Amazing Rainbow Cake

For my last birthday I made a rainbow cake which was a huge hit with my guests. Since my party a few of my friends have asked me how I made the cake so I decided I would share it here today.
There are plenty of different receipes on the net but this one I found worked really well, was easy to follow and tasted great.

What I feel is the most important aspect of this cake, is it's frosted in white buttercream. Why? Because the smooth white exterior makes the cake look completely normal, but once you slice into it you realize... OH SNAP! THIS CAKE IS CRAZY! The buttercream frosting has a meringue like consistence which gives the cake that extra specialness. Its the yummy icing often used on fancy wedding cakes.

You will need:

226g butter, room temp

426 g sugar

5 egg whites, room temp

2 teaspoons vanilla

426 g flour

4 tsp baking powder

½ tsp salt

355 ml milk, warmed for 30 sec in microwave to bring to room temp

Red, orange, yellow, green, blue and purple GEL food coloring. Liquid will not be vibrant enough! (although if you can't find the gel the liquid will still work)

Making the cake:

Preheat the oven to 350F degrees. Oil and line how ever many 9” cake pans you have (I have three and I just reused them).

Sift together the flour, baking powder and salt. Set aside.

Cream the sugar and butter, then add the egg whites (I cracked them all into one bowl) and add them a little at a time. Add the vanilla and mix until fully incorporated. Then, alternating between wet and dry, add the milk and flour mixture in two parts.

Divide the batter evenly amongst 6 bowls, and then whisk a fair amount of the appropriate food color into each bowl. Keep in mind that the color of the unbaked batter will be the color of the baked batter. Pour into the pans and bake for 15 minutes each.

When you remove them from the oven, let them rest on the cooling rack, in the pan, for ten minutes. Then flip, cover, and stash them in the fridge to cool quickly.

If you don't have enough tins for all colours, you will just need to wait till you have cooked your first batch of colours and then re oil and line your tins to use again for the next batch of colours.

Lemony Swiss Meringue Buttercream

9 egg whites

350 g sugar

452 g butter, room temp

2 tsp lemon extract (optional)

Cook the egg whites and sugar in a small saucepan over medium heat, whisking constantly, until the sugar is completely dissolved (test by rubbing some between your fingers. If it's completely smooth, it's done). Pour into another bowl (an electric mixer is preferable) and whip on high speed until room temp. Then, on a medium-slow speed, add the butter, waiting until each piece is completely incorporated before adding the next. After all the butter has been added, turn the mixer back to high speed and whip until it has come together, about five minutes. Add the extract, beat briefly and then use.

If the buttercream seems soupy after all of the butter is added and does not come together after whipping, refrigerate for 5 to 7 minutes and continue whipping until it becomes fluffy and workable.

Assembly

Stack the layers in your preferred order smoothing frosting inbetween each layer as you go. Once each layer is stacked with frosting inbeteen each one, cover the outside of cake with remaining frosting.

This cake is a huge hit for any special occasion, not not try it for not your next celebration.

Clothes Swap Party

Are you in the need for a new wardrobe but don't have the money to get one? The answer is easy, why not throw a "Clothes Swap Party".

Not only will you have the oportunity to get rid of all those items you no longer wear but it will also give you the oportunity to replace those items with some new ones for absolutly free.

It's a good idea to invite people that are similar in size, otherwise it kind of defeats the purpose of clothes swapping. Ask each of your friends to invite another person to get a good amount of people involved.

Encourage everyone to not only bring clothing but to include shoes, bags and excessories.
If you like you could even include other house hold goods like books, unwanted gifts, homewares etc.

Make sure you have a "change room" set up with a full length mirror.

Create a great atmosphere with music, some nibbles and drinks.

Why fight the crowds at a busy shopping mall when you can sit back in the comfort of your own home with a drink in hand, your friends and plenty of outfits to be swapping.

Garter Belts and Gasoline Festival

Attention all lovers of vintage caravans, hot rods, rockabilly and vintage fashion. The Garter belts and Gasoline festival is just around the corner!

I went to this festival last year and had a great time. It’s located in the show grounds of Queensland’s beautiful Mount Tambourine and will be taking place from Friday 4th May to Monday 7th May 2012. Make sure you write it in the diary!

There are lots of things that take place through-out the festival including Kustom Kulture and Automotive inspired art, world renowned pin up photographer Mitzi Valenzuela will be running a pin up photo booth, rockabilly music, Pre 1970 Hot Rods, Customs, bikes and Vintage Caravans on display, a pin up contest and plenty more.

For more information head to the festival website page: www.garterbeltsandgasoline.com.au

Here are a couple of photos from last year’s event.

Six fun uses for old jars.

Don't throw away your old jars, put them to good use with these six fun ideas.


1. Glow Jars. (Great idea for outdoor entertaining.)
Carefully cut a glow stick and shake the contents into a jar. Add glitter (optional). Seal the top with a lid. Shake.

2. Herb Jars.
Plant up all your favourite herbs in jars to have them in handy reach in the kitchen.

3. Cocktail Jars.
Serve with fresh fruit and retro paper straws. Your picnic and party will have everyone talking.

4. Food Jars.
Jars for individual dips (to solve pesky double dippers). Cute one serve deserts like mooses and apple crumbles.

5. Flower Jars.
Who needs a vase when you have old jars for flowers! Use them for table decorations or hang them from your trees, fence or clothes line.

6. Light Jars.
Thread your light cord through a hole made in the lid and screw in your light bulbs or simply insert candles for beautiful mood lighting.

Discoving the Sunshine Coast Markets

If you are anything like me, you’ll love spending a Saturday or Sunday morning with a coffee in hand strolling around a market. I live on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast so I am lucky to be close to a lot of markets very close to where I live. The majority of Sunshine Coast markets specialise in local grown produce, tasty gourmet treats and organic goods. For today’s blog I decided to put together a list of the more popular weekend markets on the Sunshine Coast with a run down on what each market has to offer. In upcoming blogs I’ll explore what markets are on offer in the Brisbane, Gold Coast and Northern New South Wales areas.

Market: The Big Pineapple Market.
When: Every Saturday
Where: Big Pineapple, Nambour Connection Rd, Woombye
Time: 6.30am – 12noon.
Market type: Local produce Market. Offering organic fruit and veg, homemade bread, hinterland raised poultry, local cheese and fresh coffee. A good variety of local produce and products where you can just about get everything you need to tick off the home grocery list and, of course, a great market to find lovely gourmet items that you can never seem to do without.

Market: Eumundi Markets
When: Every Wednesday and Saturday
Where: Memorial Drive, Eumundi
Time: 6.30am to 2pm
Market Type: Art and Craft market. This market is the biggest the Sunshine Coast has to offer. It gets very busy and it’s best to get in early. A large array of local produce, original artwork, preserves, sweets, treats, home wares, beach wear, hand woven garments, local photography, silk paintings, musicians and buskers. This market could just about fill an entire day as there are plenty of cafes, food and entertainment on offer too. This market isn’t really my cup of tea as there seems to be a lot of imported goods and has a strong commercial feel. But in saying that, it’s an extremely popular market which people seem to return to week after week.

Market: Yandina Market
When: Every Saturday
Where: Yandina Sports Grounds (Wonga Park) North Street, Yandina.
Time: 7am to 12noon.
Market Type: Plant and Produce meets Flea Market. I really love this market. Mainly because I’m a sucker for bric-a-brac and I’m always on the hunt for a retro find. This market has plenty of fresh fruit and Veg, heaps of cheap plants for the garden, second hand gear and bric-a-brac. This isn’t a craft market where you would go to buy gifts or art, but if you’re after some great tasty produce and if flea markets are your thing then this is the market for you.

Market: Mapleton Market
When: First Saturday of the month
Where: Mapleton Hall Grounds, Obi Obi Road, Mapleton.
Time: 8am to 12.30pm
Market Type: Local Produce and craft market. This market has a really nice feel to it and lets you experience some unique, hand crafted and high quality local produce. Plenty of fresh fruit and veg is on offer, home-made breads, local cheeses, plants and flowers. No second hand, bric-a-brac or imported goods. All market holders are local with locally made produce, crafts and art which give this market quite a country feel.

Market: Kenilworth Market
When: First & third Saturday of each month
Where: CWA Grounds, Elizabeth Street Kenilworth
Time: 8am to 1pm
Market Type: Country Market with it all. Plenty of fresh fruit and veg, local made produce, art and craft, candles and oils, brick-a-brac, tools, books, pet supplies, face painting, buskers and plenty of tasty treats. New and second hand gear with plenty of gifts and treasures to be found.

Market: Crystal Waters Market
When: 1^st Saturday of each month
Where: 1/65 Kilcoy Lane (off Aherns Rd) Conondale
Time: 8am to 1.30pm
Market Type: Local Produce Country market. You’ll be feeling like a hippy in no time when you arrive at Crystal Waters. Delicious wood fire sourdough breads made fresh on site right in front of you, locally grown organic produce, live music with different bands and musicians playing each market, seedlings, herbs, plants, local honey, gourmet foods, chocolates, fresh coffee, cakes, bric-a-brac, second hand clothing, massage, reflexology, face painting and tasty treats. This market is about 20mins inland from Maleny but the drive is worth it as it’s an extremely beautiful area and a great day’s adventure.

Market: Montville Market
When: 2^nd Saturday of each month
Where: Montville Village Hall. Memorial Close, Montville.
Time: 7.30am to 12noon.
Market Type: Local Produce Market. Much like Mapleton this market has a great country feel with plenty of locally grown fresh fruit and veg, flowers, plants, home-made produce, jams and sauces, soaps and gifts, garden products, chocolates and fair trade coffee. This market is also made up of locals with no imported goods, but you may find some great second hand clothing and pieces. There is always fresh coffee, tasty pancakes and an organic sausage sizzle on offer. This market is at the top end of Montville’s Main street where you will find plenty of great cafes, gift shops, art galleries and a fantastic country pub.

Market: Caloundra Market
When: Every Sunday
Where: Arthur Street, Caloundra
Time: 7am to 12 noon
Market Type: Local Produce and craft market. All your Fresh Fruit & Veg are here along with beautiful fresh flowers & Plants. Stock up on fresh seafood, plus hand-made clothes, craft, tools for the guys, books & collectables. Caloundra market has a variety of both new hand-made and second hand gear and bric-a-brac. This market is a bit like a smaller scale of the Eumundi Markets. So if you love what Eumundi has to offer I’m sure you’ll love what Caloundra has to offer too.

Market: Caboolture Market
When: Every Sunday
Where: Caboolture showgrounds, Beerburrum Rd, Caboolture
Time: 6am - 12 noon
Market Type: Farmers Market meets Flea Market. Locally grown fresh fruit and vegetables, home-made produce plus flea market style stalls with everything from clothes, jewellery and toys, to lawn mowers, auto spares, fishing gear & hardware items for the guys. You will even find gold & fighting fish and pet supplies. This market is a trash and treasure lover’s dream; it is a show ground size garage sale with fresh produce and foods also thrown into the mix. A great market for good quality plants at great prices and there are rides to entertain the kids.

Market: Noosa Famers Market
When: Every Sunday
Where: Noosa AFL Grounds, 155 Weyba Road, Noosaville
Time: 7.30am - 12 noon
Market Type: Local Produce famers market. This market is great and it’s best to go hungry! All products are grown, reared, caught, baked or prepared by the stallholders. Farm fresh fruit and vegetables, breads, cheeses, preserves, seafood, red claw, poultry, beef, lamb, organic coffee, fresh flowers and plants. You will find everything to tick off the grocery list and will also leave with some lovely gourmet items that will be perfect for a treat or dinner party.

Market: Peregian Beach Market
When: First, third and fifth Sunday of the month and every Sunday in December
Where: Kingfisher Drive, Perigian Beach
Time: 7am -12.30pm
Market Type: Art and Craft market. Here you will find textiles, woodwork, art and sculptures, some nice gift ideas and home wares. You can soak up the beachside atmosphere whilst browsing a variety of hand crafts, plants and local produce of preserves, chutneys, macadamias, fresh fruit and vegetables.

Market: Queensland Cancer Fund Market
When: First Sunday of each month
Where: First Ave car park, Bongaree, Bribie Island
Time: 8am - 12 noon
Market Type: I haven’t had the chance to visit this market yet but I am told you will find fresh produce, fruit and veg, gourmet foods, giftware, craft and home wares. It's on my list to visit in the very near future.