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True Cupcakes
Date: Jul. 2nd 2009
Category: Preserves
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Television, in the general sense, is disappointing to me.
As a child, it seemed that there was an endless lineup of programs to entertain me. Of course I wasn’t allowed to watch most of them.
But as an adult, with all the freedom in the world to watch whatever I want, I expect quality when I hunker down on the couch and turn on the telly.
Sadly, there is less and less of that. If it weren’t for my beloved hockey games from October to June (really … time to end the Stanley Cup playoffs a tad sooner) and the occasional CBC program that is not-to-be-missed (Hello there, Miss Marple!), I doubt I’d watch any television at all.
Even the Food Network is disappointing these days.
This must explain why I have grappled on to True Blood the way a lost ship yearns for the lighthouse.
Forgive the melodrama. It’s Bill’s fault. Or maybe Eric’s … hmmm …
I’m not afraid to admit it. I like the bloodsuckers and all the raunchy, raucous and hilarious background noise they bring with them in this program.
After baking a batch of red velvet cake cupcakes with cream cheese frosting, I suddenly thought of the show and was inspired to add a bloody accoutrement.
Fresh strawberry sauce.
This isn’t about the cupcakes or the frosting, really.
This is about the glorious red sauce that had me thinking of Sunday nights and HBO.
True Blood. True telly love.
Ciao!
Cream Puff’s Favourite Strawberry Sauce
My own creation.1 cup fresh strawberries, washed, hulled and cut into quarters or halves (depending on how big they are)
2 cups water
1 tablespoon sugar (I don’t like sweet strawberry sauce, but you can always add more sugar if you like)
1 tbsp. lemon zest
1 tbsp. lemon juiceCombine all the ingredients in a large skillet or shallow pot.
Bring the mixture to a boil and then reduce the heat to medium low.
Let simmer until the strawberries are cooked through and begin to fall apart when pressed with a spoon or fork (about 10 minutes). A lot of the liquid will evaporate but the sauce will still be fairly liquid (don’t let it get too dry or you’ll end up with a gummy strawberry paste - add more water if necessary).
Remove from the heat and let cool to room temperature. Use immediately or refrigerate and use cold. The sauce should keep for several days in the refrigerator.
Note: Feel free to flavour the sauce with vanilla sugar or something stronger … wink wink … nudge nudge.
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November 2009
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07/2/09 at 9:24 pm
Well then you really need to read the books. Fab summer reading and the narrator - if you like books on tape is wonderful! They’re much lighter and funnier than Trueblood, I can’t wait for the new one!
07/2/09 at 9:57 pm
What delightful cupcakes! They look so delicious!
Yes, television is very disappointing….
Cheers,
Rosa
07/2/09 at 10:46 pm
these cupcakes looks very tasty. and i love true blood 2 i’ve been watching season 2 as each episode comes out (can’t wait for sunday!) and have gotten my friends into it so we’re currently watching season 1 this week : )
07/3/09 at 1:52 am
I love True Blood - but you didn’t say - are you Camp Eric, or Camp Bill?
(Have you read the books?)
07/3/09 at 4:39 am
I, too, am hooked on True Blood - the show and the books. Love the cupcake tribute!
07/3/09 at 6:53 am
I haven’t been following True Blood, but I’ve heard some really good things about it. Those cupcakes look sinfully delicious with the oozing sauce…
07/3/09 at 7:09 am
What a lovely summer sauce - over ice cream, baked goods, custards! And pretty! I gave up on TV years ago - my students are astonished when I tell them I never watch it!
07/3/09 at 10:14 am
Beautiful. I LOVE red velvet cupcakes. Only just discovered them in the UK at a lovely little cupcake store. The craze is catching on here!
07/3/09 at 10:14 am
Beautiful. I LOVE red velvet cupcakes. Only just discovered them in the UK at a lovely little cupcake store. The craze is catching on here!
07/3/09 at 12:47 pm
Seems like a sauce worth remembering.
I’m a fan of the old b/w Miss Marple movies with Margaret Rutherford.
07/3/09 at 1:34 pm
oh that sauce looks amazing . yummy
07/3/09 at 3:00 pm
True cupcake, indeed. Love that sauce.
Paz
07/3/09 at 6:13 pm
Exactly why we gave up the cable tv junk, keeping only the internet.
The strawberry sauce looks QUALITY!! very nice Ivonne.
07/4/09 at 4:32 am
Oooh, I can just see the characters sinking their teeth into these cupcakes!!!!
FANGtastic (and yep, True Blood has saved summer television for me too!)!
07/4/09 at 8:18 am
TV & me parted ways many moons ago. Other than watching cricket matches & the odd film, I’d rather be on the net or in the kichen! Love the sauce…& LOL, true blood!!
07/4/09 at 9:11 am
[…] Cream Puffs in Venice - Ivonne makes cupcakes inspired by the TV show True Blood. […]
07/4/09 at 1:37 pm
We watch very few television shows at our house as well. After having read all of Charlaine Harris’ books, I can’t tell you how relieved I was that True Blood lived up to my expectations! It truly is something I look forward to every week. Recently some friends and I were searching for “vampire” themed treats for a Twilight party, and we had a tough time coming up with tasty things to make. I’m definitely going to remember this one for future bloody bashes!
07/4/09 at 3:56 pm
How these turned out incredible looking! Love that you got your inspiration from True Blood!!
07/4/09 at 11:15 pm
Oh cream puff. I love the way you think! This put a smile on y face this morning. Ciao…..
07/5/09 at 12:47 am
I don’t think we have trueblood on tv here anywhere, but the programs they run on tv here are apparently just as bad as yours. They keep copying each others programs, giving it a new name and voila another semi reallife whatever thing. We hardly watch tv and if we do, it’s usually a dvd we have rented or bought… Those cupcakes for sure look very bloody!! Haha
07/5/09 at 11:06 pm
What a fantastic idea to take your basic, and incredibly delicious red velvert cupcake and douse it with blood, errr, strawberry sauce in tribute to the show! They look positively fang worthy! ;D
07/7/09 at 5:20 am
Yum! I haven’t gotten on the True Blood bandwagon since I don’t have Showtime, but I hear great things.
07/16/09 at 6:44 am
I so agree about TV - all these channels and always reruns or formulaic shows! I love red velvet and the strawberry sauce sounds yummy!