Red Velvet Beet Cupcakes for the Toronto Raptors

Red Velvet is one of those cakes that usually looks more exciting than it tastes. After years of trying, I finally create the PERFECT RED VELVET CUPCAKE!

The secret ingredient? BEETS!

To cheer on the Toronto Raptors, I combined the perfect red velvet cupcake with the perfect cream cheese frosting, and decorated them with a delicious chocolate raptor claw.

These cupcakes are great for parties and you do not have to feel that guilty for eating them.

Check out the video and recipe below!

Making the Perfect Red Velvet CakE

Ingredients:
(Yields ~9 – 10 Normal Cupcakes)
– 1/4 cup Buttermilk (or 1/4 cup of Milk + 1 tsp White Vinegar – let stand 10 minutes before using)
– 1 – 2 Medium Beets for Roasted Beet Puree
– 1/2 tsp Pure Vanilla Extract
– 2 tsp Fresh Lemon Juice
– 1 Egg
– 3 tbsp Natural Cocoa Powder
– 1/2 cup Vegetable Oil
– 2 tbsp Water
– 1 cup All Purpose Flour (I use Five Roses Brand)
– 3/4 cup Sugar (I use Redpath’s Special Fine Granulated Sugar)
– Pinch of Salt
– 1/2 tsp Baking Soda
– 1/2 tsp Baking Powder

STEP 1: Roasted Beet Puree

– 1 – 2 Medium sized beets
– Wash beets thoroughly
– Place on aluminum foil with a drizzle of olive oil and salt
– Bake at 350 F for 75 Minutes, or until tender
– Cool and then Peel the Skin
– Chop beets in a food processor with 2-3 tbsp of water until they are coarsely ground.

STEP 2: Blend Wet Ingredients

– Combine the following in food processor
– 1/4 cup Buttermilk
– 1/4 cup + 2 tbsp Beet Puree (from Step 1)
– 1/2 tsp Vanilla Extract
– 2 tsp Fresh Lemon Juice

– Blend until completely smooth

– Add 1 Egg and pulse a few times until it is mixed

STEP 3: Warm over Medium Heat

– 3 tbsp Natural Cocoa Powder
– 1/2 cup Vegetable Oil
– 2 tbsp Water
– Gently simmer for a few minutes, whisking periodically so the cocoa does not burn, and then turn off the heat.
– Allow to cool for 5 to 10 minutes before next step.

STEP 4: Sift Together

– 1 cup All Purpose Flour
– 3/4 cup Sugar
– Pinch of Salt
– 1/2 tsp Baking Soda
– 1/2 tsp Baking Powder

– Pre-heat your oven to 350 F
– Whisk together dry ingredients
– Add the slightly cooled Cocoa and Oil Mixture, and mix to combine.
– Add your Beet mixture in three stages.
– Scrape down the bowl and mix for 10 seconds after each addition.

– Fill your lined cupcake tins with batter
– Use an ice cream scoop for even cakes and cooking time.

– Bake at 350 F for 18 – 20 minutes.
– You can usually tell they are done when you smell cake!

Making your Chocolate “Raptor Claw” Decorations

What you Need:
– 3/4 cup Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips
– 1 tbsp Cream
– Red Sugar Crystals
– Silicone Baking Liner

– Combine the chocolate chips and cream.
– Microwave on Medium Heat for 1 minute.
– Mix well. If chocolate has not melted, heat for 30 seconds at medium heat (repeat if necessary).
– Use a tea spoon to spread your chocolate “claws” onto your silicone baking liner.
– When you are happy with your shapes, sprinkle with red sugar crystals.
– Place your baking liner on a tray and refrigerate for at least 1 hour before serving.

Making The Perfect Cream Cheese Frosting

Ingredients:
(Yields ~6 Heavily Frosted Cupcakes)
– 1/4 cup Unsalted Butter, Room Temperature
– 3 tbsp Special Fine Granulated Sugar
– 1/2 cup Philadelphia Cream Cheese, Room Temperature
– 1 tbsp Icing Sugar
– 2 tbsp Whole Milk

– Add Butter and sugar to stand mixer and beat for approximately 10 minutes.
– The mixture will roughly double in size and turn white.
– When it has whipped enough, you will not notice the texture of sugar crystals.
– When the butter and sugar is whipped, add Philadelphia Cream Cheese, icing sugar and milk.
– Whip for a few minutes, scraping down the bowl, until the icing is light and fluffy.

ASSEMBLING your Cupcakes

– Use a ziplock bag to pipe your Cream Cheese Frosting onto cooled cupcakes.
– Sprinkle with Red Decorative Sugar Crystals.
– Carefully remove Chocolate “Claws” from Silicone Baking Sheet (use a knife or spatula to help).
– Gently place your claws and serve!

You CAN Win Friends with Salad

In recent years, it seems like the risk and frequency of various illnesses and diseases caused by poor diet has been rapidly increasing. As a result, celebrity chefs, doctors and personal trainers, among others, have been trying to communicate healthier lifestyle and eating habits to the masses.

Chef Jamie Oliver has been one of the most prominent personalities in the healthy eating movement for years. One of his newest shows, Jamie’s Super Food, explores cities and islands with the healthiest, longest living populations, and creates inspired healthy dishes.

In the first episode of Jamie’s Super Food, he ventured to the wild Aegean island of Ikaria, Greece. There, he “uncovered” what many of us know, yet we choose to ignore: to live long, full lives, we need to eat clean, vegetable-based diets, with smaller portions of meat, and exercise every day! For most Canadians and Americans, our portion sizes and waist-lines continue to expand at alarming rated, and we have not stopped to do anything about it.

As Jamie explained about the Ikarian diet, they eat tonnes of fresh greens and vegetables every day – dressed with healthy Greek olive oil – along with fresh cheese from healthy goats, and consume smaller portions of meat. It is the essence of the Mediterranean diet and something we should all aim to do more often.

To get you started with your Mediterranean diet, I am making a quick and easy Fennel Slaw. This is a great addition to your Meze (Greek appetizer and dip) spread, or served as a sweet and sour burger topping in place of fatty, sugar-loaded coleslaw. This Easy Fennel Slaw is a great dish to make in advance since it just continues to meld together the longer it sits.

Whenever I am creating recipes with CleanWorkout.com, we come up with fast, simple and healthy dishes that can be prepared early in the week and that keep well in the refrigerator. Most salad greens are too delicate to last for more than one day, but the fennel and carrot in this slaw are robust and will not break down.

TIP: Serve your Fennel Slaw on top of quinoa and wilted spinach, and with crumbled feta cheese for a balanced, light lunch.

Bon Appetit!

Making The Perfect Chocolate Cupcake

For years I have scoured cookbooks, the internet, folklore and everywhere in between in search of the perfect chocolate cake base. Something light, fluffy, moist and dangerously chocolatey.

One day, I was in my usual Mad Scientist mood and created the most incredible dark chocolate cake that I had ever tried.

Intensely dark, ultra moist and a soft crumb. This was the perfect chocolate cupcake.

Now, I am sharing my secret catering recipe with you.

Enjoy.

Leave your caramel sauce in the refrigerator for a few hours before serving. It will set up giving you a smooth, rich, dense topping that can be spooned on top of your cupcakes. Try this as a cake filling, as well!

 

Bold for the Holidays

Keep your holiday makeup simple with big brows and bold lips.

Keep your holiday makeup simple with big brows and bold lips.

My favourite Holiday makeup style is simple and fuss-free, but makes a bold statement. Focus on Bold Brows and Lips for a simple Holiday look that will take you from morning to night.

Get the Look:

  • Bold brows
  • Bright lipstick
  • Natural Face: Concealer, Powder, Mascara, Blush
  1. FACE The focal points are larger than life brows and bright, bold lips. The look is quite dramatic, so keep the rest of your face neutral. Hide dark circles and blemishes with an easily blendable concealer, setting with translucent powder for extra staying power. Apply black mascara and a nude blush to for a “no makeup makeup look.”
    • My all-time favourite concealer is NARS Creamy Radiant Concealer. A small dab goes a long way with this product.
    • PRO TIP: pat the colour onto your skin using your fourth finger. The warmth will help distribute the product and your finger can cover hard to reach spots.
    • Try using a matte blush without shimmer. Matted out skin looks very modern, especially when paired with a matte lip. Try Lancome Blush Subtil for a natural, sheer wash of matte colour.
    •  

      Lancome Blush Subtil provides sheer, buildable, natural looking colour.

      Lancome Blush Subtil provides sheer, buildable, natural looking colour.

  2. BROWS When building your makeup colour collection, start with products with multiple uses. Use neutral, matte eyeshadows that can be used for eye brows, crease shadow, eye liner, and even contouring.
    • I prefer to use shadows instead of pencils to fill in brows. It gives a more natural feathered look that mimics hair more than pencil, which can sometimes look harsh. Use an angled brush for precise application.
    • Similar to “overdrawing” lips for a more full effect, follow along with the natural size and shape of your brows. Again, this is to maintain a more natural look. If you are in the process of growing out your brows, lightly filling in sparse areas with shadow can ease the transition.
    • Choosing a colour for your brows depends on the type of look you prefer, and how much space you are trying to fill in. I use a charcoal brown shade that lightly fills spaces which, for my already dense brows, looks more natural. If I use a chestnut shade that is closer to my hair colour, I find my brows look too dark and dramatic.
    • I typically use a slightly darker shade for blondes and fair haired clients to help define their brows, and a slightly lighter shade for people with dark brown or chestnut brows. If I am building out their brows, however, the colour should more closely match their brows. It is important to play with your brows to find a look that suits you. The colour and shape of your eyebrows will frame your face, so practice and take your time.
    • One of the best palette’s for experimenting is Becca’s Ombre Nudes Eye Palette. There is also a separate palette with red undertones. These shadows allow you to play with different looks and stay in place all day.
    • PRO TIP: after filling in brows with shadow, pencil, or wax, always brush hair in the direction of hair growth (up, and to the side). This will give brows a more natural appearance. If you do not have an eyebrow comb, use a clean, dry toothbrush.
    • Becca's Ombre Nudes Eye Palette is the perfect start to any colour collection.

      Becca’s Ombre Nudes Eye Palette is the perfect start to any colour collection.

       

       

  3. LIPS Preparing your lips is the most important part of bold lip colours. Always remember to exfoliate + moisturize, and prime for the perfect pout.
    • Exfoliating + moisturizing should be done regularly – at least 3 to 4 times per week – especially in cooler temperatures. Incorporate lip care into something you already do for grooming or personal hygiene. For instance, every time I brush my teeth, I take a few seconds at the end to lightly brush my lips with my toothbrush. Afterwards, I apply a thick coat of Rosebud Salve. By caring for my lips a little bit everyday, I no longer have problems with extremely dry lips from the changing seasons.
    •  Priming your lips is important for the longevity of the lipstick and will keep colour in place.
      • A lip pencil is one way to prime lips: Using a nude colour, or for more vivid colours, a lip pencil that closely matches your lipstick, carefully line and fill lips before applying a coat of lipstick.

        Sephora Collection  Universal Lip Liner is a clear pencil applied outside the lips. It creates a barrier that keeps lipstick in place without feathering or migrating.

        Sephora Collection Universal Lip Liner is a clear pencil applied outside the lips. It creates a barrier that keeps lipstick in place without feathering or migrating.

      • My preferred lip liner is a multipurpose clear liner that can be worn with any colour of lipstick. The Sephora Collection Universal Lip Liner is applied just outside the natural contour of the lips and prevents the colour from migrating. It maintain a sharp line around lips, even with the darkest shades of lipstick.
    • Be precise when applying bright lipstick colours. Use a lip brush to achieve clean, sharp lines with your bold lip colours. Apply thin coats of lipstick until the colour becomes just opaque.
    • PRO TIP: use your finger nail or a cotton swab to clean lipstick smudges. A clean lip brush with concealer can help clean up messy edges.
    • PRO TIP: bright, matte lips is a great modern look. Skip the gloss, and find a matte or satin finished lipstick. Using less product will also help keep lipstick in place, without smudging.

Keep your makeup simple this holiday. Bold Brows and Lips can take you from morning to night with nothing more than powder and lipstick touch ups in between.

What look will you be sporting this Holiday season?

 

C’est L’Halloween

Halloween is around the corner! Your costume is ready, your plans are made, but what about your makeup? Makeup is the finishing touch to transform you into a gruesome ghoul or the prettiest princess.

Book your Halloween makeup now!

Below is a little nostalgic tune to get you into the spirit… Hey!

C’est L’Halloween

C'est L'Halloween - time to party like it's 1995

C’est L’Halloween – time to party like it’s 1995

Tickled Pink

One of my favourite people is getting married and her gorgeous blush and gold colour palette needs to be acknowledged! I had the privilege of attending her Pinterest-worthy bridal shower yesterday and, for a few hours, felt like it was actually spring.

Light pink hydrangeas, pink ombre layer cake, and a table of homemade Italian sweets are guaranteed to put you in a good mood.

The perfect Pinterest bridal shower with a plethora of homemade goodies, a pink paper flower wall, fluffy hydrangeas, and a polaroid station.

The perfect Pinterest bridal shower with a plethora of homemade goodies, a pink paper flower wall, fluffy hydrangeas, and a polaroid station.

In homage to the festivities, I have showcased some of my favourite pink cosmetics that will put a smile on your face and get you ready for spring.

Pink products to put a smile on your face (clockwise): Fujifilm Instax mini 8 instant camera; OPI Nail Lacquer in Passion; L'Occitane Rose Bonne Mere Soap; Korres Body Butter in Jasmine; Bite Agave Lip Mask in Champagne; Dior Creme de Rose Smoothing Plumping Lip Balm; Aquiline Pink Sugar Parfum; NARS Blush in Angelika.

Pink products to put a smile on your face (clockwise): Fujifilm Instax mini 8 instant camera; OPI Nail Lacquer in Passion; L’Occitane Rose Bonne Mere Soap; Korres Body Butter in Jasmine; Bite Agave Lip Mask in Champagne; Dior Creme de Rose Smoothing Plumping Lip Balm; Aqualina Pink Sugar Parfum; NARS Blush in Angelika.

Enjoy!