Cooking with Chef Kimberley!

WINE PAIRING FAVORITE

2012-02-15T10:09:00.002-05:00

Looking through my early morning emails, I found this recipe in the Food and Wine Newsletter. I think this recipe is great just to share just before Lent. Ash Wednesday is coming up next week and then Lenten fish and veggy meals will be our focus. So I will start with this great favorite....

"Raw fennel is one of wine's great adversaries. When I cook it down, the flavor mellows and is great with a crisp white wine, like Albariño."

Roasted Halibut with Wine-Braised Fennel

Contributed by Alexandra Guarnaschelli

Chef Alexandra Guarnaschelli loves to serve raisin-studded braised fennel with a meaty white fish, like halibut, black bass or striped bass. Roasting the large fish fillet whole (rather than in portions) is a great way to serve a small crowd.

Our Pairing Suggestion

Crisp, minerally Spanish Albariño.

INGREDIENTS

3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

3 fennel bulbs, cut through the cores into 1-inch-thick wedges

Salt and freshly ground black pepper

1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper

1 cup plus 1 tablespoon dry white wine

1/4 cup water

2 bay leaves

1/4 cup golden raisins

1 small shallot, minced

One 2 1/2-pound skinless halibut or striped bass fillet

1. Preheat the oven to 450°. In a large skillet, heat 2 tablespoons of the olive oil. Add the fennel wedges cut sides down, season with salt and black pepper and sprinkle with the crushed red pepper. Cover and cook over moderate heat until the fennel is browned, about 12 minutes, turning the wedges halfway through. Add 1 cup of the wine and the water, bay leaves and raisins and simmer over low heat, turning the wedges a few times, until most of the wine has evaporated and the fennel is tender, about 15 minutes. Discard the bay leaves and season the fennel with salt and black pepper.

2. Meanwhile, spread the minced shallot in the shape of the fish fillet on a rimmed baking sheet and drizzle with the remaining 1 tablespoon of wine. Season the skinned side of the fillet with salt and black pepper and set it down on the minced shallot. Rub the top of the fish with the remaining 1 tablespoon of olive oil and season with salt and black pepper. Roast the halibut on the top shelf of the oven for about 12 minutes, until it is barely opaque in the center.

3. Transfer the halibut, with its cooking juices, to a platter, spoon the braised fennel alongside and serve.

MAKE AHEAD The braised fennel can be refrigerated overnight in an airtight container. Reheat gently before serving. NOTES One Serving326 cal, 11 gm fat, 1.6 gm sat fat, 15 gm carb, 4 gm fiber, 37 gm protein.

A Valentine Chocolate Hazelnut Cake

2012-02-14T14:36:00.002-05:00

Chocolate-Hazelnut Icebox Cake

This luscious, chilled dessert, featuring hazelnut flavor in both the filling and whipped cream, can be made up to two days in advance. The perfect make-ahead recipe for Valentine's Day or a special at-home date night!

Ingredients:
Filling & Cake
1 1/2 cups (375 mL) chocolate
hazelnut spread
1/3 cup (75 mL) hazelnut-flavored
liqueur
2 cups (500 mL) heavy whipping
cream
18 whole chocolate graham
crackers (about 5 x 2-in./13 x
5-cm rectangles), divided
2 tbsp (30 mL) unsweetened
cocoa powder for dusting
Hazelnut Cream
1/2 cup (125 mL) heavy whipping
cream
2 tbsp (30 mL) hazelnut-flavored
liqueur
2 tbsp (30 mL) powdered sugar
Cocoa powder, chopped
toasted hazelnuts and
Chocolate Flowers

Directions:
1. For filling, combine chocolate hazelnut spread and liqueur in Stainless (4-qt./4-L)
Mixing Bowl; beat on medium speed of electric mixer until well blended. Gradually add
cream; increase speed to medium-high and continue beating just until very soft peaks
form (do not overbeat).
2. For cake, arrange four and a half of the crackers in a single layer in Square Baking Pan;
top with 1 cup (250 mL) of the hazelnut filling. Spread filling to edges with Small
Spreader; repeat layers three more times, ending with all of the remaining filling. (There
will be more filling on top than in the inner layers.) Cover and refrigerate at least 8 hours
or overnight.
3. When ready to serve, prepare hazelnut cream. Beat cream on medium-high speed of
mixer in Stainless (2-qt./2-L) Mixing Bowl until soft peaks form. Add liqueur and
powdered sugar; continue beating until stiff peaks form.
4. Sprinkle cake with cocoa powder using Flour/Sugar Shaker; cut into servings. Top each
serving with hazelnut cream and garnish with hazelnuts and Chocolate Flowers, if desired.
Yield: 12 servings

Cook’s Tips: For Chocolate Flowers, place 1/2 cup (125 mL) semi-sweet chocolate morsels into
Small Micro-Cooker®; microwave, uncovered, on HIGH 1 minute or until mostly melted, stirring
every 20 seconds. Pour melted chocolate into resealable plastic bag; twist to secure. Cut a small
tip off corner of bag to allow chocolate to flow through. For three-dimensional design, cut 12
pieces of Parchment Paper into 21/2 x 3-in. (6 x 7.5-cm) squares; fold in half. Fit parchment in
wells of Muffin Pan. Pipe chocolate flower on Parchment Paper; refrigerate 15 minutes or until
set.

Breakfast and Brunch parties

2012-02-09T11:03:00.002-05:00

For those holidays and special events when a breakfast or brunch party is in order, try this savory bacon and egg pie. It is Delicious cold or hot. It is also great for picnics.

An Irish breakfast savory pie: Bacon and egg pie

www.examiner.com

Today, pie is no longer common for breakfast. Most of us have had left over pie from the previous night's desert for breakfast. It's a great treat,

Crispy and Healthy Zucchini Fries

2012-02-08T11:59:00.000-05:00

I love the pampered chef cooking tools and their great recipes. One fantastic recipe is the crispy zucchini fries. These healthy fries have a burst of flare and crispy texture that make them a great appetizers.

1 medium zucchini
1 1/2 cups seasoned bread crumbs.
1 oz parmesan cheese, divided
1 egg white
1/2 cup nonfat plain yogurt
1/2 cup fresh basil leaves
3 tbsp light mayonnaise
2 garlic cloves, peeled
1/2 tsp coarsely ground black pepper

1. preheat oven to 450F. Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper. Trim and discard ends of zucchini. Cut zucchini in half crosswise. Cut each zucchini half using the new Pampered Chef French Fry cutter. (this is one of those new products that I just love to use).
2. Place bread crumbs in a coating tray and mix in grated parmasan cheese.
3. Whisk egg white until frothy. Add zucchini fries; mix gently until well coated. Dredge zucchini in crumb mixture. Press firmly to coat. Arrange zucchini in a single layer on the cookie sheet. Bake 14-16 minutes or until crisp.
4. For a great dipping sauce, combine remaining parmesan cheese, yogurt, basil, mayonnaise garlic and black pepper in a food processor. Process until well blended.
5. Serve zucchini fries with dipping sauce.

----------------------------
The Pampered Chef French Fry Cutter can be order through my website at http://www.pamperedchef.biz/kimberleykitchen

The new product is available in March 2012

Making French fries at home will be a breeze with the new French Fry Cutter. The square grid design makes easy work of cutting vegetables into sticks. The base has guide walls that help line up the blades for easy removal. The non-skid bottom stabilizes the base during use.

To use with potatoes, first cut off the ends to create a flat, stable base. Next, stand the potato upright. Center the blade over the top of the potato and use a slight rocking motion while cutting. This is important since potatoes naturally vary in shape. To remove, simply align the frame on the base and press down to pop out the sticks. The French Fry Cutter makes the perfect size for homemade French fries.

The French Fry Cutter also works for other vegetables, such as jicama, eggplant, yellow squash and zucchini. With zucchini, you’ll want to trim off the ends first and then cut in half cross-wise. Now here’s a tip, since zucchini is softer than a potato, you can cut directly on the base. Fresh cut zucchini is great for vegetable trays, roasting, grilling or make delicious zucchini fries.

The French Fry Cutter is dishwasher-safe for easy cleaning and has a 1-year guarantee.

Superbowl Party Appetizer: Spanish Croquettes

2012-02-01T08:07:00.001-05:00

I just found this recipe again. It is one that I learned at Le Cordon Blu as a great appetizer. This one I found from the Culinary Institute.

The Croquettes are great for tailgating or Superbowl parties.

Potato and Spanish Chorizo Croquettes with Pecorino Tartufo and Dijon Mustard

Yield: 20 portions

Yukon gold potatoes 3 kg/6 lb 9.76 oz
Egg yolks 600 g/1 lb 5.12 oz
Chorizo, diced into small cubes 350 g/12.35 oz
Pecorino Tartufo cheese 400 g/14.11 oz
Kosher salt 20 g/.71 oz
Eggs, stirred to a uniform mass 200 g/7.05 oz
Cake fl our 500 g/1 lb 1.64 oz
Panko, finely ground in a Robot Coupe 2 kg/4 lb 6.55 oz
Dijon mustard 600 g/1 lb 5.12 oz

Preheat a static or deck oven to 230°C/450°F.
Line a half sheet pan with 2.5-cm/1-in of kosher salt. Place the potatoes on the salt.
Bake them until they are tender and a fork or a skewer can go though them easily.
Peel the potatoes while they are hot and pass them through a ricer.
Place the peeled potatoes, egg yolks, chorizo, Pecorino Tartufo, and salt in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment. Mix just enough to combine all the ingredients into a homogeneous mass; be careful not to overmix.
Transfer the potatoes to a piping bag fitted with a #8 piping tip. Pipe them into 3.75-cm-/1.5-in-diameter spheres on a sheet pan lined with a nonstick rubber mat, making the spheres as even as possible. Place the sheet pan in the refrigerator to cool the potatoes. Once they are cold, round the spheres by hand, trying to get them as spherical as possible. Freeze the spheres. They can be reserved frozen for up to 3 months.
Once they are frozen, bread them. Dip the spheres into the eggs, then the cake flour, and finally the panko. Repeat so that the croquettes are coated twice. Reserve frozen during service.
To Pick Up: Spoon about 20 g/.7 oz mustard into each ramekin or directly onto a plate. The Dijon mustard can be pre-portioned into ramekins before service.
Heat a fryer to 150°C/302°F.
Place 5 frozen croquettes in a fryer basket and fry them until golden brown.
Remove them from the fryer and place them on a heavy-duty paper towel to soak up the excess fryer oil.
Put the croquettes on a plate and serve immediately with a side of Dijon mustard.

A Valentine's Party for Singles

2012-01-30T14:27:00.000-05:00

Valentine's Day is not just for lovers. It is a day to celebrate friendships and family.

The day is also a greatest opportunity to meet new people. So, let's start our Valentines party.

Invite your friends and ask them to invite their unmarried friends too.

If you have children, celebrate this holiday with them.

Think of different themes for your décor ; create invitation cards dedicated to the Valentine's Day party, a badge that you will give to your guests or ask them to dress a fun costume.

For Presents: Ask your guests to bring a fun gift that do not costs much than $5 or $10 and can be given to anybody (kids or adults, men or women); decorate a box and put it near the entry door. Have the guests put gifts there as they arrive. Plan to organize a lottery later in the evening and allot the gifts to your guests.

A supper-table is an excellent way to make your guests able to talk to everyone.

Organize a "potluck" and have people bring foods from different categories: main dishes (roastbeef, chicken wings, seafood, salmon, vegetables, pasta and potatoes salads, tomatoes and mozzarella, etc.), dessert (chocolate, pies, brownies) and beverages (alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks). Decorate the table with some flowers.

Create a bar area and include the drinks that your friends brought and prepare a punch bowl with alcohol and another one without alcohol. This kind of drink is really useful when you have many guests.

Set the musical mood: create some playlists with songs from your favorite CDs.

If you have fresh singles, do not include songs like "Without You" or "Fly Me To The Moon". Prefer latin or salsa music or set up a topic like "The 60's", "Disco" or "Motown".

Happy Valentine's Day :)

February Valentine in warm Mexico – A romantic dinner for two

2012-01-26T15:00:00.001-05:00

February is Valentine month and many head for warmer weather in Mexico. This Mexican menu is great for home when you want to remember the romance of a February vacation in Mexico.

Menu: Sangria, Lobster salad and Yucatan pork tacos

Yucatan pork tacos

Marinade

1 dried ancho chile rehydrated, cored, and seeded

2 oz achiote paste

1 ¼ cups orange juice

¼ cup grapefruit juice

¼ cup lime juice

6 garlic cloves, minced

2 jalapenos, cored, seeded, and minced

2 tsp cumin powder

½ tsp cinnamon

1 tsp dried oregano

1 tsp dried thyme

1 tbsp apple cider vinegar

Few drops tabasco sauce

2 bay leaves

1 tsp salt

Pinch of sugar

4 lbs pork shoulder, trimmed and quarter

Salt and freshly ground black pepper

1 lb frozen banana lease, thawed (optional)

Kitch string

Lettuce leaves

Sour cream

Pickled onion

Rehydrated and devein the ancho chile. Slice into thin strips. Break up the achiote paste with a mortar and pestle. Dissolve it in the citrus juices. In a large bowl, combine the remaining marinade ingredients, whisking until thoroughly mixed.

Reserve and refrigerate 1 cup of marinade. Pour the rest of the marinade over the pork. Marinate overnight or for at least four hours.

Preheat oven to 275 degrees. Line a Dutch oven with 2 or 3 banana leaves. Lightly salt the pork and place it in the Dutch oven along with marinade. Wrap the pork with the overhanging leaves and tie with kitchen string. Bake on low until the pork is tender and will easily come apart when tugged with a fork, about 3 ½ to 4 hours. Remove from heat and allow the pork to cool enough to handle. With a folk or your hands, shred the pork into ¼ inch thick strips and trim away excess fat.

Before serving, heat the reserved marinade and pour over the pork. Season shred pork with salt and pepper to taste. Spoon the pork on to lettuce leaves and top with pickled onion and sour cream.

Wrap the lettuce leaf as it were a flour tortilla.

Winter Party Ideas and Tips

2012-01-23T07:50:00.001-05:00

It's a long cold winter, but it doesn't have to be boring, too. Beat the blahs with a warm winter party. It's a perfect time to reconnect with friends and have fun. Or maybe you're already planning an event such as an anniversary or sweet 16 celebrations. If you're looking for inspiration for a big occasion in January or February or just a casual get together, here are sixteen ideas to get you started.

1. If you're having trouble finding a great winter party invitation, then look for a company that can customize one of their Christmas invitations or cards that is filled with snowflakes, snow, or a snowman. Ask them to eliminate the holiday aspect of it and make it just a winter theme.

2. Decorate with tons of white and accents of silver and icy blue. Use fabrics like chiffon, gossamer and other shears to create a winter fantasy feel.

3. Scented candles can enhance the atmosphere of a winter party. Try scents like evergreen, hot cocoa or apple pie.

4. Do you own a sled? Clean it up and use it as a decoration or even on top of the table to hold platters of food.

5. Make a garland of mittens. Attach every pair your family owns to a ribbon and hang it across the room. If you don't have enough gloves, you can pick up some extras at the dollar store.

6. Raid your box of Christmas decorations in the attic for your winter theme party. Snowflake ornaments, white twinkling lights, silver garland, plastic icicles and snowmen can work both at Christmas and at your party in January or February.

7. Have a fondue party. When your guests gather around the fondue pot to dip their bread cubes into the warm cheese sauce, the conversations will flow. Plus, since they're doing their own cooking with the sauces you prepared ahead of time, you'll have a chance to join in the fun, instead of being stuck in the kitchen.

8. Cook up your famous chili recipe. Nothing warms your guests more than your homemade chili, French onion soup or beef stew. A winter party is a great time to serve those stick to your ribs, comfort foods.

9. Feature gourmet hot chocolates in a variety of flavors. Don't forget the whipped cream and marshmallows!

10. Make your own ice sculpture. You can buy inexpensive reusable molds on the internet in a variety of shapes. Simply fill the mold about 90 percent with distilled water, freeze for 48 hours and unmold.

11. Winter party favors can be anything with a snowflake motif. How about magnets with a snowflake background and personalized message like, "Your friendship warms the coldest winter - Jane and Barry Parker"? A quick online search and you'll find lots of products that can be customized with your words and even a photo.

12. Plan your winter party around a seasonal activity such as sledding or ice skating.

13. If you don't want to remind your guest of the cold, ice and snow, why not have a luau or Caribbean theme? Borrow some CD's from the library of Hawaiian or reggae music. Decorate with fake palm trees, seashells and flowers. Blend some coconut drinks. Break up the winter by going tropical and your guests are sure to think your party is hot.

14. Build your party around a holiday or event. Have a Valentine's Day party or a Super Bowl bash. Turn President's Day, Groundhog Day or Chinese New Year into a fun get together. Check the internet for obscure special days to celebrate like Elvis' birthday on January 8th, Winnie the Pooh day on January 18th or National Gum Drop Day on February 15th. Plan a party to watch the Grammy's or the Academy Awards. And don't forget Mardi Gras!

15. Throw an ugly sweater party. Invite your guests to wear their most hideous winter woolen-wear. It might be a gift they received from a well-meaning relative during the holidays. Or it could be a 20 year old impulse buy hanging in the back of their closet with the tags still attached. Whoever makes it to the top of the worst dressed list, wins a prize.

16. Consider including a "snow date" on your invitations. If you live in an area that gets a lot of bad winter weather, you might want to add an alternate date for the party, in the event that the forecast is for slippery roads. Explain that you will call them before the party to change the date. If you decide to go this route, make sure you plan your menu around make-ahead foods that you freeze. In the event that the party is postponed, you won't have to buy or make new party food.

So send out those invitations and get ready for a great winter party. Your guests will be thrilled that you planned something fun and memorable to break up the cold weather blues.

Tapas for wine and cheese parties

2012-01-17T14:21:00.002-05:00

January and February are great months for wine and cheese parties. At your next wine and cheese, try adding a bit of tapas to the mix. Tasty tapas is an easy entertaining idea. Tapas is bite size finger food with a Spanish flavor.

5 oz Iberico cheese, cut in thin triangular slices
5 oz Manchego, cut into thin triangular slices
quince paste or apricot jam
Almonds or other nuts
4 oz Serrano ham or prosciutto, thinly sliced and rolled
cooked chorizo or spicy salami, thinly sliced
assorted olives
baguette, sliced

On a large serving platter, arrange cheese, quince, almonds, ham, salami, and olives.

Rub baguette slices with herbed olive oil and toast under a broiler until lightly golden.

Super Bowl Parties: Super Bowl Chili

2012-01-11T12:57:00.000-05:00

Want to have the Best Super Bowl Party ever? The Super Bowl has become the biggest social event of the year in the United States and is very popular all over the world. But more important than the actual game, is the pageantry and camaraderie created by the Super Bowl Party. Below are a few tips to make sure that your party is the Best Super Bowl Party ever.

Guest List

If you want people to accept your initiation, you'll want to organize the Best Super Bowl Party that your friends have been invited to. Caution though, keep your guest list limited to just you’re most close and personal friendships, because, some people may feel obligated to attend even though they have closer friends partying elsewhere.

Super Bowl Food

The most important part of any great party is the food. Traditional Super Bowl foods are things like hot dogs, Buffalo wings, Guacamole, hamburgers, and the like. If you have limited funds, one thing that you can do is create more of a fun pot-luck style of menu. One of the best Super Bowl parties that I have ever attended was one where we had a Chili Cook-Off. Everyone who wanted to "compete" in the cook-off brought a pot of Chili and all of the guests got to sample cups of each brew. The host just provided Fritos, crackers, cheese, onions, etc. and the cups and drinks. It was a very inexpensive way to create a great party and increase camaraderie within the group. Regardless of what your food staples are at the party, you always want to have at least one unique signature dish that is different from what people would expect. An easy way to find tons of options is to just Google "Super Bowl Foods," and you'll find a fantastic selection.

Super Bowl Beer and Drinks

Even if you don't drink alcohol yourself, you'll want to have a selection of drinks available for your guests. My suggestion is to have a selection of beer and a few other options for people who don't like beer. When you choose your beer, it's usually a good idea to select a major brand like Budweiser or Coors and also add some local flavor. Local beers are typically fresher and more appreciated by your guests and make a great Super Bowl Beer. For people who don't like beer, a good Chardonnay wine or Merlot will typically fit the bill. However, some folks like to add a Margarita machine or other mixed drinks. Any way that you go, buy your drinks EARLY. There is always a last minute run on alcohol the day of the Super Bowl, so shop early.

Organize the Pageantry

Make sure and check out the NFL's website for information about pre-game pageantry, half-time entertainment, and the like. It will help you organize extra-curricular activities related to the game. For instance, this year, the half-time entertainment is The Who. So, you might want to go to the Who's website and make a cake that looks like their logo or make tie-dyed style cookies. The little touches will make your event memorable.

Remember though, that the party is fun and builds camaraderie among you and your friends, but the most important part of the whole process is having fun at your party, no matter who plays.

Super Bowl Chili

1 lg. onion, finely chopped
1 green pepper, finely chopped
1 lb. lean beef for stew, cut into 1/2" cubes
1 (16 oz.) can kidney beans, drained
1 (8 oz.) can tomato sauce
1 (4 oz.) can chopped green chilies, drained
1 tbsp. chili powder, use 2 tbsp. for spicy chili
1/4 tsp. garlic powder
1/4 tsp. ground cumin
1/2 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. pepper
Shredded cheddar cheese and slice avocado (opt.)

1. Melt 1 tablespoon butter in a large pot. Sauté the onion and green pepper in butter until soft.

2. Add beef stew meat and stir until pieces are brown.

3. Stir in remaining ingredients except cheese. Simmer for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.

4. A delicious serving suggestion. Sprinkle individual servings with cheese and slices of avocado. Top with a spoonful of sour cream.

An Italian New Year's feast

2011-12-30T14:59:00.000-05:00

An Italian New Year's feast has to have a menu of goodies. Topping the menu is Fried Ravioli followed by Baked Ziti, Sausage and Peppers and Limoncello Spritzers. These are quick, delicious foods that cost next to nothing to make. The aromas are so good you will think you have transported to a New Year's Street festival in Italy.

Fried Ravioli

Olive oil, for frying

1 cup buttermilk
2 cups Italian-style bread crumbs
1 box store-bought cheese ravioli (about 24 ravioli)
1/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan
1 jar store bought marinara sauce, heated, for dipping

Pour enough olive oil into a large frying pan to reach a depth of 2 inches. Heat the oil over medium heat until a deep-fry thermometer registers 325 degrees F.

While the oil is heating, put the buttermilk and the bread crumbs in separate shallow bowls. Working in batches, dip ravioli in buttermilk to coat completely. Allow the excess buttermilk to drip back into the bowl. Dredge ravioli in the bread crumbs. Place the ravioli on a baking sheet, and continue with the remaining ravioli.

When the oil is hot, fry the ravioli in batches, turning occasionally, until golden brown, about 3 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, transfer the fried ravioli to paper towels to drain.

Sprinkle the fried ravioli with Parmesan and serve with a bowl of warmed marinara sauce for dipping.

Limoncello Spritzers

30 ice cubes
6 cups seltzer water
6 cups limoncello
8 lemon slices

Add ice cubes to pitcher. Pour the seltzer in and mix in the Limoncello. Pour into individual glasses. Garnish with a lemon slice on the rim of each glass.

Announcing Pampered Chef Website

2011-12-27T16:26:00.001-05:00

Announcing my new website for Pampered Chef. Stop by and check out the great products and new recipes.

http://www.pamperedchef.biz/Kimberleykitchen

December Food Trends

2011-12-20T15:36:00.001-05:00

DECEMBER IS:

International Calendar Awareness Month
National Egg Nog Month
National Fruit Cake Month

VARIABLE DATE EVENTS

Belgium: Nuts Fair
Cookie Cutter Week
California Kiwifruit Day
Gingerbread House Day

Hosting a tree trimming party

2011-12-19T10:51:00.000-05:00

Here's a fun party to get into the Christmas spirit. Invite friends over for a tree-trimming party, and tell them to let creativity be their guide. Pull out your tree ornaments for your guests to decorate your tree. Put on your favorite holiday music and offer a hearty soup and sandwich menu. Add a few sweet treats and a Snowball Eggnog Punch.

Snowball Eggnog Punch
This is a great eggnog that pleases children and adults alike.

2 quarts eggnog, chilled
1 quart orange juice
1 quart vanilla ice cream

Just before serving, combine the eggnog and orange juice in a large punch bowl. Add scoops of ice cream.

Yields about 3 quarts of punch.

Decorating Tip: Instead of simply wrapping string of lights around your Christmas tree, string the lights around individual branches, starting at the tree trunk and working out. Plan on a strand of 100 lights for every foot of tree.

Hosting an Ornament Exchange Holiday Party

2011-12-17T10:38:00.000-05:00

Hosting this type of party is a great way to add a new Christmas ornament that has special meaning to your tree trimming collection. For years to come your new ornaments will remind you of the loving and giving friends and the day of fun you shared.

As gust unwrap their packages, they can nibble on wonderfully delicious desserts. Layout a delicious and pretty menu of chocolate cakes, cream puffs with raspberry sauce, cream cheese cherry desserts, cranberry cake and frosty Ginger pumpkin squares.

Cream Cheese Cherry dessert

This is a great dessert to make the night before your party.

3 cups rice Chex, crushed

¾ cups packed brown sugar

1 cup chopped walnuts

½ cup flaked coconut

½ cup butter, melted

2 packages of 8oz cream cheese, softened

1 cup sugar

1 tsp. vanilla

2 eggs

2 cans (21oz) cherry pie filling

1 carton (8oz) frozen whipped topping, thawed

In a large bowl, combine the cereal, brown sugar, walnuts, coconut and butter and set aside 1 cup for the topping. Press remaining crumb mixture into a greased 13x9x2 baking dish.

In a mixing bowl, beat the cream cheese, sugar and vanilla. Add eggs, one at a time. Beat mixture after adding each egg. Pour over the crumb crust. Bake dessert at 350F for about 28 minutes or until center is almost set. Cool completely on a wire rack.

Spread Cherry pie filling over cream cheese layer. Top with whipped topping. Sprinkle with the reserved crumb mixture. Refrigerate dessert for a t least one hour before serving. Yields about 19 servings.

Party Tip: Ask each guest to bring one wrapped ornament. Specify a price range, i.e., $5 to $10. As guest arrives assign a number to each package and place a duplicate of each number in a hat or basket. After dessert, have each guest pick a number for the basket and open the corresponding gift.

Title Changes

2011-12-17T10:36:00.000-05:00

Do to some registration problems with the Asian Market, I am forced to change my title. Therefore I will be changing it to "Cooking with Chef Kimberley". I will continue to write about parties, food, recipes, and entertaining.

Don't for to check out my other sites.
Websites:
Wilmington Irish Food: http://www.examiner.com/irish-food-1-in-wilmington/kimberly-riccio
Cooking in Wilmington: http://www.examiner.com/cooking-in-wilmington/kimberly-riccio
Cocktails and Appetizers Magazine: http://Cocktailsappetizers.com/
The Cottage Kitchen: http://chesapeakecottagestyle.blogspot.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Cooking-with-Chef-Kimberley/181370791908775

Ideas for a Holiday Party

2011-12-14T13:17:00.000-05:00

As if we really need a reason to host a holiday party! Here are several great ideas for hosting your own party this month.

1. An ornament exchange
2. An after-sledding party
3. Cookie and candy exchange
4. Card writing party
5. Tree trimming party
6. Hanukkah celebration
7. Chinese New Year.

Over the next few days, I will outline these great party ideas. I will also provide party tips on a sidebar.

How to tips for great holiday entertaining

2011-12-12T10:10:00.001-05:00

December is the biggest month for holiday entertaining. Working on my own holiday parties, I look for new or unique ways to entertain. Here are a few new tips that I’ve added to my holiday party planning.

How to entertain using titles as trivets

Instead of using cumbersome trivets, protect your treasured tablecloths and wood tables from heat and watermarks with beautiful, ornate ceramic titles. Small squares are ideal as coasters, while large titles can take the heat from pots and oven dishes.

Spend time searching for patterns and colors that match your décor or party theme. If you’re renovating the kitchen, keep an eye out for old titles that are in good condition. Pick up good vintage squares at antique markets, unique patterns and contemporary designs at title shops.

How to entertain using lanterns to add atmosphere

Thinking about lighting for your home party, consider the overall effect you will want to achieve. Create a warm and welcoming setting with hundreds of tea lights; get creative with battery operated mood light. Lamps and lanterns are effective and safe. Hang several pendants inside or out of lamps on tables and floors. Stylish lanterns can be enjoyed long after the party is over.

How to entertain using quirky canapé forks and sticks

Cocktail sticks can be very interesting and quirky. When serving bowls of olives, baby cocconcini or other savory snacks, add some sparkle with the range of unusual. Disposable toothpicks with unique tops can be found at specialty kitchen stores. Pick a theme for your appetizers then fin the accessories to match. For example, choice peril fish and sea shells for seafood canapés. Knotted bamboo skewers are a great complement for small Asian delicacies. For a touch of class at an elegant party, stainless steel forks will make for the perfect setting.

Asian Holiday Themed Cocktail Appetizers

2011-11-18T10:33:00.001-05:00

Many people look for themes to add zip to their holiday parties. Here are two Asian appetizer recipes for an Asian themed cocktail party. Add rice-paper cocktail napkins, small cocktail forks, and Asian lanterns for an extra festive look to your party.

Shrimp Wonton Cups http://notecook.com/side-dishes/spreads/shrimp-wonton-cups/

Sweet and Sour Meatballs. http://notecook.com/main-course/fish/asian-sweet-and-sour-meatballs/

Enjoy! Happy Holidays!

Cranberry-Apple Glaze for a Thanksgiving Turkey

2011-11-15T08:40:00.001-05:00

Glazes have become very popular again. This year, try a Cranberry-Apple Glaze on your Thanksgiving Turkey.

8 oz can jellied cranberry sauce
1/4 cup apple jelly
1/4 cup light corn syrup.

1. Mix all ingredients in a 1 quart saucepan. Cook over medium heat for about five minutes. Stir occasionally until jellies are melted and smooth.
2. About 20 minutes before the roasted turkey is done. Brush the glaze over the turkey. Return to oven and finish cooking. Place the fully cooked turkey on a warm platter. Cover with aluminum foil and allow to rest.
3. Brush will glaze again before carving. Carve and serve.

Enjoy!

Holiday Food Rules of Your Cocktail Party

2011-11-10T10:30:00.000-05:00

Hosting a Holiday cocktail party is a fun way to spend time with your family and friends. Guests will like that fact of you serving some appetizers with the alcohol that you will be serving. When you are deciding what to serve you must think about how many people will be attending, this will give you a good idea of how much food you will be needing. As a rule of thumb, estimate six bites per person for every hour. However depending on the guests I would calculate a bit more then that.

When you decide to have a party the first thing that you need to decide is theme. This will decide the menu, specialty drinks, decorations, and music. Every single thing about your party needs to revolve around your food, so a lot of your time needs to be spent on planning your menu. It usually takes around four weeks to decide the menu, schedule a date and time, and invite your guests.

As soon as you have decided on your menu, surf the Internet for themed food ideas, decorating ideas, special drink recipes and anything else you might need to research. For parties any finger food is a wise choice. Keep a budget in mind and think about what can be prepared ahead of time. This could include dips, relishes, and chutney.

Food that is great for your cocktail party would be mostly finger foods. No big clean ups, and they can be prepared before everything gets started.

It is a wise choice to have some napkins or paper plates also. Your guests will have an opportunity to walk around and talk while they snack. Little clean up will be involved.

Your appetizers should be in a small portion basically one bite size. Good ideas would be mini cheesecakes, sausage rolls, dipped strawberries in chocolate are all great cocktail party foods. Pair up smoked salmon or caviar with martinis. Or make it really simple and offer cheese and wine.

You need to enjoy yourself so be sure that the cocktail party food that you choose is simple and will not require a lot of running back and forth from the kitchen. It will not be too entertaining if the host is nowhere to be found, it could in fact make some guests feel uncomfortable. So be certain that you choose something to serve that you are familiar with, something that you have made before. The last thing that you need to be doing is slave in the kitchen when there is a fabulous cocktail party going on right on the other side of kitchen door.

Recipe Suggestions:

Chili-Lime Mini Meatballs -- http://gomestic.com/cooking/chili-lime-mini-meatball-appetizers/

Holiday Baked Brie with Apples and Cranberries -- http://notecook.com/desserts/fruits/holiday-baked-brie-with-apples-and-cranberries/

Savory Cheese Truffles -- http://gomestic.com/cooking/savory-cheese-truffles/

Chicken Napoleons -- http://notecook.com/appetizers/sandwiches/chicken-napoleons/

A Charles Dickens’ Christmas Carol themed Christmas Party

2011-11-07T15:13:00.005-05:00

Everybody wants to turn every party he or she organizes into a memorable event and why not? A Christmas party is an event that is not only enjoyed at the time it is happening; it also becomes a subject of relish and wonderment afterwards.

When you organize a Christmas party, you certainly want your guests to remember it for a long time, and take back fond memories. Christmas is a great time of the year and should be enjoyed to the fullest and what better way can there be than throwing a charming party? Amidst a maddeningly fast lifestyle, a Christmas party is the best place to come together, bump into new people, re-establish old contacts, spend some quality time with your colleagues, family and relatives, and explore new grounds.

Come November and the party season begins to stir and wakes up completely by the second half of the month. Every alley, house, lane, shop, mall and office comes alive with decorations and multi-colored lighting arrangements. Even those who generally shy away from attending parties feel like either throwing or attending parties and mingle with people.

Due to over-commercialization and excessive celebrations things begin to seem a bit monotonous after a point and some people begin to get put-off whenever they are asked to attend another Christmas party. This is a reason some event organizers are arranging themed Christmas parties for their clients. Such parties metamorphose tedious gatherings into enthralling experiences that render an entirely different meaning to organizing and attending Christmas parties.

A themed Christmas party is conceived around the common interests and backgrounds of the guests and hosts. If it is a child's party the theme can be derived from a popular folk or fairy tale or the latest children's blockbuster or anything that can cater to child's imagination and excitement.

Similarly, adults can have a theme party according to a common interest. For instance if you are a technology company then you can organize tech-themed party for your colleagues or something totally different that can catch their fancy. What about people with a literary bent of mind who are fascinated by the literary aura of the Victorian age? Wouldn't it be great to visit the London of Charles Dickens and embody one of the characters of his great novels? Although it is almost impossible that you are unacquainted with Charles Dickens but just in case... he was one of the great Victorian authors of his time and gave this world classics like The Tale Of Two Cities, The Great Expectations, David Copperfield and of course – the Christmas Carol. Celebrate your next Christmas party enjoying a Dickens themed Christmas party.

Imagine what wonders a themed Christmas party can work on the overall mood of the gathering? Everybody comes to the party in peculiar costumes and with a sense of purpose. Nothing is vague but the mystery is very much alive. Since everyone plays a crucial part in the theme all your guests feel special. A themed Christmas party can consist of various activities that can become an integral part of spending quality time at the party. So the next time you plan to hold a Christmas party hold a themed Christmas party and you will never ever like the idea of holding or attending a normal party.

November and Thanksgiving Dinner Parties

2011-11-04T16:48:00.001-04:00

A cozy cottage with a fireplace screams for a cozy Thanksgiving dinner party. A small gathering of friends or family at Thanksgiving begs for a celebration that is rustic and casual. Creating a traditional menu and foods that is to be enjoyed by all. The key ingredient for success is good food and great planning.

A few weeks before

Determine the date and time for your dinner party. If your party is held on Thanksgiving Day, then the planning is easier. Create your guest list and create your invitations. Send out the invitations. Create a timeline for the party.

A week before

Create the dinner menu. Prepare two separate grocery lists. One list will be for the nonperishable items to buy now. Another list will be for the perishable items that will buy a few days before the Thanksgiving party. Purchase a frozen turkey or order a fresh one. Select table-cloth, napkins or place mats. Buy table mats and napkins if needed.

Four days before

Thaw the frozen turkey in the refrigerator. Buy a fall centerpieces for the table or side tables. Buy other decorations for room and porch. Add twinkle lights and candles around the rooms.

Two days before

Purchase the remaining grocery items. If you ordered a fresh turkey, arrange to pick it up. Make other fall decoration for the table, such as place cards. Clean dining area and begin setting up your table. Start decorating your dining and living rooms areas as well. Bring in fresh cuttings of holly and evergreens; dress cuttings with fresh mums and fall leaves. Don’t forget to decorate the front door and entry area.

The day before

Finish setting up tables and decorating. Make the fresh cranberry sauce and refrigerate in an airtight container. Make vegetable casserole, soup, appetizers and refrigerate in airtight containers. Chop onion and celery for stuffing and refrigerate in airtight containers. Bake pumpkin pies and whip the cream.

Thanksgiving Day

Make dressing and stuff turkey. Roast turkey and prepare the mashed potatoes and gravy. Prepare salads and sweet potatoes. Warm up casseroles, soup and appetizers. Set out appetizers and drinks as guest begin to arrive.

Menu suggestions:

Dried Apricot & Date Stuffed Turkey Breast with Marsala Glaze

Homemade Cranberry Relish

Happy Halloween

2011-10-31T07:55:00.006-04:00

Here is a toast that your Halloween be a safe and happy night.

Here's to the Many New Friends!
"There are good ships,
and there are wood ships,
the ships that sail the sea.
But the best ships, are friendships,
and may they always be."

Cheers!

Planning Tips for an Adult Halloween Cocktail Party

2011-10-20T07:25:00.002-04:00

There is a chill in the air and it is getting dark earlier - It's October! It is a time of witches, ghosts and goblins. Halloween is fast approaching and you are tasked with organizing the annual spooky party.
Here are a few tips to get your Halloween party underway. Read more at http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/9020919/planning_tips_for_an_adult_halloween.html?c at=22

Looking for new and different appetizers to serve at the annual Halloween party? Check out these tasty little morsels.
Savory Cheese Truffles could just be the hit of the party!
Chicken Napoleons are great appetizer for a "Day of the Dead" Mexican themed Halloween party.