Etsy: Adding artwork is one of the things that really pulls a kitchen together. This colorful print from artist, Anek, is a stunning addition to any space. She also has several other produce prints if pomegranates aren't your thing.

Sky Map Napkins, $58 from Anthropologie: Cloth napkins and candles on the dining table are two of the things that really pull together a dinner party. Splurge on these constellation napkins for friends who love to entertain.

Artisan Chocolate Bars, $44 from Mast Brothers: It's hard to go wrong with chocolate, and this sampler from the Brooklyn-based company looks just as good as it tastes without even having to wrap it up.

Origami Wine Tote, $25 from MoMA Store: Of course you'll score bonus points if you bring along a bottle of your favorite vintage to go with this wine tote.

Enamel Bake Set, $100 from Blue Ribbon General Store: Another splurge, this bake set is perfect for someone who is ready to really upgrade their kitchen, and get rid of those flimsy baking pans.

Wooden Cheese Serving Set, $28 from Terrain: We defy you to find a set of cheese knives (with a holder!) as beautiful as these carved wood ones for less than this. Your friends will only think you've spent a fortune.

Pitcher, $72 from Heath Ceramics: And for the person who has everything? A simple and elegant pitcher from California favorite Heath Ceramics. The housewarming brunch mimosas will taste better when being poured from one of these.

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Fall Recipe to Try

What are you making for dinner this week? Do you need a side that will satisfy everyone's sweet tooth? This classic Baked Apple Dumpling recipe may be perfect for you. This recipe is a staple at Thanksgiving and Christmas, but it may be perfect for any fall occasion. You can learn more at The Kitchn.


Up until a few days ago, Cracker Barrel's apple dumplings were all I knew. Spicy-sweet apple chunks are tucked into a mini gratin dish, snuggled under a buttery pie crust, and sprinkled with a crunchy pecan streusel. Once baked, they're drenched in a rich and creamy caramel syrup and topped with heaping scoops of vanilla bean ice cream on their way out to the table. Talk about guilding the lily!

You might imagine my surprise when a Google search revealed no recipes that even came close to the Cracker Barrel apple dumplings of my past. According to the internet (and some reputable cookbooks) a true apple dumpling is a whole apple that is peeled and cored, sprinkled with butter and cinnamon sugar, and swaddled beneath a flaky pastry crust. A similar concept as Cracker Barrel's, but different. Still sounds pretty tasty to me.

Feeling up to the challenge, I decided to play with the traditional version since it is considered the "classic." (Really, I have so many apples squirreled away right now it wouldn't be a big deal to make both. As long as someone helped me eat them!) There's a decent amount of recipes available for apple dumplings around the web, all varying in some small degree or another. The main differences seemed to be the crust type, ranging from frozen puff pastry, pie dough, or pâté sucrée.

I ended up trying out a few different versions, one using my favorite butter pie crust from America's Test Kitchen and the one you see below. Both have their pros and cons — the Test Kitchen crust had a great butter flavor and nice cooked texture, but was really difficult to shape when it came time to wrap the apples. The shortening crust you see below on the other hand, lacks the mild buttery flavor of the first crust but came together super quick and proved much sturdier. They're both great, so feel free to use whichever you're most comfortable with.

I really did fall hard for this new-to-me version of apple dumplings. I served a batch as the grand finale at a recent potluck I hosted, to rave moans and groans from the crowd. I can't wait to make them again, although now I need to take a quick trip to Cracker Barrel to get my fix of theirs... Dang!

Do you have an heirloom recipe for apple dumplings you'd like to share? I'd love to hear your version.





Baked Apple Dumplings

Makes 6 dumplings



(Note: I just remade this recipe using a double batch of Anne Willian's pâte brisée, and it was the best of both crust worlds. The egg yolks yielded a very pliable dough, and the butter added the flavor that was missing from the shortening version. I highly recommend you check it out! It may just be my new "go-to" pie crust recipe.)

For the Crust
3 cups all-purpose flour
2 tablespoons sugar
3/4 teaspoon baking soda
pinch kosher salt
4 1/2 tablespoons vegetable shortening
1 cup milk (or just enough to make the dough stick together)

For the Filling
Juice from one lemon
6 extra small baking apples (such as Gala)
1/4 cup packed brown sugar
1/4 cup granulated sugar
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Pinch kosher salt
2 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into 6 pieces

For the Caramel Sauce
2 cups packed brown sugar
1 cup water
4 tablespoons (1/2 stick) unsalted butter, cubed
Pinch of kosher salt

Vanilla ice cream, to serve.

For the dumplings, in a large bowl, combine the flour, sugar, baking soda, and salt. Using a pastry blender or your fingertips, cut the shortening into the flour mixture until it resembles small peas. Add milk — 1/4 cup at a time — and stir until a shaggy ball of dough just begins to form. Turn out the dough onto a well-floured surface and roll into a large rectangle or square, about 1/8-inch thick.
What are you making for dinner this week? Do you need a side that will satisfy everyone's sweet tooth? This classic Baked Apple Dumpling recipe may be perfect for you. This recipe is a staple at Thanksgiving and Christmas, but it may be perfect for any fall occasion. You can learn more at The Kitchn.


Up until a few days ago, Cracker Barrel's apple dumplings were all I knew. Spicy-sweet apple chunks are tucked into a mini gratin dish, snuggled under a buttery pie crust, and sprinkled with a crunchy pecan streusel. Once baked, they're drenched in a rich and creamy caramel syrup and topped with heaping scoops of vanilla bean ice cream on their way out to the table. Talk about guilding the lily!

You might imagine my surprise when a Google search revealed no recipes that even came close to the Cracker Barrel apple dumplings of my past. According to the internet (and some reputable cookbooks) a true apple dumpling is a whole apple that is peeled and cored, sprinkled with butter and cinnamon sugar, and swaddled beneath a flaky pastry crust. A similar concept as Cracker Barrel's, but different. Still sounds pretty tasty to me.

Feeling up to the challenge, I decided to play with the traditional version since it is considered the "classic." (Really, I have so many apples squirreled away right now it wouldn't be a big deal to make both. As long as someone helped me eat them!) There's a decent amount of recipes available for apple dumplings around the web, all varying in some small degree or another. The main differences seemed to be the crust type, ranging from frozen puff pastry, pie dough, or pâté sucrée.

I ended up trying out a few different versions, one using my favorite butter pie crust from America's Test Kitchen and the one you see below. Both have their pros and cons — the Test Kitchen crust had a great butter flavor and nice cooked texture, but was really difficult to shape when it came time to wrap the apples. The shortening crust you see below on the other hand, lacks the mild buttery flavor of the first crust but came together super quick and proved much sturdier. They're both great, so feel free to use whichever you're most comfortable with.

I really did fall hard for this new-to-me version of apple dumplings. I served a batch as the grand finale at a recent potluck I hosted, to rave moans and groans from the crowd. I can't wait to make them again, although now I need to take a quick trip to Cracker Barrel to get my fix of theirs... Dang!

Do you have an heirloom recipe for apple dumplings you'd like to share? I'd love to hear your version.





Baked Apple Dumplings

Makes 6 dumplings



(Note: I just remade this recipe using a double batch of Anne Willian's pâte brisée, and it was the best of both crust worlds. The egg yolks yielded a very pliable dough, and the butter added the flavor that was missing from the shortening version. I highly recommend you check it out! It may just be my new "go-to" pie crust recipe.)

For the Crust
3 cups all-purpose flour
2 tablespoons sugar
3/4 teaspoon baking soda
pinch kosher salt
4 1/2 tablespoons vegetable shortening
1 cup milk (or just enough to make the dough stick together)

For the Filling
Juice from one lemon
6 extra small baking apples (such as Gala)
1/4 cup packed brown sugar
1/4 cup granulated sugar
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Pinch kosher salt
2 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into 6 pieces

For the Caramel Sauce
2 cups packed brown sugar
1 cup water
4 tablespoons (1/2 stick) unsalted butter, cubed
Pinch of kosher salt

Vanilla ice cream, to serve.

For the dumplings, in a large bowl, combine the flour, sugar, baking soda, and salt. Using a pastry blender or your fingertips, cut the shortening into the flour mixture until it resembles small peas. Add milk — 1/4 cup at a time — and stir until a shaggy ball of dough just begins to form. Turn out the dough onto a well-floured surface and roll into a large rectangle or square, about 1/8-inch thick.

Cut a piece of parchment paper into a 6-inch square. Using the parchment paper as a guide, cut out 6 total squares from the dough, gathering scraps and re-rolling as needed. Layer the dough on pieces of parchment paper and refrigerate while preparing the apples.

Preheat the oven to 450°.

Add the lemon juice to a bowl of ice water. If necessary, slice off the bottom of each apple so it sits level on the counter. Peel and core each apple and place in the lemon water to prevent browning.

To make the filling, combine the brown sugar, granulated sugar, cinnamon, and salt in a small bowl. Sprinkle the bottom of a square of dough with sugar mixture. Place an apple in the center of dough. Put one pat of butter in the core of the apple and sprinkle additional sugar mixture inside. Bring the four corners of dough up around the apple, pinching the edges to seal and folding over excess if necessary. Continue with all of the apples.

Arrange the apple dumplings in a large cast iron skillet, leaving about 1-inch of space between each apple. Bake until the crust begins to turn golden brown, about 20 - 25 minutes. Meanwhile make the caramel sauce. Remove the par-baked dumplings from the oven and pour the caramel over top and around the apples.

Reduce oven to 350°. Continue to bake the dumplings until the sauce is thick and bubbly and the apples are very tender when pierced, about 35-40 minutes. Remove fromedsfadfathe oven and allow to cool for a few minutes before eating. Serve warm with vanilla ice cream.

To make the caramel sauce, combine the brown sugar, water, butter, and salt in a medium saucepan and bring to a boil. Continue to boil for 2 -3 minutes, stirring frequently. Remove from heat and pour over dumplings before returning to the oven.Cut a piece of parchment paper into a 6-inch square. Using the parchment paper as a guide, cut out 6 total squares from the dough, gathering scraps and re-rolling as needed. Layer the dough on pieces of parchment paper and refrigerate while preparing the apples.

Preheat the oven to 450°.

Add the lemon juice to a bowl of ice water. If necessary, slice off the bottom of each apple so it sits level on the counter. Peel and core each apple and place in the lemon water to prevent browning.

To make the filling, combine the brown sugar, granulated sugar, cinnamon, and salt in a small bowl. Sprinkle the bottom of a square of dough with sugar mixture. Place an apple in the center of dough. Put one pat of butter in the core of the apple and sprinkle additional sugar mixture inside. Bring the four corners of dough up around the apple, pinching the edges to seal and folding over excess if necessary. Continue with all of the apples.

Arrange the apple dumplings in a large cast iron skillet, leaving about 1-inch of space between each apple. Bake until the crust begins to turn golden brown, about 20 - 25 minutes. Meanwhile make the caramel sauce. Remove the par-baked dumplings from the oven and pour the caramel over top and around the apples.

Reduce oven to 350°. Continue to bake the dumplings until the sauce is thick and bubbly and the apples are very tender when pierced, about 35-40 minutes. Remove from the oven and allow to cool for a few minutes before eating. Serve warm with vanilla ice cream.

To make the caramel sauce, combine the brown sugar, water, butter, and salt in a medium saucepan and bring to a boil. Continue to boil for 2 -3 minutes, stirring frequently. Remove from heat and pour over dumplings before returning to the oven.

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Dormont Wine Festival

This Saturday head to Dormont for the "A Taste of Dormont"  Wine Festival.  This festival features music entertaining and delicious food and beverages.  You can learn more information below and at VisitPa.

September 13, 2014

1801 Dormont Ave.,Pittsburgh, PA 15216 GET DIRECTIONS

Local: 412-608-4796

Fax: 814-381-2770

Website

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The Dormont Main Street each year holds their annual "A Taste of Dormont" Wine Festival. Featuring Delicious Food & Musical Entertainment! SIP Wines & Beer from Pennsylvania Wineries & Breweries. Join us for an evening of REDS, WHITES & BLUES! For more information please visit our website at: www.DormontMainStreet.org . 
The event funds economic restructuring & keeping America clean programs.
Enjoy live music, food and fine wines.
SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 13, 2014
5pm until 9:30 pm
THOMAS LlOYD RECREATION CENTER  - UNDER THE DORMONT MAIN STREET TENT (Dormont Pool Parking Lot)

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New Movie Beginning to Film In Pittsburgh

Are you a star chaser?  Here is your chance to see two stars that are not that easy to find.  Vin Diesel and Elijah Wood will begin to shoot a movie in Pittsburgh starting Friday.  "The Last Witch Hunter" is going to film on the North Side and South Side.  You can learn more at KDKA.

         A movie starring Vin Diesel and Elijah Wood is starting production here in Pittsburgh this week.“The Last Witch Hunter” starts filming on the South Side on Friday. Greb’s Bakery on 27th Street has been under construction for the movie. The Pittsburgh Business Times says the production is bringing 600 jobs to Allegheny County. The producers are taking advantage of a $14 million tax credit to film here.Production will prompt a street closing on the North Side Friday.
West North Avenue between Allegheny Avenue and Galveston will be closed all day.

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