Sunday, July 10, 2011

CHOCOLATE ESPRESSO MARTINI


The next time you're at Neiman Marcus stop in their cafe/resturant and try this delicious, cool Chocolate Espresso Martini. www.neimanmarcus.com




CHOCOLATE ESPRESSO MARTINI RECIPE:

1.5 oz. Absolut Vanilla
1 oz. White Godiva
1 oz. Dark Chocolate Godiva
1 oz. Illy Caffe espresso shot
Shake with ice and strain into martini glass. 
Rim the glass with cocoa powder.

Picture and recipe courtesy of NM Daily blog.neimanmarcus.com


Thursday, July 7, 2011

CAKE BALL WEDDING CAKE

These days when attending a wedding, bridal shower or a birthday party, cakes have taken a back seat when it comes to serving dessert. Cake balls have become the new trend at most events these day, but Gabby Loubiere of Brew Ha Ha can give you the best of both worlds. Check out these beautiful pictures of this Cake Ball Cake. Pictures courtesy of www.theweddingshoebox.com 



Sunday, July 3, 2011

4th of July Recipe Ideas

Delicious 4th of July Patriotic Recipe Ideas

Red White and Blueberry Pound Cake

Ingredients
1 package (10-3/4 ounces) frozen pound cake
Raspberry-Orange Sauce (recipe follows)
1 container (8-ounces) whipped cream cheese
3 Tbs powdered sugar
2 Tbs orange juice
1-1/2 cups fresh blueberries, divided
1 cup sliced fresh strawberries
Raspberry-Orange Sauce
Stir together until smooth 3/4 cup seedless raspberry jam and 6 tablespoons orange juice.
Makes about 1 cup
Directions
Slice frozen pound cake lengthwise in three layers; arrange in a single layer on a cookie sheet with top layer cut side up. Pierce layers with fork tines. Spread each with 2 tablespoons of the Raspberry-Orange Sauce; let stand 10 to 15 minutes so that the cake absorbs the sauce. Meanwhile, in a bowl stir together cream cheese, sugar and orange juice until well blended. To assemble cake: Place bottom layer on a serving plate; spread evenly with a third of the cream cheese mixture. Arrange a third of the blueberries evenly over cream cheese. Drizzle about 1 tablespoon Raspberry-Orange Sauce over blueberries. Repeat with center slice of cake. Place top layer cut side down; spread with remaining cream cheese mixture. Decorate cake to resemble an American flag using remaining blueberries and the strawberries. Serve with remaining Raspberry-Orange Sauce.

Colorful 4th of July Cocktail

1 1/2 ounce vodka
1/2 ounce triple sec
1/2 ounce sweet & sour
1/2 ounce blue curacao
1 dash grenadine
Mix all ingredients, except grenadine, in a shaker and chill. Serve in a martini glass. Add grenadine.

Paula Deen's Cream Cheese Pound Cake


Ingredients
1 1/2 cups (3 sticks) butter, at room temperature
1 (8 ounce) package low fat cream cheese, at room temperature
3 cups granulated white sugar
6 large eggs
3 cups cake flour, sifted twice after measuring
pinch of salt
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 teaspoon almond extract
Directions
Preheat oven to 325 degrees F. Grease and flour a 10-inch bundt pan (I like to use the nonstick spray that is especially for baking... with the flour mixed into it).

In a large bowl, cream together butter and cream cheese with an electric mixer until well combined. Add in sugar and continue to mix for about 6 minutes, until fluffy. Add eggs, one at a time, beating after each addition, until well blended. Gradually add the flour, beating and scraping down the sides until it is all incorporated. Mix in salt and extracts.

Pour into prepared pan. Hit the pan gently on the counter about 5 times to help settle the batter and remove any air pockets. Bake for about 1 1/2 hours. The cake is done when it pulls away from the sides of the pan and a toothpick inserted comes out clean.

Remove from the oven and let cool in the pan for about 15 minutes. Invert the cake onto a wire rack and let cool completely before serving.

www.recipegirl.com




Friday, December 17, 2010

Christmas Ornaments

Look at these pretty inexpensive ornaments I found at Khols for $1.99 to $2.99


Rhinestone Initial Ornaments $2.99















Glitter Ornaments $1.99



















Holiday Entertainment Dinnerware

Yesterday while doing a little Christmas shopping I found these festive holiday dinnerware pieces at Khols.


Laughing All the Way square dinner plate $4.79



Tis the Season to be Jolly dessert/horderves plate $3.19 















Eat Drink & Be Merry, Cheers dessert/horderves plate $3.19


Dashing through the snow plate $4.79

Eat Drink &  Be Merry round dinner plate $5.19


Sunday, October 31, 2010

HALLOWEEN DRINK RECIPIES

CANDY CORN MARTINI

Ingredients
For the infused vodka:
* 1/2 cup candy corn
* 1 1/2 cups vodka
For the cordials:
* 2 ounces orange liqueur
* Juice of 1/2 lemon
* 1 large egg white
* Candy corn, for garnish
Directions
Infuse the vodka: Combine the candy corn and vodka in an airtight container; set aside for at least 3 hours, then strain.
Make the cordials: Add 4 ounces of the candy corn vodka, the orange liqueur, lemon juice and egg white to a cocktail shaker filled with ice. Shake vigorously for at least 30 seconds. Strain into 2 chilled martini glasses and garnish with candy corn.




 BLEEDING HEART MARTINI
Ingredients

Serves 4


  • 2 ounces dry vermouth

  • 8 ounces premium gin

  • Ice cubes

  • 4 Pickled Baby Beets Recipe



  •   
    Chill 4 martini glasses in the freezer or fill with ice water and let sit until frosty, about 5 minutes (pour out water). Add the vermouth, dividing evenly; swirl to coat the glasses, then pour out. Add gin to a cocktail shaker filled with ice. Shake vigorously until chilled; divide among chilled glasses. Garnish each with a skewered pickled baby beet, and serve immediately.

    HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!!!!!!!

    Sunday, October 3, 2010

    Happy Halloween

    Check out this DIY  Happy Halloween Dessert Table by Maureen Anders and Adria Ruff of  Anders Ruff Custom Designs. 


    Orange Rice Crispy Treats dipped in Chocolate
    Hershey bars chocolate bars with personalized wraps
    Homemade caramel apples drizzled with chocolate
    Chocolate Cupcakes
    Chedar Popcorn Cones
    To see  more of this Happy Halloween Dessert Table go to  http://andersruff.blogspot.com/. If you would like to recreate this look for a party, you can get these paper details as a printable set in the Anders Ruff  printable party collection http://www.etsy.com/shop/andersruff

    Monday, September 6, 2010

    Saturday, July 3, 2010

    4th of July treats

    Who wants dessert? Check out these cool treats for the 4th.

    Ice Cream Sandwiches
    Chocolate covered Strawberries
    Jello Cups
    Cup Cakes
    Strawberries with Blueberries

    Wednesday, June 30, 2010

    Lamb Chops, Crab Stuffed Mushrooms and Salad

    One of my favorite meals.


    Grilled lamb chops with garlic and green onions.


    Crab Stuffed Mushrooms


    Romaine Lettuce, Red Onions Fetta Cheese, Strawberries and Raspberry Vinaigrette Dressing

    Monday, June 14, 2010

    Purple and Lavender Dessert Table

    This dessert table was designed for a church function. I designed the table to coordinate with the churches colors which are purple and lavender.


    Vanilla Crosses and Bible Candy.

    Cream Cheese Cupcakes


    Vanilla Cupcakes



    Vanilla Cake Pops


    Grape Jello Cups

    Table Close Up


    Table Close Up


    Purple and Lavender Dessert Table