Double Decker Sister Cooks: *~Party: Celebrating or Throwing a Birthday!*

Event: last Friday night was Matt's 31st Birthday. We had a Charger's Party (watching the pre-season game at 7pm) and also made blue fin tuna, white & brown rice, stir-fry vegetables, garlic edamamme, seaweed salad and Matt's mom made her famous Ice box dessert. Every Coleman family birthday party always has ice box dessert for the cake. It wouldn't be the same without this family tradition... unless you bring us a turtle pie.

How to make Yellowfin Tuna Sashimi:
~ You will need: FRESH fish (Matt's employee brought him a bunch of tuna from a fishing trip so our fish was very fresh).
~Prepare the fish: Matt likes to trim all the "dark meat" & excess skin off the filet. Then he mixes 1 gallon (16 cups of water) with sea salt and lets the fish soak in the fridge for 3.5 hours. After soaking the fish you take it out and wrap the filets in saran wrap and store in the fridge (no longer than 1 day for freshest fish).
~Before you serve: throw the fish in the freezer for 30min. this will kill the bacteria and make it easier to chop the fish into nice slices.
~Cut the fish: into a one to two-inch wide by a half to one-inch high fillet, or simply use it in whatever shape it’s already in. Cut the fish against the grain into ¼-inch thick slices. Or whatever size you prefer.
~For taste and freshness: the fish needs to be consumed as quickly after preparation as possible. We also like to add a bunch of Asian dipping sauces to awaken the palate.

We also seared some Yellow fin tuna in a cast iron skillet on the stove under medium heat for 3 min on each side. This option turned out GREAT as well.

Ice Box Dessert

Ingredients:

3 cups heavy whipping cream
1/2 cup sugar
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 (9 ounce) package chocolate wafer cookies

Directions:

Basically you make a tower of cookie and whipped cream sandwiches, lay said tower on its edge, and cover with whipped cream. You will refrigerate the cake for at least 4 hours or overnight. We like to add cookie crumbles to the top of the cake. You can shape it anyway you would like. Below is a "C" cake for Coleman.

Ice box cake for my birthday a "J" for Jenn

Below are a few ideas for a party gift that will double as a decoration. I also made Matt a Beer Can Birthday Cake:

This is actually really easy to make. you will need:
*22 cans of beer
*A platter or plate to use as a base
* 2 cardboard circles
* Ribbon & Bows

Directions: Start with the bottom beer base. Add 12 beers is a circle on the bottom. Next cut out a cardboard circle (so the beers will stack easily), add 7 beers to the center layer. Next cut out a smaller circle and add 3 beers for the top layer. Tie a ribbon around each layer of beers. Add a bow to the top. Then add any "extras" you would like. I added more bows and Reese's candies, which are one of Matt's favorites.

For a Birthday Candy Cake you will need:

Packs of gum
Candy bars
Suckers
Ribbon & tape
Large Plate
3 different size tins that stack together

You need to construct a solid base and put the tin on the plate the tape the candy all along the outside of the bottom tin. Next, add the middle tin on top of the bottom tin. Next tape your gum (or whatever candy options you choose) all along the outside. Then add the top tin and place candy all along the outside. You will want to fill in any space with suckers, ribbon, candy etc. Add your own style to the candy cake and create your present. Below is a photo of my finished product.