TB: Reviver

Howdy my loves! 

How are you all doing during quarantine? This is such a weird and stressful time so I thought I'd get out my favorite cookbook and look for a cocktail. One drink caught my eye and seemed perfect, the Reviver. Plus we had all the ingredients. This one is 'from' Miss Holly Cleary the True Blood resident Wiccan. I love how she always keeps salt in her purse!

To start this cocktail you will need 1.5 ounces of Gin, Cointreau, Lillet Blanc and Lemon Juice. We happened to have gin and some white wine but for the Cointreau we had to use a bright blue orange liqueur. I was worried about how it would taste but it turned out to be just fine! On top of this mix you splash some Pernod, which is an anise flavored liqueur. Absinthe worked perfectly! 

Next add to a cocktail shaker filled with ice and give it a go! I was terrified of getting blue all over the place so I was a tad hesitant when shaking he he! Lastly I garnished with a sweet black cherry. If anyone know me, they know I love love love a good maraschino cherry!

Voilà, you have a yummy new cocktail to sip at home while you wonder what to do with your day. I asked Craig for his thoughts on this cocktail, he is my mixologist..."this Reviver is refreshing and complex in its nuanced flavor pallet giving a sharp taste of orange and a bite of anise. It's sweet yet strong enough to wake you up!" 

I couldn't have said it better myself. Perfect for #quarantine life!

Cheers, Bunny

Lovin' in the Coven

Hey there, who needs drink!?

This bunny does ha ha ha! So I broke out my True Blood Cookbook and found a tasty cocktail to warm my day.

The Lovin' in the Coven includes lemon citrus vodka, lemon, egg white, simple syrup and a blood orange mixer. I adore blood orange mixes, they add such a pop of flavor to any drink, especially paired with vodka.

This cocktail was a bit like a lemony gin fizz thanks to the egg white. So yummy! 

I couldn't quite get the blood orange to float on top but that did not hinder it's deliciousness.

Thanks for watchin! 

-Bunny

Beautifully Broken Bisque

Howdy!

 The lust for blood has returned...True Blood that is and I wanted to pay homage to one of the best characters I've ever had the privilege of watching. He is charming, snarky, eloquent, strong, weak, passionate and cultured. A true villain that you couldn't help but be fond of. Some nights I will re-watch TB snuggled in my covers and skip to Russell's scenes. To honor his bloodlust and his love for Talbot here is his Beautifully Broken Bisque. This dish wasn't too complicated and tuned out to look just like the original. 

In a sauce pan, heat up the olive oil and add the onions. Cook the until soft then add in the carrots and then the beets. Cook for another 5 mins. Add the lemon, salt, pepper, broth (I chose veggie) and water. Bring to a boil and reduce the heat to medium. Let simmer for about 30 mins and make sure the beets are soft.

 Remove the beets/mixture from heat and let it cool a bit. Then add to your mixer. I only had a blender handy but it worked he he! Once pureed your bisque is ready!

Plate the bisque while warm and garnish with sour cream. We added a bit more pepper and seasoning as well. The bisque was gentle if that makes sense...light and quenching. The beet flavor stood out and while it wasn't powerful, it was hearty. The sour cream completely adds to it as well. Looking like a true bloody bisque, Talbot would have been proud! 

FYI: Be careful with the beets/bisque...parts of our kitchen looked like vampires tore thought it LOL!

On top of the bisque, I made hush-puppies! A Maryanne/Sam recipe. These little balls of dough were perfect and fun to dip! First you combine the flour, baking powder and salt in a large bowl. Add in the cornmeal and stir to blend. Add in the eggs, one at a time, mixing well with a wood spoon, until smooth.

Pour in the buttermilk and mix until absorbed. if the batter is too dense add in more buttermilk. I found that I needed to add a little bit more flour and cornmeal. Once the batter holds it's shape, add the green onions and garlic.

Heat up your vegetable oil in a pot, about 2 inches deep, until it reaches 360 degrees. Plop in rounded tablespoons of batter and watch them form. It's kind of interesting to see them take shape, no two the same. You can drop in about 4 to 5 at a time, it really depends on the size of pot and/or batter.

Turn the frying batter over in the oil to make sure all sides cook evenly. This should only be about 3 mins.

Once cooked, drain each one on a paper towel. You may dust them with more pepper or seasoning if you would like. Voila! perfect hush puppies! These tricked my brain, while I liked them I thought they were supposed to be sweet. They resembled beignets a bit ha ha! I wanted to cover them in powdered sugar! Instead I stuck to the bisque and Craig to his hot sauce...always with that hot sauce! 

Thanks for readin! -Bunny

Once Upon A Dream....

In the middle of an ordinary day, in an ordinary park...magic happened!

As if engagement shoots weren't fun enough, Craig and I did a shoot inspired by Sleeping Beauty's first meeting with Prince Phillip in the enchanted forest. 

This seemed too perfect of an opportunity to pass up...since our wedding theme is loosely based on the fairy tale. The results turned out to be both magical and fantastic! 

Such a handsome guy he he!! 

I feel so lucky to have someone so supportive in my life. Thanks for letting me talk you into this Craig!

 BIG thank you to the wonderful Sydni Indman Images for making this possible. You helped moosh together both fairy-tale and the love we have for each other. 

Check her out: HERE

I hope you enjoy! -Bunny

Heaven Scent Pot Roast

Howdy!

I decided to make another dish from the True Blood Eats, Drinks and Bites. Check out my pot roast inspired by Luna and Sam!

Preheat the oven to 350. 

Next heat the vegetable oil in a large pot over medium to high heat. Take your 4lb chuck roast and season with salt, pepper and cayenne pepper. 

Dust with some flower and place in pan. Make sure to brown all sides of roast.

Push the meat to one side of the pot and add the onions and garlic. Stir and cook until they are aromatic. Next add the beef broth.

Move the roast to the center of the pot and arrange the onions-garlic around it. 

Now add the dark beer (if using), carrots and bay leaves. The beer is optional but I thought it would add to the overall flavor. 

Cover the pot and place in oven for 30 mins. Check on the roast, lower heat to 300 and cook for 1 1/2 to 2 hours. Using a meat temp thermometer, make sure the core temperature reaches at least 150...which is medium rare.

Remove roast from pot and let stand for about 10 mins. Discard bay leaves and skim off any fat from the pot gravy. 

Slice the roast and serve with the gravy and carrots/vegetables. 

Craig was super hungry so this roast was perfect...and wont last long LOL!You can definitely taste the cayenne pepper and the dark beer adds a richer flavor. 

In Craig's words, "delicious!" 

Plus it will be great for his lunch tomorrow. 

Here is a little video Google+ made me. Really cool...and scary...I mean who told it to do that. There is music and everything! 

Enjoy!

-Cake Bunny

Sex is a Bitch

Hello Darlings! 

Here is another yummy True Blood inspired drink from the Drinks & Bites book! 

The cranberry and grapefruit really add a kick...but I should have guessed...given it's name he he. 

Hope you enjoy! 

Cheers! 

-Bunny

Alright! 1 Gran's Pecan Pie

Decided to make a few pecan pies for Thanksgiving! I love any excuse to bake! He he

Ah!

Already missing them! #truebloodrules

Kristin Bauer van Straten Signed Picture!

Wooooooooo! Just received my signed picture from the beautiful and talented Kristin Bauer van Straten! 

Plus bonus CD of her husband, Abri's group. 

 I can die happy now!

xoxo -Bunny

True Blood Season 7: After the Finale (HBO)

True Blood Fans say "Thank You!!"

Gumbo Ya Ya

Hey there!! 

Watching the 2nd episode of True Blood right now...may have to finish this in the morning BUT I made Gumbo! 

....Okay I am back. What an episode! No spoilers but the Ginger scene is worth watching again and again and again! The BEST!

Okay here are pics from my Gumbo Ya Ya, which I brought into work today. I think it will go just as fast as my Jambalaya did! This is another Lafayette (La La) recipe, that boy sure knows how to cook! he he

I started off combining the oil and flour to make a nice roux. You want to make sure it gets a little thicker and turns a darker brown color.

Kind of funny and terrifying, you will notice a picture below of my glass dutch oven/pot with the roux....well that was right before it apparently got to hot and literally exploded. I would have taken a picture if I wasn't so freaked out. My kitchen was covered with sauce and shards of glass. I regrouped with the help of Craig and proceeded to use an older blue pot. Geeeesh! I liked that glass though...so sad...at least it went out with a bang! LOL

Add the onion, bell pepper and celery...cook until soft. Then add about 10 cups of broth. Make sure to stir well and then add the chicken and bay leaves and thyme. 

After the chicken has cooked for about 2 hours (please check to make sure), you can add in the green onion and parsley. 

Try to remove the bay leaves but they can be hard to find. This is when you can add in the sausage and cook for another 30 mins on low heat. 

Meanwhile cook up some rice to add to the dish, for serving. 

Gumbo turned out great! Really delicious and filling. 

I thought it would be too similar to the Jambalaya but it turned out to have a whole different taste, much more of a chicken soup. I really enjoyed it.

Doesn't Jack look amused...I think he is upset that I didn't let him taste-test. 

Yummy! 
-Bunny

Faerie Blood

Happy True Blood Sunday!

As if Vampires weren't cool enough....Faeries came into the picture! I love all types of "Sups" but my favorites have to be the Faye! However or whatever you want to call them, faeries embody creativity, glowing energy and the essence of the earth. 

This drink is really bubbly and light mostly due to the sparkling wine. Adding in the Elderflower lightly mixes with the Campari creating a unique flavor. The little bit of lemon and sugar on the rim of the glass is both sweet and tangy. Such a luscious cocktail!  

Cheers! ~Bunny

Killer Lemonade

Happy 4th of July weekend everyone! How about some fresh lemonade?

I started off with the simple lemonade recipe for Gran's Lemonade, involving sugar, warm water and lemon juice. It does call for a lot of sugar...I would suggest adding some (1 cup) and then more later on if needed. 

On the next page there is the option to turn this lemonade into a Killer Lemonade via adding pureed strawberries and raspberries. This took it to a...whole...notha....level! Delicious and perfect for summer! 

Cheers, Bunny and Jack

The Sloppy Jason

Now Jason is one fine piece, so to honor his sweet ass I am making a Sloppy Jason!
This was pretty simple once I got all the ingredients.

Make sure to brown the beef and then drain all fat/oils. Then add the garlic and onions.
After a few mins add the other ingredients: tomato paste, tomato sauce, red wine vinegar and brown sugar.

Stir and cook until well mixed then time to serve!

They turned out great, much fancier than any Sloppy Joe I have made in the past. Craig ate the first one so fast...make sure to let it cool off a bit! LOL

Here I added in the Corn Bread of Life by Lafayette! Delicious! 

"You put some love in your food, folk gonna taste it."

Cheers, Bunny

The Necromancer

Alright Truebies and food lovers! Just made a very delicious drink and Sloppy Jason from the TrueBlood  Eats, Drinks, and Bites from Bon Temps.

The Necromancer by Marnie Stonebrook...by far the yummiest drink around. Glad I picked it!

Cheers,
Bunny out!

Necromancer cont....