27.2.11

Boston Cream Cupcakes......

I am so excited to be making these today, yummy Boston Cream Cupcakes from food.com. But, in order to work on my cupcake skills I bought a pre made custard filling from a cooking store.

I will post pictures later of my cupcakes, but for now here is the recipe I will follow:

Ingredients:

CUSTARD

1 cup whole milk, divided

2 tablespoons cornstarch

3 large egg yolks

1/3 cup granulated sugar

1 tablespoon butter

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1/8 teaspoon salt

CUPCAKES

2 1/2 cups flour

2 1/2 teaspoons baking powder

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 1/4 cups granulated sugar

1 vanilla bean

10 tablespoons butter, softened

6 large egg yolks, at room temperature

3/4 cup whole milk, plus

2 tablespoons whole milk
GANACHE

2/3 cup heavy cream

8 ounces semisweet chocolate, finely chopped

Directions:
1 MAKE THE CUSTARD: In a small bowl, whisk 1/4 cup milk with the cornstarch until smooth.

2 Add the egg yolks and whisk until blended.

3 Combine the remaining milk and sugar in a small, heavy saucepan and bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring occasionally.

4 Remove pan from heat and whisk 1/2 the milk mixture into the yolk mixture.

5 Return yolk mixture back to the pan and bring to a boil again; boil gently for 1 minute, whisking constantly.

6 Remove pan from heat and whisk in the butter, vanilla, and salt; transfer filling to a covered container and refrigerate for several hours, until thickened and completely cool.

7 (It's probably easier to make this one day ahead.) MAKE THE CUPCAKES: Preheat oven to 350*F.

8 Line 12 jumbo muffin cups with paper liners.

9 Whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt; set aside.

10 Place the sugar in a small bowl; split the vanilla bean lengthwise and scrape out the seeds with a small paring knife into the sugar.

11 Mix with a fork to distribute the seeds evenly throughout the sugar; set aside.

12 Using an electric mixer on medium-high speed, cream together the butter and sugar mixture for 5 minutes, until light and fluffy.

13 Add the egg yolks 2 at a time, beating well after each addition, and scraping bowl occasionally.

14 Reduce mixer speed to low and add the flour mixture in 3 additions, alternating with the milk in 2 additions; blend until smooth.

15 Reserve a scant 2 cups batter; spoon remaining batter into the prepared muffin tins.

16 Center about 2 Tbsp.

17 custard filling over the batter in each cup; completely cover with reserved batter.

18 Bake cupcakes for 22-24 minutes, in 2 batches, or until the tops are golden brown and set.

19 Cool for 10 minutes in the tins on wire racks; carefully remove cakes and cool completely.

20 MAKE THE GANACHE: Bring the heavy cream to a boil in a small, heavy saucepan over medium heat.

21 Remove pan from heat and add the chocolate, swirling the pan so that the cream covers the chocolate.

22 Let stand for 3 minutes, to melt the chocolate; whisk gently until smooth, making sure to incorporate as little air as possible into the mixture.

23 Set aside to cool to room temperature.

24 Spread an even layer of ganache (about 2 Tbsp.) over each cupcake; refrigerate for 40 minutes to set the frosting.

25 Serve at room temperature.





 


24.2.11

Fruit of the Loom, not only for men!

   I know, you think Fruit of the Loom and you think men and underwear! But that, my friends, has changed dramatically. Fruit of the Loom now offers a fabulous array of womens wear including the cutest bras and undies. The colors are vibrant and the styles are in competition with some "other" known lingerie stores.

   Fruit of the Loom now has a "fresh collection" of intimate apparel and sports bras. I have been honored enough to receive a few items from shopfruit.com. I was so excited when I received my package, being a under garments girl! I opened it and wow, best colors ever. They totally have me wanting summer! Here are a few pictures of what I received:



   Wearing the Fruit of the Loom bra made me feel fun and flirty. Knowing that under my clothes were these shouts of color that no one knew about was great. The bra I wore, the Incredible Push Up Bra, was very comfortable and svelte. It made my tops look nice and seemless, without any bra showing. I also received the Pretty Boyleg panties. Talk about comfy, I had no creeping or bunching. They really are great for under low rise pants.

   Along with my bra and panties I was fortunate enough to try out the Strappy Racerback Sports Bra. Perfect timing, since I just lost one of my regular ones. Yoga was just what I needed for a test run. The bra was soft and relaxed. It never budged once. That sports bra was as smooth as my yoga!

Defintely run over and visit shopfruit.com. You have to check out their selection of bras and panties and do not miss the sports bras! And colors......stock up, spring and summer are just around the corner.....yes, time to freshen up that lingerie!

As a special Business2Blogger promotion, visitors can shop shopfruit.com using the discount code B2BFRUIT to receive $5 off your entire order (it’s like getting the shipping for free!). Code expires March 31, 2011.

This was not a paid post and honest opinions were used. The opinions are solely my own and may vary from others. Thank you to Shopfruit.com who supplied the product for review.

21.2.11

School Papers, for all the world to see!

So since I have to write for class, and being the attention whore I am, I have decided that every paper I have to write for class I will post here. Um, with the exception of my obituary, since I do not want you all to know what a great life I end up having (you will have to just enjoy the ride with me day after day!).

So, paper number one:


A Day at the Beach

I can hear the water, as it crashes to the shore. It sloshes, slurps, slowly gets quiet, only to roar again. It is a warm summer day and I can feel the tepid water as it touches my toes. It is soft and gentle like a pair of cozy slippers. The air is fresh and clean. The warmth of the breeze takes my mind off of the real world and puts me into a trance. I am only in this moment. I can smell and taste the salty air. It rushes through my nose as though each breath is my first. I slowly breathe in and out, enjoying each deep inhale and exhale. The sun is hot on my skin. I can feel it. I welcome it. I am soaking it up. Much like a warm hug on a cold night, it embraces me. I want to live in this here and now forever.

And then it’s over. Like a New York minute. I hear it, the notorious “mom…mom, look”. Life at the beach: with kids. Although my moment is gone, it will return. One of my favorite places in the world is the beach. More importantly, it is the beach by the ocean. It is not any particular beach, any ocean will do. As long as there is sun, sand, water, and a warm breeze; it is my favorite place. Every family vacation includes the beach. Whether for a day or a few days, the beach is always a planned attraction.

It is not just the beach itself. It is also the affect it has. I can hear the giggles, the squeals, the belly laughs. Looking over I see my children building a sand fort. The sand is silky smooth like the back of a cat. It is warm and light. Slowly they add water and it becomes stiff, clay like. They build, they laugh, they are enjoying the beach and all it has to offer. They are artists. They are adventurers. They are athletes.

The water is another entity in its own right. I must have been a sea creature in a former life because I adore the water. Anything tropical or relating to the ocean has me enamored. Feeling the water makes me happy. Actually, it makes me blissful. The gentle lapping of the water as I slowly descend into the clear blue glass, sparkling as each and every individual ray of the sun hits it. It glimmers like a diamond that has just been cleaned. It invites you in like an Italian grandmother who just cooked dinner. You have no choice, you must enter the lair. There is a whole world unbeknownst to humans that lies within the water. When you truly think about it, as fun as it is to play in the water, to swim, splash, float…there is life happening all around you. Life that I am oblivious to. Life that is oblivious to me and my existence.

After a few hours I find myself sitting back on a toasty blanket of sand. A puff of salty air hits me. I am back, back in a new moment. It feels similar to a past state, yet it is completely different. Every sense is now experiencing something new. How long will this moment last? I am not sure, I am never sure, but I will enjoy every second as though it is the only second I will ever have.

15.2.11

Seriously?

I have come to realize that some people have such mental issues that they just do not know how to move on. And life's reality is not theirs. People can choose to believe what they want, it does not make it true.

Live a happy life with those around you who love you and care for you. And forget anyone who was toxic in your life.

14.2.11

Happy Valentines Day, 22 Cute Dessert Recipes from Recipe Lion

From one of my favorite cooking sites, RecipeLion, a free download of Sweets for Your Sweet: 22 Cute Dessert Recipes for Valentine's Day eCookbook





Click here!

Thanks RecipeLion!

9.2.11

Wordless Wednesday!!!!!!!!

Some winter fun at the Kalahari in Wisc.







4.2.11

Aloha Friday!!!!

Yes, it's Aloha Friday over at An Island Life........


"In Hawaii, Aloha Friday is the day that we take it easy and look forward to the weekend. So I thought that on Fridays I would take it easy on posting, too. Therefore, I’ll ask a simple question for you to answer. Nothing that requires a lengthy response. If you’d like to participate, just post your own question on your blog and leave your link below. Don’t forget to visit the other participants! It’s a great way to make new bloggy friends!"
So join in the fun, answer some questions, post a question and enjoy visiting a new blog or two!

Todays Double Shot Question...................


In honor of Super Bowl Sunday.....what is your favorite appetizer?

3.2.11

Love my Twitter!

Don't forget to follow me on Twitter!

@Bratts29

2.2.11