The IDEA Publishing
  • HOME
  • Popular IDEAS
    • IDEAS for Your Better Business Life >
      • The Business Idea
      • The Career IDEA
      • The Money Idea
    • IDEAS for Your Better Diversions >
      • The Tech IDEA
      • The Travel IDEA
      • The Auto IDEA
      • The Outdoors IDEA
    • IDEAS for a Better Table >
      • The Food IDEA
      • IDEAS de Cocina Espanola
    • IDEAS for a Better You >
      • The Health IDEA
      • Living Well IDEAS
      • The Fitness IDEA
      • The Beauty IDEA
    • IDEAS for a Happier Home >
      • The Home Idea
      • The Entertaining Idea
      • The Parenting Idea
      • The Senior Living IDEA
      • The Pet IDEA
  • The Video Domain
    • Video IDEAS for Your Better Business Life
  • About
  • Contact
The_Entertaining_IDEA
The Entertaining IDEA

The Entertaining IDEA

Tips, Tricks, Hacks, and Advice to Make You a Better Host...or Hostess!

Savory Summer Entertaining

7/10/2018

Comments

 
savory-summer-entertaining
Savory Summer Entertaining

Flavorful foods and cold drinks are the focal points of just about any summer gathering. Create a party atmosphere that can stand out by adding a bit of island infusion to both bites and beverages with recipes like Pulled-Pork Sliders with Bitters, Queen’s Park Swizzle, Traditional Mojito and Orange Butter Sponge Cake so your warm-weather soiree can soar to new heights.


Savory Summer Entertaining

(Family Features) Flavorful foods and cold drinks are the focal points of just about any summer gathering. Create a party atmosphere that can stand out by adding a bit of island infusion to both bites and beverages so your warm-weather soiree can soar to new heights.

To help add that island spark, an ingredient like bitters provides a potent flavor made from botanicals like aromatic herbs, bark, roots and fruit. While known for their ability to balance countless cocktails, it may come as a surprise that bitters are regarded by some chefs as a pantry staple, adding real depth of flavor to a variety of dishes. Bitters can be added to classic and contemporary cocktails and a range of cuisines to create taste-tempting creations.

Much like vanilla extract, when cooked, the alcohol in bitters evaporates, so bitters-infused recipes can be enjoyed by the whole family at your next backyard barbecue or patio party.

Center your spread around a summer favorite like Pulled-Pork Sliders with Bitters, a tangy Caribbean twist on a classic dish featuring a spicy chili rub. Coupled with a vinegar-based sauce dashed with Angostura aromatic bitters, an unmistakable culinary and cocktail essential made with the same secret recipe since 1824, the flavorful sliders make for a crowd-pleasing main course.

Add to the island vibe with a unique take on a tried-and-true sweet treat like cake. Orange Butter Sponge Cake enhances every party's dessert course with the sweet and tangy combination of citrus and bitters.

These tasty foods paired with hot temperatures call for cooling off with inventive bitters-forward drink recipes like the Queen's Park Swizzle, Angostura's signature Trinidadian cocktail, and a summertime go-to, the Traditional Mojito. These drinks balance the art of the swizzle with the tastes of tiki to provide guests with refreshing beverage options.

Whether you're an aspiring home chef, an amateur bartender or anything in between, you can elevate summer entertaining with bitters to complement an array of ingredients for exceptional entertaining all summer long.

Find more summertime food and drink recipes to savor at AngosturaBitters.com.


Pulled-Pork Sliders with Bitters

Servings: approximately 14 small sandwiches

Chili Rub:

  • 3-3 1/2 pounds boneless pork shoulder roast
  • 1 tablespoon cooking oil

Bitters Sauce:

  • 1 can (15 ounces) unseasoned tomato sauce
  • 1/2 cup packed dark brown sugar
  • 2 tablespoons Nature's Intent apple cider vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon Angostura aromatic bitters
  • 1 tablespoon chili powder
  • 3 large cloves garlic, chopped
  • 1-2 tablespoons cornstarch (optional)
  • 14 small slider buns
  1. To make Chili Rub: Stir together aromatic bitters, chili powder and salt; let stand 10 minutes.
  2. Cut pork shoulder across grain into 1 1/2-2-inch thick slices; trim excess fat. If needed, cut into chunks to remove some fat.
  3. Rub meat with chili mixture. In 8-quart pot or 9-10-inch wide, high-sided saute pan with lid, heat oil. Add meat and brown on both sides, about 15 minutes total. Remove meat and place on plate; keep warm.
  4. To make Bitters Sauce: Combine tomato sauce, brown sugar, apple cider vinegar, aromatic bitters, chili powder and garlic cloves; stir well. Pour into hot, empty pan. Simmer 5 minutes, stirring and scraping bottom of pan.
  5. Return meat to pan; spoon sauce over meat. Cover and cook 1 hour and 15 minutes on low, rearranging meat halfway through cooking. Transfer meat to plate; cover with foil to keep warm.
  6. To thicken sauce, if desired: Let sauce cool in pan 5 minutes then whisk in cornstarch. Bring to boil; continue to cook and whisk until slightly thickened.
  7. To serve: Pull meat apart with two forks or fingers. Serve warm on buns, drizzled with sauce.

Queen's Park Swizzle

Makes: 1 cocktail

  • 12-14 mint leaves
  • 1 ounce fresh lime juice
  • 1 ounce Demerara simple syrup
  • crushed ice
  • 2 ounces Caribbean rum
  • 6-8 dashes Angostura aromatic bitters
  • 1 mint sprig, for garnish
  1. In highball glass, muddle mint leaves in lime juice and simple syrup, then fill glass with dry, crushed ice.
  2. Pour rum over crushed ice and swizzle well until glass is ice cold and frosted.
  3. Pack glass with more crushed ice and top with aromatic bitters. Garnish with mint sprig.

Traditional Mojito

Makes: 1 cocktail

  • 1 cube brown sugar
  • 1/2 ounce simple syrup
  • 12-15 mint leaves
  • 3/4 ounce fresh lime juice
  • 2 ounces white rum
  • 2 dashes Angostura aromatic bitters
  • crushed ice
  • 1 bottle club soda
  • 1 mint sprig, for garnish
  1. In Collins glass, muddle brown sugar cube and simple syrup, then add mint and lightly press to extract flavor. Add lime juice, rum and aromatic bitters.
  2. Fill glass with crushed ice and swizzle.
  3. Repack with crushed ice and top with club soda. Garnish with mint sprig.

Orange Butter Sponge Cake

  • 8 ounces butter, plus additional for buttering pan
  • 2 cups cake flour, plus additional for flouring pan
  • 1 tablespoon baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 2 cups granulated sugar
  • 4 large eggs
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla
  • 1 tablespoon Angostura orange bitters
  • 1 cup freshly squeezed orange juice
  • powdered or extra-fine sugar, for dusting
  1. Heat oven to 350 F.
  2. Butter and flour two 9-inch cake pans. Sift flour three times and add baking powder and salt. Set aside.
  3. With electric mixer, cream butter and sugar until light and creamy, about 10 minutes. Add eggs one at a time, beating well between additions. Add vanilla and orange bitters.
  4. Divide flour mixture into four portions. Set electric mixer on medium low and add flour alternately with orange juice, starting and ending with flour. Mix just until incorporated after each addition.
  5. Divide batter evenly between cake pans and bake 35-40 minutes, or until cake pulls away from sides of pans. Remove from oven and cool 5 minutes in cake pans before turning out.

Photo courtesy of Getty Images (Pulled-Pork Sliders with Bitters, Orange Butter Sponge Cake)

SOURCE:
Angostura

KEYWORDS

  • advice ×
  • alcholic beverages ×
  • alcoholic ×
  • beverages ×
  • cold drinks ×
  • dessert ×
  • dessert recipes ×
  • desserts ×
  • drink recipes ×
  • easy recipes ×
  • entertaining ×
  • entree ×
  • event planning ×
  • family ×
  • Family Features ×
  • family gatherings ×
  • heat ×
  • main course ×
  • menu ×
  • menu planning ×
  • mojito ×
  • planning ×
  • pork ×
  • pork recipes ×
  • recipes ×
  • sliders ×
  • Summer ×
  • tips

Comments

Holiday Guesting 101

11/19/2017

Comments

 

If you manage to avoid hosting duties this holiday season, you may be dodging some of the hardest work, but remember that being a good guest goes beyond arriving on time and taking your shoes off at the door. This holiday season, ensure your host gets to enjoy the festivities by putting these ideas to practice, such as bringing along a tasty dessert like Slow Cooker Banana Cake.


Holiday Guesting 101

(Family Features) If you manage to avoid hosting duties this holiday season, you may be dodging some of the hardest work, but remember that being a good guest goes beyond arriving on time and taking your shoes off at the door. This holiday season, ensure your host gets to enjoy the festivities by putting these ideas to practice – it may earn you an invitation for years to come.

Make a holiday playlist.  Offer to put together a holiday playlist for the host who will undoubtedly have his or her hands full prepping for the holiday celebration. Try to choose songs specific to the guests, host and overall theme. A good playlist can be a conversation starter for everyone at the party.

Don't arrive empty-handed. Even if your host shrugs off an offer for help, a gesture of appreciation is always appropriate. It may be a bottle of wine, a seasonal flower arrangement or, better yet, an appetizer or dessert to share, such as this mouthwatering Slow Cooker Banana Cake. This crowd-pleasing cake is made using a Crock-Pot® Cook & Carry Slow Cooker, which has a locking lid and travel clips to help you get to your holiday celebration without making a mess. The 6-quart, removable pot can be used as a serving dish, and is dishwasher safe to make clean-up a breeze.

Stay off your phone. It may seem obvious, but these days, looking at your phone is almost as habitual as breathing, and chances are you don’t mean to appear standoffish or rude by sneaking a quick peek. However, playing with your phone can detract from time you get to spend with family and friends, many of whom you probably don’t get to see often. Tuck away your phone for the party and live in the moment.

Pitch in to help clean. No host likes to be stuck in the kitchen while the rest of the party carries on. After the meal, offer your help to clear the table, put away perishable items and get the kitchen back in order so your host can join the merry-making. If you’ll be opening gifts, grab a garbage bag and collect debris to help keep the mess under control.

Find more holiday recipes and tips at Crock-Pot.com.

Slow Cooker Banana Cake

Prep time: 15 minutes
Cook time: 4 hours
Servings: 12

  • Crock-Pot® Cook & Carry Slow Cooker
  • nonstick cooking spray
  • 3          cups flour
  • 1 1/2    teaspoons baking soda 
  • pinch of salt
  • 3-4       ripe bananas
  • 2          lemon wedges, juice only
  • 3/4       cup butter, softened
  • 1 1/2    cups honey or 2 cups white sugar
  • 3          eggs
  • 1          teaspoon vanilla
  • 1 1/2    cups almond milk
  • cream cheese frosting
  1. Grease slow cooker with nonstick spray.
  2. In medium bowl, combine flour, baking soda and salt; set aside.
  3. In small bowl, mash bananas and lemon juice together; set aside.
  4. In large bowl, use mixer to cream butter and honey. Add eggs and mix well. Stir in vanilla then milk. Gradually add flour mixture. Once combined, stir in mashed bananas.
  5. Pour into slow cooker. Cover; cook on low 6 hours or high 4 hours, or until center of cake no longer looks gooey.
  6. Uncover and let cake cool. Once completely cooled, frost cake and, if desired, top with sliced bananas and walnuts.

Notes: If adding bananas, do so just before serving or they will brown. If using a non-oval slow cooker, cook 1 hour less on high heat or 2 hours less on low heat.

Photo courtesy of Getty Images

SOURCE:
Crock-Pot

Comments

Cooking for a Cause

8/23/2017

Comments

 
cooking-for-a-cause
Cooking for a Cause

If you love to entertain and want to support a good cause, now you can do both at the same time. You can make a difference by hosting a party that lets you raise awareness and funds for breast cancer research. Here are some ideas to get you started.


Cooking for a Cause

(Family Features) If you love to entertain and want to support a good cause, now you can do both at the same time.

Currently in its 16th year, Cook for the Cure is a program that gives those with a passion for cooking a way to support the fight against breast cancer. Through culinary-based fundraising, events, auctions and the sale of select products, the partnership between KitchenAid and Susan G. Komen for the Cure® has raised more than $10.7 million for the cause.

“It adds another layer of purpose to one of life’s great pleasures, cooking and enjoying food with family and friends,” said Anthony Pastrick, brand manager for KitchenAid. “The program continues to fuel passionate cooks with simple, creative ways to support a meaningful cause."

You can make a difference by hosting a party that lets you Cook for the Cure by raising awareness and funds for breast cancer research. Here are some ideas to get you started:

Invite guests for an evening of appetizers, such as these Mini Fruit Tarts, and drinks. Encourage fundraising by awarding a prize to the guest with the highest donation, or let donors enter their names into a drawing to win a restaurant gift certificate or spa treatment.

Organize a fundraising bake sale. Get the neighbors involved in baking, promoting and selling – it’s a great way to bring people together. Your contribution could be these Lemon Berry Cheesecake Bars.

Host a potluck brainstorming party. Invite people who share your passion for helping others to bring their favorite dish and think up creative ways to support the cause as a group. Vote on a project then let everyone pitch in to get started. Cooking good food, sharing time with friends and giving back to the community – that’s a recipe for a truly great party. Learn more at CookfortheCure.com.

10,000 Cupcakes

Sharing baked goods with friends is a pleasure. Now you can make it even more meaningful by sharing to raise money for a good cause.

From Oct. 1 through Oct. 31, for every original cupcake image or video shared on Twitter or Instagram with the collective hashtags #10000cupcakes and #donate, KitchenAid will donate $1 to Susan G. Komen, up to a maximum donation of $10,000. In addition, KitchenAid will donate $250,000 or more to Susan G. Komen through the Cook for the Cure program to support the fight against breast cancer. Since 2001, they have donated more than $10.7 million to Komen through the initiative, sales of pink products, celebrity chef auctions and fundraisers hosted by supporters.

Visit cookforthecure.kitchenaid.com/10000cupcakes/ to see the full terms and conditions and learn more about the 10,000 Cupcakes program.

Lemon Berry Cheesecake Bars

Recipe courtesy of Lindsay Conchar of Life, Love & Sugar on behalf of KitchenAid
Makes: 12-16 bars

  • 1 1/2    cups graham cracker crumbs
  • 5          tablespoons butter, melted
  • 16        ounces cream cheese, at room temperature
  • 1 1/2    cups powdered sugar, divided
  • 3          tablespoons lemon juice
  • 1          tablespoon lemon zest
  • 1 1/4    cups heavy whipping cream, divided
  • fresh berries
  1. Line 9-inch square cake pan with parchment paper, bringing up over sides.
  2. Combine graham cracker crumbs and butter, and stir until well combined. Press crumb mixture evenly into bottom of cake pan. Set aside.
  3. In bowl of stand mixer, beat cream cheese, 1 cup powdered sugar, lemon juice and lemon zest until smooth. In separate bowl, whip heavy whipping cream until it starts to thicken. Add remaining powdered sugar and continue to whip until stiff peaks form. Gently fold half the whipped cream into cheesecake mixture and place remainder in refrigerator to use later. Spread cheesecake mixture evenly in cake pan.
  4. Refrigerate cheesecake at least 4 hours, or until firm.
  5. Use parchment paper on sides to lift bars out of pan then cut into squares. Use remaining whipped cream to top cheesecake bars then add fresh berries, as desired. Refrigerate until ready to serve.

Mini Fruit Tarts

Recipe courtesy of Kelly Kwok of Life Made Sweeter on behalf of KitchenAid
Makes: 6 pastries

Pastries:

  • 1          frozen puff pastry sheet (17.3 ounces), thawed
  • 1          large egg
  • 1-2       teaspoons milk

Frosting:

  • 1/4       cup unsalted butter, at room temperature
  • 8          ounces cream cheese, chilled
  • 1-2       tablespoons coconut cream or full-fat canned coconut milk, plus additional             (optional)
  • 1          teaspoon coconut extract
  • 1/2       teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • 3-3 1/2             cups powdered sugar, plus additional (optional)

Toppings:

  • assorted fresh fruit
  • powdered sugar, for dusting (optional)
  1. To make pastries: Heat oven to 400° F. Line baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.
  2. Place puff pastry sheet on lightly floured work surface and cut each sheet into 12 3-inch squares.
  3. In small bowl, beat egg with milk to make egg wash and lightly brush onto each square.
  4. Transfer pastries onto baking sheet and bake 10 minutes, until pastries have puffed up and are golden.
  5. Cool completely on wire rack.
  6. To make frosting: In stand mixer bowl fitted with flat beater, beat butter on medium speed until light and creamy, about 3 minutes.
  7. Add cream cheese and beat until smooth and fully incorporated. Add coconut cream, coconut extract and vanilla extract, and beat until smooth.
  8. Gently stir in powdered sugar until fully incorporated. Turn stand mixer on high and beat 1 minute, until fully combined. Add additional powdered sugar and coconut cream until desired consistency and level of sweetness is reached.
  9. Spread or pipe coconut cream cheese frosting into middle.
  10. Top with fresh fruit and another pastry square. Dust with powdered sugar, if desired.

Photo courtesy of Chris Scheuer of The Cafe Sucre Farine (cupcake)

SOURCE:
KitchenAid

KEYWORDS

  • Family Features ×
  • party ×
  • women ×
  • female ×
  • breast cancer ×
  • cause ×
  • entertaining ×
  • home ×
  • recipe ×
  • easy recipes ×
  • dessert ×
  • desserts ×
  • fruit ×
  • cake ×
  • cupcakes
Comments



    Archives

    February 2019
    January 2019
    November 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    April 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016


    Interested in Publishing on The Entertaining Idea?
    Send your query to the Publisher today!

    Categories

    All
    Activities
    Advice
    Africa
    African
    Agg Dish
    Alcholic Beverages
    Alcoholic
    Alcoholic Beverages
    Ancestry
    Appetizer Recipe
    Appetizers
    Apps
    Audio
    Autumn
    Baby Shower
    Backyard
    Bad Weather
    Barbecue
    Beach
    Beach Wedding
    Beef
    Beer
    Beers
    Beverages
    Big Screen
    Blush
    Bonfire
    BPT
    Brandpoint
    Brandpoint Content
    Breakfast
    Breast Cancer
    Bridal
    Bride
    Brides
    Bridesmaids
    Brunch
    Budget
    Cabernet Sauvignon
    Cake
    Cause
    Celebration
    Centerpiece
    Centerpieces
    Ceremonies
    Chairs
    Chicken
    Children
    Chili
    Chips
    Christmas
    Clean
    Cleaning
    Cleanup
    Cocktails
    Cold
    Cold Drinks
    College Football
    Color
    Colors
    Condiments
    Cooking
    Craft Beer
    Creativity
    Crystal
    Cupcakes
    Decor
    Décor
    Decorating
    Dessert
    Dessert Recipes
    Desserts
    Diet
    Dining
    Dips
    Dishes
    Drink Recipes
    Drinks
    Easter
    Easy Recipes
    Eggs
    Elements
    Engagement
    Entertaining
    Entertainment
    Entree
    Ethnic Cuisine
    Ethnic Foods
    Ethnic Recipe
    Event Planning
    Expert
    Fall
    Family
    Family Features
    Family Gatherings
    Female
    Finger Foods
    Fire
    Flowers
    Food
    Football
    Friends
    Fruit
    Furniture
    Game
    Game Day
    Games
    Garden
    Gathering
    Gifting
    Gifts
    Glassware
    Gourmet
    Gradening
    Graduation
    Grill
    Grilling
    Grocery Store
    Guests
    Guys
    Hacks
    Halloween
    Ham
    Healthy Eating
    Healthy Living
    Heat
    Hibernate
    Hibernating
    Holiday
    Holiday Party
    Holidays
    Holiday Season
    Home
    Homebrew
    Homebrewing
    Home Improvement
    Host
    Hostess
    Hosting
    Ingredients
    Insects
    Invitations
    Italian
    Kids
    Kitchen
    Leftovers
    Lifehacks
    Light
    Lighting
    Lights
    Lime
    Main Course
    Male Bonding
    Marriage
    Meals
    Menu
    Menu Planning
    Merlot
    Mexican Food
    Mojito
    Money
    Mood
    Morning
    Motif
    Movie
    Movies
    Music
    New Years
    NFL
    Orange
    Organization
    Outdoor Activities
    Outdoor Dining
    Outdoor Furniture
    Outdoors
    Outdoor Wedding
    Paint
    Painting
    Pairings
    Parties
    Party
    Patio
    Picnic
    Planning
    Playlist
    Pork
    Pork Recipes
    Preparation
    Presents
    Pro Football
    Project
    Projection
    Projector
    Prosecco
    Recipe
    Recipes
    Red Wine
    Refreshment
    Refreshments
    Registry
    Relationships
    Relaxation
    Rentals
    Rice
    Rose
    Salads
    Savings
    Season
    Seasonal
    Seating
    Serving
    Shopping
    Shopping List
    Shrimp
    Sliders
    Snacking
    Snacks
    Snack Table
    Software
    Sommelier
    Sound
    Spice
    Spicy
    Stadium
    Stress
    Summer
    Super Bowl
    Tabasco
    Table
    Tableware
    Tailgate
    Tailgating
    Tech
    Technology
    Television
    Thanksgiving
    Tips
    TV
    Vacation
    Vegetarian
    Watch Party
    Weather
    Website
    Wedding
    Wedding Dress
    Wedding Magazines
    Wedding Planners
    Wedding Planning
    Wedding Registery
    Weddings
    Weekend
    White Wine
    Wine
    Wines
    Wings
    Winter
    Women
    Wrapping
    Xmas






    RSS Feed

Proudly powered by Weebly
  • HOME
  • Popular IDEAS
    • IDEAS for Your Better Business Life >
      • The Business Idea
      • The Career IDEA
      • The Money Idea
    • IDEAS for Your Better Diversions >
      • The Tech IDEA
      • The Travel IDEA
      • The Auto IDEA
      • The Outdoors IDEA
    • IDEAS for a Better Table >
      • The Food IDEA
      • IDEAS de Cocina Espanola
    • IDEAS for a Better You >
      • The Health IDEA
      • Living Well IDEAS
      • The Fitness IDEA
      • The Beauty IDEA
    • IDEAS for a Happier Home >
      • The Home Idea
      • The Entertaining Idea
      • The Parenting Idea
      • The Senior Living IDEA
      • The Pet IDEA
  • The Video Domain
    • Video IDEAS for Your Better Business Life
  • About
  • Contact