Tuesday, June 29, 2010

Tempt my Tummy Tuesday

Twilight themed Virgin Bloody Mary 

The Bloody Mary is a classic cocktail that's almost as old as Edward. Like him, it only gets hotter with age.

Garnish with a skewer of olives to jazz up the drink's presentation at your Twilight party. 
For the 21 and over crowd, add 1 oz. - 1/2 oz. of vodka to make this virgin a vamp.


Ingredients

  • Pinch celery salt
  • Salt and pepper
  • 7 drops Worcestershire sauce
  • 5 drops hot sauce
  • 1 (6-ounce) container tomato juice
  • Some celery stalks
  • Some cherry tomatoes
  • 1/2 Oz lemon juice
Steps
  • Combine all of the ingredients in a highball glass containing ice, stir well, and serve with a celery stick and cherry tomato.


Twilight-Inspired Mushroom Ravioli with Butter 
& Parmesan Sauce

Mushroom ravioli is a must for any Twilight party since Bella orders it on her first date with Edward at a restaurant. This version has a nutty flavor that adds depth and complexity to the dish.

Ingredients
  • 2 packages (11-oz.) fresh wild mushroom ravioli
  • 1 Cup unsalted butter
  • 1/2 Cup fresh basil leaves
  • 6 Tbsp toasted pine nuts
  • 1 Whole nutmeg or 1/2 teaspoon grated nutmeg
  • 2/3 Cup grated Parmesan
Steps
  • Cook the ravioli in a large pot of boiling salted water until just cooked through, about 5 minutes. Drain and put on a platter.
  • Meanwhile, cook the butter in a heavy medium frying pan over medium-high heat until pale golden, about 4 minutes. Add the basil leaves and cook until lightly fried, about 2 minutes. Add the pine nuts. Pour over the cooked ravioli. Grate 1/2 teaspoon of nutmeg directly over ravioli. Sprinkle Parmesan over dish and serve.


Twilight-Inspired Caramel Apple Cupcakes


Ingredients
  • 1 Cup unsweetened applesauce
  • 2 Cup(s) all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 Cup sugar
  • 1 Tsp ginger
  • 1 Tsp cinnamon
  • 1/8 Tsp nutmeg
  • 1 Tsp baking soda
  • 1/4 Tsp salt
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1/2 Cup oil
  • 1/4 Cup apple juice
  • 1 Tsp vanilla
  • For The Caramel
  • 2 Cup(s) sugar
  • 1/2 Cup water
  • 1-1/2 Tbsp light corn syrup
  • 2/3 Cup heavy cream
  • 2 Tbsp unsalted butter, room temperature
  • For The Cream Cheese Frosting
  • 8 Oz cream cheese, room temperature
  • 1 Cup (2 sticks) butter, room temperature
  • 1 vanilla bean, cut lengthwise and scraped
  • 1 Lb. (4 cups) powdered sugar, sifted
  • Garnishes: pretzels, red sprinkles, mint leaves, black sesame seeds
Steps
  • Preheat oven 350F.
  • Combine flour, sugar, ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg, baking soda, and salt in a medium sized bowl and whisk to combine. Crack the eggs into a separate, medium sized bowl and beat with a form to break up. Add the oil, apple juice, vanilla, and apple sauce and mix to combine. Combine the wet and dry ingredients until all ingredients come together.
  • Scoop into cupcake papers about 2/3 full. Bake in 350F oven for 20-22 minutes, rotating the pan after 15 minutes, until a toothpick comes out clean.
  • To make the caramel: Put sugar, water and corn syrup in saucepan, stir just to combine ingredients. Turn to medium-high heat, without stirring, for 5-10 minutes until caramel turns an amber color. Wipe down any spatters with a pastry brush dipped in cold water. Lower the heat a little and add the cream and butter. (Caramel will bubble!) After the bubbling decreases, stir caramel to break down lumps. Pour into a pyrex measuring cup to cool.
  • To make the frosting: Whip the butter and cream cheese together in a mixer fitted with a paddle attachment until creamed. Add vanilla beans. Gradually add powdered sugar. Scrape down the bowl as needed.
  • To assemble cupcakes: Fill cupcakes with caramel using the cone method. Dollop a fairly good amount of frosting and shape into a spherical shape.
  • Roll cupcake in red sprinkles to cover the frosting. Break off pretzel and stick into the top to resemble a stem. Insert a mint “leaf” in the frosting near the stem. Notch out a “bite” shape and arrange 3 sesame seeds to resemble apple seeds.