Lets Go Bucs!

Are you ready for the Pirates versus Giants Wild Card game tomorrow?  The Pirates are in the playoffs again.  Volquez will be the starting pitcher.  Will you be watching or attending the game?

Here’s how far Edinson Volquez has come in one year: Last season he posted a 5.71 ERA and allowed the most earned runs in the league. This season the Pirates just chose him to start the Wild Card playoff game Wednesday against the Giants … and it’s not even a crazy decision.

Pittsburgh going with Gerrit Cole in Game 162 of the regular season rather than holding him back was worth debating, but once that decision was made Volquez is a deserving choice after throwing 193 innings with a 3.04 ERA. Not a bad return for a one-year, $5 million investment.

However, his secondary numbers weren’t nearly as good as his ERA and, as always with Volquez, control is a huge issue with 3.3 walks per nine innings, 14 hit batters, and a league-high 15 wild pitches.

You can learn more here.

Recipe for the Fall Weekend

Deep Fried Apple Fritters are a perfect dessert for the fall season. Do you have a party or dinner you need to go together this fall? This is the perfect recipe to bring. Do not let the deep fried scare you, this recipe is simple and delicious. You can learn more at The Kitchn.


Yes, they are deep fried. I decided to go against the current food blogging trend of baking donuts. I understand how, even aside from the calories, that the thought of deep frying is sort of scary for some of you. I get it — boiling oil, pitter-patter-splatter, equals hot painful burns. Yep, been there (don't be like me and multi-task deep frying with social media!).
Tips for a Better, Easier Fritter

Since this isn't the shortest recipe ever and it's a bit more advanced, I'm sharing some tips to make sure things move along smoothly for you.

I'll start with the apples: core, peel and chop your apples then submerge them in ice cold water with 2 teaspoons of lemon juice to prevent them from browning. Push the apples down and place a piece of parchment paper on top so the apples don't bob above the surface of the water. You can do this the night before so the apples are ready to go when you're ready to fry.

And here's a shortcut for proofing the dough: Place an oven thermometer inside your oven and heat the oven to 100°F, then turn it off. Wait until the oven thermometer inside reads 90°F then place your bowl of dough inside. I use this method a lot in the winter when warm spots in the house can be hard to find, plus it speeds up the proofing in recipes like this. If you use this method, make sure you have an oven thermometer and the temperature in the oven does not exceed 90°F.

Now for the deep frying. You want to do your best and keep the oil at a steady 360°F. If it's too low, your fritters will absorb too much oil and become sodden; too high and the outsides will end up burnt, or worst — appear to be finished with a nice golden browning while the inside is still doughy.

A few deep frying rules!
Use the right tools: (1) a deep frying thermometer is a must for eliminating guess-work, (2) use an Asian-style spider spatula — not tongs — to remove the finished fritters. If you don't have a spider, a very wide slotted-spoon will also work so the fritter doesn't slip off and fall back in the oil with enough splash to splatter your tender skin.
Don't multi-task. See note above.
Minimize any splatter burns by being careful and not deep frying shirtless (guys), or in a tank top. I'm serious.
Start out only frying one or two fritters to get it down and establish and workflow pattern. Additionally, adjust any timing as needed to make sure your fritters are cooked through.

Sound good? Not too scared? You shouldn't be — apple fritters await. Now lets get started.

Glazed Apple Fritters


Makes 12 fritters



For the apple filling:
2 1/2 pounds (about 5 whole) Granny Smith apples
3 tablespoons unsalted butter
2 teaspoons cinnamon
1/4 cup sugar
4 tablespoons apple cider vinegar

For the dough:
1 packet of active dry yeast (2 1/4 teaspoons)
3 1/4 cups unbleached all-purpose flour
1/3 cup sugar
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 cup whole milk
2 large eggs, lightly beaten
1/3 cup unsalted butter, softened

For the glaze:
1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
3 to 4 tablespoons milk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Prep the apples: Core, peel and chop apples into small pieces. Submerge them in ice cold water with 2 teaspoons of lemon juice to prevent them from browning. Push the apples down and place a piece of parchment paper on top so the apples don't bob above the surface of the water. Set aside or refrigerate (for up to 24 hours) until ready to use.

Make the dough: Whisk together the yeast, 3 cups of the flour, sugar, salt and cinnamon in the bowl of a stand mixer. With a dough hook and the mixer on low speed, mix in the milk followed by the eggs. Continue mixing until the dough gathers into a ball around dough hook, 2 to 4 minutes.

Continue mixing the dough, and add in the butter one tablespoon at time. Allow each tablespoon of butter to combine into the dough before adding another. If dough starts to fall away from the dough hook, add the remaining 1/4 cup of flour 1 tablespoon at a time until dough comes back together before adding in next butter piece.

Transfer the dough to a lightly oiled bowl, turn to coat and cover with a clean kitchen towel. Let the dough rise in a warm spot until doubled in size, 1 to 2 hours.

Make the apple filling while the dough rises: Heat the butter for the filling in a skillet over medium-high heat until butter turns brown and smells nutty. Drain the apples and add them to the pan with the butter. Sprinkle with sugar and cinnamon, and cook until tender. Add in vinegar and cook until liquid is reduced by half. Set aside to cool.

Assemble the fritters: Turn the dough out onto a floured surface. Using a rolling pin, roll the dough into a 1/2-inch thick rectangle. Starting from the end closest to your body, scatter 3/4 of the apples over the surface of the dough then roll it up in a long tube.

Now rotate the tube of dough so that it's perpendicular to your body. Flatten the tube slightly, then scatter the remaining apples over the surface. Roll up the tube like a snail's shell — the finished dough will look like a large ball.

Using a rolling pin, roll out the apple-filled dough ball to a 1/2-thick rectangle. Some apples may pop out — don't worry if they do, just set them aside and pop them back in where you can. Use a bench scraper to cut the dough into 2 1/2-inch squares to make 12 fritters. Use your hand to and pull the four corners of each square towards the center. Again, don't worry about any apples falling out or if they are exposed. Pinch dough together if necessary to create a rough circle.

Place the shaped fritters on a parchment-lined baking sheet and loosely cover with plastic wrap. Let rise for about 30 minutes or until the fritters puff and almost double in size

Make the glaze: Sift the powdered sugar into a medium bowl. Stir in the milk and vanilla until smooth. Set aside; warm in the microwave in 10 second bursts if the glaze starts to harden.

Deep fry the fritters: Heat 6 to 7 inches of oil to 360°F a large Dutch oven. Meanwhile, line a wire rack with paper towels.

Carefully lower 3 to 4 fritters into the hot oil. Fritters will float and not sink. Fry on one side for 30 to 60 seconds or until golden brown, then flip the fritter and fry the other side for 30 to 60 seconds until golden brown. Remove fritter with a spider or slotted spoon, and drain on prepared wire rack. Repeat with the remaining fritters. (Between batches, make sure the oil temperature returns to 360°F and remove any floating pieces of dough or apples.)

Let fritters cool slightly, then brush the glaze on top. Serve immediately.

Wine Festival in Millvale

This weekend make sure to head to Millvale for the Harvest Moon Wine Festival. The festival is this Saturday from 5pm-8pm. There will be live entertainment, food, wine, and more. You can learn more at Living Pittsburgh.

Event: Harvest Moon Wine Festival (Enter ticket giveaway below!)
Location: Millvale Riverfront Park, Pittsburgh, PA 15209
Date: Saturday, September 27, 2014
Time: 5pm until 8 pm
Cost: $40 and $20 for food only
Description: The Borough of Millvale and The Millvale Borough Development Corporation will host the fifth annual Harvest Moon wine festival on Saturday, September 27, 2014 at the Millvale Riverfront Park. The event will feature a single session; 5-8 PM.

Tickets include wine, live entertainment by Etta Cox Band, fresh locally grown food, honey, tea, coffee, chocolates, desserts, specialty beers, and a bottomless souvenir logo tasting glass. Ticket cost is $40; designated drivers can purchase a food ticket for $20. Bike or kayak to the festival and receive a free gift. The Harvest Moon Wine Festival will be held at the Millvale Riverfront Park on the shore of the Allegheny River.

Western Pennsylvania wines will be featured along with live jazz, fresh prepared local food grown in Millvale and great wine pairings from our friends and partners. Wine by the bottle and case, merchandise and other sundries are offered by various vendors on a pay-per-item basis.

Monies raised will help the Nonprofit Millvale Borough Development Corporation stabilize, revitalize and rejuvenate Millvale’s neighborhoods, through the development of housing, and businesses. This is a 21 and over event.

Enter to win a pair of tickets by emailing us at info@livingpittsburgh.com. Subject title the email Harvest Moon. In the body, include your first and last name, contact email, and phone number. Winners will be selected and notified on Monday, September 22. You must reply to the email to claim tickets.

A Delicious Breakfast Every Morning

What is your breakfast routine like? If you are getting sick of the same food and coffee everyday, we have found a new recipe for you to try. These baked apple donuts are perfect for fall and will taste delicious with your favorite coffee. You can find more great recipes at The Kitchn.



What could be better than sitting around a morning fire, listening to the pop and crackle, while dunking an apple cider donut into a mug of spiced tea? Not much in my book. It's the simple act of sharing a special treat with friends that makes this time of year just precious—especially when you're tucking into something so quintessentially "Fall" like an apple cider donut! Here's an easy recipe for a seasonal favorite. No fryer required.

These doughnuts are baked instead of fried. Some purists may argue that these aren't "donuts" at all, merely cupcakes dressed in a ring–shaped form and I wouldn't entirely disagree. However, they are so much fun to eat and very reminiscent of a traditional, fried apple cider donut, that I say bake on!

When considering the preparation of a big batch of fried foods at home, the task just seems too messy and inconvenient for an impromptu morning project. By layering the apple cider flavors into a quick bread and baking them in donut form, you really get a similar effect without the fuss of large quantities of oil. These donuts are also much lighter, yet still packed with spice and apple flavor. After eating them I don't feel heavy and stomach achey as I do after the real thing.

Have you ever worked with a donut pan? Usually found in non-stick, they come in two sizes - mini and regular, they are handy to have on hand for occasions such as this. I used the regular size this time, but I find the mini donut pan to be pretty darn cute. You can pour any type of cake or quick bread batter into one of these and bake according to your original instructions and voila, a round of donuts is born!

Whether you are tired of cupcakes or just want to add some humor and fun to your baking repertoire, I highly recommend experimenting with a donut pan. A tray of these apple cider donuts make for great conversation and delight!

Baked Apple Cider Doughnutsmakes about 8 donuts, depending on size of your donut pan



2 cups flour
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons cinnamon
1 egg
2/3 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup apple butter
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/3 cup honey
1/3 cup apple cider
1/3 cup plain yogurt
2 tablespoons canola oil (plus a little extra for greasing your donut pan)
powdered sugar for garnish

Preheat oven to 400°F and grease a donut pan.

In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt and cinnamon. In another large bowl, whisk together the remaining ingredients (these are all your wet ingredients). Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredient mixture and whisk until just incorporated. Don't over-mix! A few lumps are okay; they won't show in the final product.

Spoon the batter into each donut mold until about 3/4 full. Bake for approximately 12 minutes and cool on a wire rack. Dust with powdered sugar and serve with tea, cider or black coffee.

5 Ways to Re-Energize Your Home

Are you bored with the rooms in your home? If you have had the same furniture layout or decor for years, maybe it is time you try to switch things up. These five easy tricks can give new life to your home. These are all ways to give your home a new look without breaking the bank. You can learn more at Apartment Therapy.

Often I find myself tempted to buy things for my home not because I actually need new things, but because I suffer from ennui. I suppose it's the human condition: a space which seems exciting and fresh one year can seem a little same old, same old the next. But there are plenty of ways to make a space feel fresh and re-energized without pulling out your wallet. If your home is feeling a little stale, try one of these five strategies for refreshing your home without spending a dime.

1. Get rid of things.
Earlier this year I got rid of about half my furniture. I was sort of forced into it: I was staging my house to sell, and everyone knows that a house looks bigger with less stuff in it. My house did look bigger, post-purge, but what surprised me the most was how much more I liked my house. (It almost made me not want to move after all!) Getting rid of furniture meant that the pieces that were left were ones I really liked, and that they had room to breathe.

So try this at home: go into a room, and pick out one piece that doesn't really need to be there. Or just get rid of a little bit of clutter. Bonus: if you sell your old things on Ebay or Craigslist, you can actually make money while improving your home.

2. Move furniture (and art!) from room to room.
When I shot Sarah Hazel's house tour, she gave me a bit of advice for keeping your home feeling fresh: "I think that furniture gets bored staying in the same place all the time. Rearrange often." Sure enough, the next time I visited her home, furniture, art, and tchotckes had wandered all over the place. Even though it was the same stuff, I felt like I was seeing these things for the first time.

So shake up your house with a little re-arranging. Move a rug from your bedroom into the living room. Hang a big painting in the bathroom. If you're feeling really bold, you could switch two rooms entirely. You'll feel like you have a whole new house, but it won't cost you anything (except maybe beer for your furniture-moving friends).

3. Finish a project you've been working on for a long time.
Everyone who is even slightly DIY-inclined has a dirty secret: at least one project that lies moldering in a cabinet or garage, waiting to be completed. Want your home to feel fresh and new? Finish it! You've already paid for the materials, and finishing that project will free up space, add something new to your home, and give you the satisfaction of completing something you started.

4. Do a deep clean.
Yeah, yeah. Cleaning is boring. But cleaning, especially when your home really needs it, is also deeply satisfying. Tidy up, do a deep clean, open up the windows for some fresh air, and you may feel like you have a whole new space.

5. Change your perspective.
Don't feel like moving furniture? You can always move you. As I write this, I am sitting on the same side of the dining room table that I always sit on. On the other side of the table, there is a whole half of a room that I have never experienced. I think we all get into these house ruts — sitting in the same spot on the sofa, sleeping on the same side of the bed. Try changing it up. You may see your home in whole new way.

Oktoberfest in Greentree

Just a few minutes from the city you can celebrate Oktoberfest in Greentree. Music, food, and activities start this Saturday at Greentree Park! You can learn more below and at the Greentree borough website!

New Movie Shooting 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 taxcredit 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.

Grab a Slice

Pizza is a staple no matter how old you are.  However, that does not mean you need to pay a lot for a good pizza.   Pittsburgh has some great half priced pizza deals throughout the week.  You can learn more at Living Pittsburgh.





1/2 Priced Pizza Time!


If you’re looking for half-priced pizzas in Pittsburgh then look no further because we’ve started (yes, just started) our list of local half priced pies. Of course we always love to add to our lists, so if you know of other great half priced pizza deals, please send them our way at info@livingpittsburgh.com.

Joe Mamas – half priced pizzas daily from 4-5pm, dine in only
3716 Forbes Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA 15213
(412) 621-7282

Fuel & Fuddle – half priced pizzas from 11pm until 1am every day
212 Oakland Ave
Pittsburgh, PA 15213
(412) 682-3473

Lupi’s Famous Pizza – BOGO pizzas (even the toppings)
2311 Babcock Boulevard
Pittsburgh, PA 15237
(412) 931-0666



Juliano’s – half priced pizzas on Mondays. Dine in only. Excludes gourmet pizzas
5476 Steubenville Pike
Robinson Township, PA 15136
(412) 787-2959

Bites and Brews – half priced small pies Monday through Friday from 5pm until 7pm
5750 Ellsworth Ave
Pittsburgh, PA 15232
(412) 361-4425

Sharp Edge Beer Emporium - half priced 9 inch pizzas from 5pm until 7pm Monday through Friday. Dine in only.
302 S. St. Clair Street
Pittsburgh PA 15206
(412) 664-3537

Elements Contemporary Cuisine - half priced pizza during happy hour M-F 4pm until 6pm. Dine in only.
444 Liberty Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA 15222
(412) 251-0168