Monday, March 17, 2014

Asher's S'more Cake

Another spur-of-the-moment recipe.

I hadn't really talked to Asher about a cake. Fortunately, after some searching on Pinterest (and explaining to him that I could only replicate cake and frosting flavors, not decorating), we settled on a S'mores cake.

But, I needed something fast, so I made the easiest and best Texas Sheet Cake in the world, putting only half the glaze on top of the cake.

Then, I crushed about 12 graham cracker squares and covered the cake with half a bag of mini-marshmallows. I put that under the broiler for about 4 minutes (3 would have been enough) and added another handful of marshmallows on the top and drizzled the remaining glaze.

I had quite a few kids waxed rhapsodic when talking about the cake at the party.

Sunday, March 16, 2014

Cilantro Lime Veggie Dip

Necessity is the mother of invention.

Yesterday, we celebrated Asher's birthday, and I wanted to do a veggie tray. Veggie dips that come with the veggie tray tend to be yucky, but I only have one dip that I love. It's Ina Garten's Pan Fried Onion Dip. It's delicious and takes forever, and well, I didn't really plan on a veggie tray until about 3 hours before the party.

I consulted a few favorite blogger cooks and my Better Homes and Garden Cook Book and came up with this. 

Cilantro Lime Veggie Dip
Emily Clyde Curtis
about 2 cups

1 brick softened cream cheese (mine was a low-fat greek yogurt cream cheese)
1 cup sour cream
1 small garlic clove, finely minced
2 scallions, finely choppes
1 lime, zested and juiced
handful (approximately 1/3 cup chopped) cilantro
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt

Mix all together, adjust lime, salt and garlic according to taste.