hh Gregg Inc

In response to the growing importance of the kitchen in American family life, Electrolux proposed a new name for the kitchen: The Live-in Room.

If homeowners want their kitchens to become useful spaces for cooking, entertaining, and simply hanging out, changes may be necessary.

The designers at Electrolux offer these tips for transforming a kitchen into a Live-in Room:

Make comfortable seating a priority

Straight-back chairs lose their allure while everything from cozy club chairs to chaises made for lounging vie for valuable floor space. Even a sunken cushioned fireplace hearth beckons. 

Warm up, but don’t overwhelm, the space with color

Imbue the live-in-room with hues infused with light, helping to bring a feeling of optimism into the space. Brighter and fresher shades—of coral, rose, greens and whitened yellows—add a glow, while imparting a sense of peace and calm. And don’t discount the power of a burnished, antiqued look for faucets and hardware.

Use plenty of light

Light up the live-in room with plenty of ambient light, overhead lighting and task lighting. Consider what happens here—cooking, reading, bill paying, web surfing, homework and more—then plan your lighting to meet your needs.

Include technology

Tap technology to help maximize the space. Get wired—laptops are more moveable than a PC. Keep technology out of sight with HDTVs that fold up under cabinets and built in speakers you’ll hear but never see. Look for the latest gadgets like video and voice-activated telephones and motion sensitive lighting to keep your room up to the minute.

Think out of the triangle

Don’t relegate appliances to the traditional “work triangle.” Instead, relocate them to the parts of the room that make the most sense. Who says a dishwasher or winecooler can’t be conveniently located? In the live-in room, great appliances, large and small, are never out of reach.

Surfaces are key

Don’t settle for sub-par surfaces. Choose the right table—one that can do double duty for meals, homework, arts and crafts, bill paying, etc. Round or oval tables encourage conversation. Create countertop spaces that adjust to various tasks.

Design different zones

Rethink the traditional work triangle in favor of live/work zones. Even the smallest kitchen can accommodate different zones for eating, entertaining and everyday living. For example, set up an easel in one corner for arts & crafts projects or put a chaise lounge by the window to relax  and read in. Homework stations are a must for parents who want to monitor the Internet surfing of their youngsters.

The timeless appeal of stainless

Choose appliances you know you can live with, that blend seamlessly. Sleek and stylish stainless steel appliances are a must because they complement a variety of design styles from contemporary to traditional. Another bonus—premium stainless steel appliances stand the test of time by never going out of style.

Make it yours

Put your personality on display. Set aside areas purely for display just as you would in any other room of your house. Use built-ins, free-standing cabinets or shelving to display your collections, books, artwork, photography and more. Experiment with lighting to add drama and call attention to your display.

A Fine Lines sales associate can help put these tips to work as you consider a new kitchen design or simply an update.

Sweden-based Electrolux, one of largest manufacturer of European-style appliances and a featured vendor at Fine Lines stores, recently commissioned a national study to learn just how Americans are using their kitchens, and more important, how Americans feel about their kitchens.

The kitchen ain’t just for cooking anymore…

Nearly nine in 10 Americans (86%) are involved in some sort of activity in their kitchen besides cooking such as paying bills, doing work or homework, doing a hobby or craft, reading or playing a game.

More than two thirds of adults (67%) say they use their kitchen to socialize and entertain guests.

One-third of adults spend three to four hours in their kitchen during a typical day, while nearly 20% say they spend five hours or more a day.

My kitchen, my castle…

More than half of Americans (58%) say the kitchen is one of their favorite rooms in their home.

Nearly seven in 10 Americans (69%) agree that they really enjoy spending time in their kitchen.

More than two third of Americans (68%) would rather have a kitchen where they can socialize and spend quality time than a kitchen that is just used for cooking meals.

Nearly half of adults (46%) agree that the kitchen is the center of activity in the household.

Electrolux said kitchen, Americans said…

When Americans were read a list of words and asked which phrases describe what they would like their kitchen to be, nearly nine in 10 said “comfortable” (88%) and “practical” (88%).

One in two (47%), or approximately 104 million adults, say they want a state-of-the-art kitchen.

Nearly nine in 10 of adults (88%) agree that they want the kitchen to be a comfortable place that reflects on their household’s lifestyle.

More than half of Americans (57%) agree that their kitchen should be a reflection of their personal styles and tastes.

To learn more about incorporating Electrolux appliances into your or your clients' dream kitchens, visit a Fine Lines store.

My friends up and down the east coast have all reported more snow than they could remember. My old neighborhood in Virginia posted 40-inches in two days.

I do remember a particularly big snow storm that kept us all in the house for three days. Kind neighbors hung bags of eggs at the end of the ¼ mile driveway. Another friend delivered milk to the back of the property, but to get it, I had to struggle across a field knee deep in snow. At last, the snow plow arrived. No, not affixed to a pickup truck, rather on the front of a tractor driven be a fearless female farmer. We heard her long before we saw her. I was never so grateful to get in my car and make a run to the store.

As the kids take advantage of snow days, outside on makeshift sleds, cooks take to the kitchen. There is no better time to bake bread, no rush … you can't go anywhere anyway!

Rustic Italian Bread by Thermador

Makes 1 large loaf

This recipe requires a bit of patience—the sponge, which gives the bread flavor, must be made 11 to 27 hours before the dough is made. We find it makes the most sense to prepare the sponge (which requires just 5 minutes of hands-on work) the day before you want to bake the bread. On the second day, remove the sponge from the refrigerator and begin step 2 at least 7 hours before you want to serve the bread. If you own two standing mixer bowls, in step 1 you can refrigerate the sponge in the bowl in which it was made. Use the second bowl to make the dough in step 2. Have ready a spray bottle filled with water for misting the loaves.

Ingredients

Sponge
2 cups (11 ounces) bread flour
1/4 teaspoon instant yeast
1cup water, at room temperature

Dough
3 cups (16 1/2 ounces) bread flour, plus more for dusting the work surface and hands
1 teaspoon instant yeast
1 1/3 cups water, at room temperature
2 teaspoons salt

1. For the sponge: Combine the flour, yeast, and water in the bowl of a standing mixer fitted with the dough hook. Knead at the lowest speed until the ingredients form a shaggy dough, 2 to 3 minutes. Transfer the sponge to a medium bowl, cover tightly with plastic wrap, and let stand at room temperature until it begins to bubble and rise, about 3 hours. Refrigerate the sponge at least 8 hours or up to 24 hours.

2. For the dough: Remove the sponge from the refrigerator and let stand at room temperature while making the dough. Combine the flour, yeast, and water in the bowl of a standing mixer fitted with the dough hook; knead at the lowest speed until a rough dough is formed, about 3 -minutes. Turn the mixer off and, without removing the dough hook or bowl from the mixer, cover the bowl loosely with plastic wrap; let the dough rest 20 minutes.

3. Remove the plastic wrap, add the sponge and salt to the bowl, and continue to knead at the lowest speed until the ingredients are incorporated and the dough is formed (the dough should clear the sides of the bowl but stick to the bottom), about 4 minutes. Increase the mixer speed to medium low and continue to knead until the dough forms a more cohesive ball, about 1 minute. Transfer the dough to a large lightly oiled bowl (at least 3 times the dough’s size) and cover tightly with plastic wrap. Let the dough rise in a cool, draft-free spot until slightly risen and puffy, about 1 hour.

4. Remove the plastic wrap and leaving dough in the bowl, slide a plastic bench scraper under one side of the dough, gently lifting and folding one third of the dough toward the center. Repeat with opposite side of the dough, and, finally, fold the dough in half, perpendicular to the first folds (so that it resembles a rough square). Replace the plastic wrap; let the dough rise 1 hour. Turn the dough again, replace the plastic wrap, and let the dough rise 1 hour longer.

5. To shape the dough: Dust a work surface liberally with flour. Gently scrape the dough from the bowl and invert onto the work surface (the side of dough that was against the bowl should now be facing up). Dust the dough and your hands liberally with flour and, using minimal pressure, push the dough into a rough 8- to 10-inch square. After delicately pushing the dough into an 8- to 10-inch square, fold the top left corner diagonally to the middle. Repeat this with the top right corner, and begin to gently roll the dough from top to bottom, continuing to roll until the dough forms a rough log. Roll the dough onto its seam and, sliding your hands under each end, transfer the dough to a sheet of parchment paper. Gently shape the dough into a 16-inch football shape by tucking the bottom edges underneath. Dust the loaf liberally with flour and cover loosely with plastic wrap; let the loaf rise until doubled in size, about 1 hour. Meanwhile, adjust an oven rack to the lower-middle position, place a baking stone on the rack, and heat the oven to 500 degrees.

6. To bake: Using a single-edge razor blade or sharp chef’s knife, cut a slit 1/2 inch deep lengthwise along the top of the loaf, starting and stopping about 1 1/2 inches from the ends; spray the loaf lightly with water. Slide the parchment sheet with the loaf onto a peel or inverted rimmed baking sheet, then slide the parchment with the loaf onto the hot baking stone in the oven. Bake 10 minutes, then reduce the oven temperature to 400 degrees and quickly rotate the loaf from front to back using the edges of the parchment; continue to bake until deep golden brown and an instant-read thermometer inserted into the center of the loaf reads 210 degrees, about 35 minutes longer. Transfer to a wire rack, discard the parchment, and cool the loaf to room temperature, about 2 hours.

To see a selection of ovens at home in kitchen vignette showrooms, visit a Fine Lines store.

Have you always like Uniden telephones or did you use a friend's Uniden phone?  We also think they are great.  We offer this Uniden Dual Handset phone at only $49.99.

Enjoy enhanced voice clarity and crystal clear digital sound quality with this Uniden 6.0 DECT Cordless Phone. Advanced DECT 6.0 technology operates on the 1.9GHz frequency band which incorporates unique "listen before transmit" technology that avoids interference with many household products.

We do have more than one long range cordless phone.  Visit our website to check out all the phones that we offer.

Keep an eye on our weekly ad, or we can notify you!  Simply sign up for savings and we will send you e-mails when we are having specials.

Our Store Locator will help you find the store nearest you or you can phone us at 1-866-WSGREGG.

We’ve all had a week to celebrate the Colts win over the Ravens last Saturday, and now it’s time to get ready for Sunday’s AFC Championship game against the New York Jets. 

Gone are the days when the computer was just a tool to boost office productivity. Thanks to the internet, it is now possible to chat with your friends or business partners in comfort, sharing data, images and much more.

If you are in Raleigh, take advantage of the hhgregg Computer accessories store in Raleigh to pick up a good Web Camera that will enable you to covert your PC into the ultimate communication device. With a Web Camera you can see friends or business associates while you speak or chat online.

The Logitech Webcam Pro 9000 incorporates a 2 Megapixel HD Sensor, ultra smooth Autofocus and high precision Carl Zeiss optics, that allows you to send and receive razor-sharp video. The product also has many top-of-the-line features that makes you look and sound your best on camera.

Click here for detailed product features, specs, shipping information and price.
Visit our Computer Accessories store in Raleigh located at 6180 Capital Blvd. Our other stores across United States also stock a wide range of Web Cameras and other computer accessories. Use our store locator to find the store nearest to you. Call 1-866-WSGREGG to check product availability.

 

It is time to purchase an electrical induction cooktop. Induction cooktops have revolutionized the art of cooking. Electric cooktops use electromagnetic heating to transfer heat directly to the cookwear, so that the cooktop remains cool. The induction technology also allows for precise control of the heat during the cooking process. All these ensure a faster and energy-efficient cooking compared to conventional Cooktop Gas Ranges.

If you are in Cincinnati, take advantage of the hhgregg appliance store in Cincinnati and choose from different models of Whirlpool electric cooktops.

The Whirlpool 30" Electric Cooktop features two fast heating radiant elements sealed underneath a smooth ceramic glass surface that makes for quick clean-up without the use of harsh foams or sprays. The product incorporates a useful hot surface indicator that stays illuminated when the cooktop is too hot to touch, push-to-turn infinite-heat controls and a trimless trim design

Click here for more information on the Whirlpool Electric Cooktops including product features, price, specs, reviews and purchase and shipping information.


Visit our Appliance Store in Cincinnati located at 5111 Glencrossing Way for the full range of Whirlpool electric cooktops and other cooktop gas ranges and cooktop ovens. The product is also available at our other stores across United States. Use our Store Locator to find a store near you or call us at 1-866-WSGREGG to check product availability.

 

If you are in Cincinnati, take advantage of the hhgregg Mattress Gallery in Cincinnati. We have an inventory of a wide range of Serta Mattress suitable for all types and budgets.

The Serta Perfect Day® King Holiday Ultra Cushion Top Mattress incorporates the most advanced technologies, with every feature crafted down to the greatest detail. Serta's exclusive innerspring system ensures proper spinal alignment by making the innerspring conform to you, rather than forcing you to conform to the innerspring. The triple beam foundation provides consistent support across the bottom of the mattress ensuring lasting durability to the entire sleep set. The product also features an advanced open-flame resistance system and eliminates heat typically associated with memory foam.

Click here for the other features of the product, prices, specs, reviews and purchase and shipping information.

Our Mattress Gallery Cincinnati located at the Cincinnati Mattress Stores, 5111 Glenncrossing Way stocks the full range of Serta Mattress. You may also purchase this product from our other stores across United States. Use our store locator to find out the nearest hhgregg store. Dial 1-866-WSGREGG for information on product availability.
 

 

Electrolux has been an outspoken force for CO2 emission control, a hot topic at the United Nation's conference on climate control in Copenhagen this week. Calling for a government incentives for consumers to replace their older, less efficient appliances, Electrolux posted a handy app to calculate the energy savings by European country and city for replacing household appliances. We hope Electrolux adapts it for the U.S.

Copenhagen is a beautiful city, one I hope to return to soon for another visit. Tivoli Gardens, shopping along the walking streets with irresistible signs advertising 'Salg' and one of the most memorable meals I've ever experienced. Dad and I wandered up the stairs of charmingly nondescript building with a menu perched in the front window. It claimed the chef went to the market each day to choose the freshest ingredients for the evening's seven course meal. No choices. We returned that night for dinner. We were not disappointed.

Get a taste of Copenhagen for your next party with these Blue Cheese Gougeres, using Danish blue cheese, a less expensive alternative to Roquefort. This easy hors d'oeuvre is perfect for holiday entertaining.

Danish Blue Cheese Gougeres
Makes about 24

Think about it, we all spend over a third of our lifetime sleeping on a mattress. The mattress is, therefore, our constant companion and determines not just whether we get a good night’s sleep, but also the quality of our lives.

Take advantage of the hhgregg Mattress Stores in Cleveland and take home a Serta Loren Perfect Day King Upright Super Pillow Top mattress in Cleveland.

The Serta Loren Perfect Day King Upright Super Pillow Top Mattress available at our Cleveland Mattress Stores is a value buy at $2399.99. The mattress incorporates a host of superior technical, health and safety features designed to ensure proper spinal alignment, slow the spread of an open flame, and eliminate heat.

Click here for detailed information on the product, including Product Features, Specs and Pick up Information.

This product is available at the hhgregg Mattress Stores in Cleveland located at 7200 Brookpark Road.

You may also purchase this product from our other stores across United States. Use our store locator to find the store nearest to you. Dial 1-866-WSGREGG for information on product availability.

Cleaning the house is definitely time-consuming and can often wear you out!  An efficient vacuum not only speeds up the process considerably but makes cleaning easy.

This festive season, take advantage of discount offers available on hhgregg vacuums.

At our vaccum stores in Tampa we carry an inventory of many types and top brands like:

• Dyson Upright Vacuums
• Dirt Devil Vacuum Cleaners
• Eureka Bagless Vacuum Cleaner
• Eureka Vacuum Cleaners
• Hoover Elite Vacuums
• Hoover Steam Vacuum

The Dyson Upright Vacuum incorporates the advanced Airmuscle™ Technology that not only ensures a proper and thorough cleaning of every floor surface without losing suction but also generates cleaner exhaust air that doesn't toss dust back into your home. The product also comes with a host of user friendly features such as fingertip controls.

Click here for detailed information on this product including prices, specs, product features, reviews and purchase and shipping information.

Our Vacuum Store in Tampa is located at East Adamor Dr., Tampa. You can also pick up vacuum parts in Tampa from this location.

The Dyson Upright Vacuum and other Bagged Upright Vacuums are also available at our other stores across the United States. Use our Store Locator to find a store near you or call us at 1-866-WSGREGG to check product availability.

 

A laptop empowers you to combine business with pleasure. With a laptop, you can enjoy music, video, photos, generate doucments, reports, and stay connected while on the move.

Our stores stock the full range of hhgregg Laptop of top brands including:

• Acer computer laptops
• hp computer laptops
• Toshiba computers laptops

HP Pavilion Entertainment Laptop PC powered by Intel® Core™ Quad Processor Q9000 and the latest graphic technologies delivers desktop-replacement performance to support your lifestyle. This is one of the many hp computer laptops hhgregg carries and it incorporates a 500 GB for ample storage and Intel Wi-Fi Link that offers seamless connectivity while on the move.

Click here for more information on the hp computer laptops including specs, prices, product features, reviews and purchase and shipping information.

If you are in Cincinnati, visit our hhgregg Cincinnati Store at 5111 Glencrossing Way for the full range of hhgregg laptops. You can also pick up a wide range of computer accessories in Cincinnati at any hhgregg location.

Our other stores across United States also stock a wide range of hhgregg laptops. Use our store locator to find the store nearest to you or call us at 1-866-WSGREGG to check product availability.

 

Holidays are here and the party season has begun. Whether you’re asked to bring a dessert for a party or are entertaining at home, Thermador’s recipe for Devil’s Food Cake with a coffee cream frosting will prove irresistible. This is an easier recipe than most because eggs are added at once rather than separating them and making a meringue that’s folded into the batter. If you’d like to make this cake ahead, bake and cool the layers, wrap carefully in plastic wrap and freeze. On the day of the party, remove the cake and frost while still frozen to avoid any dark crumbs in the light frosting.

Today’s computers have evolved into a constant companion.  Light laptops and portable laptops enable you to enjoy music, video, photos and derive the full benefits of computing and staying connected while on the move.

Our stores stock the full range of hhgregg Laptop of top brands including

• Acer Computer Laptops
• Hp Computer Laptops
• Toshiba Computers Laptops

The Acer Computer Laptop is powered by Intel® Celeron® processor and consists of an 11.6” display, 2 GB Memory, a large hard drive and Windows® 7 Home Premium Operating System. Weighing just over 3 pounds, Acer computer laptops incorporate the Draft-N wireless and a long battery life that offers seamless connectivity while on the move.

Click here for more information on Acer Computer Laptops including specs, prices, product features, reviews and purchase and shipping information.

If you are in Columbus, visit our hhgregg Columbus Store at 4099 Easton Loop West for the full range of hhgregg laptop, light laptops and portable laptops.

Our other stores across United States also stock a wide range of hhgregg laptops. Use our store locator to find the store nearest to you or call us at 1-866-WSGREGG to check product availability.

 

Think about this - there are 24 hours in a day. The suggested amount of sleep for an adult is anywhere from 6-8 hours a night. That's 1/3 of your life spent horizontal counting zzz's. You should probably make sure your mattress is up to the task!

Take advantage of the hhgregg Mattress Stores in Cleveland.

You might not think of getting a mattress at the same place you find your TV's, but we are staffed with the same kind of experts in mattresses that we have in all of our departments.  

The Serta Loren Euro-Top Mattress available at our Cleveland Mattress Stores is a value buy at $1019.99. The mattress incorporates a host of superior features designed to react and confirm to the individual counters of each persons body, and isolate the impact of one sleep partner’s movement on the other. The blend of fibers inside the mattress is designed to slow the spread of an open flame, adding to safety.

This product is available at the hhgregg Mattress Stores in Cleveland located at 7200 Brookpark Road. Click here for directions.

You may also purchase this product from our other stores across United States. Dial 1-866-WSGREGG for information on product availability.

You probably have no idea whether poor ergonomics are affecting your productivity or hurting you physically. You might be settling for poor equipment and not even know it. If your posture is bad, your wrists or arms hurt because you spend a lot of time typing at your computer, you're generally not comfortable sitting at your desk, you could probably afford to get an ergonomic computer desk designed and built to make life easier and more comfortable. The hhgregg Computer Stores Cleveland for a wide range of Computer Desks and other computer accesories. Click here for the full range of inventory.

The hhgregg Computer Stores Cleveland offers you the Sauder Computer Desk, build of solid wood, wood veneer and glass components and incorporating user friendly features such as slide out keyboard and mouse shelf and a four compartment pencil tray. The safety-tempered, smoked glass work surface and the ear privacy panel add rigidity to the product.

The product comes with a five year replacement warranty.

This ergonomically designed and easy to assemble Computer Desk Cleveland is yours for just $185.40, a discount of $14.59 from the SRP. Rush to the hhgregg Computer Stores Cleveland located at 7200 Brookpark Road, Cleveland Ohio 44129.

You can also order online and pick up the product from any of our store locations across United States at no additional shipping or delivery charges. Dial 1-866-WSGREGG for information on product availability and for further details.

For those who have not finalized their Thanksgiving menu, or are the guest with the dessert assignment, try this delicious Pumpkin Cheesecake from Thermador. It's a little twist on tradition without going too far, not much more than adding cream cheese to pumpkin pie filling and substituting a graham cracker crust for pastry. Make it today and refrigerate overnight.

Pumpkin Cheesecake
MAKES ONE 9-INCH CAKE, SERVING 12 TO 16

Depending on the oven and the temperature of the ingredients, the cheesecake may bake about 15 minutes faster or slower than the instructions indicate; it is therefore best to check the cake 11/4 hours into baking. To make slicing the cheesecake easy and neat, use a knife with a narrow blade, such as a carving knife; between cuts, dip the blade into a pitcher of hot water and wipe it clean with paper towels. The cheesecake is good on its own, but the Brown Sugar and Bourbon Cream (recipe follows) is a grand addition.

Crust
5 ounces graham crackers (9 whole crackers),
broken into large pieces
3 tablespoons sugar
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
6 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted

Filling
11/3 cups (101/3 ounces) sugar
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
1/4 teaspoon ground allspice
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 can (15 ounces) pumpkin
11/2 pounds cream cheese, cut into 1-inch chunks
and left to soften at room temperature,
about 30 minutes
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
1 tablespoon juice from 1 lemon
5 large eggs, left at room temperature, about
30 minutes
1 cup heavy cream

1. For the crust: Adjust oven rack to lower-middle position and heat oven to 325 degrees. Spray bottom and sides of 9-inch springform pan evenly with nonstick cooking spray. Pulse crackers, sugar, and spices in food processor until evenly and finely ground, about fifteen 2-second pulses. Transfer crumbs to medium bowl, drizzle melted butter over, and mix with rubber spatula until evenly moistened. Turn crumbs into prepared springform pan and, using hand, spread crumbs into even layer. Using flat-bottomed ramekin or drinking glass, press crumbs evenly into pan bottom, then use soup spoon to press and smooth crumbs into edges of pan. Bake until fragrant and browned about the edges, about 15 minutes. Cool on wire rack while making filling.

2. For the filling: Bring about 4 quarts water to simmer in stockpot. Whisk sugar, spices, and salt in small bowl; set aside.

3. In standing mixer fitted with flat beater, beat cream cheese at medium speed to break up and soften slightly, about 1 minute. Scrape beater and bottom and sides of bowl well with rubber spatula. Add about one third of sugar mixture and beat at medium-low speed until combined, about 1 minute; scrape bowl and add remaining sugar in two additions, scraping bowl after each addition. Add pumpkin, vanilla, and lemon juice and beat at medium speed until combined, about 45 seconds; scrape bowl. Add 3 eggs and beat at medium-low until incorporated, about 1 minute; scrape bowl. Add remaining 2 eggs and beat at medium-low until incorporated, about 45 seconds; scrape bowl. Add heavy cream and beat at low speed until combined, about 45 seconds. Using rubber spatula, scrape bottom and sides of bowl and give final stir by hand.

4. Set springform pan with cooled crust on 18-inch-square doubled layer heavy-duty foil and wrap bottom and sides with foil; set wrapped pan in roasting pan. Pour filling into springform pan and smooth surface; set roasting pan in oven and pour enough boiling water to come about halfway up side of springform pan. Bake until center of cake is slightly wobbly when pan is shaken and center of cake registers 145 to 150 degrees on instant-read thermometer, about 11/2 hours (see note). Run paring knife around cake to loosen; remove sides of pan. Set roasting pan on wire rack and cool until water is just warm, about 45 minutes. Remove springform pan from water bath, discard foil, and set on wire rack; continue to cool until barely warm, about 3 hours. Wrap with plastic wrap and refrigerate until chilled, at least 4 hours, preferably overnight.

5. To serve: Slide thin metal spatula between crust and pan bottom to loosen, then slide cake onto serving platter. Let cheesecake stand at room temperature about 30 minutes, then cut into wedges and serve.

Halloween is days away and even this holiday is ripe for an environmental makeover.

Start with a costume exchange instead of shopping for something new. Alternately, challenge the kids to come up with a costume made from elements in the house. Be careful, your treasured satin evening wrap may turn up as Cinderella’s ball gown. 

If you’ve caught the decorating spirit, opt for LED lights rather than the regular ones. Not only are they noticeably more brilliant, LED lights last longer and use less energy. 

Give your kids two bags for trick-or-treating: one for the candy and one for the wrappers. Save your candy wrappers and make something out of them. No, I’m not kidding. Check out these extraordinary handbags made from candy wrappers. 

And finally, use every bit of your jack-o-lantern. When Halloween is over, compost your pumpkin, and be sure to save the seeds when carving your family masterpiece. Go green this Halloween!

Here’s a great recipe incorporating pumpkin seeds:

Pumpkin Seed Brittle

•    1 cup sugar
•    1/2 cup water
•    1/8 teaspoon fine sea salt
•    3/4 cup raw green (hulled) pumpkin seeds (not toasted; 4 ounces)
•    Special equipment: parchment paper; a candy thermometer
 
Preparation
Put a 24- by 12-inch sheet of parchment on a work surface and anchor corners with pieces of tape. Bring sugar, water, and sea salt to a boil in a 2-quart heavy saucepan over moderate heat, stirring until sugar is dissolved. Cook mixture, without stirring, washing down any sugar crystals from side of pan with a pastry brush dipped in cold water, until syrup registers 238°F (soft-ball stage) on thermometer, 10 to 12 minutes (sugar syrup will be colorless). Remove from heat and stir in seeds with a wooden spoon, then continue stirring until syrup crystallizes, 3 to 4 minutes.

Return pan to moderate heat and cook, stirring constantly, until sugar melts completely (sugar will continue to dry and become grainy before melting) and turns a deep caramel color, 4 to 5 minutes more (seeds will be toasted). Carefully pour hot caramel mixture onto parchment and carefully cover with another sheet. Immediately roll out(between sheets of parchment) as thinly as possible with a rolling pin, pressing firmly. Remove top sheet of parchment and immediately cut brittle into pieces with a heavy knife or pizza wheel. Cool brittle completely, then peel paper from bottom. (Alternately, break brittle into pieces once cool.)

Brittle can be made 2 weeks ahead and kept, layers separated by wax paper, in an airtight container.

Time for a new cooktop, range or oven? Visit hhgregg for a wide selection from Kitchenaid, Electrolux, GE, Whirlpool and more.