Construction Cupcakes

    

     Last summer I really wanted a job where I got to be outside a lot. Complying with my wishes, my dad gave me a job in the production area of his company. Now his company builds houses so I figured being in production would mean that I just made sure everyone was doing what there were suppose to, not goofing off, or being on time. No my friends. I was a construction worker. I cleaned up trash, swept houses for hours in near triple digit weather, and had to wear long jeans and work boots every single day.

     It was long, hot, sweaty work. It was not fun and I cried a lot (even though I pretended to be tough). The positive side of this was the fact that I am one of the handiest college girls that I know. I can pretty much fix anything. I can grout a bathroom, paint, install doorknobs, caulk, and install garbage disposals. I can explain to you how to build a house, how to pass your permit tests, and what to look for if one of the contractors tries to give you a not so quality job.



No use crying over spilled paint?



     All and all, I have to say that it made me appreciate construction workers on a new level. And I am WAY handier then Matthew which makes me happy.

Always check your blueprints!

     I made these little construction cupcakes for my mom’s boyfriend, Andy. He does home renovation and actually just won an award in the town of Annapolis for the best home renovator or something, which is pretty cool. He was hoping to surprise the guys at his 7 AM work meeting with some cupcakes. I made them chocolate cake with a mocha icing. I figured the little kick of espresso might help the meeting out. I am just going to give you the recipe for the frosting because the cake is just a normal chocolate cake… or is it and I do not want to give away my secret recipe? Anyway, Enjoy!

Thank goodness I did not have to wear a hard hat!

 What You Need:

• 1 ½ stick of room temperature butter
• 1/3 cup of cocoa powder
• A pinch of salt
• 3 cups of confections sugar
• ¼ of a cup of instant espresso
• 2 tablespoons of room temperature heavy whipping cream.

How to Make It:

1.       Place your butter in a bowl and cream it until there are no chunks.

2.       Put in your cocoa powder, salt, and espresso. Mix thoroughly.

3.       Slowly add your sugar. I usually do it in three batches.

4.       When it thickens, add your whipping cream and continue to blend.

5.       If it is not thick enough or too buttery for your taste, add sugar. If it is too thick, add more whipping cream slowly.

6.       Put it on anything and EAT!

Panko and Asiago Encrusted Tomatoes

I just learned that the leaves of tomatoes are poisonous. But I’m thinking like how poisonous? Like poisonous to kill someone or to just make them throw up? And is it me or is it a little ironic that this fruit (veggie to some people) is called “the apple of love” in French culture. Creepy.

Here in America, we just like tomatoes in almost every form. We eat over 26 pounds of tomatoes a year in either the raw form, ketchup, or my personal favorite, salsa. But last night as I was flipping though a fine cooking magazine, I saw a recipe that did not look it would cost me anything/ take me 12 hours to make. This summer recipe was really delicious and Diana’s boyfriend Matthew (who hates tomatoes) ate a lot of the little ones. I think the little ones were the most delicious and easy to pop right in your mouth.

Give this summer treat a try at your next pool party or barbeque. You won’t be disappointed.

P.S. I had a lot of fun with these pictures.

What You Need:

• 1 cup of grated Asiago Cheese
• ¾ cup of panko
• 2 tablespoons of panko
• 1 tablespoon of chopped fresh thyme
• 1 tablespoon of chopped from parsley
• Salt and pepper to taste

How  to Make It:

        1.       Turn you oven to broil so it can nice and toasty.

       2.         Slice your tomatoes in ¼ of an inch slices or your littler ones in half

3.       Mix the panko, cheese, herbs, and salt and pepper together with a fork until the cheese and panko is coated with olive oil. If it looks like it is too dry just add a little more.

4.       Sprinkle the mixture on to you tomatoes and pop them into the oven.

5.       Watch your tomatoes because depending on the strength of your broiler the tomatoes can brown quickly and burn. Just let them cook until the panko is golden brown.

6.       Plate with some olive oil and some fresh thyme on top!

Maryland Style Blood Mary

      I am totally convinced that I am an old soul. Rather than going out after work I am much more content watching Law and Order and reading a book that will make me cry or get mad or think about things. I love savory over sweet. And last but not least I enjoy tomato juice.             

      ANYWAY, this past weekend at the beach my Dad whipped (or rather shook) me up a totally non college kid (unless you are Kelly from my old apartment) drink. Best. Bloody. Mary. Ever. It was sooo good and the flavors were so savory and spicy. If you all follow the blog then you may have noticed I like my food spicy but this has brought my love of tomato juice to a new level for making it SOO spicy. Of course because it is a Maryland style Bloody Mary, the rim of the cup must be covered in Old Bay.

      I have come to the conclusion of three things from this drink. 1. I will never look at V8 the same way again. 2. A Bloody Mary is not a old person drink. and 3. I cannot take any credit for this post because my dad made the drink and came up with the idea for the picture. Bravo, Jeff, and Happy 50th birthday today. Love you.

What You Need:

• 5 oz hot and spicy V8
• 1 teaspoon horseradish
• 1/2 lime, juiced
• Old Bay, to taste
• 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
• tobasco, to taste
• jalapeño juice, to taste
• celery salt, a pinch
• olive juice, to taste
• ice
• vodka, to taste

How to Make It:

1. Get a small plate and put a shallow layer of water on it.
2. Get another plate and put a big pile of Old Bay on it.
3. Grab your glass of choice and dip into the water then the Old Bay seasoning to created the rimmed glass.
4. In a martini shaker, add all your ingredients and shake shake shake.
5. Pour over your ice cubes and add a garnish.
6. Go to the beach with you book and drink and enjoy the afternoon!

Fourth Of July Cupcakes

        Hello all and Happy Independence day! Woooh! Hopefully no one will even see this post until they are all worn out from boating, tanning, drinking, swimming, grilling etc, all the American things that we should be doing today. This post will be short and sweet. I just really am taking a cool down break from the beach and wanted to share some cupcakes I made for my mother to take to a 4th party. They were a classic red velvet cupcake, that I actually made into blue velvet, with an almond butter cream and some fondant decorations! I hope you think they are pretty. God Bless America!

Also, a big thank you to all of our troops who are or have been overseas defending our country! God bless you and your families.