Friday, January 24, 2014

Pretzel Bun Sliders!...Nuff Said!

I would love to take credit for this idea, but it actually came about when my cousin Amber came over for lunch after this morning's round of Pilates and weight training...
I guess I can take a smidgen of credit in that it was the bag of delicious looking pretzel rolls straight from Costco that inspired her!
Anyway, witness the result!...
This meal is ridiculously easy to throw together at the last minute, the longest part of the entire prep is thawing the meat and letting it marinate!
I mixed my meat with a bit of olive oil. soy sauce, and Worcestershire sauce, then I topped the mini patties with some of my very favorite seasoning blend...
McCormick's Montreal Steak grilling spice!
I grilled the sliders on my stove top griddle, and toasted the pretzel rolls in the same way...
Then I set the slider patty on a bed of spinach, topped it with some sharp white cheddar cheese, and a fresh slice of tomato and...
Perfection!
I went that extra step and made my baked Parmesan french fries!  (just sliced potatoes lightly coated in olive oil and sea salt with some freshly grated parm on top and roasted in the over at 475 for about 30-40 minutes)
The hubby said nothing...
He was too busy chowing down...
The Noah said nothing and let his empty plate and satisfied smile speak for itself...
But the Gigi was far from speechless, and just so you all know, I happen to be...
"The bestest Mommy I ever seen!"

Monday, January 13, 2014

Everybody Needs a Little Cake

So, lets talk cake, and not just any cake, lets talk about the very best cake you've ever eaten.
I mean, dense and moist, light and creamy, roll your eyes to the sky in absolute wonder at the indulgence and the silent acknowledgment that you will be having a second piece kind of cake!
Ever had a cake like that?
I have...
Allow me to introduce you to Sweet Little B's...
 an online bakery run by my good friend, Bethany...
Bethany's cakes are partially organic, completely non-GMO, and absolutely delicious!
Bethany doesn't do fondant, she does flavor, and she will decorate a cake any way you want it, from the whimsical to the naughty, and everything in between!
The philosophy of Sweet Little B's is that dessert is not just for special occasions, and in honor of that concept, Bethany has created what she calls "Baby Cakes" 4" round multi layered miniature cakes able to feed 2-4 people, and perfect for any occasion, or non-occasion!
This particular cake is my all time favorite, dark chocolate love cake filled w chocolate ganache, peppermint cream, and candy cane dust, and finished w classic vanilla Italian meringue buttercream, and while the cake itself is gorgeous, the inside layers are an absolute work of art...
Her buttercream frosting somehow manages to be light and creamy, and it is not overly sweet which makes it the perfect compliment to the rich and moist dark chocolate cake which in turn melts together into pure bliss with the smooth dense and absolutely sinful flavor of the ganache!
I cannot say enough about how glorious these cakes are, and honestly, words and even pictures just can't do these confections of perfection justice, you just have to try one for yourself!
Check out Sweet Little B's online at www.sweetlittle-b.com!