Veggie Buffet Table

This Christmas my sister had a pot-luck with a bunch of her girlfriends and she decided that her offering was going to be fresh raw veggies. She wanted to put a funky spin on the concept, since veggies are pretty boring, and she asked me for ideas. I thought it might be cool to try a veggie buffet table and set it up like a candy display like those I create for other events. The result was pretty cool!

The girls demolished the table in no time, partly due to the fact that the veggies were presented like treats! Might be a good trick for a children's party!
Have you ever tried to put a new spin on a candy table?

Read more...

Tasty Tuesday: Big Batch BBQ Rub

For Christmas, I gave the boy a gift full of manly items. This book was the inspiration for the theme and in addition to that book I gave him a bunch of cool things that guys want/need. Among them: a Maglite flashlight, a gift certificate to a tattoo parlour, this cute little fire department tie tack [he's a firefighter] I got on Etsy and some homemade barbeque rub. I found the recipe on one of my favourite inspirational websites Real Simple when I saw a gift guide for homemade presents and I knew immediately that I had to make some for Kevin. I mean, what's manlier than barbequeing?

Photo Credit: Ka Yeung / Tinkerbox Studio Inc [via Real Simple]

The picture of the rub is different than what mine looked like. I mixed mine together as per the instructions, so I didn't get that layered look from the picture, but I didn't see how it would get properly mixed in the small glass jar if I didn't do it beforehand. So, forsaking the visual for quality, I decided to just mix it all together, but it still looked great. This is the jar that I used, just an inexpensive glass jar from Ikea. I actually had to make a little more to have enough to fill the jar, so when you are selecting a container for your rub and presentation matters, make sure you alter the recipe so that you have enough.

Big Batch Barbecue Rub Recipe [via Real Simple]

Makes 1 1/3 cups
Time: 10 minutes

Ingredients
1/2 cup paprika
3 tablespoons brown sugar [I used Golden Yellow Sugar]
3 tablespoons dried oregano
3 tablespoons ground coffee [I used Starbucks Sumatra<]
4 teaspoon kosher salt [I used Dean Jacob's Pacific Ocean Sea Salt]
1 tablespoons black pepper

Directions:
Combine the ingredients and store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 months.
Instructions to include with your gift: Up to 2 hours before cooking, coat 2 pounds of chicken, beef, pork, or seafood with 1 tablespoon of olive oil and sprinkle with 2 to 4 tablespoons of the rub. Cook as desired.

We used the rub on some steaks we cooked up on Saturday night and it was delicious! When you make the rub and when you open the container, you will get a distinct coffee smell, but once you rub it into the meat, the coffee is not overly noticeable so don't worry, you won't be eating meat that tastes like a cup of coffee!

Did you give any homemade gifts this holiday season?

Read more...

Tasty Tuesday: Homemade Cranberry Bliss Bars

Last week, I mentioned my love for Starbucks Cranberry Bliss Bars. Their moist yet crumbly texture with juicy cranberries and yummy icing can lure me to a Starbucks from miles away. So the other day as I was searching for recipes to use during the holiday season, imagine my excitement when I found this homemade spin on my Christmastime love [via SeriousEats.com via Cakespy as an adaption of a recipe by Mr. Breakfast]. Read on for the mouthwatering recipe below. I can't wait to try this one out for some DIY gift deliciousness this Christmas!

Photo Credit: Jessie Oleson

- makes 16 bars -

Ingredients for cake base:

2 sticks (1 cup) unsalted butter, softened
1 1/4 cups brown sugar, firmly packed
3 large eggs
1 teaspoon ground ginger
1 teaspoon ground nutmeg (optional)
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 cups flour
1/4 cup dried cranberries
1/4 cup white chocolate, coarsely chopped (I used Lindt)
1/4 cup candied ginger, finely chopped

Ingredients for frosting:

4 ounces cream cheese, softened
1 1/2 cups confectioners' sugar
2 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/2 teaspoon lemon zest (optional)
dash of salt

Ingredients for garnish:

1/3 cup white chocolate (either chips, or coarsely chopped bar chocolate)
1/2 cup dried cranberries

Procedure:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F and lightly grease a 9x13 pan.

2. Make the cake. Beat butter and sugar together until fluffy; add the vanilla and eggs, one at a time, stirring well after each addition. Sift together flour, ground ginger, nutmeg, and salt and then add to the butter and sugar mixture, beating until fully incorporated. This will be a very thick batter. Fold in the cranberries, chocolate and ginger. Spread the batter in the pan and bake for about 30 minutes or until light golden. Let the cake cool before adding the frosting.

3. Make the frosting. Using the paddle attachment on an electric mixer, beat the butter and cream cheese together until fluffy; add the lemon zest, vanilla, and salt; add the confectioners' sugar bit by bit until the frosting has reached your desired consistency (you may need less than the suggested amount). Spread the frosting evenly over the cake, and scatter the cranberries on top of the frosting immediately.

4. Make the drizzle. In a double boiler, melt white chocolate; once it is smooth, use a spoon and drizzle across the top of the frosted and cranberry-festooned cake.

5. Slice the bars immediately after applying the white chocolate drizzle. Slice in half lengthwise, and then slice into four equal parts horizontally. Slice each rectangle in half diagonally, and you will end up with 16 triangle-shaped bars.

Enjoy!

Read more...

Etsy Monday: Vintage Christmas Lights

I know, I know. Old-fashioned Christmas lights are not only a possible fire hazard, they are a serious energy waster. But darn it if they aren't beautiful works of art! How can you resist something that brings back amazing childhood memories and makes your holiday decorating gorgeous and unique? I've rounded up some of the best Etsy has to offer in the way of vintage Christmas lights.

Photo Credit: Etsy Seller REdesignkc

Photo Credit: Etsy Seller TraceyAnns


Photo Credit: Etsy Seller 1951Model

Photo Credit: Etsy Seller glamourama

All of these are so fun and would look great mixed in with some more eco-friendly options like LED lights. Do you use any vintage strings of Christmas lights in your holiday decorating?

Read more...

Thirsty Thursday: Festive Flavours

Don't you love when the holiday lineup is unveiled at your favourite coffee shop? When the festive cups are brought out and the counter is lined with gingerbread men and candy canes? You may not know about the secret love I harbour for Starbucks' Cranberry Bliss Bar, but I will save that for another day. This post is an ode to my love for yummy yuletide beverages. I must say, I don't really branch out though when it comes to these drinks, but here are my favourites during The Season.

While I'm a little sad that Starbucks has done away with my beloved Peppermint Hot Chocolate [it's now something you can get year-round], it's really the red cups that do it for me. Seeing the first red cup of The Season really gets me in the Christmas mood. How can you not feel festive when you see one of these babies?Photo Credit: Starbucks

I hit up Williams Coffee Pub every Sunday night when I go watch the boy play hockey. Normally, I get a steamed white hot chocolate with loads of whip, but during The Season, I pick a Candy Cane Hot Chocolate. Mmm-mmm!

Photo Credit: Williams Coffee Pub

Those adorable little gingerpeople always call my name as I place my order, but I've been able to resist them so far [I don't know how long I can hold out for though!].

An identically named drink from Second Cup is another of my go-to hot bevs during The Season. The boy surprised me with one out of the blue yesterday and it honestly made my day! The whip they use at Second Cup is my favourite, so I make sure it gets piled on. Second Cup has a huge lineup of holiday drinks during The Season, I also like the Noel Nog, but I rarely order it since I love my hot chocolate too much!

Photo Credit: Second Cup

Any of these coffee shops, especially Williams, provide an excellent location and backdrop for an intimate gift exchange with a few girlfriends, or a post-skate/toboggan meet-up over the holidays. You can choose one of their delicious festive drinks, enjoy the ambiance and best of all there's no cleaning up afterward!

What is your favourite hot beverage of The Season?

Read more...