Win a copy of The Icing on the Cupcake Book, signing event April 6th

With a nickname like the "Cupcake Fairy," how could I not cover the book signing and cupcake contest for The Icing on the Cupcake by Austinite Jennifer Ross.  The book signing and cupcake contest (complimentary Tito's Vodka Cocktails, Yum!) will be on Tuesday, April 6 at 7 p.m. at Bookpeople located at 603 North Lamar Boulevard.  You can follow Jennifer on Twitter: @CupcakeAuthor and find her recipes online at http://www.theicingonthecupcake.net/.


Now for the win a book portion (full of recipes of course).  Post a comment with your favorite cupcake flavor on this blog post before noon, on April 5th.  @mousethedog will randomly select a winner of the book.   The winner will receive a copy of the book in the mail. Enjoy!

THE ICING ON THE CUPCAKE

 

A STORY OF ONE WOMAN’S HEARTBREAK, SELF-DISCOVERY, AND LOVE OF BAKING

 

Filled with Mouth Watering Recipes for Unique Cupcake Creations

 

Author Jennifer Ross spent well over a year testing cupcake recipes, interviewing bakery owners and collaborating with a professional baker to create her own confection,

debut novel: THE ICING ON THE CUPCAKE.

 

This charming novel tells the story of a young woman’s decision to leave everything she knows behind and start a new and delicious life for herself, after being jilted by her fiancé who was deemed the most eligible bachelor in Dallas. Before long she opens a gorgeous bakery called The Icing on the Cupcake and realizes that finding herself first is much sweeter than finding a man. 

 

Complete with decadent cupcake recipes, THE ICING ON THE CUPCAKE is a fun summer read about a young woman experimenting with innovative ingredients—and with a life beyond her wildest dreams. 

Cocktail Dinners coming Paggi House and Jack Allen's

Now that the cocktail culture in Austin is in full swing, it shouldn't come as a surprise that cocktail pairing dinners are on the rise.  Here's two that are coming up in the next few days.  I've only done one cocktail dinner so far, and needless to say, it was an absolute blast.

Paggi House's Executive Chef Shane Stark and Z Tequila's Pepe Zevada are going to pair up food & tequila on Wednesday, Feb. 3rd, 7:00pm.  Paggi House is located on 200 Lee Barton Drive.  As one of my favorite happy hour locations (dog friendly too!), this dinner isn't one to miss. Reservations are a Must! $75 per person.  Menu follows.

ON THE PATIO Agave Scallop Ceviche, White Corn Tortilla Cone, Slow Roasted Cabrito "Cigar" 'La Bandera' Z Blanco, Sea Salted Lime, House-Made Sangrita

AMUSE Creamy Roasted Poblano Soup, Cilantro Cream

FIRST COURSE Cinnamon Poached Black Grouper, Tomato-Serrano Salsa 'Austin Sunrise' Z Blanco, Paula's Texas Orange, Fresh OJ, House-Made Grenadine

SECOND COURSE Vanilla Glazed Lockhart Quail, Tangerine Jicama Slaw 'Ojos de Oro' Z Reposado, Cuarenta y Tres, Fresh Lemon, Topo Chico

THIRD COURSE Smoke Roasted Ribeye, Yucca Mashed Potatoes, Guajillo Chile Demi 'Chilled Añejo' Z Añejo, Smoked Sea Salt Rim, Cinnamon Dusted orange Wheel

FOURTH COURSE Marcona Almond Tres Leches 'Jalisco Coffee' Z Reposado, Espresso, Foamed Milk   

Jack Allen's also invites you to a enjoy a Tito's dinner with Chefs Jack Gilmore and Chris Tenecyk.  Dinner starts on Tuesday, Feb. 2nd, 7:00pm.  Tickets are $65 per person all inclusive.  Call 512.852.8338 for reservations.  Menu follows.

                                                           

For the Table

Hand cut Alpine Farms tomatoes and Fried oyster in a mason jar

Tito’s Broken Mary – Celery infused Tito’s, tomato water and a beet juice rock.

Second

 Richardson Farm Pork belly, and sweet potato cruda, guajillo chile oil

Tito’s Grapefruit and Sage Splash – Tito’s, St. Germain, muddled sage and fresh squeeze grapefruit

Third

Shredded Pork Butt crackling and Pan-seared Gulf snapper Fresh Texas citrus salad.

Dry Cruda with Cucumber and Juniper – Tito’s, Domain De Canton, Texas Lemon, cucumber, juniper and black pepper finish

Fourth

Bacon wrapped tenderloin with shaved Tabasco corn and cotija cheese

Bitter Orange Tea – Tito’s, Paula’s Texas Lemon, local honey, Black Tea syrup and orange essence

Dessert

White chocolate magic cookie bar and Amy’s Mexican Vanilla Ice-cream 

Hot Piggy Toddy – Tito’s warm apple spice cider with a blackberry bacon aspic

Cocktail Throwndown Finalist Announced! Sept. 24th #cocktailriot

If you thought Cupcake Smackdown1.0 was a blast, here's an event that will knock your socks off.  Cocktail Throwdown is just around the corner.  After receiving tasty cocktail recipes from Austin bars, 5 finalists were chosen.  

The finals take place on Sept. 24 from 5:30-7:30 p.m on South Congress (location information will be sent to winners of the tickets).  The Cocktail Throwdown is an annual contest to name the official drink of Austin.  The winner receives a custom Gibson Guitar with their logo on it, a couple of day passes to the ACL festival, a national news release announcing their victory, and a year of promotion by our media team.

Eleisha Eagle will play a rockin’ set for the night, Frank will be providing the tasty bites, local beer will be provided for those hops and barley lovers, & Tito's will also be hand pouring their signature cocktails. Door Prizes include: an Austin gift basket, a Tito’s gift basket and the big one: two round-trip tickets on JetBlue to any of their destinations that fly nonstop to Austin.

To win tickets, stay posted for the contest.  I only have 5 sets of 2 tickets (10 tickets total) to give away.  They are sure to go fast!

Here are the cocktail throwdown finalists:

·         Mole on the Rocks, by Fino
·         The Enlightened Austin Martini, by La Condesa
·         The Lady Bird, by Stephen F’s Bar & Terrace
·         The Redbud, by Paggi House
·         Shirley Bird Tea, by Hyatt Lost Pines Resort & Spa

Photos and recipes coming to this post soon.....