Meatless bulgur balls (Bolitas kipes)

En Español

One of the typical Dominican fritters and my favorite above all are the Kipes. The quipes or kipes are usually prepared with ground beef mixed in the bulgur wheat dough and as the filling. Last Saturday night I had cravings for some kipes, but had no ground beef, and since it was late night, I could not go to buy some either. I came up with the idea to prepare them without any meat to see if the dough would form and fry well. The results were as you see it, terrific! The taste is very similar and delicious, but I admit that for us meat lovers, with beef it is better.

These make a perfect finger food especially when served with mayo ketchup dipping sauce. For someone who does not like meat or is on a meatless diet, these would be a great party snack to serve them. At home we liked this new version very much, and like always I wanted to share it with you. Please leave a comment and let me know if you have tried the traditional kipes or if you prepare this meatless version. I did not use a filling, but you can fill the center with cheese, beef, chicken or seafood. I do have a step by step bulgur fritters here: Kipes.

School Theme Cupcakes

En Español

A few days ago I shared a photo of mini fondant apples toppers I was making for a custom order of cupcakes.  Many of you liked it on facebook and I couldn't wait until September to share these! This made me think about how we tend to centralize our activities based on seasons,  influenced very much by the commercial calendar, and it should not be like that. Do not wait until September or end of the school year to thank an exemplary teacher or a dedicated student. I celebrate each day as a special one without waiting for a specific day.

As I have said before, working with fondant can be addictive because it like playing with clay, and that makes work fun. To me there is no better job in the world then to make sweet creations.

This time I was asked to make these cupcakes for a teacher. In many occasions I am sent a photo of what the customer wants, and I try to create what they want as much as can to me exactly and make to make them happy. I did not know who the photo belonged to until today when I started to search the web. I am happy I could share my version, and also tell you where the idea came from. Check out Tammy’s blog, Wonderful World of Cupcakes her the inspiration for these cupcakes I made. Although she does not have a step by step, I think I did a good job with the toppers.

What I like best about these cupcakes are the mini apples and notebooks. Today I will show you how I did the fondant apples toppers.

Form a rope /roll about ½” (1 cm) wide and cut it into ½” (1 cm) pieces.

Form balls that are slightly oval because when you press to make the hollow on the top which will push down on them.

Make the stem in the same manner as the mini red balls for apples except that for this the roll is thinner and in the color brown or black.

The mini leaves are made by taking the petals of a small fondant flower just as I did towards the end of this video: Mini Fondant Flowers. Paste the stem and leaf with a little corn syrup, and voila!

The mini apples toppers or “manzanitas” are ready to decorate your cupcakes or cakes.

Notes: 
a) All these figures are must be made in fondant. I recommend for you to make them one to two days prior to using them to allow time for them to dry and harden.
b) The recipes: chocolate cupcakes, the filling is dulce de leche, and the frosting is Italian meringue.

Have a blessed day! :)

Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him. - James 1:12

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Chocolate Nutella Brownies

En Español

I am starting the week with a chocolate and Nutella treat. When it comes to desserts and traditional American favorites, brownies could be one of the most popular if not the favorite of them all. Depending on their density brownies can be of either fudgy, cakey, or moist. They are also called blondies when prepared without chocolate.

These brownies have nutella in them and that makes them spectacular! I am sure you will like them very much. I have waited a too long to share a recipe for brownies, but here goes, a very rich and delicious brownie recipe! Get your nutella bottle and enjoy this decadent chocolate dessert.

This post is dedicated to my lovely daughters who always eat all the nutella and leave the empty bottles in the pantry. I love you girls!