2010 | She Plans Parties

Fall or Holiday Party Idea: Apple Tasting Party

November 15, 2010 By Linette Leave a Comment

Today I have a fun twist on a holiday wine or cheese tasting party from, home entertaining expert Domenica Marchetti. Domenica suggests a fun (and healthy) twist on the wine and cheese pairing party. The author of Big Night In says, “Embrace the season’s bounty and involve the whole family: host an apple tasting!”

I think it sounds like a wonderful idea! There are so many wonderful apple varieties and flavors, and so many ways you can present them to your guests.

More than 2,500 apple varieties are grown in the United States, and about 20 are widely available nationwide, according to the U.S. Apple Association. “Yet, many consumers gravitate to the same two or three varieties,” she says. “An apple tasting can be a fun experience for your guests as they sample the range of flavors, textures and colors along the apple spectrum.”

Marchetti offers some great tips to help you host your apple tasting party:

Select three to six varieties, including sweet and tart. One suggested lineup: Golden Delicious, Gala, Jonagold, Braeburn, Fuji, Honeycrisp, and Granny Smith.
Line up each variety and identify them with a simple place card, then place sliced apples for sampling in front (provide utensils for safe handling). TIP: to prevent browning, dunk apple slices in vitamin C-fortified 100% apple juice.
Provide toasted walnuts as a palate-cleanser and tools for note-taking.
Have guests sample varieties individually. Challenge them to note unique characteristics, such as size and shape. Also discuss skin color, flesh firmness, and the apple’s aromas and juices. Finally, have them describe the flavor — sweet, tart, spicy, floral, etc. Perhaps one emerges as a favorite. TIP: For adults, refrain from drinking alcohol during the tasting as it will dull the taste buds.

Once all the apples have been sampled, showcase their versatility through creative pairings, from artisanal cheeses to sweet and savory spreads, Marchetti suggests.

“You may also choose to incorporate an assortment of delicious apple products,” she says. “Include apple butter as a bread dipper, or serve dried apples. And don’t forget to toast to your guests with a steaming cup of apple cider or an apple cocktail!”

See Marchetti’s suggested “Pairings and Simple Recipes,” or visit www.usapple.org for inspiration.

SOURCE U.S. Apple Association

Filed Under: Featured, Party Recipes, Thanksgiving Tagged With: apple party, fall, fall harvest party, fall party, Thanksgiving party

Guacamole Football Field

November 9, 2010 By Linette 1 Comment

With football in full swing, and everyone rooting for their favorite teams, I thought I’d share one of my favorite football party dips today. You can use this for your parties coming up for those college bowl games, or Superbowl party too. I’ll have some more football party and food ideas, and recipes coming up in the next few weeks!

Here’s a really cute idea from Wholly Guacamole.

Football season traditionally means tailgate time, play-off parties and a table of unhealthy dips loaded with calories–70 per tablespoon for spinach dip and a whopping 90 per tablespoon in buttermilk ranch. With Americans deriving an estimated 30 percent of their daily calories from outside traditional meals, the trend in party fare is to serve healthier options. At just 25 calories per tablespoon, adding pre-made, all-natural guacamole to the party line-up makes a game-time winner.

The Recipe:
Wholly Guacamole Gridiron Game Time Dip
Prep: 30 minutes

Ingredients
- 1 Tbsp butter
- ½ cup red bell pepper
- ½ cup onion, chopped
- 2, 15 oz cans black beans, rinsed / drained
- 2 tsp fresh chopped jalapeno peppers
- ½ tsp ground cumin
- 1 cup salsa
- 2 cups cheddar cheese, shredded
- 14 oz Wholly Guacamole
- ½ cup sour cream
- 1 bag tortilla chips

Instructions:
1. Melt butter in skillet; add peppers and onion. Cook over medium heat until onion is softened. (4 minutes). Stir in beans, jalapenos and cumin. Cook until heated.

2. Transfer 1 cup of bean mixture to a food processor, process until smooth. Return blended mixture to remaining mixture and stir to combine. Spread onto an 11×8 baking dish. Cover and refrigerate at least 2 hours.

3. Just before serving, layer over the bean mixture: salsa, cheese and top with Wholly Guacamole.

4. Spoon sour cream into resealable plastic bag. Snip off small corner and pipe sour cream lines over the guacamole to resemble yard markers on a football field.

Image and Guacamole recipe via Wholly Guacamole

Filed Under: Featured, Party Recipes Tagged With: dip recipe, fall recipes, football party, football party food, football party planning, football party recipe, tailgate party food, tailgate party ideas

Current Wedding Cake Trends 2010 into 2011

October 28, 2010 By Linette Leave a Comment

I had the opportunity to interview Kelly Delaney owner of Cakes for Occasions in Danvers, Massachusetts for another blog I used to write for. Kelly was gracious enough to share some of her favorite trends in wedding cakes today, I think those trends are carrying through the end of 2010 and well into 2011.

Wedding cakes are constantly changing and evolving, and in my opinion becoming more elegant and beautiful all the time. I’m always on the lookout for really cool cakes to show you here, so I was really excited when Kelly Delaney offered to share her knowledge with readers.

Kelly does a great job of explaining the trends, and giving you some detail with her professional opinion which is wonderful.

If you’re planning to get married in the near future, or know someone who is, check out these wedding cake trends. They may help you plan the coolest wedding cake ever.

Old & New

This year we are seeing brides who are looking to mix modern designs and traditional, elegant designs into their wedding cakes. This seems to be building upon a trend that has emerged over the past several yeas where brides are looking to personalize their cakes by tying in themes, favorite accents, patterns that match their invitation or even their wedding dress (i.e. lace work).

Black & White

Black and white cakes are popular again this year, but it is important to keep black accents to a minimum as they will pop against the white and can easily overpower the cake. White on white wedding cakes will always be classic and elegant, but using bolder accent colors for the design work, even using chocolate, is becoming more and more popular. We are also using more butter cream and less fondant to create a smooth, satin look. The benefits of this approach are many – it looks good, tastes great, and is more cost effective.

Natural & Green

Finally, we are seeing more brides seeking natural “less is more” designs and natural colors. This can be achieved by bringing in pops of color through fresh flowers and/or real ribbon or through simple floral and vine artwork. This “less is more” idea ties in with the popular “going green” theme and also helps keep costs down.
Images and tips are courtesy of Kelly Delaney, owner of Cakes for Occasions in Danvers, Massachussetts 978-774-4545.

Filed Under: Weddings Tagged With: cake decorating, cakes, wedding cakes, wedding planning, wedding trends

Light Thanksgiving Recipes~ Turkey Cranberry Wraps

October 27, 2010 By Linette Leave a Comment

If you’re looking for something lighter for your Thanksgiving meal this year, or maybe you’re serving lunch, and you don’t want everyone to leave feeling stuffed. Today I have the perfect recipe for a quick Thanksgiving luncheon, or light dinner meeting with friends. These Turkey, Tart Cherry, and Cranberry Chutney Wraps would also be perfect “finger food” for a baby or bridal shower. They’re a great alternative to sandwiches.

Many of your guests will appreciate the fresher flavors, and lighter feel of this delicious wrap recipe from Mission Menus.

The best part is this is such a simple recipe! Just layer everything in and wrap. I love easy fun recipes like this!

Turkey, Tart Cherry, and Cranberry Chutney Wraps
Ingredients:

4 Mission Life Balance tortillas
8 tablespoons fat-free cream cheese
4 tablespoons cranberry chutney
4 tablespoons dried tart cherries
8 slices or ounces turkey breast
8 thin slices red onion
1 cup chopped lettuce

Directions:

Lay each tortilla flat and coat each with 2 tablespoons cream cheese, 1 tablespoon chutney, 1 tablespoon dried tart cherries, 2 slices turkey, 2 slices onion, and 1/4 cup lettuce. Roll into a tight wrap and serve. Makes 4 wraps.

You could easily double or even triple this recipe, depending on how many guests will be there.

Image and recipe courtesy of Mission Menus

Filed Under: Featured, Party Recipes, Thanksgiving Tagged With: fall recipes, Thanksgiving party, Thanksgiving recipes

Football Party Recipes: Buffalo Chicken Wings

October 26, 2010 By Linette 1 Comment

When football season comes around you’ve got to have some good wings. I love this recipe for Buffalo Chicken wings. You can use regular chicken wings, chicken breast strips or boneless chicken chunks to make them. I love making them with chicken breast strips, they’re fabulous!

I think I originally got this recipe from Emeril Live. I think I’ve made a couple tweaks to it since then (tweaked it a little to suit my own tastes). These wings make wonderful party appetizers right before or during the big game.

Buffalo Chicken Wings

20 chicken wings (you can also use chicken breast strips, or boneless breaded chicken chunks), washed and patted dry.
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1 recipe buffalo wing dipping sauce, recipe follows
Blue Cheese, or Ranch dressing

Place chicken wings into a large, zip-top plastic bag. In a small bowl, combine the flour, salt, pepper, and cayenne pepper. Add the flour mixture to the plastic bag and toss with the wings to coat well.
Pour the chicken wings and excess flour onto a baking sheet and spread evenly. Allow the chicken to sit on a floured baking sheet to dry out for about 1 hour.
Preheat a large stockpot filled halfway with vegetable oil to about 350 degrees F.
Add chicken to hot oil and fry until cooked crispy and thoroughly cooked, about 10 to 13 minutes.
Place the wings on a large cookie sheet and drizzle with half of buffalo wing dipping sauce. Toss and coat well. Serve hot with the remaining dipping sauce and Blue Cheese or Ranch dressing.

Buffalo Wing Dipping Sauce

1 cup hot sauce (Frank’s is great)
1 cup (2 sticks) melted butter, at room temperature
1 teaspoon freshly squeezed lemon juice
2 teaspoons dried basil leaves

Combine all the ingredients in a large bowl and set aside until your ready to use it.
Makes about 2 cups

They’re messy to eat, but delicious! I’ll have more tailgate party, football party and Superbowl party appetizers and finger food ideas to get you ready for your favorite teams big game.

Image via Stock.xchng

Filed Under: Party Recipes Tagged With: fall recipes, football party, tailgate party food, tailgate party ideas

Thanksgiving Cocktail Recipes

October 25, 2010 By Linette Leave a Comment

When you’re planning your Thanksgiving menu, don’t forget to include a dinner cocktail or two. Today I have a couple more yummy Thanksgiving cocktail recipes, courtesy of Blue Ice Vodka, the flavors combinations in these cocktails are all very fall, and holiday.

Maybe one of these can work as the signature cocktail at your Thanksgiving dinner bash.

This can be a great way to help out the party hostess, you can offer to pitch in with the cocktails for your contribution to the party. Just bring all the ingredients to mix up these Thanksgiving cocktails at your party destination.

These recipes can be great conversation starters, and your friends will be impressed that you came up with recipes so perfect for the fall season.

Pumpkin Pie Martini

4 parts Blue Ice Vodka
1 part DaVinci Pumpkin Pie Syrup
Cinnamon Sugar

Add Blue Ice and Pumpkin Pie Syrup to a cocktail shaker, shake well and strain. Garnish with an orange slice and pour into a cocktail glass rimmed with cinnamon sugar

Chilled Pumpkin Latte

1 ounce Blue Ice Vodka
¾ ounce coffee liqueur
¾ ounce DaVinci Pumpkin Pie Syrup

Build over cubed ice in a 12- to 14-ounce Collins-style glass

All-American Chilled Apple Pie

1 1/4 oz Blue Ice Vodka
3/4 oz Tuaca Liqueur
1/2 oz Sweet & Sour
Fill with Chilled Apple Cider

Build in order over ice in a 12 oz glass, garnish with a lemon slice, a long cinnamon stick, and a straw.

Don’t forget to remind your guests to always drink responsibly!

More fall inspired cocktail recipes for your Thanksgiving party:

Pumpkin Pie-tini

Caramel Apple Pie Cocktail

Images and recipes courtesy of Blue Ice Vodka

Filed Under: Cocktail Recipes, Featured, Thanksgiving Tagged With: Cocktail Recipes, cocktails, Thanksgiving party, Thanksgiving recipes

Healthy Fall Party Recipes~ Roasted Acorn Squash

October 23, 2010 By Linette Leave a Comment

The weather’s turning cooler, and that definitely puts me in the mood for fall flavors and entertaining.

I enjoy fall parties, because they’re usually cozier and slower paced than summer parties, I can also serve some of my favorite comfort foods to guests. If you’re looking for a recipe that for a cozy fall dinner party check out this recipe for roasted acorn squash. I love winter squash this time of year, it’s a comforting flavor.

This recipe is courtesy of Season 52 Restaurant. Their entire menu is created around a positive lifestyle, with natural cooking techniques, including open fire grilling. Yum!

Roasted Acorn Squash

Ingredients:

1 ea Acorn squash
12 spritz Extra virgin olive oil
½ tsp Kosher salt
Pinch Black pepper, fresh ground

Procedure:

Wash acorn squash in cold water.
Cut squash in half.
Scrape out all seeds with large kitchen spoon.
Cut acorn squash into 4 wedges.
Place wedges on a sheet tray.
Spritz squash with extra virgin olive oil.
Season squash with salt and pepper; stand squash cut-side up on tray.
Roast in 425º oven for 40 – 45 minutes total.
Spritz twice with olive oil during roasting and turn tray in oven.
Remove from oven and brush squash with spiced cider glaze.

Serves: 4

Filed Under: Featured, Party Recipes, Thanksgiving Tagged With: fall recipes, recipes, Thanksgiving party, Thanksgiving recipes

Tailgate Party Recipes~ Beer Brats On The Grill

October 22, 2010 By Linette Leave a Comment

Happy Friday! It’s time for the weekend, and this time of year that means it’s also time for some football and a tailgate party or two! So get out the grill, throw it in the back of the truck (gently so there aren’t any broken piecs), and get ready for a tailgate party!

Today I thought I’d share my favorite (and easy) recipe for beer brats on the grill.

You already have the beer in the cooler (Just make sure you’re not drinking it if you’re the one behind the wheel!), just bring the brats, and a few other things and you’re ready to go.

Beer Brats Recipe

1 pkg of your favorite brats
1-2 cans of beer
1 sliced onion
1 sliced green pepper
your favorite buns
a disposable aluminum pan to cook them in.

Heat up the grill. Put the sliced onion, 6 brats, beer, and green pepper in the aluminum pan, and put over medium heat on the grill. Cook the mixture for 15-20 minutes, or until the brats are cooked through. If the beer does not completely cover the brats turn them every few minutes, or add more beer.

When they’re done cooking in the beer I like to throw them directly on the grill for a few minutes to brown them up before serving.

If you need to cook more brats, just add a can of beer, a half an onion, and a pepper for every 6 brats added.

You can also use this method to cook hotdogs, or italian sausage.

Serve your beer brats, with the onions and peppers, on a bun. Enjoy!

Image via stock.xchng

Filed Under: Featured, Party Recipes Tagged With: fall harvest party, fall recipes, tailgate party food, tailgate party ideas

Snack Mix For Your Fall Harvest Party

October 21, 2010 By Linette Leave a Comment

It’s super fun to incorporate some of your favorite fall flavors into a quick and easy snack mix for your fall or Halloween party. Just throw this easy snack mix together into a large bowl, and set it out for your guests to enjoy. Here’s the recipe I like to use for a simple harvest or Halloween party snack mix.

Fall Harvest Snack Mix

Mix together:

5 cups of Chocolate Chex(tm) Cereal
1 bag Brachs(tm) Autumn Mix
2 cups of lightly salted peanuts

You can also spread this mixture out on a cookie sheet, or waxed paper, and drizzle it with melted chocolate, or white chocolate. Let it cool, then break it apart.

Yum, I love sweet and salty snack mixes.

Check out more kid’s: Halloween Party Ideas

Filed Under: Decorating, Halloween, Kid's Parties, Party Recipes Tagged With: fall harvest party, fall recipes, halloween party ideas, Halloween recipes

Using Gourds For Fall Party Decorating

October 20, 2010 By Linette 3 Comments

Today I have some fun ideas for you using one of my favorite (and low cost) fall decorating materials~ gourds. I love using gourds to decorate in the fall, and they make fabulous party decorations and centerpieces. You can use gourds several ways, either by themselves with other fall favorites.

Gourds are inexpensive, and come in a large variety of shapes, sizes, and colors. I think that’s why they’re so versatile for fall decorating.

Here are some ideas you can use to make simple party decorations featuring gourds:

Scatter them around the center of your tables, with a few miniature pumpkins and colorful fall leaves.
Put them in a basket together.
Paint faces on them, and make them fun for a kid’s party.
Place them around the base of potted mums.
Add them to a cornucopia.
Dry them and cut them out to use as serving bowls.
Mix fall flowers in with them for even more color and variety.

Gourds are so versatile, and since they’re also very affordable, especially if you grow your own.