Jan 28, 2019 | Adult Parties & Events, Appetizers, Corner, Main Course, Parties, Recipes
Gung Hei Fat Choy! Chinese New Year falls on February 5th. this year. Why not ring in Year of the Pig with a Chinese themed dinner for your friends and family?
Chinese New Year also called the Lunar New Year or the Chinese Spring Festival is the most important Chinese festival of the year; it’s a time for merry making and also a time to go to temple to pray to the deities and honor the ancestors. It’s a 15 day celebration filled with parades, lion and dragon dances, family reunions and parties, firecrackers and fireworks, gifts of money stuffed in red envelopes, wishes for a new year filled with joy, prosperity, and good fortune, and lots of wonderful Chinese food.
During Chinese New Year many of my friends head off to the Chinese restaurants for extravagant feasts of huge prawns, lobsters, dim sum, roast duck and pork, and other Chinese specialties. I’ve been fortunate enough to be invited to some of these gatherings and believe me you walk away pleasantly stuffed!
2019’s Chinese New Year ushers in The Year of the Pig. The Pig symbolizes wealth and affluence in Chinese astrology so what better way to celebrate Chinese New Year than sharing a Chinese themed meal with your loved ones. You don’t have to be Chinese to honor this very important festival nor do you have to splurge on a 9 Course Meal at a fancy Chinese restaurant, although that would be a great treat! You can celebrate Chinese New Year at home with a bit of creativity and preparations in the kitchen.
First off you can decorate with red the traditional color for Chinese New Year decorations.
Red paper lanterns are the least expensive way to go. You can order a set from Amazon or buy some at your local party store.
Add in some paper fans and you’re good to go!
You can set the table with red lacquer rice bowls and bamboo chopsticks.
To complete the look set us a nice centerpiece that includes red flowers!
But the most important thing is the food! So here are some of our favorite recipes that you can try for your Chinese New Year celebration dinner!
Click here for the recipe!
Click here for the recipe!
Click here for the recipe!
Click here for the recipe!
Click here for the recipe!
Click here for the recipe!
Click here for recipe!
Click here for the recipe!
Click here for recipe!
Jan 26, 2017 | Appetizers, Cookies, Cakes & Pies, Corner, Desserts, Recipes, Snacks
Super Bowl Sunday is on February 5. Just about everyone I know is looking forward to the big day. The Game of course is the main event, but many of us are waiting for the half-time show and the commercials. Whether sport fan or not I think we can all agree that a big part of that Sunday revolves around the Super Bowl Snacks we will all be munching on during the game.
Here are some great snack ideas and recipes for Super Bowl Snacks, most can be made ahead of time so you can get out of the kitchen and enjoy the game with friends and family.
Add some sophistication to your Super Bowl Snacks menu with this Awesome Shrimp Scampi Dip! Make plenty it’s delicious!
Recipe here! [spacer height=”-20px”]
It’s less messy than the traditional dip version and looks good on the buffet table too!
Recipe here! [spacer height=”-20px”]
But if you’re a traditionalist and must have your dip, here’s a Baked Spinach Dip for you!
It’s one of the easier Super Bowl Snacks, you can prep it ahead of time, store in the fridge, and pop it in the oven when you’re ready to serve!
Recipe here![spacer height=”-20px”]
For those who don’t mind getting their fingers dirty here’s a yummy shrimp dish.
BBQ Shrimp from SnapguideBBQ Shrimp [spacer height=”-20px”]
If you like cheese dip you’ll love this White Pizza Dip!
I like to dip pita chip, the garlic flavored ones!
White Pizza Dip from Howsweeteats.com
Recipe here! [spacer height=”-20px”]
Recipe here! [spacer height=”-20px”]
Instructions here!
How to video here!
Sweet-Spicy Deviled Eggs from myrecipes.com
Recipe here!
Football shaped asiago & prosciutto rice cake from hungryhappenings.com
Recipe here!
Nutella Chocolate Football Truffle from Justataste.com
Recipe here!
Double Chocolate Football Cupcakes from The Baker Chick.
Recipe here!
For more Super Bowl Party ideas and recipes follow my Super Bowl Party board on Pinterest.
Nov 15, 2015 | Appetizers, Corner, Recipes, Thanksgiving, Uncategorized
Every year Thanksgiving Dinner is at my house. My family expects everything to be the same year after year, it’s tradition! By now I have this whole meal down pat; the menu, shopping list, and recipes are etched in my brain.
Each year I add a couple of new items to my menu, usually appetizers and desserts. I figure as long as I don’t mess with the classic menu items my family won’t rebel. This year I’m trying out 3 appetizers and 2 desserts, maybe some of them will make return appearances next year.
Even tho I can prepare this holiday meal in my sleep I still plan the meal as I would any other event I host. The key to a successful event is planning, in my world this means lists. I make a menu, a shopping list, and a timeline. This helps me budget my time and helps keep the holidays stress free.
Here is this year’s Thanksgiving menu. Links to recipes are also given. Click here for printable menu!
Appetizer
Spinach & Artichoke Bites. So easy to make!
Awesome Shrimp Scampi Cheese Dip w/ Crostini
Recipe click here!
Main Course & Sides
Roast Turkey w/ Simple Bread Stuffing
Learn how to roast turkey using large brown grocery bags.
Click here!
Garlic Mashed Potato w/Gravy
Baby Carrots Glace
Potato Macaroni Salad
Candied Yams
Garlic Bread
Knots
Dessert
Once I have my menu I can compile my shopping list with all the ingredients I will need for the menu items. I check off items I already have in my pantry and buy the rest.
I also take the time to jot down a timeline. This keeps me on track and makes the holiday stress free. This year I’m using a Fall cleaning schedule I found on line.
Planning Thanksgiving Dinner helps take the stress out of the event and allows me to enjoy my family and other guests on Thanksgiving day. Don’t forget to schedule some “me” time during this busy week; you’ll need a bit of R&R.
Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours!
Jan 21, 2015 | Appetizers, Corner, FREE Printables, Recipes
Super Bowl Parties are fun informal events that should be easy to organize and put together. The theme has been taken care of, football decor of course, and the main activity is watching the game. All you really need are a big screen TV, some comfy seating, and lots of snacks.
Tho the game, half-time show, and commercials are the main draws of Super Bowl Sunday, food comes in a close second. For some gorging on snacks is the main event! The informal nature of this event begs for food stations and bars; no one wants to sit down to a 5 course meal, everyone wants to grab snacks they can munch in front of the TV.
In recent years no Super Bowl Party seems to be incomplete if it doesn’t have a Snack Stadium. It can do double duty as decor and food. It’s a fun, easy, and informal way to feed a crowd. If you’re looking for something a bit more sophisticated you might consider one or two food action stations such as a DIY Burger Bar and a sweets or dessert bar. Here are some food station ideas for your Super Bowl Party. I’m also including a snack stadium or two for anyone who must have one at their party.
Treats Bar
Or Ice Cream Bar
Found on anightowlblog.com
Asian Fried Chicken
Honey Sesame Seed Shrimp
Spicy Eggplant with Minced Pork
Sesame Tofu Side Dish
Sweet & Sour Fish
Peking Duck
