Recently I was interviewed by Bloomberg News regarding my contribution to the not-for-profit world which is near and dear to my heart. I think giving back is the most important thing I can help do in my business as a party planner. Below is the article! Cheers to giving this season to your charity of choice.
Bloomberg Holiday Story here
What would you do if you were asked to plan a last minute, day of, dinner party for 8 complete strangers for less than $150? Well, the Today Show called with that challenge and here is what my team and I created.
We wanted a mystical holiday table and elegant but affordable food. Below are the recipes and decor. If you need more info please comment. And, tune in to the Today Show LIVE Monday, December 20th around 9AM Eastern.
Décor List:
Quilt Batting (Table Cloth)
1 White Sheet
White Christmas lights
Apple barrel for centerpiece
Burlap fabric for napkins
Birch wood candle holders
Pillar candles
Grocery store list:
(Centerpiece)
3 bunches green Grapes
Gypsy baby’s breath
1 box Sugar for Grapes (to frost the fruit)
Walnuts
Recipes:
(Soup)
8 servings
2 tablespoons butter
1/2 cup chopped shallots
1 cup Sauternes
4 cups chicken stock
1 15.5 ounce can puree of chestnuts
1/2 cup heavy cream
1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
Chopped parsley for garnish
Croutons
Heat butter on medium, add shallots and sauté for 10 minutes.
Add Sauternes and cook 10 more minutes.
Add chicken stock, bring to a boil and reduce heat, add chestnut puree and whisk until smooth.
Add cream, balsamic vinegar, salt, pepper and simmer for 15 minutes.
(Twice baked potato)
8 servings
8 Over sized Idaho Potatoes, bake until done.
Scoop out
Add:
1 cup of sour cream
1/2 lb butter
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup of heavy cream or until smooth
Combine all and hand mash mixture.
Add back into potato skins.
Brush the top with butter.
Bake 20 more minutes at 350 degrees.
Finish with a quick broil to give a golden brown top.
(Venison Chili)
4 slices bacon, chopped
3 pounds venison stew meat (leg) cut into ½” cubes
1 cup chopped red bell peppers
1 cup chopped Spanish onion
1 clove garlic, chopped
1 tablespoon tomato paste
1 cup dry red wine
2 tablespoons chili powder
1 teaspoon ground coriander
2 teaspoons ground cumin
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1 teaspoon cayenne pepper or to taste
1 16-oz. can diced tomatoes
1 cup beef broth
Salt and pepper to taste
Cook the bacon in a large pot until the fat is rendered and bacon is crispy. Remove with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels. Season the venison with salt and pepper and brown in the bacon fat on all sides (in batches in a single layer). Remove meat from pot and add peppers, onions and garlic and cook over low heat, stirring, until onion is translucent. Deglaze the pan with the wine and tomato paste, turn up heat, and bring to a boil. Add spices, tomatoes, beef stock, venison, and bacon. Reduce heat to a simmer and simmer, partially covered, until venison is tender (about 2 hours or longer). Adjust seasoning. Like any chili, best if made a day or 2 in advance so flavors can develop.
The family was my favorite part of this entire project. I loved working with Steve and Jenny Margolis and their two wonderful boys. Thank you for allowing me into your home. Happy Holidays.
Keep holiday entertaining simple and fun. This season I suggest creating a mustard dipping station for my favorite hors d'oeuvre of the season "pigs n a blanket", or in french "les cochons dans une croissant."
You can find an assortment of mustards at:
Kalustyan’s
123 Lexington Avenue
New York, NY 10016
Order online for holiday delivery!
1. Basil Dijon Mustard 7.2oz jar for $13.99
2. Chinese Mustard, Extra hot 4.25 oz for $8.99
3. Creole Mustard 5.25 oz for $9.99
4. Honey Mustard, sweet. 4oz jar $7.99
I have been listening to R&B lately and have been inspired by some really amazing holiday tunes, some old and some new. I'm sharing with you my music for this season. I hope you enjoy the selections and maybe they can help set the stage for your own holiday party.
Silent Night – Boyz II Men
White Christmas – Otis Redding
Merry Christmas, Baby – Christina Aguilera
Let it Snow – Boyz II Men
Silent Night – The Impressions
I Want To Come Home For Christmas – Marvin Gaye
Our First Christmas – Gabriela Anders
Do You Hear What I Hear – Yolanda Adams
Oh Santa! – Mariah Carey
This Christmas – Tamia
With a Christmas Heart – Luther Vandross
The First Noel – Born in the King
Silent Night – Keyshia Cole
O Come All Ye Faithful – Luther Vandross
Ill Be Home for Christmas – The Isley Brothers
When Christmas Comes – Mariah Carey
The Christmas Song – The Temptations
Time of Year – Ashanti
I love the holidays. The warmth of the season, the time with family and friends and especially the decorating! Often people ask my advice about holiday table settings and centerpieces. I have a few easy entreating tips to share that I hope inspire you to create your own festive table.
Instead of flowers I'd like to suggest a few other more affordable ideas. The first centerpiece is using green grapes, green apples, both dusted with frosted sugar, rose cones and glittered babies breath. You can spear the apples with floral sticks and insert them into floral foam.
The next centerpiece can carry you through 2012. It is all babies breath. I choose both gold and silver glittered for this sample. We used floral foam, or oasis, to secure it all in a gold bowl I had in our office.
For me, it is about creating the whole environment. I am a huge fan of having your home smell like the holidays. The Ralph Lauren Holiday candle with currant, evergreen and juniper is wonderful, but if that is out of your price range Ashland Home Occassions makes a Christmas Tree scent that is $3.50, you can find this at Michaels.
And, my fun food suggestion of the season is...Pigs n a Blanket! For Gourmet style try Dean and DeLuca's Kobe Beef and Costco has an amazing selection too! Serve with a selection of mustards!
If you'd like to listen live today, December 3, 2010 at 2PM eastern check out http://www.Sirius.com/freetrial/register
Update on Post:
To check out David Monn on Martha Stewart Radio click on her radio blog here.
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