Recipes: Churro Cupcakes!

Churro Cupcakes

Cake:
1 1/2 cups flour
1 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 (1 stick) cup butter, room temperature
1 cup sugar
2 eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla
1/4 cup vegetable oil
1/2 cup milk

Frosting:
4 ounces cream cheese, room temperature
4 tablespoons butter, room temperature
2 cups powdered sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 teaspoon cinnamon

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
Line a muffin pan with cupcake liners; set aside.
In a medium bowl, combine the flour, cinnamon, baking powder, and salt; set aside.
In a large bowl, cream the butter and sugar together until light and fluffy.
Add the eggs, one at a time, until just combined then stir in the vanilla and oil.
Sprinkle 1/3 of the flour mixture over the butter mixture and gently stir in until barely combined.
Add half of the milk, mixing until just combined. Repeat these steps with the remaining flour mixture and milk, ending with the flour. Do not over mix. Fill each cupcake tin with 2 tablespoons of batter, or until the cupcake tin is filled half way. Bake the cupcakes for 14 to 16 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out with one or two crumbs clinging to it.
Allow the cupcakes to cool completely before frosting.

For the frosting, cream the butter and cream cheese together in a large bowl.
Add the sugar, one cup at a time, beating well between each addition.
Stir in the cinnamon until thoroughly combined.
Then stir in the vanilla.
Beat the mixture well, until light and fluffy.
Pipe onto cupcakes and sprinkle with a little cinnamon sugar.
Enjoy!

SOL Cocina Tequila and New Menu Tasting!

My first time at SOL Cocina! I was invited to try their new SOL Single Barrel Reposado Tequila as part of their relaunch of Tequila Thursdays.

During Tequila Thursday events, guests enjoy a complimentary tasting every Thursday from 6-8 p.m. in the bar and can enjoy the featured tequila all night for half-off the normal price. The event takes place in the bar area and guests will be served on a first come, first serve basis. Tequila Thursdays will run every Thursday thereafter, with schedule below.

SOL Tequila Thursdays Schedule
March 21st:  SOL Single Barrel Reposado
March 28th:  Don Julio
April 4th:  Clase Azul
April 11th: Patron
April 18th: Tres Sietes
April 25th: Partida
May 2nd: Cinco de Mayo
May 9th: Patron
May 16th: Tequila Ocho
May 23rd: Pura Vida
May 30th: TBD
June 6th:  Partida
June 13th: Restaurant Buyout
June 20th:  Dos Armadillos
June 27th:  Casa Noble

This is a beautiful glass of the new SOL Single Barrel Reposado Tequila. This is a lovely well-balanced tequila with smooth caramel and chocolate notes.

Here is a house margarita made with the SOL Single Barrel Reposado Tequila. Just give me this and the chips and fresh salsa and bean dip and I will be a happy man!

Executive Chef Deborah Schneider prepares new items on the menu with a focus on fresh, sustainable ingredients.

An amazing Japanese ceviche mixing shrimp prepared in the ceviche style with fresh-squeezed lime juice, cucumber, onions, Serrano peppers, a dash of soy sauce, creamy chipotle sauce, cilantro and avocado.So delicious and refreshing!

This is one of two new guacamoles. This is the guacamole verono, topped with fresh, sweet raspberries, a tart chile con limon, finely chopped spicy serrano chiles, crunchy toasted sliced almonds, and a sprinkle of salty cotixa enchilada cheese.

This is the other guacamole, the corn goddess guacamole. They took SOL’s basic guacamole (avocado, lime juice, salt) with roasted and grilled fresh sweet corn with some ground guajillo chile, salty cotixa cheese, minced serrano chiles, pico de gallo, red onions, cilantro, and a few pieces of “Inca Corn”. Think of the "Inca Corn" as their version of corn nuts.

I was able to sample the pork verde taco, the two new guacs, the japanese ceviche and the chicken mole with plantains.

Take a look at this delicious Viper Taco, made with “Viper salsa,” a smokin’ hot, pitch-black salsa made of dried chipotle meco, Indian ghost chiles, caramelized onion, agave and a dash of blanco tequila.

These are just several of the new menu offerings at SOL Cocina. Check out their website:
http://www.solcocina.com/newport-beach/

Location/Hours

251 E. Pacific Coast Highway, Newport Beach, CA 92660 [ directions ]

phone: (949) 675-9800 | info@solcocina.com

Valet and self parking available | Dock & Dine slips # 65, 66, 74

Close proximity to two public dock slips for boat parking in the Balboa Marina. For information on slips, contact the Balboa Marina directly at 949-721-0111.

Hours

• Lunch Daily
• 11:30 am–4:30 pm
• Dinner – Live Music Saturday, 8:00pm – 11:00pm
• 4:30 pm – 10:00 pm (Sun/Mon/Wed/Thu)
• 4:30 pm – 11:00 pm (Fri/Sat)
• Weekend Brunch – Live Music Sunday, Noon – 3:00pm
• 10:00 am- 3:00pm (Sat/Sun)
• Happy Hour
• 4:00 pm- 7:00 pm (daily)
• Tequila & Taco Tuesday - Live music, 6:00 pm – 10:00 pm
• 4:00 pm – 10:00 pm. 
• Bar Hours
• 11:30 am – midnight or later (Mon-Fri)
• 10:00 am – midnight or later (Sat/Sun)

Live Music

• Tuesday 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm
• Saturday 8:00 pm – 11:00 pm
• Sunday Noon -3:00 pm

2013 Bubblefest at the Discovery Science Center!

Hard to believe that it's time for Bubblefest! A year has quickly come and gone and it is here at the Discovery Science Center in Santa Ana until April 14th!

And believe it or not, it is the 17th Year of Bubblefest! This time I took my good friend Kris and her son Sebastian to the event!

So tickets and media pass in hand, let's go!

Here Kris is helping Seb make a giant bubble! There are so many hand on activities to keep all tje kids busy.

Then Seb went to give it a try to be a boy in a bubble on the water.

He did a great job!

Then Seb saw the giant slide! He had to go on it!

Here he comes!

Next time I will try a smoothie from here! This is one of the stands out to get coffee, tea or a smoothie.

The hit from last year is back! Yep these crazy chickens were back to sing and tell jokes!

It was time for us to go into the main event! The Mega Bubble Show! This is the highlight of Bubblefest and should not be missed!

Deni Yang puts on an amazing show!

In front of the stage is a kids zone and as you can see the kids love bubbles!

Pro Tip: There is no photography or video recording allowed except for those with Media Credentials.

Deni does some really cool stuff with smoke and bubbles!

Deni puts a young boy inside a bubble!

Then he puts a young boy and girl in a bubble together!

The finale is a crazy amount of bubbles combines with lasers!

Yes, that is all bubbles around Deni! Awesome show and you and your family will love it! Seb had a great time watching all the cool things that Deni can make out of bubbles!

There are several food trucks out for anyone hungry. Here is one of my favorites, The Viking Truck!

Crepes Bonaparte, another favorite is here!

I have seen The Flip Truck out and about but still have never had anything from here.

But we went to go play with more bubbles before we ate. Here science and fun combine for a great experience!

Seb had a great time and then decided it was time for us to eat!

We all went to The Viking Truck! I had the massive broadsword hot dog and a side of dragon eggs!

After eating we went inside and got tickets for the Indy exhibit. This has been my favorite exhibit thus far at the Discovery Science Center!

I won't include any photos here since I covered the grand opening last year. Here are the two links to that event:

Indiana Jones Exhibit Part One

Indiana Jones Exhibit Part Two

Seb helped out to dig up an ancient treasure! Then we went to go explore the rest of the Discovery Science Center!

Seb then went to send a rocket up in the air using water pressure!

 

 Here Seb's hair is trying to withstand winds of 80 miles per hour!

 Doing some work at the Lego workstation.

You van record your own play-by-play of a Ducks game!

One of my favorite areas, a grocery store for kids to learn which products are environmentally friendly.

And one last thing to try out, a fun game to teach you all about recycling.

There is so much to do here! Seb had a great time and pretty much tired himself out by the end! Bubblefest was once again a blast and there are big crowds. I suggest you arrive early and get as much done while it is still nice and cool and then end the day exploring the inside of the Discovery Science Center.

To learn more about the Discovery Science Center, check out their website at:
http://www.discoverycube.org/

Admission Prices

General Admission

• Children (ages 3-14): $12.95
• Adults (ages 15+): $15.95
• Seniors (ages 62+): $12.95
• Parking: $4.00

BUY TICKETS

Mega Bubblefest Laser Show

• DSC Members: $5 per person  Buy Member Tickets >
• Non-Members: $7 per person (in addition to general admission)

Indiana Jones and the Adventure of Archaeology

• DSC Members: $8 per person  Buy Member Tickets >
• Non-Members: $10 per person (in addition to general admission)

KIDS GET IN FREE!
Now through April 21, download and print your voucher for free kids’ admission to Indiana Jones and the Adventure of Archaeology (limit one free admission per paid adult, see coupon for details).

DOWNLOAD VOUCHER

*Disclaimer: Bubblefest tickets were provided for by the Discovery Science Center but the opinions expressed are strictly my own*

Photos by Jason

Character Posters for Disney Planes!

Visit the website: http://www.disney.com/planes  

Like Disney’s PLANES on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/disneyplanes

Disney’s PLANES releases in theaters on August 9, 2013!