Dining in the Round Blog

Views:

Let's Punch Up This Party

August 12th, 2010 at 5:57 pm

Don’t get bogged down at your next dinner party behind the bar mixing drinks for all your guests. Free yourself with a tasty party punch…. And no this isn’t fruit punch from your five year olds last birthday party, but a sophisticated adult cocktail for all to enjoy.

Champagne Sangria

Makes: 6-8 servings

Ingredients:

1 bottle (750 ml) Proscecco or French Champagne, chilled
½ cup orange juice
2 cups Mint Simple Syrup, see recipe below
1 lemon, zested and thinly sliced
1 lime, zested and thinly sliced
½ cup sliced strawberries
5 fresh mint sprigs
Crushed ice

Directions:

In a large pitcher, combine the Prosecco, orange juice, Mint Simple Syrup, lemon zest, and lime zest. Add the sliced strawberries, lemon slices, lime slices, and mint sprigs.

Fill glasses with crushed ice and pour the sangria over the top. Serve immediately.

Mint Simple Syrup:

2 cups sugar
2 cups water
1 cup packed fresh mint leaves

In a small saucepan, combine the sugar, water, and mint over medium heat. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, and simmer for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sugar has dissolved. Remove the pan from the heat and allow the syrup to cool for 20 minutes. Strain before using.

Blueberry-Limoncello Cooler

Makes: 4-6 servings

Ingredients:

1 bottle (750 ml) limoncello liqueur, chilled
1 cup sparkling water, chilled
1 cup fresh or frozen blueberries*
5 fresh mint sprigs, lightly crushed, plus extra for garnish
Crushed ice

Directions:

In a pitcher, combine the limoncello, sparkling water, blueberries, and mint sprigs.

Fill highball glasses halfway with crushed ice. Pour about ½ cup of the limoncello mixture over the ice in each glass.

Garnish with mint sprigs and serve.

*Cooks Note: If using frozen blueberries, add them to the pitcher just before serving.

For 41 more fabulous punch recipes, visit Food Network.

Recipe & Image Source: Food Network.com

Dining In The Round- Fine Table Linens & Accessories for every dining occasion

BLOG EXCLUSIVE: 25% off ENTIRE SITE

Enter code ‘outdoor’ at checkout . Sale ends 8.23.10

>Start Shopping

Share: Email Twitter Facebook

Posted in

Views:

Dining In The Round - Fine Table Linens & Accessories for every dining occasion

Beyond Burgers

August 3rd, 2010 at 5:50 pm

After a summer full of grilled hamburgers… I’m ready for something a little different from my BBQ. Here are a couple of tasty choices:

Grilled Steak Tacos with Avocado Salsa

Time: 1 hour 15 minutes Serves: 4 to 6

Ingredients:

3 jalapenos

Extra Virgin Olive Oil

1 large onion – dice half, slice half

1 garlic clove, minced

1 pound tomatillos – husked and chopped

1 avocado, diced

1 tablespoon fresh lime juice

Salt and ground pepper

2 links of fresh chorizo

½ pound queso panela or halloumi cheese, cut into squares

One 1 ½ pound flank steak

Directions:

Heat a grill pan. Grill jalapenos until charred. Stem and seed the jalapenos; finely dice 2 of them. Thinly slice the remaining jalapenos and reserve on a platter.

In a saucepan, heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil. Add the diced jalapenos and onion and the garlic and cook over moderate heat until golden, 10 minutes. Add the tomatillos and cook until softened. Transfer to a bowl and let cool. Stir in the avocado, cilantro and lime juice; season with salt and pepper.

Oil the chorizo and grill over moderate heat until cooked through. Remove the chorizo casing and crumble the meat into a bowl. Lightly oil the cheese and grill for 1 minute per side, then oil the pan and grill the sliced onion until charred; transfer both to the platter.

Oil the steak; season with salt and pepper. Frill over moderately high heat, turning once, 8 minutes for medium rare. Transfer to a board and let rest for 5 minutes. Thinly slice the steak and serve with the accompaniments, such as warm flour tortillas.

Grilled Beef-Tenderloin Skewers with Red-Miso Glaze

Time: 30 minutes Serves: 4

Ingredients:

¼ cup plus 2 tablespoons vegetable oil

4 garlic cloves, thinly sliced

¼ cup low-sodium soy sauce

2 tablespoons red miso paste

1 teaspoon Asian sesame oil

Pinch of sugar

Pinch of salt

1 ¼ pounds beef tenderloin, sliced ¼ inch think

Directions:

Preheat a grill. In a saucepan, heat the vegetable oil. Add the garlic and cook over low heat until crisp, stirring, about 3 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, transfer the garlic to a blender; reserve the garlic oil for another ruse. Add the soy sauce, miso, sesame oil, sugar and salt to the blender and puree.

Thread the meat on skewers. Lightly brush the meat with some of the miso glaze. Grill over high heat for 1 minute. Brush with the miso glaze a second time and grill, turning, until charred, about 2 minutes; serve.

Need a drink to go with your tasty grilling? Food and Wine as a great compilation of “grilling cocktails” not to be missed.

Recipe & Image Source: http://www.foodandwine.com

Share: Email Twitter Facebook

Posted in

Views:

Tommy Hilfiger's Plaza Apartment

July 28th, 2010 at 4:59 pm

We all love his clothing - but now we can also love his interior design style. Fashion designer Tommy Hilfiger and his wife, Dee, show off their recently completed apartment in The Plaza in New York City. This is not to be missed. The interior is dramatic from the moment you step in the door. Below are a couple of sneak peeks, but to view the full slide show, click here.

Harper's Bazaar has a entire section of their website dedicated to celebrity style. Visit the homes of Natalie & Simon Fuller, Paloma Picasso and Kanye West & Alexis Phifer among many others - you will be truely inspired.

Dining In The Round - Fine Table Linens & Accessories for every dining occasion

Share: Email Twitter Facebook

Posted in

Views:

Dining In The Round - Fine Table Linens & Accessories for every dining occasion

How To Entertain "Green"

July 26th, 2010 at 11:00 am

I know being "green" is the thing to do right now. It's hip, it's chic, it's the cool thing to do - but are you green when you entertain? It is really very simple. A couple of small readjustments to your normal planning and you have got the greenest party on the block

Tips for Green Entertaining:

Invitations: Send e-invitations, call your guests or if mailed invitations are a must, use recycled paper.

Food: Plan your menu around what is available at local farms. You can also serve wines from local vineyards.

Decor: When setting your table look for plates, chopsticks, and other utensils made from bamboo, a fast-growing renewable and biodegradable resource. Potted plants or local fresh cut flowers make beautiful centerpieces that can then be sent home with your guests. Fresh produce is also great for centerpieces and can do double duty as tomorrow’s dinner.

What are your tips for green entertaining? We would love to hear them.

25% Off all Green Entertaining ends 7.26.10 - Shop Now

Share: Email Twitter Facebook

Posted in

Views:

Decorating For Kids With Glass? Oh, Yes...

July 20th, 2010 at 4:39 pm

Now I can't take credit for this find - I was recently checking out the latest update from the fab Material Girls blog and saw this great new product - Kids Glass.

You got it, we are going to decorate commercial spaces that are meant for kids with glass - and it is going to be fun, creative and safe at the same time. Check it out at Skyline Design.

Dining In The Round - Fine Table Linens & Accessories for every dining occasion

25% Off all Green Entertaining ends 7.26.10 - Shop Now

Share: Email Twitter Facebook

Posted in

Views:

Do You Have The Worst Kitchen?

July 18th, 2010 at 9:59 pm

Is your kitchen hideous? Do you feel like running the other direction every time you set foot in your kitchen? Are your appliances avocado green?

No worries - DIY Network and the Food Network to the rescue. They are in search of the Worst Kitchen in America. Through August 6th, you can upload photos or video at DIYnetwork.com of your horrific kitchen. The very worst kitchen will receive a $30,000 makeover and have the whole process documented for a DIY special airing next year.

So bust out the digital camera or camcorder, and send in those pictures - all in hope of winning your dream kitchen. Good luck!

Dining In The Round - Fine Table Linens & Accessories for every dining occasion

25% Off all Green Entertaining ends 7.26.10 - Shop Now

Share: Email Twitter Facebook

Posted in

Views:

143

The Perfect Summer Ingredient

July 11th, 2010 at 11:11 pm

Now that we are smack dab in the middle of the dog days of summer I find myself craving one thing... lemons. The tart flavor, the sunny color and the refreshing smell - I love it. Here are a couple of tasty recipes I found to curb, if only briefly, my summer craving:

Lemon Linguine

Click Here for the complete recipe from Food Network

Lemon Squares

Click Here for the complete recipe from Real Simple

Sautéed Asparagus with Lemon

Click Here for the complete recipe from Martha Stewart

Tip: Lemons also make a great centerpiece for summer dining. Just fill a bowl or vase with fresh lemons and enjoy.

Dining In The Round - Fine Table Linens & Accessories for every dining occasion

Share: Email Twitter Facebook

Posted in

Views:

106

Live Like The Celebrities Do

July 7th, 2010 at 11:40 am

Every wonder what your favorite celebrities' home looks like? What is their design style? What kind of couch do they watch TV on? Well, look no further. Elle Decor has come to the rescue with Elle Decor's Stylemakers. Here is a sneak peek - to view all the homes featured, click here.

Nate Berkus' Study

Sarah Jessica Parker's Dining Room

For a little fun - iVillage has a quiz to define your Celebrity Decorating Style - I'm a most like Madonna (go figure)

Click here to find out your celebrity decorating twin

Dining In The Round - Fine Table Linens & Accessories for every dining occasion

Share: Email Twitter Facebook

Posted in

Dining In The Round - Fine Table Linens & Accessories for every dining occasion

Views:

116

Add Your Comment 1 Comment

The Perfect Summer Sides

June 24th, 2010 at 6:29 pm

Choosing something to grill is the easy part. But what are you going to serve on the side? Here are a couple of my favorite selections - Enjoy:

Tomatoes Stuffed with Grilled Corn Salad

Prep Time: 40 minutes

Total Time: 40 minutes

Serves: 4

Ingredients:

3 ears corn, with husks

4 beefsteak tomatoes

1 tablespoon olive oil, plus more for grates

1/2 cup chopped scallions

1/2 cup crumbled soft goat cheese

1 tablespoon white-wine vinegar

Coarse salt and ground pepper

3 slices cooked bacon, crumbled (optional)

Directions:

Pull back corn husks, leaving them attached at base of ear. Remove and discard silk; pull husts back over corn. Place ears in large bowl; cover with cold water. Let soak 10 minutes.

Meanwhile, cut off and discard top third of tomatoes. Using a paring knife, cut around wall of tomato to loosen flesh. Gently squeeze out seeds; discard. With a melon baller, scoop out tomato interiors, leaving the wall intact. Coarsely chop interiors; transfer to a large bowl.

Heat grill to high; lightly oil grates. Drain corn; arrange ears on grill. Cover and cook, turning occasionally with tongs, until husks are slightly charred and corn is tender, 15 to 20 minuts. Remove ears from grill. Holding bottom of hot ears with a towel, peal back husks and cut kernels off cob; transfer to bowl with tomatoes.

Add scallions, all but 2 tablespoons goat cheese, vinegar, and oil. Season with salt and pepper; toss to combine. Spoon filling into hollowed tomatoes; sprinkle with remaining goat cheese and, if desired, bacon.

Recipe/Image Source: MarthaStewart.com

Tangy Red Cabbage Slaw

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour

Serves: 8

Ingredients:

½ cup fresh orange juice

¼ cup fresh lime juice

2 tablespoons olive oil

2 tablespoons brown sugar

Kosher salt and black pepper

½ medium red cabbage (about 1 ½ pounds), cored and shredded

2 large carrots (about ½ pound), grated

¾ cup chopped fresh cilantro

Directions:

In a large bowl, whisk together the orange and lime juices, oil, brown sugar, 1 teaspoon salt, and ½ teaspoon pepper.

Add the cabbage and carrots and toss to combine. Let sit, tossing occasionally, for at least 45 minutes. Fold in the cilantro before serving.

Recipe/Image Source: RealSimple.com

Three Bean Salad

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Total Time: 15 minutes

Serves: 4-8

Ingredients:

1 15 ounce can cannellini beans, drained and rinsed

1 15 ounce can chickpeas, drained and rinsed

1 15 ounce can kidney beans, drained and rinsed

2 celery stalks, finely chopped

½ red onion, finely chopped

1 cup fresh flat leaf parsley leaves, finely chopped

2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh rosemary

3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice

¼ cup extra virgin olive oil

1 teaspoon kosher salt

½ teaspoon black pepper

Directions:

In a large bowl, combine the cannellini beans, chickpeas, kidney beans, celery, onion, parsley, and rosemary.

In a small bowl, whisk together the lemon juice, oil, salt, and pepper.

Drizzle the vinaigrette over the salad and toss. Serve at room temperature.

Recipe/Image Source: RealSimple.com

Save Up to 30% Off Entire Site w/code 'SUM10' - Shop Now

Sale Ends 6.30.10

Share: Email Twitter Facebook

Posted in

Views:

< Prev [1] 2 3 ... 10 11 12 Next >

All Categories