Chris' Birthay Cake

Well I did it, I finally made and used fondant for the first time. I'll post the recipe I used in my online cookbook soon. The taste wasn't too bad, it was a smidge greasier than I'd like. Overall I was suprised by how well it turned out. I will definately be having more fondant adventures in the future.

Happy Birthday Sweetie!

Napa Rose

For Chris' birthday I took him on a two day trip to Disneyland.  The highlight of the trip was his dinner at Napa Rose.  To Chris' surprise we sat at the chef's counter and executive chef Andrew Sutton took down our allergies, likes and dislikes, and created a custom meal for us.  Some of the courses where no where to be found on the menu others were, overall it was the most amazing culinary experience we've ever had!

Amouse Bouche- Sesame Seed Waffle Cone filled with an Avodado Moose, and Caviar. (no photo)

Bread Basket- Parmesean and herb cracker, Rye Roll, Sourdough Roll

Ahi Carpaccio - Pounded thinly topped with Lemon Gelle, Tian of Blue Crab, Black Beluga Lentils, and Lemon Creme Fraiche

Tempura Fried Lobster and Spicy Asian Beef Salad - Mizuna Salad with Daikon Radish, and Coconut, Cilantro, Lime vinaigrette.

White Fish with Lobster Cake - Breaded delicate white fish served over lobster and potato cake served in a roasted tomato broth

Sea Bass with Lemon Bubbles- Grilled sea bass over sauteed vegetables with lemon foam

Maple Leaf Farm Duck Breast - with Marinated Juniper Berries, Fire Roasted Chestnuts, Pear, Pancetta, Salsify and Blood Orange Jus.

Oak Roasted Sonoma Quail - Filled with Portobello Mushroom & Swiss Chard, Sweet Potato Polenta, and Dried Apricot Sauce along side a Pineapple and Pancetta relish and a hushpuppy

Zinfandel Braised Angus Beef Short Rib - with Risotto of Wild Rice, Pine Nut and Dried Cranberries, with Butternut Squash Sauce.

Walnut Crusted Mountain Meadows Lamb Rack - with Boneless Braised Lamb Shank, Roasted Parsnips, and Sonoma Mushrooms. 

Chocolate Mini Cake - with chocolate ice cream and bruleed sugar curl

Meyer Lemon Creme Brule - lemon creme in a flaky pastry crust bruled and topped with whipped cream, dehydrated slice of lemon.  Served over fresh raspberry compote. 


An amazing experience to say the least, we will undoubtedly be going back one day! Here we are at our table with executive chef Sutton.

Happy Birthday Chris!

Valentine's Day

Hope you all had a lovely Valentine's Day! Chris and I celebrated our first Valentine's Day together by spending our day at the church and the theater, how romantic? Don't be fooled, it was a very nice day.  Since Chris and I are going to Disneyland this week for 2 days we pinky swore we wouldn't get each other any thing for Valentine's Day, just cards.  Well the dweeb broke his pinky swear! I show up with a card and the jerk got me a gift!!! Make me look dumb! Chris got me the Lolita ice cream dish that matches my princess wine glass.  He got me the matching ornament for Christmas.  Too stinkin' cute! Although he still broke the rules, there was a pinky swear involved!!

Well to even things out I took him to PF Changs after rehearsal last night for appetizers and desert.  If you've never been to a PF Changs, don't wait any longer.  We ALWAYS have a great meal! All their appetizers are fantastic, their drinks are great, and the desserts..... oh my goodness the desserts.  Our favorite is the "Great Wall of Chocolate" it's like a 6 layer dark chocolate cake with this amazing raspberry sauce.  Words and pictures can't do it justice, you just have to taste it.

Speaking of food, Wednesday night Chris and I will have one of our long time food dreams fulfilled.  I'm taking Chris to the Napa Rose at the Grand Californian Hotel at Disneyland.  This place has an amazing foodie following and outstanding reputation.  I'll tell you all about it once we get back so I can give you a first hand account rather than just retell information I've read.  We're staying Wednesday night at a cute little spanish villa hotel we found online.  Hopefully it's as cute as the pictures.  I'm renewing my season pass and Chris is getting one too! Should be a great investment. Can't wait to report back on our awesome trip to come.  Oh and if you get a chance to tell him, Chris 29th birthday is this coming Saturday (the 20th)!

Online Cookbook Update

Lots of new recipes! Go take a look!

Coldwell Banker Cupcakes

Well, as you may have noticed I STILL haven't put my most recent recipes up. So sue me. Well pretend I never even made any of that stuff and feast your eyes on these cute mini cupcakes I made for my open house tomorrow in Coldwell Banker colors. Just a simple white cake mix, only difference is I use the egg white only instructions. My usual vanilla buttercream you can find in my recipe book.


And the leftovers, turns out the Colts playing in the super bowl have the same colors as Coldwell Banker. I know what I'm taking to Mike and Jen's party!

FoodGawker

Well I still haven't had my recipes and photos all in the same place at once to post things. This is what happens when you have a computer at work, lap top, and the cookbooks are on my shelf at home.  Sloppy work. Anyways, I got in trouble yesterday.  I've been secretly reading the blog foodgawker.com for a few months now and hadn't told anyone.  Chris found out about it and was crushed that I hadn't shared the joy with him.  I hope he can find it in his heart to forgive me.  So that no one else gets hurt from my negligence, please visit www.foodgawker.com, it's a great time!