Hello, hello!
Well, the time has finally come – my first live cooking demo is tonight at the Iowa Beer, Wine & Food Expo here in Des Moines! If you would have told me a year ago that I’d be doing a live cooking demo in front of a crowd of people, as I am THE biggest introvert, I would have (gingerly) thrown rocks at you. That said, I’m not sure why I’m not more nervous right now.
Possibly because I’ll be on-stage with an awesome women-for-beer advocate, Ginger Johnson, who does demos like it’s her job (well, it kind of is her job,) but also because I’ve made the Butternut Squash Gnocchi Two Ways, which I’ll be featuring tonight, about 20 times over the past two weeks.
If my skin has a slightly orange tint to it tonight, you’ll know why… ;)
Anyways, besides demos, the expo’s got dozens of craft beers, wines, and food to try, so purchase your discounted tickets (both general admission, and beer & wine tasting ticket levels include the demos,) and come see me tonight then stay to sip and sample your heart out. I’ll be cooking from 6:15 to 7:15pm, and seats in the 40 person theater are first come, first serve. I hope to see some of you there!!!
Click here for discounted tickets >
In the meantime, I hope you have an awesome weekend (supposed to be 74 here tomorrow!) and please enjoy my favorite finds from around the web in today’s Friday Favorites!
Favorite woah:Â Chocolate Ganache Cupcakes with Italian Meringue Buttercream Frosting. Ha. BaHA! OMG! If you think the buttercream frosting is impressive, wait ’til you see the inside of these cupcakes!
Favorite project: Holiday Woodland Wrapping. Not only is this a super cute way to wrap holiday packages, but I also think it’d be really cool to “wrap” different sized shoe box lids or cheap frames then prop them on the mantel for the holidays.
Favorite indulge: Butternut Squash Mac n’ Cheese. I’ve seen tons of BNS M&C recipes floating around the interwebs, but this is one of the creamiest, and most decadent sounding. Totally worth it!
Favorite place: Barcelona, Spain. My brother got to go to Barcelona in high school, and I’ve always been a little jealous. I love the mix of old and new in the beautiful city.
Favorite wake-up: Coconut Chai Coffee Cake. I have a serious soft spot in my heart for any and all types of coffee cake. I love the warm chai spices, and hint of coconut in this unique take on the breakfast treat.
Favorite pop: J Crew Bubble Earrings. Isn’t this pop of dreamy turquoise the best?! These babies come in lots of different colors too.
Favorite homemade: Peppermint Whipped Cream. After eating 130 Peaches ‘n’ Cream Cupcakes earlier this summer, I can confidently confirm that homemade whipped cream is one of the most life-changing foods on the planet. I cannot wait to dollop a big ol’ scoop of this homemade holiday-flavored whipped cream onto a mug of hot cocoa this winter.
Favorite wall. I know, I know – what have Friday Favorites come to when I’m featuring a WALL in the wrap-up, but I’m going crazy for this gorgeous feature, which would satisfy my craving for a cozy mountain-lodge home in middle of Iowa! :D
Favorite sip: The Bourbon Bomber. These remind me of the Ginger & Apple & Bourbon cocktails I enjoyed allthetime last fall and winter, except they’ve got a few more fresh ingredients to liven things up.
Favorite furball. Do you understand that if this were my dog, I would never be able to leave her, EVER?
Favorite combo: Brussels Sprout Mac & Cheese. Two of my very favorite things – roasted brussels sprouts and mac & cheese – in one!
Favorite DIY: Gold Painted Jars. What a gorgeous accent vase for a party or event!
Favorite bite: Oreo Funfetti Cake with Oreo Cheesecake Filling. Cookies. Cream. Funfetti. ‘Nuf said.
Favorite party. Gorgeous combo of gold and sparkles in this girly arm party. :)
Favorite mouthful: Green Chili Cheeseburgers. Oooo I wish I still had some Sam’s No. 3 Kickin’ Green Chili to smother down over a juicy cheeseburger! This looks SO awesome!
Favorite snuggle. This WILL become my winter weekend uniform. Just need that vest!
Favorite cozy: Cinnamon Bun White Hot Chocolate. This is soooo happening the next time Ben declares a fire day.
Check out past Friday Favorites >
Have a great weekend, you! :D
Addie 11.09.2012
Kristin– your Friday Favorites are always MY favorite! Now. HOW can I buy that sweater!?!??
Love it!
Iowa Girl Eats 11.10.2012
Unfortunately Polyvore didn’t include a link to it! :( I got a similar one from Old Navy last year though. Might be worth checking there!
Lizzie 11.09.2012
Tell me about how you make the apple/ginger/bourbon cocktail? Just apple cider, ginger ale, and bourbon? :-) YUM
Iowa Girl Eats 11.10.2012
Yep! It’s a 2:2:1 ratio of apple cider, ginger beer, and bourbon. So freaking good. :)
Marina {YummyMummyKitchen.com} 11.09.2012
Aaaaaaw!!! Thanks so much for including my mac in your round-up :) I appreciate it!
Villy @ For the love of Feeding 11.09.2012
I love those earrings, love the outfit, go crazy for the dog, aaaaaand: I LIVE in Barcelona! :)
Maggie @ A Bitchin' Kitchen 11.09.2012
Thank you for sharing the green chili cheeseburgers from my blog! Good luck at your demo tonight!!
Courtney F 11.09.2012
Cinnabon ANYTHING please!
Good luck with the cooking demo!!
Tiffany 11.09.2012
I was thinking about making crockpot hot chocolate for the hawkeye tailgate tomorrow but since it’s going to be 70 I was thinking no….that peppermint whipped cream just sealed the deal. I’m making the crockpot hot chocolate, the peppermint whipped cream and will have a bottle of peppermint schnapps for the fun people! :) haha Thanks for the tailgate inspiration!
Iowa Girl Eats 11.09.2012
Sounds HEAVENLY – wish I could be there! ;) Have a blast!
Tiffany 11.09.2012
Thanks! And good luck to you tonight! If I lived closer to DSM I’d totally be there! Sounds like an awesome event!
kim@hungryhealthygirl 11.09.2012
Good luck tonight! Wish I was closer and I would definitely be going. I love everything about your Fall fashion fave!
Lindsey 11.09.2012
OMG, the coconut chai coffee cake!?! Who read my diary and made up a recipe using all of my favorite things in the world?!
Cher @ Weddicted 11.09.2012
Congrats on the demo. How exciting!
Everytime you do Friday Favourites I have like 10 tabs open at the top of my screen lol, ooops!
Hannah @ CleanEatingVeggieGirl 11.09.2012
That holiday wrapping looks fabulous, as does the brussel sprouts mac & cheese..what a yummy combo! I am also loving the outfit..very much my style!
Your comment about your skin being slightly orange totally made me laugh. My mom always told me that when I was a baby my skin developed an orange tint to it from eating too much carrots, squash, and sweet potatoes baby food. And to this day I am still obsessed with these vegetables! Hopefully somebody will tell me if my skin starts to turn orange again ;).
Good luck at your demo! I am sure you will do great!
Megan 11.09.2012
I am so excited to see you cook tonight! Hopefully there’s standing room in the theater…I won’t be able to get there until 6:30!
Teresa K. 11.09.2012
I could not get to the Cinnamon Bun White Hot Chocolate – but this is the link found:
http://www.sugarhero.com/2012/02/cinnamon-bun-white-hot-chocolate/
Iowa Girl Eats 11.09.2012
Strange! Can you clear your cache, try again, and let me know if it works (if you want!) :)
58Teresa 11.10.2012
It worked it worked! I thought I saw that puddly cat!
FitBritt 11.09.2012
Good luck with the demo! Your butternut squash gnocchi is the bomb! You will rock it girl!
Kristen 11.09.2012
I bet all your family needs to do is go through your friday favorites for Christmas presents for you!!! Those earrings are cute!
Gabby Bladdick 11.09.2012
Iowa has mountains? Haha I don’t remember seeing any mountains when I lived there! Oh yes and that watch – to die for!
Gabby Bladdick 11.09.2012
And if Iowa does have these mountains, tell me where! It’s a lot closer of a drive than Colorado. :)
Iowa Girl Eats 11.09.2012
Haha, I meant since Iowa is the furthest thing away from being a mountain state, I could at least get the feeling from having a stone wall. :)
Gabby Bladdick 11.09.2012
Haha I think you could live anywhere in that house and feel like you’re in the mountains. It’s amazing!
Jessica C. 11.09.2012
Good luck tonight at your demo! So wish I could be there – I’m sure you’ll be fantastic! And butternut squash mac n’cheese? OMG!
Haley @ The Saucy Apple 11.09.2012
I just have to officially say: I LOVE this blog. :) Especially your Friday favorites. I’ve really been wanting to try brussel sprouts because I’ve never made them before, and I think that mac n cheese might just be the ticket. Also, I can totally relate to being introverted… you’re going to do an awesome job at your demo.
Lauren 11.09.2012
Oh goodness, I’m all over these recipes! Brussels sprout mac and cheese, YES PLEASE! Have a great weekend hun!
Haley @ The Saucy Apple 11.09.2012
Lauren! This is serendipity, right? :) I think the brussels sprouts mac n cheese might be my perfect intro to brussels sprouts. Then, of course, I’ll have to graduate to your yummy brussels sprouts, sausage, feta dish.
Rachel (Two Healthy Plates) 11.09.2012
Good luck at your cooking demo!! The expo sounds like so much fun.
Also, wwhhyyy did you have to post the link to that cinnamon bun white hot chocolate?! omg – looks.so.good.