Our most recent entertaining venture was our annual Nutcracker's Sweets Dessert Open House. It occurred on an absolutely frigid evening, but it was cozy inside and a delight to celebrate the end of the holiday season and the beginning of a new year with family and friends.
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Tales from the Kitchen: Do ahead tips so you can enjoy the party
I love to bake and I love entertaining. So naturally, I enjoy creating parties centered around desserts. Dessert parties are some of the easiest parties to manage since desserts generally require very little last minute attention.
Here are some tips I have found helpful over the years as I have honed my dessert party skills:
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A Thanksgiving Feast
A Thanksgiving Feast
Food and it’s presentation has been central to our family gatherings for as long as I can remember. That may be why I love to host meals and parties…I equate food-centric gatherings with feelings of love, comfort, and celebration.
AND it’s almost Thanksgiving…the beginning of the holiday entertaining season! We have SO much to be thankful for…family, friends, and the blessing of a warm, safe, and welcoming home.
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Tales from the Kitchen: Misadventures in Baking
When life hands you lemons…Make lemonade! Or so the saying goes.
How optimistic!
In this case life handed me cake crumbs. The lesson of turning a disaster into an asset is so important, in the kitchen and in life. We learn the most from our failures, I think. My most recent kitchen flop started out innocently enough…
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2015-07-30 18.22.54
Cocktails Anyone?
2015-07-30 18.14.44
My friend, Nancy, discovered this cocktail at a pub while vacationing in Meredith, NH ... with her rave reviews and the information that it contained American Harvest Organic Vodka and organic lemonade, we tracked down the recipe on the vodka website. They call it Harvest Basil Lemonade ... we call it Tipsy Lemonade ... you can call it whatever you want - but it is smooth, refreshing, and delicious on a hot summer evening!
- 2 parts American Harvest
- 4-5 parts fresh or organic lemonade
- 3 fresh basil leaves
- 2 slices of lemon
How to mix this cocktail
Muddle basil and lemons in a tall glass. Add ice and American Harvest and top with lemonade. Garnish with lemon wheels and basil leaves.
NOTE: Inspired by a ginger lemonade we tasted at the new Boston Public Market, we also tried a non-alcoholic version of this by mixing in ginger beer in place of the vodka with stellar results!
ENJOY!