5 Yummy MTV VMA Viewing Party Recipes

So the MTV VMA awards are on tonight: are you ready for this year's shenanigans?

No matter what, the best way to get everyone geared up for your MTV viewing party is to make delicious snacks and drinks.

We found some amazing guac, sangria, and crepe recipes that even Lady Gaga would approve of.

Here's a list of our top 5 yummy MTV VMA Viewing Party Recipes.

1.) Guacamole
For this recipe, make sure you use fresh avocados, tomatoes, and citrus juices that day. The barefoot contessa, Ina Garden, also uses hot pepper sauce, kosher salt, and onions to spruce up this popular dip. Click here for recipe.

2.) Fresh Sangria
Emeril Lagasse perfects this tantalizing sangria recipe with colorful fruits, fine red wines, and with pungent citrus juices. Click here for recipe.

3.) Chocolate Crepes
These cocoa based crepes are not only easy to make but the cream cheese and fudge sauce filling will help erase last year's Miley Cyrus moment out of your head. Yes, it's that good. Click here for recipe.

4.) Crispy Baked Chicken Wings
Instead of making fried chicken wings, this healthier alternative yields crispier skin without the mess constant frying can lead to. Remember to divide your wings between your sauce choices. Click here for recipe.

5.) Beef and Dark Beer Chili
Try using stout to make the beef taste beefier in this chili recipe. For better results, consider using a five-pound boneless chuck roast as the meat base. Click here for recipe.

Have you made any of these recipes for tonight's party? Or better yet, did you make something unique? Comment below!

Five Best Wedding Crepe Cake Pictures

Planning a wedding can be stressful, especially with finding ways to make your day unique and memorable. A great way to make your wedding stand out is by breaking the all-white wedding cake tradition.

All-white wedding cakes are a time-honored tradition: because white represents purity and cake eating during weddings represents fertility and endurance.

However, more and more weddings are venturing into trendy new twists on the typical wedding cake: such as the wedding crepe cake.

Wedding crepe cakes are sparking a trend across the nation thanks to Pinterest, foodies, and all around crepe lovers.

If you are an ardent crepe lover, and want ideas on how to set your wedding cake apart from the rest, check out these six best wedding crepe cake pictures

1.) For this particular crepe, you would need to stack whisper-thin crepes. Use our naked-style crepes with this tall-tiered treat and consider using mouth-watering fillings such as chestnut, marscapone, or vanilla.

2.) A wonderful way to combine both a modern and Victorian element to your wedding crepe cake is by adorning the top with fresh white, red, or pink roses (as you see below). The rose's aroma will add a light floral taste to your crepe cake and it will add a dash of elegance to your reception.

3.) A great wedding crepe cake has different layers elevated upward. Often times, bakers use different sized crepes to achieve this feat. If you want to cut back on time, you can use CREPiNi's mini crepes atop regular naked-style crepes to yield a delicious wedding crepe cake like this.

4.) Nowadays, more weddings involve multi-colored wedding cakes. If you want to experiment, try making crepes with different pastel-colored food dyes and stack them together. Remember to add a luscious filling in between like butter cream, vanilla, or white chocolate ganache.

5.) If you're an ardent choco-holic, consider layering chocolate crepes. Chocolate crepes tend to have a rich, dark, satisfying finish and often make a strong impression with friends and family.

And there you have it. Multiple ideas, pictures, and suggestions that will help inspire you to cultivate your dream wedding crepe cake. If you want something ready-made, visit: http://www.crepini.com/ for chocolate or vanilla mille-crepe cakes.

Are you planning a wedding? What are your thoughts on wedding crepe cakes? Sound off!

CREPiNi will be at the NRA Show 2014 from May 17-20th

CREPiNi will be sampling delicious crepes at the 2014 National Restaurant Association Show May 17 through May 20th. This year, the show is held at McCormick Place in Chicago, IL. Swing by booth #8075 and nibble on our raisin cheese or sour cherry filled crepes. 

Buyers from all across convene together to shape up the future of the food service and restaurant business. This year's show will highlight trends from: Menu Development, Operational Issues, Marketing, Sustainability, Technology, Special Dietary Needs, and Health & Nutrition.

Not only that but culinary stars such as Duff Goldman, Rocco Dispirito, David Burke, and Marc Forgione will showcase witty banter, helpful tips, and today's trends. 

Will you be at this year's NRA show? Let's connect at the show!

Mother's Day Meal Ideas

It's strange to think that we only devote one day in the year to our Moms. I mean, she is the one who taught us how to tie your shoes, eat, and learn.

Mom deserves some major TLC for all that she has done for us. So we hope that you stock up on ingredients, set the dining table well, and treat her to a wonderful meal.

Check out these haute-gourmet recipe ideas we compiled from Huffington Post's Food Blog that will help you get started.

Radish and Arugula Salad with Pecorino and Lemon
This aromatic dish combines wild arugula, grated pecorino, and fresh lemon juice. Click here for recipe.

Lemon and Toasted Almond Risotto
This bright tasting risotto pairs well with any meat and veggie dish. It's chewy, flavorful oats will not only impress Mom but also make the day all the more sweeter. Click here for recipe.

Dan Leader's 4 Hour Baguette
Although making these baguettes can be a rigorous process, it will teach you the basics on bread baking. Click here for recipe.

Aromatic Poached Salmon with Rye and Caper Breadcrumbs 
This dish makes for a lovely and elegant light supper. Not only that, it can also serve as great comfort food when you want to bond with Mom. Click here for recipe.

Do you have any recipe suggestions? What do you think Mom will like? Comment below!

What is a Mille Crepe Cake?

A Mille Crepe Cake is cake with several crepe layers. In between each layer is freshly-made cream, custard or sauces. The crepes, itself, are made with flour, eggs, sugar, and milk.

In French, mille means a thousand, and it often refers to the many layers found within the crepe cake. Crepe cake layers can vary from 30 to even a hundred layers. It all depends on the recipe and the chef.

Crepe cakes are a popular treat across the United States, especially in New York City. Crepe cakes can range from different creams, layers, and even different styles.

We even compiled a list of popular crepe cake recipes for you to try at home!


Grand Marnier Crepe Cake
Grand Marnier is a popular liquor used in gourmet treats. With this recipe, make sure you use grated orange zest to revitalize your cake. Click here for recipe.


Boston Cream Crepe Cake
Instead of driving all the way Boston for a Boston Cream Pie you can make a Boston Cream Crepe Cake at home with fresh custard, rich ganache, and with crepe layers. Click here for recipe.


Creme Brulee Crepe Cake
Imagine a crepe cake with a creme brulee glaze? This recipe ensures that and a light, airy, guilt-free taste. Click here for recipe.


Coconut Cream Crepe Cake
It can only taste like a dream. This delicacy takes patience, coconut cream, and extra-attention. The end result is a beautifully stacked cake that even Snow White would approve of. Click here for recipe.


CREPiNi now sells crepe cakes on it's online store. We have different sizes of our Vanilla and Chocolate crepe cakes for sale now. Check it out here!

Martin Luther King Jr. Day: A Day of Great Reverence

He had a dream and because of this dream, Americans from all kinds of backgrounds can break bread and coexist, peacefully. The dreamer, Martin Luther King Jr. was a key figure during the Civil Rights Movement and his nonviolent activism successfully divorced racial discrimination in state and federal law.




This holiday was signed into law by President Ronald Reagan in 1983, and as of 2000, all 50 states observe this special holiday. In commemoration of this special day, we compiled a list of lesser known facts you may not know about this iconic figure.

Name Change?

When Martin Luther King was six years old, his father changed his name to Martin Luther King Jr. (Originally it was Martin King Jr.). Martin King senior became pastor of the Ebenezer Baptist Church in 1931 and adopted the name Martin Luther King senior in honor of protestant leader Martin Luther.

Smart at a Young Age

Martin Luther King entered Morehouse college at 15 years old.

Martin Luther King Boulevard

There are over 900 streets, all across the world, named after this civil rights movement leader. Who knows, you may live near one?

Young Nobel Peace Prize Winner

At 35 years old, he was the youngest person to receive the award in 1964.

Favorites Foods

Martin Luther King loved to eat pecan pie and fried chicken.

CREPiNI Will Launch New Website in January 2014

Are you ready for a more revamped website? CREPiNI will launch a user-friendly website this month.

This new and improved website has a 10% discount for new customers, crepe combo present ideas for all kinds of holidays and an interface for business customers who want to make wholesale purchases.

All of our popular crepes such as blueberry cheese, egg and cheese, cherry cheese, and strawberry cheese are also featured on the main page under 'Best Sellers'.

Check out our new website when it launches!

Crepini, LLC produces all natural crepes that are vegetarian-friendly, nut free, and Kosher certified. Our crepes are made fresh-to-order, and are available for wholesale, retail, and food service in North America. Visit our website here and follow us on Facebook and Twitter for company updates and more recipe ideas.

"Lucky" New Years Eve Foods

In three more days, people around the world will be welcoming a brand new year. Did you know that many of the foods that people eat around New Year's are actually good for you?

Well, we selected special foods from Reader's Digest  that should be included in your next gathering for a year of auspicious health, prosperity, and happiness.


1.) Greens
Presumably, green are often eaten on New Year's because they resemble money.  Greens such as spinach, kale, and cabbage are beneficial to your health and are often  teeming with vitamin A, B, C, and D.

2.) Beans
Much like greens, beans also represent money--especially coins. So dig into some hearty lentils, garbanzo beans, or kidney beans this year.

3.) Fish
Fish is considered lucky because scales represent money, and when fish swim in schools, that also symbolizes abundance.
Fish, like freshly caught salmon, are full of Omega-3's and protein. Make sure you eat up to good luck and good health.

4.) Fruit
On New Year's Eve, fruits are heavily consumed all around the world. For example, in Mexico, Mexicans eat a grape to represent each stroke of midnight as a way to symbolize each month of the new year. In other parts of the world, consuming pomegranate seeds also symbolizes prosperity. Instead of noshing on cakes, cupcakes, and fatty desserts, eat fruits with your friends and family.

5.) Noodles and Grains
Grains such as barley, rice, and quinoa represent long life and abundance. Also, if you need more fiber in your diet, then eat more soba or buckwheat noodles.

So what are you eating for New Years Eve? Sound off below! Happy Holidays from CREPiNi and The Crepe Team!

Crepini, LLC produces all natural crepes that are vegetarian-friendly, nut free, and Kosher certified. Our crepes are made fresh-to-order, and are available for wholesale, retail, and food service in North America. Visit our website here and follow us on Facebook and Twitter for company updates and more recipe ideas.

Dec.23-31: Get Babulini (Grandma Crepes) at a Discount Price at Netcost

Want an early Christmas gift this year? Starting today through December 31st, CREPiNi's new line of classic Russian Crepes (Babulini Blini) will be on sale at all NetCost Market stores. 

If you're in the tri-state area, then stop by one of our seven locations in Brooklyn, Queens, Staten Island, or Philadelphia, and enjoy delicious Naked crepes or crepes with sweet and savory fillings for only $3.59. Fillings include peach, apple, sour cherry, strawberry, cheese raisin, stewed cabbage, and potato mushroom.

Love miniature versions of your favorite foods? Pick up MiNi CREPiNi, the 6-inch Naked crepes, for $2.89.

Tis' the season :)

Crepini LLC produces crepes that are all natural, vegetarian (non vegan), and nut free. Crepini's crepes are fresh, frozen crepes made for wholesale, retail, and food services and other industries in North America. Visit our website here and also Like us on Facebook here and Follow us on Twitter here for company updates, and recipe ideas. 

Black Friday Crepe Filling Recipe: Savory Meat and Mushroom Nalesniki by Natasha's Kitchen

It's hard not to be bombarded with Black Friday commercials. But if you are gearing up to wait in line for x amount of hours, in the blistering cold, for a new flat screen TV, we have some advice on how to stave off frigid weather and control hunger pangs.

Black Friday Survival Tips

1. Scout out malls with less foot traffic and fewer cars.
2. Carry a messenger bag (or anything resembling one) so you can protect your credit cards and cash against theft.
3. Survey stores ahead of time and know the closest registers to get in and to get out of.
4. Bring water bottles! It's important to stay hydrated when it comes to grabbing the best deals. 
5. Safety is found in numbers. Stake out with friends or family.
6. Bring an anonymous brown bag so you won't be able to advertise your merchandise.
7. Have a protein-enriched snack to rejuvenate you during your Black Friday mission. 

What gets shoppers most, midway from their ongoing search for the perfect iPad, is hunger pangs. Running around inside stores, fighting off burly shoppers, and finding that perfect holiday item can wear you out--- which is why we found the perfect crepe recipe to keep you going for the rest of the night. 

Black Friday Crepe Filling Recipe

Natasha's Kitchen, an acclaimed foodie website that features home-style recipes, has this delicious Meat and Mushroom Nalesniki recipe that will make you forget about the biting cold, and angry crowds. 

Ingredients:

• 1-1.25 lbs ground pork (you can also use chicken, lamb, or beef)
• 3/4-1 lbs mushrooms, sliced
• 1 medium onion, finely chopped
• 3 hard-boiled eggs
• Salt and pepper
• 1 tablespoon real mayonnaise OR tablespoon water
• 1 small/medium onion, finely chopped
• Ready-to-serve CREPiNi Naked Crepes

Instructions:

1. Boil eggs in a small pot until it is fully cooked through.  Later place them in cold water as a way to cool them down then remove the shells.
2. Sautée meat with 1/2 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp pepper over medium high heat. Make sure the meat is lightly browned and fully cooked--- You don't really need any oil to cook the meat. Then remove the cooked meat into a large mixing bowl.
3. In the same skillet, over medium/high heat, sautée mushrooms and onions with 1/2 tsp salt and  with 1/4 tsp pepper. When veggies are cooked, add them to the mixing bowl. 
4. Add 3 boiled eggs to the bowl (cut them in half so they go through the meat grinder more easily).
5. Push all of your filling ingredients through the meat grinder using the medium blade setting.
6.  If your spread is a bit dry, stir in 1 tbsp mayo OR water to make it a little more viscous. 
7.  Spread  your meat and veggie mixture, evenly and thinly, on the crepe.
8. Roll the crepes and cut it in half.
9. When you serve your crepes, make sure you melt about 1 tablespoon of butter on a skillet and sautée the filled crepes on medium heat until golden brown on both sides.  Be careful not to burn them since they don't take too long to cook. By the way, they taste great with sour cream!

Comment below if you tried this recipe and share your photos on our Facebook page!

Crepini, LLC produces all natural crepes that are vegetarian-friendly, nut free, and Kosher certified. Our crepes are made fresh-to-order, and are available for wholesale, retail, and food service in North America. Visit our website here and follow us on Facebook and Twitter for company updates and more recipe ideas. 

CREPiNi & The Crepe Team will be at Goldman Sachs Employee Cafeterias Nov. 20th and Nov. 21st

Today and tomorrow, Goldman Sachs employees will feast on sweet and  savory crepes made by premier chefs using our Naked CREPiNi Crepes.

If you are a Goldman Sachs employee, and work at the New York office, come to the employee cafeteria Today at:

200 West St. 

New York, NY 

Likewise, if you work at the Jersey City location, treat yourself to a Crepini breakfast or lunch November 21st at the cafeteria located at:

30 Hudson St.

Jersey City, NJ

Moreover, did you know that Goldman Sachs has been creating buzz on the internet over their state-of-the-art cafeteria pricing system?

Check this article out! Maybe restaurants across the U.S could follow in Goldman Sachs lead when it comes to cutting costs yet, at the same time, create demand.

Eating healthier in New York City School Cafeterias

Courtesy of Said Online's Website

Eating healthier foods is an important factor that contributes to how students grow, learn, and acquire nutrition.

Students who eat well balanced meals have a greater chance of achieving better emotional and physical health. And, not only that, but eating a well balanced meals also influences how students achieve better grades, have less aggravation in class, and acquire better emotional well being overall.

New York City Schools are well aware over how  healthier eating habits can impact students well into adult hood. Students who eat healthier early on in life can carry those habits for the rest of their lives. So eating healthier now can cut medical bills in half.

Courtesy of Almight Dad's website

The Department of Education for the State of New York recently implemented healthier eating options and programs so children will not only learn to eat healthier but also understand the value of nutrition.

Here's a brief listing of initiatives that educate students on eating a well balanced diet.

• Garden to School: This program teaches kids proper eating habits and how to grow their own gardens. Did you know that gardening is a form of exercise? 

• Salad Bars: Programs like this connects school lunches with school gardening initiatives and  that ultimately educates students on the importance of nutrition. Recently, this program expanded to 60 New York City schools.

• School Wellness Programs: Students will be a part of a program that is committed to raising student achievement levels and with combating childhood obesity by learning more about nutrition.

• Youth and Cooking Nutrition Programs: Young people are empowered to develop a knowledge and love for cooking healthier options, and to be conscientious consumers. This program includes hands-on cooking sessions, nutrition talks, and memorable field trips to farmers markets and local grocery stores. 

• Learn it, Eat it, Grow it: A hands-on program that inspires teens to take control of their own health and to give back to their own community through hands-on gardening, outreach, and through nutrition enrichment.

For the months of November and December, students who attend New York Schools will be able to snack on Crepini crepes during lunch time. On New York City's Department of Education "Feed Your Mind" program, Crepini egg n' cheese roll-ups were served November 5 (election day) and on November 16. Crepini makes natural, nutritious crepes that are not only nut free but also great for vegetarians.

When it's December, students will be able to savor Crepini's egg n' cheese roll-ups December 10 and 31 (New Years Eve). 

Comment below any ideas or suggestions on how children can eat healthier during lunch time.

Crepini LLC produces crepes that are all natural, vegetarian (non vegan), and nut free. Crepini's crepes are fresh, frozen crepes made for wholesale, retail, and food services and other industries in North America. Visit our website here and also Like us on Facebook here and Follow us on Twitter here for company updates, and recipe ideas. 

Thanksgiving Crepe Filling Recipe: Super-Simple Apple-Cinnamon Crepes

It seems like it was last weekend when kids were dressing up for Halloween, and now, families are planning banquet-sized meals for Thanksgiving this year.  Generally, a traditional Thanksgiving meal generally consists of: Turkey, stuffing, pumpkin pie, cranberry sauce, green bean casserole, as well as other accouterments.

However, it's okay to take a walk outside of tradition and to experiment with new recipes that could, ultimately, become a family tradition down the road. Ever since I can remember, Thanksgiving never seemed complete without apple pie at the end of the dessert table. I always savor its flaky crust, fresh cinnamon smells, and gooey center whenever I heartily eat it every year.

This year, why not try making a "Super-Simple Apple-Cinnamon Crepe" filling recipe that will not only entice family and friends but also make pie eating more portable and less messy!

Try this super easy recipe from the Food Network out and comment below how the process went. Bon Apetite!

Super-Simple Apple-Cinnamon Dessert Crepes

Ingredients
1 teaspoon granulated sugar
1/4 teaspoon cornstarch
1/8 teaspoon cinnamon
Dash Salt
1/2 cup Fuji Apple
1/8 teaspoon lemon Juice
1 tablespoon reduced fat/light cream cheese, room temperature
1/2 cup fat-free whipped topping, thawed from frozen
2 (9-inch) Ready-to-use dessert Crepes (Crepini's Naked Crepes are PERFECT for this recipe)
1 Teaspoon Fat-Free or light caramel dip, room temperature
Powdered Sugar, for Optional Garnish

Directions
In a small nonstick pot on the stove, combine sugar, cornstarch, cinnamon, and salt with 2 tablespoons of cold water. Stir to dissolve. Add apples and lemon juice and stir. Bring to medium heat and cover. Cook until the apples have softened and liquid has thickened, about 5 minutes, uncovering often to stir.

Remove the pot from heat and transfer the mixture to a bowl. Allow it to cool for several minutes. Thoroughly stir in cream cheese. Fold in whipped topping.

Lay crepes flat on a dry surface. Evenly distribute the apple mixture between the crepes. Fold each crepe up envelope-style, first folding the sides in, and then folding/rolling it up from the bottom.

Bring a skillet sprayed with nonstick spray to medium heat. Place the crepes in the skillet with the seam-sides up. Cook them until slightly browned, about 1 minute per side. (Flip carefully). 

Crepini LLC produces crepes that are all natural, vegetarian (non vegan), and nut free. Crepini's crepes are fresh, frozen crepes made for wholesale, retail, and food services and other industries in North America. Visit our website here and also Like us on Facebook here and Follow us on Twitter here for company updates, and recipe ideas. 

Food Trend Forecasts for 2014

Courtesy of Olivia Baker

Towards the end of the year, major food specialists, such as Baum &Whitman, prepare a special forecast on potentially popular food trends for the upcoming year.

 Before we delve into this year's Hottest Food Trends for 2014, lets take a look back at Forbes  food trend list from last year.



Forbes 2013 Food Trends

Courtesy of Huffington Post Food Trends 

• High-End Vegan

• Octopus "The New Prawn"

• Korean Flavors

• Lobster Rolls

• Wine & Cocktail Condiments

• Tortas

After frequenting multiple food shows this year, I can attest that wine & cocktail condiments were a huge trend this year. I've sampled Moscatto flavored barbeque sauces and was impressed with how two singular concoctions can blend seamlessly.

In addition, the D.C area was ripe with tortas trucks.  These  piping hot meat or veggie pocket dishes are not only filling but scrumptious. Have you ever eaten a torta? What did you think of this and other food trends?

 Are you also ready for next year's food trends? Check out Entrepreneur's foodie predictions for 2014.

Entrepreneur's 2014 Food Trends

• Ice Cream Sandwiches

• Biscuits

• Mutant Morsels

• Infused Ice

• Tea Cocktails

What's interesting about this article from Entrepreneur is that they forecast-ed the end of the ever delicious yet ever so popular cupcake. NYC Chef Dominique Ansel's "cronut" sparked a  hybrid donut trend that saturated and, eventually, engulfed the cup cake trend in major cities across the U.S. Of course, this is just a prediction based on current news. Who knows, maybe the cupcake will have a comeback next year?

So you've read what the experts think, what are your thoughts on next year's food trends? 

Crepini LLC produces crepes that are all natural, vegetarian (non vegan), and nut free. Crepini's crepes are fresh, frozen crepes made for wholesale, retail, and food services and other industries in North America. Visit our website here and also Like us on Facebook here and Follow us on Twitter here for company updates, and recipe ideas. 

Popular Halloween Treats from the 1920s' to the 1960s'

Picture is courtesy of Graves and Ghouls, Tumblr

In seven days, kids of all ages (including adults who are young at heart) will be going door-to-door for Reese's Cups, Jolly Ranchers, and all sorts of confections. But did you know that Halloween treats have changed over time?

Kids have been going trick-or-treating for several decades now, and food trends have been changing.

Do you still think that kids would want to receive a goblin-faced meat pie (1930's treat) when they go door-to-door? Or snack on olives (1950's treat) instead of a Snickers bar?

Some may say that  kids from the baby boomer era are missing out on king-size Snickers bars, yet, at the same time, Generation Z (the cohort group born after the Millennials) is missing out on some wonderful traditions such as making Popcorn balls, Halloween candy apples, and Goblin franks with their families.

Whatever the case is, we created a list divided by decades, on popular treats that were savored from the 1930's to the 1960's.

Classic Halloween Treats

1920's

• Opera Sticks
• Orange Jelly Beans
• Orange Buttercups
• Black (Licorice) Gumdrops
• Chips
• Hard Candies

1950's

• Goelitz Candy Corn
• Brach's Harvest Panned Mix
• Starlight Kisses
• Spiced Jelly Drops
• Chocolate Nonpareils
• Pure Sugar Apples
• Butter Cream Pumpkins
• Hershey Kisses
• Roasted Peanuts in Shell
• Fleers Double Bubble Gum

1960's

• Cracker Jacks
• Cutie Face suckers (lollipops)
• Popcorn Balls
• Powerhouse bars
• Beechnut Gum
• Huck Fins
• Candy Cigarettes
• Taffy rolls
• Peppermints
• Oh Henry Bars
• Whoppers
• Mason Candies
• Mint Juleps (chewy)
• Money bags (wafers)

When you were growing up, what was your favorite Halloween treat or tradition? Share what you miss from your childhood. Who knows, you may share the same memory with another commentor. 

Crepini, LLC, produces crepes that are all natural, vegetarian (non vegan), and nut free. Crepini's crepes are fresh, frozen crepes made for wholesale, retail, and food services and other industries in North America. Visit our website here and also Like us on Facebook here and Follow us on Twitter here for company updates, and recipe ideas.