Purple Ombre Layer Cake

WOW! This is so pretty. I just bookmarked to try on the next rainy weekend. I need to practice before Harper’s birthday. She wants everything to be PURPLE these days! Purple Ombre Layer Cake

Mini Pancake Appetizers

Ichigo Shortcake had this clever idea to use mini pancakes for her favorite appetizer ideas. Her topping recipes include smoked salmon with tomato and cream cheese, canned tuna and sun-dried tomatoes, baked zucchini with cream cheese, & beetroot relish with cream cheese. (I’d head straight for the smoked salmon!)

Meat Balloons

Meat or Art? This definitely caught my attention. What a clever storefront display! Learn about the Meat Balloon project here

Artichoke Recipe Ideas

No-Cook Sun Dried Tomato & Artichoke Dip, Grilled Artichoke & Endive Salad Recipe, Stuffed Artichokes, Fettuccine with Artichokes

One of my favorite summer foods on the grill is the ARTICHOKE! This summer I’m determined to experiment with new artichoke recipes. I’ve picked 4 that look SUPER yummy. Do you like artichokes? What is your favorite artichoke recipe?

P.S if you’ve don’t have a grill here is an easy oven roasted recipe :

Roasted Baby Artichokes with Lemon and Pecorino

12 baby artichokes
1 large, juicy lemon (or 2 small ones)
3 tbsp. good olive oil
1 oz. Pecorino cheese, shaved into slivers (or Parmesan)
1 tsp. coarse salt
freshly ground pepper

Preheat the oven to 400° and line a rimmed cookie sheet with parchment paper. Cut your lemon in half and set aside.

Prep the artichokes by peeling off the hard outer leaves and cutting off the top 1/2-inch of the choke (Saveur has really good step-by-step instructions). Now slice them vertically into 4 pieces and rub them all over with a lemon half. Place them on the prepared parchment as you go.

Once they’re all sliced, drizzle with the olive oil and use your hands (or a spoon if you’re fancy) to toss the chokes with the oil until coated. Bake for 12 minutes or until they’re tender.

Remove from oven, place in a bowl and toss with lemon juice, Pecorino, salt and pepper.

Makes about 4 servings.

4 Ice Cream Cakes

Pavlova Cookies N’ Ice Creme Anglaise

Summer is really the only time I enjoy Ice Cream anymore (pregnancy was a whole different story!) One of my favorite summer time treats as a child was my mama’s ice cream cake. So, now I’m going to try making one for my kids. The ice cream cake she made had oreo cookie crust, mint ice cream and some sort of chocolate-y/carmel-y topping. I really need to see if she still has that recipe. It was AMAZING!

I found 4 ice cream cake recipes that I’ve bookmarked. (& I couldn’t leave out the ice cream cupcake!) Anyone else have a killer recipe?

Peanut Buster Parfait Ice Cream Cake

Oreo Ice Cream Cake

Black and White Brownie Ice Cream Cake

Mint Oreo Ice Cream Cupcakes

Cinnamon Rolls with Cream Cheese Frosting

I’ve never seen a cinnamon roll look soooo delicious. I just want to grab it right off of the screen!

Cheeky Kitchen gives tips on how to make the most PERFECT cinnamon roll. She claims that it is not about the recipe, but about the technique. SOOO interesting! I’ve never tried making them, we usually buy the Pillsbury ones that you just pop out & stick in the oven. I am sooo excited to try these- YUM!

P.S. Homemade Pretzels

Garlic Ginger Bok Choy

In my effort to get healthy this spring, I’m adding some new veggie dishes to my dinnertime routine. So, while my husband is eating his 2000 calorie garlic chicken takeout, I’ll be eating garlic ginger baby bok choy sauté.

(under 10 minute recipe!)

3 heads baby bok choy
3 garlic cloves, grated
1 Tbsp freshly grated ginger
1 Tbsp grapeseed oil
2 Tbsp soy sauce
1 tsp hoisin sauce
Instructions

Start by grating 2 garlic cloves and 1 Tbsp ginger, reserve the other garlic clove and remaining ginger for later in the cooking process.

Heat the oil in a medium saute pan over medium heat, add the garlic and ginger, saute for 1 minute then add the chopped baby bok choy, saute for another minute or 2.

In a small bowl fork-whisk together the hoisin and soy sauce, pour this over the bok choy, stir and cover with a lid. Cook for 2-3 minutes, uncover- add the remaining grated garlic and ginger- cover and cook for 1-2 minutes more.

Coffee Alternative

I decided against another Venti Pike’s Place this afternoon. I’ve been going home from Starbucks with a “drunk off coffee” feeling lately.

So, I picked up a bottle of Mighty Mango NAKED drink. WOW, sooo delicious. Have you tried it yet?