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Garden, Home & Party

~ My love of gardening, making home comfortable and entertaining friends and family.

Garden, Home & Party

Category Archives: Recipes

{Party} Recent entertaining and recipes

23 Wednesday Jul 2014

Posted by Karen B. in Entertaining, Food, Recipes

≈ 32 Comments

Tags

orzo salad recipe

Hello sweet readers!  How is your summer going?  Has it been filled with fun and relaxation?

Garden, Home and Party: Easy entertaining, recipe

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I’ve been negligent where the “party” part of my blog is concerned so I thought I’d share a recent menu for a very simple summer barbecue we hosted earlier this month.  When I say simple well,  that might be an understatement.

Menu

Appetizer – we prepared a simple cheese board with crackers, almonds and a couple of cheeses we enjoy

Main Course – Grilled Santa Maria Tri Tip

Orzo Salad

Dessert – Fleur de Sel Chocolate Chip Cookies with Vanilla Ice Cream

Super simple.  Below is the recipe for the orzo salad.  The Tri Tip we used came from Costco:  Bailey’s Pre-Marinated Tri Tip.  I adapted the orzo recipe from Ina Garten’s recipe for Roasted Shrimp & Orzo.  I knew I wanted to prepare the Santa Maria Tri Tip so I didn’t need the shrimp.  If you would like to see her original recipe it can be found HERE.  The chocolate chip cookie recipe is Nestle’s Toll House recipe with 2 changes.  I used Ghiradelli Bitter Sweet Chocolate Chips and before baking I sprinkled the tiniest pinch of flaked fleur de sel.  The cookies were a hit and our friends thought it was some fancy new recipe.

Garden, Home and Party

Orzo Salad Recipe

 {source for image below}Garden, Home and Party: entertaining, easy recipe

Garden, Home and Party: entertaining, easy recipe

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We enjoyed appetizers under the trees and when it began to cool down we moved to the dining room for the dinner and dessert.

 Garden, Home and Party: entertaining, easy recipe

Garden, Home and Party: entertaining, easy recipe

Garden, Home and Party: entertaining, easy recipe

Garden, Home and Party: entertaining, easy recipe

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*Readers that don’t have a Costco or a Trader Joe’s nearby here’s a recipe for Santa Maria Tri Tip:  http://www.simplyrecipes.com/recipes/santa_maria_style_tri_tip/

Garden, Home and Party: entertaining, easy recipeI wish you a Happy Week during this summer season.  If you have questions concerning the recipe, please email me or leave a comment, I promise to try to answer any and all questions.  I will be taking a bit of time off from blogging as Olivia, our granddaughter, is coming to stay with us for a couple of weeks (oh, and her mommy and daddy will be joining us for one of the two weeks).  ♥

 

{Home} Thanksgiving, my favorite recipe and more

01 Friday Nov 2013

Posted by Karen B. in Entertaining, Food, Holiday/Seasonal cooking, House and Home, Recipes

≈ 19 Comments

Tags

Favorite Thanksgiving Recipe

Garden, Home and Party: Favorite T-day Recipe

I love this particular time of year, but I especially enjoy Thanksgiving.  There’s no gift buying pressure, just plenty of good food and fun times to share with family and friends. While I realize it’s only the 1st of November, you and I both know the time will fly and before you know it you’ll be making your grocery list for the feast.

Garden, Home and Party: Favorite T-day Recipe

I enjoy cooking but I probably enjoying eating as much.  Alison over at The Polohouse is hosting her Favorites On the First and the topic is your favorite Thanksgiving recipe.  At first I was perplexed…should I feature a mouth-watering pumpkin pie recipe or the Texas Stuffing I found in the Los Angeles Times Food Section years ago?

Garden, Home and Party: Favorite T-day Recipe

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When it comes right down to it though, I think my favorite thing for the meal is mashed potatoes.  We don’t eat them that often and we certainly don’t throw on gravy for good measure when we do.  As if creamy, buttery potatoes need something more!  But Thanksgiving we throw waistline watching out the window and gravy tops every helping of mashed potatoes.  Anyway, my favorite recipe is called make-ahead mashed potatoes (which is one of the things I like best about the recipe.)  Here goes:

Garden, Home and Party: Favorite T-day Recipe

{image source and another delicious potato recipe}

Make Ahead Mashed Potatoes ~ adapted from HERE

Oven, preheated 350° at the time you’re planning on reheating the potatoes.

5 pounds potatoes, Russet or Yukon Gold

1 1/2 sticks of butter, divided

1 8 oz whipped cream cheese

1/2 cup Half & Half

2 teaspoon kosher salt [1 teaspoon in the pot while the potatoes boil, 1 teaspoon (or less, depending on taste preference) when mashing]

1/2 teaspoon freshly ground pepper

Peel and cut the potatoes.  Bring a large pot of water to a boil, add 1 teaspoon salt, add potatoes and return the water to a boil.  Cook for 30 minutes and check for tenderness.  Once the potatoes are cooked, drain in a colander.  Return the potatoes to the pot and turn the stove on low, just to make sure all of the moisture is gone.

Off the flame, add 1 stick of butter, remaining salt, pepper, half & half, and cream cheese.  Mash to a creamy consistency.  *Don’t worry if they seem a little bit soupy, they firm up when refrigerated.  Once mashed, place in an oven-proof dish and dot with the remaining 1/2 stick of butter.  Potatoes may be refrigerated at this point. If you make the recipe a couple days in advance, take the dish out of the fridge about 2 hours before serving time.  Bake uncovered in a 350 degree oven for about 20-30 minutes or until hot.

Garden, Home and Party: Favorite Thanksgiving Recipe

Garden, Home and Party: Favorite T-day Recipe

Garden, Home and Party: Favorite T-day Recipe

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By the way, the above image reminds me of the first Martha Stewart Thanksgiving special on TV.  She had converted her “barn” into the most warm and welcoming dining space, as only she can do!

Garden, Home and Party: Favorite T-day Recipe

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How cute are these pudding cups?  If you have children or just like delicious food visit HERE

Garden, Home and Party: Favorite T-day Recipe

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Garden, Home and Party: Favorite T-day RecipeGarden, Home and Party: T-day Favorite Recipe

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Garden, Home and Party: Favorite T-day Recipe

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Do you have a personal favorite recipe for Thanksgiving?  If its not a family secret, share.  If you have time be sure to visit The Polohouse, you’re sure to be happy you did.

Garden, Home and Party: Favorite T-day Recipe

{GHP} Braised Short Ribs recipe and Happy Halloween

30 Wednesday Oct 2013

Posted by Karen B. in Halloween, Holiday/Seasonal cooking, Recipes

≈ 16 Comments

Garden, Home and Party: Braised Short Ribs and Happy Halloween

Since Halloween is on a Thursday night this year, I thought I would make Mr. B. and I a comforting meal to fortify us between the doorbell and goblins.  I’m trying Braised Short Ribs from Jenny Steffens Hobick of Everyday Occasions.  Doesn’t this look delicious?  Jenny comes up with fabulous recipes and I’ve provided the link (above).

Garden, Home and Party: Braised Short Ribs and Happy Halloween

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Since it needs to cook some time in the oven, I’ll prepare them this evening and we’ll eat them tomorrow.  That often enhances the flavors and makes everything taste even better.

I’m also including a few images I’ve gathered that might offer some ideas for last minute decorations…

Garden, Home and Party: Braised Short Ribs recipe and Happy Halloween

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Garden, Home and Party: Braised Short Ribs and Happy Halloween

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Garden, Home and Party: Braised Short Ribs recipe and Happy Halloween

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Garden, Home and Party: Braised short rib recipe and Happy Halloween

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Garden, Home and Party: Braised Short Ribs recipe and Happy Halloween

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Garden, Home and Party: Braised short rib recipe and Happy Halloween

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Garden, Home and Party: Braised Short Ribs recipe and Happy Halloween

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Garden, Home and Party: Braised Short Ribs recipe and Happy Halloween

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Do you get a lot of trick-or-treat goblins and princesses in your neighborhood?

HAPPY HALLOWEEN

♥

I’m linking to Savvy Southern Style’s Wow us Wednesday

{Party} Meatloaf, recipe variations

06 Wednesday Mar 2013

Posted by Karen B. in Entertaining, Food, House and Home, Recipes

≈ 23 Comments

Tags

Meatloaf

As I mentioned in my Valentine’s Dinner post, meatloaf, especially in the winter months, is a comfort food…for some, not for me.  It is one of Mr. B’s favorite meals and it used to be a favorite of my father’s.  I can remember mom making a huge meatloaf and then we would eat meatloaf sandwiches for a couple of days after she served the beast.

559_1770_Meatloaf{1770 House Meatloaf ~ Ina Garten, Foolproof}

Years ago, when my mom fixed meatloaf for Mr. B (shortly after we were married) on our drive home he said, “why don’t you ever fix meatloaf?”  To which I stated, “because I don’t really care for it”…yep, I can be selfish that way.  After giving it some thought I decided maybe it was my mom’s meatloaf that I really didn’t like (bless you, mom) so I began trying meatloaf recipes from a wide array of sources.

nancy's daily dish via the enchanted home{source}

6-Hunting-2Bcharlotte moss1{Charlotte Moss}

I hit upon a recipe that I was certain couldn’t be rivaled in a 2001 Bon Appetit.  The March issue featured a meatloaf called “Red-Onion Meat Loaf“.  Since Mr. B loved red onion and I didn’t mind it I figured I’d give it a go.  It’s a delicious recipe and I’ve given you the link so that you can easily print it and try it yourself.

3-Fauteuil-de-style-Louis-XV-et-assiettes-en-faience-fin-XIXe-a-decor-de-gibier-d-eau_carrousel_gallery_xl5-grieg winter table{source}

Then, a few years ago we were watching Bobby Flay’s Throw Down, on Food TV.  He threw down for a meatloaf cook-off with the Collucci brothers of Hyannis, Mass.  They have been serving their meatloaf recipe for generations at the Collucci’s 4 Brothers Bistro & Last Resort.  I seem to remember that Bobby lost the throw down, but it was his recipe that sounded best to Mr. B. and I.  I’ve been making the recipe ever since…until Ian Garten’s new Foolproof cookbook had a recipe for 1770 House meatloaf.  I had to try it.  It’s delicious but Mr. B, and fortunately, I agree that Bobby Flay’s recipe still wins our cravings, hands down.

4-france, table setting7=lisa luby ryan 3table{source}

Click on the link for each recipe and give them a try if you and yours love meat loaf.  I’ve included table settings to jazz things up a bit.  Hey, if you’re going to eat you have to set the table, right?

8=martha stewart, photo by maura mcevoy{Martha Stewart ~ photo by Maura McEvoy}

9-NaturalXmas4 The Table 12.4.11

Do you like meatloaf?  If you have a wonderful recipe, I’d love to borrow it.  I’m always searching for the next “best” meatloaf ever for my honey!

{Happy 40th Anniversary, Mr. B}

{Party} It’s the season for comfort food

01 Tuesday Jan 2013

Posted by Karen B. in Entertaining, Food, Holiday/Seasonal cooking, Recipes

≈ 21 Comments

Tags

comfort food

Okay, so maybe I wouldn’t throw a party and serve comfort food, or would I?  Why not?  In any case I’m sharing my favorite winter comfort food recipe with you today.  I was motivated to do this, in part, because The Polohouse has made comfort food her “Favorites on the First” topic and since the weather here in the U.S., even in Southern California, is very cool what better time to prepare soul warming, calorie loaded comfort food.  Consider it my way of forcing the inevitable must exercise more goal.

I confess, comfort food does just what it’s supposed to do to me when I eat it.  I feel satisfied and comfortable, even relaxed.  That might be caused by the over- abundance of calories in most of my favorite comfort foods, but either way, we don’t indulge that often and only when the NEED arises.

So, here you go.  This is a winner for my family.  It’s an Emeril Lagasse recipe, but my dear friend on Bainbridge Island, Linda, tested it out first. (Thank you, Linda) She is the person I give credit to for having tried and loved this recipe.  Oh, and I have actually served this to guests at a dinner party.  The individual baked pies provide great presentation.

Savory-Chicken-Pot-Pies.ashx

Emeril’s Chicken Pot Pie – {Food TV provides a printable version of this recipe}

In addition to the recipe, I’ve included some comfort inviting rooms for your viewing enjoyment.

1-browns-diningroom-0308-xlg

2-Friday Favesies GUest sitting room HP Home D Mag Karlisch3-photo4-phoebe howard enchanted home5-John Stefanidis coffee table6-great book case TG Interiors7-photo by michael mcnamara living room8-Traditional Home Joseph Minton 29-sky-blue-breakfast-room-in-beach-cottage ralph lauren10-antiquarian books and prints via content in a cottage11-david michael miller, providence 9.17.12and one of my favorites for comfort…

12-lyn comfort chairHere’s to a comfortable 2013.  May the New Year be filled with peace and love for all of us.  Happy New Year!

I’m visiting Savvy Southern Style’s Wow Us Wednesdays, stop by for some great ideas.

{Party} Dining by candlelight

08 Thursday Nov 2012

Posted by Karen B. in Entertaining, Fall Entertaining and Decorations, Food, Holiday/Seasonal cooking, Party Planning, Recipes

≈ 25 Comments

Tags

candlelight, Irish Stew

Garden, Home and Party 11.8.12I’ve always liked using candles in and around my home.  I think that the fall/winter months are my favorite time of the year to let candlelight provide the light needed to dine by.

Until the early 20th century, everyone ate by candlelight, I’m sure they didn’t think of it as anything more than an essential way to see what you were eating.  Bright lights became the norm as the introduction of electricity was installed in homes and restaurants everywhere.

Garden, Home and Party 11.8.12{Party Resources ~ Carolyne Roehm}

Garden, Home and Party 11.8.12{Party Resources ~ Carolyne Roehm}

According to Jan Whitaker of Resturant-ing Through History,

…there were some ultra-refined people who considered the glare of bright light vulgar. Etiquette expert Emily Holt recommended in1902 that candles be used instead of gas or electric chandeliers for home dinner parties lest the dinner resemble a “blazing feast … in some hotel restaurant.”

Candlelight promised the gentility of an elite dinner party, far removed from loud music, noise, and guests who drank too much. Candles suited the tea room perfectly. Not only did they shed flattering light, they discouraged the rowdy, fun-seeking masses from entering the door. Tea room owners, overwhelmingly WASPs, also liked how candles, as well as lanterns and fireplaces, created a quaint atmosphere that they imagined resembled how their Colonial ancestors lived.

I confess, candlelight does seem to make everything look better.  Even the faces of guests seem aglow when we dim the electric lights and let candlelight do its magic.

Garden, Home and Party 11.8.12

So, in addition to a recipe for my beef stew (below), here are some pretty tables with candlelight as their main source of illumination.

{image source}

*Note, this image captures what my stew looks like when I serve it in these bread rounds, but for some reason, my food photography leaves much to be desired for capturing the delicious goodness on the plate.  Thank you for your understanding.

KB’s Irish Stew (serves 6)

INGREDIENTS:

2 pounds Chuck roast, cubed, patted dry

2 tablespoons canola oil

2 tablespoons butter

4 large carrots, scrubbed and sliced

8 large mushrooms, sliced

3 medium potatoes, diced

1 large onion, diced

1 1/2 cup frozen peas

6 cups beef broth+

1/3 cup flour

1/3 cup heavy cream or half and half

1 teaspoon fresh thyme

Salt and pepper to taste

INSTRUCTIONS:

Cube beef, trim off excess fat.  Heat oil and butter in Dutch oven over medium-high heat.  Dry beef with paper towels; season with salt and pepper; brown beef in small batches.  Once brown on all sides; continue until all beef is browned; set aside.

Lower heat to medium and add onion and carrots, (it may be necessary to add a little more oil) cook about 2-4 minutes (until translucent); add mushrooms and cook until mushrooms have released their juices.  Return beef to pan and add broth and cubed potatoes.  Reduce heat to keep (medium-low or low heat)* stew simmering; cook for 2 hours, with lid on pan.  Check periodically in case more broth is needed.

*This can be cooked in the oven at 325° for 2 – 2 1/2 hours, check periodically to make sure you don’t run out of broth in the stew.

30 minutes before stew is finished, make slurry of flour and whipping cream, add to stew and stir.  Check and adjust seasonings.

Serve in a mini-boule that has been hollowed out (retain lid) and dry for a few minutes in the oven or with a loaf of crusty bread and salad.

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Mercury glass candles make everything shimmer and it seems they are very popular this fall.

I like tapers as much as votives and often use a combination when we serve dinner.  Do you have a preference when you entertain?

Garden, Home and Party 11.8.12Downton Abbey – isn’t this pretty?  I can’t wait for Season 3!

Garden, Home and Party 11.8.12{Inspiring Interiors ~ Christmas in Oslo}

Garden, Home and Party 11.8.12{via}

Garden, Home and Party 11.8.12{Inspiring Interiors}

The above image is one of my favorites, I borrowed it from Kifus over at Inspiring Interiors.  If you’ve never visited her site you’re in for a treat.  She features homes from all over the world and most are exquisite. {The tray that holds the mercury glass votives and vintage silver candlesticks is so pretty}

Garden, Home and Party 11.8.12{The New Victorian Ruralist}

Isn’t this a clever idea.  I’m not sure where you’d find 7 rustic ladles of varying sizes but it’s a very fun image.

Garden, Home and Party 11.8.12{the adventures of tartanscot}

Every Christmas Scot of the adventures of tartanscot shares photographs of his dining room table, complete with little gifts for guests and every year I’m inspired and in awe.  His talents in all of the design work he does is always worthwhile.

Garden, Home and Party 11.8.12{Party Resources}

Garden, Home and Party 11.8.12{Shari Curtis Mortensen ~ Pinterest}

Garden, Home and Party 11.8.12{tumblr ~ That Inspirational Girl}

I realize some of the table settings are wedding settings, but you get the idea, right.  Besides, we have a wedding coming up (watch for posts pre/post wedding) and candlelight will be a huge part of the ambiance of our (Son #2 & fiance) upcoming celebration.

In light of the stew recipe, maybe I should plan on this (below) form of candlelight…

Garden, Home and Party 11.8.12{tumblr ~ Little White Daisies}

Do you enjoy dining by candlelight? 

I’ve joined in the fun at Stone Gable for her Turtorials and Tips party, see you there.

{Party} Some seasonal finds via blog land

16 Tuesday Oct 2012

Posted by Karen B. in Entertaining, Fall Entertaining and Decorations, Food, Holiday/Seasonal cooking, Recipes, Simple Meals for the Avid Cook

≈ 14 Comments

Tags

recipes, Table Settings

I believe autumn is at least partly responsible for the extra enthusiasm I experience during this time of year, that or the cooler weather which aids with slumber and allows me to stay more energized.  Therefore I feel like cooking more, trying new recipes.  Does this happen to you?

~I hope you aren’t sick of my speaking of Autumn and the seasonal traditions and go along with it~

And George blog, 9.25.12{via}

Blog land is bursting at the seams with great ideas and inspiration for all things fall, but there have been a few recipes that were so tempting I thought I’d share them with you.

If you’re going to eat, you know you’ll have to set the table so I’m including some nice table settings too.  [I’m a full-service blogger]

Party Resources, 9.20.12{via Party Resources}

We don’t have maple trees in our area but we do have a tree (Liquid Amber) that gives us a show of color, but the branches are very high and it’s not on our property so you can see my dilemma.  I wonder if the branches (above) are real or faux?

Let’s start with this delicious Skinny Spiced Latte Recipe from Yummy Mummy Kitchen.  Marina nearly ruined my day when she mentioned that the Spiced Pumpkin Latte you get at most coffee houses was 390 calories!  It’s not that I have them that often but I didn’t know this calorie fact,  they might as well be considered meal-replacement at 390 calories.  I know, I know, just order it with non-fat milk.  Ugh, not nearly as tasty.  So, maybe you will find this to be a delicious, low calorie replacement…I’m going to try them.

{via Yummy Mummy Kitchen}

Skinny Pumpkin Spice Latte :: by Yummy Mummy Kitchen, Marina

Pumpkin Whipped Cream:
makes about 25 (2.5 tablespoon servings)

1/3 cup canned pure pumpkin (not pumpkin pie mix)
1/4 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
10 ounces TruWhip (available at many grocery stores including Ralphs and Whole Foods)
sprinkles or additional pumpkin pie spice for garnish, optional

Place pumpkin and pumpkin pie spice in the bowl of a mixer. Beat until combined and smooth. My organic canned pumpkin was quite hard and this beating helps it smooth out. Add the whipped topping and beat in just until combined. Transfer to a 11×7 inch baking dish coated with cooking spray. Alternatively an 8-inch or 9×13-inch baking dish could be used. Cover with plastic wrap and keep in the freezer until ready to use.

To make lattes:
8 ounces brewed coffee
1/4 cup warmed low-fat milk (or however much milk you like)
Stevia to taste

Add milk to your coffee and sweeten to taste with Stevia or your favorite sweetener. Top with pumpkin whipped topping from the freezer.  Sprinkle with pumpkin pie spice or sprinkles, if desired.

Country Living MagazineEveryday Occasions by Jenny Steffens Hobick had a soul-warming soup recipe that was hard for me to pass up.  She has some delicious soup recipes, and for me, this time of year is ideal for soup and crusty bread and maybe a salad.

Everyday Occasions by Jenny Steffens HobickChorizo & Vegetable Cream Soup | Fresh Mozzarella, Tomato & Basil Grilled Cheese

1 pound of chorizo sausage
3 carrots, diced
1 cup of mushrooms, sliced
1/2 small white onion, diced
4 cloves of garlic, diced
1 large can of whole peeled tomatoes, hand crushed with juice
4 cups of chicken broth
1/2 cup of cream
4 cups of fresh spinach

fresh mozzarella
tomato, sliced
fresh basil
baguette, sliced
olive oil
1 clove of garlic, whole

Remove the sausage from its casing and break it up into small/medium pieces.  Cook it in a sauté pan on a medium/high heat, rendering some of the fat.  Add the carrot, mushrooms and onion and cook until soft, approx. 5-7 minutes.  Add garlic.  Cook for 1-2 minutes.  Add the tomatoes by squeezing them in one at a time.  Continue to break them into bite size pieces with the spoon.  Add the juice from the can of tomatoes.

Add the chicken broth and cream.  Add spinach.  Simmer for 10-15 minutes.

Slice the baguette, pile with mozzarella, tomato and basil and top with a second piece of bread.  In a skillet, heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil.  Cook sandwiches for 3-4 minutes just until they start to brown.  Flip and repeat.  Rub a raw clove of garlic on the crusty sides of bread.

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I really like the simplicity of the table setting below.  The array of interesting colors that pumpkins come in work with almost any decor.  I especially like the white baby boo pumpkins.

Better Homes and Gardens, fall tableFor our main course, this recipe is from my good friend, Jean.  She prepared this dish for a ladies’ luncheon years ago and it continues to be a seasonal favorite.  Super easy too.  I do not have a photograph of the dish but I promise, it’s really pretty.

Chicken/Wild Rice Casserole

Ingredients

  • 6-8 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cooked
  • 3 cups chicken broth
  • 1 pound fresh mushrooms, sliced
  • ¼ cup butter
  • 2 packages Uncle Ben’s White & Wild rice, cooked*
  • 1 cup sour cream
  • 1 can Cream of Mushroom soup
  • ¾ cup Craisins
  • 1 cup cashews

Preparation Instructions

Shred cooked chicken breasts, set aside.  Melt butter in skillet and cook mushrooms until most of the liquid is absorbed.

*Cook rice according to package directions [omitting the spice packages]  using 2 cups of chicken broth and 1 cup water.

Combine soup, sour cream, cashews and Craisins with chicken and rice.  Spread in 9” x 13” baking dish and bake at 350° for 30 minutes, or until hot.

Stone Gable{via Stone Gable}

and finally, for dessert…

A site I’ve only recently discovered is one that is guaranteed to provide constant entertainment…talk of the house is written by Kelly.  A wife, mother and school teacher, Kelly lives in Georgia and her posts are always informative and fun.  She recently posted her family recipe for Apple Cake.  I plan to bake it this weekend but visit HERE for some mouth-watering pictures to entice.  {I cannot figure out how to copy a picture from her site so you’ll have to visit, but you won’t regret it}.

Fresh Apple Cake:

3 c. all-purpose flour

1 tsp. soda

1 tsp. salt

1 tsp. cloves

1 tsp. nutmeg

1 ¼ c. oil

3 eggs

1 tsp. vanilla

2 c. sugar

1 c. chopped pecans

3 c. freshly shredded apples

Grease and flour a tube or Bundt cake pan.  Preheat oven to 325 degrees.  Sift together the flour, soda, salt, cloves, nutmeg and cinnamon into a large mixing bowl.  In a small bowl whisk the eggs together.  Then whisk the oil in with the eggs.  Pour the eggs and oil mixture into the sifted flour mix.  Beat to mix well.  Beat in the sugar and the vanilla.  Stir in the apples and the pecans.  Pour all into the greased pan, and bake for 1 hour and 10 minutes.  Cool only a few minutes, then turn out on your cake stand.

Icing:

½ stick butter

2 Tbsp. milk

½ cup brown sugar

½ tsp. vanilla

Place all ingredients in a medium pot on the stove.  Bring to a boil, and boil for 2 minutes.  Brush, or pour, on to the warm cake.

Serve with whipped cream.

Party Resources{via Party Resources}

Those of you who can’t quite give up summer could set the table with a nautical theme and sunflowers.  A great blending of a season ending (the nautical) and a season that’s arriving (the fall colors of a sunflower).

Hampton Hostess, 8.27.12{via Hampton Hostess}

Are you cooking more now that the weather has cooled?  Share any easy recipes you have tried with me, I’d love to hear from you.

I’m joining the party over at Centsational Girl, seasonal foods, yummy.

{Party} Autumn entertaining ideas and an easy recipe

09 Tuesday Oct 2012

Posted by Karen B. in Dessert, Entertaining, Halloween, Holiday/Seasonal cooking, House and Home, Recipes, Simple Meals for the Avid Cook

≈ 12 Comments

Tags

Apple Tart

Garden, Home and Party, 10.9.12

I may have mentioned that I like to entertain, and cook.  {I guess it wouldn’t be a very fun party if food wasn’t involved}  The problem is this, I really, really like simple recipes and preferably recipes that can be made in advance when I entertain.

Garden, Home and Party, 10.9.12{Jenny Steffens Hobick}

Fall entertaining is especially fun and I enjoy some of the ideas I have stolen borrowed from very creative people across blog land. Jenny Steffens Hobick is one of my favorite sites for entertaining menus and table settings.  She and her family recently moved, and with a baby, her recipes are practical and simple but her presentation is always beautiful and many can be made ahead of time.  As you can see from the table setting above, simple but stylish tablescapes are the standard with her.  If you’re interested in cooking, visit Jenny.

Another favorite site for delicious and healthy recipes is Marina over at Yummy Mummy Kitchen.  Marina makes every dish she serves look appetizing and pretty on the plate, and her recipes are almost always lean towards healthy, although you’d never suspect it by the fabulous flavors each recipe provides.  One more creative blog site to visit and borrow from when planning a menu for family and friends.  I’ve you’ve never visited Yummy Mummy Kitchen I urge you to have a look.

{Yummy Mummy Kitchen}

Autumn table settings appeal to me partly because you can use natures bounty from the farm, {wish I lived on one}, the surrounding outdoors, or your market.  Pomegranates, apples, leaves, acorns, nuts, gourds, mums and the ever-traditional pumpkin can all be arranged in any combination to create a beautiful and festive table.

~ Recipes from Yummy Mummy Kitchen and Jenny Steffens Hobick will be featured in an upcoming post ~

Garden Home and Party, October 2012If you are planning a party that requires an invitation there are a variety of papers you can purchase that can be printed on a home laser jet printer.  We have the good fortune of living near a Paper Source store, where there are more options than I can think of ideas for, but it’s sure fun to mix and match the various papers with inserts and envelopes.Garden, Home and Party, 10.2012This is an invitation I made when a few years back I hosted my friend, Cayley’s birthday luncheon.  She enjoys an autumn birthday, so brown tones seemed fitting.

Garden, Home and Party, October 2012{Victoria Magazine}

Garden, Home and Party{via}

If you are planning a Halloween extravaganza, wouldn’t it be fun to have Hubby or a friend dress up like a butler and serve beverages for guests?

Garden, Home and Party, 10.9.12{via}

Garden, Home and Party, 10.9.12{via}

The table setting below is interesting and doesn’t follow the typical fall standards, bust out and try some of the new colored vegetables with your flowers and candles the next time you entertain.  It’s fun to think outside the box sometimes (the rule-follower, ‘fraidy cat said).

Garden, Home and Party, 10.9.12{via}

So, on to a great recipe…

Pioneer Woman posted a recipe for a “Quick Easy and Yummy Apple Tart”  What’s not to love about this, right?  But since I insist usually test recipes that I offer, I tried it.  It is beyond really simple and it turns out {and tastes} as good as Ree’s picture looks, without stress or strain in the making.  Rather than make you copy and paste the recipe, since I can’t figure out how to create a “printable copy” on my blog, I’ve given you the link, PW not only makes printing this recipe easy, she gives you a step by step pictorial tutorial on how to make this yummy dessert.

Garden, Home and Party, 10.9.12{Pioneer Woman Cooks}

If your weather hasn’t changed yet, or  like a few of my blog friends, you live where it is just changing seasons to spring, you may want to move your party outdoors.

{tumblr}

Even the birds are into the season!

I hope Autumn will bring you plenty of fun meals with family and friends. 

♥ Karen

{Party} Favorite grilled chiken recipe

31 Tuesday Jul 2012

Posted by Karen B. in Entertaining, Food, Holiday/Seasonal cooking, Outdoor living, Recipes, Simple Meals for the Avid Cook

≈ 12 Comments

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Herb Chili Chicken

I was excited to read that Alison of The  Polohouse had selected “favorite recipes” as her topic for her monthly Favorites on the First theme.  This recipe originated from my good friend Carla via Bon Appetit, I think.  It’s been used for years and never disappoints.  One isty, little detail, you really must marinate this overnight for it to give you the incredible flavor.  Don’t let the fresh jalapenos scare those of you who don’t care for spicy food, you won’t even know they’re in the marinade.  The chicken grills up with an unbelievable flavor and I serve it with rice, black bean, red pepper recipe that really tastes great with it.  {If you want the recipe for that, just ask}  This is summer grilling at its best.  Enjoy!

Tablesettings for outdoor dining follow the recipe…

Green Chili and Herb-Stuffed Chicken

Tasty Kitchen via Garden, Home and Partyimage via

2/3 cup fresh lemon juice, divided

1/4 cup fresh parsley

8 jalapeno chilies, seeded and minced

2 tablespoons fresh rosemary, minced

2 tablespoons fresh thyme, minced

4 teaspoons salt (I use less salt)

12 half chicken breasts, boneless

2/3 cup dry vermouth

1/2 teaspoon grated lemon peel

2 teaspoons coarsely ground pepper

2 tablespoons minced garlic

Marinade for the chicken:

Mix 1/3 cup lemon juice, parsley, chilies, rosemary, thyme, garlic and 2 teaspoons salt in medium bowl.  Place all ingredients in the baking dish, place chicken breasts in marinade and turn once half way through marinating time.  Arrange chicken in single layer in large baking pan.  Sprinkle with vermouth, remaining 1/3 cup of lemon juice, lemon peel, remaining 2 teaspoons of salt and pepper to taste.  Turn chicken to coat.  Chill overnight, turning once.

Grill chicken over medium coals until cooked through, about 10-15 minutes

via Garden, Home and Partysource unknown

Blackberry Farm via Garden, Home and Partyblackberry farm

Cote de Texas cote de texas

Haus Designhaus design

Garden, Home and Partysource unknown

This is our patio dining set up (below) shown with the “killer chairs”…we now have wicker chairs that are comfortable and you don’t have to worry about them collapsing on you!

Karen's Patio via Garden, Home and Partykaren’s patio

my french country home

Do you have a favorite recipe for summer grilling?  Are you getting tired of the heat yet.  I’m sticking to my “new attitude” about summer, but just barely.  It’s too early to discuss fall, right?

I’m visiting Alison at The Polohouse for her Favorites on the First…this months topic, favorite recipes.  Yummy.

{Party} Menu for a birthday dinner

24 Tuesday Jul 2012

Posted by Karen B. in Entertaining, Food, Recipes, Simple Meals for the Avid Cook

≈ 13 Comments

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Birthday dinner menu

I posted the table details for a birthday dinner I hosted in May HERE.

I thought I’d give you the recipes to go with this post.  They are pretty simple and the potato dish is a make-ahead recipe, always my favorite when I entertain.

 Menu

Appetizer ~ brought by Linda

Salad ~ brought by Carla

Balsamic, herb-crusted Pork Tenderloin

{my food photography makes food look scary}  I found this recipe originally on Providence Ltd. Design but then found it on Dainty Chef’s site.  Click HERE for the recipe details.

Dainty Chef imageImage and recipe via Dainty Chef

Grilled Balsamic-Garlic Crusted Pork Tenderloin 

Yield: Serves 6.
Ingredients:

4-5 garlic cloves, finely minced or crushed
2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
2 1/2 teaspoons coarse salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 pork tenderloins (about 1¼ pounds each)
2 tablespoons canola oil (if preparing in oven)

What you’ll do:

Stir together garlic, balsamic vinegar, salt, pepper, and olive oil in a small bowl. Rub the paste all over pork. If you like or have the time, marinate overnight. (it’s definitely worth marinating the pork overnight).

Grill preparation:
Sear the tenderloins on all sides, then grill for about 20-30 minutes, rotating every 10 minutes, until the internal temperature is 160 degrees. Try to let it rest before slicing.

Balsamic reduction sauce*  I used a recipe that was fairly time consuming and then was told that Trader Joe’s has balsamic reduction sauce in a bottle.  I’ve given you the link to the recipe if you want to try it.  I couldn’t get it to reduce effectively.

Ricotta Mashed Potatoes (served in ramekins)

Ingredients

  • 2 lbs. Yukon gold potatoes
  • 2 teaspoons kosher salt
  • 1 1/2 cups fresh ricotta cheese
  • 1/2 cups whole milk
  • 3 tablespoons butter
  • 1/2 teaspoon pepper

Directions* I prepared the potatoes mid=day and left them covered in foil until I was ready to warm them in the oven for dinner.  I removed the foil and cooked at 350 for 20 minutes and then turned on the broiler and cooked until the edges browned a bit.

  1. Heat oven to broiler setting. Peel and cut potatoes into 1-inch pieces. Place potatoes and 1 teaspoon salt in a large pot and cover with water. Bring to a boil and continue to cook over medium heat until potatoes are tender, about 20 minutes more. Drain and return all but 1 cup of potatoes to the pot.
  2. Mash the potatoes with a potato masher. Stir in the ricotta, milk, butter, remaining salt, and pepper to blend. Add the reserved potatoes and mash just until combined. Spoon 1/2 cup potatoes into 10 six-ounce ramekins and set on a bakingpan. Place under broiler until browned. Serve hot.

Roasted green beans – I used Barefoot Contessa directions for roasted green beans.

Birthday cake ~ Wendy

Bon Appetit!  Let me know what you think…the recipes are easy and tasty, I think you’ll enjoy.

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