Food is Love!

The other day, my friend and TGG reader sent me this bumper sticker.  She said she thought of me when she saw it and I am flattered!  Food is love.  I know this now but maybe I didn't when we were younger.  Sometimes we dismissed my mother's efforts to make a delicious meal and requested sugary cereals and soft drinks - items she forbade in the house - instead.  When asked why not she'd simply say, "Because I love you, that's why."  My father is just as loving.  Every morning, as he still does today, he is up at dawn cooking a breakfast feast for the family.  It was our greatest lesson: family first.  We started the day at the table together.  It was brain food, he called it.  It was last minute test prep and extra encouragement to begin the day.  It was our only time at the table as a family once our over-scheduled extra curriculars took over.  It was, and still is, love. 

Cheers!

Ana

Housewarming Success

Remember Itold you I recently moved into a new place? Well a couple of weekends ago LC and I hosted our housewarming party and it was a total success! We served up a full bar and some easy and delicious hors d’ oeuvres to our friends and family that came to the party. Remember that hosting should be enjoyable and not stressful. Pick some easy recipes that won’t take long to prepare and spend the rest of your day lounging waiting for your guest to arrive. Here are some pictures of what I chose to serve to up to our guests.  

Photo: Grab some smoked sausage and puff pastry dough for some super easy and delicious pigs in the blanket.

Photo: I admit I did a subpar job but take your pastry dough, cut it into squares, place sausage in the middle, egg wash the corners of the dough, wrap in a "taco" form and egg wash the top of the dough to keep it sealed. Bake at 425 for 10-15 minutes.

Photo: My pigs in the blanket turned out to be more like pigs on a bing bag but they were delicious nonetheless. Serve with some spicy stone ground mustard and viola, your guests will LOVE them.

Photo: Harry & David Pepper and Onion relish is one of only three ingredients for my next recipe. Easy crock pot meatballs!

Photo: Add 1 can of madarin oranges (only drain 1/2 the juice), a can of Harry & David Pepper and Onion relish and some meatballs (I opted for Turkey meatballs to save some fat and calories) and place in crockpot on low for 4-6 hours. Super easy and super delicious!

Photo: Okay, I cheated here and served a store bought spinach and artichoke dip, but it was on sale! Serve with tortilla chips.

Photo: Last but not least is my favorite, we pairs a goat cheese, roasted red pepper, pesto and pine nut torte with Manchego cheese, Boursin garlic & herb and Boursin Shallot and chive cheese with various salamis and Italian meats. Add some Carrs water crackers and you've got the perfect meat and cheese platter.

Photo: The whole spread!

Cheers!

Cristi

{We’re Obsessed} Pettigrew Associates

Two weekends ago I had the pleasure of attending the Catholic Charities of Dallas Hope for the Holidays event with some of my closest friends. My friend T’s parents recently purchased a design, furnishing and lighting business and they hosted the special night at their new Dallas showroom. I initially attended the event to support a good cause and because I’m always looking to expand my philanthropic horizons (okay, the open bar and catered dinner didn’t hurt either) but was treated to so much more. It’s no secret I am a lover of décor so when I stepped into the Pettigrew warehouse I was literally breathless as I scoped out all of the custom furnishings and the amazing chandeliers. I managed to snap a few photos of some of my favorite pieces but check out more of their amazing stuff here and DEFINITELY take a visit to their showroom. All of their pieces are unique designs and perfectly crafted. Seriously, I can’t get over how beautiful their stuff is! Wait! Did I mention they also have an amazing selection of fabrics and wall coverings for all your DIY projects? Seriously, they can do it all! It’s no wonder why we’re obsessed. 

Photo: Amazing chandelier with pink, amber, clear and emerald colored crystals.

Another amazing chandelier with blue and white colored crystals.

Photo: Furniture Makeover. Before & After accent chair.

Photo: The finished product! Amazing grey and white chevron patterned chair.(sorry so blurry)

Photo: I was DROOLING over this desk and chair set. SO elegant.

Cheers!

Cristi

Thanksgiving Recipe: Brussels Sprouts Four Ways

A favorite fall vegetable of ours is Brussels Sprouts and they are a healthy, hearty addition to any meal.What's better is that there are multiple ways to prepare them so I will go ahead and share my personal favorites.  For each variation, you will need a 2-3 pound bag of Brussels Sprouts, stems removed, rinsed and halved.

1.  Roasted Brussels Sprouts

Sprinkle sprouts with a pinch of Kosher salt.  In a small bowl, combine 3-4 tbsp. olive oil, a pinch of Kosher salt and black pepper to taste.  Mix well.  Pour over sprouts, tossing to coat.  Place on foil-lined cookie sheet and roast in 375 degree pre heated oven 30-40 minutes, turning once.  Remove from oven when lightly browned.

I just roasted balsamic-glazed sprouts this weekend

2. Balsamic Glazed Brussels Sprouts

Use same method of preparation as in version 1, only add 3 tbsp of Balsamic Vinegar to the olive oil mix.  Pour over sprouts.  Roast 30-40 minutes, turning once.  They are ready when lightly browned. 

3.  Lemon Brussels Sprouts

Follow directions in version 1, with the exception of adding 3 tbsp. fresh lemon juice to the olive oil mixture.  Lemon juice can be added to the Balsamic version as well, using equal parts lemon juice, Balsamic vinegar and olive oil. 

4.  Doctored Brussels Sprouts

Pick your favorite method of preparation above (roasted, Balsamic or lemon), and add either pancetta or sliced bacon pieces, half of a Julienned red onion, and a 6 oz. container of rinsed button mushrooms.  Toss ingredients in a large bowl with Brussels Sprouts.  Pour olive oil mixture over vegetables (add extra olive oil if needed).  Pour onto foil-lined cookie sheet and roast 35-40 minutes, until sprouts and bacon have lightly browned.

Cheers!

Ana

Thanksgiving Entertaining: Selecting the Menu

We will be hosting my in-laws this week and last week we decided on what is sure to be a delicious menu.  We will be preparing:

• Maple-Bourbon brined turkey
• a small ham
• stuffing
• roasted sweet potatoes
• green beans
• gravy
• cranberry sauce
• macaroni and cheese
• handmade dinner rolls
• dessert

foodnetwork.com

It is sure to be an eventful day in the kitchen, and that is one of the things I love most about the holiday!  We will also be serving wine, tap and sparkling water.  To start, I'll be stirring up a pomegranate-champagne cocktail.   For parties, I like to make a little beverage station near the dinner table and put out a spread of options, both alcoholic and not.

My iced beverage glasses with sparkling water and a pomegranate for decor

Pomegranate Cocktail recipe:

fill each fluted champagne glass with 1 oz. pomegranate juice (the 100% POM bottles are best)

top with 4 oz. champagne

garnish with orange peel and pomegranate seeds

Cheers!

Ana

Thanksgiving Entertaining: Setting the Table

When entertaining, I always set the table before I do any prep work or cooking.  Because food preparation can be exhausting, I've learned that waiting to set the table until just before dinner is served means my overlooking minor details and rushing the job.  The table setting should set the mood for the dinner you will enjoy.  My thoughts on the table scape is that is should reflect the work you've put into cooking your meal.  My New Year's resolution this year was to use my formal china more often, and so because of that, I've decided to set a formal table, minus the excess of silverware and multiple stemware per person at the table.  

So the first thing you will want to do is decide for yourself what kind of table you'll set.  We've found some inspirational table settings online to help guide your choice:

A harvest themed table with casual china and flatware, and occasional stemware, Pinterest

A casual table setting, hgtv.com

A formal table setting, Pinterest

Here is what I like to have at my table, regardless of whether it's casually or formally set:

• fresh flowers
• placemats
• charger plates (find the ones I've used below, $12/set of 4, here)
• dinner plates
• salad plates
• iced beverage glasses
• wine glasses
• silverware

This year, wishing to incorporate my formal china and monogrammed wedding napkins, I decided to go with a platinum and gold table theme.  

Our Thanksgiving table setting

Fresh flowers will be added come Tuesday!

Cheers!

Ana

Happy Friday!

Happy Friday, Good Grapes!  We hope you have a wonderful weekend.  We will spend ours preparing for fall parties and Thanksgiving.  It's always been our favorite holiday!  Come back next week for table setting ideas, recipes, wine recommendations and more!

A regular ceramic pot becomes a pilgrim's hat centerpiece.  Via Woman's Day Magazine

Cheers!

Ana