Browsing Tag

snacks

Party

Picnic Party

April 7, 2014

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One of my biggest pet peeves is when the weather report reads that the weather is going to be amazing all week, EXCEPT Saturday and Sunday.  Luckily, this particular weekend was just the opposite.  After some showers and clouds, the skies parted for sunny, 80 degree weather.  And what better way to celebrate than with a picnic?!

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We grabbed some of our favorite people and made our way up to our favorite, local winery – Testarossa. We were able to wine taste, sun bathe and picnic… all at the same time!! Does it get any better?

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Here was our menu:

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I am a HUGE proponent of no dairy/mayo based foods at picnics.  Between the sun and lack of refrigeration, the whole thing freaks me out, so we did a lot of olive oil based items. Even the sandwiches went sans mayo, using pesto instead!  In warm weather the key is having light yet satiating menu items.

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Party

Bunco Party

October 14, 2013

One of my college roommates started a Bunco group and I was excited to host this month!

Bunco Score Card

First I had to give our house a little Halloween flair (orange colored bottles in the bar, pumpkins, orange and black books) and tweak our furniture layout. With a 900 square foot house, and our living room being pretty much the only accessible room in the house, I had to get creative with seating, but it all worked out!

This week was a little crazy (helped coordinating my boss’s major house move, planned two parties and worked a normal work week), so prep was VERY important.  Here was my menu:

  • Cornbread
  • Turkey, Four Bean and Sweet Potato Chili*
  • Chili Toppings: Avocado, Shredded Cheddar Cheese, Cilantro, Sliced Jalapenos, Corn Tortilla Chips
  • Bread Bowls (for the chili)
  • Brownies
  • Snacks: Guacamole, Salsa and Chips; Edamame Hummus and Rice Crackers, various crackers/chips/treats

* I subbed their beans with 2 cans black, 1 kidney and 1 white bean.  I prepped everything the night before and stored in a crock pot (sans chicken stock and water) in the fridge overnight, and then added the stock/water the morning of and cooked on low for 8 hours while at work.

ChiliThe key is prepping as much as you can ahead of time (you never know when your last meeting is going to run late), and to serve food that requires as little of your attention the day of (ie you don’t want to be frying chicken or plating food last minute).  A party like this needs food that can be served at any time and at your guests leisure.  Also little snacks at each table doesn’t hurt! Competition can make a person hungry!

PopcornFor a bunco “How To Guide” check out this link. My friend Sarah has also created a “Bunco box” filled with all of the necessary forms, pens, dice (or die?!), bell, etc.  It’s a great thing to have if you plan on mixing up the host home.  You also will need a fun item (something small – usually a mini stuffed animal), for those that roll 3 of a kind.  I went a festive route and used a small pumpkin (not the safest thing in retrospect, because it will be tossed around from table to table – not ideal with wine glasses around 🙂 ).

Bunco PumpkinOverall it was a blast and such a fun night!  I highly recommend you start your own Bunco night if you don’t play in one already!  Thank you Sarz for starting the fun!