Sprouting Seeds for Salads

I've started another new project that I am really excited about! I am going to sprout seeds to put in my summer salads. Sprouted seeds are some of the most nutritious things you can eat so I am looking forward to using them in my salads!



Here is what I have done so far...

I started with 2 tablespoons of mixed seeds grown especially for sprouting that were given to me by a friend.

I already had a large jar with a screen lid that I purchased at my local health food store. You can probably make one of these, but mine was just $5.00 so I purchased it instead.

I placed the seeds in the jar and covered them with about two inches of water and let them soak for about 18 hours.

I drained the water and rinsed the seeds several times, covered the jar with a kitchen towel (leaving the top open) and set it on my kitchen counter.

The following day I rinsed the seeds three times in the morning and three times in the evening.

The pictures shows how my seeds look on day one! Aren't they cute?

Silk Coupon

Hi Everyone! Silk Soy and Almond products have an online coupon offer. You can receive a downloaded 75 cent coupon for any Silk half gallon or answer a brief questionnaire and they will up it to $1.25! Check it out at this link:

http://switchtosilk.com/?id=a-plus-breakfast&gclid=CIqxuZH-8qgCFcOd7QodUX1cSA

How to make a six inch cake without a six inch cake pan.

Here is a simple way to make a six inch cake if you don't have a six inch cake pan! This size is usually used as the top tier of a multi-tiered cake. It can also be used as the center of a cupcake platter or as a lovely cake for 2 or 3 people!




1. Get out your 8 or 9 inch square pan. This is the one that you can use to make a pan of brownies.
2. Prepare your favorite layer cake recipe.
3. Grease pan with vegetable shortening and line with wax paper.
4. Fill pan 2/3 of the way full with cake batter. Use excess batter to make cupcakes!
5. Bake as directed.




Don't worry if your cake 'domes' in the middle. You will be cutting that portion off.

Next...

1. Using a large serrated knife, cut off the top of the cake using the sides of your pan as a guide.
2. Invert your cake onto a cutting board and remove the wax paper.
3. Using a template, mark the cake on the bottom...I used a lid from a cookie cutter container. You could use a margarine tub lid, a cool whip lid or even a dessert plate.
4. Using short up and down strokes, cut out your cake. Take your time with this step and follow the line carefully.
5. Next place a dab of frosting on your cake plate and center your cake on the plate, bottom side up and brush off any loose crumbs.








Then...
1. Apply a thin layer of frosting on your cake. This is called the crumb coat. It keeps all the crumbs from getting into your final layer of frosting.
2. Then, I place my cake in the freezer for about 15 minutes to harden the frosting.
3. Remove your cake and frost with the final layer of frosting.
4. Decorate and serve!





I used my cake as the center of a cupcake platter for my nephew and decorated it with my fondant cupcake toppers. To purchase edible toppers for your own creations, click here!

The way that this little cake can be made special is endless!

Pink Teddy Bear Cake

This cute bear cake was made using the Wilton bear pan. I iced it first with a layer of white frosting. Then I used a pastry bag with pink frosting and a number 21 star tip and followed the outlines on the pan. I used number 3 and 4 round tips for the details and cupcake toppers from Clineff's Confections for the special touches. The variations that you can make using this pan are endless. Enjoy experimenting!

Pesky Candle Wax

Since everyone seems to use more candles this time of year, here is a neat tip...to remove the bit of wax left in the bottom of glass candle holders when the candle is done, put the glass holder in the freezer. I usually leave mine in for 2-3 hours. Then take a butter knife and slide it between the wax and the glass and it should pop right out! If it doesn't, put it back in the freezer for a little while longer. Also, be sure to let the glass holder return to room temperature before you use it again. Enjoy!

Spider Cupcakes

Here is a simple but fun cupcake design that will coordinate well with a Spiderman or Super Hero birthday party!

1. Frost cupcakes with red frosting. I used a piping bag and a number 21 star tip. This is a fast and easy way to frost any type of cupcake
***Hint: Make your red frosting a day ahead of time. The red color will intensify over night.
2. Use a piping bag with a number 3 tip to make a cross(+) on the cupcake, then make an X over the top of the cross.
3. Go around in a circular fashion connecting to each line as you go.

That's it! Then serve to your little super heroes!

Lingerie Cake

Here is a simple to make cake for a bachelorette, lingerie, or 21 party!

1. Start with a 1/4 sheet cake(13 x 9) or a 1/3 sheet cake(11x15) and frost with pink icing.
2. Draw the lingerie shape on paper first. Newsprint or a paper grocery bag works well for this.
***Hint: fold paper in half, draw the shape and then cut it out. Both sides will come out equal.
3. Knead a large piece of white fondant and roll out to size of paper pattern. Cut out shape.
***Hint: use confectioners sugar when rolling out fondant so that it doesn't stick to the table.
4. Gently lift and lay on center of cake. Using a clean paint brush, 'paint' with water the fondant to remove confectioners sugar then allow to dry.
5. Fill a piping bag with black frosting. Use a number 21 star tip for the dots on top of the cake and for the scallop edging.
***Hint: it is easier to make black frosting if you start with chocolate frosting.
6. Use a number three tip for the details and monogram.
7. Use a basket weave tip backwards with the straight edge towards the cake for the details on lingerie and straps.
Enjoy!!