fun food

So I'm planning my daughter's b-day and have seen some CUTE things to make! These are all very colorful and may not go with her age or party, but what the heck. You'll love it:

Lovely polka-dot cake! (via)

Jolly Rancher lollies (how-to here)

Into pink? Pink Passion Lemonade (via)

They shall drink [FUN] milk!!

Glass Block Jello! (how-to here)

And this isn't exactly kids' b-day fare, but it looks sooooo yummy that I had to include it. Recipe too!

Bell Pepper Egg-in-a-hole! (how-to here)

Well, darlings, hope you have a sweet and colorful day!

xo

cheese please

As I was hunting around for an appetizer to make for this weekend, I came across an informative article on serving cheese. I'm not a HUGE fan, but I think it's mostly because I'm not well informed ;)

Here are some tips (via a cup of jo) on creating the perfect cheese plate.

• When you invite friends over, buy one ounce per person per cheese; and stick to five to six cheeses total.
• Choose a fun variety of cheeses: different textures, countries, and all three milk types (goat, sheep, cow).
• Serve all the cheeses on one big board. You want your guests to start with the mildest and work up to the strongest, so place the cheeses in "clock order"--12 o'clock being the mildest and 11 o'clock being the strongest.
• Take the cheese out of the fridge at least an hour before serving. Cheese should be eaten at room temperature, when it's at its full flavor and texture.
• Put out a few different knives. Goat and blue cheeses crumble if you use a regular knife, so cheese wires are the best thing to use--if you don't have one, you can use dental floss! Softer cheeses work best with a butter knife. Harder cheeses, like parmesan, are good with a triangle-shaped knife. Cut circular cheeses in wedges, like a pizza.
• If you have leftovers, don't store the cheese in Saran Wrap, which will make the cheese sweat and leave a plastic-y taste. Cheese is living and needs to breathe, so wrap it in parchment or wax paper, and keep it in the most humid part of the fridge (usually the vegetable drawer).

The tips are courtesy of Sydney Willcox from NYC's Murray's cheese shop.

You can find out more about the cheeses pictured above on Jo's blog here.

Enjoy your weekend!

xo

tuesday treats

Prepare yourself for some deliciousness:

Angel Food Cupcakes with Blackberry Buttercream (via)

Ice Cream and Mixed Berry Pops (via)

Nutella Meringues (via)

Easy Banana Bread (via)

Did you enjoy that? Mmmmmm. I sure did. Now, get cooking ;)

xo

amazing cakes, how sweet...

Happy day-after Monday ;) I had a nice and relaxing looong weekend-- spent mostly eating. Nothing wrong with that, right? In honor of yumminess, here are some great cakes I think you'd enjoy:

Happy happy rainbow cake! (via)

Ahoy! Long Journey Cake (via)

Work of art! Mini cakes. (via)

Angry Birds game cake. Have you played yet? (via)

Hope you have a sweet day! xo

delish desserts

I must be PMSing because I can't stop thinking of yummy food! Here are some great recipes I've come across today-- so far.

SoNo Cheesecake with Pistachio Crust!

S'mores Bars

Brown Sugar-Hazelnut Cupcakes w/
Blackberry Buttercream Frosting

Pudding Cups

And ideally, before dessert, I'd like some dinner. Found this delectable soup that I must. try. soon.

Roasted Potato Leek Soup w/ Crispy Shallots

Hungry yet? So what ya' cooking, good lookin'?

i'm looking at Desserts for Breakfast

Rose and basil dark chocolate macarons

It's never to early for dessert! I came across a delectable recipe site today by Stephanie Shih called Desserts for Breakfast. Need I say more?!

Blackest forest gateau

Rose and basil dark chocolate macarons

Stephanie not only shares her recipes with us but she does so with her amazing and drool-worthy photography.

Persimmon Oat Crumble with Coconut Cinnamon Sorbet

You can see an index of her recipes here and see more of her photo work here.

savory apple recipes

I'm planning to go to a potluck tonight, but I STILL have no clue what to make. The dish must contain 'apples' somehow. I found these delicious possibilities...

Roast Chicken with Apple, Fennel, Shallots and Crispy Sweet Potatoes (via)

Apple, Leek, and Butternut Squash Gratin (via)

Apple-and-Cheddar Frittata (via)

Apple-Blue Cheese Puffs (via)

Though I make a mean apple pie, a savory apple dish is sure to be welcomed this apple harvest season. I love all of these recipes, but I better pick the quickest/simplest one for tonight...

Do you have a favorite apple dish? Do share below.

Have a great weekend!
xo

is that a house in your coffee or are you just happy to see me?

Look at the FUN mini gingerbread houses that Megan from notmartha.org made. Doesn't it make you feel all cozy and warm inside. I'm definitley going to try my hand at these. Soon. Visit her site for a nice how-to.

Though I must tell you, I would definitely cook/bake more if I enjoyed my kitchen. It's roomy, and bright, has TWO ovens, but it's missing.... something. Maybe a center island or more counter space. Oh well. It will have to do, right? Here are some dreamy kitchens to carry me through the weekend.

You like? What's missing in your kitchen? -- And don't say a personal chef ;) 
xo

ming makes cupcakes, yum!

The weekend, a long one at that, is around the corner! Do you have any plans? Family visiting? Friends coming over for some b-b-q? Well, I have dessert covered!

Hubby sent me this wonderful link to Ming Makes Cupcakes. (You think he was giving me hint?!) She  makes amazingly-flavored cupcakes AND is nice enough to provide recipes for the world to see. Doesn't Coffee Chocolate cupcakes with Baileys Irish Cream frosting sound delish? Or how about sour Cream Fig cupcakes with Cream Cheese Frosting? Mmmmm Mmmmm.

If your kids need to bring a treat to school, voilà! Ming is the place to go for recipes. Cupcakes. Done. Just remember that the Baileys Irish Creme frosting is probably not a good choice for them ;)

She also makes cookies and savory bites. Check it out!