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Friday, August 30, 2013

LABOR DAY PARTY IDEAS

DON'T SAY GOOD-BYE TO SUMMER....SAY HELLO TO FALL

LABOR DAY PARTY IDEAS

LABOR DAY INVITATIONS

WELCOME your guests with a fresh cocktail loaded with end  of summer peaches and apricots,
fresh from your local produce stand.


SAUTERNES AND STONE FRUIT COCKTAILS


1 large peach
2 medium apricots
1/3 cup peach nectar
1 cup chilled Sauternes


Pit and cube peach and apricots into 1/4" dice.  Divide fruit evenly among 16 sections of an ice cube tray.  Add 1 teaspoon of peach nectar to each section, enough to cover.  Freeze about 6 hours,
Put 4 fruit cubes into each of 4 chilled wine glasses.  Pour 1/4 cup chilled Sauternes into each glass.
 Let stand 5 minutes

Ginger Apple Bourbon Cocktail (From Tampopo Post)
Ice
Ginger Beer (Get real ginger beer, not ginger ale – the favors are totally different. My favorite is Goslings, if you can find it. Otherwise Goose Island and Sprecher are good too.)
Apple Cider
Kentucky Bourbon
Apple (optional)
Fill a glass with ice. Add ginger beer, cider, and bourbon at a 2:2:1 ratio. If you want to dress it up, cut an apple across its equator into slices for garnish. Stir. Sip. Feel the warmth in your tummy. Be happy.And if your looking for a non-alcoholic version you can replace the bourbon with a teaspoon of maple syrup for a delicious alternative.
Now that we have the important menu ideas taken caer of (you will want one of these while preparing your food menu)  Let's move onto a few fun food dishes!
GRILLED CORN ON THE COB

Ingredients
8 ears corn
Garlic butter, recipe follows
1/2 cup grated cotija cheese
4 fresh limes, quartered
2 tablespoons chopped chives, for garnish
Directions
Preheat grill to medium. Peel back the husks of the corn without removing them. Remove the silks and recover the corn with the husk. Soak in large bowl of cold water for 30 minutes. Remove corn from water and shake off excess. Place the corn on the grill, close the cover and grill for 15 to 20 minutes.

Unwrap corn and brush with the garlic butter. Sprinkle with the cotija cheese and squeeze with lime. Sprinkle with chopped chives, to garnish.

Garlic Butter:
2 sticks unsalted butter, slightly softened
8 cloves garlic, peeled and coarsely chopped
1/4 habanero pepper, seeded
1/4 bunch fresh chives
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
Combine butter, garlic, habanero, and chives in a food processor and process until smooth. Season with salt and pepper. Set aside until ready to use.


GRILLED PORK SLIDERS WITH WASABI AND PEACHES

PREPARATION

For this lively appetizer, combine the first 5 ingredients and portion the burgers into quarter pound disks.
Preheat the grill to medium high.
Slice the peaches and brush lightly with olive oil. Grill the peaches first. Grill for 5 minutes on each side or until the peach is tender and has nice grill marks. Remove the peaches from the grill and brush with a generous amount of the marinade.
To grill the pork burger, cook the for 6-7 minutes per side.
Place several slices of grilled peach on to a hamburger bun and top with a pork burger.
To finish top with Asian Coleslaw

Coleslaw

Coleslaw

Serves 4-6
  • 2 c green cabbage, shredded
  • 2 c red cabbage, shredded
  • ( you can just use one colour – 4 c)
  • 1 stick celery, finely sliced
  • 1 carrot, grated
  • 1/2 c shallots or spring onions, finely chopped
COMBINE ALL VEGGIES IN A LARGE BOWL.  CHILL UNTIL READY TO SERVE....
WITHOUT THE DRESSING (your veggies will become soggy if you dress too early)

  • Asian Coleslaw (dressing)

    • 1 Tbs lemon juice
    • 1 Tbs sesame oil
    • 1 Tbs soy sauce
    • 1 tsp white vinegar
    • 1 tsp brown sugar
    • 1 tsp ginger, minced
    • 1 tsp sesame seeds
  • ABOUT 1/2 HOUR BEFORE SERVING ADD DRESSING TO VEGGIES AND MIX WELL.  THIS WILL KEEP YOUR SLAW FROM BECOMING SOGGY BUT WILL IMPORT ALL OF THAT DELICIOUS FLAVOR. 
  • Eat as a side dish or top your grilled pork (or beef, or chicken) sliders.
  • 1/2 c shallots or spring onions, finely choppedLL
    EASY WATERMELON TART


    Recipe


    Ingredients

    • 1 cup sliced almonds
    • 1 (5 inch thick) slice of seedless watermelon, rind removed
    • 12 ounces Yoplait vanilla yogurt
    • 1/2 cup blueberries
    • 1/2 cup sliced strawberries

    Directions

    1. 1Toast almonds in a skillet over medium heat for a couple of minutes or until golden. Remove from pan to cool.
    2. 2Cut watermelon into 8 even pie shaped wedges.
    3. 3Dip outside curved edge of watermelon in yogurt then in sliced almonds and place on serving platter in a pie-shaped formation. Repeat with remaining watermelon wedges.
    4. 4Once all of the wedges have been placed in a pie shape, use the remainder of the yogurt to frost the top of the "pie".
    5. 5Place blueberries and sliced strawberries in a decorative pattern on top.
    6. 6Serve immediately or chill until serving.


I hope you enjoy a long LABOR DAY holiday weekend with friend and family!

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Monday, August 26, 2013

CELEBRATE BACK TO SCHOOL MOMS !!

HEY MOM!!

Gather your neighbors, grab a seat on the porch, clink your tall, cool glasses of this refreshing watermelon cocktail as you wait for the school bus to bring your little ones back from their first day of school!

Front Porch
2 oz. vodka
½ oz. fresh-squeezed lime juice
½ oz. simple syrup
Watermelon soda
Build over ice in a tall glass, top with watermelon soda, and mix.
Watermelon Soda
Yields 16 oz
1 seedless watermelon, rind removed and diced
¼ cup agave nectar
8 oz. San Pellegrino or club soda
Add diced watermelon and agave nectar to a blender and puree for 20 seconds until smooth. Pour watermelon puree into a 16 oz. mason jar, filling halfway, then add sparkling water and mix.

This is so refreshing you may want to make a BIG pitcher to sip from as you peruse the stacks of first day paperwork to fill out!! 
 YUP, YOU HAVE HOMEWORK TOO!!
Enjoy an exiting and successful new school year!
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Monday, August 5, 2013

WEDDING DANCE SONGS & IDEAS




So many of these songs are from years gone by and many brides were not even born when these were popular!  But you can listen to them here and they just may strike a chord! 
 There may be something appropriate for the FATHER/DAUGHTER DANCE.  There is surely something your Dad remembers.  And of course, there is DADDY'S LITTLE GIRL.  No matter how independent or non traditional you may be, you will ALWAYS be Daddy's Little Girl! And that is very special.

I JUST had to include this ELVIS song.  I don't know if I love it because it's ELVIS or THE WORDS or the most SWOON WORTHY COMBINATION.  but you MUST listen to it!



If you need ideas for music for the various "BIG MOMENTS" of your wedding, look no further!

  Check this out : 

You will find beautiful songs for 
THE PRE WEDDING CEREMONY
THE BRIDAL PARTY ENTRANCE
THE BRIDE'S ENTRANCE
THE COUPLE'S ENTRANCE AT THE RECEPTION
THE BRIDE AND GROOMS FIRST DANCE
THE MOST POPULAR WEDDING RECEPTION SONGS OF ALL TIME


You may find some inspiration on this HUFFPOST article or just some PURE ENTERTAINMENT!  

Have you thought about your GRAND ENTRANCE or FIRST DANCE? 
Choreographed dances are definitely on trend right now. 
 If you want to get the party started, go for it with a fun, original dance to your favorite song.  
Consider including your Bridal party for added fun.
  Talk to your DJ or Band Leader for inspiration.  
Music is most definitely going to make this day extra special!

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