The 3rd Annual Altzheimer Benefit Fashion Show will be held at the Oaks Theatre August 22 featuring Donna Degnan and her fall 08 collection…if interested in receiving an invitation, please email your current address to carabela@earthlink.net or sales@carabellaoakmont.com. This promises to be the best show ever and an early sell out!! The shopping spree is always a highlight!!
Just got back from new york shopping for fall and early holiday and cruisewear…thought you might like the names of two great hotels…6 Columbus…great location West 58 across the street from Time Warner Center…the other is the Empire Hotel…at Lincoln Center..perfect location!!Carol
TOP SECRET RECIPES
Since Carol’s birthday is in April, I thought it would be a good time
to share one of her favorite cake recipes!
SPICE CAKE WITH CREAM CHEESE FROSTING
2 cups of all purpose flour
1 ½ cups sugar
1 tsp. baking soda
2 tsp. ground cinnamon
¼ tsp. cloves
½ tsp. ground allspice
¼ tsp. nutmeg
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. vanilla
1 cup apple butter
¾ cup buttermilk
½ cup vegetable oil
3 large eggs
2 tbs. unsulfured (light) molasses
Frosting
2 pkgs. cream cheese
2 sticks margarine
1 bag 10X sugar
4 tsp. clear vanilla
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray a 12 x 9 inch pan with vegetable oil.
Combine first 8 ingredients in a large bowl. Whisk apple butter, buttermilk, oil,
eggs, molasses and vanilla in a medium bowl to blend. Stir apple butter mixture
Into dry ingredients. Pour into pan and baked until toothpick comes clean,
about 40 minutes or so depending on your oven.
Prepare frosting by mixing room temperature margarine and cream cheese
together. Then add other ingredients. It is best to make the cake ahead and
freeze. Frosting a frozen cake is easier, and if you are transporting it to
Carabella for Carol’s birthday – the cake will keep the frosting cold longer
spring fashions will be on display at the hilton, sunday march 30…for the italian sons and daughers….also will be at the Fox Chapel Golf Club Wed, April 23…to benefit Cystic Fibrosis…for more information call…
I am happy to announce that one of my new favorite local artists…colin noonan ,currently has one of his pieces of art displayed at the warhol….it’s a larger than life painting of a norton motorcycle ….you..can’t miss it!!! be sure to stop and visit…
Had the pleasure of spending Saturday night at the Penn State New Kensington Civic Theater to view Dr. Robert Kreashko’s world premiere of “Camplife”! I found the performance to be quite moving…not knowing what to expect, the comraderie of men and life experiences, the contrast of generations and the common denominator of tradition left a mark on my heart….I found myself getting to know Robert a little better as I watched Scott perform on the stage!! Great job Robert…Lisa, you should be very proud!!
TOP SECRET PASSOVER AND EASTER RECIPES
PASSOVER BROWNIES
THESE ARE PASSOVER BROWNIES YOU WILL ACTUALLY LIKE!
½ c margarine or unsalted butter
1 c sugar
2 eggs
1/3 c cocoa mixed with
¼ c cake meal
½ c chocolate chips
½ c chopped walnuts (opt.)
Mix together and pour into 8” pan.
Double recipe for 9×13 pan. I doubled, but used only 2 eggs for a fudge-like brownie.
Bake at 350 degrees for 30 – 35 minutes.
Do not over bake! B’tei Avon
CINDY’S BANANA MUFFINS WITH CHERYL’S CREAM CHEESE FROSTING
A GOOD MUFFIN TO SERVE AT YOUR EASTER BRUNCH!
½ cup butter
2 large eggs
½ tsp. salt
¾ tsp. baking soda
¼ cup milk + 1 tsp white vinegar
1 ½ cup sugar
2 cups flour
1 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. vanilla
4 mashed bananas
Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees. Combine sugar and butter – add eggs.
Add bananas milk and vanilla – mix well. Combine dry ingredients and
mix until combined. Fill muffin cups about ¾ full and bake approx. 30
minutes. Top with cream-cheese frosting and sprinkle with finely-chopped
nuts.
Cream Cheese Frosting
2 pkg. cream cheese
2 sticks margarine
1 bag 10 – X confectioners sugar (2 lbs)
4 tsp. clear vanilla
Blend cream cheese, margarine and vanilla in mixer.
Room temperature cream cheese and margarine works best.
Add sugar slowly. Refrigerate before frosting muffins.
This is my favorite cream cheese frosting that I usually use to
frost a 9 x 13 cake. I highly suggest you freeze the remainder
for another time. You will be happy you did!
Flowers are a way to a girl’s heart and Rebecca at ‘Oakmont Floral’ puts a creative twist to every bunch. Some of our favorite things in Oakmont are the Boulevard Bistro, a great spot for lunch or dinner and breakfast on weekends and don’t forget to visit ‘What’s Cooking at Casey’s’! Friday Happy Hours at the Chelsea Grill for a ‘Lemonade Martini’ or ‘Jumping Juniper’ both are the perfect blend of sweet and tart and let’s not forget the Mighty Oak Barrel’s ‘Carabellatini’ and only Amy know the recipe! Sweet treats, especially the novelty cupcakes are not to be missed at the Oakmont Bakery. So as you are now well fed and have had enough to drink in Oakmont, we will venture to other parts of the city next month.