Forth of July Inspirations

Hope everyone had an amazing 4th of July weekend… I surely did and here are some inspirations that I found and would like to share with you guys.

Inspirations:

This board is all Martha Stewart– Check out the links to scroll through the pics and find out how to make some of these decorations for yourself.

Foods and Such:

Source : food network

Directions:

Fill premade miniature tart shells or phyllo cups with sweet mascarpone cream (recipe below), then arrange on a tray and top with blueberries and halved strawberry slices to create stars and stripes.

Mascarpone Cream:

Beat an 8-ounce container of mascarpone cheese and 3 tablespoons confectioners’ sugar with a mixer until smooth. Gently fold in 1/2 cup freshly whipped cream.

Source : food network

Ingredients:

• 1 box red velvet cake mix, about 18 ounces (if you can’t find red velvet cake use 1 box chocolate cake plus a bottle of red food coloring)
• 1 (16-ounce) tub whipped topping
• 2 pints blueberries
• 1 pint strawberries, tops removed

Directions:

Bake the red velvet cake mix according to package directions and allow to cool.

Using a serrated knife cut the red velvet cake into 1 inch square pieces and line the bottom of the trifle bowl with half of the cake squares.

Using a spatula, spread about a 2-inch layer of whipped topping on top of the cake squares.

Layer about 1 1/2 pints of the blueberries on top of whipped topping.

Layer the remaining cake pieces on top of the blueberries forming a second layer of cake.

Using a spatula, spread remaining whipped topping over the cakes pieces.

Decorate the perimeter with the strawberries; placing the strawberries cut side down. Sprinkle the remaining blueberries on top of the trifle inside the strawberry perimeter.

Source: I am Mommy

Regular Pancake

(adapted from allrecipes)

1 1/2 cups flour

2 tablespoons white sugar

1 tsp baking powder

2 egg whites, beaten

1 cup milk

2 tablespoons canola oil

1 tablespoon vanilla extract

Combine all dry ingredients (that includes sugar) in a large bowl.  In a separate bowl, combine beaten egg whites, milk, oil, and vanilla.  Pour into dry ingredients and mix until just combined.

Pour about 1/3 cup onto med. high griddle and lightly brown on both sides.

Red Velvet Pancakes

1 cup flour

1 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp baking soda

1/2 tsp salt

3 tablespoons white sugar

2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder

1 large egg

3/4 cup buttermilk

1/4 cup sour cream

1/8 tsp red gel food coloring

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Combine all dry ingredients (flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, sugar, cocoa powder) in large bowl and set aside.  In a separate bowl, whisk together egg, buttermilk, sour cream, food coloring, and vanilla.  Add wet ingredients to dry, and mix until just combined.

Pour about 1/3 cup onto med. high griddle and lightly brown on both sides.

Check out her other amazing ideas on her blog

Go to I am baker to get the details…on this cake..

Ok know get inspired…Till next time! Enjoy.

Roll Out The Blanket…It’s Picnic Time

When I think of summer , I think of a picturesque lake view and a large blanket that has endless amount of choices of great foods and desserts. Make this summers picnic a magical one filled with bright and warm colors.

Here are some colors to keep in mind when planning your next summer picnic!

Great ideas I ran across:

Get really creative this summer and think out of the box , with all the possibilities that you can do when you have no guidelines to follow.

Example from trendsetter: Enchanted Picnic has exotic themes, follies in Versailles, rave party in Schönbrunn, murder in an English garden – Lewis Carroll, Fragonard gate-crashes the camp site, Hansel and Gretel’s cuisine, ecology show – glamor and fun, the dawn of artificial preciousness. Colors that set the teeth on edge – neon but whitened, transparent jelly fish, over-bright pastels, fiery brights tempered by grey and measured beige.

1. Play with the colors

2. Create an intricate theme based on a small detail that may carry throughout the picnic

3. Location, Location , Location ( go out of town to somewhere new and allow for everyone to be out of their elements, so they can relax and think of nothing that they left behind.)

4. Make it a potluck picnic so the food varies and everyone can be a part of the action

5. Sit back and enjoy!

Are you sitting now… what do you see in front of you?

• Breakfast picnic: Skip the sandwiches in favor of a breakfast picnic theme. Fruit and fruit salads, muffins, mini quiches, sweet or cinnamon rolls, deviled eggs, and smoked meat and cheese with croissants or bagels, and juice or coffee could be incorporated for a fun picnic spread.

• Appetizer picnic: An appetizer picnic menu is romantic and fun. Smoked meats and cheeses with crackers, stuffed mushrooms, fresh vegetables and dip, hummus and pita chips, shrimp cocktail, mini sandwich wraps, and bite size cakes, cheesecakes, or pastries are great choices for this type of picnic.

Here is the recipe for the image above, it made my mouth water.

Ceviche Recipe

Ingredients:
-4 oz scallops, thinly sliced
– 4 ounces skinned red snapper filet, diced
– 1/2 cup, and 2 tbsp fresh lime juice
– 1 large tomato, diced
– 1/2 medium avocado
– 1 small red onion, minced
– 2 tablespoons fresh cilantro
– 3 dashes hot pepper sauce
– salt and pepper to taste

** You can also sub out the scallops and red snapper for shrimp, crab or ahi tuna! (The shrimp one is my FAVORITE!)

Directions:
Toss 4 ounces sea scallops, thinly sliced, and 4 ounces skinned red snapper filet, diced, with 1/2 cup fresh lime juice in a medium glass bowl. Cover and refrigerate until the fish becomes opaque, about 1 hour. Drain, then toss with 1 large tomato, diced; 1/2 medium avocado, pitted, peeled, and diced; 1 small red onion, minced; 2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro; 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice; 3 dashes hot pepper sauce; salt to taste; and ground pepper to taste. Serve immediately, cold, on a bed of shredded iceberg lettuce. NOTE: Ask for sushi-grade fish at your market.

Serving size = 1 cup

Compliments of LaaLoosh.

Pink Frosting offers a range of appetizing treats with a touch of elegance.

• Dessert picnic: For a sweet way to finish off a summer evening, plan a simple dessert picnic. Cupcakes, brownie bites or squares, fresh fruit, mini cakes, puff pastry, cookies, slices of fruit pie, lemon bars, chocolate covered strawberries, slices of pound cake, and chocolate mousse cups all make lovely fare for a dessert picnic.

• Classic picnic: Items like cold fried chicken, cole slaw, potato salad, baked beans, freshly baked brownies, slices of watermelon, and ice-cold lemonade make a perfect classic picnic menu.

Hope some of these ideas get your creative juices flowing …Until tomorrow then and get with the VIBE.

Organic Elegance Mother’s Day

So, with just 4 days to go until mom’s special day, we are continuing the series of “How-To” Themed brunches. Today let’s focus on an Organic Elegance. When we say that, we mean keeping it natural, using local ingredients, keeping it real – preservatives free if possible, using elements that will enhance the brunch and keep us close to nature.

At the VIBE agency, we try to be eco-friendly. It is the only way to keep the planet going, and we hope we can change the world, one person at a time. To demonstrate our love for the environment, and mom, and  help raise awareness of going green, we’ve decided to create an Organic Elegance Mother’s Day theme. Celebrate your Mother’s Day by also celebrating the Earth we live on! This simple and easy green-inspired party will leave everyone feeling refreshed and delighted, especially mom!

For décor, we’re keeping it simple and responsible. Try an earthy burlap cloth to dress the tables, which will preferably be located outside — in a garden, in your backyard, on a balcony, anywhere the sun can shine. As for centerpieces, if you’ve learned one thing from these themed blogs, it’s to be creative with centerpieces! You can play around with terra cotta or wheatgrass pots, fill them up with moss add some flowers on top, and you got yourself a beautiful earthy design.

Try a “veggie garden/crudités display” by placing baby carrots, zucchini, squash, and cucumber spears (Organic? Better!) in wheatgrass pots. You can also use bamboo plates, which add to the earthy elements and are also reusable. If you must use disposable plates (after all, no one likes cleaning up… and no asking mom!) try these biodegradable options: Verterra, Bambu, Ecopalm – functional, responsible, and pretty!

For the main dish, visit any local farmers market for an array of delicious fruits and vegetables. Try an heirloom tomato salad. Buy an assortment of beautifully colored heirloom tomatoes— green, purple, red, yellow— cut up, add some fresh basil and a hit of aged balsamic vinaigrette.

Next, go to your favorite local fish market, and pick up your favorite fresh catch. Cut up some squash, carrots, and zucchini, add with fish in a ceramic baking dish, add a squeeze of lemon and olive oil, dash of salt and pepper, and bake at 400°F. Cooking time will vary depending on what fish and the thickness of the filet. Thin filets usually take 15 minutes, small steaks anywhere from 10-15. So keep an eye out!

Lastly, whip up some fresh squeezed ginger orange juice. Squeeze fresh oranges, add 1 teaspoon of crushed fresh ginger for every cup of OJ, and heat until boiling, let boil for 5 minutes total. Pour juice through a strainer, serve warm or cold.

With these delicious dishes, you are sure to impress your guests, while also becoming a responsible locavore! Mom won’t forget, and our Earth will appreciate your gorgeous green affair.