life, in miniature

Had a couple of tastings this weekend, so I whipped up some miniature versions of cupcakes and pies. Then, I took the leftovers to a picnic by the sea with some friends.

"cupcake by the sea"

chocolate cake + strawberry cream cheese frosting


mini lemon meringue pies

(some things are just better miniature.)

the CLRF Reception

120 people + early evening reception = a three-table spread of serious food. Yes, everything (with exception of cinnamon twists) was made by me.

A sample of the spread:

Apricot-goat cheese baguettes
Broccolini, wrapped with carrots, with vegetarian oyster sauce
Fruit plate, with cantaloupe, grapes, watermelon
Twists plate: cinnamon twists and garlic-parmesan herb twists
Chocolate and vanilla meringues
Mini fruit tarts
White/dark chocolate-dipped, tuxedo-ed strawberries

Not pictured above:
Mozzarella, artichoke, cherry tomato skewers
Cheese plate
Red bell pepper hummus + pita
Baba ganoush + pita
Tzatziki + pita
Buffalo shrimp with celery and blue cheese dip
kalamata olives + pimenton-salted almonds

Quick treats: brownies

Whenever I have a sudden hankering for a quick chewy bite of chocolate, I turn to brownies, which are one of the fastest and easiest treats out there. Don't be fooled by boxed brownies--homemade is the ONLY way to go!

Brownies,
made with Scharffenberger cocoa powder

Princess Cake

A princess cake for Jon and Kathy's Wedding Shower/Bachelor Party.

Unfortunately, I was unable to get any really good shots of the cake, but I did manage to snap a few quick pics.

Princess Cake
genoise cake with rum syrup
raspberry jam
pastry cream
hand-whipped cream
marzipan
with gum paste rose and dark chocolate rose leaves