Sunday, May 29, 2011

Friday with Friends

On Friday night, Jason and I were graciously invited to have dinner with our dear friends, the Whites. Always the epitome of a perfect hostess, Anna's dining room table was impeccably dressed (everyone knows I can't resist a lovely place setting), and she had put together a delectable menu consisting of her sunny summer salad, chicken with lemon leek linguine, and a homemade apple & pear crisp for dessert. As an extra special treat, Landon decided to do chicken wings on the grill with a "special" hot sauce for himself and Jason to enjoy.

The meal was absolutely divine, and the company was delightful! Jason and I look forward to returning the favor and hosting our next "Friday with Friends" get together at our place!

beautiful place setting - LOVE it!

our fabulous host and hostess 

chicken with lemon leek linguine

Landon's "special" wings - they look hot!

apple & pear crisp

Wednesday, May 25, 2011

Coffee Cake: Take One

Last Monday I decided to come home from work and make a coffee cake. I know it sounds completely random, and a little strange, but that's what I did. It may have been a combination of having an exceptionally long day at work (I find baking incredibly therapeutic) and simply wanting to bake something I've never baked before. Thank goodness I had Supper Club on Tuesday night and was able to give some away! :-)

Overall, I thought this recipe turned out quite well. The cake was moist, delicious, and just the right amount of sweet. I've decided, however, I prefer a coffee cake that has a yummy streusel topping. So, while I would consider my first attempt at making coffee cake a success, I would not say I've found my "go to" recipe. Alas, stay tuned for Coffee Cake: Take Two!

Cake Ingredients:
3/4 c butter, softened
1 1/2 c sugar
3 eggs
1 1/2 tsp vanilla
3 c flour
1 1/2 tsp baking powder
1 1/2 tsp baking soda
1 tsp salt
1 1/2 c sour cream

Filling Ingredients:
1/2 c packed brown sugar
1/2 c finely chopped walnuts
1 1/2 tsp cinnamon

Preheat oven to 350 degrees and grease a 12 cup bundt pan. In a large mixing bowl combine butter, sugar, eggs and vanilla. Beat on medium speed for 2 minutes. In a separate bowl combine flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Beat flour mixture into butter mixture alternately with sour cream.

For the filling, mix brown sugar, walnuts and cinnamon together in a separate bowl and set aside.

Spread 1/3 of the batter (approximately 2 cups) into the bundt pan and sprinkle with 1/3 of the filling (approximately 6 tablespoons). Repeat this twice.

Bake for 60 minutes or until wooden toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.


fresh out of the oven

yum!

Saturday, May 21, 2011

A Sibling Reunion

Over the years my brother, my sister, and myself have become somewhat scattered across North Carolina. Katie lives in Pittsboro with her husband (Shawn), Ben lives in Charlotte, and of course, Jason and I live in Raleigh.  As you can imagine, this means spending time together is less frequent than I would like.

Last weekend Ben drove up to spend a couple days with Katie & Shawn, so Jason and I invited everyone over for a mini reunion Saturday night. It's always quite the event when the five of us get together. We inevitably eat too much food, stay up too late, and have TONS of fun!

My sister is an amazing cook, and volunteered to bring homemade macaroni and cheese (among other things) to pair with the grilled chicken and jalapeno burgers Jason and I were putting together. I will try to post her mac & cheese recipe in the future. It is to DIE for!

Of course, the meal wouldn't be complete without dessert. So, in honor of my sister, I decided to try out a turtle cake recipe that I had found months ago, as turtle candies are her absolute favorite. I must say that I wasn't completely thrilled with how it all turned out. Don't get me wrong, it was yummy, but the cake itself was very dense and very rich. If I decide to make it again in the future, I will likely tweak the recipe a bit. I've posted it below:

Ingredients:
1 pkg devils food cake mix
1 (3.9 oz) pkg chocolate instant pudding mix
3 lg eggs
1 1/4 c milk
1 c canola oil
2 tsp vanilla extract
1 tsp chocolate extract
1 tsp instant coffee granules
1 (6 oz) pkg semisweet chocolate morsels
1 c chopped pecans
1 container cream cheese frosting
1/2 c canned dulce de leche
2 (7 oz) pkgs turtle candies
1 container chocolate fudge frosting
1 jar dulce de leche ice cream topping
1/4 c pecan halves, toasted

Preheat oven to 350. Grease 2 (9 inch) round cake pans and set aside.

Beat cake mix and next 7 ingredients at low speed with an electric mixer 1 minute, beat at medium speed 2 minutes. Fold in chocolate morsels and chopped pecans. Pour batter into prepared pans.

Bake at 350 for 30 minutes or until a wooden pick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool in pans on wire rack 10 minutes. Remove from pans to wire racks, and cool completely. Wrap and chill cake layers at least 1 hour.

Whisk together cream cheese frosting and canned dulce de leche in a small bowl until well blended. Set aside. Cut 6 turtle candies in half and set aside for garnish. Dice remaining turtle candies.

Using a serrated knife, slice cake layers in half horizontally to make 4 layers. Place 1 layer (cut side up) on cake plate. Spread with 1/2 cup cream cheese frosting mixture; sprinkle 1/3 diced turtle candies. Repeat this twice. Place final cake layer on top of cake (cut side down) and spread chocolate fudge frosting on top and sides of cake. Cover and chill in refrigerator until ready to serve. Just before serving, drizzle dulce de leche ice cream topping over top of cake. Garnish with remaining halved turtle candies and pecan halves. Store in refrigerator and enjoy!



Turtle Cake

dinner, YUM!

me, brother Ben, and sister Katie

the hubbys, losing shamelessly at Apples to Apples

Harry and Mollie (Kate and Shawn's puppies)

Tuesday, May 17, 2011

Going to the Chapel...

Congratulations to the newlyweds... Shelly & Blair are married!! I must apologize for being M.I.A. for the past couple of weeks, but I've been a busy girl! It all began the weekend of May 7th, when my good friend Shelly officially became Mrs. Blair Keeter. It was a lovely weekend filled with endless fun and celebration.

The festivities commenced on Friday with a beautiful bridal luncheon at The Cardinal Club in downtown Raleigh. It was delightful for all of the ladies to spend some quality time together, toast Shelly, and enjoy a fabulous meal! 

The bride, her bridesmaids, and mothers of the bride and groom

Friday evening we reported to Rose Hill Plantation for the rehearsal and dinner. Approximately 45 minutes east of Raleigh, and known today as Rose Hill Conference Center, the property is part of a country estate established in 1762 through a land grant from King George II to the Boddie family. The grounds are breathtaking and the Manor House is exquisite.  

Rose Hill Plantation

The rehearsal was followed by a yummy poolside dinner at Rose Hill hosted by the groom's parents. It was the perfect evening. The atmosphere was very relaxed and everyone seemed to be having a wonderful time. After dinner, Blair's parents gave a beautiful toast to the bride and groom, and then guests enjoyed the sound of beach music and danced late into the evening.      

Celebrating with the Maid and Matron of Honor

The Turners - love them!

grooms cake
(Blair is an ECU alum and die hard fan)

Soon-to-be Mr. & Mrs.

Saturday was a perefct May day. The wedding ceremony took place at six o'clock in the evening by the lake on Rose Hill's grounds, and it was simply beautiful. Afterwards, guests enjoyed a cocktail hour on the back lawn and were soon ushered inside to feast on stations of Italian, Asian, and Southern cuisine. Shelly and Blair couldn't have looked happier, and it was clear they were having the time of their lives as they danced until the wee hours of the morning! Best wishes for a very happy life together, Mr. & Mrs. Keeter!

the beautiful bride

me and the hubby

pretty cake

first dance

cutting the cake

sweet potato cake with white chocolate mousse, mmm


Saturday, May 7, 2011

Happy Mother's Day Weekend

Happy Mother's Day to the most beautiful and special woman I know! Love you... xoxo!


The best conversations with mothers always take place in silence, when only the heart speaks.  ~Carrie Latet