Mmmmm, Cake....

I love baking.  But mostly, I love sculpting and decorating cakes.  I'm so far from professional, it's quite a miracle I can bake something even the least bit edible.  But that will never stop me from trying!  I love to experiment and practice with new techniques (most of the "techniques" are super trailer park ghetto-fied, as I have next to none of the proper tools needed), and would love to one day stock up a big, beautiful, state-of-the-art kitchen with every cake decorating tool I could possibly get my hands on.  But for now, I'm stuck with what I have, and actually don't think the cakes turn out too bad, in retrospect.  So here are a few cakes that I've made so far:

This was my very first cake.  It was for my oldest son's 2nd birthday, done completely free-hand.

This is my second cake and my first time working with fondant.  I made it for my husband's birthday.

I made these cupcakes for my youngest son's birthday.  They were so cute!

This cake is an unfinished electric guitar. lol :)  I made it for another birthday for my husband.

This cake I made just recently for my dad's birthday.  It was done with buttercream frosting, smoothed it down like fondant, and then painted it.  The zebra print on the sides are the new Sugar Sheets by Wilton... love those things!!

I'm definitely no where near where I want to be, but I welcome any chance I get to practice :)  I might start making cakes and giving them away to my friends and family... less temptation if they're sitting on someone else's counter :)

What's For Dinner? 6/30

Asian Sesame Yellowfin Ahi Tuna with Roasted Asparagus

We had this tonight, and it was a big hit!

Ingredients:

2 lbs. Ahi tuna steaks
1/3 cup honey
1/3 cup thinly sliced green onions
2 T. soy sauce
2 T. toasted sesame seeds
1 T. minced garlic
1 t. minced onions
3/4 t. ground ginger
1/2 t. crushed red pepper (optional)

Mix all ingredients, except tuna steaks and red pepper flakes, in a small bowl.  Stir in red pepper to taste.  Place steaks in a 13x9 baking dish.  Spoon mixture evenly over tuna.

Roast tuna in a preheated 375 degree oven for 20 minutes or until fish flakes easily with a fork.  Baste occasionally with the honey mixture.


Roasted Asparagus

Ingredients:

1 lb asparagus
1 1/2 T olive oil
salt


Remove the woody bottom part of asparagus spears (the bottom inch or two)
Place asparagus on a foil lined baking sheet and drizzle with olive oil.
Sprinkle with salt to taste.
Toss spears to evenly coat with olive oil.
Roast in a 425 degree oven for 10-15 minutes to desired tenderness. The spears should be tender when pierced with a fork.

My family eats fish maybe once every few weeks, so since we don't eat it very often I get the individually vacuum packed steaks.  The brand I used tonight was Full Circle Wild Caught, All Natural Yellowfin Ahi Tuna Steaks.  I was really surprised that the size and thickness of the steaks were quite big.  Will definitely buy again!  Let me know if you tried this... would love to know how your family liked it.w

Killing two birds with one stone

I'm always trying to find a way to get more organized with my time, whether it's with long lists, silly games, or monotonous daily chores, but I've come up with an idea that very well may solve my time management problems.  Where they go, I shall follow.  Meaning, if the kids are playing in the living room, clean the living room.  If they're eating lunch in the dining room, sweep up under the table and sort through mail, paperwork, and other clutter.  If they're taking a bath, scrub the toilet, sink, and mop the floor.  Right now the boys are taking a bath, therefore I'm now blogging from a sparkling bathroom.  Right next to the bath tub.  Note to self: find out when the warranty is up on my laptop...