Chocolate Cake- Disney Pixar Lightening McQueen

Remember your birthdays growing up? They were always a HUGE deal. Well, at least they were for me! This past weekend a little friend of mine was turning three and he loves the Disney Pixar movie- Cars. I was asked to make the cake for his big day with this theme in mind. I was a little nervous for two reasons: I was not sure if this cake was going to remotely resemble Lightening McQueen AND turning three is monumental at that age. In the end, after several hours of preparation, I have to say I was so excited about the final result! The best part is that this movie, like most Pixar films, is that it is for of all ages; it has become one of my sister’s new favorites- so she might be getting this cake for her 29th birthday.

Chocolate Cake
3/4 Cup of Unsweetened Cocoa Powder
1 1/2 Cups of Buttermilk
1 Teaspoon of Vanilla
1 3/4 Cup of Flour
2 Cups of Sugar
3 Eggs
2 Sticks of Of Softened Butter
1/4 Teaspoon of Salt
1 Teaspoon of Baking Soda
1 Teaspoon of Baking Powder
Preheat Oven 350

In a mixing bowl mix together sugar, butter until well combined, then beat in vanilla and eggs one at a time. Once well combined stir in buttermilk. In a separate bowl combine flour, cocoa, baking soda, baking powder and salt. One cup at a time add flour mixture to sugar mixture until well combined. In this case I greased the Lightening McQueen Cake tin or the other option would be to grease 2- eight inch round cake pans. Bake for 35 minutes until a knife comes out clean. Let cool before flipping over to release the cake. This cake was decorated with a buttercream icing- more than anything it just took time and patience.

I also made Cup Cakes and put race flags in each of them to go along with the Cars Theme.

The favors were a little Lightening McQueen Car with candy wrapped in Cellophane paper and tied with a black and white checkers.

Posted by Patty in Ideas, Recipes, Sweets. 7 Comments »

Proper Chicken Cleaning and Defrosting

Chicken is the most popular researched recipe on the web. This made me think: is everyone properly cleaning their boards after working with raw chicken? I thought I was. Upon, doing some research however I discovered that I was cleaning my board without properly sanitizing it.

My old way- Rub board down with lemon and rinse off with boiling water and then clean with soap and water. Now hot water and soap cleans the board but does not fully sanitize according to the USDA.

My new way- I can continue with how I cleaned it but now with one more step. 1 tablespoon of Chlorine to 1 gallon of water, wash down the board with mixture and rinse.

Another note when defrosting chicken, defrost in the refrigerator not at room temperature. If you decide not to use it the chicken can be returned to freezer. It will just loose some of its flavor. Chicken can stay in refrigerator for 2 days. But do not return to freezer if left out at room temperature.

Something else I learned was that there is a toll free number 1-800-535-4555 provided by the USDA were you get an actual person on the phone and they can answer all your questions; it was amazing! Click to Enter Pantry

Posted by Patty in Tips, Terms & Tools. 2 Comments »

Honey Apple Spiced Cider

Earlier this week, I wanted a slushie and then later in the week I definitely wanted something warm and comforting. So yes, it is late in the season for this drink but who knows since the weather has been swinging like a pendulum. Also, this will be great a great way to start the fall season next year.