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
Here’s your punchlist
December 19, 2024
for celebrating the Winter Solstice which arrives this coming Saturday. And, what’s not to celebrate? Additional minutes of daylight each day until Spring? Yes, please.
Photo: Gardenista
Photo: Graypants
photo: Epicurious
Top to bottom:
As with any celebration a little something sparkling is a must, be it Champagne, Prosecco or sparkling water.
Then you need to deck the halls in true ancient form with a lovely collection of evergreens. My choice this year is white pine and yellow twig Dogwood.
Next, carry on tradition by building a roaring fire; outdoors, indoors or both!
White flowers to remind us of Spring is a must. I generally go for something of the bulb variety like white tulips but cut white Poinsettias or Helebores will do nicely and carry through to Christmas.
A simple supper of Spaghetti with Mixed Herbs reminds us of the season to come.
Additional ambient lighting is always appealing, from flickering candlelight to this modern LED candlestick, Wick.
This Brown Sugar Pavlova with its mixed berries brings the celebration to a sweet end.
Unless noted, photos by gp
Stayin’ In
February 6, 2017
Why fight the mid-week Valentine dinner crowds when there’s a perfect opportunity this weekend to stay in and cook up an amazing Valentines meal yourself? Sweet and Savory Short Ribs have a total of three ingredients with white rice and a side of sugar snap peas rounding things out. A simple prep and a long slow braise allow plenty of time to relax with a movie while dinner is cooking.
The short ribs are braised in prune juice and teriyaki sauce served over white rice and topped with thinly sliced green onion. Sugar snap peas with a little toasted sesame oil are the perfect side. Simple enough. The Short ribs recipe can be found here: http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/three-ingredient-sweet-and-savory-short-ribs
All you could ask for…
December 10, 2016
in a holiday cookie. Gently spiced with deep rich molasses flavor. A crispy edge with a chewy middle. And, best yet…simple. Fifteen minute prep and less than one half hour to bake them off, my adaptation of a Chewy Molasses Cookie from Epicurious.
photos:gp
Already?
August 26, 2016
Yep, it’s hard to believe, but Jaxon is turning four. And, If you thought I might finally get a picture to commemorate the occasion, think again. It’s like trying to ask a tornado to sit still and look at the camera. While he knows exactly what he’s doing…he thinks it’s pretty funny putting me through the motions. And, it is. Good picture or not, there will definitely be treats. Biscuits for him and Brown Sugar Pavlova for everyone else. Baby Hambone Jaxon 3000…Happy Birthday to you.
Photo and recipe:http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/three-layer-berry-and-brown-sugar-pavlova-354211 I’ve made a couple of adjustments to this recipe to simplify things. As abundant as berries have been I used a combination of them all; raspberries, blueberries, strawberries and blackberries. When making the meringue layers you might find it easier to pipe or spread them directly onto parchment and simply peel the parchment from the bottoms when they’re cooled rather than using the suggested pan technique. It’s a bit difficult getting those layers out of the pan, even with the parchment. The end result will be much more attractive. You may want to keep this as a “go to” celebration cake, it’s that good.
For your four legged family members, why not knock out a batch of these Buddy Biscuits? There have been no complaints here either…ever. https://simplequietmodern.com/2012/01/30/ruff-ruff/
Photos of Jax ( such as they are ) : gp
Serving It Up
November 8, 2015
Turkey, Vegducken or pie….they have to go somewhere. Picture presenting your Thanksgiving feast here, on this Paul McCobb walnut and brass credenza. Designed as part of his Irwin Collection for the Calvin Group in the mid 50’s, this stunner was born to be put into holiday service now through the first of the year providing a simplequietmodern stage for everything from a full buffet, coffee and dessert or stirring up a few Manhattans. 
photo: Plastolux
Whip It, Fold It, Freeze it
May 24, 2015
Really, it’s that simple. If you can whip cream you can make meringue. And, if you can fold them both together with some sugar and ground pistachios you are only a freeze away from something amazing…Pistachio Semifreddo, an Italian frozen dessert that is like homemade ice cream only better because there is no ice cream maker needed. A quick round-up of your ingredients and 20 minutes this afternoon will have you serving this up at tomorrows barbecue. So, get crackin’ and hand me a spoon…I’m goin in.
Who’s been keepin’ this 2007 Gourmet recipe, found here at Epicurious, a secret? I scattered an additional handful of whole shelled pistachios over the top for a little extra crunch and texture. Other than that there was no reason to gild the lily. photos:gp
http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/pistachio-semifreddo-236953
simplequietmodern 