LexyLevin | 2011 June

From the monthly archives: "June 2011"

Food: Rainbow Cupcake Experiment 2

By lexy On June 30, 2011 · 1 Comment · In Food

Do you ever get an idea in your head and it just sticks there all day? That totally happens to me all of the time. If you recall I have already done one rainbow cupcake experiment and it was a pretty good success.

Well, the other day I was thinking about my Wilton color gels and if it would be possible to make each individual cupcake a totally different color (mainly so I could test all of them out). Well, I did it. I would consider it a 7 on the success scale (you’ll see why below).

Here we are. All 12 Wilton colors!

So, I made my favorite vanilla cupcake batter (thank you Amy Sedaris!) and added the gel by way of tooth pick to each cup. I had to be very careful to not puncture the adorable Hello Kitty liners.

Eventually I went back and mixed a few colors and made a few less vibrant/more vibrant ones. I was having way too much fun.

And now you can see the fail.

So bright!

You see, because I was so worried about puncturing the liner, I didn’t really get the coloring all the way to the edges or the bottom of the cupcake. I wasn’t too bummed though, it just gives me a reason to do a 3rd experiment!

Sorry for the bad picture, I just wanted to show all the colors at once

For frosting, I decided I wanted to make a chocolate mouse whipped ganache because even the name sounded delicious. This turned out to be extremely easy, but next time I will use milk chocolate over dark. It was just a little too overpowering.

Nothing like sprinkles to top a delicious cupcake!

So, I still haven’t perfected the rainbow cupcake. Which, in all honestly, doesn’t really bother me all too much. It just means I get to experiment more!

Call Me The Candle Saver!

By lexy On June 24, 2011 · 4 Comments · In DIY

Let me know if this happens to you. You buy a super nice smelling candle, burn it for however long, but you can’t seem to ever get the last bit of candle to burn. I mean, have you EVER fully burned a candle? Mine always look like this:

(Sorry for such a bad picture, the others turned out crap and I need some major photography lessons!)

Well, I think this is wasteful and I like getting my money out of everything, so here is a great how-to for making all of that left-over wax into pretty little votives!

Supplies:

Candle

Wicks (here are some I found on Amazon for reference, but honestly, Ebay has way better pricing)

Wick pins and metal votive makers (I found an example on Ebay, but a simple votive holder will work too if you don’t plan on doing this often and don’t want to invest any money into the process)

Oven mitt or Ove Glove (the greatest thing of all time). The wax is going to be hot, and I don’t want you to burn yourself!

These are wick pins in metal votive makers. The pins carve out room for you to insert a wick once the wax has dried.

Step 1:

Heat your oven to about 200 degrees Fahrenheit. The candle wax needs to be pretty liquified so that you can properly pour it into the votive holder or wick pin. This may take about 10-20 minutes, but definitely keep checking and take it out once it looks completely melted. (Not an exact science but that’s ok!)

Step 2:

Once the wax is fully melted, pour it into your votives and fill about 2/3 of the way. DO NOT FILL COMPLETELY!

Step 3:

If you are using a votive holder without wick pins, you need to go ahead and insert your wick. Make sure it is as centered as possible.

(No, these are not my hands…these are man hands)

Step 4:

Wait for the wax to cool and harden. While you are doing this, you might need to re-melt the original candle for the second pour.

Step 5:

In order to stop the candle from “dipping” in the center, pour a second layer of wax, filling up the votive to the top.

Yay! No dipping!

Step 6:

Now, this step is only for use with wick pins. Once the wax has completely cooled, pull on the metal stick in the middle and take your candle out of the holder. It might need a good tug or hit on the bottom to loosen it up. Once you have taken it out, it is time to insert the wick.

Give the wick a good press on the bottom so it is nice and tight.

Step 7: Cut those wicks!

(This batch didn’t come out super pretty, but hey, at least I can still burn them!)

Here’s a finished votive without using a wick pin!

P.S. I promise to get better at taking pretty pictures. My background kinda sticks, and I know it!

Food: Banana Bread Donuts with Chocolate Glaze

By lexy On June 23, 2011 · 1 Comment · In Food

I finally bit the bullet and bought myself a donut (or doughnut) pan, something I have been wanting for almost a year. Obviously, I couldn’t even wait 24 hours before using it, but I was craving my mom’s amazing banana bread too…dilemma.

Naturally, I decided to make banana bread donuts with a chocolate glaze! Perfect solution!

My wonderful mom gave me permission to post her amazing banana bread recipe!

Banana Bread

1/2 cup butter

1/2 tea. salt

1 cup sugar

1/4 cup sour milk (1 tea. vinegar in 1/4 cup fresh milk)

2 eggs

2 cups flour

1 tea. baking soda

3 soft bananas (seriously, like totally brown)

chocolate chips

350 degree oven for approx. 50 min. (for donuts, bake about 20 min.)

Usually have to bake it a little longer and instert skewer to test.

Alton Brown’s Chocolate Glaze

2 cups confectioner’s sugar, sifted

1/2 cup unsalted butter

1/4 cup whole milk, warmed (I used skim and it turned out perfectly fine)

1 tablespoon light corn syrup

2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract (make your own!)

4 ounces bittersweet chocolate, chopped

1. Using a fine-mesh sieve, sift icing sugar into a small bowl; set aside.

2. Combine butter, milk, corn syrup, and vanilla in a medium saucepan and heat over medium heat until butter is melted.

3. Decrease the heat to low, add the chocolate, and whisk until melted.

4. Turn off heat, add the confectioner’s sugar, and whisk until smooth.

To assemble donuts/glaze:

1. Place the chocolate glaze over a bowl of warm water.

2. Dip the doughnuts immediately.

3. Place on wire racks to cool completely and allow the glaze to set 30 minutes before serving.

Banana Bread Donuts with Chocolate Glaze

Enjoy!

Reading List #2

By lexy On June 14, 2011 · Add Comment · In Uncategorized

Here is the second installment of my reading list. I have just about finished all the books on List 1, so it’s time to pick a few new books to read!

1. The Secret Life of Houdini: The Making of America’s First Superhero by William Kalush and Larry Sloman

I have always been fascinated by Houdini, and I am on a big biography kick right now, so I’m pretty excited to read this.

2. This Is Where I Leave You: A Novel by Jonathan Tropper

This is my first Tropper novel. It was suggested to me by a friend, and is supposed to be hilarious. I love funny books, so why not!?

3. The Cloud Collector’s Handbook by Gavin Pretor-Pinney

I have heard wonderful things about this book, and since I love clouds, I figured it would be a great, fun and informative read!

Of course, I am always looking for more suggestions, so feel free to send them my way!

Thrifting Extravaganza!

By lexy On June 9, 2011 · Add Comment · In Thrifting

Today was awesome. One of my absolute favorite people in the whole world, Kristen, came to visit. I dragged her along to a HUGE church yard sale near my house in the 90 degree weather (you’re welcome Kristen!). We rummaged for about 45 minutes before we both had enough of the heat and our stomachs were screaming for all you can eat Japanese food.

There was just so much stuff at this sale. I’m serious. See for yourself…

Lots of mugs, glasses, appliances, etc. Seriously, tables and tables of stuff.

There were TV’s and other electronics on the church steps. A wonderful couple of guys noticed my Canon camera and told me there were three Canon lenses on the steps for $60. My heart skipped a beat and I practically ran over to where it was, but unfortunately the lenses were too old for my DSLR and didn’t fit. I’m was a little bummed, but oh well!

There were literally mountains of clothing. To be honest, I don’t think I am ready to rummage through clothing just yet. I hate to admit it, but vintage clothing still freaks me out. I am working on it though, I promise!

Do you see the amount of toys they had? Ridiculous. I almost bought a Rummikub game, but I’m always worried about missing pieces, and I was not about to sit and count tiles in that horrible heat!

(Dear man whose butt is featured prominently in this picture, I’m terribly sorry. Yours truly, Lexy)

I didn’t really get a chance to explore the books/records as much as I would like, so I’m going back in the morning to do some more searching (feel free to come with me!).

As for what I did take home…

They had quite a few adorable needlepoint and cross stitched wall art. I have been collecting these for a while now with the hopes of covering a whole wall with them one day. The total for all 5 came out to $4.00, so I was pretty pleased.

(I absolutely love the two sea life ones)

I also found some really fun looking coasters. They have photographs from what I assume is a city in the US. Unfortunately, some were in pretty bad shape and there are 9, but I bought them anyway. (I guess now is as good a time as ever to let you in on a wonderful quirk I have…I despise odd numbers to an unhealthy degree).

Then Kristen and I got stuffed on sushi and watched the bonus features from Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows part 1! Best day ever.

My New Books!

By lexy On June 7, 2011 · Add Comment · In Uncategorized

A few weeks ago, I entered a contest hosted by Forgotten Bookmarks (an amazing little blog). He was giving away a set of clothbound hardcover literature classics, a set of books by Kipling, and a set of books on foreign short stories.

I was lucky enough to win (I even woke up the boy to share in my excitement)! When I came home Saturday night, a HUGE box was waiting by my door, and of course I knew what was in it!

Here are a few snap shots of the books!

And of course, Dexter oversaw the entire process…

Food: Summer Rolls

By lexy On June 4, 2011 · Add Comment · In Food

A while ago I was quite hungry and shopping at my local grocery store (bad combination, I know), so I went over to their prepared sushi section and bought summer rolls. Basically they are California rolls wrapped in rice paper instead of rice+seaweed. But rather than try and explain, why don’t I just show you a very inexpensive way to make your own!

Ingredients:

Rice Paper (this is surprisingly easy to find, they had it in the Asian section of my local market for $2.00/20 pieces of paper)

Cucumber

Imitation Crab

Lettuce

Sweet Chili Sauce (again, very easy to find in the same section)

(Feel free to add any and all other ingredients you like!)

1. I always prepare my ingredients first because once you start making the actual rolls, you need to move quite quickly.

2. Now, get a skillet and fill it with warm water. I always put it on a burner on the lowest heat setting to keep the water warm a little while longer.

3. Take your rice paper, dip it in the water and make sure it is fully saturated (about 12 seconds).

4. Now, place the wet rice paper on a clean plate, and wait about a minute for it to because pliable. Once it feels “sticky”, it’s time to load it up with your ingredients!

(seriously, just typing this makes me crave these)

5. Now for the rolling. It’s very easy, and in my opinion, intuitive. Just roll it up and fold the sides in. The beauty of rice paper is that once it fully dries, it adheres to itself, so it is pretty user friendly.

(sorry for my gross hands)

6. There you have it! You can cut it in half if you like, or just eat it the way it is. Add a little sweet chili sauce and enjoy! Seriously though, these are absolutely delicious, healthy and so fresh!