Cupcakes-Treat

There is a new cupcake place in Needham, Treat. You can create your own frosting (think mix-ins for ice cream) or you can enjoy their creations. I have to say, that if I were 10 or under I would love to have my birthday party here or come to make my own. But if that isn't your scene go directly to their cupcakes. Here is the orgaencile cupcake, very nice with marshmallow frosting. The Boston cream was rich and not too sweet. The chocolate icing was rich and a nice compliment to the cake with the cream filling. The bottom two were the ones that my cupcake compadre and I did, too sweet. You just don't need gummy bear in icing.

Cake Pops

So, I read about these crazy cute items, cupcake pops by bakerella (if you have not read her blog, run, run to read it). So I thought, this will be super cute. And while yes, this was super cute it was A LOT of work. The lemon ones were the the best. I would do this again, but just make cake pops, not all the rest. Here is a very bad photo of my treat. What I like about this is that you could serve these at a party with no plates or forks, so a kids party would be perfect. Or a party at work. The challenge, getting them to the party and storing them once they are done. I made a holder, but next time I would prepare something else a head of time.

Choolate Covered Strawberries

I was invited to a birthday party and wanted to bring something fun easy with a high wow factor! I though of chocolate cover strawberries. They are easy to make and great at parties. Melt chocolate in microwave but be careful not to burn it, just heat 30 seconds at a time on 1/2 power, I used chocolate chips. Make sure the strawberries are room temp and completely dry. Here is what I made in about 10 minutes. Viola!

Grllled Chicken Salad

The dog days of summer are here. This was something that I had one recent night out at Not Your Average Joe's. This is spinach, grapefruit, mango with arugula and spinach with a mango dressing. And the grilled chicken on top made it a complete meal. I would have added a bit more mango, but this was a hit. I was struck by the less is more rule here. I have been cutting back on what I'm adding to my salads.

Pasta Salad

So one of my co-workers from the hospital had a pasta salad and she got me thinking. So when I got home I started my own voyage on the Summer O'10 pasta salad. This is my first try:

Pasta cooked and cooled (I like penne)
Cherry tomatoes cut in half
Fresh Spinach
Fresh basil
goat cheese
Trader Joe's Cilantro Dressing
Candied Pistachios*

So, it was yummy, but the goat cheese was a bit off. So watch for varriation on this theme.


Candied Pistachios (from Food and Wine)

• 1. 1 1/2 teaspoons granulated sugar
  2. 1 1/2 teaspoons hot water
  3. 1/4 cup shelled pistachios
  4. 1 tablespoon turbinado sugar (I used brown sugar)
  
  

  Directions

• MAKE THE CANDIED PISTACHIOS: Preheat the oven to 350. Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper. In a bowl, stir the granulated sugar with the hot water. Add the pistachios and turbinado sugar; stir to coat. Spread the pistachios on the cookie sheet and bake until crisp, about 8 minutes. Let cool, then break into pieces.

Grilled Fruit

I have been grilling a lot. I made this for dessert, just grilled fruit with vanilla ice cream. It was pineapple and mango, it takes a bit to get the pieces just right, you want to cut the mango big and the pineapple thick. My little friend L. did the plating.

Next to the stove must haves

What do you have right next to your stove? Here is what my Dad has:
Spoon Rack
Honey (I love this dispenser)
Salt Mill (can you see the small bowl under the
mill? This help catch the stray grounds)
Pepper Mill
Olive Oil (in pour bottle and mister)
Tooth picks (for the cake testing or emergency
dental floss)
Powered Sugar (just in case you have found
zeppoles unsugared)
Container of Utensils (these are mostly wooden
spoons, the tongs are in the
drawer below).