April Showers....

So I know it has been quite some time since my last post. I have not been neglecting my overall goal of new recipes but I have been slacking a little in the cooking department. So much has been going on over the past few weeks I don't know where to begin. Let's start here, I recently received a promotion at work! Yay, but with that comes more responsibility and a lot more energy needed during this transition period. I am in the process of hiring my replacement and start the new position this coming Monday. I am already feeling the effects and I haven't even started. But with all that I feel reenergized and inspired to work even harder than before! In my personal life I have taken on the world of online dating...wooohoo Renee is putting herself out there. With that there was my one week "boyfriend" and a slew of lessons learned there.  But let's get to the good stuff, an April bridal shower for one of my bestest friends in the entire world, Kristen. Myself and the five other bridesmaids have spent the last few months planning this special day. And since I do love to cook I took on the task of planning the menu. With a luau theme the menu was as follows: Coconut Shrimp with Curried Apricot dipping sauce, Tossed Salad with homemade balsamic dressing, Mini Baked Brie Bites, Chicken Satay with Peanut dipping sauce, Pineapple Fried Rice, Hawaiian Flatbread Pizzas, Black Bean Salad, and Pina Colada Cake.

I'm going to share the bride's favorite recipes with you as well as a few of mine. So I have known Kristen since my very first day at JMU. She was my freshman year roommate, and I couldn't have asked for a more perfect match. Although, we might have started off with some pretty key differences we have managed to keep a close relationship for close to 8 years. She is one of the most kind hearted, thoughtful people you will ever meet. If you were to ask any of her closest friends what her best aspect is I would bet that they would reply that she is a loyal and true friend. She takes the time and effort to stay close with those she loves and she always makes her friends and family feel loved with small gestures that are full of care and thought. With that in mind I wanted to create a menu that I thought reflected some of Kristen's favorite things.
Bride Favorite #1 Mini Baked Brie Bites (Kristen makes a mean baked brie and this was a small homage to that)
Ingredients:
30 mini phyllo cups (I found them at my local grocery store in the frozen food section)
1 large wedge of Brie
Mango or Raspberry Jam (I did a mix of both)
4 Tbsp. Brown Sugar for garnish
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Place a small dollop of jam in the bottom of the phyllo cups (about 1/2 tsp. maybe a little less), place a small cube of brie cheese on top filling each phyllo cup with the jam and brie.  Bake for about 10 minutes or until brie is melty. Take the brie cups out of the oven and sprinkle a little brown sugar on each then replace in the oven for 2-3 more minutes. Serve hot and enjoy!
Bride Favorite #2 
Coconut Shrimp with Curried Apricot Sauce
The only change I made to this recipe was I used sweetened coconut since I couldn't find unsweetened. I really like this version since it is baked rather than fried. It really allows for the shrimp taste to come out.
My Favorite #1 Pina Colada Cake
This cake I found on my favorite food bloggers website, Smittenkitchen.com. It was so easy to make and  came out moist and delicious. The only options I changed or used were that I omitted the rum in the actual cake but used it in the glaze and I brushed the warm cake with pineapple juice which I think enhanced the moist texture. Check out the recipe here: Pina Colada Cake
My Favorite #2 Homemade Balsamic Dressing
This is my go to dressing any day of the week but I think it was the perfect occasion to highlight.
1/4 cup Olive Oil
1/4 cup Balsamic Vinegar
1 tbsp. Honey
1 tbsp. Dijon Mustard
Salt and Pepper
Whisk all ingredients together and pour over your favorite salad.
If I don't have any honey on hand Agave Nectar works just as nicely but be sure to use less as it is much sweeter.
It was a beautiful day for a beautiful and special friend. All of the bridesmaids did such a wonderful job in making sure our good friend had a memorable day. Can't wait for the wedding!