The Rebeccammendations has moved to www.Rebeccammendations.com

Life in Austin is...fabulous!

2009-04-09T16:38:00.004-05:00

Check out one of my latest blog finds, for my Austin followers or long-distance Austin-lovers! "ThisislifeinAustin" has enthusiasm written all over it, from the minute you visit the site. A recent post lists the must-sees, or, what I call a "to-go list" in Austin if you're entertaining for a weekend, or for out-of-town guests! My favorites on the list include:

Walking Town Lake
Hula Hut
Shopping South Congress
Sugar Mama's Bakeshop (cupcakes so good, btw)

Check out the blog for more "life in Austin" highlights.

Blog Migration in Progress

2009-04-09T09:23:00.006-05:00

To all my loyal followers:

Thank you for reading my blog! Over the next week, I'll be working on migrating The Rebeccammendations to a different site and changing the look n' feel so I can bring you more fun entertainment ideas. Soooooo, watch for the new and improved site. I'll keep you posted on where it's moved to!

Love,
The Rebecca

Golden White Cranberry Charoset

2009-04-07T22:05:00.017-05:00

*Photos by Rebecca
Golden= Golden Raisins for a special sweetness
White=White Concord Manischewitz Wine
Cranberry= Craisins for color and sweetness

I'm celebrating freedom this Passover by taking liberties in the way I make the traditional apple/nut dish that is symbolic of the bricks and mortar the Jews used to build pyramids when we were enslaved in Egypt years and years and years ago. And, I'm allergic to nuts, (and made it to the store too late to find true deep red Manischewitz wine in time for Passover), so that helped with this new-age and nut-free twist on my favorite Passover dish, Charoset!

(Connection to entertainment? I'll be taking it to Jen's house, where she is hosting a large group for the first-night seder tomorrow night, and therefore, I consider this a recipe for a dish I'll be taking as a guest in the house of someone who is entertaining)

Ingredients:

1 package golden raisins (can you believe WF didn't carry them, and hasn't for about a year and a half?? WTF, WF!)

1 package Craisins (dried cranberries, or a few ounces from the bulk department in most grocery stores)

About 15 apples for batch that fills a large serving bowl or dish (I prefer a mix of Honeycrisp, Pink Lady, and Jazz apples..they are the sweetest...if you haven't had one of these varieties, I Rebeccammend them!)

1 bottle of Manischewitz Cream White Concord Wine or any other Kosher for Passover sweet white wine

1/4 cup ground cinnamon

2 tablespoons of honey (there should be enough sweetness, but apples and honey just go together :))

Instructions

Cut apples into slices, and then cut the slices in half, and place in a food processor.

Alternate adding golden raisins and craisins in each time you add more apples to the processor.

Grind the apples/dried fruit mixture in the food processor until there are no larger pieces left.

Add to your bowl for refrigeration or serving dish.

Repeat Steps 1-4 until all apples are diced.

Add about 1 cup of the sweet white wine, or to taste, and toss throughout with a spoon (try not to add tooo much, to avoid soggy-ness)

Add about 1/4 cup ground cinnamon, or to taste and toss throughout with a spoon (this, combined with the sweet wine is what creates the memorable taste of charoset, so don't forget the cinnamon!)

Add about 2 tablespoons of honey and toss throughout with a spoon.

Cover your bowl or dish tightly since apples oxidize when cut open and exposed to the air (I used this as a science fair experiment for about 4 years in a row as a kid!), and will turn brown.

Refrigerate before serving...tastes best if you let it refrigerate overnight to soak up all the flavors.

Serve and enjoy!

Bar Food Gone Classy: Max's Wine Dive Coming Soon!

2009-04-07T11:34:00.010-05:00

Max's Wine Dive, which originated in Houston, TX, was "named one of the "Hot 10" Wine Bars in the country," according to Bon Appetit in October 2008, and it's coming to Austin next month! Its home away from home will be located at 207 San Jacinto, and is currently under construction.

I scoped out the menu online, and it seems to be one-of-a-kind...not following traditional trends of mixing bar food with beer, but rather putting a classy twist on casual bar food, and pairing it with wine. You'll find creative comfort (bar) food menu options, such as Gulf-spacho (cold vegetable and seafood soup), Buffalo Sliders, Gator Bites, Max&Cheese with an added twist of truffle oil, Kobe Beef Burgers, the Texas "Haute" Dog, and even The Tree Hugger (a focaccia sandwhich with veggies). There are also some healthy options, including Salmon, Sea Bass, and a variety of fresh salads.

Just a heads up, don't confuse this bar food with $5 chicken wings, or a cheap order of fries. I describe it as classy casual...the "classy" referring to the higher price range, and the "casual" describes their inspiration for the menu. In fact, the cheapest wine-by-the-glass I saw was a $8.75 Malbec, but, in this town, they're bound to have happy hour specials!

Group Entertainment Spot/Restaurant Coming Soon: Max's Wine Dive at 207 San Jacinto in Downtown Austin, opening May 2009. FYI, they also have lunch and brunch (this looks delicious, and the most reasonable of all of their menus).

Maria's Taco Xpress!

2009-04-06T22:52:00.012-05:00

*Photo courtesty of http://www.tacoxpress.com/

As much as I'd like to say that I come up with all of my "Rebeccammendations," you loyal followers should know that I often receive rec's from many valuable sources (and I will give credit where it's due, but not reveal the top secret ones:)). Several of my friendly advisors suggested we hold the 2nd Austin Breakfast Club meeting at Maria's Taco Xpress on South LAMAR...(I misdirected the group to S. 1st and take full responsibility for anyone who never arrived as a result). Rule #1 for entertaining: pick the right location, and if you've never been there, ask questions and make a plan for entertaining a large group there (do you need reservations? is there outdoor seating that's first-come, first-serve? are Sunday's busy?). This is where I learned my lesson. You see, Maria's Taco Xpress is not just a little cafe hidden off of S. Lamar that draws visitors only by it's visible-from-the-street sign of Maria inviting guests with her open arms. It is a large operation. There must have been at least 150 hungry and loyal visitors, between the inside and the outside patio. This Sunday happened to be a particularly busy Sunday for Maria's, as there was a line out the door for those waiting to order their authentic breakfast and lunch tacos. Despite the challenge for gathering up enough chairs to seat our group, and getting everyone through the long line and to finally receive their tacos, it was a great location! Bottom line--it's Austiny, it's fun, it has an outdoor patio, and indoor seating, it has breakfast tacos, spicy salsa, and there's something about the anticipation of waiting for your order number to be called that makes the delicious tortillas filled to the brim worth waiting for!

*Entertainment tip: If you're headed there with a group, make sure to arrive ahead of time to secure a table while your guests get in line to order. It get's packed, but a healthy sign of a hoppin' business and tasty food!

Breakfast/Lunch/Mexican Restaurant Recommendation: Maria's Taco Xpress on S. Lamar. Also, check out Taste No Evil Muffins, housed in an old trolley (or Austin's Dillo) in the parking lot out front, if you're looking for a local sweet treat, freshly made by Karisa Prestera . Flavors range from Cran Bran Breakfast Bonanza, to Chocolate Sinsation, and even gluten-free flavors that include Chocolate-Almond. MMMMmm...

Viva Vivo!

2009-04-05T23:20:00.008-05:00

*photo by Rebecca

Last night, a group of us ended a very leisurely spring day in Austin, complete with laying out in the 80 degree weather, with a fun dinner at Vivo...the Tex-Mex restaurant that serves gorgeous magenta orchids in their delicious drinks ranging from Cucumberitas to the Vivo Ria (Sangria...my favorite!). They don't take reservations, so this would be a good spot for a Spring/Summer evening when the weather is nice and you can wait for about an hour and a half, which goes by quickly with their delcious drinks on a tropical patio, and chips and really spicy salsa with a kick (just the way I like it...coming from El Paso where I learned to have a high spicy heat tolerance). The service was not exactly speedy, but if you are just looking for a chill night to enjoy dinner and drinks with good company in a nice atmosphere, this would be the perfect place! And, they even give all senorita guests a rose before leaving...a special touch!

Chill Night/Fun Drinks/Mexican Restaurant/Nice Outdoor Patio Recommendation: Vivo! on Manor (Dean Keaton, or 26th Street, turns into Manor when you head North past I-35)

Icing on the Cake!

2009-04-04T22:35:00.018-06:00

*Photos by Rebecca (Allyson and I with instructor Summer Pruett left)

Yesterday was the day Allyson and I had been waiting for...the day we were taking the hands-on cake decorating class at the Whole Foods Culinary Center on 6th and Lamar. I unfortunately miscalculated the start time, so we missed the first 20 minutes, but we caught up quickly and jumped right in, cutting, layering, and frosting our individual cakes to decorate. We learned frosting techniques and how to create several icing detail designs as we worked with the buttercream frosting. Summer Pruett, of Stardust Pastry, her very own local Austin "pastry boutique specializing in wedding cakes," and the Texas Culinary Academy, instructed the class of about 15. Her steady hand demonstrated how to ice the cake so well, her final coat was as smooth as fondant. And, she successfully taught all of us how to create a decorative rose out of frosting, complete with leaves and vines. Notice my final work of culinary art that I made for the Austin Breakfast Club which held it's 2nd meeting today! It was a big hit!

My favorite moment during the class, was when Allyson had icing trouble, and actually took her hand, and grabbed the 2-inch less-than-perfect frosting rose, and threw it off of her cake in frustration. But, she got through it (with messy hands), and with Summer's patience and expertise with cake disaster recovery, and the end result didn't show any traces of the struggles Al had just minutes before.

If you're looking for culinary fun, Summer is also teaching a Pastry Workshop on April 9th, a Couture Cupcakes class on April 11th, and a few sushi classes too!

Culinary/Arts, Weekend or Evening Activity Recommendation: Take a cooking class at the Whole Foods Culinary Center! Some are demonstration-based, with tasting, of course, and others, like this one, are hands-on. Take a look at the schedule here (updated monthly). Sign up if you find a class you'd like to take because they fill up fast!

P.S. I also put this under the Green Entertaining category because Whole Foods is based on environmentally-friendly and socially-responsible practices and products.

(Music) Festival Crashers!

2009-04-03T22:15:00.005-06:00

Yes, we've all seen and heard of the Wedding Crashers, the 2005 clever big-screen tag-team of Owen Wilson and Vince Vaughn, who use the ever-romantic wedding setting as a way to meet women. Their plan involves showing up at random weddings, even doing research to pretend they know the hosting families, and once they're in with the crowd, to the bridesmaids they go.

Well for those of you who are avid music-fans and feel at home at music festivals, such as SXSW (Austin), ACL (Austin), Bonnaroo (Manchester, TN), and Jazz Fest (New Orleans, LA), that are held for all genres and in all geographic locations year-round, I bet you didn't know about Festival Crashers, a widespread (no, not Panic) blog that never stops tracking music festivals and audio-happenings everywhere.

I'm not sure this was started as a way to meet the hippy, rocker, rapper, indy, and country girls like the mission of Owen and Vince...we'll have to ask Zach about that one...one of my newest friends, and one of the Crashers and blog authors himself. Check out the link under the "Rebeccammended" blogs on the right hand column for the latest music happenings!

Go Nuts!

2009-04-02T08:03:00.007-06:00

So, I'm allergic to nuts, but that doesn't mean you won't find me at the Spring 2009 Old Pecan Street Festival on May 2-3. The festival is held every Fall and Spring downtown on 6th Street (formerly known as Pecan Street), and features over 250 arts/crafts vendors, food, and live entertainment.

Jules will be here that weekend, so I'm sure we'll take a stroll down Old Pecan Street. Let me know if you want to join in!

Event Alert! This is also the same weekend as the Peter Max art collection at Russell Collection, and the May Austin Breakfast Club meeting.

Like a Fine Wine...

2009-04-01T08:31:00.007-06:00

Looking for something to do this Memorial Day Weekend? (or to entertain the fam during UT's graduation weekend...this is personally applicable to me and my soon to be Texas-Ex sister, Allyson) You may want to hit up the 2009 Austin Wine Festival at The Domain from May 23-25 (Saturday-Monday). Remember (or how could you forget??) you probably have Monday off of work/school, and what better way to spend it than by drinking vino and supporting Texas Hill Country wineries in the Texas sun!

According to http://www.texaswinefestival.com/, "Designated as the #2 Fastest Growing Wine Destination in the Nation, second only to Napa (Orbitz Insider Index) and the #1 of the best "Places to Go This Summer" (The New York Times), the Austin Wine Festival (AWF) is the place to be and be seen."

The festival is $20/day pass for a glass and a wrist band that will get you 10 tastings, or 2 full glasses of wine. Additional wines by the glass can be purchased separately. Music and wine seminars will also be sprinkled throughout the day. The exact time for these events is TBD. The information below is provided on http://www.austinwinefestival.com/schedule.html.

Regular Festival Hours:
Saturday, May 23: 1:00 - 10:30
Sunday, May 24: 1:00 - 9:00
Monday, May 25: 1:00 - 6:00

Winery Wine Service:
Saturday, May 23: 1:00 - 7:30
Sunday, May 24: 1:00 - 8:30
Monday, May 25: 1:00 - 5:30

Memorial Day Weekend Wine Recommendation: 2009 Austin Wine Festival at The Domain (May 23-25)

Poll: Entertaining at Home

2009-03-31T11:31:00.010-06:00

Thanks to all who voted in the poll about entertaining at home. I'm excited that many of you (66% of poll responders) are interested in my entertainment ideas to help you when inviting guests over for a good time.

For those of you who think it's too expensive, or you don't have enough space, this is something that can easily be fixed! I'll try to give tips for inexpensive home entertainment, such as:

Ask each guest to bring one contribution, so it doesn't all fall on you, or make a dent in your wallet
Host your event for a non-main-course meal, such as drinks and appetizers, or dessert

and tips for space-saving entertainment, such as:

Help a friend co-host if they have more space at their place
Plan an event at a nearby park, at an apartment complex pool where you or a guest live if the weather is nice

The bottom line is, you don't need a lot of space or $$ to have a good time! Stay tuned for more easy entertaining tips!

What do cows do on Saturday nights? They like to rent moooooovies!

2009-03-31T08:57:00.008-06:00

There's nothing like a good rental movie, a bowl of popcorn, and relaxing on the couch in comfy clothes when you're feeling like a chill night of classic home entertainment.

Newest top movie releases out today include:

Slumdog Millionaire- This movie won 8 Oscars, so if you haven't seen it, see if you can get your hands on a rental copy to check it out. "A Mumbai teen who grew up in the slums, becomes a contestant on the Indian version of "Who Wants To Be A Millionaire?" He is arrested under suspicion of cheating, and while being interrogated, events from his life history are shown which explain why he knows the answers." (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1010048/)
Seven Pounds- Starring Will Smith and Rosario Dawson: "An IRS agent with a fateful secret embarks on an extraordinary journey of redemption by forever changing the lives of seven strangers." (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0814314/)
Marley & Me- Starring Owen Wilson and Jennifer Aniston, is a story about how "A family learns important life lessons from their adorable, but naughty and neurotic dog." (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0822832/).

Recommended Online Movie/TV Resource: IMDb (Internet Movie Database), is a great place to get all of your movie/TV news, including new rental releases, nightly TV lineups, trailers, top movie rankings, movies coming soon, and award winners.

The Veronicas are Coming!

2009-03-30T09:19:00.005-06:00

I knew it. I called it months ago...The Veronicas were gonna make it big. I found out today they are coming to the 96.7 Kiss FM Bobby Bones 2nd Chance Prom, with Lady Gaga, and we are going! Let me know if you want to join in on dressing up like it's prom on Wednesday, May 6th, and hitting up the concert! I already have 1 taker...

I wrote about these Australian pop twins on my 2nd day blogging and one of my favorite fun songs, "Untouched." Check it out and you might just love them too!

"What's your flava...tell me what's your flava"

2009-03-29T19:26:00.021-06:00

*Photo from designld.com

When it comes to flavor and good taste, whether with botanical design, or creative s'mores, La-Dee-Dah and Treat know how to do it right. This weekend, I was entertaining Jason, a special family friend, during his first trip to the ATX. It was undebatable that we had to show him the quirky Austin trailors, with a stop at Torchy's Tacos at the South Austin Trailor Park & Eatery on S. 1st. As we were waiting for our tacos, I stepped inside the La-Dee-Dah trailor that I had heard so much about. Inside, I was surprised to find such unique botanical creations by Lauren Dolinksy of LD Design Studio made of succulents, colorful rocks, and even branches arranged in such a way that I was drawn to them, admiring every detail. (For those of you who aren't familiar, succulents are plants that retain water, and are therefore eco-friendly, which makes these fall under my Green Entertaining Rebeccamendation category). After talking to the expert working there, I learned that these are "plants for people who kill plants," meaning, they require very little water, mostly misting every few days, and that the only risk is too much watering, not too little. I immediately thought this "botanical couture" (as described on the designld.com website) would be a unique gift for a housewarming party, or really a gift for any occasion, where these living works of art could serve as a conversation-starter centerpiece, or a piece of art to decorate a living space and catch the eye of visiting guests. La-Dee-Dah also houses hand-made headbands, home accessories, cards, gifts, and even "Chai Ya'll" and "Chai Fidelity" specially-designed American Apparel t-shirts.

I also learned that Treat, the flavored "designer" s'mores station at the end of the trailor will be relocating to it's very own airstream trailor home at the South Austin Trailor Park & Eatery near the 2nd week of April. I can't wait to try this spin on the classic outdoor dessert, with flavored marshmallows that range from Raspberry, to Chocomint, to Lavender Lemon. There is even a private campfire for roasting if you visit this tasty trailor.

Entertaining Decor Recommendation: Botanical art by Lauren (LD Design Studio) at La-Dee-Dah

Dessert Entertainment Activity any time: Treat's flavored marshmallow s'mores at the new airstream trailor coming soon this April.

Breakfast Taco/Lunch Recommendation: Torchy's Tacos at the S. Austin Trailor & Eatery, S. 1st.

Opa! Greek Salad Skewers!

2009-03-28T09:35:00.017-06:00

*Photos by Rebecca
I saw this recipe for "Skewered Greek Salad," or as I call it, "Greek Salad Skewers," in Self magazine, that was originally taken from Giada DeLaurentis on Giada at Home on the Food Network. I remembered seeing it and thinking it would be an easy and fun appetizer idea, so I looked it up to make it for a dinner I was invited to that was held last night. Although I made about 35 skewers, only 10 were left, so I'm pretty sure they were crowd-pleasers. And, I was a fan, so I'm Rebeccammending it to you as an appetizer idea, and for green entertaining since it's a no-bake recipe, and the bamboo skewers are environmentally friendly!

Ingredients:

2 packages of Grape Tomatos

1 package of Feta Cheese (block, not crumbled, so you can cube it)

Bamboo or wood skewers (I found mine in the fish department at Whole Foods--just ask a WF employee)

PITTED kalamata or black olives (it's a little tough to find pitted kalamata olives, but that would be difficult to put on a skewer :))

Fresh oregano (can be found in produce section of grocery store)

2 Cucumbers
2 tablespoons Red Wine Vinegar

4 tablespoons Extra Virgin Olive Oil

2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice

Instructions

Slice cucumbers into 1/2 inch-thick rounds, then quarter them.

Cube the feta cheese block into 1/4-1/2-inch cubes (thick enough to slide onto the skewer)

String a tomato, a cucumber piece, a feta cube, an olive, and another tomato onto a skewer

Repeat for as many skewers as desired.

In a small bowl, whisk together Red Wine Vinegar, Olive Oil, and lemon juice for the dressing

Pull the oregano leaves off of the stem, and dice into small pieces, adding to the dressing mixture

Place the skewers on a plate (if serving as a separate salad course at a small dinner gathering, or on a large serving platter if for a large party).

Drizzle dressing over the skewers.

Serve, pick up a skewer and enjoy!

*Note: Be cautious when transporting the serving platter to your destination, if not at your house. The dressing could spill off the plate, so wrap tightly in saran wrap.

It's not sweet-ish, it's just sweet!

2009-03-27T11:07:00.007-06:00

I am eating Sweetish Hill Bakery and Cafe's unforgettable, crave-licious, tuna sandwhich as we speak (and I don't even want to put it down to write this, but for the sake of enhancing your life, I'll put off my next bite a few minutes), and it is just as fresh, and magnetic as always. If you're a tuna person, you HAVE to try it. I like it on their fresh-baked-daily wheat bread, with a firm, but soft crust embellished with sesame seeds to enhance the flavor. Sweetish Hill has been an Austin tradition for 30 years, and is still going strong! The main location is on W. 6th, but there is a hidden back door to their smaller location in the Baker Botts building on Cesar Chavez, that I frequent on days when I run out of fresh groceries and can get out of the office to take a bite into this delicacy. Something about the off-the-beaten path small location makes me feel like I know about an Austin best-kept secret...but now you have the key! Their motto is "Taste Buds Remember," and after having this once, my taste buds have never forgotten, and always find their way back to Sweetish Hill.

Protein and flavor-packed lunch recommendation: Sweetish Hill Bakery & Cafe, specifically their tuna sandwich!

Malverde/La Condesa Part I

2009-03-25T20:40:00.014-06:00

*Photos by Rebecca

In Spanish, Malverde would literally translate to "bad green", but I thought Malverde, the new Mexican-inspired 2nd-story 2nd Street District bar, radiated with vibrant shades of green, from the turquoise-colored stairs leading up to the venue, to the fresh mint leaves kept handy at the bar for custom-made mojitos, to the limes that adorned and flavored every glass handed out to the happy hour-ers. I had been anxiously waiting to try out La Condesa, the new Mexican art and food-inspired dining spot on 2nd Street that sits just below Malverde. Allison gave me the opportunity to try it out at one of the Art + Style events in the 2nd Street District leading up to Art Week Austin (April 22-26), and I jumped on it (even though I got rained on in the process!). This is part 1 of a posting about the restaurant, because I just got to sample some of the savory tacos on their menu (even served to me by the chef himself, and the brother of the artist that produced the eclectic pieces on the walls), but will write about a full meal and experience when I return!

Spring/Summer Bar Recommendation: Malverde on 2nd Street. Fresh drinks, with watermelon, lime, fresh mint, and even rose petals that adorn your refreshment. The woody, open feel, with the downtown view makes this perfect for a spring or summer happy hour location. Head downstairs to La Condesa for dinner after to experience the feel of the La Condesa district of Mexico!

Even though I got rained on as I was heading home, I looked up and saw a rainbow..maybe a sign that I found a winner! (or a much-needed reminder that just when things seem gloomy, there is hope!)

Follower Poll: Blog Topics of Interest

2009-03-25T20:09:00.007-06:00

Since this blog is only about 1 week old, I've asked my first loyal followers to provide feedback on what they are interested in. I'll keep the polls coming so I can continue to blog about things you want to read about, and hopefully try!

Topics by Percentage of Interest

77% Restaurants
55% Music
44% Recipes/Ideas for Home Entertaining
33% Local Activities/Specials by Day
33% Travel Tourist Attractions in Other Cities

So, what am I gonna do about it?? I'll try to give you restaurant ideas in the context of entertaining and what occasions they would be most appropriate for. But, the focus of the blog is still all kinds of entertaining, and is not intended to be based on restaurant critiques, though I can point you in the direction of some fabulous ones for that purpose!

For music recommendations, I'll keep my eyes and ears out open for new artists, songs, and upcoming music events I think you would find interesting. I'm glad my followers are excited about music, because this will help me explore and discover new music as well :)

Recipes...well I love them, and I'll continue to use this blog as a way to share them with you and how you can use them for entertaining! Please comment on them if you try them or have suggestions/feedback, so I can improve recipe rebeccammendations!

Stay tuned for more enteraining fun, and thanks for voting!

Pico de Guac!

2009-03-24T19:26:00.017-06:00

*Photo by Rebecca Otis. Click on picture for other food fotography on Flickr.
Yes, a self-conceived concept that combines the veggies of pico de gallo with the avocado of guacamole, for a spiced up mexican appetizer (also reminds me of one of my favorite fresh Spanish and Latin American dishes, Ceviche, only without the seafood). I came up with this recipe on the spot, when I was invited to a barbeque while at the grocery store, and had to pick up ingredients spontaneously to whip something up for the event just about 2 hours later. Here's a no-bake, 10-minute recipe for a great mexican, or in this case, outdoor barbeque appetizer!

Green Entertainment (no-bake) Appetizer Recommendation:

Ingredients

2 firm roma tomatos
1 white onion
2 small jalapenos (deep green in color)
2 limes
1 medium sized avocado (Shouldn't be too firm, but also not mushy when light pressure is applied to the outer shell. Also, the skin shouldn't be too dark, or it might be past-ripe)
1 tsp cayenne pepper
medium sized bowl serving dish

Directions

Dice tomatos into small pieces (try to remove the seeds and juicy center as you quarter it, so the end result isn't watery)

Peel and dice the onion (add as much as you like) and add to the tomatos

Cut one of the jalapenos lengthwise, and carefully remove the center and seeds (this is where most of the heat is contained). Dice the two halfs into small pieces, and add to the mixture.

Dice the other jalapeno as-is, if you like spiciness, and add to mixture

Cut into the avocado around the outer edge lengthwise.

Twist the 2 halfs, so they separate.

Use a spoon to remove the side without the pit, and dice into small pieces-add to mixture

Using a larger knife, use a little force to place the edge of the knife into the pit of the avocado deep enough so that when you twist the knife, the pit comes with it, and is removed easily. Be careful when you try this step. If you're not sure, just cut around the pit :) It's a trick I learned on the Food Network.

Slice the 2 limes, and squeeze lime juice into the mixture, tossing as you add juice.

Add tsp of cayenne pepper for extra heat, and toss.

Cover the Pico de Guac, so the avocados don't turn brown (this happens when they are exposed to oxygen for too long, but the acidity of the lime juice will help with this as well).

Serve with tortilla chips or crackers of your choice. Bon appetizer!

Go Green for Entertaining!

2009-03-24T18:34:00.014-06:00

Green. No longer just a color. According to Wikipedia, it has "become a symbol of environmentalism." We hear it all the time, whether in the context of your "carbon footprint," (the negative environmental impact you personally have), or even in promotional campaigns for reusable grocery store bags, that yes, at chains like HEB, are actually a very vibrant grass green color. Well, what about green entertainment? How can you be a host or be hosted while being environmentally responsible? I've decided to include posts with "Green Entertaining" recommendations for no-bake recipes, and other energy-saving entertainment ideas! Just click on the "Green Entertaining" category link on the right hand column for related posts!

After I wrote this, I realized Evite had a similar idea. Check this out for their Green Entertaining tips.

ART + STYLE= AUSTIN

2009-03-24T11:04:00.006-06:00

2ND Street District ART+STYLE 09 is a series of art, shopping and happy hour events (Wednesday evenings March 25-April 22) leading up to Art Week Austin and Art City Austin 09 (April 25-26--see "The Upcoming Events" on the right side of my blog) in the 2ND Street District downtown.

Come support Allison and Art Alliance Austin (wow, lot's of A's) at the following: (I'll be at the happy hour tomorrow if anyone wants to join in!)

March 25-Happy Hour with Artists at LaCondesa & Malverde (6-8 PM)
April 8 ART+COCKTAILS Kickoff: Beginning with a progressive happy hour a 6pm with participating 2ND Street District restaurant bars, partygoers will begin judging the Art Cocktail entries as they trek through 2ND Street District to Taste Select Wines, Mama Fu’s, Yu Sushi, Cru, MaLaga and LaCondesa & Malverde competing for the 2009 Best Original Art Cocktail. A portion of proceeds from the competing cocktails sold through April 26 with be donated to Art Alliance Austin. A panel of cocktail judges will announce its winner during Art City, but the public has until midnight on April 26 to vote for the People’s Choice online.

Dessert for 12 for $5.88!

2009-03-23T16:52:00.011-06:00

I know I preach fresh and make-it-yourself food, but there are those last minute social gatherings that arise that call for a quick response, and I have just the solution! Today I took a leap of faith and ran to Whole Foods after work hoping to find a reasonably-priced mini-cake for Joelle's birthday dinner tonight (the invite was sent out just last night). I was just about to compromise on size (running the risk of some guests not getting dessert), when I found an amazing invention--Sweet Bites, or basically, mini cupcakes, for $0.50 each! 12 individually-sized cupcakes for a total of $5.88! Whole Foods can be pricey at times, but if you know where to look, you can find a delicious bakery bargain that won't break the bank, will taste great, and no one will go home without a satisfied sweet tooth!
Short on Time and on Budget Dessert Recommendation: Sweet Bites can be found in the bakery (in the back left hand corner) of the Flagship Whole Foods on 6th and Lamar. Have a baker pack you a container of assorted Bites, or grab a ready-made all chocolate or all vanilla set on the go.

Cakesicles?

2009-03-22T21:23:00.024-06:00

If you've been following my blog, you probably read about the Oreo Truffles I made about a month ago, after discovering the recipe from Bakerella...one of my favorite food blogs! One of her other confectionary wonders is cake pops, or basically cake balls on a stick! It's a cute one-serving finger-food alternative to a cupcake, and will help that sweet tooth craving without all of the regret you might have after surrendering to the oh-that-slice-of-birthday-cake-is-too-big-but-I'll-take-it-anyway scenario, which usually ends with an empty plate! (I've been there...many, many times). According to Dallasnews.com on September 10, 2008, cake balls have jumped on the trend train along with cupcakes.

Julie was ambitious enough to make them this weekend for her niece's birthday party...one of the many tots that loves Dora the Explorer these days..thus the wrapping on the base! According to Julie, "They were a hit! The longest part of the process was waiting for the cake balls to solidify [in the refrigerator before I could dip them]." Basically, the recipe is similar to the Oreo Truffles (with crushed cookies and cream cheese to hold the "batter" together), but here you actually bake a box-mix cake, and once it cools, crumble it, mix in frosting, spoon the "batter" into round balls, refrigerate, insert sticks to create the pops, then dip in chocolate or candy coating. Julie even bought a piece of foam that she covered in party-themed wrapping, then stuck the sticks in the base for display! (also easy for transport). Take a look at the Bakerella-inspired recipe here. *Photo courtesy of Julie

Local cake ball baker: Cakes by Bridges! Her cake balls are absolutely beautiful, and when I received an email about them, I wanted to bite into one immediately! Support a local baker and order these as an alternative to a box of chocolates next time you need a hospitality gift or are entertaining a classy crowd! Please comment if you have tasted them...I personally have not, but it's on my list!

*photo from cakesbybridges.com

Remember that song...

2009-03-20T19:14:00.005-06:00

"Scatman (Ski Ba Bop Ba Dop Bop)" from 1994? Well, one day about a month ago on the way to Dallas, Allison and I were stuck on the freeway, and needed instant entertainment, so we began to scat, randomly, and then to songs that we had heard at least 4 times over the course of the drive on the radio. It provided laughter all the way to our destination, and put new spins on old songs, and you should try it! According to Wikipedia, "scat singing is vocal improvisation with random vocables and syllables or without words at all. Scat singing gives singers the ability to sing improvised melodies and rhythms, to create the equivalent of an instrumental solo using their voice."

Instant entertainment idea in those times of need: Scat! Allison and I would be happy to provide in-person examples if after reading this, you're still not sure what a scat should sound like. Although, that's the fun of it, just put sounds together, even if they don't make sense, and you're guaranteed to have fun! Skee ba da ba ba!

John Joseph Drummerheimer Schmidt!

2009-03-19T21:17:00.007-06:00

*snazzy photo courtesy of John

Entertainer Spotlight: One of my only musically talented friends is loyal-longhorn drummer John Joseph Jammal II, of the country, Austin-based Trey Stapleton Band. John's been drummin' since way before...well, for a long time, and if you ever talk to him for too long, you'll be talked into sharing a Bud Light, and listening to him talk about his love for music and the band. And, he has a mean handshake, so test him out when you head out to their newest album ("Have a Drink on Me") release party on April 2nd at Annie's West at 9 pm. A special thanks to Mr. John for donating his creative abilities to give me the name of this blog!

Welsh Bluesy Pop

2009-03-19T14:12:00.000-06:00

If you like my post about Adele, or have already been a fan of her music, you might like the Welsh singer-songwriter, Duffy (full name is really Aimee Ann Duffy), who's debut album was the top selling album in the U.K. in 2008. I first heard her hit, "Mercy," but was just introduced to some of her other music. I would describe her voice as a combination of Adele (deep, recognizable sound) and Norah Jones (the bluesy-ness) and some of her songs even have a pop/rock aspect to them. Overall, I enjoy listening to her voice, no matter what form of music it comes in! Try it out!

Chill Bluesy Music Recommendation: Duffy's "Warwick Avenue", "Stepping Stone", "Rockferry", and "Syrup & Honey"

Funky, energetic Music Recommendation: Duffy's "Mercy" and "Rain on Your Parade"

Max-imizing Color in Art

2009-03-19T10:08:00.001-06:00

*Photo from Petermaxstore.com, search "Liberty"
Several years ago, our family was on a cruise, when we came across an art auction as one of the many afternoon activities offered on the ship. This was when my Dad fell in love with Peter Max, who, as described by his web site, is a "multi-dimensional creative artist who has worked with oils, acrylics, water colors, finger paints, dyes, pastels, charcoal, pen, multi-colored pencils, etchings, engravings, animation cells, lithographs, serigraphs, silk screens, ceramics, sculpture, collage, video and computer graphics. He loves all media, including mass media as a "canvas" for his creative expression." From this day on, he became a favorite family artist, and one that even inspired my sister Allyson to paint a Peter Max-style painting that now hangs in Dad's office. Why am I telling you about my family's art preferences? Well, because Peter Max is scheduled to appear in Austin at the Russell Collection Fine Art Gallery this May (exact date TBD). This upcoming visit, and the fact that Max even "painted 44 Obama portraits in honor of the 44th president" is proof that his work is just as relevant today as it was in the 60's, and just as vibrant. He hasn't lost his touch just yet, so keep checking the Russell Collection website for the exact date of this exciting upcoming event!

What is PITA spelled backwards?

2009-03-18T20:33:00.000-06:00

A TIP for a quick, easy, appetizer:

Appetizer Recommendation for entertaining in your home or someone else's:

Homemade Whole Wheat Pita Chips! Yes, in the words of my Mom, "isn't it just easier to pick up a bag at the store?" Yes, it's a little easier, but, it's not as healthy, and definitely not as fresh. And, this question caught me off guard, because, thanks to Mom, she's the reason I appreciate fresh food, and homemade goodies! My thoughts are, don't underestimate the power of a simple recipe for a simple snack, and people will appreciate the personal touch!

Ingredients

1 package whole wheat pitas
Fat free or low fat spray butter or olive oil
garlic salt
2 baking sheets

Directions

Cut round pitas 3 times diagonally into 6 triangular pieces
Use a thin knife to split each piece into 2 thin triangular pieces, so you end up with 12 per pita
Line baking sheets with foil
Lightly spray each side of each thin triangle or drizzle with olive oil
Sprinkle a small amount of garlic salt on both sides of each triangle if you can (a little garlic salt goes a long way, so don't overdo it)
Pop in the oven at 425 degrees for about 10 minutes until golden brown and crispy on the edges. The triangles should be very thin, so watch them to prevent burning.
Repeat after removing them from each baking sheet to cool on a plate.

Serving Recommendation: Serve around a large round serving platter. Put a colorful bell paper in the center of the tray, cutting off the top stem cleanly (you will use this later), and scooping out the middle. Fill the pepper with the hummus of your choice from the grocery store. I will post a hummus recipe later in the blog. Place the stem and top of the pepper on top for visual effect. Serve and dig in!

*Note: If you will not be serving the pita chips right away, let them cool, and store in a large zip-loc bag for 24-48 hours before serving.

Music Pattern with a Purpose

2009-03-18T19:05:00.000-06:00

I've always been one to notice patterns in my every day life. I tend to lose things in "3's," and as some say, history repeats itself. Well, in the past 48 hours, I've heard 2 different musical artists, one up-and-coming (Kris Allen of American Idol), and one who's just about made it big (London's Adele), sing the same country song I've always loved with two very different spins on it. "To Make You Feel My Love," was originally by Bob Dylan, and the version I was most familiar with is by Garth Brooks, and was featured on the Sandra Bullock movie Hope Floats (1998). Now, here we are, with new artists bringing it back to life 11 years later. After enjoying a glass of wine with some co-workers in the gorgeous weather today, I was told I'd fall in love with Adele's music. When I got home, I looked her up and did just that. I found her version of this ballad, with her distinct, deep, artsy, but genuine voice (for you American Idol followers, very similar to Megan Joy Corkrey's sound)and was an instant fan. This was just 24 hours after I heard Kris Allen of American Idol sing his pop-y ballad version on Country Night for a spot on the top 10. Maybe a coincidence, or just a pattern with a purpose of bringing back a heartfealt tune to make it relevant to today's pop scene.
Chill music recommendation: "To Make You Feel My Love" by Adele. Also, try her song "Hometown Glory" for relaxing music when you're in one of those pensive moods.

Hustle Over to Russell's Bakery

2009-03-17T22:41:00.000-06:00

My friend Batami belongs in Europe. At least when it comes to dessert and coffee. These are two things she can't live without, no matter the time of day, and despite her love for sugary indulgance, she always looks great! She was visiting this past weekend, and she requested that we escape into the quickly-passing morning, as time always flies with good friends, to a coffee shop for her breakfast of choice...coffee and a pastry. So, I used this opportunity to try out Russell's Bakery, which I saw as a high ranker on an Austin360.com poll for the best bakery in Austin. After researching it, I realized their original location is up North, but their newest location is in Jefferson Sqaure on Kerby Lane (right off of 38th) and almost next door to Kerby Lane Cafe.

Coffee and Breakfast Recommendation: Russell's Bakery. If you're not feelin' the wait at the original Kerby Lane Cafe, hop next door for a delicious cup of coffee and a pastry, baked fresh daily. They also have a simple lunch menu with fresh salads, soups, and sandwiches. Download a buy one, get one 1/2 off sandwich coupon here. This Jefferson location has a cozy, European cafe feel, with a spacious patio outside for those sunny Sunday mornings or for a leisurely mid-day meal. They will be introducing their Brunch menu on April 12th (Easter Sunday), and I'm definitely adding this to our list for a future Austin Breakfast Club meeting location. And, rumor has it, a dinner menu will be debuted on April 14th!

The Elefant Who Ate Too Much Pizza

2009-03-17T22:06:00.001-06:00

When I was a little girl, my Dad told me a bedtime story about "The Elefant Who Ate Too Much Pizza." I'm not sure what happened to the elephant, and I don't think the purpose was to teach me early on about portion control, but I do know he told it to me because pizza was my favorite food....especially from...yes, the one and only gourmet El Paso franchise treat...Peter Piper Pizza. Since then, I've forgotten the bedtime story, and my taste buds have matured. In my life mission to eat healthy food, I don't splurge on pizza unless it's reallly good. And, let me tell you, my latest local Austin find is fantastic...light, thin crispy crust, and excellent flavour!

Pizza Recommendation for lunch or dinner: Salvation Pizza is located on 34th Street, west of Guadalupe, in a typical Hyde Park-type house-turned-restaurant, one of Austin's distinguishers that gives it a comfortable and livable feel. It is just delish...no need for any other words...head over there now, you will love it! Also, they have daily lunch specials, 2 pieces, a lunch salad, and 16 oz. drink for $5.99 from 11:30-2. The only other pizza I swear by is actually a local (not chain) pizza restaurant in El Paso...Ardovino's. It's one of the 3 staple restaurants we take visitors to when they are driving through :)

Free Pizza! Wednesday is free pizza night at Draught House near 41st and Lamar. I'm counting on Allison to comment on this post and let us know how it is! And, Tuesday's is $2.75/pint night for beer lovers, so check it out!

The Veronicas!

2009-03-17T14:18:00.000-06:00

I was on my drive home one day from work on a December week day, when a song came on the radio, and I thought to myself, "that song is catchy!". There are only a few songs that I can remember exactly where I was when I first heard them (Fastball's "The Way" (1998) is one such catchy pop song, which I first heard while drying my very curly hair in about the 8th grade...P.S. I just learned while researching the date of that hit, that Fastball formed in Austin! Unfortunately, they were pretty much a one-hit wonder). I went home and looked up the song that I heard in the car, which was pretty easy to find, since the title, "Untouched" by The Veronicas, is repeated over and over. Ever since, I have been hooked! I usually go through my phases, and find a new song that I love, play it on repeat, then get sick of it and move on, but this song has been a put-me-in-a-good-mood song for about 4 months! And, in those 4 months, I have stood by my belief that it's becoming a hit. I finally achieved some validation when I heard it play on the new 90210 and I have caught it on the radio on multiple occassions.

Fun or Workout Music Recommendation: Untouched" by The Veronicas! "More than just pretty faces- At first glance, Jess and Lisa Origliasso, aka The Veronicas, have all the makings of a typical girl group. They're beautiful. They wear tiny clothes. They sing about relationships. But these twins, 24, from Australia are determined to be taken seriously. " Click here to read complete article. Maybe being from across the world in Australia is the reason it's taken awhile for us to catch on to them, but that's the beauty of technology these days. Instructions for a feel-good day: download it, and dance! Oh! And fun fact--they are named after the twins in the movie Heathers.

Explore Your Artsy Side at Art Week Austin!

2009-03-17T14:07:00.000-06:00

April 22-26- Art Week Austin. It begins with Art City Austin, April 25-26, 2009! Each April, hundreds juried independent and emerging artists descend on the hub of innovation, expression, and individuality that is Austin, Texas. 20,000+ art enthusiasts from the region and nation are expected at Art City Austin 09.

Art Event Recommendation: Art After Dark Austin, on Saturday, April 25th, 2009, from 7-11 PM, transforms the Art City Austin site into an exquisite visual, culinary and performing art experience. Join Art Alliance Austin for an exclusive evening celebrating visual artists, live music, and culinary specialties from Austin's best restaurants. Allison works for the Art Alliance, and plans this awesome event, so come on out to volunteer with me, or join in the fun! I still remember what I tasted and the creative exhibits at this event last year. Visit http://www.artallianceaustin.org/ for more info!

Beef & Pie &...Coffee, a Lovely Combination!

2009-03-17T12:52:00.000-06:00

About three weeks ago, Jen and I were tasked with a creative project at our technology consulting workplace (not usually creative) with our assignment being, "Go make a video." Jen was given a very large budget, and a small amount of time, to find a video production company and begin our promotional video for a presentation that we soon found out would be held only about 3 weeks later. And, this wasn't supposed to be a cheesy commercial. We work with large government technology contracts, and to say the least, the stakes were high, very high. Through one of our partners, we were lucky enough to have Beef & Pie land in our laps and work with us day and night for about 10 days to produce the final product. It was an incredible experience! They were so fun to work with, and the resulting video was just what we needed, funny, yet emotional enough to be persuasive (somewhat like the title of their company...it's pretty funny when you first hear it, but when it comes down to it, most people don't joke about serious food like good meat and decadent dessert). Not only is their creative work dazzling, but their secret motivation and the fuel that keeps them charismatic is their very own Beef& Pie coffee! We had the privilege of tasting a few cups as we edited the final product, and we were sold!

Local Coffee Recommendation: Next time you're at Whole Foods on 6th and Lamar, and are thinking about stopping by the Starbucks across the street, take the elevator 1 floor up to the Pure Austin gym to endulge in a cup of freshly brewed Beef&Pie coffee!

We Love Breakfast!

2009-03-17T12:30:00.000-06:00

Austin Breakfast Club Meetings. This club was just recently started to provide new friends and true friends with a time and place to share breakfast one Sunday each month in different locations around Austin. For non-Austinite followers, feel free to start a chapter wherever you are--let's go global!

Thursday's are Hoppin'

2009-03-17T12:28:00.000-06:00

First Thursday on South Congress (SoCo). On the First Thursday of each month, merchants of the historic, pedestrian-friendly South Congress Avenue keep their doors open until 10 pm (and later in some cases), playing host to an array of events and activities. Click on the link above for more info, but they don't update their site very often ;)

Thank you, Denver...Oreo Truffles and Free Tours!

2009-03-17T10:34:00.001-06:00

*Check out my food fotography by clicking on this picture. Photo by Rebecca Otis

I decided to knock another city off of my "To-Go" list, and went to visit my cousin, Dana, in late January. I, of course, chose to go in the winter, despite the usual cold weather. I was lucky, and was able to explore Denver and Boulder with 60-degree and sunny days! While I was there, Dana and I discovered the many shared qualities we have, which proves that we're related, although we only see eachother about once a year! One of these qualities, is the desire to entertain, and our love for being creative in the kitchen. Dana introduced me to one of my favorite food recipe blogs, Bakerella, where she found a recipe for Oreo Truffles that I helped make for her Super Bowl party on the day I was leaving. They looked so fabulous, I decided to try them for a Potluck Shabbat that I attend once a month. They were a hit! The Potluck organizer and Tasty Touring food blogger, Jodi, was kind enough to feature them on her blog!

Recipe Recommended for: a fun, easy, and looks-fancy-but-is-not dessert recipe, try this:

Oreo Truffles, Adapted from bakerella.blogspot.com (January 2008)

Ingredients
1 package oreo cookies (divided....Use cookie including the cream center)
1 8oz. package cream cheese (softened)

White chocolate and milk chocolate bark (it is often called "coating chocolate" for candy making)

Directions
1. Finely crush 7 cookies in a food processor or place them in a ziploc bag and crush into a fine consistency. Reserve for later.
2. Crush remaining cookies and stir in softened cream cheese. Use the back of a large spoon to help mash the two together.
3. Roll the mixture into 1" balls and place on wax paper covered cookie sheet. (if you stick these in the refrigerator for about 10 minutes, they are easier to dip)
4. Melt chocolate as directed on the package or double boil chocolate and remove to a bowl that is deep enough for dipping to avoid burnt chocolate.
5. Dip balls into chocolate (using a toothpick or metal skewer would work best to get the balls fully coated), tap off extra and set aside on wax paper covered cookie sheet to dry. You can sprinkle the tops with the 7 crushed cookies for decoration or use the opposite color of the dipping chocolate to drizzle on the top for decoration.
6. Once dry, refrigerate and enjoy!Makes about 36 truffles.

Challenge: Try making these as mint oreo truffles using the same recipe with mint oreos!

Denver Recommendations: While in Denver, we made a stop at the Coor's Brewery in Golden, CO, for a free tour that ended in 3 complimentary tasting beers of your choice. One of our favorites was the refreshing Blue Moon with an orange slice in it that we toasted with in the tasting room. Also, we had a fabulous brunch at Lucille's Creole Cafe, with a "Creole menu and the restaurant's goals of becoming the nation's premier brunch restaurant."

Boulder Recommendations. If you know me, you know that I love tea, and even have my own teapot collection (yes, another hobby) from my travel adventures, even though I don't have enough room to display them all in my apartment! One of the highlights of my trip was the Celestial Seasonings tea factory tour, which is also a free tour and a fabuous tourist attraction, complete with tea tastings, and a few minutes in the all-consuming mint room that definitely cleared my sinuses :) Of course, at the end of the tour, I made a stop at the gift shop to add to my teapot collection with a souvenir that will always remind me of my first trip to Colorado!

For a Chill Night...

2009-03-17T09:08:00.000-06:00

Head to House Wine on 409 Josephine, right behind Barton Springs Saloon. "House Wine is a Wine Bar as unpretentious and inclusive as Austin itself." It's in a cozy little house, where you walk up to the bar and order your bottle or glass, and make yourself at home! Batami and Jonathan were in town visiting from Houston, and having guests in town was the perfect opportunity to try a new local hang-out! We were quite impressed with our $26/bottle wine choice. (This came out to about $8-$9/person, which was a good deal, considering we each got about 2 glasses out of it!) Also, they have 1/2 price wines on Sundays, and an adorable patio that will be fabulous when the weather is nice!

Wine Recommendation: Bogle Petit Syrah, 2006, from Clarksburg, CA. It had a smooth, and somewhat sweet taste, that we think came from the Boysenberry, (FYI-since this was a question on our minds that night, a boysenberry is a cross between a raspberry and the Pacific blackberry.) with a light finish. I'm still thinking about it...the sign of a good wine :) I did some research and tried to find the wine at HEB. They didn't have the exact bottle, but they did have a Bogle Merlot. So, I would suggest supporting the local scene and treating yourself to this relaxing treat where I fell in love with it!

I Usually Don't Settle, but here "OK is Alright With Me"

2009-03-16T23:04:00.001-06:00

My sister Allyson and I rarely agree on music. Country is definitely a no-no for her, and half of the music she listens to I've never even heard of before. But, one singer/songwriter we strongly agree on is Eric Hutchinson. He was first noticed when his song "Rock and Roll" debuted on the Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 2 movie soundtrack. Now, he's slowly climbing up the ranks with a similar talent to Jason Mraz, and recently opened for O.A.R. We went to the concert at Austin Music Hall, where most people were there to see O.A.R., but we had first row standing views of the guy-next-door who was full of energy, with magical fingers that powerfully hit the keyboard keys as he sang solo with maybe two backup bandmembers. We even posed for a picture with this up-and-coming artist at the end of the show!

Recommended for: fun, light-hearted, no-frills singer/songwriter material this Spring/Summer! Also good background tunes for a casual dinner party or cook-out perhaps. Favorites include "OK is Alright With Me" and "Oh!"

More music recommendations, on the more "chill" side: The Gabe Dixon Band, Johnny Helm, and Brett Dennen for work, relaxation, or rainy day music.

Why "The Rebeccammendations"?

2009-03-16T22:28:00.003-06:00

Since collecting hobbies is my ultimate hobby, I was just uploading pictures of my latest kitchen creation (hamantashen) to Flickr, a photo-sharing website, where I post my photography, and realized I didn't have another avenue through which to share these pictures. I decided to combine all of my interests into this blog, with a focus on the art of entertaining others and yourself! I had some friends in town this weekend, and often have family coming to visit me and my younger sis, Allyson, who also lives in Austin, and am usually the restaurant reservation maker and adjuster (I always make dinner reservations for 7:30 PM to avoid crabby and hungry family members, and never fails, we always push them to 8 PM because no one is ready in time)! So, I will try to use this blog to provide my "Rebeccammendations" on restaurants, Austin sites to see, even top spots from my travel adventures, music, crafty ideas, and of course, recipes for all occasions! And, I'll try to incorporate my photography to give you a visual of these ideas as I go along. I hope these "Rebeccammendations" help you plan and entertain for any event!

Also, feel free to comment and ask for "Rebeccammendations" when you're in a bind, and I'll try to help!

Purimtashen!

2009-03-16T21:51:00.001-06:00

This year I decided to make Hamantashen for Purim this year, even though this was all I did to celebrate! Julie, my resourceful and giving older sister, sent me an easy recipe just in time for the holiday! It had only 4 ingredients, so I was ready to bake disaster-free! If you feel like replicating these delicious treats for Purim, or just for fun, see the recipe below! *Photos by Rebecca Otis-click on pictures to link to Flickr.

Ingredients (for 6-8 hamantaschen - but we made way more!)
1. 1 package (3 oz) Philly Cream Cheese, softened
2. 1 cube (1/4 lb) unsalted butter, softened
3. 1 cup flour, sifted (*NOTE: I needed to use lots of flour to make the dough less sticky, and added extra before rolling out on the parchment paper after refrigerating)
4. 1/3 cup sugar
5. Filling of your choice (apricot's the best, really)
6. Parchment paper

Directions
1. Cream the above ingredients
2. Chill in the fridge for at least an hour, overnight is fine too!
3. Roll 1/4 in thick on lightly floured waxed paper
4. Use a 3 or 4 in circle cookie cutter
5. 1 teaspoon of filling on each circle
6. Pinch into triangles!
7. Place on baking sheet lined with parchment paper
8. Bake in preheated over 350 - top rack 15-20 minutes
9. Bite into and enjoy!