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Come Party With Me: Housewarming Party - The Look

partysugar — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 10:30:00 -0700

Unlike a themed party, at a housewarming there shouldn't be a lot of loud decorations. The house should look clean and elegant.

Set up the snacks, buffet style, on a long dining table. Place a table runner down the center of the table. Serve the tapas on clear platters. Make a small nametag for each of the dishes and stick them in placecard holders. Stack linen napkins nearby.

Choose another location for the bar. Arrange glasses, an ice bowl, and the sangria pitcher. Fill a large, decorative bucket with ice, beer, and wine. Light candles and arrange pretty white flowers in low vases.

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Come Party With Me: Housewarming Party - Drinks

partysugar — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 15:00:44 -0700

Since guests may arrive at different times and you could be busy giving a tour of the house, set up a small bar at your housewarming party. Let visitors pour their own drinks. Fill a bowl with ice and arrange glasses, garnishes, and napkins nearby. Place cold beers and several bottles of white wine in a large bucket. Make a pitcher of fruity sangria and place it on the table. Serving a sangria is smart because it's made in advance and keeps up with the Spanish theme of the snacks and sweets. To look at the recipe for this peach -strawberry sangria, read more.

Strawberry-Peach Sangria
From Bon Appétit magazine

Ingredients

1 750-ml bottle dry white wine
1 1/2 cups Essensia (orange Muscat, a sweet dessert wine)
1 1/2 cups sliced strawberries
1 cup peach liqueur
3 peaches, each cut into 12 slices
1 large orange, cut crosswise into 6 slices
1 large lemon, cut crosswise into 6 slices
1/4 cup strawberry syrup (optional)*
3 to 4 cups ice cubes

Directions

Mix white wine, Essensia, strawberries, peach liqueur, peaches, orange slices, lemon slices, and strawberry syrup in large pitcher, smashing citrus slices slightly.
Let stand at room temperature at least 2 hours or chill up to 4 hours. Serve sangria over ice.

Serves 8.

*Strawberry syrup can be found near the maple syrup at some supermarkets and specialty foods stores.

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Come Party With Me: Housewarming Party - Dessert

partysugar — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 15:00:32 -0700

When selecting a dessert recipe for a housewarming, choose a dish that can be eaten on the go without any utensils. Cookies and cupcakes are delicious, but empanadas keep up with the tapas-themed menu. These tasty, small pastries are filled with berries and goat cheese. If you don't have the time or expertise to make dough, simply use premade refrigerated pie crust.

To learn how they are made, read more.

Blackberry and Strawberry Empanadas
From Tim Love

Ingredients

4 cups all-purpose flour
2 tablespoons sugar
1/2 teaspoons salt
4 teaspoons baking powder
1 cup vegetable shortening
1 cup chicken stock
1 cup blackberries
1 cup wild strawberries, roughly chopped
1/2 cup goat cheese
1/4 cup sugar
2 large eggs,
2 tablespoons water
Peanut oil, for frying

Directions

In a large mixing bowl, combine flour, sugar, salt and baking powder and mix well. Add shortening and break it up by hand until it resembles cornmeal.
Add chicken stock and knead until all is incorporated. Let it rest, covered, for at least 30 minutes in cooler.
Meanwhile, make the filling. Combine blackberries, strawberries, goat cheese and sugar and mix well.
When the dough has chilled, roll it out to 1/4-inch thickness on a lightly floured surface with a rolling pin.
Cut circles out of the dough with a 4-inch round cutter. Spoon a heaping tablespoon of filling into the center of each dough circle.
Beat the eggs and water together in a small bowl. Brush the egg wash all around the edges of the dough. Fold the dough over the filling to make the circles into half moons. Crimp the edges with the tines of a fork to seal the dough closed.
Heat a pan, filled half way up with peanut oil, to 350 degrees F.
Fry the empanadas until golden brown, about 6 to 8 minutes, turning them over occasionally with tongs.

Serves 4.

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Come Party With Me: Housewarming Party - Menu

partysugar — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 07:45:07 -0700

A housewarming party is similar to an open house in that guests will stop by at random times. Instead of slaving over the stove, serve a simple menu of Spanish style tapas that are delicious warm, cold, or at room temperature. Start by putting together a large antipasto platter with your favorite cheese, crackers, marinated vegetables, and charcuterie. Supplement this with a few homemade nibbles. Warm rosemary olives, stuffed mushrooms, and eggplant mozzarella roll-ups are scrumptious and filling. To learn how to make these tasty appetizers, read more.

Warm Rosemary Olives
From Real Simple magazine

Ingredients

6 cups mixed olives, such as Niçoise, Spanish, Picholine, and Greek
5 sprigs fresh rosemary
2 teaspoons red pepper flakes

Directions

Combine the olives, rosemary, and red pepper flakes in the center of 1 or 2 large sheets of aluminum foil. Fold the foil to enclose the olives in a pouch. Recipe can made to this point 1 day ahead, Refrigerate.
Heat oven to 400º F. Bake for 30 minutes. Serve warm.

Makes 6 cups or enough for 30 guests.

NUTRITION PER SERVING: CALORIES 31(1% from fat); FAT 3g (sat 0g); CHOLESTEROL 0mg; CALCIUM 24mg; CARBOHYDRATE 2g; SODIUM 234mg; PROTEIN 0mg; FIBER 1g; IRON 1mg

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Stuffed Mushrooms
From Martha Stewart

Ingredients

3 ounces day-old white bread (about 3 slices), crusts removed
2 scallions, white and light-green parts only, roughly chopped
1 red bell pepper, seeded and roughly chopped
3 ounces fresh goat cheese
1/4 cup finely chopped fresh cilantro leaves
1 ounce dry Monterey Jack or Parmesan, grated on small holes of box grater
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
48 button mushrooms (about 1 1/2 pounds), stems removed and caps cleaned

Directions

Pulse the bread in the bowl of a food processor until finely chopped. Transfer to a bowl.
Place the scallions, bell pepper, and goat cheese in the bowl of a food processor, and pulse until finely chopped and well combined.
Transfer mixture to the bowl with the bread crumbs, and stir. Stir in the cilantro, half the grated Monterey Jack, salt, and pepper.
Heat oven to 350 degrees; position rack in the center of oven.
Place mushroom caps, cups facing upward, on a large cookie sheet. Spoon a heaping teaspoon of stuffing mixture into each cap.
Bake until mushrooms are tender and filling is hot, 15 to 20 minutes.
Remove mushrooms, turn oven to broil, and position rack about 4 inches from broiler. Sprinkle mushrooms with remaining grated cheese, and broil until cheese is golden, about 1 minute. Serve immediately.

Makes 4 dozen.

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Eggplant and Mozzarella Roll-Ups
From Food and Wine magazine

Ingredients

All-purpose flour, for dredging
3 large eggs, lightly beaten
Pure olive oil, for frying
One 1-pound eggplant, peeled and sliced lengthwise 1/8 inch thick
Salt and freshly ground pepper
3 ounces thinly sliced prosciutto
1/4 pound fresh mozzarella, cut into about 24 strips

Directions

Have ready the flour and beaten eggs, each in a shallow bowl. Heat 1/4 cup of olive oil in a large skillet.
One at a time, dredge the eggplant slices in the flour and then dip them into the beaten eggs, allowing the excess to drip off.
Fry 2 coated eggplant slices at a time in the olive oil over moderate heat until golden brown, about 2 minutes per side. Transfer the slices to paper towels to drain. Add more olive oil to the skillet as needed and adjust the heat if the eggplant browns too fast.
Preheat the oven to 400°. Lay the eggplant slices out on a work surface and lightly season them on both sides with salt and pepper. Cover the eggplant slices with the prosciutto; trim the prosciutto as necessary and use the trimmings to cover any uncovered eggplant slices. Cut each eggplant slice in half crosswise. Set 1 strip of mozzarella at 1 end of each eggplant slice, roll up neatly and secure with a toothpick.
Transfer the eggplant rolls to a baking sheet and bake for about 10 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and the eggplant is tender and piping hot. Remove the toothpicks and cut the rolls crosswise into 1-inch lengths. Serve the roll-ups hot or warm.

Makes about 2 dozen.

Make ahead: the roll-ups can be prepared through Step 2 and refrigerated overnight. Bring to room temperature before baking.

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Come Party With Me: Housewarming Party - Invite

partysugar — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 10:15:23 -0700

Hunting for a new house, packing everything you own, and moving is seriously exhausting. However, once you are settled into your new space, consider hosting a housewarming party. Think of the housewarming like a reward for the move.

Invite friends and family members over for a tour and tapas. Introduce them to your place while tantalizing their tastebuds with delicious bites. Start by selecting a date and sending invitations. To learn how I made these simple, stylish invites, read more.

To make a similar invite you will need the following supplies:

colored paper
colored cardstock
scissors
glue
satin ribbon
single hole punch
a key
pencil
computer and printer

To assemble the invite:

Create a new document in Microsoft Word. Insert a text box on the left hand side of the page. Fill the box with the details of your party. I used the font Bell MT in size 12 to write this message:

Although our address is new,
the door is always open for friends like you!

Please join us in celebrating our new home.
Stop by for a tour and tapas on
Saturday July 19, 2008
6:00 pm – 10 pm

Sean & Elena
45 Main Street
San Francisco, CA 94104

Please add our new address to your records.

On the other side of the page insert another small square shaped text box. Write home sweet home inside the box (I used Lucida Handwriting). Directly above the square, insert a triangle to form the outline of a house.

Print out on plain white paper. Check for grammar and spelling mistakes. Once satisfied with the text, print out on the colored paper.

Cut the invite down to size and mount on the cardstock. Set aside.
Cut out the little house.
With the pencil, trace the outline of the key onto a piece of paper. Cut out the shape, so you have a paper key.

Punch a hole in the top of the key and the triangle of the house.
Slide the ribbon through and tie a small knot.

Glue to the top of the invite, slide into an envelope, and send.

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Come Party With Me: Housewarming Party - The Look & Music

partysugar — Fri, 20 Jul 2007 06:01:39 -0700

Unlike a theme party, the decorations at a housewarming party don't play a vital role in the atmosphere. Don't get me wrong, you do need decorations, but keep it simple and elegant. The decor of the party should not disguise the natural look of your new home, but enhance it.

A richly hued tablecloth with mirror disks scattered over the top looks festive yet understated. For the centerpiece fill a large copper bowl with aqua colored floating candles. Place a large bouquet of white tulips in tall square vases in every room of your house. Tie brown ribbon around the vases, on door knobs, and the back of chairs. Set up a stainless steel standing champagne bucket and fill with ice. It is a game night so don't forget the games! Trivia Pursuit, Catchphrase, Pictionary, Taboo, Charades, Monopoly, or Apples to Apples are all fabulous selections. If you don't have games, ask one of your friends to bring over their collection. For music play mixes by Putomayo: Eurolounge, Latinlounge, Saharalounge, and Afrolatino are all great background tunes that are upbeat and exotic.

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Come Party With Me: Housewarming Party - Drinks

partysugar — Thu, 19 Jul 2007 14:28:39 -0700

Much like the christening of a boat, to start the celebration off at your housewarming party, pop open a bottle of champagne and invite everyone to join you in a toast to your future in the new house. Guests can enjoy the glass as you show them around the space. Once the game night portion of the party gets started, offer an assortment of beers, wines, and a big bowl of "player's punch." Serve the watermelon punch in a pitcher because it will be easier to pour while playing games. Also be sure to pour the drinks in to real glasses (you registered for them so might as well use them!). A nice, light red - such as Beaujolais - or a crisp white unoaked Chardonnay will pair nicely with the pizzas. For those who do not drink alcohol, sparkling water on the rocks spiked with fresh watermelon puree and slices of cucumber or mint makes a festive and refreshing mocktail. You'll find the player's punch recipe after the break, so read more

Watermelon Punch
From Instyle magazine

6 cups watermelon juice (to make, purée fresh seedless watermelon)
One 3 oz. can frozen limeade
6 cups vodka
1 liter chilled club soda
Watermelon wedges

In a serving bowl, combine watermelon juice, limeade and vodka.
Refrigerate until cold.
Then add ice and chilled club soda; garnish with small watermelon wedges.

Serves 12-15.

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Come Party With Me: Housewarming Party - Menu II

partysugar — Wed, 18 Jul 2007 08:01:38 -0700

During the walking tour around your house, place a few appetizers on side tables for nibbling while you discuss your artwork. After they have seen all of your gorgeous furniture and inspiring paint jobs, invite everyone into your largest room for a few rounds of your favorite game. Serve 2 types of crispy pizza - make several of each kind and cook throughout the evening - a white carbonara and a vegetarian eggplant are tasty treats perfect for munching while you play. Add a sweet finish to the evening by offering guest brownies decorated to look like dominos. The pizzas can be assembled in advance and baked later making them an ideal entertaining recipe. To see how simple it is, read more

Carbonara Pizza
From Everyday With Rachael Ray magazine

Cornmeal, for sprinkling
1 pound pizza dough, at room temperature
Extra-virgin olive oil, for drizzling
1/4 pound pancetta, chopped
1 cup ricotta cheese
1/4 cup grated pecorino romano cheese
2 large egg yolks, beaten
1 clove garlic, grated
Pepper
1 1/2 to 2 cups shredded provolone cheese
1/3 cup chopped flat-leaf parsley

Preheat the oven to 450°.
Sprinkle a little cornmeal on a pizza pan or baking sheet. Place the pizza dough on the pan and stretch into a large round or rectangle. Drizzle the dough with olive oil and partially bake until puffed and golden, about 8 minutes.
In a small skillet, heat a drizzle of the oil over medium heat.
Add the pancetta and cook, stirring often, until crisp, about 5 minutes. Transfer to a bowl and let cool.
Add the ricotta, pecorino romano, egg yolks and garlic to the pancetta; season with pepper and stir to combine.
Spread the ricotta mixture over the partially baked pizza dough, leaving a 1/2-inch border all around. Top with the provolone.
Bake until the crust and topping are golden and cooked through, about 12 minutes. Scatter the parsley on top and cut into wedges.

Serves 4.

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Eggplant, Tomato, and Fontina Cheese Pizza
From Gourmet magazine

1 (1 1/2-lb) eggplant, cut crosswise into 1/4-inch-thick slices
1 3/4 teaspoons salt
3/4 cup packed fresh basil leaves
1/4 cup packed fresh mint leaves
2 garlic cloves
10 oz grape tomatoes (2 cups), quartered
5 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil plus additional for brushing dough
1 lb pizza dough
Flour for dredging
1/4 lb Italian Fontina, rind discarded and cheese cut into 1/4-inch dice (1 cup)

Prepare pizza toppings: sprinkle eggplant with 1 1/2 teaspoons salt in a colander and let drain in sink, turning slices occasionally, 30 minutes.
Finely chop together basil, mint, and garlic. Toss with tomatoes in a bowl, then drain in a sieve set over bowl.
Preheat broiler.
Rinse eggplant, then pat dry in batches between paper towels, pressing firmly to remove excess liquid. Brush both sides of slices with oil (about 4 tablespoons total) and form small stacks, then cut stacks into quarters. Arrange eggplant pieces in 1 layer in 2 shallow heavy baking pans and broil, 1 pan at a time, about 5 to 6 inches from heat, turning eggplant over once, until golden brown, 7 to 8 minutes per batch. Cool eggplant to room temperature.
Put pizza stone* in lower third of oven and preheat oven to 500°F (allow 1 hour for pizza stone to heat).
Assemble pizzas: do not punch down dough. Gently dredge 1 piece of dough in flour to coat, then transfer to a sheet of parchment paper set on baking peel or baking sheet. Holding 1 edge of floured dough in the air with both hands and letting bottom touch parchment, carefully move hands around edge of dough (like turning a steering wheel), allowing weight of dough to stretch it to a round roughly 10 inches in diameter. Lay round on parchment and adjust shape as needed.
Discard any liquid exuded from tomatoes and toss tomatoes with remaining tablespoon oil and remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt in bowl.
Brush dough round with oil and scatter half of eggplant, half of tomatoes, and half of cheese over it, leaving a 1-inch border around edge. Line up far edge of peel with far edge of pizza stone and tilt peel down, jerking it gently to start pizza moving. Slide pizza, along with parchment, onto stone and bake until crust is golden brown and cheese is bubbling, 12 to 15 minutes.
Remove pizza from oven by sliding peel under paper. Transfer pizza to a cutting board and discard parchment.
While first pizza is baking, assemble second pizza on another sheet of parchment, then bake in same manner.

Makes 2 pizzas.

*Note: If you do not have a pizza stone use a warmed baking sheet.

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Domino Brownies
From Instyle magazine

8 tbsp (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
2 cups sugar
4 oz. (4 squares) unsweetened chocolate, coarsely chopped and melted
3 eggs
1 cup all-purpose flour
Pinch of salt
1 tsp vanilla
White chocolate chips and white frosting in tube for decoration

Heat oven to 350°F. Spray 13" x 9" baking pan with nonstick cooking spray.
In large bowl beat butter and sugar together with electric mixer.
Stir in melted chocolate; beat in eggs until well combined, then stir in flour and salt. Add vanilla.
Scrape batter into prepared pan. Bake until wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean, about 25 min.
Cut into rectangles measuring about 3" long by 1" wide. Place on wire rack to cool.
Add frosting lines, top with white chocolate chips to resemble domino patterns.

Makes 24.

Note: For a hassle free no time recipe simple halve bakery brownies and decorate with white frosting from a tube and white chocolate chips to resemble dominos. Or serve store-bought checkerboard cookies or Pepperidge Farm's classic Chessman cookies.

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Come Party With Me: Housewarming Party - Menu I

partysugar — Tue, 17 Jul 2007 09:01:38 -0700

While you may be tempted to bring out all of the stops for your housewarming party, I suggest that you take it easy in the kitchen. The house and decor should be the shining star - not the food. Still, delicious tasty bites are absolutely necessary. Start by purchasing a few of your favorite grocery store appetizers (I like marinated olives, nuts, and dips that can be jazzed up with fresh herbs) and throw in a few homemade appetizers. Small bites that can be eaten quickly and placed around the house are ideal. Blue cheese and chive celery canapes sound elegant, but are simple to prepare and popcorn shrimp with lemon aioli dipping sauce are irresistibly delicious. For these yummy recipes all you have to do is read more

Blue Cheese & Chive Celery Canapes
From Instyle magazine

1 cup crumbled blue cheese
1/2 cup sour cream
1/4 cup mayonnaise
2 tablespoons minced fresh chives
salt and pepper
6 stalks celery, trimmed, cut into 1 inch pieces
minced chives for garnish

In a bowl mash together blue cheese, sour cream, mayonnaise, chives, salt and pepper.
Spoon into celery pieces; garnish with chives.

Serves 20.

Note: The image is the dip before it is placed inside the celery bowls.

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Popcorn Shrimp
From Instyle magazine

1 cup all-purpose flour
1 tsp sugar
1 tsp salt
½ tsp onion powder
½ tsp garlic powder
½ tsp black pepper
½ tsp ground cayenne pepper
½ tsp dried thyme
1½ cups milk
2 eggs, lightly beaten
2 lb. medium shrimp, peeled, deveined
1½ cups unseasoned bread crumbs
2 cups vegetable oil (if frying)

In medium bowl combine first 8 ingredients.
Make a well in the center and gradually whisk in milk and eggs. Let stand 30 min.
Working in batches, stir shrimp into batter; remove with slotted spoon, letting excess batter drip back into bowl.
Coat shrimp with bread crumbs.
If you want to fry the shrimp: Heat oil to 350°F in deep saucepan. Working in batches, add shrimp to hot oil. Fry 2-3 min., or until golden. Remove with slotted spoon to baking sheet lined with paper towels. Repeat until done.
If you want to bake the shrimp: Heat oven to 450°F. Place wire rack on baking sheet; lightly spray with nonstick vegetable spray. Put shrimp on rack in single layer. Bake 12-15 min., or until golden.
Serve hot with lemon aioli dip: In small bowl combine 2 cups mayonnaise, 5 cloves minced garlic, 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice, 1 tsp lemon zest, and salt and pepper to taste.

Serves 12.

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Come Party With Me: Housewarming Party - Invites

partysugar — Mon, 16 Jul 2007 06:01:38 -0700

A housewarming party is a fabulous celebration where you invite friends and family into your new/remodeled/just purchased/first home. This type of party is also great for newlyweds who may be feeling a little down after the excitement from the wedding has ended and the tan from their honeymoon has faded. A housewarming allows you the chance to show off your home and after the tour is over, gather guests into a few friendly rounds of old school games like Monopoly, charades, or Taboo. For step-by-step instructions on how to make fun house shaped invitations to a game night housewarming party, read more

To make an invitation similar to the one seen here you will need:

polka dot ribbon in 2 colors (I used chocolate brown and turquoise)
Cardstock
scissors
glue
satin ribbon
computer and printer
hole punch

To assemble an invitation similar to this one:

Start by creating a new document on Microsoft Word. To ensure that the invitation is small write out the text in 1 side of a column. Add all of your party details - including the time, place, and reason for the celebration (your new house!). I used the font Euphemia UCAS Italic in regular size 12. Here is what the inside of my invite says:

Julie & Scott are finally settled in! Join them for game night
in their new home!

8:00 pm
Saturday July 21

Home sweet home is at
5 Main Street in Washington D.C.
Please rsvp to PartySugar 415.555.5555
Print out a test sheet and read for mistakes. Once satisfied with the text, print out on to cardstock. Set aside.

Make a house shaped template by taping together a rectangular piece of paper and a triangular piece of paper.

Place the house shaped template over the printed text on the cardstock. Repeat, tracing another house shape on a portion of the cardstock that does not have text.

Cut out the shapes.

Glue small strips of ribbon to outline the shape of the roof, the windows, and front door.

Punch a small hole in both house shapes (the front piece & back piece) in the exact same spot.

Tie a piece of satin ribbon through the holes to connect the two pieces together to make the complete invitation. Make an elegant bow.

Send in an envelope that matches the color scheme with the names of guests in your best handwriting.

Come back and party with me all this week for more tips, ideas, and inspirations for your housewarming party. Not moving anytime soon? Tell us how you celebrated your current home!

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