Chilled Crudite Asparagus with Mustard Dill Sauce

This is a delicious side dish or appetizer!  

Make sure you have fresh asparagus.  No one likes chewy wooden spears to swallow!  You can often find good asparagus all year round, but the best time of year is April-May-think Easter.

image from here

1.  Boil asparagus spears in water 1 minute.  Immediately immerse in an ICE water bath.  *Note the time for boiling depends on Asparagus thickness.  You want to error on the side of boiling less.  The 1 minute boiling time is for thinner asparagus (which I prefer since it is less "woody").  Make sure your asparagus is FRESH--it makes a HUGE difference!

2.  You can serve immediately with sauce, or store in a plastic bag in fridge until ready to serve.  I LOVE THIS dish because it can be made ahead of time.

3.  Arrange asparagus on platter.  Before serving, squeeze 1/2 a lemon over asparagus.  Optional:  grind a little fresh pepper and sprinkle salt over asparagus. Serve with this delicious Dill Mustard Dip (recipe below).

Herb Dip:
1/2 c. fresh chopped Italian Parsley
1 tsp dill
2 tsp prepared mustard (dijon or regular)
1/2 c. sour cream
1/2 c. mayonaise
juice from one lemon (or more to taste)
freshly ground pepper

Simple Outdoor Italian Dining Table Setting

One fun thing to do when setting a table is to mix multiple types of dishes or cups.  Here you can see I used two types of goblets.  This adds fun interest, but it also allows you to to host larger groups despite your maybe limited (4-6 servings) of a cup or plate. 

Menu

Appetizer Green Salad

Main Dish: Tour of Italy Lasagna 

Sides: Pesto Green Beans and diced fruit

Artisan Bread with oil and vinegar dipping dishes

Dessert: Apple Crisp of Cobbler with Ice Cream

For a narrow centerpiece down the middle:

Fill Glass bottles/jars with dry pasta

Cans of the Yellow Cento Crushed Tomatoes (you could also place some plants in these if emptied)

A strand of battery powered gold globe lights

Fake succulent plants I have around my house

 

Rich Chocolate Sauce

Over brownie sundaes, ice cream, cakes, etc.  Homemade chocolate sauce is SO much better than any store bought brand I have had.  It is easy to make.  It also makes a great holiday gift!  This is NOT FUDGE SAUCE--this is runnier and thinner than your typical fudge sundae sauce.

Image from Here.

1 cup cocoa

1 cup sugar

2  12 oz cans evaporated milk

½ c. butter (1 stick)

4 tsp vanilla

-In medium sauce pan, whisk all ingredients over medium heat.  Simmer for 3-4 minutes.  Set aside to cool.  

-Store in glass mason jars in refrigerator. Reheat before serving.  This keeps for quite awhile in the fridge--all that sugar :)

**Vanilla Ice cream, peppermint crumbles, and this sauce are a great combo!

 

Crepes

This is my go to recipe 

(and image credit) from melskitchencafe.com for crepes.  

I love the simplicity of just throwing everything in the blender!

Ingredients

• 2 large eggs
• 1 ¼ cups milk
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil or melted butter
• ¼ teaspoon salt

INSTRUCTIONS 

• In a blender or large bowl using an electric mixer, combine the eggs, milk, flour, oil (or butter) and salt. Blend or mix on high until the ingredients are well combined. Cover the batter and chill in the refrigerator at least 1 hour or up to 24 hours. This helps the gluten to relax, making the crepes even more tender.

Combination Ideas we like:

LEMON AND BERRY

lemon curd
fresh berries (or defrosted frozen combination works great too)
whipped cream

Honey Bunches of oats cereal (or other preferred granola)

CLASSIC STRAWBERRY
strawberries
nutella
cream

BANANA GOODNESS
bananas
mini chocolate chips
whipped cream
nutella
peanut butter

toasted pecans

-If you want to get extra fancy...you can make your whipped cream with add-ins like the lemon curd or Nutella, or cinnamon, etc.

Chacuterie Centerpiece

 

I attended a dinner event where the floral centerpieces were interspersed with Chacuterie Board Spreads.  I thought it was SO beautiful...and a PERFECT idea for holiday entertaining.  This just may have to be my go to for Thanksgiving time!

Fall Table Setting Idea

 

I love this simple fall table centerpiece:  eucalyptus greenery, fresh apples and white candles.  This is especially perfect if you don't have a wide dining table.

Mediterranean Charcuterie Board

 

Here's another idea for a Charcuterie Board.  

Fill it will all sorts of amazing toppings to make a gyro or falafel taco or salad.

Falafel

Spinach

Greens

Cucumber Yogurt sauce

pickled onions

banana peppers

kalamata olives

pickles

cucumbers

tomatoes

bell peppers

sprouts

gyro meat

Thanksgiving Table Setting

 

Five Tips:

1.  Set table 1-2 days ahead of time

2.  Mix your dishes.  This adds interest and allows you to still have a formal table when feeding more people.  If you only have 6-8 plates, mix it with another set of 6-8.

3.  Don't be afraid to "borrow" things.  Guests love to contribute.  If you need to borrow plates or extra glasses, ask!

4.  LED Battery Candles.  These are wonderful if you worry about children playing with fire or wax getting everywhere.  Costco sells a great set (pictured)

5.  Leave up your centerpiece for ALL of October and November!

Thanksgiving Table

 

Here are some pictures for Thanksgiving Table Setting Ideas.  I covered the tables in brown paper and then made them "writable" placing crayons/pencils/pens on the table.  There were word searches, crossword puzzles, jokes, etc.  The beautiful paper plates simplified clean up, but also added a lot to the decor!

Thanksgiving Chacuterie Board

 

Coconut Almonds, Grapes, Apples, Three kinds of Cheeseball, Blackberry jalapeño Jam, crackers.

Cheeseball is a CLASSIC appetizer in our family...and when it comes to Thanksgiving, the more the merrier!

Summer Entertaining Table Setting

Centerpiece: Variety succulents (mini succulents are for guests to take home), Tulips in Bud vases

Favor: Wrapped sugared almonds

Abigail Adams Tea Party

Host a colonial Abigail Adams Tea Party. Invite a special guest to dress up and act as Abigail Adams!

Food: Chocolate covered strawberries, scones with jam, bread and cheese, etc.
Dessert: Large White Flag Cake (make stripes with strawberries, use blueberries for star area)
Table Conversation: Place questions inside each place setting name card to ask "Abigail Adams" guest. Abigail then can answer questions so you can learn more about the time period she grew up in, her family, marriage etc.
Decor: Flag centerpiece, red, white, and blue plates and tea cups
Craft: Make Pomander Balls (using an orange and whole cloves). These were used to keep closets smelling fresh during colonial times. They were also carried by people when visiting sick friends. They believed if the smelled the pomander ball they wouldn't get sick themselves.  You can tie ribbon around them to "hang" up (see image below).  These also make beautiful and good smelling Christmas Decorations!

Taco Soup (chicken or beef)

I love taco salad, so I guess it makes sense that I love this hearty taco soup (I often even use leftovers for "taco salad" the next few days).  Fall is never complete if I don't whip up some of this.  My family loves this meal.  It is also a great meal for entertaining.

Makes 6-8 servings
Ingredients:
1 c. ground beef (cooked) or 1 c. cooked/diced chicken
1 medium onion, chopped
2 bell peppers chopped (any color)
1.5 oz taco seasoning
1 16 oz can corn
1 16 oz can black beans, rinsed and drained
1 14 oz can stewed tomatoes (blend this up before adding if you don't like huge tomato chunks)
1 14 oz can petite diced tomatoes
1 14 oz can tomato sauce
1 4 oz can green chilies
Tortilla chips, cheese, avocado(a must in my opinion!), sour cream, fresh tomatoes for topping
1.  Caramelize onion in 3 TBS olive oil over medium heat for 7-10 minutes.  
2.  Add all other ingredients (except toppings) and simmer on low for 20-30 minutes.  
3.  Serve warm with desired toppings.

Valentine Dinner

Super Simple table setting for an Italian Valentine Dinner

Centerpiece:  Clear candle votives (purchased at Walmart)

Favor: Lindt Chocolate Candy Bar Sticks

Appetizer:  Bruschetta with balsamic glaze

Lights:  used Christmas icicle lights to add extra ambiance

Christmas Table

Granola Party Favors

It's all about the presentation!  These are cute little granola party favors or gifts.  I have many granola recipes such as the one HERE.  I also have a dedicated "granola" label since I have so many recipes and ways I use granola!  I used clear card sticker seal envelopes and then made a paper tag (think name card) to staple alone the top with a printed label.

50th Anniversary Table

Chicken Salad Sandwich

This is my go-to simple Chicken salad recipe.  

Cooked chicken, chopped
Chopped Celery
Toasted Pecans (don't have to toast them, but it does taste better!)
Craisins
Mayonnaise
Salt/Ground Pepper
-Combine all ingredients and serve on croissants or rolls. You can also serve mini sandwiches open faced and garnish with a whole pecan.

Homemade Turtles or Homemade Rolo Treats

You may have eaten some version of this.  I think these are a GREAT treat for involving kids.  They can do all the unwrapping :)  I also love how easy it is to make these fit any holiday by changing the M&M colors, add a candy corn etc.  The ones piecture above are obviously for Christmas.

Ingredients:
1 bag Snyders waffle Pretzels
2 bags rolos (this will fill up one 11x17 cookie sheet packed tight edge to edge with pretzels)
M&M's (any kind!), toasted pecans or almonds, candycorn, etc.

1. Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees.
2. Place pretzels on a 11x17 baking pan.
3. Top each pretzel with one Rolo, larger side faced-down.
4. Put in oven for 3 minutes.
5. Remove from oven and place one M&M (or desired topping) on top of each Rolo and push down slightly.
6. Let cool. **I put them in the fridge/freezer to speed up the cooling process.  I actually then keep them in the fridge because I just like to eat them cold as well.