Royal Icing vs. Color flow

For class tonight we needed to make a batch of Royal Icing and a batch of color flow.
I have renamed both... I feel "Glue" and "super glue" are more appropriate names for both.

Oh, how I miss thee Buttercream icing!
I miss the ease in mixing..the gentle sound my beaters made when I created you.
The fluffy white peaks that were ever so tasty and easy to make...
They weren't kidding when they called Royal Icing "glue".
My blender made this horrible whining noise which was followed by a puff of smoke that spewed out the back of my beater.
I had to finish the rest by hand.
I am convinced that counts as an arm work out.

Royal icing is "a smooth, hard-drying icing is perfect for making decorations that last. It is also useful as a "cement" to fasten decorations together. Royal icing is edible, but not recommended for icing cakes."
See..glue.
If it's this much fun to make I wonder how easy it will be to use...
Guess I will find out!
We will be using the Royal Icing or Glue as I am now calling it to making apple-blossoms

& violets
in class tonight.
I hope that they aren't as frightening as they look!!
**deep breath**
really, I was scared to death of the rose so this should be easy peasy!
Right?
We will be using the color flow to outline our bluebirds and bird house for our final cake.
**fingerscrossed** they are supposed to be kept in a safe place to dry...good luck in my house!

I Found these recipes too....
Royal Icing Using Egg Whites: (which I didn't make for class)

2 large egg whites
2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice
3 cups (330 grams) confectioners (powdered or icing) sugar, sifted

Royal Icing Using Meringue Powder: (this monstrosity I did make for class)
4 cups (440 grams) confectioners' (powdered or icing) sugar
3 tablespoons (30 grams) meringue powder
6 tablespoons (60 grams) water

Note: Food Coloring (I use Gel Pastes that can be found at cake decorating and party stores or else on-line)

I will add some pictures later of my "flowers" or what is supposed to be a flower!

Mums and rosebuds

How to make mums !!
I need to practice these ones.
Either my icing wasn't right or it was too warm but my peddles weren't as smooth as the ones in the picture above.

We also learned how to make a rosebud

These are my favorites so far but I need to practice these ones a little more to make sure that my pressure isn't too strong.
Go figure that I would use to much pressure!!
Can't wait until next class though...this sure is fun :D

Back to menu planning...

As many of my friends know we are trying a new approach to money.
We are on a budget so we only have a limited amount of funds to use to pay for food each week.
Part of the challenge in making sure that you "get to the end of the week before you get to the end of the money" is to meal plan.
I know, I know.
Sounds scary and complicated but trust me on this one.
It's easier than even I thought.
I don't plan for the whole month.
I only plan for the week.
You surely can think of at least 5 things you want for dinner right?

Here is what we are having this week:
Menu:
*Lemon Thyme chicken with potatoes & rice
* Manicotti alla bolognes
*Chicken-Berry Salad
*Lemon dill fish with asparagus and rice
*Asian pork and noodle skillet
*Tacos

K, easy part done.
Now I have to go thru and make the list of items that I need to make the meals I have planned.
The list is important.
Not only will you NOT remember what you wrote on it when you are surrounded by all those delicious smells but you will overspend.
Which is not the idea!!
Got it?
Good...now get to it!

Cake Decorating 101

Funny how everthing slows down for the Christmas break and I decide to learn something new!!
I took a Wilton Cake decorating


My firstcake

I had a lot of fun decorating this cake.
I learned how to use the piping gel to make my "santa star" and I mastered making the stars.
Turned out pretty good if you ask me.
I also fell in love with buttercream icing.
Well, without the shortening.


My Second cake
This one scared the crap out of me!!
If you look closely you can see the sweet peas that I have on the side of my cake and I have roses on the top.
I also learned how to do shells around the bottom of the cake as well.
Only took me an hour and a half to do this one.
Lots of practice time though before I attempted to even touch the cake.

Christmas Morning Wife Saver

Merry Christmas everyone!!
I am sure that you are just as busy as I am getting ready for the big day tomorrow.
Have you thought about what you are making for the crowd that will be at your house in the wee hours of the morning?
I have..
I'm making this today!
Christmas Morning Wife Saver
Ingredients
16 slices bread, crust removed
sliced ham
sliced cheese
6 eggs
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1/2-1 teaspoon dry mustard
1/4 cup minced onion
1/4 cup green pepper, finely chopped (green capsicun)
1-2 teaspoon worcestershire sauce
3 cups whole milk
1 dash Tabasco sauce (optional)
1/4 lb butter, melted
enough crushed corn flakes, to cover
Directions
1In a 9"X 13" buttered pan, put 8 slices of bread that the crust has been removed.
2Add ham layered over bread.
3Lay cheese over ham.
4Cover with rest of bread.
5In bowl beat eggs, salt and pepper.
6To egg mixture add dry mustard, onion, green pepper, worcestershire sauce, milk and Tabasco (optional) Pour over bread, cover and let stand in fridge overnight.
7In the morning cover with crushed corn flakes.
8Melt 1/4 1b butter and pour over top of flakes.
9Bake uncovered for 1 hour at 350 degrees F.
10When baked let sit for 10 minutes before servi