Midnight Snacks

A few days ago I was sitting in front of my fireplace when something I read years ago came back to mind. I read an article in Food and Wine that profiled the wonderful Alice Waters of Chez Panisse. Only the article took a different spin. . . it was her daughter that was doing the talking. As a child Fanny grew up eating only the finest. One of her fondest memories was her mother poaching an egg in olive oil over a wood burning stove. YUM!



So it was midnight, the memory was there and I was hungry. So I did it! And I hated it for two reasons. 1. I will never want a traditional poached egg again, and 2. Pretty sure I was at the beginning stages of carpel tunnel for how long I held it over the coals. But I must say it was so worth the wait. I did not have olive oil but I did have Irish butter which was just as delicious.

Excuse my messy ashes but I found by poking the wood I got smaller coals and a more gentle heat.

Easy Sugar Garnish

For a catering event this past weekend I thought it would be fun do do a sugar garnish for my chocolate cake. They are super easy and fun to do! Here is the final result:

I found this youtube video that teaches how to make spun sugar as well and plan on doing it for another event this weekend. The Glucose part is not necessary if you do not have it. Just keep a close eye on the melting sugar and make sure to use a damp pastry brush along the sides of the pan to keep from crystalizing.

If you want to do flat garnishes like mine, simply drizzle your melted sugar onto a silpat. Once cooled, carefully remove it and place on your cake. Happy baking!

Topsy Turvy Time

I hate baking. Like a lot. It takes everything I don't have ie: patience, attention to fine detail, and precision. Which is why this year I will accept every offer to bake a cake I get. I don't typically do resolutions but I figure if I can create something lovely, and hone these qualities I don't have but want, it only makes for better all around! This was for a job last weekend.

It was a One year old and sixty year old's birthday party. The theme was Candyland. I have only done one other topsy turvy before. This youtube video was a God send if you want to try to make one. I cannot embed it but click the link and give it a try. It's really fun! :) Good Luck with your resolutions this year!

Homemade Holiday Gift Ideas!

So Thanksgiving is over. My leftovers have turned themselves into casseroles for the week, and i'm gearing up for the most wonderful time of the year!! Holidays can be stressful or joyous or both. To take some financial strain off of you I suggest homemade gifts. Food gifts are always appreciated! Take a look at some of the ideas listed below and let me know what you think in comments! Merry Christmas friends. :) Check out my new website as well, and consider us for your catering needs. Jeffrey's

1. Good Housekeeping Gift Ideas

2. Martha Stewart (<----------favorite!!!!)

3.Epicurious Gift Guide

Swan Song

Complaining about problems in life is something I try really really hard to avoid. I have so much to be thankful for, yet every once in a while a nogoodreallybadandawful day comes along. One that leaves me feeling helpless and irritated but I always try to be hopeful that it will get better! So today I'm going to make it better. Tonight you will find me watching an old movie, drinking a glass of embarrassingly cheap wine and probably eating a whole tray of these:

That should help right?! Hope your day was better than mine! :)
Oreo Stuffed Chocolate Chip Cookies

recipe from the fantabulous Jenny of Picky Palate

2 sticks (1 cup) softened butter
3/4 cup packed light brown sugar
1 cup granulated sugar
2 large eggs
1 tablespoon pure vanilla
3 1/2 cups flour
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon baking soda
10 oz bag chocolate chips
1 pkg. Oreo cookies

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Cream butter and sugars together with a mixer until well combined. Beat in eggs and vanilla.

In a separate bowl mix the flour, salt and baking soda. Slowly add to wet ingredients along with chocolate chips until just combined. Using a cookie scoop take one scoop of cookie dough and place on top of an Oreo Cookie. Take another scoop of dough and place on bottom of Oreo cookie. Seal edges together by pressing and cupping in hand until Oreo cookie is enclosed with dough. Place onto a parchment or silpat lined baking sheet and bake cookies 9-13 minutes or until golden brown. Let cool for 5 minutes before transferring to cooling rack.

Makes about 2 dozen VERY LARGE cookies.

Are you being served?

I have a confession. . .

I know sometimes I share these on the blog and I feel today it's necessary. I am obsessed with platters. Love them. OBSESSED. I have no more room for them. If you came in my office you would find three behind my computer, and one balancing on my file cabinet. There are 7 neatly stacked on top of the fridge and two in husbandface's closet. I have been banned from going to Ross/Marshal's (BTW best deals and most beautiful platters ever there!) by my husband because he knows. He knows that the moment I walk through those doors I will find the perfect platter for Christmas/birthdayparty/thanksgiving/family dinner/becauseitspretty/Ireallyneeditlikenow. I can't help myself. . . They just make such a statement! I truly believe you eat with your eyes and a pretty platter helps so much! Are you a hoarder of some-sort? Tell me below in comments!

Sugar rims

Hello friends! So recently I had the blessed opportunity to cater a friends baby shower. Being that she is such a "girly girl" it came as no shock that her baby, francesca, would have a very pink shower! Okay, totally off topic but my poor husband. . . A few weeks ago I woke up in the middle of the night with this idea:

Chambord, Champagne and a pink sugar rim! So of course me being the most impatient person in the world, I woke him up to tell him. Sorry dear. But I was really really really excited about it! I had seen it done before and knew the bff would love it! After a brief convo of me asking him if I should call her at 11:30pm and tell her, and him saying absolutly not, I finally went back to bed. Called the next day and she said she loved it!

Upon entry of her shower each guest was greeted with a pink sugar rimmed champagne glass filled with chambord (raspberry liquor) and champagne. I'm sure this isn't limited to baby showers and would be great for a birthday, bridal shower, girls night. . . or any excuse to make a sugar rim! This could easily be used on other non-alcaholic drinks as well. Have fun!