Photography by Adam Sanner
The LCT Team with PARKS, is dedicated to delivering success to each client, specializing in helping individuals buy or sell homes in Williamson County. The team of ladies not only know real estate, but also know how to entertain and they love a holiday, especially a festive one!
For a party, the ladies say that charcuteries are must-have, and when they're shaped like a Christmas tree, it adds a playful touch. Grab your favorite cheeses, and get creative! They used Irish cheeses and paired them with organic olives, grapes and a crispy cracker. Pro tip - use a small star cookie cutter for the edible cheese stars.
Lisa Culp Taylor's special coconut cake is a family holiday tradition. A recipe shared generations ago by a friend who played cards with her grandparents, the key is using a fresh coconut, says Lisa! Considered a lot of work by the kids tasked with grating the coconut, Lisa says it is definitely worth the work and so much better than frozen.
The team's signature drink this year is an Ornamentini! This festive drink will brighten up your cocktails this holiday season. So, gather up your fellow girlfriends and host a holiday soiree with these delicious recipes. To learn more about the LCT Team, visit lctteam.com.
Coconut Cake
Coconut Pro Tips: Lisa's mother uses fresh coconut, so you need a medium size coconut to drain, crack and grate. Then save the “coconut milk” and poke small (toothpick size) holes in the cake and drizzle over the cake before icing it. Grate coconut and put approximately ¾ of the coconut in the icing for the cake. Once frosted, you sprinkle the remaining coconut over the top and sides of the cake.
INGREDIENTS
CAKE
White Cake
1 cup milk
3 cups flour (sift twice)
1 ¾ cup sugar
¾ cup Crisco
4 teaspoons baking powder
4 egg whites (see instructions)
FROSTING
1 ½ cup sugar
1/3 cup water
2 egg whites
¼ teaspoon cream of tarter
¼ teaspoon salt
METHOD
CAKE
Cut Crisco into other ingredients (hold the egg whites for the next step), stir in milk. Mix until moistened. Beat two minutes with mixer. Add 4 egg whites and beat one minute longer. Bake 25 minutes (or less) at 350 degrees.
ICING
In the top of a double boiler, combine ingredients. Beat with an electric mixer at low speed for 30 seconds, then set the pan over (but not touching) simmering water. Continue beating at high speed for about 7 minutes, or until it's stiff and glossy. The mixture should measure at least 161°F on a digital thermometer at the end of the 7 minutes.
Ornamentini
INGREDIENTS
2 shots of vodka
1/2 a shot of Grand Marnier
1 shot of orange juice
1 shot of pomegranate juice
METHOD
Shake ingredients together with ice and then pour into a martini glass. Garnish with orange slices, cranberries or pomegranate seeds, and a sprig of rosemary. Enjoy!
