Lunch at Dandelion Market

About two months ago I started a new job in uptown Charlotte. It has been a long time since I have had to go into an office. However, I was excited, why you ask, because that means I can go out to lunch now!!! For the last 6 years I have worked from home and don't get me wrong, I loved it. Gym clothes everyday, roll out of bed, home cooked meals verses going out. Being back in the office I knew would be a big change, but I was ready for a change!

Now I have to admit, I only go into the office about three days a week, which I think is great. Gives me a chance to see my team and socialize and of course wear all my new work clothes! ha But I still do bring my lunch most days, but yesterday was not so much! I knew I had meetings most of the day, so right away I reached out to my fabulous new co-worker and by the way, a fellow blogger(www.freakycurry.blogspot.com) Riddhi to see if she was up for some lunch time fun...and, as I thought, she totally was!

We decided on Dandelion Market, which is right around the corner from our office. We both knew we would be famished as our meetings went until 2pm, so we ate a healthy breakfast so we could stuff our faces when we got there! I have been to Dandelion a few times and love it! It is a great menu and killer wine prices. So if you have not checked it out, you must do so!

We both ordered the same thing, the grilled cheese (pictured above) with prosciutto and Ridhhi had added tomato as well and it came with their creamy tomato soup. As you can see by the picture, it was KILLER. I mean three cheeses oozing out of the thick BUTTERY (in caps as it was loaded up with butter- and I am NOT complaining about that) bread, with prosciutto - how can you go wrong, it was grilled to perfection and the soup rocked. I think I dipped my sandwich in the soup for almost every bite and yes, I ate the whole thing, no holding back on my end that is for sure!

OINK OINK!!!

So there you have it, a delicious lunch with some great company!! Looking forward to my next lunch outting uptown!! Next time, maybe a little healthier??!?!?!  ...ha who am I kidding;)

Enjoy-

Blueberry and Raspberry Buttercream Birthday Cupcakes!

I know, I know, it has been months since I have written a blog...but I am back and have lots of catching up to do! I had to start with my Blueberry and Raspberry Buttercream cupcakes that I made for my friend Heather's birthday party back in June. If you recall, I make have made her a birthday cake the last two years...member these...both yum in the tum!!

Well this year she was having a little get together, so I only found it fitting to make LOTS of cupcakes. When I say lots, I think there were about 60!! (mini and regular). Heather loves fruit and loved the raspberry last year, so this year I decided to make both vanilla and lemon cupcakes (box mix- Pillsbury due to the quantity) but made fresh blueberry and raspberry buttercream icing.

I mixed and matched putting some raspberry on the lemon and some on the vanilla cupcakes and vice versa with the blueberry buttercream. I will say this, be sure to have an icing tip large enough for the blueberry skins to fit through. I had never added blueberries to my buttercream before and the tip kept getting jammed up, but I pryed it open a little and it was perfect. I would think maybe chopping the blueberries in a mini chopper could help. The raspberries went through just fine. Also, in the raspberry butter cream I did add a little raspberry extract. I have to say the blueberry did not have a ton of fruit flavor, so something to think about if I do it again (not sure if there is even blueberry extract out there) However, the buttercream was so tasty, especially with the lemon cupcakes, that it really did not matter!
Overall they were a great success, only a few left as I was leaving the party, so I was happy as was the birthday girl and that is what really matters right!?!

Basic Buttercream Recipe- courtesy of Foodnetwork.com

Ingredients

• 3 cups confectioners' sugar
• 1 cup butter
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract ( 1 teaspoon of raspberry extract for the raspberry butter cream)
• 1 to 2 tablespoons whipping cream
• I added about one carton of blueberries and one of raspberries to each batch of icing I made

Directions

In a standing mixer fitted with a whisk, mix together sugar and butter. Mix on low speed until well blended and then increase speed to medium and beat for another 3 minutes.

Add vanilla and cream and continue to beat on medium speed for 1 minute more, adding more cream if needed for spreading consistency.

Enjoy-