Cake Pops - Round 1

I'm so smitten by Bakerella's cake pops and all the cake pop versions that have popped up. Especially Papertreats woodland cake pops:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/papertreats/4146549643/in/set-72157622247904362/

I figured they would be super cute for my daughter's first birthday coming up next month. So, despite the odds, I managed to make my first experimental batch. But there were several casualties. This shroom was top heavy and crashed with the weight of the choco dip.

I'll have to make sure i push the stick all the way up the shroom cap next time. It'll also be a good idea to not bring out all of the pops from the fridge. Just take out a few at a time, to keep them cold during the dipping. I also suggest using a little brush to paint on the choco dip.

Yet these were still delicious, moist and most important to me - not too sweet. I did alter the recipes that I found online for the "glue" frosting. I used only 3/4 cup powdered sugar instead of a whole dang box that most recipes called for. It's even less than the 2 cups called for in some "less sweet" recipes. But, I did add 3/4 cup coconut cream powder and 1/2 serving (about 2 oz) of unsweetened organic applesauce. (Yes, I borrowed it from my daughter's food drawer...tsk-tsk-tsk....shhh, don't tell her.)

These are the almost finished cake pops. The owls and hedge hogs don't have their faces painted on yet. The mushrooms need they're classic spots. But, I'm starting to think, realistically I don't have time to do all that anyways. Don't they look cute as is?

Dark Choco Cake recipe used:

http://www.thekitchn.com/thekitchn/dessert/recipe-dark-chocolate-cake-014696 (i sub'd milk with soy milk because that's what i had in the fridge...it turned out fine to me. next time i'll try it with milk to see the difference)

"glue" frosting:

blend all of this together on med speed: 1 pkg of cream cheese, 1 stick of butter, 1 tsp vanilla, 3/4 cup confectioner's sugar, 3/4 cup coconut cream powder, 1/2 serving of unsweetened applesauce (about 2 oz).

My Review of Pumpkin and Banana Baby Food - 6 pack

Originally submitted at Diapers.com

Plum Baby - Pumpkin and Banana - 6 pack

Our pouches enable us to naturally preserve the flavors and freshness of our foods without additives or preservatives. Using only organic fruits and vegetables, our unique recipes are gently cooked to preserve nutrients.

...

Pumpkin and Banana Baby Food - 6 pack

Pumpkin+Banana=YUM!

By cactusmango from AZ on 6/30/2010

 

5out of 5

Pros: Tasty, Easy to Use

Best Uses: Meals, Snacks, Infants, Toddlers

Describe Yourself: First Time Parent

Pumpkin+Banana=YUM! Its like smoothy...i had too stop myself from eating it all. my baby loved it all up.

(legalese)

Potluck Potato Salad

Summer time is here! What better way to welcome the hot arizona temps, than with Pool Party Potlucks? Our little family of three will be attending our first one today, carrying with us a nice big vat of potato salad. {Never mind the diet, besides I invested in a new tankini that I can wear comfortably while pounding all the yummy food!}

This potato salad has bright flavor yet is quite filling, so it'd be an insult to call this a side dish. One sad thing about this, is I forgot to grab a bag of pistachios! Ay-yay-yay! I hang my head low and pout. But, I'm hoping the pound of fried chopped bacon {thanks dar} might distract the pool party peeps from what's missing. Maybe they won't even know. But I know.

MarMar's Potluck Potato Salad

2 c Olive Oil Mayo
1 c Dijon Mustard
3 t roasted organic garlic
2 red organic apples
3 calamansi
2 c chopped celery
2 c chopped red onions
6 hard boiled organic eggs
1 package bacon
10 regular sized red potatoes {I deliberated long and hard about getting the organic bag...but, it was $3 more, so I caved I got regular instead}
4 sprigs fresh organic dill
ground dill weed, salt + pepper to taste

1. Wash and quarter potatoes. Boil in lightly salted water & garlic until fork-tender. Remove from water and let cool in fridge.
2. Using same the same boiling water for your eggs. Cook until hard-boiled. Let cool then peel and chop.
3. Fry bacon and chop when cool. Reserve bacon grease. Set aside.
4. Chop onions and celery and saute in bacon grease. Set aside.
5. Rinse and chop dill.
6. Rinse and chop the apples and squeeze calamansi {or lemon} on it to keep it from browning.
7. Mix the mayo, ground dill, salt, pepper, chopped fresh dill and roasted garlic.
8. In a large bowl, hand toss all the ingredients. {If you have pistachios, go for it! You'll love 'em.}
8. Put back in fridge to chill before the party. When transporting it, put it in a cooler.
9. Oh, and don't forget, to compost your veggie scraps and eggs shells ;)

Happy Memorial Weekend!