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Come Party With Me: Bridal Brunch - Menu

partysugar — Tue, 05 May 2009 12:50:05 -0700

Since her engagement party was such a hit, Ronda's maid of honor asked me to help plan the bridal shower. The event will be an elegant classic brunch.

Guests are invited to help themselves to slices of baked asparagus and yellow pepper frittata. A smoked salmon platter with cream cheese and toasted bagels is a welcome companion. Those looking for a lighter breakfast can opt for a lemon-cherry yogurt parfait.

These homemade dishes will be supplemented with an assortment of toasts from a local bakery and store bought jams and granola. An easy buffet of make-ahead dishes served at room temperature, this versatile and vegetarian menu also works well for Mother's Day. Get the recipes: read more.

Baked Asparagus and Yellow Pepper Frittata
From Gourmet

Ingredients

2 pounds thin asparagus
2 large yellow bell peppers
3 shallots
1 medium zucchini
3 scallions
1 tablespoon unsalted butter
10 large eggs
1/2 cup heavy cream
3 tablespoons chopped fresh flat-leafed parsley leaves
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Directions

Preheat oven to 350°F. and butter a 13 x 9 x 2-inch glass baking dish (3-quart).
Trim asparagus and diagonally cut into 1/4-inch-wide slices. Cut bell peppers into 1/4-inch-wide strips and mince shallots. Halve zucchini lengthwise and diagonally cut both zucchini and scallions into thin slices.
Have ready a bowl of ice and cold water. In a large saucepan of boiling salted water blanch asparagus 1 minute and drain in a colander. Immediately transfer asparagus to ice water to stop cooking. Drain asparagus well in colander and pat dry.
In a large skillet cook bell peppers and shallots in butter over moderately low heat, stirring occasionally, until peppers are softened, about 10 minutes.
In a large bowl whisk together eggs, cream, parsley, salt, and pepper. Stir in asparagus, bell pepper mixture, zucchini, and scallions.
Pour custard into baking dish and bake in middle of oven until golden and set, about 35 minutes. Cool frittata on a rack. Frittata may be made 1 day ahead and chilled, covered. Bring frittata to room temperature before serving. If desired, loosen frittata from edges of pan and slide onto a platter.

Serves 12.

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Smoked Salmon and Whitefish Salad Platter
From Ina Garten

Ingredients

1 1/2 pounds smoked whitefish, skinned and boned
1/2 cup minced red onion
1/2 cup minced celery
1 cup good mayonnaise
1 1/2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
3/4 teaspoon kosher salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
For serving:
6 bagels, sliced in thirds horizontally
1 pound thinly sliced smoked salmon
16 ounces cream cheese, softened
Sliced tomatoes and thinly sliced red onions

Directions

With your hands, flake the whitefish, being careful to discard all the skin and bones.
In a medium bowl, gently combine the whitefish with the red onion, celery, mayonnaise, lemon juice, salt, and pepper. Taste for seasoning.
Toast the bagel slices in a toaster.
Arrange a platter with the smoked salmon, cream cheese, tomatoes, and red onions. Serve with the whitefish salad at room temperature.

Serves 6.

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Lemon-Cherry Yogurt Parfait
From Food and Wine

Ingredients

1 cup heavy cream, chilled
1 cup 2 percent Greek-style plain yogurt
1/4 cup cherry preserves
1/4 teaspoon unflavored gelatin
1 teaspoon water
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
1 teaspoon finely grated lemon zest
3 tablespoons confectioners’ sugar

Directions

In a medium bowl, using an electric mixer, beat the heavy cream at high speed until firm. Add the yogurt and beat just until combined.
Transfer half of the mixture to another bowl and fold in the cherry preserves.
In a small microwave-safe bowl, sprinkle the gelatin over the water and let stand until softened, about 1 minute. Microwave the gelatin at high power for 5 seconds, just until melted.
Add the gelatin to the plain whipped cream mixture along with the lemon juice, lemon zest and confectioners’ sugar and beat at medium speed just until combined.
Spoon half of the lemon cream into 4 wineglasses and top with half of the cherry cream. Top with the remaining lemon and cherry creams and refrigerate for 20 minutes before serving.

Serves 4.

Make ahead: The parfaits can be refrigerated overnight.

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My Plan for a Simple, Last Minute Brunch

partysugar — Thu, 26 Jun 2008 05:30:34 -0700

A couple of weeks ago, I hosted a last minute brunch. All of the food was made either the evening before or the morning of the brunch. The easy menu featured something for everyone, with dishes that were both vegetarian and meat friendly. To find out what I made and check out my tips for recreating this exact brunch in your backyard, click the "Start" button.

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Need a Quick Lemon Fix? Try Simple Lemon Parfaits

YumSugar — Fri, 11 May 2007 16:03:02 -0700

Folks, we've got a lemon problem around here. Last night I was up late looking (make that drooling) at lemon desserts and today, there's talk of of lemon tarts over in The Kitchen Goddess group. I guess it's not so much of a problem as it is a craving. Since the KG girls have us covered on the decadent baking side of things, I thought I'd share this super simple lemon truffle parfait - and by simple I mean buy your ingredients ahead of time and throw them all together! It's an easy make ahead dessert that will be perfect at an afternoon luncheon, or while sitting on the couch in front of the tv... To check out the recipe, read more

Lemon Truffle Parfaits
From Suite 101

Make this dessert ahead of time and store it, well covered, in the fridge. When you're ready to serve, top with the mint leaves and a dollop of whipped cream and serve with long iced tea spoons.

1/2 cup whipping cream + some for topping
1/2 cup white chocolate chips
1 cup lemon curd (make your own or buy it store bought)
6 sugar cookies
1 cup fresh raspberries
4 mint sprigs

In small heavy saucepan, combine 1/2 cup whipping cream with the white chocolate chips. Melt over low heat, stirring frequently, until mixture is smooth. Place mixture in refrigerator for 30-40 minutes, stirring occasionally, until cold. Then beat the white chocolate mixture until soft peaks form. Fold into lemon curd until mixture is smooth and blended.

Break cookies into 1" pieces. In four parfait glasses, layer cookies with the raspberries and lemon curd mixture. Cover and refrigerate until serving time. Garnish with mint and additional whipped cream at serving time. Serves 4

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Mardi Gras Dessert: Frozen Chocolate Bourbon Parfaits

partysugar — Mon, 19 Feb 2007 16:11:17 -0800

In my opinion parfaits are a totally underrated and overlooked dessert. They can be made hundreds of ways with just as many ingredients, yet when do you ever have one? When and why did they go out of style? Think about it: when was the last time you had a delicious parfait that wasn't some generic concoction from Dairy Queen or TCBY? If you answered never to this question, then you must make this divine dessert in the very near future. In fact drop what you are doing and make it now - this way it will be nice and chilled for after dinner. Layers of chilled creamy chocolate, softly whipped cream, and crispy praline. I'm merely writing about it and my mouth is watering. The splash of bourbon gives it a New Orleans-ish underlying flavor. This recipe is a great one for a party or dinner because it can be made up to 2 days ahead of your event. For the heavenly recipe, read more

Frozen Chocolate Bourbon Parfaits
From Epicurious

8 ounces fine-quality bittersweet chocolate (not unsweetened), chopped
1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons water
2 tablespoons bourbon
4 large eggs
3/4 cup granulated sugar
1 teaspoon unflavored gelatin
3 1/2 cups chilled heavy cream
1/3 cup confectioners' sugar
Garnish: 8 praline pieces

In a double boiler or a metal bowl set over a saucepan of barely simmering water melt chocolate in 1/2 cup water, stirring until smooth, and stir in bourbon until combined well. Remove top of double boiler or bowl from heat.
In a large metal bowl with a hand held electric mixer beat eggs and granulated sugar until combined.
Set bowl over a large saucepan of simmering water and beat mixture until light and thickened, about 6 minutes.
In a very small saucepan sprinkle gelatin over remaining 2 tablespoons water and let stand 1 minute to soften.
Heat gelatin mixture over moderate heat, stirring, until gelatin is dissolved.
Beat chocolate and gelatin mixtures into egg mixture and cool to room temperature.
In a bowl beat 1 1/2 cups cream until it just holds stiff peaks. Fold cream into chocolate mixture thoroughly and divide among eight 1 1/2-to 2-cup stemmed glasses. Freeze parfaits, covered with plastic wrap, until set, about 1 hour.
In a bowl beat remaining 2 cups cream until it holds soft peaks. Sift confectioners' sugar over cream and beat until cream just holds stiff peaks.
Transfer whipped cream to a pastry bag fitted with a decorative tip and pipe onto parfaits.
Garnish with praline pieces. Freeze parfaits until solid, about 4 hours.
Parfaits may be made 2 days ahead and frozen, covered.
Let parfaits stand at room temperature 15 minutes before serving.

Serves 8.

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Red, White, & Blue Parfaits Two Ways - Beginner and Expert

YumSugar — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 03:30:51 -0700

July 4 officially celebrates our country's independence, but this year, make your fiesta as much about food as it is about the fireworks. Regardless of whether you serve hamburgers or hot dogs, coleslaw or creamy potato salad, don't forget to leave some serious room for a red, white, and blue parfait, which is both gratifying on a balmy night and visually stunning.

Impress guests by paying a literal homage to the stars and stripes with a dessert composed of berry gelatin and creamy panna cotta. Or, take a far simpler approach to the parfait by serving layer upon layer of whipped yogurt, strawberries, raspberries, and blueberries. Decide which one works best for you this holiday and read more

Quick No Bake, Somewhat "Healthy" Dessert

partysugar — Mon, 09 Jul 2007 15:43:38 -0700

On a hot summer night, sometimes I crave a cool, refreshing dessert after a satisfying dinner. A little sweet to top off the savory, but nothing too heavy. Whenever I want a less-guilty dessert that I can enjoy after eating a full meal, I make a fresh fruit parfait. Layered chunks of ripe mango, chilled Greek yogurt, and syrupy raspberry jam makes for a delicious combination. Ready in minutes, the only work this dessert involves is cubing mangoes and scooping layers. Flavored with honey rather than sugar, this recipe is so much healthier than a bowl of ice cream or a piece of cake. Get it now, just read more

Mango-Raspberry Parfaits
From Rachael Ray

2 ripe mangoes, cut into 1/2-inch cubes
2 cups Greek yogurt or whole-milk yogurt
4 tablespoons seedless raspberry jam
1 ounce raw or roasted sliced almonds (1/4 cup)
1 to 2 tablespoons honey

Divide half of the mango pieces among 4 glasses and add a few tablespoons of yogurt to each glass.
Stir the raspberry jam to soften it and spoon on top of the yogurt.
Add one or two additional layers of mangoes, yogurt and jam, then top with the almonds and a drizzle of honey. (You can prepare the dessert a few hours ahead; refrigerate it without the nuts and honey and add them just before serving.)

Serves 4.

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Yummy Links: From the Barefoot Contessa to Ginger Ale

partysugar — Fri, 11 Jul 2008 08:00:37 -0700

Go inside the Barefoot Contessa's downtown Manhattan apartment. - Serious Eats
The FDA has ruled that high fructose corn syrup is still considered natural. - Slashfood
Learn how to make the perfect martini. - Chow
Bake up a batch of strawberry goat cheese scones. - Baking Bites
If it's too hot to bake in your neck of the woods, consider cooling down with this no-cook biscotti mascarpone parfait. - GlamDish
America's sassiest lifestyle guru, Steve Kemble, teaches you how to host a high style, no stress party. - Hostess with the Mostess
Did you know okra is in season? - The Kitchn
Make homemade ginger ale for just .61 cents. - The Epi-Log

Source

Come Party With Me: Easter - Menu (Brunch, Part 2)

partysugar — Tue, 03 Apr 2007 06:58:19 -0700

The words Easter and brunch go hand in hand, and this week I am planning one party and offering you two delicious menus. Everything about this fete should scream springtime, from the yellow and green color scheme, to the Easter egg invitations to the poached egg main dish (you can't have Easter without eggs!). Serve maple-glazed bacon with a sweet treat in the form of coffee cake or a fruity berry parfait. To look at the recipes, read more

Coffee Cake
From Ina Garten

12 tablespoons (1 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter at room temperature
1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
3 extra-large eggs at room temperature
1 1/2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
1 1/4 cups sour cream
2 1/2 cups cake flour (not self-rising)
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
For the streusel:
1/4 cup light brown sugar, packed
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
3 tablespoons cold unsalted butter, cut into pieces
3/4 cup chopped walnuts, optional
For the glaze:
1/2 cup confectioners' sugar
2 tablespoons real maple syrup

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Grease and flour a 10-inch tube pan.
Cream the butter and sugar in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment for 4 to 5 minutes, until light.
Add the eggs 1 at a time, then add the vanilla and sour cream.
In a separate bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. With the mixer on low, add the flour mixture to the batter until just combined.
Finish stirring with a spatula to be sure the batter is completely mixed.
For the streusel, place the brown sugar, flour, cinnamon, salt, and butter in a bowl and pinch together with your fingers until it forms a crumble. Mix in the walnuts, if desired.
Spoon half the batter into the pan and spread it out with a knife. Sprinkle with 3/4 cup streusel. Spoon the rest of the batter in the pan, spread it out, and scatter the remaining streusel on top. Bake for 50 to 60 minutes, until a cake tester comes out clean.
Let cool on a wire rack for at least 30 minutes.
Carefully transfer the cake, streusel side up, onto a serving plate.
Whisk the confectioners' sugar and maple syrup together, adding a few drops of water if necessary, to make the glaze runny. Drizzle as much as you like over the cake with a fork or spoon.

Serve 8-10.

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Granola, Yogurt, Berry Parfait
From Bob Blumer

2 cups plain yogurt
2 cups your favorite granola
2 cups fresh berries (raspberries, blueberries, strawberries (hulled and sliced), and/or other fruit such as bananas, peaches or mangos, peeled and sliced
4 tablespoons honey

Line up 4 parfait, white wine, or other tall glasses.
Spoon 2 tablespoons of yogurt into each glass and smooth surface.
Spoon 2 tablespoons of granola overtop and smooth surface.
Spoon 2 tablespoons of fruit overtop and smooth surface.
Repeat the process, adding a bit of honey here and there, to taste.

Serves 4.

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Hosting an Easter dinner rather than a brunch? Keep on reading because my dinner menu is coming up soon.

What Went Wrong? Custard Not Setting

partysugar — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 07:50:53 -0700

Over the weekend, when I made Martha Stewart's Summer fruit cream pie, something went horribly wrong. As you can tell by the picture, the custard would not set! The recipe seemed simple enough; it's a graham cracker crust filled with cinnamon-berry custard and topped with syrupy peaches. However, I ran into some technical difficulties.
The first time I made the custard it would not thicken, but I realized it was because I didn't add enough cornstarch. The second time, I thought everything went well, but after sitting in the fridge overnight, the custard was soupy and liquidy. While the flavor was superb (I served it to my guests parfait style), the texture was all wrong. I've made custard successfully in the past, and honestly have no clue what went wrong.

Can you help me? Should I have let the custard boil longer? Did it need more fridge time?

Come Party With Me: Independence Day - Dessert

partysugar — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 11:30:39 -0700

While one could easily serve red, white, and blue parfaits at a 4th of July party, I prefer to give guests a more all-American dessert - in the form of a crowd-pleasing cupcake. When I saw these adorably patriotic cupcakes in the current issue of Martha Stewart Living, I knew they would be on the menu at my Independence Day celebration.

The vanilla cake batter is dotted with fresh blueberries before being baked. Each individual cake is iced with fluffy seven-minute frosting and topped with a single plump raspberry. These pretty cakes are a light sweet treat, ideal for Summer entertaining. If you're interested in reading the recipe, do so after the break