Browsing all posts in April, 2010.
Make this Mother’s Day Super Special with these Mother’s Day Brunch Ideas
Rasberry Orange Sunrise from Cooking Light (Randy Mayor; Mary Catherine Muir)
Did you know? On May 12, 1907, two years after her mother’s death, Anna Marie Jarvis started a campaign to make “Mother’s Day” a recognized holiday. In 1914, Mother’s Day was officially recognized.
Mother’s Day is right around the corner, and this year it falls on Sunday May 9th. That’s just a few short weeks away. Here are some Mother’s Day Brunch ideas to help make Mother’s Day super special!
EAT IN – Instead of battling long wait times, why don’t you make a super special brunch for mom? She works so hard all year long making you home cooked meals, turn on the table on her and make her a home cooked meal. And yes, you have to do the dishes too!
For the health nut mom try these brunch ideas from Cooking Light:
Ingredients
• 4 cups fresh orange juice (about 8 oranges)
• 1 cup frozen unsweetened raspberries
• 1 1/2 cups semisweet sparkling wine
• 3 orange slices, halved (optional)
Preparation
Place orange juice and raspberries in a blender; process until smooth. Pour juice mixture into a pitcher; stir in wine. Serve over ice. Garnish with orange slices, if desired.
Ingredients
• 2 cups shredded peeled McIntosh apple (about 3/4 pound)
• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup quick-cooking oats
• 2/3 cup packed brown sugar
• 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/4 cup fat-free milk
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 (8-ounce) carton plain low-fat yogurt
• 1 large egg
• Cooking spray
Preparation
Preheat oven to 400°.
Place apple on paper towels; squeeze until barely moist. Lightly spoon flour into dry measuring cups; level with a knife. Combine the flour and next 6 ingredients (flour through cinnamon) in a medium bowl; stir with a whisk. Make a well in center of mixture. Combine milk, oil, vanilla, yogurt, and egg; stir well with a whisk. Add to flour mixture, stirring just until moist. Stir in apple.
Spoon batter into 12 muffin cups coated with cooking spray. Bake at 400° for 20 minutes or until muffins spring back when touched lightly in center. Remove muffins from pans immediately; place on a wire rack.
The traditional mom, will love these Mother’s Day Brunch ideas from Breakfast -and -Brunch- Recipes:
Bellini Cocktail
Ingredient List:
• 1 part chilled peach nectar or white peach puree
• 1 part peach schnapps
• 4 parts Italian dry Sparkling wine or dry Champagne
How to make a Bellini:
Chill all ingredients ahead of time.
When ready to serve, pour the peach nectar and peach schnapps into the bottom of each fluted champagne glass. Fill each glass with sparkling wine or dry champagne and serve to your guests.
Breakfast Pizza
Prep Time: 30 minutes
Baking Time: 20-25 minutes
Ingredient List:
• 2 cans (4 ounces each) refrigerated crescent rolls
• 1/2 pound bulk ground pork sausage or 8 pork sausage links, sliced
• 1 cup frozen Southern style diced potatoes, thawed
• 1/4 cup diced red bell pepper
• 1/4 cup diced green bell pepper
• 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
• 2 large eggs
• 2 tablespoons whole milk
• 1/8 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 2 tablespoons shredded Parmesan cheese
Kitchen Supplies:
• 12″ pizza pan with non-stick coating
• Small Frying pan or Skillet
• Small glass bowl
Instructions:
Step 1: Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
Step 2: Open both packages of crescent rolls and place on an ungreased 12″ round pizza pan. Work the dough by pressing it together on the bottom of the pan. Build up the outer edge slightly, so your filling will stay in place and make sure to seal any perforations on the bottom of the pan.
Step 3: In a small frying pan or skillet, using medium heat, cook the sausage until done. Drain any excess fat. Cool slightly.
Step 4: Seed and chop the red and green peppers and set aside.
Step 5: Layer crust in this order: cooked sausage, potatoes, peppers, and cheese.
Step 6: Whisk the eggs, milk, and pepper together in a small bowl and pour over the pizza. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese.
Step 7: Bake for 20-25 minutes at 375 degrees. Look for the eggs to be completely set up and the crust to be golden brown.
Yield: Served 4 if this is used as a main breakfast course or 8 to 12 persons if this is part of a brunch menu.
For the gourmet mom, try these Mother’s Day Brunch ideas from Woman’s Day:
INGREDIENTS
• 1 1/2 cups pomegranate juice
• 1 cup white cranberry juice
• 1 cup pear nectar
• 1 bottle (750ml) Prosecco (Italian sparkling white wine)
• 1/2 cup cherry brandy
• 1/2 cup whole fresh cranberries
• Ice cubes
PREPARATION
1. Combine juices and nectar in punch bowl; chill until ready to serve.
To serve: Stir Prosecco and brandy into mixture. Add cranberries and ice.
INGREDIENTS
• 1 Tbsp plus 2 tsp olive oil
• 1 small eggplant (8 oz), halved, sliced (3 cups)
• 3?4 cup chopped onion
• 2 small zucchini (8 oz), sliced (2 cups)
• 1?4 cup sliced sun-dried tomatoes
• 1?4 tsp each salt and pepper
• 1 tube (16 to 18 oz) ready- to-heat polenta, cut into 8 slices
• 1 large plum tomato, cut into 8 slices
• 1?2 cup shredded part-skim mozzarella
• 1 cup marinara sauce, heated in microwave
• Garnish: chopped fresh basil
PREPARATION
1. Heat 1 of the oil in a large, deep nonstick skillet. Add eggplant and onion. Cover and cook over medium-high heat 4 minutes, stirring a few times until slightly softened.
2. 1 tsp of the remaining oil, the zucchini, sun-dried tomatoes, salt and pepper. Cover and cook 6 to 7 minutes, stirring often, untilvegetables are tender. Remove to bowl; wipe or rinse skillet.
3. Heat remaining 1 tsp oil in skillet. polenta; cook 2 minutes over medium-high heat until bottoms are golden.
4. Off heat, turn polenta and spoon the vegetable mixture onto polenta (it’s OK if some falls onto the skillet). Top each with 1 slice of tomato and sprinkle with cheese.
5. Place skillet over low heat; cover and cook for two minutes, until cheese melts with basil and serve with sauce.
Chocolate Strawberry Tart from Woman's Day (Jacqueline Hopkins)
INGREDIENTS
CRUST
• 33 Social Tea Biscuits
• 1 cup pecans, toasted
• 2 Tbsp sugar
• 1 white from 1 large egg
FILLING
• 1 cup heavy (whipping) cream
• 3 Tbsp cold unsalted butter
• 11?2 cups (9 oz) semisweet chocolate chips
• 1 large container (16 oz) plus 1 pt (12 oz) strawberries, rinsed, patted dry, cap ends cut straight across; put cut sides down on paper towels.
PREPARATION
1. Heat oven to 350°F. Coat a 9-in. fluted tart pan with removable sides with nonstick spray.
2. Crust: Break cookies into food processor. Add nuts and sugar; pulse until fine crumbs form. Add egg white; pulse just to blend. Press evenly over bottom and up sides of tart pan. Freeze 10 minutes, or until firm. Cover crust with foil.
3. Bake 20 minutes; remove foil. Bake 5 minutes more, or until lightly browned. Cool completely in pan on a wire rack.
4. Meanwhile, make Filling: Heat cream and butter over medium heat until butter melts. Remove from heat, add chocolate chips and let stand 2 minutes to melt. Whisk until blended and smooth. Let stand at room temperature about 1 hour until cool but still pourable. Pour into crust. Place strawberries cut sides down on filling. Refrigerate at least 2 hours for filling to set.
5. To serve: Put tart pan on a small, sturdy bowl; let sides fall down. Gently slide tart off pan bottom onto a serving plate.
Planning Tip: Can be made up to 1 day ahead. Refrigerate loosely covered.
With these, fantastic recipes you can eat in and treat your mom like a queen.
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Let Them Eat Cake: Top Cake Trends
Okay before we totally disparage Marie Antoinette, let’s get her quote right. She said,”If they have no bread, let them eat cake!” Not sure if it completely clears her name, but that’s what she really said.
The centerpiece of any wedding or birthday party is the cake. Who just doesn’t love cake? Here are some of the top cake trends:
Tall Cakes
Tall Cakes — the two to three layer cakes are out, out, out and in, in, in is the five to seven layers.
Fresh Fruit Cake
Fresh Fruit Cakes – cakes that raid the Farmer’s Market , that are topped with strawberries, peaches, blue berries…insert FRUIT here.
Color Me Pretty Cakes
Color Me Pretty Cakes — black and white cakes, blue cakes to be the something blue for your wedding, cakes that match the brides maid’s dresses, greens, oranges, cakes can add that POP of color at your wedding.
Fondant Cakes
Bye Bye Butter Cream, Hello Fondant — it can be molded into shapes and gives cakes that smooth all over look.
Monogram Cake
Signature Cakes — yep, you can include your monogram on your cake. How fun is that?
When your guests eat cake, make sure it is super elegant.
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Tips to Dazzle Your Guests with Your Reception Decor
Dazzle your guests when you personalize your special day with fun and whimsical reception decor, reception accessories, and centerpieces. The perfect wedding is in the details.
Here are some easy tips to add that extra special “touch” to your wedding:
- Think outside the box — yes, flowers and candles are lovely accents to any wedding, but how about going that extra mile and use Wedding Sparklers or Willow Tree Lights Tips Branches?
Think like a wedding planner — use your creativity, have fun, look to not only wedding mags for inspiration, but design and fashion mags too. You can also go for fun details like Custom Vinyl Wall Monograms or Personalized Wedding Ceremony & Reception Signs. - Think Drama & Sparkle – make your wedding sparkle with Swarovski Crystals or Dazzle Swarovski Monogram Cake Topper.
Looking for mor reception accessories? Then check out:
For more unique and beautiful reception decorations, visit Moments of Elegance Reception Decor Catalogue.
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Pick the Perfect Gift: Great Gift Ideas
Picking out the perfect gift can be a tricky one. Can’t it? Here are some tips from Moments of Elegance to help you pick the perfect gift.
- Set a budget — this well help you narrow down your options.
- Think first, buy second — think about the person you are buying for… what are their interests?
- Shop interests — sports, food, travel, reading…everyone has a passion for something.
- Don’t get too creative — unless of course, you really, really know the person you are buying for.
- Get a gift receipt — even though you spent the time and energy picking out the perfect gift, you just never know and this gives the recipient the option to return your gift.
For gift idea, please visit Moments of Elegance Gift Ideas. Here are just a few of our favorites:
For the Beach Bunny:
Personalized Flip Flops ( $22) — fashioned with a grosgrain foot strap and foam rubber heel for comfort, they come in black or white and four different sizes.
For the Diamonds are My Best Friend Girl:
“The Cosmopolitan” Monogrammed Jewelry Pouch ($7.95) – “The Cosmopolitan” jewelry pouch is chic and elegant and the satin monogrammed button makes this a very special gift. The elegant pouch is extremely functional with 8 pockets to hold earrings, bracelets, charms, necklaces, and rings. The bottom of the jewelry pouch is padded for extra protection.
For the Sentimental Girl:
Bow-Tied Photo Book ($24) — This ivory leatherette photo album is a contemporary way to hold snapshots. Brag book holds twenty-four 4″ x 6″ photographs and features a 2″ x 2″ opening on the front cover.
For the “Wine” Guy:
Personalized Wine Kit Box ($30.99) – A perfect gift for your wine lover. Engraved wood box contains a connoisseur’s choice – bottle opener and bottle stopper perfect for home or a picnic. Each stainless steel wine opener and bottle stopper set comes in a wood composite box.
For the GQ Guy:
Oval Polished Cufflinks ($28.90) — For the man who likes to shine, these high-sheen oval pillow
cufflinks will catch the light as he enters any room. Perfect for any formal or business occasion.
For the Jock Guy:
Deluxe Sports Duffle Bag($39.99) — Get out and play with our ultra versatile, Deluxe Sports Duffle Bag. Everything from trips to the gym after work to a weekend getaway with friends, this multipurpose duffle has all the features you’ll need to stay organized and together.
For more great gift ideas, please check out Moments of Elegance Gift Ideas.
Girly Beer
What do Chamomile, Heather, Chrysanthemums all have in common? They are all edible flowers and micro/craft brewers are now making beer with them. The ultimate girly beer, made with flowers!
The May issue of Food Network Magazine featured these three floral infused beers:
Cuvee des Fleurs beer from Southampton Brewery ( $12) is a tart beer featuring chamomile, rose hips, marigold and lavender.
Fraoch Ale from William’s Brothers Brewing Company ($16) is a spicy beer featuring heather.
Chateau Jiahu from Dogfish Head Brewery ($12) is a sweet beer featuring mum buds and wildflower honey. 
Many of these brews are super speciality brews and as such are brewed in limited supplies. So if you are interested tasty these fragrant beers you may want to act now.
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Garden Wedding Favors
Breathe in. That grassy, breezy, flowery smell is spring. Spring is in the air. And what’s the perfect complement for a spring and summer wedding? Garden wedding favors of course!!!
Here are just a few of our favorite Garden Wedding and Shower Favors:
Daisy Seed Favors( as low as $2.50) — Perfect for garden-themed weddings and showers. Our daisy seed favors come with a generous amount of Shasta daisy seeds, ready for planting. They come packaged in an elegant glassine square envelope. The envelopes are accented by yellow satin ribbon, a small paper daisy flower, and a perfectly matched daisy favor sticker that reads “Daisy Seed Mix. Scatter in Your Garden and Enjoy”. Each envelope measures 4”x4”.
(NEW ITEM)”Love Birds in the Window” Ceramic Salt & Pepper Shakers (as low as $2.50) —
With your hearts flying high, you want to everyone to know how you feel about each other! Say it simply and sweetly on your wedding day with “Love Birds in the Window” Salt & Pepper Shakers. Just as these two spices enhance the flavor of your favorite fare, this whimsical wedding favor spices up your reception tables and dazzles your guests with exceptional taste.
“Cherry Blossom Elegance” Mini Pillar Candle ( as low as $1.70) — A sweet and lovely sign of spring masterfully painted on a simple, square, white candle brings elegance and promise to any event. The “Cherry Blossom” Candle, beautifully adorned with the Asian symbol of love, affection and good fortune.
Love Songs Birdcage Tea Light and Place Card Holder (as low as $3.60) — Reminiscent of an enchanting Victorian birdcage, the “Love Songs” Birdcage Tea Light/Place Card Holder brings classic elegance to any event. This fabulous favor is superbly crafted from wire, just like the beautiful homes of songbirds in a bygone era.
To see the complete Moment of Elegance Garden Favor Collection, click on the link.
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Get Bitters…
Blood Orange Bitters by Stirrings
…Cocktail bitters! Want to spice up your cocktails? Then reach for exotic bitters they are sure to add a little extra kick to your cocktails. What are bitters exactly? Great question! They are cocktail flavorings made from roots, bark and herbs. Most mixologists, that’s bartender for the lay person, are using them in uber trendy bars, but now they are available for the at home mixologist.
These bitters are now featured in the Food Network Magazine’s May 2010 issue.
Stirrings ($5 for 12 ounces) – It is alcohol free and can be used to spice up seltzers. Check out their website for loads of cocktail recipes and ideas.
Urban Moonshine
Urban Moonshine ($11 for 2 ounces) – Maple-flavor bitters fresh from Vermont. Their site also features healthy tonics too!
The Bitter Truth
The Bitter Truth ($18 for 5 ounces) – These bitters hale from Germany and come in flavors likecelery and chocolate mole.
Here are some cocktail recipes you can make at home with your bitters.
Blood Orange Champagne Cocktail from Stirrings
Create a celebration in contradictions: a bittersweet combination of Champagne and Blood Orange Bitters.
1/2 part Stirrings Blood Orange Bitters
5 parts Champagne or sparkling wine
1 sugar cube
Garnish: lemon twist
In a Champagne flute, soak a sugar cube in Blood Orange Bitters, then fill flute with chilled Champagne. Garnish with a lemon twist.
Toronto Tower from The Bitter Truth
Inspired by the sky-high towers of downtown Toronto, this long refreshing cocktail blends Grey Goose vodka with fresh lime, complemented perfectly with a garnish of mint and lemongrass. Created for and served at the 2009 Toronto Film Festival.
Ingredients:
- 50ml Grey Goose vodka
- 25ml freshly squeezed lime juice
- 20ml sugar cane syrup
- 3 dashes The Bitter Truth Celery Bitters
- Top with sparkling water
Build cocktail in a highball glass and stir. Garnish with lemongrass and a sprig of fresh mint
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Wedding Complaints — What your guests won’t tell you
Jayne Williams Wedding Cake Tops Figurines
Everybody knows that the wedding is the bride’s special day. It is and we would never argue that point. Ever. But it is also about the friends and family that you have asked to share in your special day. We all have those wedding nightmare stories — cash bar, not enough food, or bad music. The last thing you’d want is your guests to have a bad time at YOUR wedding. Right?
1) Cash bar — nope your guests aren’t coming to your wedding to get hammered. (Okay, maybe your drunk uncle Fred). At the same time asking your guests to pay for drinks its just not done. To save money on drinks you can go with beer, wine and a signature drink. If you do go the cash bar route, be sure to let your guests know, so they can bring cash.
2) Not enough food — it does happen, it can happen, but don’t let this happen at your wedding. A good catering manager should always build in “extra” plates just in case. So make sure that you discuss this with yours.
3) Bad music –you may think it is a great idea to save some money by hiring your co-workers cousin who wants to Dee Jay on the weekend. But honestly you know what can clear a dance floor faster and send your guests running for the door? A bad Dee Jay or band. You want your guests to kick up their heels and have fun.
Check out Shine from YAHOO! for The 7 Biggest Fattest Wedding Complaints. Do you have any wedding complaints? Pet Peeves? Or wedding horror stories? You do? Great! Post a comment below.
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Moments of Elegance Hot Picks
Right now the hot, hot, hot picks at Moments of Elegance are luminaries!!! These luminaries come with numbers on them to be used as place-cards. And you can personalize them with your monogram too!
Luminary Place-Card Votive (as low as $3.95) — What a beautiful way to light up your reception tables and also illuminate your guests names helping them find their seats. These votive candle name cards are all personalized; each one will have your guest’s name highlighted by a soft tea-light flame.
According to Moments of Elegance customer Irene, “I fell head over heals when I saw these, they are absolutely exquisite, I am having a black tie 50th birthday affair and as I was looking for place-card holders, I came across these, as soon as I receive my response guest list, I will submit my order. The luminary place-card votive will be a hit, my guests will feel special!”
These place-card voltives will be sure to “light up” your wedding, birthday party or event!