RedVelvetCupcakes (InaBox) Bake & Review

Being a big food network fan, and seeing this box: 

I had to try it.

And so I did, Preheated the oven, prepared the cupcake pan and got the ingredients together: 

and started with 1 cup of the cake mix, and softened butter 

and mixed, the recipe box calls for a standing mixer or handmixer, but I used a fork and whisk. 

add eggs: one after another, water, and the rest of the mix (as the box says)

it should look something like this:

then place the batter evenly into the prepared baking cups, and into the 350 degree oven.

(I suggest convection baking, its faster)

and into the oven it goes. 

FROSTING:

For this you need more butter (another 6 tbsps) and cream cheese (8oz) at room temperature, otherwise it wont mix. After a smooth butter and cream cheese paste is formed add the 2nd packet labeled for the frosting, and mix. 

by the time that is completed, your mini cakes should be done. 

let cool, and my favsies: DECORATE!

to decorate I used  betty crocker sprinkles, called "gems".  To make a swirl-like pattern on the cupcake, just put all the frosting in a ziploc bag, snip the edge and use it like a frosting cone. 

Overall : This box, was not worth it.  It made cute cupcakes, and tasted alright. But there was too much work, and too many dishes. Most cupcake boxes make 24 cupcakes, this one only makes 10. The box also asks you to purchase cream cheese, unsalted butter, and the obvious:eggs. While baking, the cups overflowed as well, making for a less than perfect looking cupcake. As for the frosting, it was a bit too rich, I suggest a store bought version of cream cheese frosting. 

A la cusine!

Chillen Pasta Salad

This is awesome for carb-o-loading days, but you want to feel healthy as well.

Start with your 'mise en place' ( a culinary term for "everything in place"). 

Boil Pasta - I love using tri color rotini because it is so vibrant and yummy-looking! 

Chop up onion, apple, celery, tomato and cilantro. 

Drain Pasta, and Mix all together.

 Then add mayonaise, salt, pepper, hot sauce, lemon juice, and garlic all to taste.

your end product should look something like this:

A la Cuisine!

likeabossKIEV

I used an old recipe of my aunties kiev, and redid it, just like a boss. 

the BUTTER (it gets rolled inside the chicken, do this about an hour ahead) 

Melt butter only slightly, mix in garlic (to your taste, can be powdered, minced, or paste), and dried parsley(or cilantro). Then place in freezer. (I usually make a dish out of aluminum foil so i dont have to wash a buttery bowl).  You can also use pre-made herbed butter. This will be frozen In about an hour.

MARINADE 

Flatten chicken breast, then marinade (in ziploc bag: easiest) with lemon juice, red chili powder, a tiny bit of tandoori powder, salt, pepper, garlic and a bit of ginger. A little bit of everything. (It should marinade within 15 minutes)

ROLL it 

Take the butter out of the freezer, and cut a piece of it (A rectangle or square depending on the size of the flattened chicken). And then roll the chicken around the butter.(you also have a chance to add fresh parsley (or cilantro, my favsies) next to the butter before you roll it). This wont stay when you pan fry it so use a toothpick or two to make sure the chicken surrounds the butter like an epic hug. :)

egg/flour/breadcrumb BATH 

Take chicken, and transfer from flour (add red chili powder to flour ---) > egg wash (add salt & pepper) > bread crumbs(i recommend adding parsley flakes--for color) > skillet. A dry hand/wet hand system here is recommended. 

Pan fry till golden brown and then finish off (to cook the inside) in the oven (a 300 degree is recommended so it cooks slowly without burning since the chicken is already golden). Remove toothpicks, and its ready to serve! :)

homemade fries, and spring onion to garnish:

A la Cuisine!