The Perfect Holiday Party

This time of year brings together all of my loves, decorating, baking, cooking and entertaining.  This was the year of the Black Christmas and the theme carried into our annual holiday party.  With the tree twinkling in the corner there wasn't much left to do but to string up some lights and garlands and add little pops of life with poinsettias all around.  I have managed to keep some of my poinsettias alive from years past and now they are a bright shade of green, mixed with some new additions of bright white poinsettias add life throughout the house.

As for any party, the menu is very important.  I have stashed away some sure fire recipes but I also did a lot of research and brainstorming on Pinterest to find some new and exciting recipes.  I kept the menu mainly finger foods to make it easier to stand and mingle.  I love tartlets and crostinis but I also added some more substantial meat entrees.  The menu went as follows..

Porcini and Rosemary Crusted Beef Tenderloin with a Port Wine Sauce
Swedish Meatballs (from Ikea, always a favorite)
Kale Salad with olive oil and salt
Mushroom Tartlets with Garlic Herb Cheese
Red WIne Caramelized Onions & Goat Cheese Tartlets
Grilled Caprese Kebabs  (added tortellini)
Baked Brie with Balsamic Rosemary Cranberry Sauce
Goat Cheese Toasts with Walnuts, Honey and Thyme
Smoked Salmon on Mustard-Chive and Dill Butter Toast

The next important element for a perfect party is a signature cocktail.  This year I went with a Pomegranate and Rosemary White Sangria to keep things light, fruity and festive.  I made this the night before so that it had at least 24 hours for the flavors to blend and meld together.  I don't like really sweet sangrias and this one was light while being boozy from the cointreau and savory from the rosemary.  There was also a variety of white and red wines and beers cooling on the porch.

Lighting is important for setting the right mood.  I kept the ambient lighting low and strung lights around the interior to add a twinkle and sparkle.

We brought up the porto-bar which was perfect for our cocktail and wine station.

I hope your next party is successful and full of cheer.  Happy Holidays! 

Spread Holiday Cheer

peace&love

Rebecca

Going for the Gold.. Party Decorations part two

An Olympic part needs an Olympic menu.  I continued with the Olympic theme by using the colors of the rings as a backdrop to highlight this delicious menu.  To make it fun and festive, I paired event names with the dish names.

The Menu
Alpine Skiing Swedish Meatballs
Pigs in a Bobsleigh
Speed Skating Shrimp Taco Bites
Freestyle Skiing Caprese Tortellini Salad
Biathalon Caramelized Onions with Goat Cheese Bites
Luge Asparagus Wrapped in Ham
Ice Hockey Hummus
Skeleton Bread Stick Twists

Nordic Combined Cupcakes
Gold Medal Almond Meltaway Cookies

White Russians

I filled cups with colored candies to represent the Olympic rings.

Shrimp Taco Bite Recipe

Caprese Salad Recipe

Asparagus, blanched, and wrapped with ham.  Needed a smear of dijon mustard and a thinner slice of ham, or prosciutto.

Whole Foods Hummus, the best hummus!

Everything Twists.. always a hit

1 1/2 tablespoons sesame seeds
1 tablespoon poppy seeds
2 teaspoons caraway seeds
1 1/2 tablespoons dehydrated chopped onion
1 1/2 teaspoons coarse sea salt
1 teaspoon garlic powder
one 14-ounce package all-butter puff pastry, thawed if frozen but still cold
1 egg beaten with 1 1/2 teaspoons of water

1. In a bowl, mix the sesame, poppy, caraway, onion, salt and garlic powder.
2. Line 3 baking sheets with parchment paper. On a floured surface, roll out the puff pastry into a 14x11 inch rectangle.  Brush with egg was and sprinkle with the seed mixture.  Cut the pastry crosswise into 3/4 inch thick strips.  Twist the strips and transfer to the baking sheets, leaving 2 inches in-between.  Freeze until firm, 30 minutes.
3. Preheat oven to 375.  Bake the twists for 20 minutes, until golden.  Switch the pans top to bottom and back to front halfway through baking, until golden.  Let stand until cool enough to handle, about 10 minutes.
**The unbaked twists can be stored between layers of parchment paper and frozen for up to 1 month.
foodandwine.com

Chocolate Cake Recipe
Chocolate Sour Cream Frosting Recipe  This frosting was one of the most delicious frostings I've ever made!  Definitely worth the three sticks of butter!!

Almond Meltaway Cookie Recipe

Not Pictured from the this Olympic Sized Menu

Alpine Skiing Swedish Meatballs- from Ikea, still the best Swedish meatballs I've had.

Pigs in a Bobsleigh- Mini Hotdogs wrapped in crescent rolls.  Bake at 375 for 12 minutes.

Biathalon Caramelized Onions with Goat Cheese Bites Recipe.  I've made this multiple times and its always a hit.

Make sure when creating your menu to be well balanced in your food choices.  I like to have one meat, one seafood, a bunch of veggie based dishes, keep it savory and bite sized.  And have some delicious desserts to leave your guests with something sweet and memorable!  

Be Inspired. Be Bold.

peace&love

Rebecca