The rebel cause

With all that has happened lately, I feel as though I should say, rebellion is not reached through the hands of guns and violence. The key to true rebellion is to pick up a book and never put it down, is to grow your own food and share it with those you love, is to smile when the world expects you to cry, and the biggest key to true rebellion is to fight hate with an over abundance of love and acceptance. By changing ourselves, we change the world. Tonight I will not post a recipe, instead I encourage you to talk to your neighbors, the stranger at the checkout line, the mail man, anyone. Share a smile and a recipe. Go home cook it for your loved ones and share the leftovers with the homeless man on the corner or your sweet old neighbor who works far harder than anyone her age should have to. Rebel against our country's faults by doing what our government has failed to do for so many unfortunate Americans. Give the gift if warmth, love and acceptance by sharing a hot meal with someone less fortunate than you. Plant a garden with your kids or your neighbors kids or even just your neighbors! Teach them a skill they can carry with them for a lifetime. Teach them that hardwork, attention, and love always yield the sweetest fruit. Stand tall today, while our country crumbles around us, take pride in yourself and all you have to offer this great amazing world. An individuals love can change the world if we first change ourselves to accept love from other individuals. 

Lemon tea cake

Every Thursday I have dinner with my grandma. She is a brilliant woman, strong, smart, fun, and compassionate. She loves to help others and make people feel loved. So last Thursday when my grandmas neighbors prepped to move their home from Portland, Oregon to the Midwest my grandma decided to make them some sweets for the road. It was a wonderful evening with my family spent in the kitchen. First we made tacos for dinner, then cookies for the neighbors, and lastly my grandma had been dying to try a new recipe for lemon pudding cake but she needed some help. I set out to get supplies while she cleaned up from dinner. When I arrived back, I felt just like a kid again. Standing next to grandma helping her measure ingredients and stirring the batter in our aprons. I always get flour on me but she somehow manages to stay so clean and pretty. As the sense of nostalgia pulsed through my veins, I realized that it was moments like these that we must share with the world. These are the moments to cherish because its not about what you have, what you make, or when you do it but instead how you feel when your doing it. Spending time with loved ones in the kitchen is the greatest gift you can give someone. Your giving them a gift of not only a memory but a lesson, a life sustaining resource, a feeling of love and warmth and accomplishment, you are providing them with life lessons and opportunities for growth on an individual level. Thursdays are one of my favorite days of the week for this reason and I'm so thankful I have such a wonderful family to share it with. 

This recipe is not mine. This recipe is from Sandra lee and although I'm not particularly a big fan of hers I'm thankful for her work and her recipe that my grandparents loved so much. 

Enjoy! 

CAKE:

1 box (18.25 oz.) lemon cake

1 box lemon instant pudding

1 cup water

4 eggs

1/3 cup vegetable oil

Zest of one lemon

6 tablespoons store bought lemon curd (found in the jam aisle)

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Butter and flour 12-cup Bundt pan or 13x9-inch metal baking pan.

2. Combine cake mix, pudding mix, water, eggs, oil, and lemon zest in large bowl. Beat for 2 minutes or until well blended. Transfer batter to prepared pan. Drizzle lemon curd on top of batter, keeping curd away from sides of pan.

3. Bake for 45 minutes or until toothpick inserted near center of cake comes out clean. Cool cake in pan on cooling rack for 15 minutes. Invert cake onto cooling rack. Place cooling rack on a cookie sheet. Cool cake completely.

LEMON GLAZE:

6 tablespoons store bought lemon curd (found in the jam aisle)

¼ cup water

2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice (this was around 1/2 a lemon) 

3 cups powdered sugar

1. Beat lemon curd, water, and lemon juice in large bowl until smooth. Gradually add powdered sugar, beating until mixture is smooth. Drizzle glaze over cake. Transfer cake to serving platter.

Let Your Rainbow Flags Fly!

This is a very special time for me right now. I have recently made the big move to Portland Oregon and am about to celebrate my first pride festival. Even more special to me is that I get to be a part of the set up of this years dyke march and am Volunteering on Sunday with Basic Rights Oregon. Last Friday I had the pleasure of hanging out with one of the coolest groups of people! Belinda, who is not only putting this whole March together but graciously hosted a sign making party for the march with her partner that included a smorgasbord of delicious treats and BBQ'd goodies! I had a wonderful time making signs, laughing my ass off, and drinking beer with some wonderful wonderful people. Although I wasn't able to bring anything to the potluck that night due to my work schedule I was inspired to think of party foods that showed off our PRIDE! So in honor of all the lovely ladies and gentlemen that I have had the pleasure of getting to know over the course of the past couple of weeks. Today's recipe is for you!

Stay strong, Stay Beautiful, Stay PROUD!!!

Enjoy!

Rainbow Trifle

Ingredients: 
2 Pints Strawberries (sliced)
1 pint Raspberries
2 cups Cantelope (cubed)
2 Cups Pineapple (Cubed)
2 cups Kiwi (Sliced)
1 pint blueberries 
1 pint blackberries 
2 loafs Angel Food Cake (Cubed)
2 Cups Yogurt (Plain) 
2 Tbsp. Honey 
1 Vanilla Bean ( Just the scrapings from the inside) 
Juice of 1/2 an Orange
1 cup almond slices (Toasted)
Whipped cream
Directions:
Wash all fruit and gently pat dry. Mix Strawberries and raspberries in a bowl, set aside. Mix blueberries and blackberries in a bowl and set aside. In a separate bowl combine yogurt, honey, vanilla, and orange juice. whisk until well blended and set aside. In a large trifle dish spread  a single layer of angel food cake cubes. drizzle roughly 2 tbsp. of the yogurt sauce over the cake. sprinkly roughly 2 tbsp. of the toasted almonds throughout and  spread blueberry mixture evenly in one layer on top. add another layer of cake/yogurt sauce/almonds, then add kiwi slices in a single layer. Continue layer with cake/yogurt/almonds then pineapple, then a layer of cake/yogurt/almonds then Mango, then cake/yogurt/almonds then the strawberry mixture. Drizzle with the last of the yogurt sauce and sprinkle with remaining almond slices in the center. Around the edge of the trifle make cute little rosettes with a pipette and some whipped cream.

Best Served with a sparkling glass of champagne and some equally bubbly friends. Enjoy!

Happy Birthday to me!

This week I am celebrating my birthday! I am so fortunate to be able to celebrate this special day with some of my wonderful and amazing friends & family. This week I am celebrating by making one if my favorite drinks and dishes. Simple but delicious greyhounds and tacos! For those not familiar with a greyhound it is a classic cocktail served on the rocks, a blend of grapefruit juice and vodka. I spritz things up a bit by occasionally adding a tad bit of fresca for carbonation. What is your favorite birthday dish? Tell us all about it in the comments below! 

Enjoy! 

Tacos 

Ingredients: 

6-10 flour or corn tortillas 

2 cups shredded lettuce 

1 cup shredded cheese

1 cup diced tomato 

1/2 cup diced onion

1/2 chopped cilantro

1 lb. ground beef 

1-2 tbs. chili powder

1 tsp. cumin

1/4 tsp coriander 

1/2 tsp Oregono 

1 tsp. garlic powder 

1 tsp. onion powder

1/4 tsp. cayenne pepper 

In a large skillet brown ground beef, when beef begins to brown sprinkle all spices/herbs evenly over meat and stir together. Finish cooking, drain fat and set aside. 

Take tortilla and add desired ingredients. Some other good toppings include your favorite hot sauce, sour cream, beans, avocado, salsa,etc. the possibilities are endless! 

Greyhound

Ingredients:

2 oz. vodka

6 oz. grapefruit juice

Ice

Fill cocktail glass with ice, pour in vodka, pour grapefruit juice in, mix well and enjoy!

If your looking to spritz it up a bit try adding a dash of Fresca for a smidge of carbonation. 

Happy Mammorial day everyone!

In honor of Memorial day and women everywhere, I wanted to celebrate a little differently. What is more american than burgers, brats, and beer, you may ask? Freedom! and what better way to celebrate freedom than by promoting freedom of the TaTa's everywhere! Breast Cancer is a growing epidemic in this country. So in honor of women and men everywhere, I would like to share with you a high anti-oxidant, healthy, nutritious, recipe that they say can work as a preventetive measure to cancer. Now, please understand that I am not a doctor, nor do I believe that this is the end all cure all to cancer. I just feel that there is no better way to start being healthy and kind to our bodies than by starting with what we put inside of them. So please enjoy this delicious recipe, make it with love, and share it with the world in honor of all the men, women, children, and animals, who have ever experienced cancer in any form. I would also like to say a special thank you to all the men and women who fight to keep our citizens safe on a daily basis. Thank you to our troops, teachers, fire fighter, police officers, doctors, nurses, caregivers, volunteers, and all around wonderful people of this great country. Thank you all, happy holidays!

Enjoy!

Mixed Green Salad with Fruit and Pecans

Citrus Sell: Citrus fruits are bursting with cancer-fighting flavor. In addition to Vitamin C, grapefruits, oranges, lemons and limes can improve your immune system, slow aging and fight cancer.

Serves 6

Ingredients

1 cup + 3 Tbsp orange juice

6 Tbsp dried cranberries

3 1/2 Tbsp olive oil

2 Tbsp white wine vinegar

1 Tbsp grated orange peel

6 cups mixed baby greens

3 oranges, peel removed, segmented

3/4 cup pecans, toasted

1 Tbsp green onions, cut

Directions

Bring 1 cup orange juice to simmer in a small heavy saucepan. Remove from heat. Mix in dried cranberries. Let stand until softened, about 30 minutes. Drain well; discard soaking liquid.

Whisk oil, vinegar, orange peel and remaining 3 Tbsp orange juice in a small bowl to blend. Mix in cranberries. Season dressing to taste with salt and pepper.

Place greens in large bowl. Toss with 2/3rds of the dressing. Divide greens among 6 plates. Add orange segments to bowl and toss with remaining dressing. Top greens with orange segments and pecans.

Note: Dressing can be made one day in advance. Cover and refrigerate. Bring to room temperature before serving.

A special thank you to www.hopenavigators.com for providing this amazing recipe. Thank you hope navigators for all that you do!  Also a special thank you to Laci Green who works hard to promote sexual health in youth and adults everywhere.

Badass banana bread

Are you looking to turn your tea party into an epic tea party? How about just making your mornings a little more kickass? Well my friends, this is the recipe you have been looking for! Freshly ripened bananas mixed with coconut oil, flax seed, nancy's yogurt and a dash of pure awesome, This banana bread will satisfy those cravings and fill you up until your next epic meal. Packed with fiber, potassium, and probiotics this banana bread brings all the badass to the table! Pair it with a nice cup of coffee or just devour it as is, there is no wrong way to eat this banana bread. This recipe makes 5 mini loafs so you can share the epic-ness with your friends, neighbors, family, and even the random stranger passing by! 

Enjoy! 

Badass banana bread: 

4 ripened bananas, mashed. 

1 cup sugar ( I like coconut sugar but white works as well) 

2 eggs 

3/4 cup coconut oil, melted and cooled

1/3 cup organic yogurt ( I prefer Nancy's plain but use whatever you want. Vanilla would be a good one or even blueberry. Life is short, mix it up!)

2 cups whole wheat flour (white works too!)

1/4 cup ground flax seed

1 1/2 tsp. baking powder

1/2 tsp. salt 

In a large mixing bowl mashed bananas and sugar together until almost smooth. Add your eggs, oil, and yogurt whisking together while adding. Next, grab that rubber spatula and fold your dry ingredients in. This is the time to get fancy with your spices, I always like to add some cinnamon (about 1 tsp.) and some nutmeg (about 1/4 tsp.) but don't be afraid to mix it up a bit, try it with ginger, or cardamom,or a fun extract like almond or rum, you can't go wrong with experimenting, that is how magical food moments happen so embrace the moment and put some badass in that batter! Now that you have added your culinary magic pour that delicious mix into some lightly greased and floured mini loaf pans. Place in your pre-heated oven at 350 for 25-30 minutes. Insert toothpick to see when done. Allow to cool and enjoy! 

Pre-heat oven 350 

25-30 minutes 

Yield: 4-5 mini loafs

Hello world!

Dear fabulous friends & followers,

I apologize for being on hiatus for so long but I am happy to say that I am back and looking forward to sharing more fabulous recipes and such with all of you. I am excited to announce that there will be some changes to this page in the coming future. I will be sharing more than just recipes! Prepare yourselves for some fabulous fun that will soon to be had. Thank you all for visiting my page and I look forward to talking with everyone in the comments below! 

Pumpkin Cheesecake with a Gingerbread Crust

This has to be one of my absolute favorite recipes for fall. I have been making it for years but it seems that whenever the autumn season hits I can not pump out enough of these cheesecakes for my friends and family. Your loved ones will rave over this fabulous recipe. Garnish it with some freshly whipped cream and a sprinkling of cookie crumbs and I assure you it will be a major success... Enjoy! 

Ingredients for the crust:
12 oz. Gingerbread men 
1 cup pecans
1 stick butter, melted

Directions:
Preheat oven to 350

Lightly spray a 12 inch springform pan with cooking spray and set aside.

 Place the gingerbread men and the pecans in a food processor and grind until they form coarse crumbs.  

Place in a bowl and slowly add the butter while mixing with your hands ( As soon as you can pack the mixture without it falling apart, it is ready )

Press the mixture into the bottom of the pan.  

Bake for 15 minutes then  place in the refrigerator until cool.

Ingredients for the filling:
2 lbs cream cheese ( softened )
1 cup light brown sugar
6 eggs (Farm fresh is best!)
1/2 cup heavy cream
1/2 cup flour (All purpose, I prefer unbleached, sifted ) 
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp nutmeg
1/8 tsp allspice
pinch salt
1 tsp vanilla (the real stuff!)
2 cups pumpkin puree

Place the cream cheese in a kitchen aide using the paddle and blend until smooth.

 Add the sugar and blend until smooth; scrape down sides of bowl.  

one at a time, add the eggs making sure they are thoroughly blended before adding another then slowly pour in the heavy cream, flour, cinnamon, five spice and salt one at a time blending after each ingredient.

  Add the vanilla and pumpkin then blend completely, scraping down the sides and making sure there are no lumps.  

Spray the pan, with the pre-baked crust, again with cooking spray.  

Pour the mixture (it will be pretty liquid) into the pan and place in the middle of the preheated oven.  Bake for about 1 hour 20 minutes, checking frequently after 1 hour.

 The cake is finished when it is browning around the edges and top, and is mostly set; the center might still be slightly wobbly. 

 Remove from the oven and carefully cut around the edges of the cake with a very sharp knife ( this will prevent the cake from cracking as it cools )  

Allow to cool completely ( roughly 6 hours or overnight )

Garnish with some whipped cream and serve along side a nice cup of hot cocoa and a good book. Enjoy everyone and happy Autumnal equinox everyone! 

Crock Pot Style Apple Butter

Soon it will be time for brightly colored pumpkins, fuzzy scarfs, crunchy leaves, and the aroma of sweet apples filling the crisp autumn air. What better way to start off the autumn season then breaking out the crock pot and filling your home with the supple & sensuous smell of apples and cinnamon. The aromatic effects of this recipe are reason enough to make it but it's not the only reason you should. This recipe offers a wonderful opportunity to create a memory with your loved ones. Spend some bonding time with the family or significant other picking, peeling, and preparing apples when you bring love into the kitchen wonderful memories will always be had... Enjoy! 

Ingredients: 
5-10lbs Apples ( about a grocery bag full, peeled and diced ) 
1 quart water
1/3 cup White Sugar 
2 1/2 tbsp. Brown Sugar
1/4 tsp. Salt 
1/4 tsp. Allspice
2 tbsp. Cinnamon
1 tsp. Vanilla Extract 

Place all ingredient in a crock pot, stir well so that everything is evenly distributed. 

Cook on low for 10 hours, stirring occasionally.

using an emulsion blender, puree apples. 

If you choose to can it, do it at this time. If not serve up the warm apple butter in a bowl, sprinkle with granola and a scoop of icecream for a fun take on apple pie sundaes! Enjoy! 

Our first contest!

Who can resist an oatmeal raisin cookie? Add some chocolate and they are virtually irresistable! The creaminess of the white chocolate pairs with the fruity component of the raisins and the earthiness of the oatmeal. These cookies are just fabulous and something everyone can enjoy! The only thing that would make this recipe more awesome is a fun name to go along with it! And that is where you come in my friends! BadToTheScone is hosting our very first contest! Submit your entries for a fun and unique name for these cookies in the comment section and the winner will receive a fabulous little homemade gift made by me ( and who doesn't love free stuff! )... Enjoy! 

1 cup whole wheat flour
1 1/2 cups rolled oats
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1 tbsp cinnamon (or more as desired)
1/2 cup honey
1/2 cup oil (Canola Oil)
1 tbsp molasses
1 egg (beat with 1 Tbsp Water)
1 tsp vanilla
1/2 cup raisins
1/2 cup white chocolate chips

Directions: 

Preheat oven to 375

In a large mixing bowl combine honey, oil, vanilla, egg, and molasses. 

In a seperate bowl combine flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, and oats. Mix well. 

Slowly incorporate the dry ingredients into the wet. once mixed fold in the raisins and white chocolate. Roll dough into 1 inch balls and lay on a baking sheet. 

Bake at 375 for 10-15 minutes. 

Best served with a tall glass of milk and a nice book... Enjoy! 

Make your own edible food paint for pastry!

I was making a pie the other day for my friends birthday and I wanted to add a little pizazz to it! I still had a bunch of my egg wash left over so I added a few drops of food dye into it and viola! here you have it! a fun and super easy way to add a little color to your pastry... Enjoy! 

Ingredients: 

1 egg

2 tbsp water

food dye 

directions: whisk egg and water togethor, add a few drops of food dye to reach desired color, mix well. Using your finger or a paint brush, paint desired design onto pastry. Bake and enjoy! 

My heart is Sherlocked on Sir Arthur Conan Doyle

Ever since it was recently brought to my attention that BBC had come out with a Television Series based around Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's famous Criminal Investigation books, Sherlock Holmes. I have been excited yet skeptical to see it. The Sherlock Holmes books have been a childhood favorite of mine for as long as I can remember. These books were the reason I once aspired to become a homicide detective, that is before I found a career path a little less bloody (only slightly). Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's books were written with beautiful elegance and his plots were brimming with anticipation and suspense. So you could imagine my skepticism when I found out someone was once again trying to remake my favorite pieces of literature. The Pilot started with an Episode titles, a study in pink. A play off of Sir Arthur's First Novel, the introduction to Sherlock Holmes; A Study in Scarlette. Now when I first saw this I was not only thrilled as A Study in Scarlette is one of my favorites of the series but also perplexed because I couldn't fathom why they would change the name to A Study in Pink. As I watched the Episode I noticed that it was based in modern time london which gave it a rather unique appeal. However, The story line did not match up with novel and therefore made me feel not only a bit frustrated but also sad at the same time. 

A Study in Scarlet is one of the most beautiful tales of love, passion, and struggle I have yet to come across. Set in the Mid-West America's, Utah to be specific. It is a tale of a lone nomad and a precious little girl, survived by her 2 parents who perished in the extreme desert sun from dehydration and starvation. 

 The lone nomad rescues the young girl and decides to raise her as his own. He carried her in a travel sac for miles until he could go no more, set and ready to die by the desert sun, he clutched the girl in his arms and rested what he imagined to be his final rest. Just in the nick of time they are rescued by a convoy of travelling Mormons who rescue to the two on the sole condition that they will take hold of their religion wholeheartedly. Left with little choice the man agrees and begins to build a life with in the Mormon community. 

This man raises the small girl into a fine young woman. It is only when she finds love outside the Mormon community that troubles arise. In a terrifying decision, the family abandons their religion and runs for freedom in a struggle between life and death... 

This was a something that was never even hinted upon in the Pilot of the show. It was what I felt to be, the most beautiful part of this story. Instead the show reflects the man to be a psychotic serial killer with a God complex.  I will not deny that the show was very intriguing and I did in fact absolutely love Benedict Cumberbatch as the character of sir Sherlock Holmes and the fact that it was based in modern day was a concept I instantly fell in love with. All in all I think the show will turn out to be quiet wonderful as long as I am willing to set my pickyness aside and enjoy it for what it is, another one of what I am sure will be Steven Moffat's masterpieces. 

Creole bean stew

So simple, so easy, and so delicious! The best way I can describe this soup is that it will make you wanna "giddy'up" on somebody after you've finished a bowl! This soup would be perfect for a cold winters day, however I was dumb enough to make it in the middle of august on one of the hottest days of the year. It was still equally delicious and totally worth the 12 degree shower I had to take afterwards just to cool down. I hope you love this ragin' cajun dish and much as I did... Enjoy! 

Ingredients: 
21/2 cups 17 bean soup mix ( Just the dried beans, soaked in water overnight ) 
4 carrots ( chopped ) 
1 medium walla walla sweet onion ( chopped ) 
4 cloves garlic ( minced ) 
1 quart chicken stock 
1 quart vegetable stock 
1 tsp. salt & white pepper 
1 tbsp. Creole seasoning 
1 tsp. oregano 
2 tbsp. sriracha sauce 
1 tsp. paprika 
1/4 cup flour 
1/4 cup butter 
1/2 tsp. chili garlic paste 

In a large crockpot, add beans, carrots, onion, garlic, stock, spices, and sriracha. 

Cover with lid and cook for 6 hours on high. In a small pan melt butter and chile garlic paste. 

Stirring constantly add flour until smooth to form a rue. 

Cook rue for a minute or two to cook out the flavor of the raw flour. 

Scoop some of the broth into the rue to thin it out a bit and pour the rue into the beans. Cook the beans a few minutes longer to thicken the stew up and serve alongside a nice buttery biscuit or some good old fashioned cornbread, an ice cold glass of ice tea, and of course a good friend to share it all with. 

If you want to add some extra protein to this dish, some smoked ham (cut into cubes) would make a great addition!  

Poppin' Paper Bag Popcorn

This is such a great trick for those movie nights with friends. Make individual popcorn bags! These are great for the slumber parties for the kids, movie nights with friends, or even a simple snack to take to work. It provides easy clean-up and best of all you won't have to worry about the harmful chemicals brought on by microwave popcorn... Enjoy! 

Ingredients: 
1/4 cup popping corn 
1 brown paper lunch bag 
small piece of tape


Directions: 

Open the brown paper sack, fill with popping corn and fold the edge over on the bag then tape it shut. 

Microwave for 1:30 - 3 minutes, depending on microwave and how long it takes to pop most of it. Remove from microwave when popping slow's down to 1- second intervals. Remove from microwave, peel off the tape, open the bag and enjoy! 

Best served with your favorite topping, a nice cold beverage, and a great movie! 

We No Speak Americano Pasta salad

This salad is perfect for a nice summer evening. This italian-american fusion style dish is zesty and full of life! Share this salad on the beach, at the park, near a waterfall, or where ever your heart desires! But being outside is a must when enjoying this delicious dish... Enjoy! 

Ingredients:

1/2 small red onion ( Diced small ) 

2 tomatoes ( Diced ) 

3 tbsp. Cilantro ( Minced ) 

2 cups Garden Pasta 

1 head Romaine lettuce ( chopped ) 

1/4 cup Extra Virgin Olive Oil 

3 tbsp. Balsalmic Vinegar 

1 tsp. Basil ( Dried or fresh ) 

1/2 tsp. Oregano ( dried ) 

1 tsp. Garlic Powder 

1/4 tsp. Salt 

1/2 tsp. Lemon Pepper 

Pepperoncini ( Sliced, Optional ) 

1/4 cup olives ( sliced, Optional ) 

1/4 cup Romano ( Grated )

Boil pasta, drain, and rinse with cold water to chill. 

In a large bowl, whisk together Olive Oil, Vinegar, oregano, basil, garlic powder, salt, and lemon pepper. 

Add remaining ingredients to the bowl and toss lightly to coat. 

Serve alongside some crusty bread, a nice glass of wine, and a picnic table in the park. 

Blackheart Sangria

This sinfully delicious sangria was inspired by none other than Joan Jett the blackhearts. Sangria is a wonderful excuse to "Punk" up your fruit! This sweet and juicy wine packs a powerful punch... Enjoy! 


Ingredients: 

1 bottle Red Wine ( I prefer to use a cabernet sauvignon )
1 handul black cherries 
1 handful blueberries 
2 blood oranges 
1 nectarine 
1 wedge of melon ( i like honeydew) 
2 tbsp. Sugar
1/4 Cup Brandy
2 Cup Vermouth
Ice (optional)
Club soda (optional)

Directions: 
Remove stems and pits from cherries. Cut the blood orange into round slices. Remove pit from nectarine and cut into wedges. Remove rind from honey dew and cut into bite size pieces. rinse the blueberries. 

Place fruit in a large bowl and sprinkle with sugar.

Gently press the fruit with a wooden spoon, extracting some of the juices but not pulverizing the flesh.

Drizzle a small amount of brandy over the fruit.

Allow the bowl of fruit mixture to settle for at least 15 minutes. Give it enough time to absorb the brandy and sugar.

Empty the bottle of red wine into a wine carafe ( if you don't have a carafe a nice pitcher will do as well ) 

Spoon the fruit mixture into the pitcher and stir in the vermouth.

Place the sangria in the refrigerator and allow ingredients to settle overnight, or at least 8-12 hours.

Serve with or without ice. Add a drizzle of club soda to glass if desired.

Best served on a warm summer evening with plenty of friends and some good pasta.

DIY Doctor Who Party

I talk a lot about serving food for dinner parties, small gatherings, and community functions. I feel that food is best enjoyed when surrounded with love, laughter, and adventure. To me food is not just a life source, it is an experience. It is an opportunity to create something new, something wonderful, and something worth sharing with the people you care most about in this world. That is why I strive to create dishes to please wonderful people like you... Enjoy! 




For Drinks you will need:
TARDIS Jello Shots
Sonic Screwdrivers
Captain Jack's 


For food you will need:
Doctor Who-sier Pie
Tiny TARDIS Pies ( Brought to you by BBC America )
Doctor Who Companion Cookies 


For Activities! try your hand at The Doctor Who Drinking Game Brought to you by the wonderful people at www.filmschoolrejects.com!


Did you run short on time? What about having your guests decorate your Doctor Who Companion Cookies as a fun interactive project, the best part is you get to eat your creations! 


If crafts are more your game, make some fun Cybermen Costumes! provided by Bonnie Burton and her new youtube show #DIYGeek. Or you can try your hand at Adipose Plushies brought to you by the lovely folks at blog.craftzyne.com


Looking to game? Pick up a copy of Doctor Who: The eternity Clock at your local video game store. If you are like me and prefer the Table Top versions of games, head to your local comic book store ( In my case, Matt's Calvacade of Comics ) and pick up the latest Doctor Who: Time Wars family board game.


Now lets talk decoration!


If you are not into the whole DIY Decorations you can purchase plenty of Doctor Who party decorations at http://www.squidoo.com/doctor-who-birthday-party but if DIY is your thing Pinterest has plenty of ideas for aprons, cakes, door covers, and much much more!


Now, just add plenty of friends and let the good times commence! 

Proclaimers Raspberry Scones

Raspberry's and Scones are just as much a part of Scotland as the Rockin' 80's band The Proclaimers are. The Proclaimers, most commonly known for their song "I'm gonna be" ( I would walk 500 miles ), are  a Scottish band composed of identical twin brothers Charlie and Craig Reid. This scottish recipe is a tribute to their awesome music... Enjoy! 

Ingredients:
4 1/2 cups flour
1/2 cup sugar
3/4 tsp. baking soda
2 1/2 tbsp. baking powder
1 tsp. salt
1 cup butter ( Cold, cubed ) 
1 cup sour cream 
dash of milk
2 pints raspberries ( fresh )
Additional sugar for dipping ( I like to use vanilla sugar, found at specialty spice store ) 

Directions:
Mix together flour, sugar, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. 

Work in butter until mixture resembles coarse meal.

 Add sour cream and just enough milk to make dough into a soft mixture. ( not too wet )

 Gently fold in berries. Spoon dough into 3-ounce pieces. ( about 1/3 cup ) 

Dip tops in sugar and place on greased cookie sheet. 

Bake at 325°F until golden brown – approximately 8 to 10 minutes.

Serve with a nice cup of tea and some good scottish music! 

Doctor Who Companion Cookies

These yummy cookies are almost as sweet as the companions themselves! Serve these at a Doctor Who party as a fun activity to decorate! You can also use the recipe to cut out other Doctor Who themed bits such a daleks, the TARDIS, Ood communication devices, or whatever else your heart(s) desire! If you don't have doctor who cookie cutters make your own by simply cutting out a picture of the item you want, placing it over the flattened dough, and using a small sharp pairing knife, cutting around the edges of the picture to create the shape of your item. Decorate accordingly...Enjoy! 


Ingredients:
1 cup unsalted butter, softened
1 egg
1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon salt


Directions: 


Preheat the oven to 400°F.


In a mixing bowl, cream butter with sugar until light and fluffy. 


Beat in egg and vanilla. Mix flour, baking powder and salt; add to the butter mixture 1 cup at a time, mixing after each addition.


 Do not chill the dough. Divide the dough into 2 balls. On a floured surface, roll each ball into a circle ( approximately 12 in. wide and 1/8 in. thick ) 


**NOTE** 
don’t make them thicker than this or your cutout may lose its shape during baking


 Dip cookie cutters in flour before each use. Bake cookies on ungreased cookie sheet 6-7 minutes or until cookies are lightly browned.


Allow to cool completely then decorate with royal icing. 




Ingredients for Royal Icing:
1 large egg white
1 1/3 cup sifted powdered sugar, divided
food coloring 
sprinkles, dragees, small candies,etc. ( For decoration ) 


Directions:
In a microwave-safe bowl, stir egg white and 2/3 cup sifted powdered sugar until thoroughly combined.

Microwave on high until the mixture reaches 160°F on an instant-read thermometer (it should not exceed 175°F), 30 to 60 seconds.


**NOTE** 
 If you need to take more than one temperature reading, wash the thermometer thoroughly or dip it into a mug of boiling water before taking additional readings.


Add the remaining 2/3 cup of sifted powdered sugar and beat on high speed until the icing is cool and holds stiff peaks. If the icing is not stiff enough, add more powdered sugar.


Color, if desired, with food coloring (the color will intensify as the icing stands). 


The icing can be stored in a covered container for up to 3 days; press a piece of wax or parchment paper directly against the surface to prevent drying. The icing can be rebeaten if necessary. 


To pipe, use a small pastry bag fitted with a fine tip, or cut off the corner of a sealable plastic bag or the tip of a parchment paper cone.


 Best served with a tall glass of milk and decorated plenty of Dragees or as the Doctor liked to call them "Edible ball bearings" 


Are you a Doctor Who fan? Tell us what you loved most about decorating these fun cookies in the comment section! 

Sonic Screwdriver

This bright blue concoction is sweet and fruity. Perfect for sipping on while mingling with friends... Enjoy! 


Ingredients:
1 oz blue curaçao
1 oz light rum
1 oz cream of coconut
2 oz pineapple juice
1 cherry
1 slice of pineapple
1 cup of ice


Directions:
Put all ingredients into blender.


 Blend. Pour into highball glass. 


Add a cherry and pineapple to garnish.