Birthday Cupcakes!

Ajay made me chocolate filled cupcakes for my 25th birthday! Carrie supervised and suggested lining them with pink wrappers. Nice touch. I think she also helped when Ajay over boiled the chocolate ganache mix. Phew. Everyone raved about them (and I ate most of them - see picture below).

HOM NOM NOM <3

Trial Eggplant Parm-Off

Ajay wanted to do a trial run of his eggplant parm before the big cook-off. Carrie made a fennel salad to accompany the meal. HOM NOM

Meyer Lemon Gnocchi

Well, I think we (and by we I mean 204 st. john) need a potato ricer. The recipe was good - but I think the ricer would have helped with the pillowy soft gnocchi texture. Next time!

Meyer Lemon Gnocchi (hom nom nom):


Our dessert of baked pears with spiced mascarpone (YUM):

I failed to document scallops with crisp sage, but those were also YUM TOWN!

Eggplant Parm Off!

The house had an eggplant parm-off. The contestants were Ajay, Dan, and Marcel's colleague (I can't remember his name - SORRY!). All were great for various reasons (sorry Ajay). Ajay's had a nice layer of basil that added a special touch. Dan's was crunchy and flavorful. Marcel's colleague's had individual flavors that meshed together well. Naturally, Ajay's won.

The Winning Eggplant Parm:

Emily's salad, and my caramel bars:

Marcel's Lemon Cookie with Ice Cream:

The Winner with his Prize!

A claw-foot bathtub with sparkly gold c*cks! Lucky Ajay!