7-up Cake

A burst of lemon flavor and a layer of sparkling fizzy 7-up. What more could you ask for in a cake?  This cake is the perfect cake to enjoy if you want a flavorful cake that is not sickeningly sweet.

There are very few holidays or special occasions where this cake doesn't make an appearance. If you have any type of southern roots, then more than likely, you have had the infamous 7-up cake. This is a simple cake that is so full of flavor that it does not require any type of adornment other than a scoop of ice cream. The lemon flavor is even more pronounced if you eat the cake fresh from the oven, or just nuke in the microwave for a few seconds. 

Fresh lemons give this cake the perfect hint of citrus

7up adds another dimension of flavor

Ingredients

3 sticks softened hatter (not melted)

3 cups sugar

3 cups sifted all purpose flour

5 eggs

1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice

2 tablespoons lemon extract

1 teaspoon lemon zest

3/4 cup 7up

Directions:

Cream together the butter and sugar until fluffy.Add eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition.  add lemon extract, zest and juice. Add flour, while alternately folding 7-up into the batter. Pour into a Bundt or tube  pan that is well coated with nonstick baking spray or if you prefer, grease and flour pan.

Bake in a preheated oven at 325 for 60-75 minutes.

Bon Appetit!

Flame

There is absolutely nothing like a warm cozy fireplace on a cold winter day. Flickering flames, a touch of heat. It really sets the atmosphere.

And it is the perfect time to reflect

Savor the effervescence of a bubbly libation

Sky above me, earth below me. Fire inside of me.

We all have a fire burning inside of us, but it is up to us to make sure no one pours water on it. The fire is different things to different people. Passions, ideas, dreams and that single spark that makes you who you were before other people told you who you are.

The great thing about having a flame is that you can ignite someone else's fire and it takes nothing away from yours. Imagine that? Your spark, your flame, can ignite someone that lost their own fire.

Light it up

Let it burn...

Table For Two (LV's LA)

The name says it all. Table for Two is an intimate hidden gem in the City of Riverside.  This cozy little restaurant is approximately 60 miles from Los Angeles and worth a visit if you are in the area or live in any of the nearby cities that make up the Inland Empire. The cuisine has modern twists on Thai classics and the decor is chic and stylish.

This warm inviting restaurant is the perfect date night spot or perfect for lunch or dinner when you want to dine in a quiet serene setting with great food. There are many delicious Thai specialties to choose from and each entree comes with a  dinner salad with a sweet tangy lemon dressing that is absolutely scrumptious. The restaurant is busy during the lunch hour, but the servers are attentive and friendly.

 Fresh dinner salad with amazing lemon salad dressing

No meal is complete without spring rolls and wontons:-)

The Calamari is a great appetizer to start your meal off with

Orange chicken and rice

Lovely atmosphere

Cozy

 The Phad Thai is one of my favorite dishes at Table For Two. Lots of fresh veggies, sprouts, peanuts for crunch and chock full of flavor. You can get this with chicken and shrimp or enjoy a vegetarian version. Either way, it is delicious!

 This restaurant is conveniently located near the Riverside Plaza and is a great place to relax for a moment and enjoy a great meal. There are lots of options including vegan and gluten free selections and the prices are reasonable. This is a neighborhood spot that I love. I think you should check it out:-)

Table For Two

3600 Central Avenue, Suite 1

Riverside, CA 92506

951-683-3648

Twist of Lime

Happy Tuesday loves! Did you watch the inauguration yesterday? Or better yet, were you lucky enough to attend? Lots of my friends went and I wish I could have been there, but I got to experience it vicariously through them.  I am loving the warm weather that has replaced the icy winter mornings and the days are starting to get a little longer. Feels like a warm spring day and I am loving it:-) This weather was perfect for enjoying an afternoon at the California Science Center.

As a lot of you know, one of my obsessions is thrifting. Even in high school, I used to love to scour thrift stores on Melrose to find unique pieces to mix into my wardrobe. I love full skirts and vintage looking dresses, so I was thrilled to find this cute lime skirt for three bucks at a local thrift store. You can really find some treasures if you have the patience to look for them. Have you found any great thrifted items lately?

The science center has great scenery 

Woosh! I love how much movement a full skirt has

white shirt: Macys, Lime Skirt: Goodwill  thrift store, Purple snakeskin clutch: specialty boutique:, jewelry: H&M, Shoes: Franco Sarto

Cute comfy flats

Can you believe this beautiful skirt was only $3.00?

Have an amazing day!

Do It Now

The time is now. The place is wherever you are. Push towards what brings you joy, makes you come alive, takes you out of your comfort zone, makes you a little scared. If you are not a little nervous, your dreams need to be a little bigger. What do you hope for in 2013?

Sweet n Spicy Siracha Shrimp Tacos

 I never get tired of tacos. I mean never. These shrimp tacos are sweet, spicy and loaded with flavor. Siracha is a spicy Thai hot sauce that makes everything taste a little better. The shrimp combined with a crunchy slaw chock full of fresh vegetables is a perfect meal on its own or served with rice and beans. You can control the level of heat by adding less Siracha. The slaw is meant to be a nice cooling complement to the spicy shrimp and you can adjust the ingredients to your liking to make it more or less creamy.

This all starts with fresh shrimp cooked in a Siracha honey sauce

 Fresh cilantro added to a melange of purple and green cabbage adds a nice layer of flavor

Ingredients

1 pound extra large shrimp deveined

1 tablespoon honey

2 tablespoons Siracha (less if you don't want a lot of heat)

1 tablespoon fresh lime juice

1 garlic clove minced

Skewers for grilling shrimp

Spicy Cabbage Slaw

1 cup fresh purple cabbage shredded

1 cup green cabbage shredded

1/4 cup cilantro

1 teaspoon horseradish

1 teaspoon honey

1 tablespoon sour cream

1 teaspoon mayo

corn tortilla shells 

Directions

In a small bowl, combine the honey siracha, lime juice and garlic. Heat your grill on medium heat. Soak your skewers in water and then thread your shrimp onto the skewers and brush with the siracha sauce and grill each side for 2-3 minutes. When finished add more sauce to the shrimp and set aside.

For the slaw combine the honey, sour cream and mayo in a bowl. If it is too thick, thin out with a fresh squeeze of lime juice or a hint of water. Toss the cabbage into the mixture until well coated.

Fry taco shells, or for a healthier version, spray a baking sheet with non stick spray and mist the tortillas lightly and bake at 400F for approximately 10 minutes.

Fill each shell with shrimp and a generous portion of cabbage slaw.

Bon Appetit!