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My Holiday Baking

2011
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Chocolate & Raspberry Shortbread.

Dough

2 sticks butter

1/2 cup sugar

2 cups flour

Cream butter and sugar together..add flour and mix till it forms the dough.

This makes enough dough to cover a 13 x 9 baking pan, or you can make 2 pans of  8 x 8.  I made one pan of 8 x 8 shortbread and saved the other half to make chocolate toffee bars…(Next recipe)

 

Choose your size pan.. and pat the dough into pan.

then cover with seedless raspberry jam..

if you use a 13 x 9 pan use the whole jar…8 x 8 pan use half of jar..I use this Jam…

bake at 325 for about 20 minutes…take out of the oven when done..while still hot.. sprinkle on…

Wait about 10 minutes…and then swirl melted chocolate and raspberry together

Now…. lick the knife…YOU know… you want to!

I had to also lick my camera len.. because… I’m a dork… I got chocolate all over my camera while taking these pictures!

 

Chocolate Toffee Bar

You need the above shortbread and…

I used the whole can…for a 13 x 9 pan…take them out of their wrappers and put into blender to chop into smaller bits…..pat shortbread into pan…sprinkle on the toffee bits…bake 10 minutes at 325…then sprinkle on chocolate chops..bake another 10 minutes…let cool an few hours and then cut into squares..

MORE recipes  coming soon….

 

Candy cane cake pops

Snowmen cake pops

Snowball cake bites

 

 

Chocolate cake bites with pretzel sprinkles

 Pecan Carmel.

 Sugar Cookies

 Merry Christmas to all

Love,

Janice

Posted: December 22, 2011 by |Filed Under: Food | Janice | , , , , , , , Leave a Comment

My latest Obsessions

2011
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I’m currently obsessed with quite a few  things.

 

 I’m having a lot of fun making Cake Pops!

  I find myself singing a little song while I make them.

It goes a little like this.

Bake  er  ella

 you’re as lovely as your name

~*~Bakerella~*~

All hail the mighty Bakerella,

 I just love this book!

Here are a few of the cake pops I’ve made.

For my first attempt, I made these for my daughters baby shower.

I made these for Halloween.

I plan on making these for Thanksgiving.

If you haven’t tried making cake pops yet,

  I can highly recommend it.

 They’re the hit of every party, and ever so yummy!

~*~

Soon the Holidays will be here

and Being the nut job that I’am

 I have a new Christmas decorating theme.

I think it would best be described as Winter Wonderland.

I live in Southern California

So the closest I get to icicle’s, snowflakes and snowballs are the kind you buy at the store.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Crystal Snowflakes

 

  Feather Poofs.

 

 Glamorous snowballs

 

 

 

How cute is this peacock?

Yes, there really are white peacocks, I saw some while traveling in Australia.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I’ve been going gaga for Mercury Glass, if you want some I suggest you act fast, before I buy  it all!

XOXO,

Janice

Posted: November 6, 2011 by |Filed Under: Decorating | Food | Janice | Janice raves and reviews | , , , , , , , Leave a Comment

Octoberfest 2011

2011
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Lets face it

Octoberfest is a great excuse for eating and drinking!

Homemade Gingerbread cookies

 

Homemade Pretzels

 

Cheese and crackers

 

Pickles!

 

Was it a brat or a cheddar wurtz?

 

German wine to wash down the food

 

Brat, Sauerkraut, German Potato salad, German Goulash

 

Fraulein Stee, Fraulein Vivian, Frau April and Frau Janice

 

The reason for the Octoberfest party..Chad's Birthday!

A good time was had by all.

We laughted

We drank

And we ate too much!

 

Auf Wiedersehen!

XOXO,

Janice

 

Posted: September 28, 2011 by |Filed Under: Entertaining | Events | Food | Janice | , , , , , , Leave a Comment

Top Chef Challenge,,,,with Chef Fabio and Lisa Vanderpump

2011
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This past Sunday I went to a Top Chef Invasion in Hancock Park, CA.  It was to benefit the glaad Organization.

  Being a Top Chef fan I knew I had to be there!  Especially since Fabio Viviani was going to be there, and when I found out that Lisa Vanderpump was going to be hosting the event, I knew I couldn’t miss it!

  I’m big a follower of Fabio because his restaurant Cafe Firenza is located in Moorpark, the town where I have lived for the past 25 years.   I’ve been to the restaurant many times, and took a cooking class at Cafe Firenza before Fabio became a celebrity Chef, known for his appearances on Top Chef.

*The adorable couple*  Lisa and Ken 

 The always charming, beautiful and witty Lisa,  is my favorite Real Housewive. 

Love You Lisa! 

The Event was held at a private home in Hancock Park.

A food station  from  Border Grill with  chef  Susan Feniger. 

   Susan was the first celebrity Chef I followed.  Love you Susan!

 

Some beautiful Macaron’s

I couldn’t resist the raspberry ones..Yummy! 

 

Time for the Top Chef Challenge with Chef Antonia Lofaso and Chef Fabio Viviani.

 With the help of these Ingredients,  both chef’s cooked with a time limit of 10 minutes to come up with something delicious

And The winner of the Top Chef Challenge   *Golden Whisk*

 Goes to Chef Antonia (smiley) Lofaso.

I call her smiley because the girl is always smiling

   Congratulation Antonia!

P.S.

 And the award for best shoes goes to ……. Lisa! 

  This girl knows how to rock a pair Louboutin’s!

And Honorable Mention goes to…this guy!

For his amazing boots.

P.S. Thank you Bravo

XOXO,

Janice

Posted: July 26, 2011 by |Filed Under: Entertainment | Events | Food | Janice | Janice raves and reviews | Restaurants | , , , , , , , 1 Comment

Happy 3rd Anniversary,,,,, do it duckie style

2011
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July 2oth was the 3rd anniversary of my beautiful daughter April and her wonderful husband Chad.   I decided to make a cake for them to celebrate the day.  I knew what flavor I would make,   ( Lemon)   but I wasn’t sure how I would decorate it.

At first I thought I would do a lemon theme,  but then then I realized that idea might make them start thinking that I thought their marriage was a Lemon, which it’s not!    So I tossed out that idea.      My next thought was to go to Michaels  and check out the cake decorating department,  which I did,  but nothing inspired me.     I started wandering the store when  I spotted the wedding area.   Hum…….everything was the usual   * Yawn*  type of stuff,   till I spotted some cute rubber ducks that were dressed like a bride and groom!

 PERFECT!!       Then I spotted some cute Martha Steward Daisy’s to help cover up my lousy icing job.   I thought the cake needed a little something more so I went back to the wedding section.  It was then I noticed the baby section was right next to the wedding area. 

 Duh!       babies come after weddings right!   

    At least that is the order you hope for! 

 Then what do my wondering eyes spot?     Cute little baby duckies!  OMG!      this is so perfect, my daughter is almost 5 months pregnant  but we don’t know what the sex of the baby is yet.

  I’m hoping it’s a girl, and I keep telling my daughter it’s a girl……. 

So I buy one container of girl duckies     and one container of boys.

I thought how perfect,   this cake will tell a story.  I started crying at the thought of how wonderful of a day it was and how thankful and happy I was to have my first grand baby coming in a few months.   I’m such a cry baby!

But I couldn’t decide on how to incorporate the baby duckies on the cake.

It's a girl!

Or…. 

It's a boy!

So…I left the cake without any baby duckies on it.    Because…..

  I had an idea to hold a baby boy ducky in one hand and a baby girl duck in the other hand and hold my hands  behind my back and let my daughter choose which hand!    Guess what hand she chose?

THE GIRL DUCKIE! …….  Just More proof that it’s going to be a girl!

 P.S   The cake was delicious!   White cake, with Trader Joe’s lemon curd as filling, and homemade butter cream icing….Super yum!

The End

Posted: July 21, 2011 by |Filed Under: Food | Janice | , , , 2 Comments

Cinespia films each weekend at Hollywood Forever Cemetary is a great time for food and wine!!

2011
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Hey everyone! I always have the best time with friends going to Cinespia film viewings each summer at Hollywood forever cemetery in Hollywood! Outdoor movie showings bring out the kid in me… Blankets, pillows and the stars above… And below us lol, sorry, dead celebrity humor- but its a great way to spend time with friends and make new ones through food and wine, or your favorite drink! This trip we saw cat on a hot tin roof starring Liz Taylor! I made a wonderful slow roasted salmon with olive oil rub kosher salt, cumin, paprika, garlic, on a bed of fresh thyme, lemon, basil, topped with brown sugar, oregano, and a little cayenne pepper for bite. Placing the fresh fish filet on top of fresh herbs and citrus draws the flavors up through the fish as it cooks and prevents them from burning.
To accompany this dish I made fresh Rosemary baguette… Fresh yeast, salt, bread flour cut with spelt flour, water and some sugar… Didn’t have white so I used brown… Was delicious!! Then we had plenty of wine to go around!!! It was a great night with amazing friends and food….

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Posted: May 19, 2011 by |Filed Under: Chef Jacquelyn | Cooking | Entertainment | Food | Movies | Nightlife | , , , 1 Comment

Happy Cinco de Mayo!

2011
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Just curious if anyone does the traditional Cinco de mayo beers and Mexican food on this day? If so, what and where?! ;)

Posted: May 5, 2011 by |Filed Under: Cooking | 1 Comment

Ah, LOVE Catering Weddings…

2011
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I catered the most sensational wedding yesterday… I just love my work!  The venue was elegant, romantic, and whimsical, and everyone loved the food and the special cocktails I was serving up. It couldn’t have been a more perfect day! Special thanks to Erik, Kelly and Chizuru.. I couldn’t have done it without you! You were all shining, and all of you were amazing… go team Elegant Eats! Kelly the flowers looked A-Mazing too!! Thank you to all!

The Event, Anousha and Sean, http://www.facebook.com/anousha.hutton and http://www.facebook.com/sweeneyrules

…60 Guests, Live Music Ceremony, Champagne & Honey Bleu Cheese Nori Rolls ~ Starter from the Bar (Left)

…then…

Spring Into Thai Menu!

Coconut Cal Rose Rice- Coconut Milk… mmmm

Jacquelyn’s Hot/Cold Thai Noodle Salad with Fresh Herbs, Garlic, Bamboo, Ginger, Red Peppers, Onions

Fried Tofu Coconut Shrimp Style and Garden Salad

Veggie Spring Rolls with Shitake Mushrooms

Zesty Spicy and Sweet Cucumber Salad

Spicy Beef Salad with Chilies and Mint

Chicken Satay with Peanut Sauce

Thai Stew with Ginger, Red Curry, Lime & Garlic

… Dessert… Cupcakes 4 Ways

The Bride~Pineapple Ginger Curry Cupcake with Coconut Buttercream Frosting

The Groom~Vanilla Bean Cupcake with Vanilla Bean Buttercream

Chocolate Cupcake with Vanilla Bean Buttercream

Blood Red Velvet Cake with Seductive Cheesecake Frosting

Posted: May 2, 2011 by |Filed Under: Chef Jacquelyn | Cooking | Decorating | Entertaining | Food | 2 Comments

Strawberry-Ginger Caipirosca

2011
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This is one fun and flirty cocktail I will be proud to serve at any spring event! I’m mixing this into an amazing punch for the wedding Im catering this Sunday for Anousha Hutton and Sean Sweeney! Congrats you two! And Cheers darling! ;)

Serves 2

Ingredients

10 fresh strawberries, hulled and quartered
30 fresh mint leaves
1/4 lime, cut into 4 pieces
1 teaspoon freshly grated ginger
2 tablespoons sugar
2 cups cracked ice
1/2 cup vodka
Directions

Place berries, mint, lime, and
ginger in a cocktail shaker.
Sprinkle sugar over top; muddle
mixture with a long spoon
until almost pureed. Add ice
and vodka; shake well. Divide
between two glasses; serve.

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Posted: April 28, 2011 by |Filed Under: Chef Jacquelyn | Cooking | Food | Nightlife | Uncategorized | , , , Leave a Comment

Easter Feast at My Place!

2011
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I thoroughly enjoyed Easter dinner spent with Family and Friends in one of the most beautiful settings in the WORLD and my first home away from home  in LA, Hermosa Beach! Ah the sights and sounds of the boardwalk, great food, fun and all around good times! The Ham was superb, the turkey tasty, my salad was shining and happiness all around… and I can’t leave out the deviled eggs and chocolate! I wish I felt this much comfort every weekend!

Eating dinner early is fun and festive, and a tradition in most American homes… always leaving me a smidgen hungry later on. But instead of doing the usual leftovers, headed to the grill for some tri tip tacos Asian Fusion Style! Deeeee-LISH!! 

Marinated Grilled Tri Tip with Schriracha Dynamite Sauce, Pea Sprouts, Tomato, Arugula, Cilantro, Roasted Green Onions, Garlic, Sesame, Ginger, Tortilla… some fresh herbs, and yum!

Posted: April 25, 2011 by |Filed Under: Chef Jacquelyn | Cooking | Food | 1 Comment
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