Fancy Gourmet Dessert Cakes

Some great fun can be had at same sex get-togethers such as Baby Showers, Wedding Showers, Sports Parties and Bachelor Parties.

For the girls I must say that I myself have had problems with Diaper Cakes, I always associated the dessert with a used diaper and it ruined my appetite. You may want to consider using the cake as a novelty rather than putting it on the menu. There are factors to consider when it comes to the kind of cake and/or dessert that you want to serve at your event; looks and taste. For instance, a chiffon is a light textured cake that is perfect for the feminine figure and is not very filling. Be careful of fondant though, it may look beautiful but does not always deliver the taste that you might expect. As for sugarless cake, be careful of the kind of sugar substitute that is used. Strangely enough, if the cake looks good it usually tastes good. Do not forget cheesecake served with a large strawberry or some raspberries on the side.

For the guys, chocolate cake is usually a very popular treat. Over the years I have noticed that most of the chocolate cake served at my events were enjoyed by men. You can set out some bite sized pastries while your guests move around and socialize. Another favorite is chocolate covered pretzels. For an added extra you can serve a cheesecake drizzled with a fruit compote or fudge sauce and chopped nuts. A sugarless cake is also a good idea since many folks are trying to trim down or have a medical condition.

I want to include an extra bit of advice concerning beverages; keep club soda around. It helps with the digestion and prevents the palette from being overwhelmed with different kinds of food which can leave people with that blah feeling.  Have fun and eat sweet!

Written by Delightful Biteful

Stick where? In the minds of your guests of course. Have you ever entered a room, and looked around to develop an opinion of the situation, and then proceeded from there? That is what most of us do. Consider this when your guests arrive at your home. When people enter a room with soft lighting, they have an immediate impulse to relax. Folks in general are under a great deal of stress and your guests will thank you right away just for giving them a calm, safe place to spend some time, don’t forget to clean vigorously.

Deep textures and colors create a psychological buffer and make the room appear larger. For instance; Dark colored drapes add depth to a room, while plush pillows about four shades lighter (velvet is best), offer great comfort when sitting around socializing. You can see through body language that your guests are more at ease and the conversation becomes more interesting. Remember that you can find some lovely original paintings at your nearest gallery or art fair and compliment your decor. Once you buy a piece of art from an unknown artist, you become something of a patron of the arts and any piece in your home becomes a great opportunity for conversation.

As for dining, semi-formal gatherings can be a chance to put out your nicest dinner set without worrying about the fine china. Simple platters are usually light weight, easy to serve with and safe. Something like Denby Azure tableware is popular at semi-formal affairs.

Many people fail to realize that keeping a tray of food in the middle of the party area is important, even if the guests are not digging in. It establishes that the party is “On” and the guests are being served and well taken care of. This also contributes to a successful social climate. Keep refreshments close by and offer self service accommodations, this enables people to drink at their own pace without feeling as if they are putting you out.  If you think objectively, about the impression you would form as a guest entering your own party, and pursue your endeavor from there, then there is little chance of letting anyone down at your dig.   Written by Delightful Biteful 

The summer is here and frankly my appetite decreases with the increased humidity and sweltering temperatures. This is a good time for light foods, such as salads and finger sandwiches. I like to lay some tuna salad and a hard boiled egg on top of a couple of Romaine lettuce leaves with a little tomato on the side and bleu cheese dressing on top. Crackers on the side of summer salads as opposed to breads are a nice light way to eat something satisfying and cut calories at the same time. Now, the reason I do this is not only to lose pounds in time for the holiday season but also to leave space for dessert. Along with ice cream and popsicles, I like to indulge in tarts and pastries.

Summer parties offer a great opportunity to put out a platter of pastries, and of course a nice big salad or two. This is a little table I have presented in the past that my guests have enjoyed. Chicken Breast Salad on a bed of Iceberg Lettuce, Shrimp Cocktail Platter on ice, Deviled Eggs, Salsa and Chips, Spinach Dip and Salmon Pate with pumpernickel crackers. It never fails to please everyone. For dessert I add a few fruit tartlets, some rainbow cookies and Napoleons or Éclairs. What a great gift to bring to the party, if you are on your way to someone else’s gathering, help enhance the affair and lift the spirit of your host with a nice little platter (make sure it hasn’t already been included in the menu). Life is good, so live it up!

Written by Delightful Biteful 

Summertime parties are a favorite American pastime. A couple of the most popular are simple and effective, for sure fire party success. The ever popular pool party is a lovely idea after sunset as opposed to the ritual afternoon barbeque. A nice touch is globe or battery powered candles placed evenly around the patio with jazz or blues playing in the background and assorted party foods, such as shish kabob, chicken fingers, tempura, bow tie pasta salad, and chips and salsa. You of course can use your own imagination and even choose a party theme like the Hawaiian luau.

Other ideas for summer fun can include an evening soiree with the windows and doors opened and screened to allow in the cool breeze. Decorating the room with candles and flowers placed directly across the room from one another make a wonderful impression on the eye and add symmetry for that posh look. The summer is also a great time to find reasonably priced art work. It is a great time for artists to sell, and the competition is fierce. Checkout your local art fair and you should find something colorful to hang above the flowers.

Great foods for this kind of thing are pates with various breads, cheese and crackers with fresh fruit, chef salad and green bean vinaigrette. In any event have your dessert ready with the most popular dessert choices; fruit tarts, and cheesecake. Have a happy and safe summer!  Written by Delightful Biteful   

The meaning spans across thousands and thousands of lives lost in defense of our nation against one threat or another. Many lives were lost in vein and for them in particular, I sit silently on the holiday morning to remember, if for nothing else but courtesy, that I am here because of our soldiers. 

This is a great day to rejoice with family and friends and enjoy the little things in life that I and many others sometimes take for granted. Picnics and barbeques are traditional American activities, and I have some tricks I use to make the day hold its meaning.  First the barbeque; I make sure that the history channel is on so the folks moving around the house can get a refresher course on what the country has been through. I hang American flags in different parts of the house and drape some red white and blue streamers across the walls. I love to play songs from the great wars to inspire everyone and add that sense of pride to the day and of course I eat with fervor with a mind for how much of a blessing all that food truly is.

Now for the picnic; I bring red white and blue party favors with matching paper plates. For the sake of tradition, I always bring fried chicken and potato salad. I keep the radio tuned to a station commemorating the day and I wish everyone I see a happy Memorial Day. It never fails to lift my heart and help me to keep perspective on things. 

Wishing all the best to our soldiers.. Happy holiday! 

Written by Delightful Biteful

Have friends from all corners of the political arena? Well you’d better have the proper foods for each end. There is a general trend in the preferred foods of people in each group. I believe this is due to the tastes that have evolved in each group over time. 

To your Left: Chicken, Assorted Vegetables, Tortellini, Caesar Salad, Spinach Dip, Vanilla Cake, Small Pastries, Decaf Coffee and Latte. 

To your Right: Steak, Potatoes, Lasagna, Chef Salad, Stuffed Mushrooms, Chocolate Cake, Pie, Columbian and Espresso Coffee.

If you like, you can take a little from each list and I guarantee that everyone in your circle will be pleased or reasonably satisfied even if the conversation turns to the big P. Holding your gathering outside may be something to look in to, especially for guests with very strong feelings on the events of the day. The cool breeze reminds everyone that they are there to have some fun. I have noticed recently that politics is becoming a very big part of the conversation at most gatherings. I strongly recommend that as host, you stay out of it and focus on your objective (to throw a great bash) and most of all; keep a sense of humor.  March on America! Written by Delightful Biteful

A long time ago someone (probably a French chef) came up with a meal plan for that certain time of day between breakfast and lunch; 10:00am to 12:00pm, it’s called Brunch and has become a really fun and different thing to do.

Choosing back and forth between foods served for breakfast and lunch can be challenging, but there are certain combinations of foods that never fail. First, let’s make sure we have a coffee cake or streusel, and don’t forget the champagne mimosas (half orange juice and half champagne), and whipped butter and marmalade is a must. The main portion of your Brunch can consist of Belgian Waffles with Berries and Whipped Cream, Tuna Niçoise Salad, Eggs Benedict with Smoked Salmon, and Cobb Salad. Polish your silver, get out your white table cloth and serving trays, and just like that you’ll have a smorgasbord of fun and excitement. Remember to dine in a sun lit room. Your neighborhood’s best restaurant is likely to have a nice Brunch menu and is a viable alternative if you do not want to dress up in a chef’s hat.

Some of my finest days have begun with Brunch; afterward a visit to a museum followed by a shopping spree in my favorite city. What wonderful times, a feeling of living outside of the box. It doesn’t take much to add spice to life, the quality of the moments count for a lot. Wishing you a fine dine day!

Written by Delightful Biteful

Today’s modern day pre-marital parties or shall we say “affairs” with the strippers and all that harmless naughtiness might not be the healthiest way to enter into the sacred bond of marriage after all. Don’t want to be a fuddy duddy but the divorce rate has reached something like 49% in the US.

I was attending a party last week for one of my Aunts; she was remarrying after losing her husband ten years prior. Wow! What an eye opener. We all showed up to a beautiful display of soft and delicate decorations. At first we gave gag gifts and laughed it up; but in the end we spoke very seriously about love relationships and being responsible for another person’s basic well being. When it was over, I was left with a quiet, peaceful feeling inside and was glad for the chance to be reflective and dignified. Marriage deserves that. I have had my share of male strippers; it seems kind of silly now.

I was informed that years ago the Bachelor party was intended as a chance for the Groom to bear his soul to his closest friends and acquaintances in regards to what he hoped for and expected from marriage. His friends in turn would relate their experiences and often write down words of wisdom acquired throughout their lives. It was originally intended for purposes of devotion as opposed to a regrettable farewell to the single life, and a kind of, guest of honor Roast. Sounds like soundness to me. Maybe less tequila shooters and more coffee might be a good idea. Best wishes to all of you couples out there.Written by Delightful Biteful  

An amazing ripple effect occurs with the passage of time and historical events. It always provides a perfect opportunity to sample the food.. Mexican cuisine happens to be beautifully fused with original recipes from Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, and California. So many tasty dishes have come from this fusion, that it is sometimes hard to make the distinction of just what resulted from where.

Here are a few examples of each mix, to help you identify the origin.

MexiCali (Mexico and California) often includes Avocado and Rice, TexMex (Texas and Mexico) includes barbecue and dipping sauces, AzMex (Arizona and Mexico) often includes corn and salsa.

Here’s a fun recipe for Chili Con Carne
1 package prepared Chico’s Chili (mild or hot)
1 Tbsp. olive oil
1-1/2 lbs sirloin, ground or chunks
1 cup water
1 8-oz. can tomato sauce
Follow directions for Chico’s Chili Beans. Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a heavy saucepan (dutch oven is perfect). Brown ground sirloin well, or if using chunks, trim fat from 1-1/2 lbs. sirloin. Cut into 1-inch cubes and brown well on all sides. Add 1 cup water and 1-8 oz. can tomato sauce to browned beef. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, cover saucepan and simmer approximately 2 hours or until meat is tender. Add prepared Chico’s Chili Beans. Again bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer, uncovered, for 30 minutes. Serves 4-6. Check our gourmet foods section for Chili and Salsa Mixes.

I have created my own salsa with salsa mixes in the past and I must say, that they are party pleasers and have never failed me yet. It is fun and simple enough to sample the different tastes throughout the States and experience the evolving palate firsthand. I wonder what recipes they will come up with a hundred years from now?

Written by Delightful Biteful

I remember when finger foods came out. What a great thought, simple and fun right? Well, not quite. There I was, at a swanky bash, picking up that sticky chicken wing, when suddenly I received disapproving looks, polite glances that said “please don’t be a slob”.

Yes, they mean finger foods; foods that you can eat with your fingers if you are alone late at night, or food that is about the size of your fingers, or food that you wish you could eat with your fingers but never actually will in public. I was so disappointed, but alas I had to make arrangements for the chic new appetizer snacks. So I decided to use cocktail napkins and salad plates to serve these polite little snacks. I also provided cocktail forks along with party picks. I put all of the different dipping sauces and dressings into ramekins for each guest; it was effective for neatness and exclusivity. Everyone enjoyed the new, fun foods. Some of my guests made the same mistake I did and I teased them a little about it, saving them the potential embarrassment of being seen by some VIP.

The top snacks are: Buffalo Chicken Strips, Chicken Wings, Onion Rings, Tempura (batter fried vegetables with a Japanese dipping sauce), Shrimp Cocktail, Mini Spinach and Mushroom Wraps and Fried Mozzarella Sticks. There are lots to choose from, so go to it and have some to eat when you are alone. They really do taste best when eaten with plain old fingers..

Written by Delightful Biteful