Have Your Cake & Drink It Too: The Birthday Cake Martini

This recipe is for Joanna: It's her birthday and while birthday cake is all fine and good, why not chase it down with a Birthday Cake Martini? You can never have enough cake!

Birthday Cake Martini

Ingredients

• 2 fluid ounces vanilla vodka
• 1 fluid ounce cranberry juice
• 1 fluid ounce cake vodka 
• 1/2 fluid ounce amaretto (almond flavored liqueur)
• 1/2 fluid ounce white creme de cacao

Combine all ingredients in an ice shaker, half-filled with ice cubes. Shake well. Place cherry in bottom of glass. Strain into chilled martini glass. If you want to be really festive, wet the rim of the glass and coat with colored sprinkles (prior to straining alcohol into glass - of course!)

The Secret Thrift Store in Bucks County

KT & I before Halloween party.

 People often compliment me on my clothes (when I’m not running around in sweats and sneakers) and I always respond by, “Thank you, I got this at a THRIFT STORE!”

Almost all the clothes I own, I buy from thrift ‘consignment shops.’ I have Tommy Hilfiger black boots that kick some serious fashionista ass, I have several Benetton sweaters, and numerous name brand stylish skirts/jackets.

I’m always on the search for a great thrift store and was happily surprised to find not only a great thrift store 5 minutes from my house, but all the proceeds go to benefit women and children of domestic abuse.

Full Circle Thrift Store is located in New Britain, and as far as thrift store goes, this one is most fabulous. 2 spacious dressing rooms. The store is brightly lit and roomy. One of my favorite things about the store is that everything has its own price!  ALL shoes are one price. ALL sweaters are one price (7 bucks I think). ALL coats are one price (18, I think!). So if you see something you like, you don’t have to fumble around searching for a price tag.

Now, here is my absolute favorite part – on Thursdays? ALL WOMENS CLOTHES/SHOES are half off!!! I’d arrive early though, because it has a tendency to get crowded.

They also have other days where certain things are half off (Mens clothing, kids clothes, house wares).  Make sure you check on the door when you arrive because the schedule is listed on the door.

ALSO! They carry Halloween Costumes that are mostly donated from one of the local playhouses. These are most awesome costumes. I bought a Bollywood Princess outfit that included beautiful sparkly long swishy skirt, top, jacket, head scarf, bracelet, earrings, and two necklaces for 38.00 !!! They also have everything from Victorian costumes to Flappers to southern belle.

Not everything in the store is designer, but most is really good quality and with a little creativity and a good eye, you can be a fashionista and still have money left over for important things like martini’s and red velvet cupcakes!

*****Also, be sure to check out the book section. It is small, but HELLO, hardback are a buck and paperbacks are .50cents. There are some recent releases (I spied the latest Janet Evanovitch) as well as awesome cookbooks.

Drunken Cheesesteak Soup

Drunken Cheesesteak Soup - 8 servings. 

• 1/4 cup canola oil
• 1 stick of butter
• 1 1/2 large onions, diced small
• ½ cup chopped garlic cloves
• 2/3 cup of flour
• 4 cups of milk
• 1 can of dark beer
• 2 cans beef broth
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 1 box of Steak Ums or chip steaks cooked and chopped into bite size pieces
• 15 oz jar of Cheez Wiz (or 8 oz of Provolone cut into small pieces, depending on what you like:>))
• Amoroso Roll croutons (see below). If you are unfortunate to live in an area that doesn’t carry Amoroso rolls, and good hard long roll will do!

Directions

1. Melt butter in large, heavy-bottomed stock pot or Dutch oven over medium heat.
2.  Add onion, and garlic saute until tender (about 5 minutes).
3.  Add flour and cook another 3-5 minutes stirring often.
4.  Slowly whisk in milk and bring to a simmer stirring often until soup thickens.
5. Reduce heat to medium low and stir in beer, beef stock, salt and pepper.
6.  Slowly stir in Cheez Wiz or provolone until all is melted and incorporated into soup.
7. Remove from heat and stir in Steak Ums.
8.  Top with Amoroso Croutons

Amoroso Croutons: Slice 3 stale Amoroso Hoagie Rolls into cubes . Melt 1 cup of butter in large bowl. Toss hoagie cubes into butter, coat. Sprinkle with garlic salt. Cook on baking sheet at 350 for 15 minutes or until golden.

Famous Failures - Quitters Never Win

Best-selling author Laura Freed - I'll never give up on that dream.  I have weak moments when people make me doubt myself...and most people do not understand the way the publishing business functions, or understand that the major publishing houses are disintegrating and best-selling authors are leaving them in favor of  'doing it themselves.'  But then I look at my mostly better half, who mostly does not care what anyone thinks about him, and I'm reminded not to let the naysayers rain on my parade - and neither should you!

Pierogi Soup - To Keep the Boys with Bad Intentions Away!

 

Pierogi Soup 

If you want a little simplicity – you can sub Orecchiette pasta for the dumplings. Make the pasta as directed (about 2 cups), drain, and add to soup right before serving.

Ingredients

• 3 Yukon potatoes, 3 Russet potatoes  - peeled and cubed
• water to cover
• 2 onion, chopped
• 1/2 cup butter
• 4 cups milk
• salt and pepper to taste
• 2 tablespoons chicken stock
• 8 ounces sharp cheddar cheese, cubed or shredded
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch
• 1/2 cup milk

      Dumplings:

• 2 slices white bread, quartered
• 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup milk
• 4 tablespoons butter, melted

Directions

1. In a large pot boil  potatoes for 10 to 15 minutes, or until tender.
2. In a separate large skillet over medium heat, saute the onion in butter for about 8 minutes.
3. Drain all but about 2 cups of the water from the potatoes and  mash, and replace water with milk. Reduce heat to low and season with salt and pepper to taste.
4. Transfer the onion to the pot and stir in the chicken soup stock. Heat slowly, then add the cheese. Allow the cheese to melt, stirring all together well.
5. In a small bowl, dissolve the cornstarch in the 1/2 cup milk and pour into the soup. Mix well until thickened.

Simmer – while simmering make the dumplings:

Combine place bread in processor; whirl until medium size crumbs. Add 1 1/4 cups flour, baking powder, and salt; process just until combined. Add 1/2 cup milk and butter; process using on-off pulses just until blended.

·  Drop mounded teaspoons of dumpling mixture into simmering soup. Place cover on pot. Cook for 12 minutes, or until dumplings are dry in center.

Memories of My Dad

Fleeing Famous Snow Dust Cookies

Fleeing Famous: Snow Dust Cookies (Bud Kroner’s favorite)

Ingredients

• 1 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 2 cups white sugar
• 1/2 cup vegetable oil
• 4 eggs
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup confectioners' sugar

Directions

1. In a medium bowl, mix together cocoa, white sugar, and vegetable oil. Beat in eggs one at a time, then stir in the vanilla. Combine the flour, baking powder, and salt; stir into the cocoa mixture. Cover dough, and chill for at least 4 hours.
2. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Line cookie sheets with parchment paper. Roll dough into one inch balls.. Coat each ball in confectioners  sugar before placing onto prepared cookie sheets.
3. Bake in preheated oven for 10 to 12 minutes. Let stand on the cookie sheet for a minute before transferring to wire racks to cool.

Best Foodie Fiction Books by The Foodie Fictionista !

I bring you a simple list of "Foodie Fiction" books - Not Foodie Mystery books - but  from Foodie Chick Lit to Foodie Contemporary  Lit. 

The picture to your left...Kentucky Derby Pie - pecans and chocolate drizzled with chocolate sauce and topped with fresh whip cream... from the PorterHouse in Lahaska Pa

The Girl Who Chased The Moon by Sarah Addison Allen. Ms. Allen reminds me of Alice Hoffman - only instead of dark - she is light and food often makes an appearance in her books. Right after I read Girl, I read Garden Spells which I also LOVED. I'm just starting The Sugar Queen, which is her first book. So far, so good. She is becoming my new favorite author!




The School of Essential Ingredients by Erica Bauermeister.

Agnes & The Hitman by Jennifer Crusie (one of my favorite books. Tried everything else by Jennifer but nothing (for me) has equaled that book.


Deep Dish by Mary Kay Andrews (cute, light, easy, beach read)


The Day I Ate Whatever I Wanted by Elizabeth Berg I LOVE LOVE LOVE Elizabeth Berg. Love. And this book, is the most wonderful foodie book ever. Ms. Berg does for description what Picasso did with a paint brush.

Chocolat by Joanne Harris & Five Quarters of the Orange by Joanne Harris

Simply from Scratch by Alicia Bessette


Julie's Chocolates by Cathy Lamb

The Quilters Kitchen by Jennifer Chiavirinni

The Ladies of Covington Send Their Love by Joan A. Medlicott

The Blue Bistro by Elin Hilderbrand


The Love Season by Elin Hilderbrand

Summer by the Sea by Susan Wiggs


Hundred Foot Journey by Richard C Morais

Comfort Food by Kate Jacobs

Last updated 10/14/2010






Enjoy!!!!

Best Hangover Bagel Sandwich Ever!

Red Velvet Martini Recipe

This martini should be made while singing the lyrics to "You Make Me Feel Like Dancing." 

• .5 oz Van Gough Dutch Chocolate Vodka
• .5 oz Stoli Vanilla Vodka
• .5 oz Chambord
  
• Splash of Godiva Chocolate Liqueur

Pour all ingredients into a martini shaker. Shake and strain into a chilled martini glass rimmed with sugar and drizzled with white chocolate and raspberry sauce.

Fleeing Famous - Banana Streusel Cake

Fleeing Famous Banana- Streusel  Cake

2 1/2 cups flour
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp salt
1 stick of  butter, room temp
1/2 cup of oil
2 cups sugar
4 eggs
3 cups mashed banana (about 7)

2/3 cup chopped pecans
Streusel (optional):
2/3 cup flour
1/3 cup brown sugar
5 tbsp butter, room temp

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Butter and flour 12-cup bundt pan.

Mix flour, baking soda, and salt.

Beat butter and sugar in large bowl until light in color. Beat in eggs one at a time. Stir in oil.  Beat in bananas. Stir in flour mixture until smooth.
For streusel, mix flour, brown sugar, and butter in bowl with your fingers until combined.
Spread half of batter in pan. Crumble half of streusel over batter. Top with remaining batter, then remaining streusel.

Bake 55-60 min, or until toothpick comes out clean. Cool in pan on rack 10 min, then invert cake onto rack and cool completely.

For: Protection, courage, clarity, luck from the book:  Fleeing Famous