I'm working on it!

So you may have noticed that I didn't do a new post last week. I am working on it, I promise! I am also thinking that I am going to abandon my plans for structured weekly topics (after only 3 months...I know, I know...). I have a back log of things to post about, and I am feeling a bit restrained by my own attempt at blogging organization.

Anyway, what I am trying to say is that I am going to stop being so anal, and just post stuff already. Keep watching, some good stuff is coming! (I promise!)

In the meantime, here is another alcohol themed cupcake for ya! This is a Margarita cupcake I made for a co-workers bridal shower a few months ago (it was a "fiesta" theme). Lime cupcake with keylime cream cheese icing, set in a margarita glass with green colored sugar.

Clothespins

So my co-worker discovered these giant clothespins, and I instantly fell in love. Basically they are photo holders, but they are just too fun to decorate! I started by taking them apart and painting them. Putting them back together after paining them is a bit of an ordeal, but so far it's worked out OK. After that, I used hot glue to attach ribbon, rhinestones, and other random embellishments.

As usual, the pictures suck...I'm getting a good camera one of these days...

Tiki Cupcakes

Last weekend a friend of mine hosted a tiki party (best tiki party I've even been too!). She went all out - full tiki bar, grass table skirts, even filled an area of her patio with sand. I was impressed! As my contribution to this shindig (because I can never go anywhere without baking something), I created some tiki themed cupcakes! Inspired by "Island" drinks, I made up a dozen Pina-Colada and a dozen mojito cupcakes! The pictures suck, but hopefully my tantalizing descriptions will be enough to make you drool (nope, no modesty here!).The Pina-Colada Cupcake: pineapple cake with a rum glaze, coconut cream filling and pineapple icing; finished off with sweetened coconut shavings, a cherry, and of course - a paper umbrella!

The Mojito Cupcake: key lime cake with a rum glaze, key lime curd filling, and a crushed mint cream cheese icing; garnished with a key lime slice and those adorable paper umbrellas!

Recipes you say? Sure! Since the mojito cupcakes seemed to be the biggest hit, I'll give ya those. If anyone wants the pina colada recipe, I'll gladly give it out upon request.Key Lime Cake
Use your favorite white cake (or box) recipe, and substitute key lime juice for the water. The cupcakes will come out a little denser than normal, but that's ok - you're going to dump rum on them in a little bit!

Key Lime Curd
Ingredients:
6 large egg yolks
3/4 cup sugar
6 tablespoons fresh Key lime juice
1 teaspoon grated Key lime peel

Directions:
1. Whisk all ingredients in heavy small saucepan over medium heat until custard thickens and boils for 30 seconds, about 8 minutes. Cool to room temperature, stirring occasionally (mixture will thicken).
2. When cupcakes are cooled, spoon curd into a pastry bag and pipe into center of each cupcake.

Rum Glaze
Ingredients:
1/2 cup Butter
1/4 cup Water
1 cup Sugar
1/2 cup Rum

Directions:
1. In a saucepan, combine butter, water, and sugar. Bring to a boil over medium heat and continue to boil for 5 minutes, stirring constantly. Remove from heat and stir in rum.
2. After filling cupcakes, spoon glaze over the top of each one.

Crushed Mint Cream Cheese Icing
Ingredients:
1/2 cup Butter
8oz Cream Cheese
2 cups Powdered Sugar
2-4 tbs Mint (very finely chopped)

Directions:
1. Cream butter, cream cheese, and sugar together
2. Gently stir in mint.
3. Frost your cupcakes!

Cocktail Party

This post is a little late, but the Internet hasn’t been very kind to me the last few days. Regardless, I’ll be sharing a few “cocktail party” recipes. These are some creations I came up with for a cocktail party I hosted a while back. They key to a good cocktail party is lots of finger foods, a few sweet treats, and of course cocktails. I like to go simple, offer a small variety of drinks, rather than a full bar. This not only cuts down cost, but also ensures you aren’t pouring drinks all night. Likewise, finger foods keep you out of the kitchen and keep your guests mingling.

For this party, I had red and white wine (two buck chuck from Trader Joes of course), and Black Raspberry Martinis with a pink sugar rim (It was a girly party). Bottled water and a few non-alcoholic options are also a must!Also in that picture is the chocolate fountain I set up for dessert. Chocolate fountains are always a hit! I had fruit, ladyfingers, and cheesecake balls for dipping.

Cheese and crackers are a must at cocktail parties. I like to set out the usual sliced cheese, along with a little something fancy – brie, stilton, pesto torte, etc. Also, a variety of crackers can really spice up your platter. Olives and pickles set out in small bowls are a nice addition too.

Here are two of the recipes I created for this party. They are pretty easy and can be made up a few hours ahead of time. For this first one, I’ll be honest, I really didn’t measure anything. I just kept adding ingredients to the bowl until it tasted right.

Endive Cups

Ingredients:
Endive Spears
1 Pear (diced)
Gorgonzola Cheese
Prociutto
Sweet Vinaigrette (I used a papaya seed dressing from Maui, but any kind you like will work)
Caramelized Pecan Halves

Directions:
1. Cut prociutto slices into small pieces.
2. Toss desired amount of pear, prociuttto, and gorgonzola in a large bowl. Lightly drizzle vinaigrette and mix through.
3. Place a spoonful of the mixture onto each endive spear.
4. Garnish each with a caramelized pecan half.

Caprese Skewers

Ingredients:
Grape Tomatoes
Small Mozzarella Balls
Fresh Basil
Olive Oil
Balsamic Vinaigrette
Toothpicks

Directions:
1. Thread 1 grape tomato, 1 basil leaf, and 1 mozzarella ball onto each toothpick
2. Drizzle olive oil and balsamic vinaigrette over skewers, and finish them off with a little cracked pepper