Black Truffle Cipollini Onion Spread and More...

I was in a hurry to make something for my #BBQPornSLC event on Saturday.  The pressure was on knowing I'd be in the company of R&R Barbecue, some fab food photographers and one of my fave foodies, Heather King, but I also had less than an hour to get everything together and make myself look halfway presentable.

The first thing I made was a crostini with a Black Truffle Cipollini Onion Spread.  I spread it over some grilled baguette and topped it with some mushroom tapenade and roasted garlic, but could easily have eaten it with a spoon.  It's a pretty versatile spread that tastes a lot fancier than it is to make.

Black Truffle Cipollini Onion Spread
Servings: approx. 2 cups

Ingredients
3/4 cup balsamic marinated cipollini onions (homemade or store-bought)
1 package cream cheese, room temperature
1-1.5 teaspoon black truffle oil, depending on how strong a truffle flavor you like
Salt and pepper to taste

Preparation
1)  In blender or food processor (I used my handy Magic Bullet), pulse together onions, cream cheese, truffle oil, salt and pepper until smooth
2)  Nomnomnom!

I'm excited to try this spread topped with roasted figs and shaved parmesan, maybe some marinated gigante beans or thinly sliced proscuitto!  Oh, the possibilities...

The other thing I made for my party was milkshake shots.  Specifically, Cherry Cordial Milkshake shots, inspired by the classy cherry cordial jello shots I made from the night before (will post separately).  Even though I don't have the pics to prove it, I'm pretty sure Heather and Crystal would vouch for me that the milkshake was tasty and you should try making it for your next party.  Or to just drink at home alone on the couch.  No one's judging.  Here's what I did:

Cherry Cordial Milkshake
Servings: approx. 4 mugs or 24 shots

Ingredients
3 cups vanilla ice cream (I used homemade, but store-bought is fine)
1/2 cup creme de cacao
1/4 cup white rum
1/4 cup maraschino cherry juice (from jar of marascino cherries)
1/2 cup maraschino cherries, chopped
4 oz dark chocolate, chopped

1)  In blender, puree together ice cream, creme de cacao, rum and cherry juice until smooth
2)  Place maraschino cherries and dark chocolate into blender and mix with spatula until combined; pulse gently for a few seconds, if desired.
3)  Serve immediately in mugs or in individual shot glasses for a fun party-sized treat!