Posts Tagged ‘shower’

Lose your idea of yuppies sitting around discussing socioeconomic theories while sipping Merlot. Wine is quickly growing into a cross cultural luxury and introducing it to your less experienced friends can make for a great party.

AskMen.com has great tips for selecting and pairing wines and cheeses.

| THE | CHEESES |

Soft Cheese: Blue Castello, Boursin, Brie, Bucheron, Buffalo Mozzarella, Camembert, Cream Cheese, Crème Fraiche, Feta, Fresh Mozzarella, Goat Cheese, Gorgonzola, Limburger, Mascarpone, Muenster, Neufchatel, Pave Affinois, Teleme

Hard Cheese: Asiago, Blue, Derby, Dry Jack, Edam, Emmentaler, Grana Padano, Gruyere, Jarlsberg, Manchego, Parmigiano, Pecorino Romano, Raclette, Reggiano, Swiss, Wensleydale, Zamarano

Semi-Soft Cheese: Bel Paese, Baby Swiss, Colby, Fontina, Havarti, Kasseri, Madrigal Baby Swiss, Morbier, Port Salut

Semi-Hard Cheese: Brick, Cheddar, Chesire, Chevre, Cotija, Danish Blue, Double Gloucester, Gouda, Graddost, Monterey Jack, Panela, Provolone, Roquefort, Sonoma Jack, Stilton

| THE | WINES |

Soft Cheese: Chenin Blanc, Sauvignon Blanc, Gewurztraminer, Champagne, Cabernet, White Zinfandel, Vidal, Beaujolais, Bordeaux, Chianti, Sancerre

Hard Cheese: Bardolino, Tawny Port, Madeira, Sherry, Chenin Blanc, Sauvignon Blanc, Sancerre, Côtes du Rhône, Rioja, Cabernet, Barolo, Barbaresco, Brunello di Montalcino, Ribera del Duero, Chardonnay, Chianti Riserva, Beaujolais, Dark Beer, Sangria, Gewurztraminer, Pinot Noir

Semi-Soft Cheese: Chardonnay, Champagne, Riesling, Barolo, Barbaresco, Gattinara, Bordeaux, Rioja, Fleurie, Beaujolais, Chinon, Bourgueil

Semi-Hard Cheese: Chardonnay, Champagne, Riesling, Cabernet, Sancerre, Chenin Blanc, Sauvignon Blanc, Chianti Riserva, Barolo, Tawny Port

| ACCOMPANIMENTS |
There is more to a wine and cheese party than just wine and cheese, of course. You need to entice your guests with some stellar accompaniments. Here are some suggestions:

Crackers: Good crackers!

Bread: Crusty, hearty, whole grain variety. Go to a bakery and grab whatever is most fresh. Just keep in mind that strong olive bread, for example, while fantastic, may detract from the cheeses.

Fruit: Japanese pear slices, grapes and apples are perfect.

Chocolate: There is one kind of chocolate to serve at a wine and cheese. Very strong, dark chocolate. Do not entertain any other variety.

Now, onto the presentation:

• Select about five cheeses.
• Be mindful of cheeses with a potent smell.
• Invest in wooden cutting boards and separate knives for each cheese.
• Rent cocktail tables and white linen to set up different stations around your home or venue. If you are sampling wines from different countries, make each table unique with trinkets or signs from that region.
• Stock up on bottled water and offer coffee when your guests are done sampling.
• Stick with the theme and send your guests home with a bottle of “Two Buck Chuck”. Charles Shaw wine is very good for an unbelievable price of $1.99. If you have more money budgeted for party favors, tie bottle stoppers around the necks of the bottles and voilà, you have a great gift without doing too much damage to your wallet.

I had this drink for the first time on my birthday and immediately knew this would be a tasty treat for a bridal shower.

The recipe is simple and the finished product can be dressed up to suit your style.

Ingredients:
12 lemons
Sugar
Fresh or frozen blueberries
Blueberry vodka (750 ml)

Squeeze your lemon and add the juice into a mixing bowl. Add water and sugar to taste. I suggest keeping it on the tart side because the vodka will sweeten your mixture. Cut 4 of the squeezed lemons into quarters and add them to the bowl along with 1 cup of blueberries. Pour the entire bottle of vodka into the bowl, stir, cover and place in the refrigerator. For a little oomph, we took some lemon zest and a few blueberries and put them in ice cube trays. After they are frozen everything is ready to serve.

If you are not into the bridal shower games and the traditional activities, consider having a bridal shower makeover party for you and a small group of friends. You can invite a local Mary Kay or Avon representative to come to your home and do the pampering.

After you and the girls are feeling glammed up and want to show off your new look, keep it low key and have cocktails at lounge in your area.

Ingredients to a makeover party:
Wine
Plenty of clean towels
Music
Cupcakes or cake
Finger foods
Fabulous friends

Our contributing editor and chef extraordinaire, Tiffany Haynes, has put together a great recipe for a bridal or baby shower brunch. If you are considering having a cozy gathering with friends over mimosas and great food, try this Scramble Skillet by Event Creations:

1 dozen large eggs
1 potato (most of your seasoning will be used in the potato)
¼ green pepper
¼ red pepper
½ yellow onion
3 garlic cloves
Butter (I Can’t Believe It’s Not….preferred)
Olive Oil
Milk (Vitamin D or Pet make the best)
Salt / Pepper
Italian Seasoning (Thyme, Basil, Parsley, Rosemary) OR (you can buy Italian Seasoning by McCormick already mixed)
1 teaspoon Fennel Seeds
Fresh Chives
Seasoning salt
1 turkey smoked sausage
½ container of Gorgonzola cheese
1 bag sharp cheddar cheese

Dice all veggies and sauté in 2 tablespoons of butter till almost soft…..dice potato in square cubes and season with ALL spices, then fry in ¼ cup veggie oil (drain oil when cooked)…..cut turkey sausage into cubes and cook (no oil needed) will brown, mix veggies, turkey sausage and potatoes together (sit to the side until ready to add into egg mixture)……beat 1 dozen eggs with salt and pepper to taste and ½ cup of milk or desired amount…..to cook scramble eggs in 1 serving spoon of butter and 2 teaspoons olive oil (adding veggies, sausage and potato mixture with all cheeses when eggs are a little over half way cooked)….continue to stir scrambled eggs until done to your liking….garnish with chives!!!!

Breakfast Suggestion: this is a great meal in itself…but for those “healthy helping” eaters….you can also make this as a side dish with a delectable serving of Strawberry Crepes or Pancakes (don’t forget the whipped topping either)! That will make a complete breakfast no ma’am or man can resist!