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Tag Archives: Entertaining


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Easter Recap

Happy Monday! I hope everyone had a lovely weekend! I am exhausted today after hosting my first real dinner party in my apartment yesterday! It was really fun to pull out the fancy tablecloth and set a proper table, and of course to spend the day cooking! And then eating!

Easter is one of my favorite holidays, mostly because it signifies the true start of Spring. So I really wanted to celebrate that! I tried to keep things fairly simple, but of course ended up going a little overboard. The table was a theme of blues, pinks and greens. I folded the napkins into cute rabbit ears and used hard-boiled eggs as placecards- then used napkin rings to prevent them from rolling off the plate. The result was whimsical but elegant:

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For the food, I probably bit off a little too much to try to cook AND serve in my tiny kitchen. I went with a nontraditional choice of Brisket over an Easter Ham- but it ended up being a huge success. And everyone LOVED the chocolate Mouse- with freshly made whipped cream and raspberries.

The Menu

White Lillet Cocktails

Frisee, Radicchio and Fennel Salad with Mustard Vinaigrette

Braised Brisket with Bourbon Peach Glaze

Roasted Brussel Sprouts

Mustard Mashed Potatoes

Chocolate Mousse

As you can imagine we were STUFFED by the end but it was all so worth it and the festivities lasted late into the night. Once everyone had gone I had a little time to unwind- finishing up the wine and tidying up the kitchen. I’m not gonna lie that the triumphant feeling at the end of the night is very addictive- I can’t wait until my next excuse to plan a party.

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Easy Entertaining: Yogurt Cucumber Dip

OMG Friday. This has been a looooooooooooooooooong week for me- but I’m excited for the weekend and especially the Oscars! Will you be watching?? I’ve been thinking about inviting a few friends over to watch so I tested out a few quick snacks to make. This yogurt cucumber dip is AMAZING if I do say so myself!  A little bit tangy a little bit sweet, crunchy and creamy all at the same time. Start to finish it took about 10 minutes to whip up- it is so easy!

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Yogurt Cucumber Dip

What you need:

  • 14oz Greek yogurt (I used Fage)
  • Zest and juice of one lemon
  • 2T chopped parsley
  • 2T chopped mint
  • Medium cucumber
  • Pomegranate seeds
  • salt and pepper

Put the yogurt in a bowl. Add lemon, parsley and mint. Peel the cucumber and scrape out the seeds using a spoon- chop to small cubes and add it to the dip. Stir everything all around and add salt and pepper to taste. Transfer to a serving bowl and sprinkle with pomegranate seeds. Serve with pita chips.

Hope you all have a fabulous weekend. What movies do you think will be the big winners? My money is on Silver Linings Playbook ;)


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A Valentine’s Table

I know I sound like a broken record saying this, but I”m sorry I have been so horrible about posting! I don’t know what my problem is- I’ve been so busy! Its a good thing I suppose, but I feel like I blinked and this week is Valentine’s Day! I mean, weren’t we talking about New Years Resolutions just last week???? I’m going to blame the snow.

While there are a lot of mixed emotions about this holiday, I’m going to say that I find it incredibly FUN to have a day devoted to eating candy, wearing pink, and feeling loved. I’d been toying around with the idea of having a little Valentine’s Brunch this weekend- but it seems like most everyone I know is going to be out of town for President’s Weekend. Oh well. That doesn’t mean I couldn’t think about some great ways to set the table:

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There are soooo many variations on the Valentine’s theme- but I really find myself drawn to the place settings that aren’t an overload of red. I’m sure you’ve seen a few examples that are overly cheesy or too red and severe. I think by mixing in an unexpected color like gold or purple or blue it freshens up the theme in a way that isn’t too literal. Here’s a quick interpretation:

Valentine's Day Table
So what are you doing to celebrate the holiday? Avoiding it completely or jumping right into a chocolate fountain with your love?
Inspiration via: 1 // 2 // 3 // 4 // 5


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Easy Entertaining: Bosc Pear with Goat Cheese and Honey

Happy Friday! We made it! Any big plans for this weekend??? Nick and I have a few parties I’m looking forward to and I heard there are some big football games this weekend? just kidding. I may not be the biggest fan, but its pretty impossible to avoid football when living in New England.

Today’s “easy entertaining” I discovered on Bon Appetit as part of their Food Lover’s Cleanse. So its not only easy- its healthy too! Who said that big foodie magazines only have difficult fancy recipes???? This one is so easy you may have already figured it out from the title of this post- or the picture.

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Bosc Pear with Fresh Goat Cheese and Honey

What you need:

  • Bosc Pear
  • 1 oz goat cheese
  • 1/2 T honey

Thinly slice 1 bosc pear, spread the goat cheese on each slice, drizzle with honey. Repeat. Serve.

If thats not easy peasy I don’t know what is! If you want to kick it up a notch, try adding some toasted hazlenuts or maybe a sprinkle of nutmeg. Change up the goat cheese with ricotta or blue cheese for different flavors. The pear provides a great canvas and I think the opportunities are endless!


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Bloggers’ Favorite Holiday Cocktails

the-mistletoe-wasnt-the-only-thingIs anyone else starting to feel the holiday crunch?? I feel like everyday is another party or dinner, and I can’t count how many times I’ve run to Charles St to pick something up in the past few weeks. Last week I was so busy, I gave myself a cold (yes, mom, I haven’t been sleeping enough) But back to my point- December is a hectic month! So its important to set aside some “me” time everyday- and what better way to unwind than with a great cocktail?

Today I’ve asked four bloggers to share their signature holiday drinks-Drew of Catfish & Caviar, Matt of Boston BarHopper, Elisabeth of Headbands and Bagels and Liv of Liv.Love.Blog. Four drinks that are not only boozy, but full of seasonal ingredients that conjure up visions of sugarplums and the sounds of sleigh-bells. Let me just say, I can’t WAIT to try them, and I’m sure you can’t either! Reading these recipes puts me in such a Christmassy mood.

So a big cheers to all bloggers out there- and don’t worry- we can make it!

Drew of Catfish & Caviar: PomRazz Mintini

This is def my favorite Holiday cocktail because its super simple & includes all the Holiday colors! The pom, raspberries, & mint leaves make me feel healthy while I’m guzzling them down Christmas Eve :)

PomRazz Mintini

Matt of Boston BarHopper : Hazelnutcracker

This simple recipe yields a creamy, frothy, nutty drink that you can reward yourself with after a long day of Christmas shopping, wrapping presents, sending greeting cards, what have you. It calls for a raw egg, which tends to make people a little squeamish. An egg was not uncommon in older cocktail recipes, but it gradually became something of a lost art. I’ve been seeing it more frequently in recent years, as mixologists revisit classic concoctions like fizzes and flips. It contributes a meringue-like creaminess that, unlike milk or cream, doesn’t weigh the cocktail down. If it still makes you uneasy, just use a fresh egg (organic if that’s the way you roll), shake well, and you’ll be fine. Adding a little extra alcohol can’t hurt, either.

Hazelnutcracker

  • One large brown egg.
  • 2 ounces Frangelico (if the holiday stress is really getting to you, throw in a little vanilla vodka).
  • Nutmeg.

Crack the egg into a shaker. Shake vigorously for at least one minute; your egg should look thick and frothy. Add the Frangelico and four or five ice cubes. Shake again, for at least another minute; frost should form on the exterior of the shaker. Strain into a glass. Sprinkle with nutmeg, and use a stirrer or straw to swirl the nutmeg on the surface. Best enjoyed on a snowy night in front of an open fire.

Elisabeth of Headbands and Bagels: Hot Buttered Cider

This recipe is one of my dad’s holiday standards. At past Christmases, we have enjoyed hot buttered cider with our homemade apple cider on Christmas night while we open our stockings. Its a warm, comforting holiday drink and is great when the snow if falling all around you.

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Ingredients per cup:

  • Rum or Jack Daniels 1oz per 8oz of Cider (pick your poison)
  • Apple Cider 8-12 oz (I usually pick fresh cider in the refrigerated section)
  • Cinnamon sticks (1 per cup)
  • Butter (1 Tbsp per cup)

If you are making a large batch, I suggest heating all the ingredients in one pot on the stovetop. Cook until liquid is warm and butter is melted. Do not let it come to a boil.Make sure to stir while heating. This option is great if you are making a batch for a group larger than 5. If you are making a small batch, using the microwave is just as easy. Each mug should be heated for approximately 2 minutes, or until butter is almost melted. Stir each mug once heating is done to ensure all the ingredients are well mixed. Great option for small batches or a cup on your own. Happy Holidays!

Liv of Liv.Love.Blog.: Yule Mule

If you know me, you  know I love Moscow Mules. In the summer, I love them with watermelon infused vodka and big watermelon slices in them, and in the winter, I swap these flavors for cranberry. This cocktail is especially light and refreshing- cheers!

  • 2oz Triple 8 Cranberry Vodka( If you can’t find cran. vodka- 2 oz regular vodka and a splash of cranberry will do)
  • Ginger Beer
  • Lime Juice
  • Cranberries

Pour Vodka over ice in a low-ball glass, fill up the rest of the glass with ginger beer and stir. Squeeze in juice from one lime wedge and garnish drink with cranberries and edible glitter stars.

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