Food Stylist for a day

Hi Everyone, Today October 29th, 2010, I got to be a food stylist for a day, (hopeful more). It all started when I answered an ad on Craigslist for a Chef Position. I got a call the next day to come in on Friday (today). What fun we all had (there where 3 of us ). We sat and talked about our culinary background for the first 45 minutes, then we where asked to put a spin on our favorite sandwich. I choose to do a Monte Cristo on a wrap style sandwich with the raspberry preserves, and they liked that. Then we were asked to do a spin on a Angus beef style sandwich, I did mine with Blue cheese, on a sour dough onion roll, they liked that as well.
Then we moved into the kitchen so show off our skills. I first made a pizza with sauteed onions, Prosciutto, fresh Parmesan cheese,mozzarella cheese and a dash of nutmeg on top. It looked & tasted wonderful. Then I was asked to make some fudge, I made a white chocolate and raspberry fudge. Wow was it awesome. Then I made a Lemon & raspberry pound cake, and guess what ? They also liked that ! I really could do this for the rest of my life ! I would died a very happy woman ! It was a blast, getting paid for something that I really loved doing. Wish me luck ♥♥♥ Below are some shots of my photo shoot today! Please feel free to subscribe and post your comments below :)



Sweet Potato Cake

This is a wonderful cake my family has enjoyed over the years, my Mother-in-law gave me this one.I have changed a few things over the years. I hope your family enjoys this as much as my family has......

2 pounds sweet potatoes (Baked ,skins removed & mash flesh with a fork into coarse puree)

1 cup vegetable oil

 Unsalted butter, for pans

2 cups cake flour

4 large eggs

2 cups sugar

2 teaspoons baking powder

1 teaspoon salt

1 tablespoon ground cinnamon

1 teaspoon ground nutmeg

2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract

3 tablespoons Grand Marnier

1 1/2 cups unsalted macadamia nuts, toasted, coarsely chopped

1 pound white chocolate or white chocolate chips

1 1/4 cups heavy cream
 
1.Heat oven to 325 degrees. Butter two 8-by-1 1/2-inch round cake pans, dust with flour, and set aside. In a bowl of an electric mixer beat eggs and sugar together on medium-high speed until light and fluffy, about 5 minutes. Add  1 cup vegetable oil; beat on medium speed until well combined. Add the cooled sweet potatoes; mix until combined.


2.Sift together cake flour, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, & nutmeg; mix into the sweet potato mixture. Mix in vanilla and Grand Marnier until combined. Remove batter from mixer; fold in 1 cup macadamia nuts by hand.

3.Evenly distribute cake batter into prepared pans, then transfer to the oven. Bake until a toothpick inserted into center comes out clean, 40 to 45 minutes. Let pans cool on a wire rack 10 minutes. Invert cakes onto rack; cool completely, about 1 1/2 hours.
4.Meanwhile, chop white chocolate into small pieces; set aside. Bring 3/4 cup cream to a boil; pour over chocolate, whisking until chocolate is melted. Chill for 30 to 40 minutes.

5.When chocolate mixture has cooled, pour remaining 1/2 cup cream into an electric mixer; whip on medium until soft peaks form, about 3 minutes. Fold whipped cream into chocolate mixture until fully incorporated.

6.Cut each cake layer in half horizontally, creating four layers. Spread 2/3 cup of the frosting on one layer, then stack next layer on top, and frost. Repeat frosting & stacking process until each layer is frosted. Spread remaining frosting on sides and top of cake. Arrange remaining 1/2 cup macadamia nuts on top of cake, and serve.
7. Enjoy !