Italy & France
Japan & India
Love this Promo for the Sydney International Food Festival. This is actually a great idea for a party with tasting plates from around the world dressed as flags. Tres Fab
See the rest at The Kitchn’s link
http://www.thekitchn.com/thekitchn/look-food-flags-for-the-sydney-international-food-festival-097033
Enjoy!
This is an adorable article about Sue Paterno - for her love of cooking and hosting for her husband Legendary Joe Paterno or Joe Pa and the rest of Penn State country . Now there’s a dedicated hostess goddess right there in the heart of Pennsylvannia.
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http://www.philly.com/philly/entertainment/20090917_Lasagna__pies_are_her_game_plan.html
Finally summer is here! And so has the BBQ’s , Cookouts, Backyard bash’s and Soriee;s outdoors. So as everyone is trying to compete for the best outdoor gear, here’s one that I truly love and is on my wish list. This is an Elephant Umbrella Stand! How exotic and unique!! Love this! and of course with an Elephant with its trunk up is always great, because in Indian and some Asian cultures it is a symbol of good luck. So for $89.95 its a great good luck charm for your outdoor bash to be a success and gurranteed to be the object of conversation at least if I had it – it def will be.
http://www.zgallerie.com/pc-5536-21-elephant-umbrella-stand.aspx
Now I do know its white and it can go with any palate since its neutral but if your pretty handy with paint you could also color it to match your plate set or general design of your backyard. I was playing around with Paint and envisioned what I could do or ask someone else to do since my painting skills are pretty bad on my own.
Enjoy its Wednesday!
Have a great backyard and entertaining space you absolutely love and would you want to be featured on Apartment Therapy. Then check out this great website with lots of great ideas whether you live in the city, burbs, have a big or small backyard and let your imaginations run wild!Ends June 30, 2009!
http://contests.apartmenttherapy.com/2009/my-great-outdoors
Here’s a peak at the Danish Ambassadors Garden paradise in DC
I love platters they are great to collect in all different shapes and sizes to serve for different types of events. These ones are exquisite as they are made out of Brazilian Agate,which is a type of quartz found in certain stones. Therefore since it is a natural material it is organic and something thats truly one of a kind. Go Green and great conversation piece to serve your Hors D’Oeuvres ( homemade or takeout).
Here’s the website to buy these ab-fab platters, they can also be great house warming or hostess gifts too.
http://2jane.com/rablabs-agate-platters.aspx
Platterious!
Laughs aside its a very serious matter these days as people have more allergies than ever before. The most common food allergies in adults are shellfish, peanuts, tree nuts, fish, and eggs, and the most common food allergies in children are milk, eggs, peanuts, and tree nuts. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Food_allergy
I know people always find it weird that I do this, but whenever we are hosting people over for the weekend or for dinner. I always ask if they have any allergies, because I would hate to add peanut oil and the person go into anaphylactic shock or hives from something Ive cooked for them.
So don’t be afraid and ask your guests about food allergies and if your having a big soiree, make sure you know your ingredients or simply put it on blank place card that you can get at an AC Moore or Michael’s for under $3.00.
Everyone loves kebab’s, you can make so many different combinations from vegetables, fruits and different meats & seafood. Most of us use the regular skewers for Kebab’s, grilled chicken and so forth, and when its done we are left with looking for the right plate to serve it in or Aluminium plate.
But here’s another option that will definetly impress your guests, its the Circle Kebab Skewers! It fits on a plate and is very trendy, indeed.
Where can YOU get these fun skewers?
For a set of 8 its $18 and you will have them for forever.
http://www.uncommongoods.com/item/item.jsp?source=family&itemId=11030
For a set of 4 , its $9.99 at Amazon.com and they have a sale for their indoor grill which I have been looking into for myself by Sanyo for $39.95. Together for $49.94.
http://www.amazon.com/Sanyo-HPS-SG3-200-Square-Inch-Electric-Barbeque/dp/B00011HH22/ref=pd_sim_k_1
Kebab away!
Most people who know me, know that in the past couple of years I have fell completely in love with all things Paisley. Its design is said to have originated from Persian times and Central Asia and was introduced to the European culture in the 17th century by the East India Company and has spread to the world, there is even a town in England named Paisley from the 1800′s.
Growing up, I used to think Paisley (also known as mango print, and the teardrop) was so boring and common in Indian clothing, but with the trend picking up lately with all kinds of unique products; it’s become my favorite print. Even though at this point I have plenty of paisley printed items, I always look for more just in case something breaks? 
. So here are my new favorite paisley plates, featured on Delight.com called the Darjeeling Dishware.
http://www.delight.com/Dashing-Darjeeling-Dishware
If you don’t want to buy the real plates and just want the look and the print for an occasion, here are some great paper plates and napkins to go with you Desi theme for your party or to keep for all times.
Paper Plate
Napkin
http://www.platesandnapkins.com/Store_ViewProducts.asp?Cat=246
Once summer is in the air, everyone’s calendars will start booking up with Evites or Cards for Reunions, Bridal showers, Baby showers, Birthdays and last but not least The BBQ’s.
BBQ’s are the best way to feed everyone with a variety of items that can be premade and stored a couple of days ahead. It’s also a great way to have a quick dinner or to entertain when an unexpected visitor drops by.
BBQ Basics
The Grill
There are several out there Weber brand is what I know of but a good quality gas grill should have all the bells & whistles.
Don’t have a Grill yet? No problem a nonstick grill pan can work very nicely for an indoor version of your BBQ favorites
http://www.amazon.com/Calphalon-Contemporary-Nonstick-11-Inch-Square/dp/B0009W7E94
The Tools
There are several out there but for an outdoor grill, here is an example of the basic tool set to start out with from Picnic Fun. http://www.picnicfun.com/products/stainless-steel-bbq-set
The Theme
From All American to Asian Cuisine, there are plenty of menus and ideas to go around. Although there are many, keep in mind of your theme when you’re planning a BBQ, so that you don’t end up buying or making things that don’t necessarily go together.
All American Theme – as an example (watch out for more in the Menu Category)
For Colors – The Red, White and Blue
Pattern – Stars and Stripes
Set up Plan A and B aka Plan A – Outdoors, Plan B – Indoors as summer showers seem to sometimes come out of nowhere or it’s just too warm outside.
Center Piece – For Practical People
For those that have huge BBQ’s and not enough time to be creative, here is a practical choice. Make the center pieces on your tables as the condiments area all bunched together on a colorful plate with little steel cups( Link from Crate & Barrel below) with Ketchup, Hot Sauce, Mayo, Mustard, Relish, Mint Chutney to many more as your hearts desire.
http://www.crateandbarrel.com/family.aspx?c=315&f=7901
Center Piece – For Creative People
Take empty metal food cans and clean them so it doesn’t have any smells or food leftover. And buy some festive wrapping paper and use that to cover the can. Fill the can with water and gather some hydrangea flowers in any color that’s available at your store or any flower from your garden and it will last through the entire day.Add some colored blue glass stones to go around them to make your center piece complete.
Kiddies are Invited too?
Ask the parents to bring a couple of games to share with the others or ask your kids to give you ideas of what they would like to do during the BBQ. It’s a great way to get them involved and help you out for the BBQ.
The Food
Main Dishes
Burgers & Kebabs – Turkey, Beef and Veggie . Frozen Meats - Thaw frozen items overnight in the refrigerator or use the quick thaw method by placing the packaged meats in ziploc bags and in a pan of hot tap water for 30-45 minutes
Steaks & Ribs – Ribs are wonderful to make especially if you have a smoker(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Smoking_%28cooking%29)
Seafood -Lobster Tail, Shrimp, Salmon, Tuna Steak, Tilapia, and any other fish you would love
Hot Dogs & Sausages – With sausages there are plenty of different varieties, Italian, Polish Keilbasa, Chorizo and many more exotic varieties
Chicken – Thighs, Legs and Breast
Vegetarians – Veggie Burgers, Veggie Kebabs, Tofu (See a great recipe below from Epicurious.com)http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/GRILLED-TOFU-AND-SAUTEED-ASIAN-GREENS-108684
Sides
Potatoes – Baked, Salad, Mashed or Fried
Corn on the Cob – Make some herbed butter i.e. Garlic Powder or Adobo mixed into some butter can do wonders
Basic Salad – Mixed Greens, Cheese, Tomatoes, Onions, Olives (optional) and any salad dressing you love
Baked Beans – Take your supermarket premade canned beans and add a little spice to them with pepper and hot sauce
Dessert
Ice Cream – Sherbet and basic Vanilla is always good, cause you can always add chocolate sauce, nuts(Check Allergies) and whipped cream on top
Fruit Salad – take some fruits in season,chop and put them in the fridge to cool and serve with condensed milk
Supplies
Paper Plates, Utensils, Cups,Napkins,Trash Can, Ice & Coolers, Table Cloths, Center Pieces, Condiments, Water & other drinks, serving trays & plates, tables, chairs, citronella torches for bugs and tent (optional).
It seems like a lot to do but it’s all about planning with your basic list. If you don’t have time to get all the items, piece out different items for people to bring so you are not the only one running around. Also storing extras supplies & certain foods for the summer will help you be prepared for a get-together any time.
Enjoy! And watch out for more themes and menus to go with this summer series!
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