Tuesday, June 25, 2013

Kaylen's 8th Birthday Party Cake!

Photo by Katie Kay
I've been doing fondant research for a long time but never had the desire to give it a try.  I'm WAY too fond of elaborately flavored, filled, and garnished cakes.  I don't like the taste of fondant (not even marshmallow fondant) but I think Kaylen is finally at an age where she will better appreciate a decorative (less tasty, IMO) cake.  

Perfect example: Last year she didn't like her cake because it had a strawberry jam filling and she said jelly doesn't go on cakes.  She's a sugar, butter and food-dye kind of girl.

She wanted a pink and zebra striped party this year, and I obliged.  I planned a 2-tiered round layer cake with zebra pattern on the inside, pink fondant on the bottom tier, and zebra fondant on the top tier.  I borrowed fondant supplies (2 sized rollers, smoother, mat, etc) from my friend Janet (a fondant expert) and saved a small fortune.  Thanks, pumpkin!

Monday, June 17, 2013

Kaylen's First Cupcake: Devil's Food Cupcakes

Photo by Katie Kay

Happy Father's Day!  Kaylen wanted to bake Matt some cupcakes today.  Since I'm such a control freak in the kitchen and I usually limit what she is allowed to help with, she was stoked to be allowed to bake her own cupcakes from start to finish all by herself.  I swear, I didn't do a thing!  She even cleaned up!

We chose Martha's Devil's Food Cupcakes because I had all the ingredients and Matt's favorite cake is chocolate.  Kaylen wanted vanilla frosting, although I tried my hardest to sway her towards chocolate.  Vanilla frosting...pssshhhh.  I don't know where she gets that from.  Definitely not me.

Sunday, June 9, 2013

Chicken Ranch Tacos

Photo by Katie Kay
I have never in my life willingly chosen chicken over beef.  That would be a crime against humanity.  And when I suggested to Matt that these tacos might be better than beef, or at least comparable, he disagreed with me.  To put it mildly.  However, I think that's only because he has something deep down inside that won't allow him to admit such a thing.  Because I've never seen him moan over beef tacos.

Thursday, June 6, 2013

German Chocolate Layer Cake

Photo by Matt Sechrist
For my dad's birthday I knew I was going to do something either Snickerdoodle or German Chocolate because those are his favorites.  I considered cupcakes or a cake, and ended up choosing the German Chocolate cake because it felt more birthday-ey.  

Sunday, June 2, 2013

Rigatoni alla Vodka with Rosemary & Lemon Haricots Verts

Photo by Katie Kay
I've made several variations of this recipe in the past and typically I make it with Italian sausage, which is fantastic.  Tonight I had to make do with pantry staples because this was a last-minute throw-together meal, so it ended up vegetarian.  Matt didn't smash his plate down to the floor in protest, so I guess he was okay with it.  
And yes, vodka is a pantry staple.