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.