The Final Touch

Spice it up!

" Once you take a spice in your home, you have it forever. Women never throw out spices. The Egyptians were buried with their spices. I know which ones I am taking with me when I go " Erma Bombeck

Well, I think which ones I am taking too. Would you laugh if I were to say I get high on spices? No wonder the Spice Girls called themselves this way ( or maybe, their success is due to their name? Hum, this will remain a mistery! )

Whenever I go the the Jean Talon market, I feel a fatal attraction to the store Olive et Epices. It is just an uncontrollable feeling, I try to resist every time, knowing I will just waste another hour sniffing, smelling, dreaming. But I can't. 

The infinite number of color shades, all warm, all vibrant, are a teaser to inpiration. Running out of ideas for a party colour scheme? Well think of a few spices you love, and there you go, you've got yourself  a colour scheme. They make perfect centerpieces. If you take big clear vases filled with alternating rows of cinnamon stick, cloves, sugar cubes, you just made the perfect brunch centerpiece.

I love spice just everywhere. And especially in chocolate. Have you tried it before? If not, I highly suggest to visit Genevieve Grandbois' store on St Viateur, and indulge in some of her Safran or Piment chocolate squares. Mmmm. 

Mariages Freres has some very good teas. I am not a fan of flavoured teas, but "Yuzu Temple" is so delicate with its citrus, peppery and spicy aromas. Camelia Sinensis has a marvelous vanilla flavoured tea. 

I discovered two soap companies, that make exquisite spicy soaps. This one and that one.

And if you are a spice lover, or know of one, Purpose Design makes beautiful spice kits. The packaging is sharp, and they're such an original gift. Pair the spice kit with a matching cooking book, and you know your friend will be in spice heaven. Hot gift, happy friend. 

Have a nice week-end!

Edith Piaf Dinner Party

I am very emotional while writing this post. Edith Piaf played such a big role in my life. Whenever I am running low on creativity, I play her music, and the sound of her voice full of truth and strengh inspires me. So the least I could do is pay her tribute. 

I designed these invitation postcards thinking of how great it would be to spend a whole evening in her company listening to La vie en rose, Milord, or l'Hymne a l'amour.

Now that I had the postcards, I felt like organising that party. I saw myself finding my computer searching and browsing, and here is the result. A french dinner inspiration board to share with all of you. I will be having this dinner party in three weeks with some of my close friends that are in love with Edith Piaf too.

Her favorite meal was " Coq au vin " , and I am anxious as to how it will turn out. I've never made it before. But it just sounds delicious. Good wine, aromatic cheeses from Hamel la Fromagerie,  fresh figs,  and the best baguette from Mamie Clafoutis will be on the menu.

For the table setting I got inspired from the picture of Bistro Les Petits Carreaux. Forest green, ivory, and butter yellow. 

When saying Paris, you cannot forget those delicious macarons, that literally first crunch and then melt in your mouth. An explosion of taste, that invade your whole being! So I decided to package some pistachio macarons with some almond macarons in small green boxes and tie a buttery yellow ribbon around to give my guests as a thank you favor. 

I will be playing " La Vie en Rose" movie. If you haven't seen it (or if you don't now Edith Piaf ) I highly recommend you rent it. It is a jewel.

I am really looking forward to it. A whole evening with Edith Piaf! What else to ask for?

If you live in Montreal, they play her music at Pois Penché, a fairly new french bistro downtown. If you're craving Paris, go for a lunch there. It will do you good :)

Marshmallows - Puffy Little Forgotten Treasures

These are not the marshmallows you used to have when you were a kid. These are the gourmet version. If you're running out of ideas on how to treat your guests at your next event or party, try to consider those little bites of heaven. And when I say heaven, I mean it! When biting into them, you feel you're biting into clouds. They're fluffy, soft, and they melt in your mouth. You can find them in so many flavors: cardamom, flower salt caramel, lavender, whisky, and even wasabi! You name it.

Different shapes are also available, the heart one is a cute one for a Valentine party favor, and the suckers perfect for a baby shower, or birthday. My personal favorites are the square ones, I just love the texture on the sides.
 

Marshmallows are colourful, and when packaged in clear bags, with a nice personallized tag or label, colourful matching ribbons, make an original, fun, and beautiful favor.

Adding them to your sweet table or candy bar will make your guests talk. They enhance the overall look of a table, add colour, and some lightness into your decor. Why take ourselves so seriously? Let's eat some marshmallows, and treat the kid inside each and every one of us :)

Here are some stores that make great marshmallows:

• Whimsy and Spice
• Suzie's Confections  
• Laura's Candy    

And if you are in the mood of making your own, here is Martha's recipe. You can then get in touch with me to package them for you. I will match your theme and colours, and of course use food safe packaging.

Portable Wine

How many times did you want to pour yourself a bottle of wine, but didn't want to open a bottle, so you just forget about it?

It happens to me all the time, and I was excited when I found out about Volute.

Top experts in wine, marketing, and graphic design launched this amazing 21st century wine brand. It comes in three varieties, red, white and rosé. Only the finest grapes are used, and it is hand harvested.

The aluminum bottle is eco-friendly, since aluminum is infinitely recyclable, and protects the wine from the light. The bottle is sturdy, Every bottle is an individual serving ( one glass ) So, in three words: single serving, shatterproof, and eco-friendly. It is worth giving it a try, especially that the makers pretend their wine to be competitive in taste to top wines.

I love the shape of the bottle, and the concept. I think it is courageous and I am buying myself a case soon.

I can see these bottle all lined up in a casual outdoor party. It will make a statement, and for sure will make your guests talk.

Lasagna for 2

Out of ideas for a Valentine's dinner? No need to break your head. Make your favorite lasagna recipe in individual sizes.  Look for beautiful cookware which you can cook and serve in. 

A romantic, cozy dinner for two.

Buon Appetito!

  

Unique Cookie Packaging

Present your favorite large size cookie in a CD envelope.  You can find the CD envelopes at your local office supply store along with the adhesive paper.  Create beautiful labels and personalize them for your special event.  They are great for a bridal or baby shower,  birthday or casual wedding.

The cookie can cause the envelope to become greasy, so place them in a cellophane bag before inserting them in the CD envelope.

Valentine's Heart Shaped Brownies

 

Make these delicious classic brownies and use a heart shaped cookie cutter for a fun and whimsical dessert.   Perfect for Valentine's Day.

Ingredients:

• 8 ounces unsweetened chocolate
  
• 1/3 cup butter
  
• 2/3 cup all-purpose flour
  
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
  
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
  
• 2 eggs
  
• 1 cup sugar
  
• 1 teaspoon vanilla   

Preparation:

1. Melt chocolate with butter in a metal bowl over hot water; cool. 
   
2. Sift flour with baking powder and salt. 
   
3. Beat eggs. 
   
4. Gradually add sugar, beating until well blended. 
   
5. Blend in chocolate mixture and vanilla. 
   
6. Stir in flour mixture. 
   
7. Spread into greased and floured 8" square pan. 
   
8. Bake at 350 degrees for 25 to 30 minutes or until brownies begin to pull away from sides of pan.
9. Cool in pan on wire rack. 

Once they have cooled, turn them upside down and cut out the hearts using the cookie cutter.  Then dust with powdered sugar.  By turning them over, you get a straight smooth surface.

Chocolate Chip Cookies - A Great Hostess Gift

What to bring a hostess?

A hostess gift should be something that can be used or eaten.  Bring a beautiful bathroom or kitchen soap or bring one of my favorites, chocolate chip cookie dough.  I made this classic recipe and rolled it in a parchment, then rolled it in a tissue paper, tied it with twine and labeled it. Keep the dough in the refrigerator for up to 1 week or in the freezer for up to 6 months.

She can simply slice, bake and enjoy warm homemade chocolate chip cookies whenever she wants!

Classic Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe:

Ingredients:

• 2-1/4 cups all-purpose flour
  
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
  
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
  
• 1 cup butter, softened
  
• 3/4 cup granulated sugar
  
• 3/4 cup packed light brown sugar
  
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  
• 2 eggs
• 2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips  
• 1 cup chopped nuts (optional)  

Preparation:

1. Stir together flour, baking soda and salt. 
2. Beat butter, granulated sugar, brown sugar and vanilla in large bowl with mixer until creamy. 
3. Add eggs; beat well. Gradually add flour mixture, beating well. 
4. Stir in chocolate chips and nuts, if desired. 
5. Drop by rounded teaspoons onto ungreased cookie sheet.
6. Bake at  375°F for 8 to 10 minutes or until lightly browned. 
7. Cool slightly; remove from cookie sheet to wire rack. Cool completely. About 5 dozen cookies. 

Unique Cupake Flavors

I wanted to make cupcakes, but all I could think of was vanilla or chocolate with butter cream icing.  I was amazed to find how many possibilities there are and realized that cupcakes don't have to be redundant.  There are spicy, fruity, rich and fresh varieties.  Which would you dare try?

• Basil Cream and Mint Cream Filled Cupcakes with Raspberry Mousse Frosting
• Wasabi White Chocolate Cupcakes with Plum Sake Filling
• Pistachio Cupcakes with Rose Petal Buttercream
• Dark Chocolate Truffle Cupcakes 

 

 

For more original recipes visit http://cupcakeblog.com

Baked Banana Sundae

I love bananas and I love ice cream.  It's only natural to combine the two.

In a sauce pan on medium heat:
1 tbsp of butter
1/2 cup of brown sugar
1/2 of real maple syrup (please don't use any of that water and sugar stuff)
1 tsp of pure vanilla
1/4 tsp of cinnamon
a pinch of salt

Put all the ingredients at the same time and let the brown sugar melt.  Slice 2 ripe bananas into the syrup and let simmer for one minute.  Pour it over the good quality vanilla ice cream.  This recipe makes 4 portions. 

Enjoy!