My Calamityware Dishes > Your Dishes

*Disclosure- I received the mentioned product courtesy of the sponsor for the purpose of this review. All opinions are genuine, based on my experience with the product, and have not been influenced by promotional items.


If you know me, you know that I have a weakness for vintage things and oddball types of things. Combine the two? Winner, winner, chicken dinner. I recently heard about this utterly amazing company called Calamityware, and once I saw their dishes, I knew my kitchen wasn't going to be complete unless I got my hot little hands on some of their pieces. 

At a glance, the dishes look like your standard vintage Blue-willow patterned pieces. However, when you look closer, you'll see that the art on each takes on a whimsical and clever spin on the traditional serving-ware. 

The art comes from Don Moyer, a retired graphic designer who, upon inheriting a traditional Willow-pattern plate, decided to sketch it in his notebook. He then was tempted to draw a pterodactyl in the sky, and as they say, the rest is history. 

When I study the art on my Calamityware porcelain plates, I am completely mesmerized. Here on design #5, Pirates, you'll see flora, fauna, architectural marvels, innocent victims and hidden romance. 

On plate design #10, Sasquatch, you'll see the best himself on a mission to stomp through the village. I love that he's being chased by a little dog, too!

I am always happy to start my day with a hot mug of tea, and I get an extra little smile on my face studying the art on my Things Could Be Worse Mug. The description of this mug says that no matter how bad your day is going, things could always be worse. You could be chased by UFO's, pestered by pirates, or plagued by giant frogs. How funny is that!?

The Calamityware tableware is made from porcelain. The plates measure 10.5". They are food safe, microwave safe, and dishwasher safe, as are the 12oz mugs. 

I first used my Calamityware with my favorite Triple Chocolate Biscotti Recipe.

Yield: About 30 cookies Author: Theresa M

  *Original recipe appeared in Sally's Baking Addiction

Triple Chocolate Biscotti 

 

 INGREDIENTS:

• 1¾ cups all-purpose flour
• ½ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1 tsp baking soda
• ½ tsp salt
• 5 tbsp butter, cold and cubed
• 3 eggs
• 1 tsp espresso powder
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 10oz coarsely chopped semi-sweet chocolate
• ¾ cup chopped walnuts
• egg wash: 1 egg, beaten with 1 tbsp milk

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line two large baking sheets with parchment paper. Set aside. 
2. Whisk the flour, cocoa powder, granulated sugar, baking soda, and salt together in a large bowl. Using a pastry cutter, cut in the butter until mixture is crumbly. Set aside.
3. In a medium bowl, whisk the eggs, espresso powder, and vanilla extract together. Pour into the flour/butter mixture, then gently mix with a large spoon or rubber spatula until everything is just barely moistened. Fold in 1/2 of the chopped chocolate and all of the walnuts.
4. Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface, and with floured hands, knead lightly until the dough is soft and slightly sticky, about 8-10 times. If it's very sticky, knead 1 or two more tbsp of flour into the dough. Divide the dough in half and place each half onto a baking sheet. Shape each half into a 9" long by 5" wide slab, patting down until each is about ½" thick. Using a pastry brush, lightly brush the top and sides of each slab with egg wash. 
5. Bake slabs for 20 minutes. Remove from oven but do not turn off the heat. Allow slabs to cool for 10 minutes. Once the slabs are cool enough to handle, cut each into 1" thick slices.
6. Set slices cut sides up, about quarter of an inch apart, on the baking sheets. Return to the oven and bake for 8 minutes. Turn biscotti over and bake on the other side an additional 6-7 minutes. The cookies will be slightly soft in the center with harder edges. Remove from the oven and allow to cool for 5 minutes on the baking sheet. Transfer biscotti to a wire rack to cool completely. 
7. Melt the remaining chopped chocolate in a small microwave-safe bowl in 20-second increments until melted, stirring well after each increment. Drizzle over biscotti. 
8. Biscotti will stay fresh in an airtight container for up to 10 days. 

This drool-worthy dessert looks really pretty on the fun Calamityware plates.

I also made some Basil & Aged Cheddar Scones for breakfast last weekend and served them on a Calamityware plate along side hot mugs of tea.

Yield: 12 Scones Author: Theresa M

 Original recipe appeared in The Messy Baker

Aged Cheddar & Basil Scones

 

INGREDIENTS:

• 2¼ cups all-purpose flour
• ¼ cup cugar
• 1 tbsp baking powder
• ½ tsp fine sea salt
• ½ cup cod butter, cubed
• ½ cup dried basil (or 1 cup roughly chopped fresh basil)
• 1 cup grated aged Cheddar cheese 
• 1 cup buttermilk

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Preheat oven to 425 degrees F.
2. In the bowl of a food processor fitted with a steel blade, combine the flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt and basil with a few pulses. If using fresh basil, pulse in 2 second bursts until it is chopped and evenly distributed. Add the butter and pulse until it's about the size of peas. Transfer the flour mixture to a large bowl. 
3. Add the cheese and toss to evenly distribute. Add the buttermilk and stir until the dough forms a ball. Knead the dough on a floured surface until it just comes together. Roll into a round 10" wide and ¾ thick. Cut into 12 wedges. Place on an ungreased baking sheet about 2" apart and bake for 12 to 15 minutes, or until golden. Serve immediately.
   

Original recipe appeared in The Messy Baker

Not only can you find this incredible dinnerware on Calamityware, they also offer the whimsy designs on fabric (ties, scarves, bananas and shower curtains) as well as paper (cards, sketchbooks, prints, and note cards). Mother's Day and Father's Day is right around the corner and these would make pretty rad gifts, don't you think? I know I'll be asking for more to add to my collection!

 Be sure to swing by Calamityware to see more offerings and detailed pictures.

If you liked these recipes, be sure to Pin them on Pinterest!

Do you prefer basic dinnerware or more colorful dinnerware in your kitchen?