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
  • ads.txt
The_Entertaining_IDEA
The Entertaining IDEA

The Entertaining IDEA

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

Go Long on Game Day

1/10/2020

Comments

 
Picture

When game day arrives and your crowd is ready to crank up the heat, turning to appetizers and dishes that feed the whole group can help save the season. For example, setting up a chili bar allows for convenient eating throughout the game as it’s easy to keep warm for hours. To give your guests a variety of flavors to choose from, Pigskin Potatoes and Baby Back Ribs with Honey, Chipotle and Mango Glaze can help keep you out of the kitchen and into the game. 


Go Long on Game Day

Ready-for-action recipes to feed fans

(Family Features) When game day arrives and your crowd is ready to crank up the heat, turning to appetizers and dishes that feed the whole group can help save the season. You can defend against overly complicated recipes with long cook times by instead opting for finger foods and handheld snacks that allow for more pregame prep and less cleanup after the final whistle.

For example, setting up a chili bar allows for convenient eating throughout the game as it's easy to keep warm for hours. To give your guests a variety of flavors to choose from, these recipes for bacon-wrapped potatoes and ribs glazed with a sweet-hot sauce involve short ingredients lists and simple preparation to keep you out of the kitchen and into the game.

To find more recipe inspiration for game day, visit Culinary.net.

A Perfect Pregame Warmup

As one of the ultimate comfort foods, chili is an ideal watch-party snack: easy to prepare, stays warm in a slow cooker and can be personalized by guests with a wide variety of toppings. Consider adorning your bowl with a combination of these add-ons:

  • Shredded cheese
  • Sour cream
  • Ketchup
  • Hot sauce
  • Jalapenos
  • Green onions
  • Chives
  • Olives
  • Diced avocado
  • Diced tomato
  • Bacon bits
  • Corn chips
  • Crackers

Score Big with Little Potatoes

Part of the fun of the Big Game is the food, and you can score big points by serving up crowd-pleasing sides and snacks. For a familiar spin on a football-watching favorite, try these Pigskin Potatoes: a classic combination of little potatoes and melted cheese wrapped with bacon.

There's no fumbling around with this game day snack made with Creamer potatoes from The Little Potato Company. With no washing or peeling required, little potatoes cook in next to no time whether they are boiled, roasted or smashed. You can be the MVP of your kitchen without missing a second of the action.

Visit littlepotatoes.com/gameday for more game day recipe inspiration and to find a store near you.

Pigskin Potatoes

Prep time: 20 minutes
Cook time: 44 minutes
Servings: 8

  • 1 bag (1 1/2 pounds) Dynamic Duo or Terrific Trio Little Potatoes
  • 6 ounces plain cream cheese at room temperature
  • 1/3 cup finely shredded orange cheddar cheese
  • 3 tablespoons finely chopped fresh chives
  • 1/8 teaspoon salt
  • 1/8 teaspoon pepper
  • 1 jalapeno, finely diced (optional)
  • 1 pound thinly sliced bacon, rashers cut in half
  1. Heat oven to 400 F.
  2. Boil potatoes until fork tender, approximately 15-20 minutes. Cut in half and allow to cool.
    In bowl, use spatula to combine cream cheese, cheddar, chives, salt, pepper and jalapeno, if desired.
  3. Once chilled, spread cream cheese on half of cut potatoes and sandwich each with other halves. Wrap each potato using half rasher of bacon around cut middle to ensure cheese doesn't escape.
  4. Bake on middle rack 10 minutes. Flip and bake 10 minutes.
  5. Turn oven to broil. Broil 2 minutes, turn once and broil 2 minutes until bacon reaches desired crispiness.

Tip: Boil potatoes 2 days ahead. Fill and wrap potatoes 1 day ahead then bake and serve on game day.

A Sweet-Heat Snack

Finger foods and watch parties go hand-in-hand, which is why these baby back ribs are ideal for grabbing a couple (or more) and heading to your favorite spot on the couch. Glazed with a mixture of honey, chipotle peppers and mangoes for some sweet heat, they're cooked low and slow for fall-off-the-bone flavor.

Just wrap the ribs and sauce in aluminum foil, place over low indirect heat and let your grill do the work. To help simplify game day, try cooking a day in advance and warm in the oven a couple hours prior to kickoff.

Find more game day recipes at honey.com.

Baby Back Ribs with Honey, Chipotle and Mango Glaze

Recipe courtesy of the National Honey Board
Servings: 8

  • 2 racks baby back ribs
  • 1 tablespoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon pepper
  • 1 can chipotle peppers in adobo sauce
  • 4 ripe mangoes, cubed
  • 1 cup honey
  1. Remove ribs from package; rinse and pat dry. Remove membrane. Place in shallow pan, sprinkle with salt and pepper and set aside.
  2. In small saucepan over medium heat, cook chipotle peppers, mangoes and honey, stirring constantly, until cooked down and thick enough to coat back of spoon.
  3. Heat grill to 225-240 F.
  4. Wrap ribs and 2/3 of sauce mixture tightly in aluminum foil and place over indirect heat. Close lid. After 2 hours, flip ribs and cook 2 hours. Open aluminum and remove ribs, place directly on grill and brush with remaining sauce. Cook 30 minutes. Remove from grill and serve hot.

Photos courtesy of Getty Images (main image and Baby Back Ribs with Honey, Chipotle and Mango Glaze)

SOURCE:
The Little Potato Company

KEYWORDS

  • advice ×
  • appetizer recipe ×
  • college football ×
  • cooking ×
  • eating ×
  • entertaining ×
  • entree ×
  • Family Features ×
  • flavor ×
  • football ×
  • gameday ×
  • hacks ×
  • kitchen ×
  • lifehacks ×
  • meal prep ×
  • menu ×
  • menu planning ×
  • parties ×
  • party ×
  • pork ×
  • pork recipes ×
  • pro football ×
  • recipe ×
  • ribs ×
  • sports ×
  • tips ×
  • watch party

RSS Feed

Comments

The Winter Wine You Should Be Drinking (and Sharing) This Season

12/20/2019

Comments

 
chilean-wines

As you consider the wine options this winter, skip the expected choice, and instead grab a bottle from Chile. Whether you’re roasting marshmallows, sitting down to a four-course meal or heading to a cocktail party, Carmenere may be the best red wine you haven’t yet tried.


(BPT) - Chilly weather: Check. Cozy gatherings with friends: Check. Same old wine: Not so fast. Before you reach for your go-to red this winter, consider Chile’s answer to the season’s most toast-worthy pours: crimson-hued Carmenere (car-men-air).

The signature red grape of Chile delivers luscious dark fruit — think blackcurrant, wild blueberry and ripe plum — wrapped in supple tannins, brilliant acidity and silken texture. When shared with even the most wine-savvy host, Carmenere offers an opportunity for discovery beyond the usual pour.

Born in the famed vineyards of Bordeaux, France, Carmenere was thought to be extinct in the late 1860s. Half a world away, in a grand case of mistaken identity, experts discovered 130 years later that much of what was assumed to be Merlot in Chile was actually Carmenere — hiding in plain sight. It quickly became a favorite among Chileans for its inviting style, and today, Carmenere is to Chile what Malbec is to Argentina. Somewhere between the moderate structure of a Pinot Noir and the layered complexity of a Cabernet Sauvignon lies your new favorite red.

Chilean Winemaker Marcio Ramírez — affectionately dubbed “Mr. Carmenere” by colleagues, thanks to his 20-plus years spent mastering the variety — is a Carmenere craftsman to keep your eye on. Here are three wines, all made by Ramírez and awarded scores of 90 points or higher by top wine critics, that you should be drinking this winter, perhaps après ski or any time a delicious glass of red fits the bill:

2017 Gran Reserva Serie Riberas Carmenere

From Puemo Vineyard in Cachapoal Valley, the 2017 vintage of Gran Reserva Serie Riberas Carmenere doesn’t disappoint with heady aromas of cherry, blackcurrant and blackberry, framed by a thread of cedar and white pepper. Pair it with smoked meats or a strong aged cheese, like Gorgonzola. 90 points, Wine & Spirits

2017 Marques de Casa Concha Carmenere

Also from Puemo Vineyard, the 2017 Marques de Casa Concha Carmenere is an elevated selection with a generous palate of ripe plum, blackcurrant and dark chocolate. Pronounced acidity makes it a versatile pairing for roasted lamb or pasta. 91 points, James Suckling

2017 Terrunyo Carmenere

The crown jewel of Ramírez’s Carmenere offerings from Puemo Vineyard, the 2017 Terrunyo Carmenere boasts an impressive structure, with inviting notes of wild berries, cedar and violet. Supple tannins and excellent acidity make this equally suited for spicy fare or rich risotto. 91 points, Wine Spectator

As you consider the wine options this winter, skip the expected choice, and instead grab a bottle from Chile. Whether you’re roasting marshmallows, sitting down to a four-course meal or heading to a cocktail party, Carmenere may be the best red wine you haven’t yet tried. Discover (and share) it all winter long.


KEYWORDS

  • advice ×
  • BPT ×
  • Brandpoint ×
  • Brandpoint Content ×
  • Chile ×
  • choices ×
  • entertaining ×
  • hacks ×
  • holiday party ×
  • hosting ×
  • imports ×
  • lifehacks ×
  • meals ×
  • pairing ×
  • pairings ×
  • party ×
  • red wine ×
  • tips ×
  • white wine ×
  • wine ×
  • wines

Comments

Host with the Most: A Step-by-Step Guide to Wowing Your Guests

12/20/2019

Comments

 
holiday-entertaining

​Planning on entertaining at home? Whether it is a family gathering, a holiday meal, or a football party, here's a step-by-step guide on how to be the "host with the most!"


(BPT) - With the holidays just around the corner, party planning is in full swing. Whether it be a traditional family gathering or friendly white elephant, consider these tips and tricks to stay organized throughout the holiday hustle to ensure festivities go off without a hitch.

Have your cake with time to enjoy it too

When guests arrive, hosting duties often fall secondary to socializing with friends and family, so it’s important to plan ahead. Smartphone apps, like Pro Party Planner, offer a breadth of services to help with planning logistics, no matter the size of your event. It’s now easier than ever to set the menu, finalize a budget and create shopping lists in preparation for the festivities, all from your phone or tablet. Determine your guest list and maximize space by transforming various areas in the home, such as a credenza, bar cart or kitchen island, into self-serve food and drink stations. That way, guests won’t feel too crowded in one area. Choose snacks and beverages that don’t require significant attention, such as a charcuterie board and a pre-made punch, so guests can help themselves and you can spend more time enjoying the party.

Keep your guests entertained

Entertainment is the key to every great event. Start by establishing the mood with a music playlist that matches the theme for the night. Whether festive, romantic or upbeat, there are endless pre-made playlists available for no charge that will go a long way in making your party one to remember. Consider breaking out the party games or queuing up a featured show to play throughout the night to create a fun atmosphere alongside friends and family — there’s something to do for everyone!

Streamline cleanup

Everyone’s least favorite part of the night is cleanup, and in particular, doing the dishes. On average, U.S. homeowners or someone in their household have let dishes pile up for three days before washing them. To help ease dish duties, consider adding the Delta Glass Rinser to your dish washing regimen to effortlessly rinse used glassware of all shapes and sizes — most notably wine glasses or champagne flutes where hard-to-reach residue lives. The Delta Glass Rinser ensures you’ll spend less time soaking and scrubbing. Consider a designated spot in the kitchen for empty wine bottles and dirty dishware to make cleanup as efficient as possible and ensure lounge areas are kept trash free. You can also tuck multiple trash and recycling bins around the room to reduce the chance of waste overflow and make sure guests aren’t stuck with dirty disposable plates and utensils.

With these simple hacks, your holiday party is sure to be one that everyone remembers and, most importantly, remains stress-free.


KEYWORDS

  • advice×
  • BPT×
  • Brandpoint×
  • Brandpoint Content×
  • cleanup×
  • entertaining×
  • event planning×
  • family×
  • family gatherings×
  • hacks×
  • holiday×
  • holiday party×
  • holidays×
  • holiday season×
  • host×
  • hosting×
  • lifehacks×
  • menu planning×
  • party×
  • planning×
  • prep×
  • preparation×
  • tips×
  • watch party​

RSS Feed

Comments

9 Holiday Party Survival Tips - When You (or Guests) Are in Recovery

12/4/2019

Comments

 
friends-holiday-gathering

Helpful Hints on How to Have a Recovery-friendly Party This Holiday Season.


(BPT) - Let’s face it. Drinking, drug abuse and depression soar over Christmas, Chanukah and New Year’s — call it the holiday blues. As you prepare to throw your annual holiday party, the compassionate host recognizes that the holidays can be a painful time for some family members and friends. With an estimated 22 million Americans in recovery from addiction, chances are one or more of your guests may be in recovery from behavioral health issues.

Jaime Vinck, Group CEO of the Sierra Tucson Group, offers these guidelines for planning a recovery-friendly party:

  • Adopt new holiday traditions: Did your past holiday parties revolve around the vodka-infused punch bowl or a Santa-themed drinking game? Consider replacing those alcohol-focused traditions with new ones — from candle lighting rituals to improvised holiday singing.
  • Offer an alternative to wine or champagne: There’s never been more choices of sparkling waters, exotic juices, teas and other non-alcoholic beverages to delight your guests. Be sure to clearly label those beverages that do contain alcohol. Time for a toast? Be a role model and toast with sparkling water this year.
  • Know the holiday foods that have hidden alcohol: Yes, we all love eggnog and rum cake. But we also know that even a trace of alcohol can trigger cravings. If your guests promise to bring over holiday specialties that traditionally include liquor, encourage them to substitute other ingredients so everyone can enjoy their treats.
  • Facing realities with friends and family: No one wants to face something unpleasant over the holidays; but it’s better to let your loved one know how much you care if they‘re struggling with sobriety. Be open to discussing the realities of life: joy, as well as depression, anxiety, stress, loss or addiction. And be prepared to talk about treatment and recovery if your friend or loved one wishes to. Your support during this time can make a huge difference in their New Year.
  • Welcome a furry friend: Let your cat or dog enjoy the party. A few minutes of pet-friendly playtime with an animal companion can keep an anxious guest in the moment and, without alcohol, ease their stress.
  • Arriving early, leaving early: If you know that someone coming to your party is struggling with recovery from alcohol or other drugs, encourage them to arrive early — so, if they need to, they can leave early, before any late-night holiday imbibing.
  • Offer an escape plan: Encourage everyone to come to your party in their own vehicle. That way, no one feels trapped and anyone can leave immediately if they feel uncomfortable. Then, don’t make a big deal out of their slipping out of the party.
  • Take a holiday break from social media: Encourage your family and friends to take a holiday hiatus from social media. When on Facebook, Twitter, etc., we tend to compare our lives to the appearance of others — an illusion that can feed depression and encourage holiday party-goers to slip into old coping mechanisms, such as drinking or abusing drugs.
  • Helping others lifts your spirits: Serving others is a beautiful way to alleviate seasonal depression and focus your and your guests’ minds on gratitude. Explore ways to join family and friends in volunteering to feed those in need or assist at a domestic violence shelter over the holidays.

To download 70 free articles about dealing with anxiety, stress, depression, addiction and more, visit Sierra Tucson’s Resources Page: https://www.sierratucson.com/about/news-media/.

Jaime Vinck is Group Chief Executive Officer of the Sierra Tucson Group treatment center for behavioral health concerns from addiction to anxiety and depression. To learn more, call 855-407-9654 or visit: https://www.sierratucson.com/lp/holiday/.


KEYWORDS

  • additction ×
  • advice ×
  • alcholic beverages ×
  • alcohol ×
  • anxiety ×
  • anxious ×
  • BPT ×
  • Brandpoint ×
  • Brandpoint Content ×
  • cats ×
  • Christmas ×
  • depression ×
  • dogs ×
  • drink ×
  • drinking ×
  • entertain ×
  • entertaining ×
  • entertainment ×
  • family ×
  • family gatherings ×
  • friends ×
  • guest ×
  • guests ×
  • hacks ×
  • holiday ×
  • holiday party ×
  • lifehacks ×
  • news ×
  • party ×
  • recovery ×
  • sadness ×
  • social ×
  • social media ×
  • stress ×
  • stressors ×
  • tips ×
  • toast ×
  • traditions

RSS Feed

Comments

The Grill Guide: Picking the perfect wine for each meat

11/2/2019

Comments

 
man-grilling-outdoors
Up your grill game with the right wine pairing - easily!

The right wine pairing makes all the difference. The aroma and flavor of wines can highlight and enhance the taste of grilled food like no other beverage. And the good news is, it's not rocket science. Choosing wine depends mostly on what you're grilling, and how you're dressing it up, & what kind of sauce or rubs you're using. Here's a handy guide to wine pairings to take your event to the next level.


(BPT) - Grilling is one of America’s greatest pastimes, and if you love grilled meat, chances are you also like hosting meals for family and friends to show off your pit master prowess. Once you’ve mastered the art of the char, why not take it a step further? Serve wine that blows the lid off the meal, in the best possible way.

The right wine pairing makes all the difference. The aroma and flavor of wines can highlight and enhance the taste of grilled food like no other beverage. And the good news is, it’s not rocket science. Choosing wine depends mostly on what you’re grilling, and how you’re dressing it up — what kind of sauce or rubs you’re using.

Here’s a handy guide to wine pairings to take your event to the next level.

Mix it up

If you’re serving a mix of grilled foods, including pork or barbecued chicken or turkey along with burgers and steaks, you’ll want to choose a versatile wine that pairs well with a variety of different types of meat and poultry. Since many pork recipes use sweet and tangy sauces, wine with a fruitier flavor may be just the ticket, like red zinfandel or a bourbon barrel aged wine. You may even want to add a little of the wine to the sauce.

The Federalist Bourbon Barrel-aged Zinfandel embraces the uniquely American tradition of aging wine in charred bourbon barrels. The result is a fruity, spicy wine with dark cherry and cola notes, making the wine a great choice to pair with chicken or turkey marinated in barbecue sauce or grilled smoked sausages. For a stronger tannin structure and cleansing acidity that pairs exceptionally well with steak, a Lodi sourced zinfandel adds some zing to balance spicy, smoky flavors from your grill or smoker.

Lighten it up

When you’re grilling lighter fare like turkey, fish or chicken, or if you're entertaining vegetarian or vegan friends, choose a white wine to enhance and match those delicate flavors and textures. Heavier barbecued meats and stronger flavors can easily overwhelm a lighter white wine, but a crisp chardonnay pairs very well with these foods. Chardonnay pairs perfectly with veggie burgers and grilled vegetables, turkey, chicken, and several types of fattier fish such as salmon, trout, tuna or rockfish. You can even serve it with Cornish game hen if you’re feeling fancy.

Bold barbecue needs bold wine

When you’re grilling cuts of beef like brisket, tenderloin, a juicy steak or ribs and using potent spices and flavors like classic Kansas City or Memphis-style barbecue sauce, cabernet sauvignon is a great choice to balance those intense flavors.

For example, within The Federalist’s portfolio of wines celebrating America’s heritage, The Federalist Lodi Cabernet Sauvignon is a medium weight red wine with a good grip from tannins, in wine speak — and what does that mean? It means the flavor and body of the wine is strong enough to hold up to the bold, smoky and spicy flavors of your meat. You can also serve it with game like venison or roasted and smoked vegetables. This wine has an aroma of berries, tart cherries, sweet oak and cinnamon, along with a delicious flavor that will wow your meat-loving guests.

Another popular choice to serve with grilled meats like a flank steak is The Federalist Honest Red Blend, combining 53% merlot grapes with 30% zinfandel and 15% cabernet sauvignon. It marries the flavor of dark fruits with some spiciness and a rich, round mouthfeel. You can’t go wrong serving a bold red wine with grilled red meat, as the high-fat content in the meat is balanced by the strong tannins present in red wine.

Tap into these tips to help you select the right flavor balance to show off your grilling skills. Check out @FederalistWines on Instagram to learn more.


KEYWORDS

  • advice×
  • barbecue×
  • BBQ×
  • beef×
  • BPT×
  • Brandpoint×
  • Brandpoint Content×
  • brisket×
  • Cabernet Sauvignon×
  • chicken×
  • entertain×
  • entertaining×
  • entree×
  • fish×
  • flavor×
  • flavors×
  • game×
  • grill×
  • grilling×
  • hacks×
  • holiday party×
  • host×
  • hostess×
  • hosting×
  • lifehacks×
  • main dish×
  • meat×
  • Merlot×
  • pairing×
  • pairings×
  • party×
  • recipe×
  • red wine×
  • sauce×
  • sauces×
  • steak×
  • tenderloin×
  • tips×
  • turkey×
  • venison×
  • weekend×
  • white wine×
  • wild game×
  • wine×
  • wines×
  • zinfandel


RSS Feed

Comments

Stir crazy?: Tips to help guys maintain their sanity

1/31/2019

Comments

 
jackalope_wall_mounted
A Definite Conversation Starter!: The Jackalope Wall Mount from Kotula’s

The winter months are known as a leading cause of indoor stir-craziness.  Here are some outside-the-box ideas to support inside creative outlets for guys to help maintain their sanity.


(BPT) - The winter months are known as a leading cause of indoor stir-craziness. Colder temperatures, rain, sleet, snow and shortened daylight hours all mean we spend more time inside than we would like.

This poses a challenge for guys, who after months of hibernation are surely climbing the walls. Here are some outside-the-box ideas to support inside creative outlets for guys to help maintain their sanity.


B.Y.O.B. (Brew Your Own Beer)

The craft beer craze continues to grow, with nearly 1,000 new breweries opening across the country each year, according to the Brewers Association. But no need to venture out to the local taproom if you can serve the fruits of your own labor from the comforts of home. Given the right ingredients and equipment, brewing homemade beer is as simple as following a recipe. After brewing, fermenting and bottling over a couple of weeks’ time, invite the pals over to show off your own brand of beer.

Establish the indoor work station
​

Tackling the list of projects around the house requires a work station where you can get things done, though being confined indoors means that space is at a premium. The portable Keter folding work table from Northern Tool + Equipment is an efficient way to establish this home base that you can easily fold up and store when finished. Use the table for working on any number of household odd jobs or help the kids with their hands-on school projects. Better still, park the table in the garage and treat it as a hang-out place for chips and beer with the buddies.

Man-décor the den

If time must be spent inside, add some intrigue from the great outdoors to your den or man cave. Nothing sparks some good storytelling like a realistic taxidermy specimen mounted on the wall, and the Jackalope Wall Mount from Kotula’s is sure to turn heads. No two of these creatures are alike, so regale your pals with epic tales of the chase until you can all get out on the trail again.

Embrace the elements
​

You know what they say: “If you can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em.” The only surefire way to overcome stir-craziness is to get outside, no matter what the elements may present. If it’s snowing, try an hourly or full-day snowmobile rental. If your area has been hit with heavy rains, fight back by taking the truck out. Be creative and get the whole family involved so that when the day is done, all will be happy to enjoy the comforts of the indoors once again.

KEYWORDS

  • activities×
  • advice×
  • alcoholic×
  • alcoholic beverages×
  • bad weather×
  • beer×
  • beers×
  • BPT×
  • Brandpoint×
  • Brandpoint Content×
  • cold×
  • craft beer×
  • decor×
  • décor×
  • decorating×
  • entertaining×
  • entertainment×
  • furniture×
  • guys×
  • hacks×
  • hibernate×
  • hibernating×
  • homebrew×
  • homebrewing×
  • lifehacks×
  • male bonding×
  • outdoor activities×
  • outdoors×
  • relationships×
  • relaxation×
  • tips×
  • weather×
  • winter

RSS Feed

Comments

Stress-Free Holiday Entertaining Tips

11/20/2018

Comments

 

The holiday season is meant for spending quality time with friends and family, not stressing out over hosting. With some simple tips, you can cut down on hectic preparations while creating a memorable holiday full of food and fun guests can savor, like this Grazing Table recipe or a Sweet Citrus and Spice Cheese Board. 


Stress-Free Holiday Entertaining Tips

(Family Features) The holiday season is meant for spending quality time with friends and family, not stressing out over hosting. With some simple tips, you can cut down on hectic preparations while creating a memorable holiday full of food and fun guests can savor.

Consider these suggestions from the entertaining experts at Real California Milk:

Plan Ahead
Heading into your seasonal soiree with a plan in place can help avoid snafus. Make a shopping list of ingredients and decorations. Then put together a schedule a few days prior to the event to cover last-minute preparations.

Elevate Holiday Classics
Elevating classic appetizers is a simple way to savor the season. A trend on the rise, the Grazing Table starts with the table as the canvas, adds elements of the traditional cheese board then takes it to the next level with an arrangement of appetizers or brunch dishes and seasonal decor. Another way to lift your holiday spread is using high-quality, authentic ingredients like Real California Milk cheeses, made with milk from California dairy farm families, which are key ingredients in this Sweet Citrus and Spice Cheese Board.

Prepare Dishes and Decorations in Advance
Preparing for guests can be one of the most time-consuming aspects of hosting. Decorating at least a day ahead and setting the table the night before, for example, can help minimize stress. Welcome guests with holiday cheer and trendy decor like a virtual yule log made of melting cheese, complete with holiday music.

For more holiday inspiration and recipes like antipasto skewers and yogurt-pesto dip, queso fundido and cheese logs and bundts, visit realcaliforniamilk.com/recipes.

Grazing Table

  • Toma cheese, sliced
  • natural almonds
  • prosciutto
  • salami
  • Real California aged cheddar, sliced
  • Real California burrata cheese
  • olive oil
  • herbs
  • blue cheese
  • Real California braided marinated string cheese
  • dry salami, sliced
  • premade antipasto skewers
  • yogurt pesto dipping sauce
  • Real California aged Gouda
  • brie cheese
  • Real California cheese log
  • Real California cheese bundts
  • dry jack cheese
  • sweet red piquante peppers
  • green California olives
  • premade Real California queso fundido
  • breadsticks
  • tortilla chips
  • dark chocolate sea salt caramels
  • dried citrus, such as oranges and lemons
  • artisan bread, sliced
  1. On large board, plate or tray, arrange sliced toma cheese, almonds, prosciutto, salami and aged cheddar. In center, place burrata cheese and top with olive oil and herbs.
  2. On separate small plate, place blue cheese; crumble.
  3. On medium board, arrange braided string cheese and dry salami slices.
  4. On serving platter, arrange antipasto skewers around bowl of yogurt pesto dipping sauce.
  5. On separate small cheese board, place Gouda, brie cheese and cheese log.
  6. On slate, arrange cheese bundts. On separate plate, place dry jack cheese.
  7. In separate bowls, place piquante peppers and green olives.
  8. Arrange boards, plates, bowls and skillet of queso fundido on table, as desired.
  9. Fill blank spaces on table with breadsticks, tortilla chips, dark chocolate sea salt caramels, dried oranges, dried lemons and bread slices. Add floral arrangements and holiday decor for finishing touches. Complete table with cheese knives and spreaders.

Sweet Citrus and Spice Cheese Board

  • Real California brie cheese
  • black olives
  • green olives
  • dried oranges, sliced
  • Real California pepper jack cheese sliced
  • almonds
  • raspberries
  • blackberries
  • Real California burrata cheese
  • honey, for garnish
  • fresh herbs, for garnish
  1. To assemble cheese board: On large board, plate or tray, arrange brie cheese, olives, dried orange slices, sliced pepper jack cheese and almonds.
  2. On smaller board, arrange raspberries and blackberries around burrata cheese placed in center of board. Garnish cheese with honey and fresh herbs. Place smaller board into empty space on larger board.
SOURCE:
Real California Milk

KEYWORDS

  • advice ×
  • Christmas ×
  • entertaining ×
  • family ×
  • Family Features ×
  • family gatherings ×
  • friends ×
  • hacks ×
  • holiday ×
  • holiday party ×
  • holidays ×
  • holiday season ×
  • host ×
  • hostess ×
  • hosting ×
  • lifehacks ×
  • New Years ×
  • party ×
  • relaxation ×
  • stress ×
  • Thanksgiving ×
  • tips
Comments

5 Hacks for Holiday Hosting

9/5/2018

Comments

 
meat_and-cheese-appetizer-plate
5 Hacks for Holiday Hosting

It may feel impossible to fit even more into already jam-packed days, but when the holidays roll around, entertaining and celebrating always find a way. This year, rely on some time-saving hacks so you’re not just throwing the holiday party, but enjoying some seasonal fun of your own.


5 Hacks for Holiday Hosting

(Family Features) It may feel impossible to fit even more into already jam-packed days, but when the holidays roll around, entertaining and celebrating always find a way. Fortunately, you can find some shortcuts when hosting that offer plenty of festive style while also helping you avoid stressing over every detail.

This year, rely on some time-saving hacks so you’re not just throwing the holiday party, but enjoying some seasonal fun of your own.

Repurpose with purpose. There’s no need to make time for a trip to the store or to spend a bundle on party supplies. A pretty, oversized flowerpot or planter that has been cast aside for winter makes a perfect tub for icing down beverages. When it comes to decor, you can cover any old box with some of last year’s leftover holiday paper to add some colorful touches around the home. A similar idea: wrap canvas art or other frames in pretty paper to extend the theme up the walls.

Make easy attractive. Most holiday celebrations center on the food, but it’s still an area where you can shave some time. For example, a simple but attractive option like the wide selection of Chinet Classic White products is designed for practical use. They do not bend, fold or leak, and are strong enough for extra helpings no matter the occasion.

For a more elegant affair, the Chinet Cut Crystal collection is the only fully coordinated line of disposable plates, cups, cutlery and wineglasses. Guests will barely realize they’re not using the good china, but you’ll definitely notice when you’re able to skip time at the sink to spend more precious moments with your loved ones.

Fill the freezer. Whether your holiday entertaining is more impromptu in nature or you host a single sizable shindig, keeping a well-stocked freezer can help make hosting a cinch. Dedicate an afternoon to preparing items you can easily defrost and serve later, like casseroles, appetizers, side dishes and desserts.

Forgo fussy food. An elegant sit-down meal isn’t the only way to enjoy a holiday gathering. Guests may even appreciate a break from traditional heavier fare. Simple food stations, finger foods and even store-bought meals are all time-saving alternatives. Another time-saving option: dressing up store-bought food as part of a larger spread. For example, you can top side dishes like mashed potatoes with olive oil or butter and sprinkle with cheese or embellish a main course such as ham with rosemary sprigs and fresh fruit.

Keep cleanup simple. For a festive, yet deceptively easy table, consider using kraft paper as tablecloths and let some of that leftover wrapping paper do double-duty as table runners. Simply cut the wrapping paper to your desired length and fold the edges under to create clean seams. Match the DIY table coverings with a coordinated line of disposable tableware to make cleaning up a cinch.

Explore more hacks to simplify your holiday entertaining at MyChinet.com.

SOURCE:
Chinet

KEYWORDS

  • advice×
  • appetizers×
  • Christmas×
  • cleanup×
  • decor×
  • decorating×
  • dishes×
  • entertaining×
  • family×
  • Family Features×
  • family gatherings×
  • hacks×
  • Halloween×
  • holiday×
  • holiday party×
  • holidays×
  • holiday season×
  • home×
  • host×
  • hostess×
  • hosting×
  • lifehacks×
  • parties×
  • party×
  • preparation×
  • serving×
  • table×
  • tableware×
  • Thanksgiving×
  • tips

Comments
<<Previous



    Archives

    January 2021
    August 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    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
    Additction
    Advice
    Africa
    African
    Agg Dish
    Alcholic Beverages
    Alcohol
    Alcoholic
    Alcoholic Beverages
    Ancestry
    Anxiety
    Anxious
    Appetizer Recipe
    Appetizers
    Apps
    Audio
    Autumn
    Baby Shower
    Backyard
    Bad Weather
    Barbecue
    BBQ
    Beach
    Beach Wedding
    Beef
    Beer
    Beers
    Beverages
    Big Screen
    Blush
    Bonfire
    BPT
    Brandpoint
    Brandpoint Content
    Breakfast
    Breast Cancer
    Bridal
    Bride
    Brides
    Bridesmaids
    Brisket
    Brunch
    Budget
    Cabernet Sauvignon
    Cake
    Cats
    Cause
    Celebration
    Centerpiece
    Centerpieces
    Ceremonies
    Chairs
    Chicken
    Children
    Chile
    Chili
    Chips
    Choices
    Christmas
    Clean
    Cleaning
    Cleanup
    Cocktails
    Cold
    Cold Drinks
    College Football
    Color
    Colors
    Comfort
    Condiments
    Cooking
    COVID
    COVID19
    Craft Beer
    Creativity
    Crystal
    Cupcakes
    Decor
    Décor
    Decorating
    Depression
    Dessert
    Dessert Recipes
    Desserts
    Diet
    Dining
    Dips
    Dishes
    Dogs
    Drink
    Drinking
    Drink Recipes
    Drinks
    Easter
    Easy Recipes
    Eating
    Eggs
    Elements
    Engagement
    Entertain
    Entertaining
    Entertainment
    Entree
    Ethnic Cuisine
    Ethnic Foods
    Ethnic Recipe
    Event Planning
    Expert
    Fall
    Family
    Family Features
    Family Gatherings
    Female
    Finger Foods
    Fire
    Fish
    Flavor
    Flavors
    Flowers
    Food
    Football
    Friends
    Fruit
    Furniture
    Game
    Gameday
    Game Day
    Games
    Gaming
    Garden
    Gathering
    Gifting
    Gifts
    Glassware
    Gourmet
    Gradening
    Graduation
    Grill
    Grilling
    Grocery Store
    Groom
    Grooms
    Guest
    Guests
    Guys
    Hacks
    Halloween
    Ham
    Health
    Healthy Eating
    Healthy Living
    Heat
    Hibernate
    Hibernating
    Holiday
    Holiday Party
    Holidays
    Holiday Season
    Home
    Homebrew
    Homebrewing
    Home Improvement
    Host
    Hostess
    Hosting
    Imports
    Ingredients
    Insects
    Invitations
    Italian
    Kids
    Kitchen
    Leftovers
    Lifehacks
    Light
    Lighting
    Lights
    Lime
    Main Course
    Main Dish
    Male Bonding
    Marriage
    Meal Prep
    Meals
    Meat
    Medium
    Menu
    Menu Planning
    Merlot
    Mexican Food
    Mojito
    Money
    Mood
    Morning
    Motif
    Movie
    Movies
    Music
    News
    New Years
    NFL
    Orange
    Organization
    Outdoor Activities
    Outdoor Dining
    Outdoor Furniture
    Outdoors
    Outdoor Wedding
    Paint
    Painting
    Pairing
    Pairings
    Parties
    Party
    Patio
    Picnic
    Planning
    Playlist
    Pork
    Pork Recipes
    Prep
    Preparation
    Presents
    Prevention
    Pro Football
    Project
    Projection
    Projector
    Prosecco
    Reception
    Recipe
    Recipes
    Recovery
    Red Wine
    Refreshment
    Refreshments
    Registry
    Relationships
    Relaxation
    Rentals
    Ribs
    Rice
    Rose
    Sadness
    Safety
    Salads
    Sauce
    Sauces
    Savings
    Screen
    Season
    Seasonal
    Seating
    Serving
    Shopping
    Shopping List
    Shrimp
    Sliders
    Smarthome
    Snacking
    Snacks
    Snack Table
    Social
    Social Media
    Software
    Sommelier
    Sound
    Spice
    Spicy
    Sports
    Stadium
    Stadium Seating
    Steak
    Stress
    Stressors
    Summer
    Super Bowl
    Tabasco
    Table
    Tableware
    Tailgate
    Tailgating
    Tech
    Technology
    Television
    Tenderloin
    Thanksgiving
    Tips
    Toast
    Traditions
    Turkey
    TV
    Vacation
    Vegetarian
    Venison
    View
    Viewing
    Watch Party
    Weather
    Website
    Wedding
    Wedding Dress
    Wedding Guests
    Wedding Magazines
    Wedding Planners
    Wedding Planning
    Wedding Registery
    Weddings
    Weekend
    Wellness
    White Wine
    Wild Game
    Wine
    Wines
    Wings
    Winter
    Women
    Wrapping
    Xmas
    Zinfandel






    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
  • ads.txt