D.M.R. Fine Foods: Search results for entertaining

Saturday, July 16, 2011

Summer Party Essentials

There's nothing quite like the Summer season to wake-up the host or hostess in us all. The warmer weather beckons for casual gatherings al fresco, where delicious bites and cool, refreshing sips are par for the course.

And let's not forget about that other all important staple for entertaining: ambiance. With the proper lighting, table settings, music and what-nots, you'll be all set to host an affair to remember and make memories that will endure long after the party has ended.

To help kick-off your soiree in style, we're sharing some favorite tips and resources on Summer Entertaining from Epicurious. And once you've soaked up all the inspiration, entertaining will never look the same again.

So here's to all the delicious, beautiful, and fun delights that Summer brings--and to Happy Entertaining!

{Image Source}

New Year's Entertaining: The Essentials

When planning your next big celebration (hint: New Year's), incorporate these essentials for an affair to remember!

1. The Perfect Bite: Delicious, elegant and easy bites, like Williams-Sonoma's Smoked Salmon Trio, will keep you and your guests satiated without the fuss of a formal meal.

2. A Signature Drink: Select a signature drink for your event, like this Lemon-Orange Fizz Mocktail, to keep the festive air high and the "bar" duty minimal.

3. Gorgeous Flatware: Add a splash of unexpected flair that's sure to keep the conversation flowing, like gorgeous glassware or flatware. Feature here: Anthropologie's Bronze Age Flatware.

4. Plates en Masse: Having enough dinnerware to go around means never having to leave guests for mid-party kitchen duty. Pottery Barn's Caterer's 12-Piece Dinnerware Set is the perfect stash for intimate affairs.

5. Ambiance: Nothing says--or creates--ambiance like the perfect lighting. Use candlelight to enhance your setting and create the perfect mood and decor with these beautiful small hurricanes from Crate & Barrel.

6. More Ambiance: Just when you thought you had the perfect atmosphere in place, you must remember to seal the deal with a beautiful fragrance, such as Henri Bendel's Fragrance Reeds in (my favorite) Fig.

Happy New Year--& Happy Entertaining!

#DearSummer: Seasonal Food, Travel, Entertaining & More!

We've been taking in Summer with loads of inspiration--and before we say farewell to the season, I invite you to join in on the fun!

From scrumptious recipes, to travel scenes, style, entertaining and more, we love taking in all that this time of year has to offer, and we're not done yet!

I hope your Summer is going great and that our inspiration will only make it better. See our featured highlights here and may your remaining days of Summer be filled with...

Happy Eating and Living!

{Be Inspired}: Dreamy Tablescapes

I love being inspired and typically my inspiration comes in many shapes and forms. But the one thing that remains constant is that wherever and however I find it, it always moves, awakens--and, yes--inspires me.

With that being said, I'm excited to introduce my BeInspired! Series here on DMRFF! Beyond my regular doses of food, travel, entertaining, and other yummy tidbits, occasionally I'll share the things, people, places and experiences that inspire me most in my day-to-day living, dreaming and being.

And it doesn't stop there, because I look forward to you joining the BeInspired! conversation and sharing your inspirations with me! To begin, keep reading and let's get started with my first installment.

*****

As a girl who loves a gorgeous tablescape, I was immensely inspired by these beautiful works of table art! If you're into dreamy and over-the-top fabulous decor, then you'll probably love this healthy dose of inspiration as much as I do.

P.S....I can see some serious entertaining and dinner parties taking place around these tables!

Here's to Happy Eating...and Inspired Living!

Photo Credits: 1, 2, 3, 4

{Taste of Paris}: Warm Goat Cheese Salad

Recently back from my winter getaway, the memories are still quite vibrant. So much so, it feels like I can reach out and touch them. And my travels are as much a food diary, as they are cultural and recreational indulgences.

It's no secret that Paris is one of my most favorite places (if not the) in the world. And spending time there again this month only cemented this sentiment further. It was the last leg of an amazing mini European tour of sorts, beginning in Rome, followed by Florence, and finally culminating in the City of Lights. The holiday spirit was still very much alive in each city making for an extra special bonus aura.

My last full day in Paris found me in the well-regarded Saint-Germain-des-Pres of the 6th arrondissement (how Paris classifies its neighborhoods). Emerging from the Metro, I walked the short block to settle in at the famous Cafe de Flore for some lunch vittles. Sips of warm cappuccino, friendly banter, a few obligatory photo opps, and a scrumptious warm goat cheese salad later, I was satiated and ready to take on a quick stroll along the cobblestone streets.

The salad was a simple, yet elegant, bite that makes for French food at its best. Almost immediately upon my return home, I took to my kitchen to recreate it with my own twist.

I was introduced to warm goat cheese salad many years ago by Ina Garten, and it instantly became a favorite of mine. I've even served it at dinner parties to wow friends and guests. That preparation is slightly different, so perhaps I'll share it in a future post. Either way, this salad will forever remain a staple in my cooking and entertaining repertoires--and a cherished taste of Paris.

Happy Eating!

Warm Goat Cheese Salad
Ingredients:
4 oz. herbed goat cheese
4-6 slices of sourdough bread
Mixed salad greens
Cherry tomatoes, halved
Vinaigrette
Kosher salt
Extra virgin olive oil
Freshly ground black pepper
Honey, for drizzling
Fresh thyme, for garnish

Method:
Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F.

Slice the goat cheese log into individual rounds. Place the bread on a baking sheet and season lightly with a drizzle of olive oil and sprinkle of salt. Place a slice of goat cheese on each piece of bread and bake for 8-10 minutes, until the cheese is warm, soft and gooey to the touch.

To serve, toss the salad greens with some of the vinaigrette to moisten. Divide the greens among lunch plates and place the goat cheese toasts on each. Finish with freshly ground black pepper, a drizzle of honey, and sprig of thyme. Enjoy!

Adapted from Ina Garten

Sweet Potato Crostini

I have few entertaining rules, generally, but there are a handful that will serve any host or hostess well when looking to keep your guests satisfied as your time together unfolds. And when a big meal is involved, having a little nibble or two on hand for noshing, until dinner is ready to be served, is one such rule and a great way to go. Your guests will be able to eat just enough to keep growling stomachs at bay, while you're free to apply finishing touches on the details of the gathering--without the guilt of holding out.

Easy appetizers and finger-foods are my favorites to serve and a savory crostini can always be counted on for a scrumptious first bite. (And an even better one when it's sweet potato crostini!) Tender sweet potatoes seasoned with cinnamon, sugar, cayenne, salt and maple, then blended to a luscious puree and spread on warm, toasted baguette slices, will leave everyone happily wanting more and eager for what comes next.

Now that's how I like to entertain. What about you?

Happy Eating!

Sweet Potato Crostini

Ingredients:
2 medium sweet potatoes
3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon cayenne
1 1/2 teaspoons sugar
1/2 teaspoon Kosher salt
1 tablespoon maple syrup
1 baguette, sliced

Method:
Preheat the oven to 350 F. Place baguette slices on a baking sheet and bake for 6-8 minutes, until toasted through. Set aside.

While the baguette is toasting, score the sweet potatoes with a knife, making several slits in the skin. Place in the microwave and cook on high heat until tender (about 6-8 minutes, per potato).

Peel the potatoes and place the flesh in a medium sized bowl. Add in the cinnamon, cayenne, sugar, salt and maple and blend with a hand-mixer until thoroughly mixed and smooth in texture. Taste for seasoning and adjust as needed. Blend again if more seasonings added.

Using a spoon or pallet knife, spread the sweet potato puree onto the baguette slices. Serve and enjoy!

Toast With This!: Hot Mulled Cider Mocktail

When the cooler temperatures start to settle in, I can hardly think of a better way to warm up than with a glass (or two) of my hot mulled cider mocktail (i.e. a cocktail sans alcohol). Flavored with notes of bright citrus and earthy, yet bold, spices, it's perfect for any occasion. I enjoy it when I'm entertaining a crowd or all by my lonesome. And there's also that fringe benefit of having your kitchen smell simply delicious.

So the next time you're in the mood for a great drink--that hits all the right notes--toast with this!

Happy Sipping!

Recipe:

Hot Mulled Cider
(8 Servings)

Ingredients:
Half gallon of apple cider
Peel and juice of one orange
One-inch piece of fresh ginger, peeled
3 cinnamon sticks
5 star anise
10 cloves

Instructions:
Add ingredients to a pot and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 20 minutes. Serve and enjoy!

Potluck Etiquette

With the holiday season right around the corner, there's no better time to brush up on your etiquette--your potluck etiquette, to be exact. With the plethora of gatherings and parties that this time of the year brings, you'll surely have ample opportunity to put what you learn to work.

Potlucks are a great way to share food and fellowship--without the entire burden falling to the host/hostess--but is it entirely free form? Are there "rules" or considerations that we can adapt to help us be on our best potluck party-going behavior?

This video, featuring Peggy Post (author of Emily Post's Etiquette), gives some pointers on the dos, don'ts and whatevers of this often overlooked form of dining and entertaining. It's potluck--elevated!

Happy Eating!

Merry Christmas & Happy Eating!

Where has the time gone? Sitting here this Christmas Eve morning it seems almost surreal that we are basically a week away from the start of a brand new year. Since childhood, the Christmas season has always been my favorite. Then it was more about the anticipation of what I was expecting to receive. In my adult years, I am equally, if not more, thrilled by the joy that comes with what I give. There are few things that compare to the jubilance of bringing a smile, acknowledgement, and blessing to the lives of others.

That being said, I also happen to relish the delicious fare and festive cheer that abounds more during the holiday season. I wish you your own load of merry making in the ways that are most meaningful to you.

And in case you're in need of last minute inspiration, we're always here to serve it up whether you're talking food, entertaining, travel or tradition. There's no need to stress, when we've done the heavy lifting (well, maybe not heavy :)) for you.

Merry Christmas....and Happy Eating!

D.M.R. Fine Foods, The Blog, Celebrates 10 Years (Pt.3)

Soaking in my exceptional BHG Stylemaker Event in '18

Happy New Year!

Without question, making it through 2020 was a feat--and one well worth celebrating. And before much more time in the new year elapses, I want to finalize my "blogiversary" celebration with this third installment covering the 2016-2019 years.

I hope you've enjoyed my walk down memory lane from the 2010-2012 and 2013-2015 installments and perhaps learned a bit more about me and what I've been up to on this front all of these years. Best of all, I hope you are inspired to stay connected with me in the days ahead because I like having you around. :)

In reflecting on the 2016-2019 years, they were years of continued momentum across many of the areas that had come to life and blossomed in the previous years, along with their own new noteworthy highlights. So let's once again dive in--and enjoy!

2016

My 2016 highlights included the likes of more amazing travel, the continuation of my Holiday Pop Up Shop, my For the Love of Food monthly food column in Atlanta Tribune: The Magazine (2011-2019), continued food and lifestyle media coverage, more sponsored brand campaigns, including Groupon and Warby Parker, as well as PopSugar, being featured in the Vinings Lifestyle Magazine, and taking in that exquisite night to remember at the James Beard House in NYC that I was awarded in 2015, and enjoying a celebration among celebrations at the Red Rooster Harlem Cookbook launch party!!

2017

My 2017 highlights reflect more amazing highs from my journey to date. From exceptional travel throughout the year, including another dynamic, hosted press trip to St. Croix in collaboration with United States Virgin Islands Tourism, it was another year for the travel books.

Beyond travel, the year brought on a new (and continuing) collaboration of epic proportions, with a cadre of fellow talented food bloggers, for a first of its kind Black History Month Virtual Potluck. It remains one of the key highlights of my blogging journey to date, as it gave more exposure and expression to our individual and collective voices, talents, stories and heritage, among each other, as well as on several renowned media platforms (including Food52, Blavity, Tasting Table, and more that would follow in the years to come.)

My media footprint expanded(!!!)--to include television (a long-held dream of mine) via a series of holiday-themed segments on CBS46's, Atlanta Plugged In show, showcasing my recipes and entertaining tips, as well as a St. Croix travel radio segment that chronicled the best of the destination and travel planning tips, following my recent press trip earlier in the year.

Continued collaborations, including existing and new media relations and social media campaigns, across more hotel, tourism, lifestyle and food brands, were definite highlights, along with more fashion media coverage for the Ragtrade Atlanta Fashion Week and Runway Show.

2018

My 2018 highlights included more thrilling moments and experiences across the food, travel, lifestyle and media fronts. From continued collaborations (BHM Potluck, food and lifestyle media relations and campaigns, etc.) epic travel, more sharing via television segments, this time on NBC's hit Atlanta and Company show, along with more fashion and lifestyle goodness from Saks to the Global Runway Fashion Presentation hosted by the Atlanta Airport, I couldn't make it all up, if I tried. :)

2018 was also the year I experienced one of my biggest honors on my journey to date: being selected as a 2018 BHG Stylemaker by Better Homes and Gardens magazine!!! An honor indeed, by all accounts, with the coveted spots reserved for a select few on an annual basis, I couldn't have been more thrilled to have been recognized by such a renowned and exceptional publication--and to have been in the company of my fellow ah-mazing Stylemakers--for an unforgettable event in New York City! From the day I was notified and invited until the very last moment of the event, I was beyond thrilled. (I know I keep saying it: but dreams do come true!)

2019

At the risk of sounding like a broken record, my 2019 highlights represented what was truly another phenomenal year. As you might have guessed :), there was more epic travel (I added my fourth continent via Thailand and more new countries, states and cities to my footprint, as well as launching my own travel boutique), to more exceptional collaborations, media campaigns and recognition, across food, fashion, travel and lifestyle, including New York Fashion Week-adjacent media coverage at the MAN/WOMAN A/W 19 show, another phenomenal hosted press trip in collaboration with Arkansas Tourism, and a dream (to me) media collaboration with a long beloved brand, ESSENCE, among notable others.

As I mentioned in an earlier post, my highlights always included my blog posts during the year, that were always done in tandem with every other amazing experience and opportunity throughout the years. They can all be found in my archives section here on the blog, so feel free to indulge!

That brings us to the year we'll all never forget: 2020--and the actual culmination of my 10th blog anniversary, or "blogiversary", this past August. So in keeping with my annual highlights tradition, I will dedicate a post to my 2020 highlights in very near future to conclude this memory bank/digital celebration of sorts. :)

I thank you for being here and being interested, engaged, supportive, connected and encouraging throughout my journey. It has made it sweeter and all the more fulfilling--and I look forward to sharing more as the year unfolds.

I wish you the best (healthiest, happiest, most fulfilling) year yet on your personal journey.

Happy Living!

Dawn

Vegetable & Herb Frittata

What can I say about a frittata? For starters, this Italian-style omelet, as it's been referred to, is one of the most versatile dishes (think breakfast, lunch, brunch and breakfast for dinner), the perfect canvas for vegetables, herbs, meats and cheeses, and translates beautifully for entertaining a crowd or your own private indulgence. Oh, and, I'm a fan.

As easy to pull together as grabbing whatever you have on hand in the fridge (exactly what I did for this recipe), a frittata cooks up with very little fuss, while yielding what I find to be one of the best egg preparations around. Eggs + filling + technique = another great recipe for your mornings, afternoons, evenings, or whenever you're simply in the mood.

Happy Eating!

Vegetable and Herb Frittata
Servings: 2*

Ingredients:
4 large eggs, plus one large egg white
2 tablespoons grated Parmesan
1 bell pepper, chopped
1 shallot, diced
1 tablespoon olive oil
Fresh parsley, chopped
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
Splash of milk
3 dashes of hot sauce (optional)

Preheat oven broiler.

Combine eggs, Parmesan, a generous sprinkling of salt and pepper, milk and hot sauce in a bowl and beat eggs with a fork until well blended. Set aside.

Heat oil in a non-stick skillet over medium heat, add pepper and shallot and cook to soften (about 2-3 minutes). Pour eggs over the vegetable mixture and tilt pan to distribute eggs evenly over the mixture and around the surface of the pan. Continue cooking until edges become browned and the center is slightly set. Sprinkle on some parsley and put under the broiler for one and a half minutes (watching carefully to avoid burning!).

Remove from broiler when top is lightly browned and set. Finish with another sprinkling of parsley. Cut into wedges, serve and enjoy!

(*Cook's Note: You can easily increase the servings by increasing the number of eggs in the recipe.)

All the Holiday Feels!

Welcoming the holiday season can be a bit daunting for some. With all the hustle and bustle that surrounds this time of the year, the temptation to succumb to angst over everything from seasonal food, to decor, to entertaining, and more, can come rushing in. And that's where heavy doses of fresh inspiration come to the rescue.

I keep the holiday feels and inspiration at an all time high with my 'The Holidays' board on Pinterest and invite you to take it in as you plan and prepare to enjoy this season and all the holidays we enjoy throughout the year.

Happy Holidays!

Image Sources: 1, 2

Al Fresco

From rooftops, to terraces, to backyards, parks, poolsides and beyond, the allure of outdoor dining and entertaining (al fresco, to be exact) is never greater than during the longer, more relaxed, days and nights of Summer.

Whether you're hosting a special event, or simply relishing being under the open sky, al fresco affairs are their own kind of special.

Now all that remains is to indulge.

Happy Eating and Living!

Photo Credits: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6

Toast With This!: Blackberry Ginger Soda

With so much happening in the world today, not the least of which involves addressing the very serious matter of the lingering impacts of systemic racism, there has never been a better time to celebrate and amplify the voices and impact of black people, including our culture, cuisine, businesses and more. And with that comes the (perfectly timed) celebration of Juneteenth on June 19th., which commemorates the final act of emancipation from slavery under the Confederacy, two and a half years following President Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation.

My personal celebration will include an exciting collaboration with fellow black culinary creatives for a virtual Juneteenth Cookout. With a bevy of recipes in tow, showcasing the exuberance, flavors, and resiliency of a people destined for freedom, I'm inviting you to join us by raising a glass of my favorite Blackberry Ginger Soda, an ode to the original Juneteenth staple of Red Soda Water.

“Watermelon and red soda water are the oldest traditional foods on Juneteenth,” said Dr. Ronald Myers, head of the National Juneteenth Observance Foundation.

Red represents perseverance and spans much of the celebrated cuisine. So if you haven't guessed by now, it's a delicious, empowering time of jubilee!

See my original post below that includes the easy four-ingredient recipe and join in the celebration with a toast to freedom, joy and better days ahead. You can also grab the recipes of the additional collaborators below for exceptional menu ideas for your very own Juneteenth cookout.
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Original Post:

If last week's solstice didn't carry enough of a bang to convince you that Summer has officially arrived, then this past weekend's sweltering heat offered a not-so-gentle reminder. And almost as fast as I welcomed the season, I began seeking a refreshing sip to usher in a much needed cool down.

While running my Saturday morning errands, I stopped in one of my favorite stores and landed upon the inspiration for this beautiful & ohh so good drink: rich, sweet blackberry syrup and sparkling dry ginger. My wheels instantly began turning and the resulting mocktail was born. I couldn't resist garnishing it with stunning blackberry king ice cubes, for added flair, and topping it off with a couple of splashes of club soda.

The punch from the ginger, coupled with the sweet blackberry essence and fizzy soda, makes this the perfect drink to toast the season--and it should definitely be in rotation in your sipping and entertaining repertoire. It's a casual, pour-as-you-like, non-recipe of sorts so make it your own, leading with the ginger as the base and accented with blackberry syrup and club soda to finish.

Happy Sipping!

Blackberry Ginger Soda

Ingredients:

Sparkling Dry Ginger (or ginger ale), chilled

Blackberry Syrup

Club Soda

Blackberry Ice Cubes

Method:

Fill glasses with ice cubes. Pour desired amount of ginger into glass, followed by a few drizzles of the syrup. Top with a couple splashes of soda. Stir to combine and enjoy!

The Juneteenth Cookout Recipes Round-Up:

A Girl Called Adri | Blackened Catfish

Beautiful Eats & Things | Spiced Grilled Peaches

Black Girls Who Brunch | Brown Butter Sweet Potato Cake

Brazilian Kitchen Abroad | Brazilian Collard Greens with Bacon

Britney Breaks Bread | Buttermilk Fried Chicken with Sour Cream and Honey Sauce

Brownbelle | Watermelon Hibiscus Whiskey Smash

Butter Be Ready | Chicken and Waffles

Chef and Steward | Watermelon and Feta Salad

Chef Curl Ardee | Honey and Butter Cornbread

Chenée Today | Lemon Icebox Pie

Christy Irene | Crawfish Etoufee