Design Show and Tell

A wonderful opportunity and prospective client may be in my future. It is crazy busy, crazy beautiful at Places In The Home, and I’m loving every minute of it- multitasker extraordinaire that I am.

The world of interior design and home decor is a beautiful place to resource in.

With swatches, fan decks, caffeine  patience, eye drops, and Tylenol keeping me company,  the moodboards and mock-ups featuring dining room tables and chairs are under design and decor construction.

Dave the Builder knows it serious when I break out my readers.

Love the world wide web contacts and convenience, but  computer time wreaks havoc with my eyes!

Anywho, the original concept for this blog remains near and dear to my heart- a design show and tell.

dining room tables and chairs

Be steel my heart!

On trend for 2013 is the mix and match styles of dining room tables and chairs.

I discovered the decorative and design impact of this one afternoon at Hopefully Classic, details here.

This option may not fly with the client(s), but I’m considering  these metal dining chairs from Masins Furniture Classics Metal Collection.

Masins Furniture metal chair

I have a vintage china cabinet with double arch pediment in storage that is a candidate for an update in the style of this Thomas bookcase in dark grey with antique pearl grey inside from Blanc d’Ivoire.

gray bookcase

The beautiful thing about sourcing for potential projects is I never get bored with it,  regardless of the outcome.

Keep plugging, keep sourcing, keep stylish, and keep beautiful- the mix and match of life and design.

I’ll share more later of this design show and tell project.

Show & Tell

From Prefab to Post Fab: Customizing Bookcases Part 2

Prefab to post fab customizing bookcases enhancements for that custom built-in look as promised.

Yes, decoristas, you too can build, design and style a better mousetrap (bookcase).

Customizing a bookcase with moldings, panelings, trims and embellishments takes an average, plain and otherwise boring bookcase from prefab drab to post style fab.

decorative molding

Crown and trim moldings easily punctuate the custom look.

Most basic prefab 5-shelf bookcases are approximately 6′ tall, but not all ceiling heights are created equal.

Decorative furniture feet will take the bookcase to new heights.

furniture feetWaddell Bun Foot ||  Square Bun Foot   || Pumpkin Bun Pine Foot

The custom look is enhanced by adding for example by updating the back of the bookcase.

Beadboard paneling or beadboard pattern wallpaper take the look from common to custom.

beadboard

The art of customizing bookcases is further enhanced by adding ornamental appliques and onlays.

appliques-onlays

Ornamental appliques and onlays applied to the front, side or back panels take the ordinary to the extraordinary.

appliques-moldings

Molding Installation and Applique and Onlay Application Recap:

The bookcase has an assembled height of 71.25 inches.

Decorative molding will have to be cut as it is usually sold in 8 ft lengths.

Measure the selected area of the bookcase where the molding will be placed.

Keep things as simple as you can by marking the area on the molding to be cut with a pencil.

Carefully make the cuts on the molding using a miter saw.

Sand each finished cut with sand paper to smooth edges.

For Top Crown:

Nail the crown molding into place at  the top and sides of the unit.

Fill the gaps with caulk and allow to dry for approximately 30 minutes before paint application.

For Appliques and Onlays:

Determine desired placement of applique or onlay.

Apply small beads of Liquid Nails Paneling and Molding Construction Adhesive or a preferred wood glue to the applique or onlay and put in place.

Small bead applications of adhesive or glue will help to prevent it from running out from under the sides when pressure is applied.

Apply pressure for a few minutes to ensure tight adhering.

dining-chair-pullArmac Martin

Decorative furniture hardware remains one of the most inexpensive and dramatic accent updates known to decoristas.

Inspiring design features are ripe for replication.

A strategically placed decorative pull(s) or door knocker on a front trim, side or back panel takes the piece to custom built-in statement piece status.

cabinet-ring-pulls

We’ll look at how to go from prefab drab to post style fab by creating polished style in the stacks in part 3 appropriately titled From Prefab to Post Fab: Customizing Prefabricated Bookcases Part 3.

 

 

Show & Tell

Wiser Words In The Key Of Style

I like how one word can be associated with many different areas.

Life, fashion, interior design, business, music, and writing all assign a sense of style however, I like to focus on the style of home.

I’m not simply referring to decorating and dinner party ideas, the construction, or architecture of a house.

The decor, personality, hospitality within, graciousness, and how we as hosts handle a less than comfortable situation measures the style of home.

Welcome+Or+Go+Away+Sign+Ornate+Cast+Iron+Front+Door+Plaque

Designers, actors, shop owners, one blogger, one musician and two chefs reveal their sense of style through meaningful words.

Biography

“The oldest form of theater is the dinner table.”

– Michael J. Fox,  actor & author

Elle Decor

“I learned that passion about objects and furnishings makes for fearless decorators—and that if you are comfortable in your home, everyone else will be too.  That sense of authenticity is what gives a home its soul.”

Courtnay Daniels Haden, interior designer

cell-phone-on-table

“Turn off cell phones!”

Joan Michaels, interior designer

“A room should start a conversation before people actually start exchanging words.”

– Barry Dixon, interior designer

Food and Wine

“Make a home-cooked meal, even if it’s just a bowl of chili and a salad with garlic bread. There’s nothing better than simple and delicious.”

Lisa Fine, textile designer

“In case of an entertaining crisis, take a deep breath and ask, ‘What would Auntie Mame do?’ If a guest accidentally breaks something, regardless of value, simply say, ‘Thank you. I’ve been looking for a reason to replace that old thing.'”

Bryan Batt, actor/shop owner

cashews-out-of-bag

Nuts.com

“When I was in Italy one summer, our hosts served cashews and potato chips in crystal bowls while we sipped Prosecco.  It was a revelation: right-out-of-the-bag snacks become sophisticated when they’re served in a gorgeous dish.”

Stephanie Ballard

Brass Heart Shape Ink Well & Stand Circa 1900

“Handwritten thank-you notes after being entertained are a must.”

Grant K. Gibson, interior designer

Apartment Therapy

“You can never have too many white plates, platters, and bowls.”

Cheryl Katz, interior designer

“I try to greet my friends with a drink in my hand, a warm smile on my face, and great music in the background, because that’s what gets a dinner party off to a fun start.”

Ina Garten, celebrity chef and author

“In life as in design, it is not perfection you should be after. There’s beauty in the faded and worn, the well loved, and the sentimental…After all, life has seams. Your home should be like a loosely woven fabric of desires, memories, practical, notions, and even compromises.”

Celerie Kemble, interior designer

rose-tarlow-ad100-2016-portrait

Architectural Digest

“When you’re building a room, you’re building character, and character is the strength and wisdom of a home.”

Rose Tarlow, interior designer

johnmayerbattlestudies

“You should have a picture of yourself as a kid in your home so that you remember where you came from.”

John Mayer, musician

daniel-boulud

Digital Food Network

“Kitchens should be designed around what’s truly important—fun, food, and life.”

 Daniel Boulud, chef/restaurateur

charlotte_moss

“There are two things that make a room timeless: a sense of history and a piece of the future.”

Charlotte Moss, interior designer

Mark Hampton

Architectural Digest – Photo by Carlos Domenech

“Real comfort, visual and physical, is vital to every room.”

Mark Hampton, interior designer

 

Wise words, a good sense of taste and humor, and impeccable manners are strong anchors in the game of style.

Love your style!

 

Show & Tell

Homemade Chicken and Rice Soup

I have solved the what’s for dinner  problem and warmed the souls here at Places In The Home with this recipe for Homemade Chicken and Rice Soup.

homemade chicken and rice soup

January is National Soup Month, and with January weather sizing up to be crazy cold it’s the perfect time for a simple and hearty bowl of soup.

Homemade Chicken and Rice Soup

Ingredients

1  Tablespoon olive oil

2  Tablespoons butter

1   red onion,  finely chopped

2  ribs celery, finely chopped

2  carrots, peeled and chopped

¼  cup chopped fresh parsley

2   32 ounce cartons chicken broth

1½   cups cooked white or wild rice

2   skinless chicken breasts, cooked and sliced

½  teaspoon garlic powder

½  teaspoon Kosher salt

½  teaspoon fine ground black pepper

2   Tablespoons white wine

1  cup half and half

Directions

Heat olive oil and butter in a  oven over medium heat.  Stir in the onion, celery, parsley and carrots.  Saute until slightly tender.

onions-carrots-celery-butter

Pour in chicken broth, stirring to blend.

stock vegetables

Add cooked, sliced chicken, white wine, garlic powder, Kosher salt, and pepper.  Turn heat up to medium-high and bring to a slight boil. Reduce heat to low.

boiling-rice

Add the cooked rice and half and half, stir to incorporate.  Reduce heat to low and allow soup to simmer for at least 1 hour.

enjoy

 

Show & Tell

From Prefab to Post Fab: Customizing Prefabricated Bookcases

A basic meet your needs bookcase can be transformed into an anything but basic bookcase in a weekend.

Storage is a universal need from office to home and beyond, and a stylish bookcase or bookcases meets that need and masters the built-in look.

If you don’t have a carpenter on speed dial or the $$$$ for a custom built-in bookcase(s), a DIY project of the customizing prefabricated bookcases kind is the way to go.

billy-bookcase-white__0255285_PE399413_S4IKEA Billy Bookcase

white bookcase

The search for a white prefab bookcase is not a daunting hunt- they are everywhere and affordable.

The South Shore Furniture Freeport Pure White 5-Shelf Bookcase shown above and below is from Home Depot.

At almost 6′ feet tall and an affordable price point, this particular style bookcase is an inexpensive, no frills(yet) great foundation to build upon.

bookcase-embellishments

The addition of molding and pre- primed embellishments to the top, base, and sides of the unit will set the designer wheels in motion.

It is amazing how decorative molding, trim, and accents will upgrade the bookcase to designer piece status.

If using more than one unit, screw the pieces together before adding the accents.

Anchoring the bookcase(s) to the wall with “L” brackets will keep the bookcases(s) in place and prevent tipping over.

moldings

 

crown molding

The bookcase has an assembled height of 71.25 inches.

Decorative molding will have to be cut as it is usually sold in 8 ft lengths.

Measure the selected area of the bookcase where the molding will be placed.

Keep things as simple as you can by marking the area on the molding to be cut with a pencil.

Carefully make the cuts on the molding using a miter saw.

Sand each finished cut with sand paper to smooth edges.

For Top Crown:

Nail the crown molding into place at  the top and sides of the unit.

Fill the gaps with caulk and allow to dry for approximately 30 minutes before paint application.

For side trim and accents:

Apply small beads of Liquid Nails Paneling and Molding Construction Adhesive to the molding or accents and put in place.

Apply pressure for a few minutes to ensure tight adhering.

Once the shelves are in their desired positions, you may want to consider covering all or some of the exposed peg holes and any other exposed screw holes.

Using a putty knife, apply Bondo Home Solutions All-Purpose Putty over each hole to fill and cover.

putty

Smooth away excess with putty knife.

Allow to dry (approximately 45 minutes) and sand the area smooth.

All needed materials for this step are available at home improvement, hardware, and big box stores.

Now we’re ready to take things to the next phase of decorative wow factor.

Stay tuned for more ideas, suggestions, and resource information.

Love your style!

 

 

 

 

Show & Tell

The Power of Color

Life often revolves around the color wheel, demonstrating the power of color.

The influence of color touches lives far beyond pattern, palette, and walls.

the-power-of-color

In the wake of the tragedy at Sandy Hook Elementary, I find I am more and more amazed at the power of color.

It’s no coincidence that color is closely associated with traditional rights of passage and milestones in our lives.

The pink or blue of a baby nursery,

The religious significance of white baptism robes and christening gowns.

Graduation caps and gowns in school colors.

White and ivory wedding dresses.

Black tie affairs.

Golden and silver anniversaries.

You get the idea.

Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable–if anything is excellent or praiseworthy–think about such things.

Philippians 4:8

Emilie Parker, Josephine “Joey” Gay, Grace McDonnell, and Victoria Soto share obvious and tragic circumstances, but choosing to define their memories by those circumstances is not fair to the lives they lead.

I am so struck by one particular detail, a shared commonality lovingly revealed and colorfully expressed.

We’ve learned how color defined their individuality and its impact in each of their lives, memorials, and funerals.

Josephine loved all things purple, Emilie the color pink, Grace claimed both as her favorites, and Victoria adored the color green.

purple-bedroom-with-bed-crownflodeau

Josephine “Joey” Gay’s family knows well Joey’s affinity for the color purple, straight from the spirited hearts of Baltimore Ravens fans.

purple-and-white-bedroomNew England Home

Purple balloons throughout their neighborhood paid tribute to Joey.

May the peace and warmth associated with the color purple comfort her family.

Addison Gallery

Big sister Emilie Parker  nurtured way far beyond her young years.

Comfort came to those who remembered her caring qualities by a simple and colorful request- to wear the color pink, Emilie’s favorite, in a united show of love and remembrance of the little girl who loved pink.

Elle Decor

Grace McDonnell’s mother talks of Grace’s love of peace signs and the colors pink and purple.

Her mother shared with Anderson Cooper how the family took part in a very colorful, deeply personal, comforting, and fitting tribute to Grace.

Grace colored the world with her artwork so full of vivid colors, wise subjects, and touching sentiments.

Color was not absent from her world, and her parents made sure it would never be via Sharpies and color filled tributes.

1stdibs

Victoria Soto simply adored the color green and pink flamingos.

That revelation crosses my mind when I source, select, and admire the color green.

Green has a calming quality and is said to represent safety.

From what we now know, Victoria Soto died offering to the best of her ability the qualities of her favorite color.

Pinterest

Isn’t it beautiful how color is a sweet and strangely comforting testament to the creativity, imagination, and strength of Grace, Victoria, Josephine, and Emilie.

Color gives hope through the green and white ribbons that stand strong with Sandy Hook and the citizens of Newtown, Connecticut.

Unity echoes through music, small voices, and somewhere over the rainbow colors in support of the families and in remembrance of Charlotte Bacon, Daniel Barden, Rachel Davino, Olivia Engel, Ana M. Marquez-Greene, Dylan Hockley, Dawn Hochsprung, Madeleine F. Hsu, Catherine V. Hubbard, Chase Kowalski, Jesse Lewis, James Mattioli, Anne Marie Murphy, Jack Pinto, Noah Pozner, Caroline Previdi, Jessica Rekos, Avielle Richman, Lauren Rousseau, Mary Sherlach, Benjamin Wheeler, and Allison N. Wyatt.

Show & Tell

New Year’s Day Breakfast and Brunch Ideas

The ball and confetti has dropped and with that a new year arrives.

How are we feeling?

Well rested and relaxed or not quite one’s self due to too much New Year’s Eve revelry?

New Year’s Day breakfast and brunch ideas may just be what the doctor ordered.

tonight_show_cast_new_years_eve_1962Here’s the New Year!

These New Year’s Day breakfast and brunch ideas featuring a little butter, cheese, protein, fruit, and sugar will fix you right up.

Take a deep breath and greet the new year in the light of day.

Hydrate, hit play, and grab a pan, pitcher, and bowl.

It’s time whip it, whip it good.

Food and Wine

Ham and Gruyère French Toast Sandwiches

Ingredients

2  Granny Smith apples—peeled, cored and thinly sliced

1 cup water

1/4 cup maple syrup

One 3-inch cinnamon stick

2/3 cup milk

2 large eggs, beaten

Eight 1/2-inch-thick hand-cut slices from a loaf of white bread

Dijon mustard

6 ounces sliced Gruyère cheese

1/2 pound thickly sliced smoked ham

1 to 2 tablespoons unsalted butter

Directions

In a medium saucepan, combine the apples, water, maple syrup and cinnamon stick and bring to a boil. Simmer over moderately low heat, stirring occasionally, until the apples are tender, about 6 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, transfer the apples to a bowl and let cool to room temperature.

In a shallow bowl, whisk the milk and eggs. Spread 4 slices of the bread with mustard. Top with half of the cheese, the ham and then the remaining cheese.

In a large skillet, melt 1 tablespoon of the butter over low heat. Dip the bottoms of the 4 topped bread slices in the beaten egg until just saturated and transfer to the skillet. Dip the remaining slices of bread on 1 side only and place them, soaked side up, on the sandwiches. Cover the skillet and cook over moderately low heat until the bread is browned on the bottom, about 3 minutes. Turn the sandwiches, adding more butter to the skillet if necessary. Cover and cook until the second side is browned and the cheese is melted, about 3 minutes longer. Transfer the sandwiches to a cutting board and let stand for 5 minutes. Cut in half and serve with the maple apples.

~Food & Wine

I’ve been making this dish for years.

It is a version of both Eggs Benedict and Eggs Oscar, hence the name, Eggs Half and Half.

Basic scrambled eggs work well, but scallions, tomatoes, avocados, cheese, and green peppers kick up the yum factor.

via

Eggs Half and Half

Ingredients

1 dozen eggs

desired additions

4 tablespoons heavy cream, half and half, or milk

6 croissants

6 slices of ham

1 pkg. Knorr Béarnaise sauce

salt and pepper to taste

Directions

Prepare Béarnaise sauce according to package directions, keep warm.  Beat eggs, cream, salt and pepper together.  Slice each croissant in half; toast until light golden brown. Melt butter in skillet, add eggs and cook over medium heat until scrambled/cooked to desired consistency.

Place two croissant halves on each plate.  Spoon generous amount of scrambled eggs on open croissants and add sliced ham.  Top with Béarnaise sauce.  Serve immediately.

Buttermilk-biscuits-photo-JOSEPH DE SCIOSE

Southern Living – Photo by Joseph De Sciose

Buttermilk Biscuits

Ingredients

½  cup butter (1 stick), frozen

2 ½ cups self-rising flour

1 cup chilled buttermilk

Parchment paper

2 tablespoons butter, melted

Directions

Preheat oven to 475°.  Grate frozen butter using large holes of a box grater. Toss together grated butter and flour in a medium bowl. Chill 10 minutes.

Make a well in center of mixture.  Add buttermilk, and stir 15 times. Dough will be sticky.

Turn dough out onto a lightly floured surface.  Lightly sprinkle flour over top of dough.  Using a lightly floured rolling pin, roll dough into a 3/4-inch-thick rectangle (about 9 x 5 inches).

Fold dough in half so short ends meet. Repeat rolling and folding process 4 more times.

Roll dough to 1/2-inch thickness.  Cut with a 2 1/2-inch floured round cutter, reshaping scraps and flouring as needed.

Place dough rounds on a parchment paper-lined jelly-roll pan. Bake at 475° for 15 minutes or until lightly browned. Brush with melted butter.

~Southern Living

fruit-salad-mix

Fruit Melange with Honey, Almond, and Vanilla Yogurt Sauce

Ingredients

1 cup vanilla yogurt

3/4 cup sour cream

2 tablespoons honey

1 teaspoon almond extract

1 apple, chopped

2 oranges, peeled, seeded, and sliced

juice from one orange

1 banana, sliced

1 pint fresh strawberries, sliced

1 bunch seedless green grapes, halved

Directions

In a mixing bowl, combine the yogurt, sour cream, honey, and almond extract and set aside.  Slice the banana and squeeze the juice of one orange over the sliced bananas.  Add the apple, orange strawberries and halved grapes and gently mix together.

Spoon fruit  into individual serving bowls and drizzle with yogurt sauce.

Too much of this may call for a lot of something along these lines.

Orange & Lemon Almond Mint Tea

Ingredients 

4 tea bags

3 tablespoons fresh mint sprigs

4 cups boiling water

1 cup sugar

¼  cup fresh lemon juice

3/4 cups orange juice

2 teaspoons almond extract

additional 2 cups hot water

Directions

Bring 4 cups of water to a boil.  Add tea bags, sugar and mint.  Stir very well to eliminate sugar from sticking to bottom of pan.  Remove pan from heat; cover and let steep for 15 minutes.  Add the  orange juice, lemon juice, almond extract and additional 2 cups water together in a 2-quart pitcher; stir well to incorporate.  When steeping is complete, remove tea bags from mixture.

Pour steeped tea mixture into pitcher and stir well. Refrigerate until chilled.

Serve over ice with optional garnish.

Makes 2 quarts.

enjoy

Show & Tell

New Year’s Eve Appetizer And Beverage Suggestions

New Year’s Eve appetizer and beverage suggestions are everywhere, including Places In The Home.

Camille Styles

Allow me to entice you with a few favorite recipes old and new for your New Year’s Eve spread consideration.

Sugar and Nut Glazed Brie

Ingredients

¼ cup packed brown sugar

¼ cup chopped macadamia nuts or pecans

1 tablespoon brandy

1 (14-ounce) round brie

Apple wedges, for serving

Pear wedges, for serving

2 to 3 tablespoons lemon juice

Crackers, for serving

Directions

In a small bowl stir together the sugar, nuts, and brandy. Cover and chill for at least 24 hours or up to 1 week.

Preheat oven to 500 degrees F.

Place the brie on an ovenproof platter or pie plate. Bake for 4 or 5 minutes or until the brie is slightly softened. Spread the sugar mixture in an even layer on top of the warm brie and bake for 2 to 3 minutes longer, or until the sugar melts.

Brush the fruit wedges with lemon juice and arrange them around 1 side of the brie.

Place crackers around the other side.

-The Food Network

Stuffed Mushrooms, Baby!

Ingredients

24 ounces, weight White Button Mushrooms

⅓ pounds Hot Pork Sausage

½ whole Medium Onion, Finely Diced

4 cloves Garlic, Finely Minced

⅓ cups Dry White Wine

8 ounces, weight Cream Cheese

1 whole Egg Yolk

¾ cups Parmesan Cheese, Grated

Salt And Pepper, to taste

Directions

Wipe off or wash mushrooms in cold water. Pop out stems, reserving both parts. Chop mushroom stems finely and set aside. Brown and crumble sausage. Set aside on a plate to cool. Add onions and garlic to the same skillet; cook for 2 minutes over medium low heat. Pour in wine to deglaze pan, allow liquid to evaporate. Add in chopped mushroom stems, stir to cook for 2 minutes. Add salt and pepper to taste. Set mixture aside on a plate to cool.

In a bowl, combine cream cheese and egg yolk. Stir together with Parmesan cheese. Add cooled sausage and cooled mushroom stems. Stir mixture together and refrigerate for a short time to firm up. Smear mixture into the cavity of each mushroom, creating a sizable mound over the top.

Bake at 350 degrees for 20 to 25 minutes, or until golden brown.

Allow to cool at least ten minutes before serving; the stuffed mushrooms taste better when not piping hot.

-The Pioneer Woman

We had these at a cocktail party a few years ago and I was thrilled to rediscover the recipe.

Rich & indulgent, exactly the way appetizers on New Year’s Eve should be!

artichoke-spread

Pecan-Crusted Artichoke Spread

Ingredients

1 tablespoon butter

½ cup finely chopped onion

3 cloves garlic, minced

4 cups coarsely chopped fresh spinach

1 14 ounce can artichoke hearts, drained and chopped

1 8 ounce package reduced-fat cream cheese (Neufchatel), softened

½ cup fat-free mayonnaise dressing or salad dressing

2 cups shredded reduced-fat cheddar cheese (8 oz.)

½ cup grated Parmesan cheese (2 oz.)

2 dashes bottled hot pepper sauce

¼ cup finely chopped pecans

Baguette-style French bread slices, toasted

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degree F. In a medium saucepan, melt butter over medium-high heat. Add onion and garlic; cook for 3 minutes. Add spinach; cook for 3 to 5 minutes more or until onion is tender and spinach is cooked, stirring frequently. Remove from heat. Stir in chopped artichoke hearts, cream cheese, mayonnaise dressing, cheddar cheese, Parmesan cheese, and hot pepper sauce.

Transfer to an ungreased 1-½-quart casserole. Bake for 40 minutes. Top with pecans; bake for 10 minutes more.

Serve with toasted bread slices.

Makes 4 cups spread (sixty-four 1-tablespoon servings).

-Better Homes and Gardens

Party Crab Puffs

Ingredients

1 cup water

½  cup butter, cubed

¼  teaspoon salt

1 cup all-purpose flour

4 eggs

FILLING:

4 hard-cooked eggs, finely chopped

1 can (6 ounces) lump crabmeat, drained

4 ounces cream cheese, softened

¼ cup mayonnaise

2 tablespoons finely chopped onion

2 tablespoons prepared horseradish, drained

Minced fresh parsley, optional

Directions

In a large saucepan, bring the water, butter and salt to a boil. Add flour all at once and stir until a smooth ball forms. Remove from the heat; let stand for 5 minutes. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Continue beating until mixture is smooth and shiny.

Drop by teaspoonfuls 2 in. apart onto greased baking sheets. Bake at 400° for 18-22 minutes or until golden brown. Remove to a wire rack. Immediately split puffs open; remove tops and set aside. Discard soft dough from inside. Cool puffs.

In a large bowl, combine the filling ingredients. Just before serving, spoon 1 teaspoonful filling into each puff; sprinkle with parsley if desired. Replace tops. Yield: 8 dozen.

-Taste of Home

recipe-bbqshrimpPhoto: Todd Coleman

Mr. B’s Barbecued Shrimp

Ingredients

3 tbsp. unsalted butter, plus 12 tbsp. cut into ½ ” cubes and chilled

2 cloves garlic, finely chopped

½  cup Crystal hot sauce

¼  cup Worcestershire sauce

2 tbsp. fresh lemon juice

1 tbsp. Creole seasoning

4 tsp. ground black pepper

1 ½ lb. head-on large shrimp, unpeeled

Kosher salt, to taste

French bread, for serving

Directions

Heat 3 tbsp. butter in a 12″ skillet over medium-high heat.  Add garlic; cook until soft, 1-2 minutes.  Add hot sauce, Worcestershire, juice, Creole seasoning and pepper.  Bring to a simmer; cook until sauce is reduced by half, 5-7 minutes.  Add shrimp; cook, flipping once, until cooked through, 3-4 minutes.

Reduce heat to medium-low; stir in chilled butter to make a smooth sauce.  Season with salt.

Serve with French bread.

french-bread

-Saveur

Butterscotch-Pears-taste-of-home

I prepared these for Christmas dinner and the reviews were rave!  The recipe is balanced correctly for a not- too-sweet side dish for baked ham, scrambled eggs, or as dessert.

Butterscotch Pears 

Ingredients

4 large firm pears

1 tablespoon lemon juice

¼  cup packed brown sugar

3 tablespoons butter, softened

2 tablespoons all-purpose flour

½  teaspoon ground cinnamon

¼ teaspoon salt

½  cup chopped pecans

½  cup pear nectar

2 tablespoons honey

Directions

Cut pears in half lengthwise; remove cores. Brush pears with lemon juice. In a small bowl, combine the brown sugar, butter, flour, cinnamon and salt; stir in pecans. Spoon into pears; place in 4-qt. slow cooker.

slow-cooker-butterscotch-pears

Combine pear nectar and honey; drizzle over pears.

Cover and cook on low for 2-3 hours or until heated through.

Serve warm. 

-Taste of Home

 Cocktail Suggestions

prosecco-raspberry-gelee_

Hirsheimer & Hamilton 

Prosecco- Raspberry Gelée

Ingredients

2 cups (9 ounces) fresh raspberries

¾  cup plus 2 tablespoons. sugar, divided

2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice, divided

1 750-ml chilled bottle Prosecco (Italian sparkling wine), divided

3 ½ teaspoon unflavored gelatin (measured from two 1/4-ounce envelopes)

¾  teaspoon orange-flower water (optional)

Directions

Place raspberries, ¼ cup sugar, and 1 tablespoon lemon juice in a medium bowl; toss gently to combine.

Let stand at room temperature until raspberries release their juices, tossing occasionally, 20-30 minutes.

Place ½ cup Prosecco in a small bowl. Sprinkle gelatin over and let stand 5 minutes to soften.

Bring 1 cup Prosecco to a boil with remaining ½ cup plus 2 tablespoons sugar, stirring until sugar is dissolved. Remove from heat; add gelatin mixture and stir until dissolved.

Transfer gelatin mixture to a large pitcher.  Add raspberries with juices, remaining Prosecco, remaining 1 tablespoon lemon juice, and orange-flower water (if using), stirring to dissolve any sugar.

Using a slotted spoon, divide raspberries equally among coupe glasses or other small wide, shallow glasses or cups. Divide Prosecco mixture equally among glasses, about ¾ cup per glass.

Chill gelée until firm, about 3 hours.

-Epicurious

This is my favorite~

 

piesporter-michelsberg-riesling-spaetlese

Cheers to the perfect spicy alcoholic or non-alcoholic cocktail for New Year’s Eve and/or New Year’s Day.

bloody-mary-garnishes

Creole Bloody Mary Cocktail

Ingredients

1 tsp. celery salt

2 ounces vodka

1 tsp. Pickapeppa sauce

1 tsp.  Worcestershire sauce

1 dash hot sauce

6 ounces Clamato juice

2 lemon wedges

1 tsp. lime juice

Celery hearts, for garnish

*** for an extra spicy garnish, spicy pickled green beans are delicious!***

cajun-garnishes

Directions

Run lemon wedge around rim of a glass.  Fill glass with ice.  Pour in vodka(or delete for non-alcoholic version), Pickapeppa sauce, Worcestershire sauce, and hot sauce; top with Clamato.

Add celery salt, lime juice, and lemon juice from wedges into glass.

Stir well and garnish with celery heart or spicy green bean.

Serves 1.

© Dave Lauridsen via Food & Wine

Emerald Palmers

Ingredients

8 Persian cucumbers, chopped

2 cups mint leaves

1 ½ cups fresh lemon juice

½  cup agave nectar

1 tablespoon matcha green tea powder

Kosher salt

Ice

Directions

In a bowl, toss the cucumbers with the mint leaves. Transfer half of the mixture to a blender and puree until chunky.

In a large pitcher, combine the lemon juice, agave and matcha powder with 5 cups of ice water. With the blender on, add half of the lemon mixture to the puree and blend until very smooth. Transfer to a punch bowl. Blend the remaining cucumbers, mint and lemon mixture until very smooth and transfer to the punch bowl.

Season the drink lightly with salt and serve in ice-filled glasses.

-Food & Wine

 

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