D.M.R. Fine Foods: Entertaining

Monday, November 6, 2023

Deck the Halls Mocktail + A Holiday Recipe Exchange!

This year, I'm excited to take part in Eat the Culture’s 2023 Holiday Recipe Exchange: Party Pairings for All the Holidays! Holidays often revolve around communal moments – sharing stories, laughter, and, of course, food. This year's roundup is all about those delightful 'lite bites' and drinks that set the tone for festive gatherings.

I had the pleasure of partnering with Ashley of Pink Owl Kitchen who crafted delicious New Orleans BBQ Shrimp. This dish pairs perfectly with my Deck the Halls Mocktail. Learn more about Eat the Culture and find a complete list of recipes from all participants here. Share these recipes with your friends and loved ones and follow each participant by using the hashtags #HolidayswithETC, #PerfectPartyPairings, and #ETCHOLIDAYS2023 on Instagram.

And speaking of the holidays, they have always represented the time of year where my favorite things combine (faith, family, friends--and food!) and ignite my merry-making. With the backdrop of the world today, I'm anticipating the upcoming holiday season more than ever.

And to celebrate the many special moments, gatherings, soon-to-come memories, and merriment, I'm toasting to this season--and decking the halls!--with a festive, effervescent and beautiful sip. Cue my easy and fun Deck the Halls Mocktail.

I'm talking a worthy signature drink (for easy entertaining) that's adaptable for any occasion from a kids' party, to a Girls' Night, to Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year's Eve, and beyond. It's the drink that you'll love to sip and serve, again and again. It's been in my holiday repertoire for a couple of holiday seasons now, and I'm thrilled to share and make your holidays all the merrier, brighter and tastier.

A really special wow factor happens to be the festive ice cubes that serve the double duty of both chilling—and adorning—this drink. Like mini frozen ornaments, they boast orange, rosemary, cranberry, and star anise. A beautiful compliment to the gorgeous drink hue, these ice cubes elevate this drink and make it a feast for the eyes.

So now that we’re agreed that this will be making the rounds during the holiday season, let’s cheers to safe, festive…

Happy Sipping!

Deck the Halls Mocktail

Ingredients:

Festive Ice Cubes* (recipe to follow)

Ginger beer

Grenadine syrup

Orange slices

Maraschino Cherries

Festive Ice Cubes:

Ingredients:

Cranberries (frozen or fresh)

Orange Slices

Fresh rosemary sprigs

Star Anise

Water

Special Equipment: Ice cube tray/mold

Method:

Place cranberries, an orange slice, rosemary sprigs and star anise into an ice cube mold or tray compartments. Add water and freeze overnight.

Add festive ice cube(s) to a glass. Pour over ginger beer. Add a splash or two of grenadine. Garnish with orange slices and cherries. Enjoy and cheers to a fabulous holiday season!

Holiday Eats: Sugar and Spice Straws with Orange and Walnuts

I can barely think 'holidays' without thinking sugar and spice and everything nice. So when I stumbled upon a sugar and spice rendition of classic cheese straws, you can guess my elation--and equal determination to bring them to life in my kitchen.

This past weekend, I made good on that promise and spent a sunlit Sunday afternoon baking these delicacies, while singing and bopping along to tunes from my Christmas playlists, while relishing the fragrant wafts that filled my kitchen. (And because you know how seriously I take self care, creating moments of happy and bliss, like this, are a priority. And even more so against the backdrop of 2020. So remember to take time to be good to you.)

Back to the recipe, it marries the warmth of five spice and cinnamon to bright citrus--and sugar, of course. :) As an added bonus, walnuts give great texture, along with nutty goodness, and flaky puff pastry brings it all together. So as you're warming your oven in the days ahead, add this easy recipe to your repertoire. The results are gorgeous, to boot, so no one has to know what a cinch they were to make. It'll be our little secret.

And if I haven't raved enough already, you can serve them any number of ways, from cocktail party bites, as a part of a cheese board, paired with bubbly, or as an anytime snack.

However you indulge, you're in for...Happy Eating!

Sugar and Spice Straws with Orange and Walnuts

Ingredients:

3/4 cup sugar

2 tablespoons five spice powder

1 teaspoon cinnamon

Zest of an orange

1/2 cup walnuts, finely chopped

2 sheets frozen puff pastry, thawed

Method:

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F

In a small bowl, combine sugar, five spice and cinnamon.

Roll out each pastry sheet to approximately 11in. square (no need to stress; just do your best, like I did!) Sprinkle half the sugar mixture evenly on one sheet. Follow with walnuts and orange zest.

Take the second sheet and lay directly on top of the first sheet. Sprinkle remaining sugar mixture on top. Use rolling pin and roll out further (you'll also be pressing the sugar into the pastry by doing this) in one direction to form a rectangle that's approximately 11in. x 13in.

Cut into 1/2 in. strips and transfer to a parchment lined baking sheet. (I used two to space them out.) Hold both ends and twist 3-4 times to form a spiral. Pinch ends tightly to avoid unraveling while in the oven. Bake for 15-20 minutes, rotating sheet pan(s) once, until deep golden brown.

Allow to cool on sheet pan. Serve and enjoy!

Recipe adapted from Peter Som

Toast With This!: Cider Mimosas

When it comes to stress-free entertaining, one of my hallmark tips is to serve a signature drink--be it a mocktail, cocktail, or whatever suits your sipping fancy. It does the double duty of marking the occasion, while keeping the effort level low, freeing you up to spend more time with your guests--the ultimate reason we gather, no?

So just in time for your Friendsgiving, Thanksgiving, and all around holiday soirees, I've created a delicious, festive sip that's a grown-up twist on one of my favorite seasonal beverages, apple cider. And with only four ingredients, it couldn't be easier to make--and toast with--my cider mimosas.

Happy Sipping!

Cider Mimosas

Ingredients:
1 part Chilled Prosecco
1/2 part Apple Cider
Fresh thyme and rosemary

Method:
Pour prosecco and top with cider. Garnish with fresh herbs and enjoy!

All Things Thanksgiving: Recipes, Guides, Tips & More!

Today marks the one week countdown to one of, if not the, biggest holidays of the year--Thanksgiving!

With all that has occurred (and continues) to happen in our world, there's never been a better time to pause and give thanks for the gift of life and the many blessings it affords. And to make sure you're all set, I'm sharing my favorite recipes, tips, inspiration and more for your best one yet.

Countdown and Six Step Guide to A Stress- Free Thanksgiving

Turkey Love: Prep Tips

All About Pie

Etiquette--(Including How To Eat Turkey, Chicken and Duck)

Tablescape Inspiration

And Much More!

Happy Eating!

Labor-less Labor Day Eats x Atlanta Plugged In

Summer isn't over yet!! I want to (air) scream this every time I cite a mention of Fall food and flavors these days. Don't get me wrong, I loveeee the Fall. It's my favorite season, in fact, but I'm all about celebrating each season to its fullest--and that means relishing the final days of Summer.

Just as Memorial Day marks the unofficial start of Summer, Labor Day tends to mark the unofficial end of this sultry time of year. And with Labor Day in mind (and on the horizon), I have to share a few, fun recipes to make your entertaining over the long weekend anything but laborious. Think effortless!

If you follow me on social media (I'd love it if you did--see the easy 'connect' buttons in the right margin. Shameless plug. ;-) ), then you're likely aware that I had the awesome privilege of returning to my favorite, Atlanta Plugged In, earlier this week to share my tips and recipes for making the most of the holiday.

WATCH ME HERE

Now that you've watched the segment, I hope you're inspired to try these easy, delicious, and, yes, healthy dishes. Win, win, win.

And to tie it all together with a big bow on top, I'm sharing a bonus "recipe" in the way of a super fun and effortless sip. Because there's so much to cheers to and be thankful for.

Enjoy a delicious, effortless, and safe holiday weekend.

Happy Eating!

Peach Caprese Bites
Ingredients:
Fresh peaches, sliced into rounds
Fresh mozzarella, thinly sliced
Prosciutto, thinly sliced
Basil leaves
Flaked sea salt (optional)
Balsamic syrup, for garnish, (optional)

Method:
Arrange peaches, mozzarella, basil and prosciutto in stacks. Sprinkle lightly with sea salt and drizzle balsalmic, if using. Enjoy!

Roasted Shrimp and Pineapple Skewers
Ingredients:
Shrimp, peeled and deveined
Fresh pineapple
Old Bay Seasoning
Kosher Salt
Freshly ground black pepper
Olive Oil
Brown sugar
Cilantro
Fresh limes

Method:
Preheat oven to 425 degrees F.

On a baking sheet, toss together shrimp, seasoning, a light sprinkling of salt, freshly ground pepper and olive oil. Roast in preheated oven for 5-6 minutes. Set aside.

On a separate baking sheet, toss together pineapple, brown sugar, salt, pepper and olive oil. Roast for 15 minutes in preheated oven. (*Cook's Note: Shrimp and pineapple can be prepared a day ahead and served at room temperature, if preferred.)

Add roasted shrimp, pineapple and cilantro to skewers. Garnish with more chopped cilantro and fresh lime juice. Enjoy!

Watermelon with Chili-Spiced Salt
Ingredients:
Fresh watermelon slices or chunks
1 tablespoon kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon chili powder
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (or less, to taste)

Method:
Add salt and spices to a dish and stir well to combine. Sprinkle over melon, serve and enjoy! (*Cook's Note: leftover salt can be stored in an airtight container in your pantry.)

Cotton Candy Sparkler
Ingredients:
Cotton candy
Sparkling drink of choice (cider, prosecco, champagne, etc.)

Method:
Pour sparkling beverage in glasses. Top with cotton candy. Toast and enjoy!

{Toast With This!}: Strawberry Spritzer

Enduring the Summer heat is a lot more bearable when you're sipping on a cool, effervescent and refreshing drink that boasts the season's bounty. And with that in mind, I recently added another favorite to my mocktail repertoire.

Inspired by my love for homemade everything, I set about to create a strawberry puree, accented with a hint of fresh lime juice. And can I just tell you--it was sooo good. (Like, spoonfuls in the middle of the day, straight from the container, kind of good. Don't judge me.) From there, the possibilities became endless for how to make the most of the berry-licious concoction.

Freeze into sorbet. Spoon over ice cream. Make into a seasonal spritzer. The latter of these was my immediate go-to, but the other options are still very much alive.

And this "non-recipe", recipe of sorts, couldn't be easier to pull off--or transform with additional or alternate flavors. One technique x endless options = happy cooking at its finest.

So cheers to more of Summer's luscious flavors...and to Happy Sipping!

Strawberry Spritzer
Ingredients:
1 lb. fresh strawberries, hulled and halved
Juice of 1/2 lime, plus more to garnish as desired
1/2 cup sugar
Club soda
Ice Cubes

Method:
Place strawberries in a blender or food processor and blend into a puree. Strain puree through a fine mesh sieve.

Add in sugar and lime juice and stir well to combine. Store in an airtight container for 8-12 hours or overnight to chill mixture.

Mix together 1/4 cup of puree and 3/4 cup of club soda. Pour over ice, serve and enjoy!

Recipe adapted from Bon Appetit

{Atlanta Plugged In}: The Perfect Summer BBQ

Summer has (unofficially) been on the horizon since Memorial Day and will make its official debut in a matter of days. Despite the accompanying heat waves and humidity that typically mark this time of year, it's the perfect season for casual entertaining, dining al fresco, and everyone's favorite: barbecues.

Last week I had the thrill of appearing on Atlanta Plugged In to share some of my favorite recipes and tips for hosting--and enjoying--The Perfect Summer BBQ. (Awesome, huh?!)

It was such a great time of sharing food, tips, cheers and laughs. And in case you missed it, I'm sharing the video clip from the day below--along with the featured recipes that were also a hit at my previous Summer Pop Up Cooking School!

A creative twist on traditional BBQ fare, I know you'll enjoy them as much as we all did.

WATCH HERE ~
Atlanta Plugged In: The Perfect Summer BBQ

MAKE ~
Sangria Mocktails
Heirloom Tomato Gazpacho
Gourmet Meatball Sliders (Recipe coming soon!)
Berry & Balsamic Shortcakes

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!

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

The Red Rooster Cookbook: A Party, Recipes, & A Whole Lotta Inspo!

If you've been following the blog for a while, then you're likely aware of a few of my favorite things, places and people. As things go, there's no doubting that books--particularly cookbooks--hold a dear place in my heart and food journey. And favorite places can never be a topic without New York City being squarely on the list.

Then there's the matter of favorite people. Over the years, we've done our fair share of highlighting the work and genius of internationally acclaimed chef, restaurateur, author and all-around-dynamo, Marcus Samuelsson. So when the opportunity presented itself to combine all three during a recent evening of celebration, naturally I couldn't resist. The fete was a private soiree to celebrate the launch of the Red Rooster Cookbook: The Story of Food and Hustle in Harlem.

Although it seems like only yesterday that Red Rooster opened its doors to the world, now in its sixth year, the restaurant has cemented itself on the Harlem--and New York--food and entertainment scenes for many years to come. Like most great memories, I still recall the excitement of my first visit (a hot summer's night with faulty air-conditioning that somehow didn't matter, Questlove spinning in the basement now known as Ginny's Supper Club--music has been a staple of the venue from the very beginning--and a vibe that radiated community, pride, and, yes, a whole lotta hustle.)

Several years and visits later, that initial excitement was as palpable as ever, not only for me, but for every person who showed up to participate in this moment of celebration for Red Rooster, Chef Samulesson--and Harlem, itself. A night to remember unfolded with words of recollection and gratitude from the founders, the local community, and well-wishers from near and far. Exceptional music, food and ambiance rounded out the occasion in true Uptown fashion.

Back home, with my own personal copy in tow, I'm excited to take in more of the inspiration and legacy found between the pages of this cookbook. (I already have my eye on a recipe and playlist, or two, to break it in.) And as the Red Rooster story continues to evolve, I look forward to every delicious nuance.

Happy Eating!

Buy the Book

Apple Tarts

Something about the Fall season has stirred up my desire for baking more recently. I bought an adorable cake pan a couple of weeks ago and was feeling the urge to put it to use almost instantly. Apple season is in full bloom, so I was seeking inspiration for a cake recipe that would deliciously showcase the fruit. But, a curious thing happened, and my cake dreams were eclipsed by perfect, little apple tarts.

Starting with one of my favorite short-cut ingredients, puff pastry, I piled apples coated with the warm flavors of cinnamon and allspice, and brightened with orange zest and juice, on top with child-like anticipation of the goodness that was about to unfold. A few extra touches later, the tarts were in the oven to bake to golden perfection. A dusting of confectioner's sugar, along with a scoop of ice cream to finish, make these easy, yet elegant, tarts one of the best additions to your seasonal eating repertoire.

Happy Eating!

Apple Tarts

Ingredients:
2 large, firm baking apples (Granny Smith is my preference), peeled, cored and sliced into wedges
1 sheet frozen puff pastry, thawed
Zest of an orange
2 teaspoons freshly squeezed orange juice
1/4 teaspoon cinammon
1/8 teaspoon allspice
Sugar, for sprinkling
1 tablespoon butter, cut into pieces
1 large egg
Flour (for surface)
Confectioner's sugar (for dusting)
Ice cream, optional

Method:
Preheat oven to 425 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchment and set aside.

Toss apples, cinnamon, allspice, zest, juice and a bit of sugar to fully coat apples and set aside. Roll out puff pastry on a lightly floured surface into a long rectangle. Cut in half crosswise and then cut each half to make a total of four squares. Transfer dough to the baking sheet and prick with a fork in several places.

Pile apples in the center of each square and dot fruit with butter. Beat egg and 1 teaspoon water in a small bowl and brush pastry with egg wash. Fold up the edges around the apples, leaving the center open. Press along the folded edges to lightly seal. Brush outside of pastry with egg wash and sprinkle with more sugar. Let chill in freezer 10 minutes.

Bake tarts until puff pastry is golden, 15-20 minutes. Reduce oven temperature to 350 degrees and continue to bake until pastry is deep golden brown and apples are tender, 15-20 minutes. Enjoy! (Note: Tarts can be baked up to 6 hours ahead. Store uncovered at room temperature.)

Recipe adapted from Bon Appetit

#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!

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.
****************

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