Breaking Down Part 2 is on: the end of Twilight

So this is the end! I won't go to see the movie, I'll probably wait to be on a plane, I seem to watch most of my movies on a plane, and certainly I saw the entire series flying! Also, I admit that I read the books and liked the story, and a quick peep of the latest trailer didn't seem faithful to the book.. too much action!

Still, to celebrate the end here is a re-post of all my Twilight cupcakes and a full Twilight dinner (Vegan!) perfect for those who have decided to do the Twilight Marathon! Warning, lot of scrolling down to get to the end of this post(s)... Enjoy!

Photos and Recipes by Alessandra Zecchini ©

Twilight Cupcakes: Volturi Cupcakes

Black or white cupcakes cups, white royal icing, a cherry, and maybe a splash of red?

Volturi cupcakes: stylish, minimalist, timeless,

these could be the 'evil twins', sadistic Jane and silent Alec. 

Perfect for a Halloween party too!

Photos and Recipes by Alessandra Zecchini ©

Twilight Cupcakes: Breaking Dawn

Breaking Dawn, styling inspired by the original book cover, black and white elegant cupcake cup for the new Bella, pure white for Renesmee. 

Very vanilla cupcake base and Italian butter icing for the frosting.  

Photos and Recipes by Alessandra Zecchini ©

Twilight Cupcakes: Jacob

The werewolf cupcake, baked in a white heart cupcake cup, 

and topped with royal icing covered with black sesame seeds

plus a single red heart sprinkle. I never thought that sesame seeds could 

taste so good with royal icing! 

Photos and Recipes by Alessandra Zecchini ©

Twilight Cupcakes: Eclipse

Maybe my favourite book of the series?? Of course the cupcakes had to be three: Bella, Edward and Jacob. No frosting but icing sugar to represent the snow.

Photos and Recipes by Alessandra Zecchini ©

Twilight Cupcakes: New Moon

The Twilight Saga continues with New Moon

and a cupcake to eat while

walking the streets of Volterra at night,

or listening to werewolves howling.

Photos and Recipes by Alessandra Zecchini ©

Twilight Cupcakes

I am having a Twilight cupcake week, starting today.
These 'bite size' mini cupcakes are called
Edward and Bella (I suppose that you can guess 
which one is which). And in case you are wondering, 
the black seeds are black sesame seeds.

Photos and Recipes by Alessandra Zecchini ©

A totally Vegan Twilight menu (inspired by Stephenie Meyer's books)

Twilight Starter

Plum Tomatoes with Aceto Balsamico Tradizionale di Modena

 Red tomato and Modena's black gold: Traditional Balsamic Vinegar (ABTM), possibly one of the most sensual ingredients ever!

Ingredients

Fresh plum tomatoes

Extra virgin olive oil

Salt to taste (I used Maldon)

A few drops of Aceto Balsamico Tradizionale di Modena

Assemble as shown in the photo.

New Moon 'Rice'

Tomato and Red Chili Sushi Rolls

I had nori, and it looks black and shiny. And Sushi rolls are round like the moon, but I needed a red moon! Actually, the red rice in the photo is not very clear, these looked much redder to the naked eye. Never mind, they tasted great, I even surprised myself, as I never though of combining tomato and chili with nori seaweed!

Ingredients

Short grain rice

Fresh tomatoes

garlic

red chili

Olive oil

salt

Nori seaweed

I didn't measure the rice, I used what I had left. I washed it and cooked it by absorption. In the meantime I fried some fresh chopped tomatoes with garlic and 1 red chili using a little olive oil. Then I passed everything through a sieve to remove the skins and seeds. I added salt and I stirred the spicy sauce into the rice. I then rolled the rice just like for sushi rolls.

Eclipse Pizza

Red Pizza with Black Seeds

Pizza is a must when teenagers are involved (and it was the first food our heroes, Bella and Edward, shared). I scoured the pantry for black seeds, I finished the poppy seeds, but I had some black sesame seeds. I added the cumin seeds mostly for flavour. I also used up the remaining of a jar of roasted red capsicum antipasto. I finished all my fresh tomatoes with the first two dishes, so I used canned tomatoes instead.

Ingredients

Pizza dough, recipe here

Tomato Sauce, recipe here (but omit the basil)

Olive oil

Salt

Black sesame seeds

Cumin seeds

Roasted red capsicums

Follow the given links to make the pizza dough and the tomato sauce. I have to say that by this stage the most difficult thing for me was not to add anything green to my food! Roll the dough to fill an oven tray lined with baking paper. Better to make a pizza slab that can be cut into small pieces (good if you have a Twilight inspired party). Top with the tomato sauce, then add salt and olive oil, the seeds and the capsicums. Bake at highest setting in your oven until the borders are golden and it smells delicious!

Breaking Dawn Dessert

Black Sesame Seed Pudding with Rose Syrup and Red Rose Petals

I unashamedly admit that I am very happy with the dessert. In the pantry I found somesurigoma, crushed black sesame seeds, and I remember that in Japan I enjoyed many sesame seeds desserts. And in the garden I had some beautiful red roses, not sprayed and therefore edible!

Breaking Dawn is all about love.....

Ingredients

50 g crushed black sesame seeds (available in Asian shops)

100 ml water

1 tbsp sugar

1/3 (one third) tsp agar agar (available in Asian shops)

For the Syrup

100 ml water

2 tbsp sugar

1 tbsp rose water essence

Finish with red rose petals

Place the first 4 ingredients in a small pot and bring to boil. Simmer for 2 minutes, stirring well, and then pour into a small container. Set at room temperature, and then refrigerate. To make the syrup boil the water with the sugar until it halves in size, add the rose water and set aside. Before serving tilt the pudding from the container (this dose makes about 4 servings) and cut. I used a heart shaped cookie cutter here. Place on a plate decorated with rose petals. Drizzle with the syrup. Eat everything , the rose petals are delicious!!!!!

Photos and Recipes by Alessandra Zecchini ©