PARTY TIME
Ice Cream Cupcakes, Vodka Jello Shots, Cheesecake Cream Filled Strawberries , Cheez Whiz Copycat
By Mary Canovas
PARTY TIME
Time for celebrations: Birthdays, Weddings, Communions
Here are recipes for young and old. Have fun!
Ice Cream Cupcake
An easy, fun dessert. Ideal for kids´ parties or snack. Prepare a few in the freezer and keep them handy in case you have guests or an unexpected celebration.
Materials: cupcake paper liners, metal or silicone cupcake mold
Ingredients
• Cake, brownies, ladyfingers etc.
• Ice cream
• whipped cream
• Sprinkles, chocolate chips, small candies, etc..
How To
• Remove ice cream from the freezer to soften a bit • Line the cupcake mold with cupcake liners • Cut cake into slices to fit into the bottom of the cupcake liners • Place the cake circle into the bottom of the liner , press with fingers to compact • Fill the cupcake with ice cream – one or more flavors • Freeze
Immediately before serving
• Remove from freezer
• Top with whipped cream, sprinkles, etc.
Vodka Jello Shots
For Adults Only
Jello shots are great to get a party rolling. They are also surprisingly addictive. It´s like having your mom´s Jello with a huge kick. They´re very easy to make, especially for a crowd.
Dissolve 1 package (3 oz. size) into 1 cup of boiling water. Add ¾ cup vodka and ¼ cup cold water and stir well. Pour liquid into individual shot cups and chill 4 hours or until firm.
Cheesecake Cream
Filled Strawberries
Imagine having a creamy cheese cake INSIDE your strawberry. This recipe is a keeper. Cream is also great as a fruit dip.
See video tutorial:
Strawberries – 8 large strawberries
• Cut an X in each strawberry starting at the top and cut almost all the way down.
• With fingertips gently open each strawberry to make “petals”. • Set aside.
Filling Ingredients
• 1/3 cup cold Philadelphia cream cheese
• 1/3 cup heavy cream
• 3 tablespoons sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract – Optional: 2 tblspns Cointreau
Preparation
- Whisk all ingredients together
- Place the cream in a pastry bag with a star tip and fill the center of the strawberry.
- Cover and refrigerate if not serving immediately.
Cheese Whiz
Copycat Recipe
Gooey, sticky – inimitable! But for those of you who actually miss this very American concoction and can´t find it anywhere, here´s our Copycat version. Great with crackers, Philly cheese steak …
Ingredients
• ½ kilo grated American cheese
• 1/2 tsp. salt
• ½ tsp. Worcestershire sauce
• 1 lg. 12 oz. can evaporated milk
• 1/8 tsp. dry mustard
• dash Tabasco sauce
Cook over double boiler until creamy. Use wire whip and stir constantly. When melted completely, pour into jar while still very hot.
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MAY BIRTHSTONE: Emerald
BIRTH FLOWER: Lily of the Valley
Some May babies: Audrey Hepburn, George Clooney, Sigmund Freud, Tchaikovsky,
Enrique Iglesias, Salvador Dali
Emerald
Emerald is a member of the beryl family and is considered a precious gem along with the diamond, ruby and sapphire. It is so prized, that carat for carat, a fine emerald may be two to three times as valuable as a diamond. The name emerald comes from the Greek “smaragdos”. The emerald has been a gem of fascination in many cultures for over six thousand years. Throughout history, emeralds have been prized and worn by royalty and celebrities. Alexander the Great had a large emerald set into his girdle. It was a favorite of Cleopatra who was an avid emerald collector. Nero supposedly watched gladiator fights through a large transparent emerald as he found the color to be calming. Elizabeth Taylor had a world famous emerald jewelry collection given to her by Richard Burton and documented in National Geographic. John F. Kennedy gave Jacqueline Bouvier a 2.88 carat diamond emerald engagement ring.
Healing Properties
Traditionally, emerald was used extensively for physical and emotional healing. With its incredible soft green color, it is supposed to have healing powers for eyes, and it is used as a talisman for any eye trouble. Emeralds are also an antidote for poisons and ailments of the spine. Emeralds help fight all mental illness and neurological disorders.
Mystical Power
An emerald symbolizes rebirth and youth. Many virtues are ascribed to the emerald. According to legends, emeralds strengthen the owner’s memory, quicken the intelligence, bring wisdom and assist in predicting the future. They were also said to grant eloquence in speech and make the wearer more intelligent and honest. Emeralds were also believed to reveal what was true or false and were said to be a trusted antidote for enchantments and spells with the power to drive away evil spirits. They also help express love, devotion, and adoration. The emerald is regarded as an amulet for good fortune, granting success in love, and promoting the constancy of mind, true friendship, and felicity in domestic life.
Lily of the Valley
The delicate and fragrant Lily of the Valley is May’s birth flower. The lily of the valley is a low-growing perennial plant that is native to temperate areas of Asia, Europe, and North America. It usually has two large oblong leaves and small fragrant nodding bell-shaped flowers that grow evenly up the stalk forming what appear to be steps. Medieval monks viewed the flowers configuration and labeled them the “ladder to heaven”. Legend has it that Lily of the Valley grew where Mary’s tears fell while Jesus was on the cross. In olden times it was used in medicines to help improve memory and speech. Today we know that all parts of the plant and flower are extremely poisonous
Also known as the May lily, it has the meaning of happiness, humility, chastity, sweetness, purity and is said to bring luck in love. It also signifies “the return of happiness” and when given to a loved one says “you made my life complete” which is why it is often used in weddings and for bridal bouquets. Kate Middleton´s bouquet prominently featured lily of the valley flowers.
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Images from Flickr
Featured image/jamieanne, CC BY-ND2.0
Emerald stone/Jerry Juniot, CC BY-SA2.0
Lily of the Valley/Andrew Coombes, CC BY-ND2.0
