Signature Oscar Night Party

Pomegranate Soda

In years past, I've recommended a formal Red-Carpet approach to your Oscar Night Party. This year I decided that a more casual laid back movie night kind of a setting will work just as well.

Wolfgang Puck's 2012 menu for the Oscars has been unveiled and it is Oscar worthy as usual, no pun intended. The only format that he has this year that I'm recommending is 'small plates'. There won't be a formal sit down dinner as years before but small bites of different dishes. The guest this year will be able to mingle more in lounge settings.

The movie night format that I recommend is more kid friendly. For the children's drink, a Pomegranate Soda will be a big hit. A signature drink for the adults, is a simple yet delicious Ginger Sparkler which is  made of ginger syrup and sparkling wine.

Cheese Fondue

For red-carpet munchies, I recommend flavored popcorn and cheese fondue. Flavored popcorn's are fun and delicious for any TV time. Try unique flavors like Cajun, Italian or Southwestern. Fondues of any kind is another fun activity at the event. Guests can create their own cheese fondue plates from small bite sized crudites and crusty breads.

 Edible Movie Scenes

Forest Gump Shrimp

 

 Mystic Pizza

   

Fried Green Tomato

 Here's a wonderful idea from Martha Stewart. Create an Oscar menu based on movie scenes. I absolutely love it!

From the movie Forest Gump, do you remember this scene (one of my favorites) when Bubba repeats this line that seems to go on forever when he reminds of all the ways to cook shrimp? Barbecue it, boil it, broil it, bake it, saute it. Shrimp creole, shrimp gumbo, pan-fried shrimp, stir-fried shrimp and on and on. Well, prepare a shrimp dish just the way you like it to serve to your guests.

Another old favorite movie is Mystic Pizza. Prepare a pizza for you and your guests with all your favorite toppings. Come up with your own delicious recipe and have your guests to guess the ingredients.

How can we forget Fried Green Tomatoes. It is an all time movie favorite, especially among women. Serve up a good batch of these and your guests will be signing your praises.

When Harry Met Sally Apple Pie

Let's end the meal with a yummy Apple Pie. In the movie When Harry Met Sally, Sally Albright (Meg Ryan's character) said these words;" I'd like the chef's salad, please, with the oil and vinegar on the side and the apple pie a la mode. But I'd like the pie heated, and I don't want the ice cream on top. I want it on the side. And I'd like strawberry instead of vanilla if you have it. If not, then no ice cream -- just whipped cream, but only if it's real. If it's out of a can, then nothing."

You may not be in any of these movie scenes but you can prepare your own award winning recipes. Get your invitation list together and enjoy your night at the Oscars!

All Photos from MarthaStewart.com

Signature Valentine Celebration Ideas

Hot Chocolate Date with Personalized Mug

Ooh it's Valentines again! I will share some simple ideas that you can easily do for your Valentine. These ideas are simple, inexpensive and heart-warming. The following 3 ideas are from Better Home and Garden.
The hot chocolate and personalized mug above is a perfect way to turn a valentine gift into an intimate date. In each mug place a packet of Gourmet Hot Chocolate and Irish Cream Liquor packaged in beautiful tissue paper. Write a personal heartfelt message and or drawing on your respective mugs and exchange. This can be an after dinner treat for you both to enjoy.

Fortune Cookies with Dipping Chocolate

Fortune cookies with a chocolate dipping sauce is also a tasty idea after dinner. Line a Chinese takeout box with tissue paper and add store bought fortune cookies. Wrap the dipping sauce with patterned paper and ribbon and tuck a heart in the ribbon to complete the look. This is a fun and sweet treat to share as dessert with your Valentine. Have fun reading your fortune together!

Brownie Trifles

 Hmm...what a yummy dessert! To make this decadent dessert is simple and easy. Layer brownies, whip cream and raspberries to make this scrumptious treat!

Valentine Candy

The above idea is from Martha Stewart online. For a modern twist to Valentine candy, line a clear, round container with heart shape cookie cutters and fill the cookie cutters with multicolored candy for a unique presentation. This is a nice treat for the Valentine who loves candy.

Happy Valentines Day!

Signature Game-Day Party Ideas



Martha Stewart Crafts

 

         

 It's Game-Day and tomorrow the New York Giants will take on the New England Patriots in Super Bowl XLVI. I don't know who you are cheering for but I'm going for the Giants and old Eli Manning. I know that he can get the job done! It doesn't matter who you are cheering for as long as you are celebrating Super Bowl.

I've gathered some delicious recipes and entertaining ideas for your game-day party. Martha Stewart featured football field runner with football coasters are really neat crafts for you to re-create for your  party table. Hang a garland behind the table of your favorite team. Give the children poms poms in your team colors so that they can feel a part of the celebration. Add drink tags to wine glasses and drink glasses in your team colors and logo. To further enhance your theme, add flags in your team colors and logo to brownies or cupcakes for dessert. Your can obtain any of these items at a party store like a Party City. Serving your side dishes and main course on your team plates with team napkins is fun. If this will cause problems with your guests, then use plain colored plates in your team colors.

I want to share some recipes with you for a Crabby Guacamole from Rachel Ray, a Honey Ginger Lime-Aid from Better Homes and Garden and  Bowl-Ready Brownies with a fudge brownie recipe from Martha Stewart.

 Crabby Guacamole

Ingredients

1 recipe guacamole

8 ounces lump crab meat

Old Bay Seasoning

1 small rib celery from the heart with leafy top, finely chopped

1 small red Fresno chili, seeded and finely chopped

A few dashes hot sauce, such a Frank’s Red Hot

Yields: 2- 2 1/2 cups 

Preparation

Prepare base guacamole in a mixing bowl. In a separate bowl, run your fingers through the crab to check for shells. Season crab to taste with Old Bay. Add half of the crab to the guacamole, along with the finely chopped celery and Fresno chili. Gently combine, transfer to serving bowl and cover the top of the mound of guacamole with remaining crab. Garnish with a little hot sauce.

Guacamole

Ingredients

1/2 small red onion, finely chopped

Juice of 1 lemon

Juice of 1 lime

Salt

2 avocados

1 large jalapeño, seeded and finely chopped

A small handful cilantro leaves, finely chopped

1 large or 2 medium cloves garlic, pasted or grated

Yields: 1 1/2 cups  

Preparation

In a mixing bowl, douse the red onions with the citrus juice and a liberal sprinkle of salt. Let stand 10 minutes.

Halve and pit the avocados. Scoop flesh into a bowl and add jalapeño, cilantro and garlic. Mash with a fork into a fairly smooth dip. Adjust seasonings to taste. 

Honey Ginger Lime-Aid

Ingredients

3 cups water

½ cup finely chopped fresh ginger

2 3-inch strips lime peel

½ cup packed brown sugar

½ cup honey

1 ½ cups fresh lime juice*

1 fresh jalapeno chile pepper, seeded and thinly sliced** (optional)

1 1 liter bottle sparkling water, chilled

Ice cubes

Lime wedges

Fresh ginger slices

Directions

1.In a small saucepan combine 2 cups of the water and the finely chopped ginger. Bring to boiling; reduce heat. Boil gently, uncovered, for 3 minutes. Remove from heat; stir in lime peel. Cover and let stand for 15 minutes. Strain into a pitcher; discard solids.

2.Add brown sugar and honey to ginger liquid in pitcher, stirring to dissolve sugar. Stir in lime juice, jalapeno pepper (if desired), and the remaining 1 cup water. Cover and chill for at least 2 hours (up to 3 days).

Simply use a football-shape cookie cutter to carve these winning treats from a tray of brownies and then pipe on frosting.

Fudge Brownies

Ingredients

3/4 cup all-purpose flour

1 tablespoon best-quality cocoa powder, preferably Valrhona

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, plus more for pan

3/4 teaspoon instant espresso powder

5 ounces semisweet chocolate, finely chopped

3/4 cup granulated sugar

1/4 cup light-brown sugar

3 large eggs

1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

3/4 cup (4 1/2 ounces) semisweet chocolate chips, optional

Directions

1.   Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Butter an 8-by-8-inch square baking pan. Line with parchment paper and butter parchment.

2.  In a medium bowl, sift together flour, cocoa powder, and salt; set aside

3.  In a large, heavy-bottomed saucepan, combine butter and espresso. Place over low heat and stir until butter has melted. Add chocolate, and stir constantly until mixture is smooth, about 2 minutes. Remove from heat, stir in both sugars until well combined.

4.  Add eggs and vanilla and continue stirring until well incorporated and mixture no longer appears grainy. Sift flour mixture over batter, and stir until just combined. Stir in chocolate chips, if using.

5.  Pour batter into prepared baking pan; smooth top with the back of a wooden spoon or a spatula. Bake until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out with a few moist crumbs, 28 to 30 minutes. Be sure not to over bake. Let cool completely on a wire rack. Cut into 9 brownies.

Happy Game-Day with family and friends!

·1

cupbutter

·6

ouncesunsweetened chocolate, coarsely chopped

·2

cupssugar

·4

eggs

·2

teaspoonsvanilla

·1 1/3

cupsall-purpose flour

·

teaspoonbaking soda

·1

cupminiature semisweet chocolate pieces

·Creamy Vanilla Frosting or 1 cup canned vanilla frosting

Honey-Ginger Limeade

·1

·2

·3

·4

·5

Loved It?







Signature Venue-Parks House DC

Circular Driveway

Front with Valet

Saying Happy New Year seems so off since it is the almost the end of January. But I will say it never-the-less because it is the first time that I'm blogging for the New Year!

I want to bring your attention to an event space that I visited last year fall because it is a unique space that exudes old world charm. Parks House DC is located on the Embassy Row area of Washington DC next to the Naval Observatory. It is situated on 1.4 acre of beautiful gardens and elegant surroundings.

Front Door

Foyer

The moment you enter the door, you can feel the warmth of the space. From the wooden floors throughout the house and the fireplace that graces the living room area. I was given a tour of the property by Mr. Parks who grew up in this house from the age of 6 years old. He informed me that he and his lovely wife Mimi purchased the house from his dad's estate.

Dining room

Dining Room

This historical home is filled with antiques and architectural details. As you enter the foyer and turn right, there is a dining room that seats 12. As you continue to the right you encounter a theatre room, a remodeled kitchen to the left and a pub further around the corner.

Theatre Room

The theatre room above can hold a small meeting or conference with the above furniture removed and adding your own rentals.

Kitchen featuring Chef from Ocassions Catering

Pub

The pub area is a cool space to use for a Sweet 16 or Bar/Bat Mitzvah event or any other special events.

Living Room left side

Living room with a bar(far right & partial view of fireplace)

Mimi Parks 3rd from left in Living Room

When you enter the foyer to the left is the formal living room which leads into a sitting room beyond. From the living room, you also have access to a beautiful patio decorated with plants and flowers.

Sitting Room

Back Entrance to Patio

Patio

This event space offers over 7,000 sq feet of living space for rent. It also offers the luxury of valet parking at its location. The 1.4 acre property can be tented in a gorgeous garden setting if you choose.

Side House View Showing Upstairs Balcony

Garden View

Garden View

If you are seeking a location for an event for about 180 people reception style, then you should check this space out. It is elegant and inviting with a splash of old world charm!


All Photos by William H Joseph of joe-co.