Undercover Broccoli

I usually steam my broccoli, or dip it raw into hummus. Yet, after watching my weekly CHOPPED episode, I have been inspired to transform the florets sitting in my fridge. Thank you New York Times for a great place to start.

I spread a thin layer of honey onto a sheet of lavash bread (I LOVE combining sweet and savory). Then comes the pesto. I opted out on the cheese and topped my flatbread creation with fresh vine tomatoes. In the toaster oven it goes. And voila..



I got Paid to Make my own Birthday Cake

LinkedIn has always been supportive of my baking side gig. They order batches of 200+ cupcakes on a monthly basis and sometimes the Finance department orders birthday cakes (plain cheesecake topped with fresh fruit and pumpkin cheesecake). Steve Sordello, our CFO caught me off guard in the kitchen one day.

"Did you make that pumpkin cheesecake?"

I froze. Oh jeez, is he allergic to pumpkin? Did he have one bite only to fall over and have a seizure? I must have looked like a deer in headlights. I don't even think I answered him, I just nodded.

"It was excellent and that CRUST! We'll make sure to order from you next month."

*sigh*

I drive myself crazy.

Happy Birthday - Round 2

Remember Thomas the Tank Engine from last year? Mary-Ann orders a few dozen chocolate cupcakes for her son's birthday. Got to love loyal customers. Buttercream frosting, thank heavens the event was indoors!

What's the Big Deal Anyway?

They are all craze. I mean, c'mon they sell them at the Starbuck's inside Safeway. If that doesn't scream mainstream, I don't know what does. I thought I'd give them a try.



Haha. So I get it now. Easy to make. Easy to eat. Easy at the waist. Easy to transport. Easy to store. Great for kids and adults. What's not to love?

I went a little crazy and made another batch two days later..

Magical Nuts

They look delicious don't they? Nutritious too. And for all you vegetarians searching for plant protein, walnuts (any kind of nut really) are great options.



For more details, check out the Mayo Clinic


Or WH Foods

It's a Boy!

I missed out on Cruz's baby shower and I regreted it. It was a mistake I was eager to learn from. I made sure to be front at center at Bryce's baby shower. That and Julnette would never let me live it down if I didn't make carrot cake cupcakes.

Purple Velvet

Believe or not, I am a filipina. I was born here in the states, and my Tagalog is equivalent to that of a 5 year old. Ok, maybe a 3/4 year old, but you get the picture. I grew up eating mongo, pancit, adobo, and of course, ube. Ube, is a purple yam, and is a staple in Filipino cuisine that can be prepared as part of a savory or sweet dish. It can be found in glass jars drenched in syrup, in the frozen food section, or you can find it fresh at any Asian grocery store. Ube ice cream is one my favorites. Sometimes for merienda, it is scooped into a pan de leche roll. YUM! I thought, why not an ube cupcake? Here goes ...