Halloween Party Inspiration!

    I plan on doing a little Halloween celebrating this weekend, and my inspiration is below. Happy Halloween weekend my friends! Happy Friday! xoxo, Julie

    SNACKS
    Green Slimed Popcorn via Purple Chocolat Home

    Jack-O-Lantern Oranges!

    Empanadas, Fondue & 7-Layer Dip via Divine Dinner Party!




    Apricots & Raisins via Olive and Cocoa


    BREAKFAST
    Chocolate Pumpkin Pancakes!

    Mummy Dogs!

    Chocolate Milkshake!

    DINNER

    Halloween Mini Salads via All You

    Spaghetti Peppers via Macaroni Kid

    Quesadillas via My Recipe

    Mummy Rolls

    Veggie Skeleton

    Slime Punch with blood rim via Parent's Magazine

    DESSERT
    Pumpkin Pudding via Cooking Light

    Homemade Carmel Apples covered in Halloween colored sprinkles!


    Mint Chocolate Chips via Betty Crocker

    DECOR
    Scary Front Yard-I was able to find 4 tombstones at Walgreens!

    Creepy Table with white table cloths, candleabras, pumpkins and spider webs!


    Don't forget the...
    MUSIC PLAYLIST
    Monster Mash-Bobby Pickett
    Thriller-Michael Jackson
    In the Air Tonight-Phil Collins
    People Who Died-Jim Carroll
    Long Black Veil-Dave Matthews Band
    Ghostbusters-Ray Parker
    People Are Strange-The Doors
    Iko Iko-The Dixie Cups
    Black Magic Woman-Santana
    Creep-Radiohead
    The Addams Family Theme-Charlie Addams
    I Put a Spell on You-Screamin' Jay Hawkins

Berry Chantilly Cake

    Have you ever had the Berry Chantilly Cake at Whole Foods? If you haven't, then you need to go out and try it right now! It's so light, fresh and delectable! I first had it last month when a co-worker Stacy brought it to a going away party, and today another co-worker Lori made an exact replica! I, of course, devoured it. From online research it looks like this is Whole Foods "signature" cake, and for good reason! It's now my "signature" cake for my future birthdays and personal milestones! Thankfully Lori shared the recipe with us below! Yum! Happy Tuesday! xoxo, Julie






    Here is the recipe Lori used and it is spot on! She said that she did not make the cake from scratch but used box cake mix. It was delish!
     
     
    Berry Chantilly Cake
    This recipe is a close copy of a Berry Chantilly Cake from a popular organic grocery chain. The ingredients were copied from the listing on the cake container itself. The original cake calls for orange Flavedo which is simply orange zest. This recipe substitutes Gran Marnier instead but feel free to use the zest instead if you like. The overall measurements were calculated based off of other tried and tested recipes. The apricot glaze is an easier method than making your own from scratch but will yield the same results. If you try it and feel it’s not exactly right let me know. I no longer have the original to compare it to. None of the markets here in my new city sell this cake. Hope you enjoy!


    Ingredients

    Yellow Cake:
    1 cup butter
    1 1/2 cups white sugar
    8 egg yolks
    3/4 cup milk
    1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
    1 cup + 2 Tablespoons unbleached cake flour
    1 cup unbleached unbromated flour
    2 teaspoons baking powder
    1/2 teaspoon salt

    Directions

    1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease and flour 2 – 8 inch round pans. Sift together the flour, baking powder and salt three times to ensure maximum integration. Set aside.
    2. In a large bowl, cream together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the egg yolks one at a time, then stir in the vanilla. Beat in the flour mixture alternately with the milk, mixing just until incorporated. Pour batter into prepared pans.

    Bake in the preheated oven for 25 to 30 minutes, or until tops spring back when lightly tapped. Cool 15 minutes before turning out onto cooling racks.

    (Make sure to use unbleached, unbromated flour to ensure your cake comes out like the original! Measure all flour portions by pouring your flour into your measuring cup rather than scooping. Scooping will pack the flour in and almost always add too much to the batter causing the cake to be dry or not rise.)



    Mascarpone cream cheese frosting:
    2 cups of heavy cream

    8 ounces of mascarpone cheese, room temperature

    8 ounces cream cheese, room temperature
    1 cup confectioners’ sugar, sifted

    1 teaspoon almond bitter essence

    Directions
    1. With an electric mixer on medium speed, whisk heavy cream and almond bitter essence until stiff peaks form (be careful not to over-beat, or cream will be grainy).
    2. In another bowl, whisk together mascarpone and confectioners’ sugar until very smooth.
    3.Gently fold whipped cream into mascarpone until completely incorporated. Use immediately.

    Raspberry Puree:
    Ingredients

    2 pints raspberries
    1/4 cup sugar
    1 tablespoon lemon juice

    Directions
    1. Combine raspberries and sugar in a saucepan. Cook until raspberries are broken down, about 10 minutes.
    2. Remove from the heat and strain through a chinois to eliminate seeds.

    Berries:
    Ingredients

    1 cup Fresh strawberries, stemmed, halved

    1 cup Fresh raspberries

    1/2 cup Fresh blackberries or blueberries

    3 oz. Grand Marnier
(you can also use orange extract)
    1/4 cup Orange juice

    Directions
    1. Combine Grand Marnier & orange juice. Whisk until blended.
    2. Place berries in a shallow bowl or dish, cover with Grand Marnier mixture.
    Marinate for 30 minutes.

    Apricot Glaze:
    Ingredients

    1/2 cup (125 grams) apricot jam or preserves
    1 tablespoon Grand Marnier or water (can also use other liqueurs)

    Directions
    1. Heat the apricot jam or preserves in a small saucepan over medium heat until melted.
    2. Remove from heat and strain the jam through a fine strainer to remove any fruit lumps. (If using, add the liqueur at this point.)
    3. Let cool until it is only slightly warm and then glaze the fruit on top of cake, using a pastry brush.

    Assembly:
    Place one completely cool layer of cake on a cake dish and add frosting to top. Frosting should be slightly higher near edges than in the center. Add raspberry puree to layer then add a layer of fruit. Next, add the second layer of cake and frost the entire cake with Marscopone frosting. At this point you can add piping to the top rim of the cake as well as the sides if you like. Piping at the top will help to keep the raspberry puree from running down the sides. At this point add the raspberry puree then top with the remaining fruit. While the apricot glaze is still warm brush the fruit with a thin layer. You may also add sliced almonds to the top and sides of the cake if you wish. Place the cake in the refrigerator until ready to serve. This cake is best served cold.

Paper Lanterns

    I'm a big fan of hanging paper lanterns at casual events. There are several different options in hanging and lighting them, and a good, basic article can be found HERE. I've found them without lighting attachments at World Market, as well as at some party stores and online. Basically, you can get very simple with them by hanging them with fishing line without lighting, attaching them to Christmas lights or battery-operated LED lighting, or going more technical and hanging them with lighting cords.  However you do this, you are bound to get a fun effect!  Happy Monday! xoxo, Julie










    If you see a picture and know who the credit belongs to, please send me the info and I will add immediately. I am also happy to take down any pics by request of the owner. Thanks!

Louisiana Jamabalaya Engagement Party

    My boyfriend and I, along with friends and family, had the cutest engagement party last weekend to celebrate our friends Beth & Keith!  The theme was "Louisiana" with jambalaya, white beans, salad and rolls catered from Tee Wayne, the 2011 World Jambalaya Champion! Desserts and dips were brought by the hosts. The food was outstanding! I highly recommend Tee Wayne! College SEC football was on the living room T.V. as well as the backyard T.V. We decorated with burlap, twine, hurricane candles, and wild flowers. We also had childhood pictures of the bride and groom adorning the mantle which I didn't get a picture of..booo! We did have some other fun touches, which you can see below! Enjoy! Happy Friday! xoxo, Julie

    p.s. I am working on my picture quality and upgrading to a better camera over the weekend! Ciao!

    Baton Rouge chef Holly Clegg's Gulf Coast Favorites Cookbook as a guestbook. 
    Gold "Beth" and "Keith" letters lined the window seal.


    80's Candy of Pop Rocks, Ring Pops, Nerds, Pez, Bazooka Gum, Pixie Sticks, etc.

    The groom's sister brought delicious cupcakes from a popular cupcake shoppe called Crave,
    all the way from Houston!

    Zapps Chips, a Baton Rouge favorite.

    Peach Tea

    Chalkboard in the Bathroom for "Bathroom Graffiti"

    Bride and Groom Madame Alexander Dolls

    Baby alligators in the bathroom tub!

    Framed labels for food, desserts and drinks.

    White paper lanterns, bunting, tea lights and white table cloths in the backyard!

    Keg of Louisiana Abita Beer as well as Louisiana Kentwood Springs Water bottles!


    Follow on Twitter @HollyClegg @TheAbitaBeer @ZappsChips @KentwoodSprings
    Contact Tee Wayne, the 2011 Jambalaya Champion, at teewayne@eatel.net

Bananas Foster

    This week conversations have been popping up left and right about Bananas Foster! I had some recently at an event in New Orleans and I can't stop dreaming about it! It's a New Orleans dessert created in 1951 at Brennan's Restaurant, made from bananas and vanilla ice cream, with the sauce made from butter, brown sugar, cinnamon, dark rum, and banana liqueur. The butter, sugar and bananas are cooked, and then the alcohol is added and ignited. The bananas and sauce are then served over the ice cream. Preparation of the dish is often made into a table side performance as a flambe'.  mmmmm Happy Thursday! xoxo, Julie






    ORIGINAL BANANAS FOSTER f/ Brennan's website

    •¼ cup (½ stick) butter
    •1 cup brown sugar
    •½ teaspoon cinnamon
    •¼ cup banana liqueur
    •4 bananas, cut in half lengthwise, then halved
    •¼ cup dark rum
    •4 scoops vanilla ice cream

    Combine the butter, sugar, and cinnamon in a flambé pan or skillet. Place the pan over low heat either on an alcohol burner or on top of the stove, and cook, stirring, until the sugar dissolves. Stir in the banana liqueur, then place the bananas in the pan. When the banana sections soften and begin to brown, carefully add the rum. Continue to cook the sauce until the rum is hot, then tip the pan slightly to ignite the rum. When the flames subside, lift the bananas out of the pan and place four pieces over each portion of ice cream. Generously spoon warm sauce over the top of the ice cream and serve immediately.

Paper Flower Centerpieces!

Mini Christmas Trees for Kids

    Throughout the past year, I've been giving my two favorite people glass blown ornaments to mark special occasions! Houmas House Plantation has the most amazing selection, and I can't help but get at least two every time I walk in! Ballet slippers for a dance recital, a Hawaiian Luau girl for a birthday party, the list goes on and on. Another special milestone is coming up, and I'm on the hunt for the perfect ornament! As an extra special present for this occasion, I'm getting us a mini pink Christmas tree so my favorite kid can put her ornaments on it, so all of her wonderful accomplishments can stand out from the main tree! I'm semi obsessed with mini pink Christmas trees, so this is a win-win for everyone! Happy Friday! xoxo, Julie




    pic at Houmas House gift shop via me

    Follow Houmas House on Facebook and Twitter @HoumasHouse

DIY Tile Coasters!

    My boyfriend and I are hosting an engagement party with a group of others this weekend, and we're putting the final creative touches on things this week! These DIY tile coasters from Lee La La are a perfect way to incorporate the old pictures we just received of the bride! We plan to scan in the pics and do a slide show on the TV, but if I have time I am totally doing this project! More on the engagement party details soon! Happy Tuesday! xoxo, Julie

    pic and instructions via Lee La La HERE

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