DinnerBeat

This picture is my first try! It's not the best but boy am I proud of it! ;o)

Cake Decorating!! Most of us don't EVEN ATTEMPT to try making our own cakes because of the fear our time would be wasted and thinking it most likely will be a total disaster! I encourage you to GO FOR IT! TRY IT! Let what little artistic ability you have pierce through your stubborn mind! lol! ;o) Give it a whirl! You can do it!

What you need is a good butter cream frosting recipe, like this one, that you can adjust to different thicknesses, a standard cake recipe and a cake decorating kit found at Amazon or Michael's.

You will need colored frosting paste to color your frosting.

Go for it! You can do it! ;o) And if by chance you blow it the first time give it a second chance!

Labels: Desserts, Parties, Tips

Going out to dinner with your best girlfriends these days can be a big affair. A special occasion like a birthday or a just Friday Night get-together, can definitely burn a hole in your pocket. The cost of dinner for typical night out can be anywhere from $30-$40, not including other incidentals such as pre and post dinner drinks, coffee, entertainment (movie tickets/cover charges), parking or even getting ready (new dress, new shoes, getting your hair done). While painting the town red should still be something you should treat yourself to once in a while, consider having a casual get-together at home. A simple dinner with your closest friends is a great alternative to your typical nights out. Here are some tips to save money and still have a lot of fun.

1) Have a theme:
Sure, it’s a casual get together, but bringing everyone together with a common theme will make it seem more fun and organized. You can have a Jane Austen Night and watch Colin Firth dive into the lake (and emerge in his wet shirt) over and over again…or you can have a spa night and take turns pampering each other. Also, you can have a pajama theme party and encourage everyone to “come as they are”, eliminating the need to spend on getting ready.

2) Recycle some gifts from the holidays (which were probably re-gifted anyway)
With the holidays being over, you probably have a lot of leftover wine, cookies and fruitcake. Chowhound, for example has some REAL, no-joke ways to recycle this holiday, uhm, treat. We all get mystery bottles of wine from colleagues or acquaintances from the holidays. Serve some of these leftover gifts during dinner – no need to match the wines with the food – this is just dinner at home, not some snobby restaurant!

3) Splurge on some items
Not having to spend the money going out means you’ll be able to spend some of that budget cash on other things for your get together. When planning your meal, why not toss in some things you might normally not add to your menu because of costs? Try some of that fresh mozzarella you’ve been eying at the deli section or maybe some rich Belgian chocolates at the specialty food shops.

4) Prepare a simple, yet delicious meal
Comfort food, casseroles, simple pastas and salads are can be dressed up inexpensively to provide a delicious and filling meal. Here are some recipes which are easy to do and inexpensive. (Click on the link to add to your recipe box):

Roast Lemon Chicken with Homemade Croutons