cleverparties blog

Sweetheart Breakfast: Valentine’s Day Pancakes

Adeline Ashley — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 07:19:39 +0000

Show your romantic side by making heart shaped pancakes for breakfast. Start with your favorite pancake recipe. Heat up an iron skillet and lightly coat with cooking spray or butter. Take a large heart shaped pancake mold or heart shaped cookie cutter and pour batter into the mold. Fill about half way. Let the batter bubble and get firm around the edges. Lift the mold away (if using a cookie cutter then use tongs to help lift the cookie cutter as it will be very hot). Next, flip the pancake and cook for another minute or two. Set on a plate and use red gel to write a quick love note to your sweatheart.

Chocolate and Wine Pairings

Adeline Ashley — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 07:47:21 +0000

When you match the right wine with the right chocolate, you get to experience

the rich complexities of both. As a rule, dark chocolates tend to pair

well with fuller bodied wine such as Zinfandels and Cabernets and milk

chocolates pair better with lighter wines such as Chardonnay or Sauvignon Blanc.

Rules of course are made to be broken so indulge in your own tastes

and mix and match the chocolates to your favorite wine.

72% Bittersweet Dark Chocolate pair with Cabernet Sauvignon or Zinfandel A rich, full bodied chocolate with a creamy finish

61% Semisweet Chocolate pair with Merlot or Cabernet A fragrant chocolate with light spicy notes

55% Dark Chocolate pair with Merlot or Petit Syrah A mild pleasant dark chocolate with hints of vanilla and fruity notes

31% Milk Chocolate pair with Chardonnay or Savignon Blanc A bold, upfront milk chocolate with caramel notes

Holiday Decorations with Cookies

Adeline Ashley — Thu, 08 Dec 2011 07:56:16 +0000

This holiday season, save some of your cookies for decorations. Before baking make a small hole with a wooden stick so that a ribbon can fit through and allow you to hang on a tree or adorn a dessert table. Use snow flake cookie cutters for a nice wintery scene.

Towering Centerpieces

Adeline Ashley — Mon, 14 Nov 2011 07:19:13 +0000

Centerpieces should be set either low or high so that guests at a table can see each other and be able to easily hold a conversation. For a grand effect, use tall clear glass pillars or vases and place a floral arrangement on top. Secure with floral tape and use leaves to hide the tape. If your theme allows, decorate or fill the glass container with theme related items, colored sand, jewels etc.

Pumpkin Risotto in Gourds Serving Bowls

Adeline Ashley — Sun, 06 Nov 2011 05:27:56 +0000

Put those decorative gourds and pumpkins to use for your next dinner party.

To Make the Serving Bowls

Choose even shaped and flat bottom gourds, squash or pumpkins.

Carefully cut a slice off the end of the rounded side without making a hole to create a flat surface.

Cut the top off the gourd and scrape out the stringy flesh and remove seeds.

Place bowl side down on and oiled sheet pan and roast at 375 degrees for 25 minutes. Bake until the flesh is roasted yet still firm. Do not overcook or allow to get too soft.

Pumpkin Risotto

1 Tablespoon Olive Oil
1 Leek, white and green part, finely chopped
2 Cloves Garlic, minced
1/2 Cup Portabella Mushrooms
2 3/4 Cups Chicken Broth
1/2 Cup Arborio Rice
1/2 Cup Roasted Sugar Baby Pumpkin Diced
2 Tablespoons Vermouth
1/3 Teaspoon Salt
1/2 Teaspoon Thyme leaves
1/4 Teaspoon Rosemary, finely minced

Heat the oil in a medium stock pot.
Add the leek and garlic to soften; about 3 minutes. Add the mushrooms and saute for 3-4 minutes. Pour over the vermouth and cook for another 2 -3 minutes to evaporate the alcohol.Add arborio, stirring to coat and toast for about 1 minute. Pour over about 1 Cup of broth, stirring well until absorbed repeating with another cup and stirring. Stir in the last of broth, salt, herbs and the cubed roasted pumpkin. Test the rice for tenderness, it should be al dente. Chop and add reserved mushrooms. Taste and adjust seasoning as necessary.

Halloween Owl Cookies

Adeline Ashley — Sun, 30 Oct 2011 04:52:07 +0000

These fun cookies were made with from a favorite sugar cookie recipe and Halloween shaped cookie cutters. The dough can be made a day ahead and kept refrigerated until ready to use.

Easy To Make Sugar Cookie Recipe

Ingredients

3 cups all-purpose flour
3/4 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt

1 cup unsalted butter, softened
1 cup sugar
1 egg
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 tablespoon milk
flour mixed with powdered sugar, for rolling out dough

Directions

Sift together flour, baking powder and salt and set aside. Place butter and sugar in large bowl of electric stand mixer and beat until fluffy and light in color. Add egg, vanilla and milk and beat to combine. Gradually add flour, and beat until mixture starts to form a ball. If the mixture is too dry, add a bit of milk or if the mixture is wet add a little of flour. Divide the dough in half, wrap in plastic and refrigerate for 2 hours.

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.

Sprinkle surface where you will roll out dough with flour and powdered sugar. Remove 1 wrapped pack of dough from refrigerator at a time, sprinkle rolling pin with flour and roll out dough to 1/4-inch thick. If dough gets warm during rolling, a neat trick is to place a cold cookie sheet on top for 10 minutes to chill. Cut into desired shape, place 1-inch apart on parchment, or silicone baking mat. Bake for 7 to 9 minutes or until cookies are golden brown at edges. Rotate cookie sheet halfway through baking time. Let cookies sit on baking sheet for 2 minutes then allow the cookies to completely cool on wire rack. Decorate with icing and sprinkles. Store in airtight container for up to 1 week.

Icing Recipe

1/3 cup softened butter
2 cups confectioners sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/4 cup water

Blend butter, sugar and vanilla and slowly add water until icing is smooth. Separate into different bowls and add food coloring. Spread on cookies and decorate with sprinkles.

Cheese Straws

Adeline Ashley — Wed, 19 Oct 2011 05:57:04 +0000

Cheese straws are one of my favorite and easy hors d’oeuvres to make. They are always a hit at parties and wonderful to serve at a Halloween bash. Plan to make several batches as these treats will quickly disappear. You can make the dough ahead of time and store in the refrigerator for a week and then bake when ready.

Ingredients

4 oz coarsely grated extra-sharp Cheddar
3 oz coarsely grated parmesan cheese
4 oz coarsely grated monterey jack cheese
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 stick cold unsalted butter, cut into tablespoons
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon baking powder
Rounded 1/8 teaspoon cayenne
1 1/2 tablespoons milk

Directions

Preheat oven to 350°F with racks in upper and lower thirds.

In a food processor, pulse the cheeses, flour, butter, salt, baking powder and cayenne until mixture resembles coarse meal. Add milk and pulse until dough forms a ball. If dough is a bit dry, add a little more milk.

Roll out dough on a lightly floured surface with a lightly floured rolling pin into a rectangle about 1/8 inch thick. Cut dough with a lightly floured sharp knife into 1/3-inch-wide strips. Carefully transfer to 2 ungreased baking sheets and place strips 1/4 inch apart. Note if strips tear, simply pinch back together.

Bake until pale golden about 15 to 18 minutes. Cool completely on baking sheets on racks, about 15 minutes.

Easy To Make Halloween Party Crackers

Adeline Ashley — Wed, 05 Oct 2011 06:39:07 +0000

Pass out spooky party crackers at your Halloween party filled with candy treats. These traditional English party favors are simple to make.

What you will need:

Black, orange and purple construction paper
Halloween stickers
Curling ribbon
Cardboard tube
Scissors
Double sided tape
Handful of Candies

Take construction paper and cut a 1 1/2″ inch fringe on top and bottom of the paper. Place the cardboard tube in the center of the paper and roll the paper around the tube. Affix with double sided tape. Crimp one end of the tube and tie with curling ribbon. Fill with your favorite candies. Crimp the other end and tie with curling ribbon. Decorate with Halloween stickers.

Tailgate Parties

Adeline Ashley — Wed, 14 Sep 2011 06:13:08 +0000

Fall has so many sporting events such as football and baseball, both college or professional, that make for an ideal reason to have a tailgating party. If you have a competitive streak then you can show off your tailgating preparations from elaborate settings with tables, chairs, carpets and grills – all the comforts of home and great food.

The next time you plan to tailgate, here are some tips for you to remember:

Select food that can either be cooked ahead and easily transported to the event, or cooked at the location on a grill.

Get a handy portable grill.

Check with the stadium first to make sure alcoholic beverages are allowed. Make sure to bring bottle openers and corkscrews. Bring plenty of drinking water.

Bring a large, heavy cloth to spread out the food. If possible bring a table to go under the cloth.

Pack disposable plates and cups, utensils and napkins in your favorite team’s colors.

Make clean up easy by bringing trash bags, storage containers for leftover food, paper towels and wet wipes. Safely dispose of any hot coals from your grill and don’t leave a hot grill unattended if you’re heading in to the event.

Mini Whoopie Pies – Carrot Cake and Cream Cheese Frosting

Adeline Ashley — Thu, 08 Sep 2011 05:54:35 +0000

Who can resist these delicious pop in your mouth mini whoopie pies made from a family favorite recipe Carrot Cake & Cream Cheese Frosting.

The trick to making these is to use a mini cupcake pan and only fill it 1/4 of the way. This will make a uniform flat round shape. Take the cream cheese frosting and spread on the flat surface of one carrot cake then top with another. For fun and a festive presentation, roll in colored sugar or sprinkles.

The mini whoopie pies will disappear quickly.

Super Moist Carrot Cake Recipe

Ingredients

• 2 cups all purpose flour
• 2 cups sugar
• 3 cups finely shredded carrots
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 cup vegetable oil
• 4 large eggs

Carrot Cake Cupcakes Recipe Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Slightly grease each cavity of the mini cupcake pan. Combine all dry ingredients in a large mixing bowl. Mix at low speed for 30 seconds, scraping bowl constantly while mixing. Mix at high speed for 3 minutes, scraping bowl every minute.

Pour batter into cupcake pan until each cavity is 1/4 full.

Bake for 8 to 12 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.

Cool 10 minutes in pans then move to wire rack to cool completely.

Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe

Ingredients

1/2 cup of butter (1 stick), room temperature
8 oz of Philly cream cheese (1 package), room temperature
2 – 3 cups of powdered sugar
1 teaspoon of vanilla extract

Directions

With an electric mixer, mix the butter and cream cheese together, about 3 minutes on medium speed until very smooth. Scrape down the sides and bottom of the bowl to ensure even mixing.
Add the vanilla extract and mix. Slowly add the powdered sugar. Keep adding until you get to desired sweetness and thickness.
Either spread on with a blunt knife or spatula.