Casino Night- Party Planning

This past weekend a friend of mine had me cater a party at his apartment to help promote my blog. It was a pre-party before a casino night to honor Big Brothers Big Sisters of New York. When I am planning a party, I’m always more efficient when I have a theme to keep me focused. Since it was a Casino Night, I decided to keep this theme for the pre-party.

In the flower arrangement, I interspersed a deck of cards (thanks Mrs. Funston) and used primary color to try and bring out the colors of cards. The event was black-tie optional, so I chose to make the appetizers a little more special (the pigs-in-a-blanket were a must per the request of the host, but these are always a crowd favorite!) I also made place cards with dice to label each dish.

This was the menu- I tried to have something for everyone- meat, fish, veggie, both simple and more complicated. Thank you Avi for helping promote this site.

Mini Yorkshire Pudding with Roast Beef
Parmesan Cheese Cups with Goat Cheese Mousse
Gruyere, Sage, and Prosciutto Pinwheels
Chicken and Shrimp Satay with Pineapple and Peanut Sauce
Cauliflower Fritters topped with Salmon and Creme Frache
BLT Cup- Cherry Tomatoes hallowed out with bacon, lettuce, and red onion
Carrot Dill Soup Shooters with a Dill Pesto
Peanut Butter Truffles and Grape Jellies
Pantry’s Signature Cookie

Posted by Patty in Ideas, Tips, Terms & Tools. 4 Comments »

Every Fault is a Fashion

This phrase, I believe, also applies to cooking and entertaining. When I set out to plan a meal or any event I always have a menu in mind. Now on the day of, is that menu always the same?…most likely not. Here is some advice I was once given: never tell anyone what is on your menu; then, in case something does not work out or there is not enough time, there is room to improvise and no one will know the difference!

I am not at all afraid to admit I make mistakes all of the time. I was reminded about this tip this week as I am getting ready to cater an event for a friend. I was making grape jellies with peanut butter truffles and, for the life of me, I had been unable to get the jellies to properly set. I had made them twice…and was attempting a third. I think I was merely being stubborn because I excitedly made the mistake of telling people I was making them for the party. I will keep you posted on the outcome!

Details of this event to come in next couple of postings.

Posted by Patty in Tips, Terms & Tools. No comments »

Apple Cake

Recently I celebrated my birthday and a very dear friend of mine made me a birthday cake. Now, for about two years she has talked to me about her Apple Cake with Carmel Frosting, telling me how delicious it is. Two years was a long time to wait, but this year for my birthday I finally got to try it. I’m so glad I did because it was as good as she had promised. I asked her for the recipe so I could share with everyone and luckily for all of us, she agreed. Thank you Eliza!

Cake

2 1/3 Cups Flour

2 Cups Sugar

2 Teaspoons of Baking Soda

¾ Teaspoon Salt

1 Teaspoon Cinnamon

¼ Teaspoon Cloves

¼ Teaspoon Nutmeg

4 Cups Chopped, Peeled Apples

½ Cup Soft Shortening

½ Cup Chopped Walnuts

2 Eggs

Frosting

1/3 Cup Butter

½ Cup Brown Sugar

3 Tablespoons Milk

1 ½ Cups Powder Sugar

¼ Teaspoon of Vanilla

Pinch of Salt

Preheat Oven 325

Cake

Combine flour, sugar, soda, salt and spices in a large mixing bowl. Mix until well combined. (You can use an electric mixer with the recipe but easily can be done spatula or wooden spoon.) Add Apples, Shortening, Nut and Eggs, beat until well combined. Pour into a greased 9×13 inch pan. Bake for about 45 minutes.

Frosting

Melt Butter in a saucepan, add brown sugar and salt. Stir over medium heat until sugar melts add milk and bring to a boil. Pour into a mixing bowl and let cool (about 10 minutes) add powder sugar and vanilla. Beat until spreading consistency, adding additional powdered sugar if necessary. Spread evenly over Apple Cake.
Eliza and I definitely think the frosting recipe should be doubled.

Posted by Patty in Fruit, Recipes, Sweets. 1 Comment »