Josh's Birthday

I threw my 26 year old boyfriend a Star Wars theme birthday party this year. Now if you follow this blog, or my other one: ktjazz.blogspot.com you know that I make him a Star Wars birthday cake every year, usually trying to top the one from the previous year. I kind of screws myself this year, and peaked a little too early. I have NO IDEA how I am going to top this cake next year!!!

Here are some pictures on the cake assembly this year. I made a Death Star cake. I got the original idea from pintrest via here, although I simplified my process a little bit.

My mom and I did a trail run of making a 1/2 sphere cake last weekend and it turned out a lot better than predicted.

Each of the cake halves consisted of 1 and 1/2 box cake mix. The whole box was a yellow cake mix and 1/2 was chocolate swirled in. And baked in a medium pyrex bowl. It took a lot longer to bake than a normal cake, and we also had to adjust the temperature of the oven so not to burn the top, while the inside still cooked. (Again, trial and error)

To hold the 2 halved together I had thick (boba tea) straws- 4 of them stick in the middle of the bottom cake, a little bit of icing glue and shoved the top cake on top of the straws sticking out from the bottom. The middle section is (another cake) that was crumbled and mixed with icing so I could fill the little gap between the 2 to make a perfect globe.

If you know anything about the Death Star you know it has a "satalittlite" disk on the side that concave in a little. At this point of putting the 2 cakes together waiting for the middle "glue"and also being close to midnight, I forgot the hole. Screw it! I let the cake set over night in the fridge.

Next day I cut the hole. And I think it worked a little better than how I originally planned. The cake was cold and solid so it cam out in 1 perfect piece, and barely any crumbs. (You can see the marbling in the cake) For the icing I used regular canned Betty Crocker butter cream frosting, and dyed it with wilton black (sparkle) gel coloring.

The finished product! The "panel" pieces were from wilton sugar sheets, black, and we (my friend and I) piped on royal icing (also dyed the grey-ish color) to make the patterns. I then used Duff's edible food spray silver to give all the black pieces a little sheen. Note to self: sugar sheets bend, royal icing not so much. So when adhering the panels, some of the royal icing fell off, but I like the black color underneath so I kept some like that and re-piped some others.

Needless to say boyfriend was totally awe struck by his cake. We blindfolded him before it came out and, started signing "happy birthday" while the blindfold came off. I told him his cakes from now on are going to be publix cakes with "happy birthday" written on. I don't think he took that seriously! I guess I have a few more Star Wars characters to go through.

Boyfriend's Birthday

Saturday was the boyfriend's birthday, and every year I try to make him a nice over the top birthday cake. The first year we were together for his birthday I made him a HUGE orange bundt cake.

Second year we started the star wars theme. (He's a nerd). He has that design as a tattoo. It the rebel force (good side) in star wars.

So this year I had to go over the top and beat everything and surprise him. Well he sure was surprised, shocked, in totally awe. He thought his cake was Mr. T at first. It's Chewbacca for the record. First time with fondant too.

Looks like next year I'm gonna have to call Ace of Cakes Duff.

Breakfast with the Boyfriend (or Husband)

Cinnamon-swirl breakfast bread pudding

It is said that the Queen of Sheba used cinnamon to mesmerize King Solomon. So it has power. Prepare this bread pudding ahead of time so that in the morning, all you have to do is turn on the oven.

4 eggs
1 1/2 cups milk
3 Tbsp brown sugar
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 tsp cinnamon
1/2 loaf day old bread, cut into cubes
1/2 cup pecans chopped (optional)
nonstick cooking spray
maple syrup

In large bowl, whisk eggs and milk. Add the brown sugar, vanilla extract and cinnamon and whisk until combined. Stir the bread and pecans into the egg mixture. Coat and 8-by-8 inch backing pan with cooking spray. Pour in the bread mixture and cover with foil. Let it sit in the refrigerator at least one hour (overnight would be better). Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Bake covered for 30 minutes, remove foil and bake an additional 10 minutes, until brown. Serve with hot maple syrup.

Berries with honey-lime yogurt sauce

This simple yogurt sauce dresses up everyday berries, and the hint of lime will wake your taste buds

3 cups mixed berries (blackberries, blueberries, raspberries, strawberries)
1 cup plain yogurt
3 Tbsp honey
1/2 tsp lime zest

Place berries in a serving bowl. In a small bowl, combine yogurt, honey and lime zest. serve berries drizzled wit yogurt sauce. Garnish with mint.

Mimosa Sunrise

Bubbles in the morning-not just for the bath. So luxurious!

1/2 ounce grenadine
1 ounce orange juice
3 ounces champagne or sparkling wine
Orange slice for garnish

Pour grenadine into a champagne glass. Add orange juice, the top with champagne. Garnish with orange slice.

Pumpkin Cheesecake

Thanksgiving has come early. This is one of Josh and mine favorite recipes and its become sort of a Thanksgiving tradation. If we dont take it to his dad's house for Thankgiving we are not invited in.







Pumpkin Cheesecake

1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs
5 Tbsp butter (melted)
1 cup + 1 Tbsp sugar
24 oz cream cheese (room temp)
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 cup canned pumpkin
3 eggs
1 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp allspice

1. Mix graham crackers, melted butter, and 1 Tbsp sugar in small bowl. Press firmly into spring form pan. Bake at 350 for 5 min, and set aside.
2. In large bowl, mix cream cheese, 1 cup sugar, and vanilla with mixer until smooth. Ass the remaining ingredients and mix well.
3. Pour into crust and bake at 350 for 60-70 minutes. The top will begin to brown and crack. 4. Remove from oven and let cool at room temp for atleast an hour.
5. Run knife around the side of the pan (sometime dipping the knife in warm water helps) and remove outter ring, cover with plastic wrap and place in refrigerator.

The Field

The other night, Josh and I went to a little Irish Pub right next to his house. I have known this place existed for a long time, and went with Twinny in high school. A friend of mine (and crush at the time) worked there. All I remember from that experience was just goofing around like a bunch of high schoolers. I see this place almost 3 times a week or more, and just drive by. So the other night Josh and I were hungry and I wanted soup of some kind. Potato soup sounded good to me so we went the the Irish Pub. GREAT IDEA! It was amazing!! Not to mention the food was great! I got the Irish potato soup, with an Irish whiskey creme brulee. Josh got the Shepard's pie. Absolutely amazing and mouth watering. Now on top of the awesomely great food, they have a LIVE Irish band playing traditional Celtic music Monday-Saturday. I have already decided that the band is being booked for my wedding. It was a great atmosphere and a real homey feel.
If you live or are ever visiting South Fl that is a must place to eat. Its on Griffin Rd east of 441.
And to top it all off I think the sun-sentinel newspaper ran a recipe of their potato soup and I am gonna find it!