SAKARA: French 69

Bonjour Lovelies!

I hope you are doing alright, during our extended quarantine. I can't believe it's already May and we are still sheltering in place. So surreal! Santa Cruz has been getting hot too, so I wanted to make something refreshing yet lush he he! The Sakara Cookbook has a few specialty drinks but the ladies have been sharing new ones, thank goddess, mainly through their S Life virtual Mag. One of their new cocktails, the French 69, looked delish' and perfect for a hot afternoon! 

The Sakara Life take on a French 69 is pretty simple: 1 part Vodka, 1/2 part St. Germain, muddled mint and Prosecco. Thankfully I had all of the ingredients, except fresh mint. So after masking up and grabbing some I was all set! 

*Of course, don't forget to serve in your most French looking glass.

As simple as this drink was, it did not disappoint. The mint and St. Germain was light and I really loved the splash of bubbly, so good! I'll definitely make this one again.

À tout à l’heure! -Bunny

Candytopia

Hey Y'all! 

I got sucked into another vortex of delicious art, this time it was at Candytopia in San Francisco. Located conspicuously close to the Museum of Ice Cream, this new pop-up features interactive art displays made entirely of candy.

This candy factory is a maze of themed rooms, sweet treats to eat and wondrous candy displays. Each featured art piece includes a plaque letting guests know how many jellybeans(or what have you) were used and also how much all that candy weighs. It was really nice getting the inside scoop of the hours spent on these masterpieces. Guests are also encouraged to touch and photograph the candy art which was really fun. I don't want to give too much away but here are a few of my favorites! 

One part of this experience that set it apart from the MOIC are their Sugar Rush photo-ops. A few rooms have cameras set up on the ceiling with timers. The photos are then emailed to you automatically. That was a big plus for me. You know I love my pictures!

My favorite space by far was the magic confetti room. Imagine candy pigs in tutus, jellybean unicorns and buckets of rainbow confetti falling from the sky! It brought out the kid in me instantly. I could have stayed in there forever!

 

This rooms particular Sugar Rush had a spinning color circle with a TON of confetti raining down! Can we say Holiday Card!?

Towards the end of the candy journey, much like the MOIC sprinkle pool, Candytopia features a giant pool filled with faux marshmallows. Stepping into this soft pit of white was hilarious, just trying to get from one side to the other was exhausting! he he But we loved it!

Candytopia was so awesome, I'd definitely recommend checking it out if you're in the area. This museum stresses the importance of candy in our lives...the importance of artistic expression and the ability to just have fun! That is everything!

Thanks Candytopia and San Francisco, until next time!

Cheers, Bunny

Millionaire's Shortbread

Hey there, 

What do you do when two lovebird soulmates are about to meet again after a few decades apart and separated by 200 years? The answer is, you make amazing chocolate caramel bars! This recipe was actually quite simple and didn't take long at all. 

First, butter the sides and bottom of a 9-inch pan. I chose to not use any parchment paper and the butter worked just fine. Then I started on the shortbread layer. Combine flour, sugar and salt in a large bowl. Grate in 1 1/2 sticks of butter and mix. Use your fingertips to blend the mix together until it resembles cornmeal then press the dough into the pan and poke with a fork. Bake until firm and golden brown, about 30 mins.

While the shortbread cools down, grab a saucepan and melt 4 tablespoons of butter over medium heat. Stir in the brown sugar and sweetened condensed milk. Bring to a gentle boil and stir frequently. Then reduce the heat and stir until it thickens for about 10 mins. Pour over the shortbread evenly and let cool.

Embarrassing but I didn't realize that caramel was just brown sugar and condensed milk. Sure you have to keep your eye on it to prevent burning, but it is quite simple! This caramel came together well, the texture wasn't as silky but the flavor was perfect. 

While waiting for the caramel to set, melt the chocolate and remaining butter in a double boiler. This way the chocolate melts evenly. Once smooth, pour over the caramel. 

Check out my poor-person makeshift boiler! 

I let the bars cool and then cut out a nice square to taste. The chocolate melted in my mouth with the delicious crunch of cookie and I was in heaven....SO GOOD! So rich! Craig's review..."These bars combined a bit of sweet and chewy crunchy decadence."  

Just the right amount of chocolate to caramel to cookie. Perfect! I even took some to work to share. They were a hit! Thank you Theresa Carle-Sanders!

They were indeed worthy of a great romance.

Thanks for readin!

Bunny

The Daily Harvest Scoop

Morning,

Behind every good woman is a nutrient rich diet! 

In the journey to a healthier me, I have filled our fridge with more fruits, veggies and exchanged some of our usual snacks with healthier options. Still I was having trouble finding time to cook or meal prep. With a new job further away from home and I was often exhausted by the time I was off. I could feel myself getting weaker and in need of more nutrients than a protein bar could offer. Insert Daily Harvest, fun combinations of super-food in compact cups, just add the liquid of your choice. Their smoothie and overnight oats options looked especially intriguing so I decided to give them a try. On Tuesday afternoon a big Daily Harvest box was waiting on my porch...I love getting mail...especially mail I can eat ha ha! It contained six cups all frozen using dry ice. They make sure to mark the ice and keep it separate, for safety. Along with the cups came little instructions and some magnets! Such a cute idea!

I started with the Chia Parfait Blackberry and Majik which had two options, heat now for 3 to 6 mins or let soak overnight. There was no way that I was waiting so I added some vanilla almond milk, stirred a bit then heated up the cup. I could immediately smell the sweet berries as the parfait came to life. Filled with chia seeds, blackberries, coconut and banana this parfait was scrumptious. Adding to the antioxidants is organic blue majik, a blue green algae super-food sure to pack in flavor and health benefits. This chia parfait was quickly one of my favorites!

Next, the smoothie I was the most curious about, the mint and cacao! It sounded perfect but I was skeptical that the healthy ingredients could match the mint-chip flavor I desired. I added almond milk and began blending the ingredients, immediately peppermint and cacao filled the air. After transferring back to my Daily Harvest cup, I took my first sip and to my surprise it tasted like ice cream. This little cup of green mush was a dream! Plus I did not feel guilty about slurping it down either...perfect! 

My third selection was the Mulberry and Dragon fruit Overnight Oats. I let them soak during the night with some almond milk and packed them up on my way to work the next day. Overnight the oats soaked up all the almond goodness and the complete flavor of the cup came through. Complete with raspberry, blueberry and mulberry this beauty was packed with vitamins. The cup was a fun pink color too and the mulberries added a flavor that I don't often get. It was subtle but sweet. That's one thing I appreciate about Daily Harvest, they take ingredients that I would normally never put together and make something healthy and delicious. 

So the verdict...Daily Harvest is yummy and easy to make. Perfect for those that need a quick meal and/or are starting to step up their food game. For me it works on so many levels. They give me a chance to try something new and to think about my meals. I've always found nutrition a challenge and these little cups help push me in the right direction! I can't wait to try out more flavors!

Thanks, Bunny

Ps. So now I think I am addicted to the Mint/Cacao Smoothies. Soooo good!
https://www.daily-harvest.com/

Liquified Ghost

Morning, 

Playing off a cocktail mix from a cute site, SmartyhadaParty: http://blog.smartyhadaparty.com/halloween-cocktails/  

I made a yumtastic drink fit for Halloween! So you all must know by now that Autumn is one of my favorite times of the year. The gloomy weather fit for sweaters and cocoa, the Gothic decor and around every single corner, pumpkin spice! The perfect time of year for Halloween themed drinks.

Moving away from pumpkin, I made a truly yummy Liquified Ghost! It was very close to a White Russian and sometimes drinks with dairy don't sit well with me but the hint of sparkle and lime agreed with my tummy. For some reason it added a zest or bubble that took away the possible "urk" ha ha!

Here is what you need:

1 part vodka
1 part vanilla simple syrup
1 part cream
1 part lemon lime soda
black licorice wheel garnish (optional)...we had some cute little licorice pieces that we added but they didn't really impact the drink at all. If you are a black licorice fan I definitely recommend adding it to the cocktail, maybe even dipping some in or using it as a straw!

Go ahead and pour ingredients over an ice shaker, shake and strain into a martini glass (I need to get myself a true martini glass...Marshals here I come!) and add the licorice.

For a more devious cocktail, add a red ice skull for a Blood Ghost. We found cute ice cube molds and added food coloring! Spooky!

Ps. Super happy with how my DIY Nightmare Before Christmas Wreath turned out!! Perfect for Halloween!!

Cheers, Bunny

Madame Nesle de la Tourelle’s Slippery Nipple

Hi everyone! 

Outlander is back and the much anticipated Outlander Cookbook is almost here!! I am so excited! Hopefully I get it for my upcoming birthday...wink wink Craig. For now here is a link to webpage in case you want to get more familiar with the recipes. http://outlanderkitchen.com/ 

Chef Theresa Carle-Sanders has really outdone herself with each dish. Taking bits and pieces from the books/show. I wanted to start off small...but yummy... so I decided to make a few cocktails. First on the list...Madame Nesle de la Tourelle’s Slippery Nipple. 
I love a good shot and this one was so perfectly paired with Madame's erotic fashion. 

Purely:  
1 oz of Sambuca
1 oz of Bailey's Irish Cream
1 Blueberry
I loved the instructions for this simple shot...just too perfect! Plus here is one of the cookbooks pics, much better than mine!
"Pour the sambuca into a shot glass, then pour the Bailey’s gently down the backside of a spoon to float it on top. To make this an authentic “Nesle Nipple,” float a small blueberry in the middle before serving...Sláinte!"
I was actually impressed with myself that I got the Baileys to float on top...took a few tries though he he!

As I took the shot I tasted the sweetness of the Baileys right away and then the liquorice in the Sambuca! The liquorice lingered in my mouth, tingling my tongue. Such a simple drink with quite the punch! While I don't like liquorice I did not mind it this time. Must be the mix with the Irish Cream!

Seeing as how the fashion in Outlander is so extravagant, I had to add a few pictures of my favorites! Claire is such a lucky girl...that red dress was AMAZING!! 


My immediate response to seeing the garden scene dress was "Yes, I need that on my body!" So beautiful!!

Thanks for readin! 

-Bunny

Next: The Comte St. Germain’s Poison (Gin Zesper)

Hummingbird Cake

Happy Easter! 

This year I wanted to make something truly delicious for my family and had seen a recipe for Hummingbird Cake on MyRecipes. Turns out that this is a really popular cake and it seemed so interesting that I wanted to taste it for myself. I didn't do a play-by-play for you...I thought about it but for once it was nice to really focus on making the cake. It was just me and my mixer! The recipe included some different ingredients like bananas and pineapple...which I had never thought about adding to cake batter. 

As I suspected it was the most delicious, mouthwatering, sweet and savory, home-made cake I have ever had! It smelled like banana-nut bread and tasted like a dream...a carrot cake/banana-nut bread hybrid of pure yum! The cream cheese frosting paired well, giving it a little extra sweetness. The pineapple was not overwhelming either and the pecan...OMG the pecans!  I had to literally stop myself from consuming the whole thing. Here is the recipe from MyRecipes.com  and their link! 

Ingredients/Directions:

• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 cups of sugar
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 3 large eggs, beaten
• 11/2 cups vegetable oil
• 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1 (8-ounce) can crushed pineapple, undrained
• 2 cups chopped bananas
• 1 cup chopped pecans
• Shortening
• Cream Cheese Frosting
• 1/2 cup chopped pecans

Preheat oven to 350°. Whisk together flour and next 4 ingredients in a large bowl; add eggs and oil, stirring just until dry ingredients are moistened. Stir in vanilla, pineapple, bananas, and 1 cup chopped toasted pecans. Spoon batter into 3 well-greased (with shortening) and floured 9-inch round cake pans.Bake at 350° for 25-30 minutes or until a wooden pick inserted in center comes our clean. 

Cool cake layers in pans on wire racks 10 minutes; remove from pans to wire racks, and cool completely (about 1 hour).

Place 1 cake layer on a serving platter. Spread 1 cup Cream Cheese Frosting over cake layer. Top with second layer, and spread 1 cup frosting over cake layer. Top with third cake layer, and spread top and sides of cake with remaining frosting. Arrange toasted pecan halves in a circular pattern over top of cake.

http://www.myrecipes.com/recipe/hummingbird-cake-0 

You should definitely make this cake!! 

-Bunny

Heavenly Hayfield Manor

Howdy!

I wasn't sure about Hayfield Manor until we pulled up. It was tucked inside the city of Cork near the University and it seemed really busy. But as we approached the Manor's big gates it was indeed a hidden gem! This was no castle but it might well have been he he! I have been using the word grand a lot in these posts...but no other word seems to fit so perfectly.

Inside, the manor's main floor had desks set up to the left, entrances to dinning areas to the right and a HUGE stairway in the middle curving up in two directions. I love stair cases like these, I always envisioned having one like this someday. Staff were very sweet, congratulated us and then guided us to our room. A bell boy brought our luggage up a few mins later. 

So this room was the best and biggest room I think we have even been in! It was huge, the bed was lush and comfy and there was even a little putting green he he! I mean who has a chase-lounge in their room....fancy people! That's who! Plus some yummy chocolates and a nice note!

We didn't want to leave our posh room but we were a bit hungry so we headed downstairs. My sweet tooth got the best of me so we ordered a slice of carrot cake!! The cake took me back to our wedding...so yummy and rich. Plus I smooshed it into Craig's face which was pretty funny!

 Along with the amazing room Hayfield Manor had a Leisure Center with a pool, hot tub and steam room! This was connected to an onsite Spa as well. We were impressed! Plus the pool was indoor and a nice temperature. It felt so good to swim and Craig was missing his daily hot-tubing!

Breakfast was amazing....they had everything! Hot food, cold food items...yogurt, berries and granola in mason jars! It was all so good! They even had these detox drinks...see below...that I helped myself to! Of course I tried their french toast and was not disappointed he he! Cocoa was spot on and Craig loved his pastries and omelet! The food area had a big honeycomb that you could cut chunks of honey goodness off for your meal. I have never seen that before! 

Craig and I went exploring around the Cork area including the Titanic Experience and Jameson Brewery. Both were fun...well Titanic was a bit somber he he! There is also a Titanic restaurant that had some really good burgers. They even had a veggie one for me! 

 Back at the Manor we hung out in our room for a bit and then went downstairs for dinner. Along our way we saw a case with items you could purchase and there next to a few robes was (almost) the exact Jellycat bunny Craig had given me at our wedding. Crazy! 
Dinner was good, nothing too crazy. I have to gush about bread again ha ha! It was so delicious, hardy and just lovely with some butter. I didn't like my pear salad too much but it was fun to try something new. I believe Craig had the Irish Beef rib but I could be mistaken. He liked it of course, I don't think there has been one dish he didn't like on this trip lol! 

We opted to skip dessert and instead order room service! So that night we snuggled up in our soft fluffy bed, ate petite fours with a chocolate brownie cake and watched Walking Dead on Amazon. I had never been so cozy and content ha ha ha! What a beautiful way to end the day!

In the morning we chose some "lighter" breakfast options... oatmeal, yogurt etc. and like all the castles before, took our time to eat and soak up all the wonders this place offered. I already knew that I would want to visit again some day and stay a bit longer. Two days wasn't enough. 

Craig and I felt so fortunate to be able to stay at Hayfield Manor. Thanks Exploring Vacations for the recommendation. Their service, food and accommodations are top notch!

Thanks for reading, Bunny

http://www.hayfieldmanor.ie/