Ring It In
December 30, 2024
No matter how you plan on ringing in the New Year, there is always a place for a little something bubbly. Added to a simple menu of ” befores and afters”* and you have the makings of a great celebration, large group or small. Cheers to all of you that have checked in here this year. I am very grateful. Happy New Year!
Ya need glasses and these modern cylinder flutes are perfect.
Photo: CB2
You can’t go wrong with a classic Champagne Cocktail.
Someone is always asking if there will be Greek Meatballs, so yes, there will be.
Same goes for these Bacon Wrapped Stuffed Dates.
Someone might be in the mood for a French 75. Photo: Epicurious
My personal Champagne accompaniment for as long as I can remember, classic Gougere.
As pretty as this is, as long as there’s Champagne it’s hard not to include a Bitter French. Photo: Epicurious
Made in advance and so easy to plate up, a Peppermint Semifreddo caps things off with the perfect sweet note.
*any combination of appetizers and desserts served instead of a traditional meal when entertaining. Unless noted, photos: gp
It’s A Date
December 29, 2019
It’s no secret that I prefer an assortment of “befores and afters” when gathering for the holidays, particularly New Years. Who couldn’t be satisfied with an assortment of appetizers, a glass of something sparkling with a finish of a little something sweet? That said, it’s not ever a bad idea to switch things up and add a something new to your usual mix. I first got hooked on stuffed dates at a favorite restaurant last winter but put off making them at home figuring they were too time consuming. Once I realized they were easily made ahead of time and rewarmed prior to serving, well that changed things. While there is a bit involved in prep, there are only a few ingredients…three actually…plus two pantry items for the glaze…pitted dates, blue cheese and bacon plus a little apple cider vinegar and maple syrup. Stuff pitted dates with a bit of your favorite blue cheese. Cook thin bacon that has been cut in half lengthwise until nearly crisp. While the bacon is still warm wrap each date with a slice and secure if necessary with a soaked wooden pick. Place wrapped dates on a foil lined baking sheet and brush with a glaze made of equal parts maple syrup and apple cider vinegar. Heat in a 400 degree oven brushing with additional glaze until warmed through. That’s it…done. Fair warning, these will go fast so plan accordingly.
While you’ve got the oven on you might take a few extra minutes to knock out a batch of gougere and check your supply of gougere’s best buddy…Champagne. The recipe can be found here. https://simplequietmodern.com/2012/12/18/gougere-i-think-its-french-for/
photos: gp
Hippity hoppity…
March 23, 2013
Easter’s on its way. Now’s the time to gather some sweet treats while the store shelves are packed with your childhood favorites…malted milk eggs ( the original sweet & salty), jelly beans and ( they better only be yellow and shaped like chicks) Peeps… and start getting your list together for Easter brunch, lunch or dinner. Simple glass cylinder bowls filled with sprouted wheat grass will make modern and cost-effective centerpieces with the addition of cracked egg shells and a few pastel jelly beans and a leather handled galvanized bucket would be the perfect Easter Basket if not otherwise put to use keeping wine chilled. Shake up your usual deviled egg recipe with a touch of cornichon or capers and consider a simple dessert of spring berries and Italian Almond Cookies. That was easy. You have a look, the ” befores and afters”…all you need to do now is decide on the main course. 
Leather handled galvanized bucket byCasamidy@ CASAMIDY.COM photo of bucket by casamidy.
simplequietmodern 