Hello Kitty Cake

Recently, I made a cake for a good friend and co-worker of mine who is a Hello Kitty fanatic.

I baked the cake in celebration of her new and totally adorable baby. Due to a series of unforeseen circumstances, what was going to be the office baby shower, turned into a simple post-baby "let's have cake" gathering. Unfortunately, we were unable to schedule the cake-eating at a time when my friend's hubby could make it over to our office. I'm told he was given his slice of cake, but who really knows? Perhaps his wife ate it all! :) NOM NOM NOM!

I baked up a couple layers of chocolate chocolate chip cake and filled it with a Swiss buttercream and strawberry filling (freshly sliced strawberries tossed in a bit of vanilla sugar, Cointreau, and grated orange peel).

I made the little cuties on top of the cake out of fondant. I frosted the cake with more pink Swiss buttercream, added fondant lettering, and a sprinkle of pink edible glitter.

After cutting the cake, I took Hello Kitty and Baby home, where I coated them with shellac. I then returned them to my friend as keepsakes. I hope they've earned places of esteem in her massive Hello Kitty collection!

Grilled Stuffed Zucchini with Feta and Herbs

The first of my zucchini have shown up! As I went out to harvest the first zukes of my crop, I wondered what I'd make with them. Right then, the craving for stuffed zucchini with feta and herbs hit me.

I happened to be out grilling steaks and yukon gold potatoes, so I took advantage of the side burner to cook the stuffing and used the rest of the space on the grill to cook the zukes prior to stuffing them. After stuffing, all they need is a quick finish under the broiler and you're done. No summertime super-heating of your kitchen required!


Grilled Stuffed Zucchini
2 medium zucchini, stem end cut off
olive oil
kosher salt
freshly cracked black pepper
cayenne pepper
1/4 c panko breadcrumbs
1 clove garlic, minced
2 Tbsp onion, minced
3 - 4 leaves of fresh basil, minced
3 - 4 leaves of fresh sage, minced
2 oz reduced fat Feta cheese, crumbled

1) Halve the zucchini lengthwise. Place the zucchini on a cutting board with cut sides facing up. If the zukes seem unstable, cut a small slice from the undersides (the side with the peeling) to make them lay flat.
2) Using a teaspoon, scoop out the flesh of the zucchini, leaving about 1/4 inch border. Set aside the zucchini flesh for the stuffing.
3) Remove any seeds from the zucchini flesh and discard. Coarsely chop the remaining zucchini flesh and set aside.
4) Coat or mist the zucchini lightly with olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Grill on medium heat for about 1 - 2 minutes per side or until tender but not soft.
5) Heat oven broiler to high.
6) In a small saute' pan, heat about 1 tsp olive oil on medium high. Saute the garlic and onion until softened, then add the zucchini to soften and cook through. Season to taste with salt, pepper, and cayenne. Stir in the feta and breadcrumbs. Adjust seasonings if needed. Set aside.
7) Stuff mixture evenly into zucchini halves. Place on a cookie sheet and broil just until lightly browned on top. About 1 - 2 minutes.

Makes a great side dish or light vegetarian lunch.

Friday Cocktail Time #11 - Swamp Cooler

No, its not just a cooling device that takes moisture from the air. It's a cocktail, too. Since when? Since a few years ago when I whipped one up for one of my crazy Halloween dinners.

Despite its unappealing color, this drink is absolutely refreshing and totally delish. It also makes a fun addition to any Halloween or Cajun-themed party.

Your guests may be a little wigged out by the file' powder. Note that you can substitute sugar that has been tinted green, or a mixture of sugar and finely grated lime zest.

Swamp Cooler (adapted from Martha Stewart's "Swamp Sips")
lime wedge for rimming glass
2 oz file' powder, green-tinted sugar crystals, or lime sugar for rimming glass
3 oz crushed ice
1 tsp lime juice
2 jiggers Naked Juice Green Machine
1 jigger vodka
1 jigger Mountain Dew
1 - 2 jiggers seltzer
lime wheel for garnish

1) Run the lime wedge along the rim of a 12 oz rocks glass.
2) Pour file' powder (or green sugar or lime sugar) into a saucer and run the rim of the glass around in the powder to coat. Place ice in glass.
3) Pour lime juice, Green Machine, vodka, and Mountain Dew. Top off glass with seltzer. Stir gently.
4) Garnish with lime wheel.
5) Stay cool!

Cajun Word of the Week #3 - Toc Toc

This week's CWotW was submitted by a very special person -- my Tante Monique! Tante is French for aunt, of course, and Tante Monique is my dad's sister. Love you, Tante!

toc toc [tok tok]
–noun

Cajun sugared popcorn made with a thick boiled syrup of sugar and water or cream. This popcorn is white, unlike caramel corn, which has a brown glaze.

Ex. "Pass the toc toc, chere!"

Gumbeaux at BlakeBakes

Hi everyone!
Just a little note to let you know that you can find out a little more about what I'm baking at a new blog called BlakeBakes. BlakeBakes is a baking-oriented blog started by Blake Killian and his wife Bridget.

Please be sure to stop by BlakeBakes to check out what all the other BlakeBakers and I are baking up in the little gingerbread house that Blake built.

Happy baking!
Gumbeaux