Are you looking for an easy way to wow your guests this Independence day? This cake is always a favourit at BBQ’s and get togethers. My excuse is that it’s healthy because it has fruit on it. The ingredients do not cost much and the preperation time takes no time at all. I hope you enjoy this recipe as it is one of my favourite summer time treats.
WAVE YOUR FLAG CAKE
Ingredients:
4 cups fresh strawberries, divided
1-1/2 cups boiling water
1 pkg. (8-serving size) or 2 pkg. (4-serving size each) JELL-O Brand Gelatin, any red flavor
ice cubes
1 cup cold water
1 pkg. (12 oz.) pound cake, cut into 10 slices
1-1/3 cups blueberries, divided
1 tub (8 oz.) COOL WHIP Whipped Topping, thawed
SLICE 1 cup of the strawberries; cut remaining strawberries in half. Set aside.
STIR boiling water into dry gelatin mix in large bowl 2 min. until completely dissolved. Add enough ice cubes to cold water to measure 2 cups. Add to gelatin; stir until ice is melted. Refrigerate 5 min. or until slightly thickened (consistency of unbeaten egg whites). Meanwhile, line bottom of 13×9-inch dish with cake slices. Add sliced strawberries and 1 cup of the blueberries to thickened gelatin; stir gently. Spoon over cake slices.
REFRIGERATE 4 hours or until firm. Spread whipped topping over gelatin. Arrange strawberry halves on whipped topping for stripes of flag. Arrange remaining 1/3 cup blueberries on whipped topping for stars. Store in refrigerator.
63rd Annual Steveston Salmon Festival. The day begins at 10am with a parade through historic Steveston village, which features over 100 entries including floats, marching bands, celebrities, politicians, community groups, vintage vehicles and more. The official festival kick-off is on the Main Stage at 12:30pm with dignitaries, speeches, and the singing of O Canada. After, the stage features great entertainment all aftenoon until 5pm. Some of the festival highlights include attractions such as the Japanese Cultural Show, Craft Fair, Trade Show, a Children’s Festival, Carnival rides and Midway, Martial Arts Demonstrations, Belt Sander Drag Races, Youth Festival, multi-ethnic Food Fair, Art Show and Exhibit. The main attraction is the famous salmon barbecue, where over 1200 pounds of wild salmon filets are grilled over open fire pits. 604-718-8094, www.stevestonsalmonfest.ca
*** 30 Something Mom Tip: Park at the McMath High School Parking Lot then walk to the Village. For some reason the city of Richmond insists on keeping a 4 way stop in the middle of Steveston *rolls eyes* The traffic in the intersection will be insane on Canada Day! Or, take a bus. Bus #402 Steveston
Add a punch of colour to your wardrobe! Just about every store this summer will be carrying these bright red jeans. A great colour combo is white+black+red. Or, try all white and add the jeans. I’m sure this will be a trend for this summer only so don’t go crazy and spend a ridiculous amount of money on a pair of red Jeans. Try going to H&M, Zara or Banana Republic to find these jeans.
The Maxi Dress is all the rage this summer. And, who said long white dresses are only reserved for brides!!! Just remember… have respect for the bride when going to a wedding this summer, and keep your long white maxi dress in the closet. Rather, wear it to the beach, out for lunch or even shopping on a hot summer’s day. What I love about this dress is it hides all my lovely lady lumps (a.k.a muffin top and big-fat-butt) This dress is quite popular with the celebrity fashionistas this summer.
If you are a lazy traveler or someone who packs everything but the kitchen sink, you are in luck. Live Luggage has created Power Assisted (PA) Luggage. It uses a little motor in the wheels to give it a little extra torque. Another added feature is something they call an Anti-Gravity handle that distributes most of the weight over the powered wheels.
When pressure is applied on the handle it triggers the wheels, which means if you let go or drop it, it will not run away from you. Another notable feature is that the handle is adjustable, so if you are tall this thing will not run into the back of your heels (hate that).
I think this product is a good start, but I really hope that Live Luggage moves in the same direction as the ride-on cooler. I’d really enjoy tooling around the airport on my carry-on.
For the cupcakes: 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour 1 1/2 cups sugar 1 teaspoon baking soda 1 teaspoon salt 1 teaspoon cocoa powder 1 1/2 cups vegetable oil 1 cup buttermilk, room temperature 2 large eggs, room temperature 2 tablespoons red food coloring 1 teaspoon white distilled vinegar 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
For the Cream Cheese Frosting:
1 pound cream cheese, softened
2 sticks butter, softened
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
4 cups sifted confectioners’ sugar
Chopped pecans and fresh raspberries or strawberries, for garnish
For the cupcakes: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line 2 (12-cup) muffin pans with cupcake papers.
In a medium mixing bowl, sift together the flour, sugar, baking soda, salt, and cocoa powder. In a large bowl gently beat together the oil, buttermilk, eggs, food coloring, vinegar, and vanilla with a handheld electric mixer. Add the sifted dry ingredients to the wet and mix until smooth and thoroughly combined.
Divide the batter evenly among the cupcake tins about 2/3 filled. Bake in oven for about 20 to 22 minutes, turning the pans once, half way through. Test the cupcakes with a toothpick for doneness. Remove from oven and cool completely before frosting.
For the Cream Cheese Frosting:
In a large mixing bowl, beat the cream cheese, butter and vanilla together until smooth. Add the sugar and on low speed, beat until incorporated. Increase the speed to high and mix until very light and fluffy.
Garnish with chopped pecans and a fresh raspberry or strawberry.
1-1/2 oz. Bacardi Light Rum
3-4 each of fresh blackberries, blueberries and red raspberries
8-12 fresh mint leaves
juice of one lime
1 oz. simple syrup
soda water
mint sprig for garnish
Directions:
In a 12-oz. highball glass, muddle mint, simple syrup, wild berries and lime juice.
Fill glass with crushed ice — it is very important to use crushed ice, not cubed — then add rum.
Stir well until the ice is reduced by 1/3, then top with more crushed ice, stirring until the glass begins to frost on the outside.
Spritz with soda water and stir one last time to incorporate.
Garnish with a sprig of fresh mint that has been dusted with powdered sugar and two long straws to avoid tickling your nose with the garnish.
Tips: To muddle the mint against the bottom of the glass, use just enough pressure with your muddler to release the oils from the mint without tearing it. The back surface of a wooden spoon will serve as a muddler stand-in if needed. Use a lime squeezer to fully extract the lime’s juice. To make simple syrup, dissolve an equal amount of granulated sugar in boiling water and then allow syrup to cool. Store in a clean bottle in a cool place.
Ingredients:
1 1/2 liters Red Table Wine
10 ounces or 1 cup Grenadine
16 ounces or 2 cups Cranberry Juice Cocktail
12 ounces or 1 1/4 cups Sweet Vermouth
10 ounces or 1/2 cup Sugar Water (half water, half sugar)
Strawberries cut into thirds Oranges, sliced and quartered
Crushed ice
Directions:
This makes one gallon. Mix all ingredients except for ice.
Refridgerate for 4 to 5 hours.
Pour wine in glass and then add ice.
Make sure there is fruit in every glass.
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Add a punch of colour to your wardrobe! Just about every store this summer will be carrying these bright red jeans. A great colour combo is white+black+red. Or, try all white and add the jeans. I’m sure this will be a trend for this summer only so don’t go crazy and spend a ridiculous amount of money on a pair of red Jeans. Try going to H&M, Zara or Banana Republic to find these jeans.
The Maxi Dress is all the rage this summer. And, who said long white dresses are only reserved for brides!!! Just remember… have respect for the bride when going to a wedding this summer, and keep your long white maxi dress in the closet. Rather, wear it to the beach, out for lunch or even shopping on a hot summer’s day. What I love about this dress is it hides all my lovely lady lumps (a.k.a muffin top and big-fat-butt) This dress is quite popular with the celebrity fashionistas this summer.
