Saturday, October 1, 2011

Simplicity At It's Best (Cherry Pistachio Goat Cheese Balls)

There are few things better than a relaxing week at the beach amidst the heat of summer. And if it's with a family that knows how to have fun and enjoys good food and drink as much as I do, then so much the better! Of course I'm referring to my beach week in Emerald Isle, NC back in August with P's Dad's family. Though I'd met almost everyone there before, this was actually the first opportunity I'd had to really get to know them.

Not only did I learn more about them, but they also got to know more about me. Including, surprisingly enough, my love of cooking and baking. Since the house they rented came with a fully stocked kitchen, I made them a bevy of treats including Oreo brownies, guacamole, tomato vodka pasta, and cheddar scallion biscuits.

Cherry Pistachio Goat Cheese Balls
In return they impressed me with an assortment of delights such as shrimp ceviche, fish tacos, apple pear and blueberry pie (using fruits straight from Uncle R's farm!), and a cranberry pistachio goat cheese log. The cheese log idea from P's awesome cousins, K and L, especially stuck with me with its ease of preparation and impressive presentation and taste. Sadly I can't bring the beach (or this wonderful family) to you, but I'm convinced this simple, elegant, and very tasty appetizer is the next best thing 8).

P.S. - If you're a US resident, don't forget to enter my giveaway of 100 custom-designed postcards (can also be used as invitations/holiday cards)! Only one more day to enter.

Cherry Pistachio Goat Cheese Balls [Printable Recipe]
Serves 6 to 10

6 oz. goat cheese, cool room temperature
3/4 cup tart dried cherries OR cranberries, finely chopped
1/2 cup shelled pistachios, lightly toasted and finely chopped
Large pinch of salt, optional
8 to 10 toothpicks, optional
Crackers, to serve

Add 3 tablespoons of chopped dried cherries to the goat cheese and mix in just until incorporated. Combine the remaining cherries and chopped pistachios in a medium-sized shallow bowl or deep plate. If pistachios aren't already salted, add a large pinch of salt to the mixture to taste. Divide goat cheese cherry mixture into 8 to 10 evenly-sized balls. Roll each ball in cherry pistachio mixture until well covered, and transfer to serving plate. Put a pick into the center of each ball, if desired. Serve immediately with your favorite crackers or refrigerate until ready to serve (up to 1 day).

Wednesday, September 28, 2011

UPrinting Postcards Giveaway!

postcard-standard
I just love getting postcards from and sending them to loved ones, don't you? It's such an easy and sweet way to stay connected to your friends and family. And now they've become even more versatile due to online printing companies that let you customize your own designs for postcard printing like UPrinting. If you have a wedding or other big event coming up, you can even make custom invitations this way! What else can you use them for? Birthday cards, holiday photo cards, and whatever else you can think of! If you're now eager to make some personalized postcards, I have some great news. I'm partnering up with UPrinting to give away 100 postcards to one lucky 6 Bittersweets reader! This giveaway is open to US residents 18 years old and above only and will close at midnight on October 2. Please see the full details below and good luck! THIS GIVEAWAY HAS ENDED -- THANKS TO ALL WHO ENTERED!

Prize Details:
  • 100 Postcards for One (1) Winner
  • 5" x 7"
  • 14 pt Cardstock Gloss
  • No Folding
  • Front Only Printing
  • 2 Business Days Print Turnaround Time
  • Free Shipping
To Enter:
  • Leave a comment telling me what you'd use your postcards for.
  • Like 6 Bittersweets on Facebook, then leave a comment telling me you did or already do.
  • Subscribe to this blog, then leave a comment telling me you did or already do.
  • Follow 6 Bittersweets on Twitter, then leave a comment telling me you did or already do and including your Twitter name.
  • Link to this giveaway on Facebook, then leave a comment telling me and including a link to the post.
  • Tweet about this giveaway, tagging me @6bittersweets and linking this giveaway, then leave a comment telling me and including a link to the post.
FTC Disclaimer: this giveaway is sponsored by UPrinting, no monetary compensation was given and I will receive a poster for hosting.

Tuesday, September 27, 2011

Tuesday Favorites!

Halloween Cupcakes Collage
Are you guys as excited about Halloween as I am?! Some of my friends think it's too early to be planning...HA! I've been brainstorming for this Halloween ever since the last one ^_^. For those of you who love Halloween as much as I do, I just want to remind you of the fun Halloween cupcake recipes I've posted in the past (pictured above). And if none of these suit your fancy, fret not! I've got at least 4 new ideas coming your way next month so stay tuned! For those in the DC/VA/MD area, I'll be offering all 7 options on my menu. Please email me if you're interested in ordering =D. Now it's time for my latest food finds -- enjoy!

1 Appledrane-Artichokes and Beet Chips
Roasted Potatoes Photograph from Margaret & Joy
2 Margaretandjoy-Roasted Potatoes Garlic
Ginger Ice Cream from Have Cake Will Travel
3 HaveCakeWillTravel-Ginger Ice Cream Heart Cookie
4 Vintagetrinkets-Salted Buttered Popcorn Macarons
5 MyLemonyKitchen-Malaysian Lemang Sticky Rice Tube Wrapped Banana Leaves Idea
Spicy Chipotle Tofu Sandwich from Healthy. Happy. Life.
7 Healthy.Happy.Life.-Chipotle Tofu Sandwich
8 Gilttaste-Vanilla Whoopie Pies Cookie Sandw Shell-shaped Idea
Zha Jiang Mian from He Needs Food
9 Heneedsfood-Zha Jiang Mein Minced Meat Chinese Noodles
10 Donal Skehan-Apple Cinnamon Streusel Muffins
Mexican Grilled Corn from Gourmand Recipes
11 GourmandRecipes-Grilled Mexican Corn Cheese On Stick Idea

Monday, September 26, 2011

Plate to Pixel Giveaway Winner!

Thanks to everyone who entered my Plate to Pixel giveaway! The randomly selected winner of the book is Rittie Kitty (comment #79) -- congrats! I just know you'll love this incredible resource =D. Since you didn't leave a way to contact you, please email me your mailing address within 3 days or I will need to select a new winner. For everyone else, stay tuned for another sponsored giveaway beginning in just 2 days!

Musical Monday: Frank Turner "I Am Disappeared"


Thanks to my friend Steve-o, I am awash in new albums to explore this week. My favorite so far has been English folk/punk singer-songwriter, Frank Turner. "I Am Disappeared" (video above) is just one captivating tune from his latest album, England Keep My Bones. Hope you like it =D.

Sunday, September 25, 2011

Under the Sea! (Little Mermaid Birthday Treats)

Under the Sea!
Hey there! I'm taking a little break from studying to share these "Under the Sea" cupcakes I made for a birthday order. They're s'mores-flavored with a graham cracker crust, chunks of Hershey's milk chocolate, chocolate cake, toasted marshmallow frosting, graham cracker "sand", and sea creature marshmallow fondant toppers I made! I also made the cupcake wrapper using the shape I bought online, an image from the movie, card stock paper, and double-sided tape. The birthday girl, Alaina, is turning 6 and loves The Little Mermaid, so of course these and all other desserts were ocean and mermaid themed =). I had a lot of fun with this order -- so fun to get a chance to be creative!

A Little Mermaid Birthday!DSC_0011-e copy EDIT
Photos of Entire Dessert Tower Taken by My Mom =)