Innholdsfortegnelse for Celebrate Winter 2010 i Southern Lady

Do we really need official holidays to Celebrate? Well, yes and no. The year starts off with a New Year’s celebration, and then comes Valentine’s Day. And don’t forget Oscar night in early March! Now, that may seem an unusual event to celebrate, but let’s face it, we love to see the stars and their fashions! And we all hope our favorite movie will win. I remember with great affection the year that The Sound of Music won so many awards. I love Julie Andrews’ character, Maria. She celebrated every day to the fullest. She could make a picnic look like a vacation. I would love to go to Austria and southern Germany sometime and see the places where this splendid movie was filmed. As much as any of the…

Menu Creole Garlic Bread Gumbo Ya Ya King Cake Hurricane Punch The season of parades, balls, and king cake parties begins January 6 and continues for about two weeks. The last day of celebrating is known as Fat Tuesday, the day before Ash Wednesday (the first day of Lent), and this year falls on February 16. So before the season passes you by, try our Louisiana meal of hearty gumbo, French bread, and king cake. And be sure to make a toast with a sip of a Hurricane, Laissez les bons temps rouler! (Let the good times roll!) Creole Garlic Bread Makes 8 to 10 servings 1/2 cup butter, softened 2 tablespoons chopped fresh chives 1 1/2 teaspoons Creole seasoning 1 teaspoon granulated garlic 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper…

Super Bowl Slaw Makes 12 servings 2 (16-ounce) bags tricolor slaw mix 1 1/2 cups finely chopped red bell pepper 1/2 cup chopped green onion 1 cup distilled white vinegar 1/3 cup sugar 1 teaspoon celery seed 1 teaspoon salt 1 teaspoon ground black pepper 1/2 cup olive oil In a large bowl, combine slaw mix, bell pepper, and green onion. In a small bowl, combine vinegar, sugar, celery seed, salt, and pepper. Whisk until sugar dissolves. Gradually whisk in oil until well blended. Add vinegar mixture to slaw mixture, stirring well to combine. Cover, and refrigerate for 1 hour. Potato Wedges with Spicy Ranch Dipping Sauce Makes 12 servings 8 large russet potatoes, each cut into 8 wedges 1/2 cup olive oil 4 teaspoons parsley flakes 1 tablespoon seasoned…

Menu Vanilla-Apple Hot Toddy Grapefruit Fennel Salad • Bruschetta Baked Spaghetti • Tiramisù We all think we’ll get together with the neighbors, but mostly we simply wave in passing, especially during the cold months. Why not change that this year with a neighborhood progressive dinner party? Decide how many couples you want to invite, and choose a course to be served at each home. Our menu is for five couples, but you can add or combine courses to fit your needs. Then, enjoy the evening, going from one house to the next and catching up with friends or making new ones. Vanilla-Apple Hot Toddy Makes 1 drink 6 ounces apple cider, warmed 1 ounce vanilla vodka 1 ounce hazelnut-flavored liqueur 1 ounce caramel syrup Garnish: Apple Chips (recipe follows) Combine…

Three-Cheese Macaroni Makes 12 servings 6 tablespoons butter 1/2 cup all-purpose flour 1 quart half-and-half 2 cups grated Gruyère cheese 2 cups grated white Cheddar cheese 2 cups grated Parmesan cheese 1/2 teaspoon ground white pepper 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg 1/4 teaspoon salt 1 pound elbow macaroni, cooked 1 1/2 cups panko ( Japanese bread crumbs) 2 tablespoons butter, melted 1 tablespoon parsley flakes Preheat oven to 350°. Lightly grease 12 (1-cup) ovenproof dishes. In a large saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Add flour; cook for 2 minutes, whisking constantly. Gradually add half-and-half, whisking until smooth. Remove from heat; add cheeses, white pepper, nutmeg, and salt, stirring until cheeses are melted. Add macaroni, stirring well. Spoon macaroni mixture into prepared dishes. In a small bowl, combine panko, melted butter,…

Goat Cheese Snowmen Makes 6 snowmen 2 (16-ounce) packages goat cheese 6 radish tips 6 carrot tips 12 dried whole peppercorns 12 small pretzel sticks Pretzels and assorted crackers Roll goat cheese into 6 (1 1/2-inch) balls and 6 (1-inch) balls. Slice the tips off radishes and carrots. Place 1 small goat-cheese ball on top of 1 large goat-cheese ball, and top small ball with a radish “hat.” Place 2 peppercorn eyes and a carrot nose on each snowman face. Break the pretzels in half, and press into cheese as arms. Chill snowmen in refrigerator for at least 2 hours. Serve with pretzels and assorted crackers. Cheesy Snowmen Sliders Makes 6 small hamburgers 1 pound ground beef 1 large egg 1/2 cup bread crumbs 1/4 teaspoon salt 1/4 teaspoon ground…

Winter is definitely not a time for hibernation in St. Paul, Minnesota. Each year, more than 350,000 people take part in the 11-day celebration that is America’s oldest winter carnival. It all began when a New York newspaper reporter described the city of St. Paul as “another Siberia, unfit for human habitation in the winter.” The business leaders of this fast-growing Minnesota city wanted to prove him wrong. The result is the Coolest Celebration on Earth. Today, 124 years later, the St. Paul Winter Carnival is the largest of its kind in America, contributing about $4 million to the city’s economy. This year, festivities begin January 21 with the crowning of royalty and the Moon Glow Pedestrian Parade. Winter’s Celebrations ⋆ If you can’t make it to the North Star…

We all love to check out the glamorous stars in striking tuxedos and gorgeous gowns as they arrive at the Academy Awards ceremony. So on March 7 this year, treat your friends like stars, and welcome them with a red carpet of tasty food and drinks. To get everyone involved as they watch the show, provide ballots for voting on the major categories. Visit hoffmanmedia.com/celebrate to download ballots, and at the end of the evening ask for “the envelopes, please!” to determine who among you predicted the most winners. Spinach & Feta Phyllo Rolls Makes 4 to 6 servings 1 tablespoon olive oil 1 1/2 cups spinach leaves 3/4 cup feta, crumbled 1 large egg, beaten 2 tablespoons mixed herbs, such as mint, flat-leaf parsley, and dill leaves, chopped 1/4…

A lthough known as the season of isolation, winter doesn’t have to be bleak. Plan a lively midwinter get-together for friends and family, and include a tablescape that reflects the party mood. Shades of white and brown bring life to a table when paired with flowers and textures. Fresh blooms and twigs placed in white vases bring height. Napkins and place mats with a snowy motif correspond with the season, while patterned dishes matched with simple glassware add unexpected flair. Vases Things to gather: Smooth white vases Variety of cardstock Small branches Glue dots Floral blossoms and twigs Transform plain white vases to coordinate with your table décor in just a few easy steps. Cut pieces of cardstock in staggered sizes to match vases; layer cards, and glue together. Finish…

When it’s dreary and cold, you may be tempted to snooze till spring. But why not get with family or friends and let them choose one occasion or holiday featured in this issue to celebrate? Once that’s decided, use our planning pages to help you get started. Download pages at hoffmanmedia.com/celebrate. Getting It Together Before the Party Send out invitations. Plan menu. Shop for food. Prepare any foods that can be made ahead. Set table, select music, clean house. Finish preparing food. HAVE FUN!…

Almond Hot Chocolate Makes 6 to 8 servings 6 cups milk 1 cup ground sweetened chocolate* 2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder* 6 tablespoons almond-flavored liqueur 1/4 cup almond-flavored syrup Garnish: sliced almonds In a medium saucepan, bring milk to a simmer over medium-low heat. Whisk in ground sweetened chocolate and cocoa. Add almond liqueur and almond syrup, stirring to combine. Garnish with sliced almonds, if desired. *For testing purposes, we used Ghirardelli Sweet Ground Chocolate and Cocoa. Mocha Hot Chocolate Makes 6 to 8 servings 3 cups milk 3 cups half-and-half 8 (1.25-ounce) envelopes dark chocolate hot cocoa mix* 1/4 cup espresso powder 1/4 cup coffee-flavored liqueur Garnish: whipped cream, espresso powder, chocolate-covered coffee beans In a medium saucepan, combine milk and half-and-half. Bring to a simmer over medium-low heat.…

Chocolate Hazelnut Cookies Makes about 2 1/2 dozen (4-inch) cookies 3/4 cup butter, softened 1/2 cup chocolate hazelnut spread* 1 cup sugar 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder 2 large eggs 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour 1 teaspoon baking powder 1/4 teaspoon salt In a large bowl, combine butter and hazelnut spread. Beat at medium-high speed with an electric mixer for 2 to 3 minutes, or until fluffy. Add sugar and cocoa, and beat for 2 to 3 minutes, or until combined. Add eggs and vanilla, beating for 2 to 3 minutes. In a large bowl, sift together flour, baking powder, and salt. Add flour mixture to butter mixture, 1 cup at a time, beating at low speed to combine. Divide dough in half. Wrap in plastic…

Plan to meet at your local knitting shop or someone’s home. Wrap small balls of yarn in a cellophane bag, and attach your invitation. Then take ideas from our menu for tempting finger foods to nibble while you knit. You may find that time spent sharing old yarns and making new friends becomes a new year’s habit. Menu Knitting Needle Kabobs Mitten Sandwiches Purl Punch Marinated Mittens Cheesy Knitting Baskets Yarn Cupcakes Knitting Needle Kabobs Makes 10 servings 6 cups water 1 tablespoon salt 20 (1-inch) pieces peeled carrot 20 broccoli florets 20 whole button mushrooms 20 (1-inch) pieces red bell pepper 20 (1-inch) pieces yellow squash 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper 3 garlic cloves, minced 1/2 cup olive…

Growing up on the Maryland shore, Lisa has always loved the water, from boating, swimming, water skiing, and wakeboarding to enjoying Maryland blue crab and lobster. Her passion for everything water hit home with Steve, who graduated from the University of Texas at Austin near the Highland Lakes. After about one year of courtship, Steve proposed to Lisa at his favorite spot at Lake Austin near his home. When time came to plan their wedding, it was only natural that the couple chose a water theme. Lisa and Steve decided to get married in San Francisco where they met. Because the two were busy professionals, the first step was to find a wedding planner. They hired Joyce Scardina Becker, president of Events of Distinction, and the three developed a nontraditional,…

During the cold winter months, we sometimes think it might be nice to just hibernate till spring or at the very least join other couch potatoes in front of the television. This year shake off the winter doldrums, and use some of the ideas in this issue to celebrate with family and friends. Our wintry invitation by Mary Baugh of Razzle Dazzle Designs will help get the word out that you’re having a party!…

Party Picks Page 11—glass candleholders, Pier 1 Seasonal Delights Pages 12–17—insulated glass cups, Williams-Sonoma; large glass mug, Bed Bath & Beyond; cookies and stirrers, World Market; window, Stray Cat Groundhog Day Page 20—popcorn buckets, Popcorn Popper; individual popcorn containers, Party City Page 22—ticket bowl, Mark Wood Year of the Tiger Pages 26–33—black dishes and platters, chopsticks, lanterns, tablecloth, and napkins, World Market; red and black dishes, red platters, and glassware, Target; red take-out boxes, Michaels Sweet Sentiments Page 34—apothecary jars, white frame, and ribbon, Hobby Lobby; individual gift boxes, Paper Orchid Fat Tuesday Page 40—salad plates, masks, and beads, Party City Page 43—white mugs, Pier 1 Birthday Party in the Hundred Acre Wood Pages 56–63—beehive cake mold, Nordic Ware Platinum Collection, available at Amazon.com; beehive and bee cookie cutters, Fancy…