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BLOG: Entertain in Style
Welcome to Dining in the Round's Blog!
The new "Dining Out" is "Dining In". We want our homes to look fresh and fabulous when entertaining friends and family.
We would love for you to share any design ideas or tips you may have including great recipes for entertaining.
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Spring is just around the corner – and that means it is spring cleaning time. Clear away those winter blues and freshen up your dining room and kitchen with these helpful tips from About.com:
Dining Room:
Kitchen:
It is going to be a lot of work, but I know you are going to feel great about your home once you tackle your spring cleaning.
Dining In The Round - Fine Table Linens & Accessories for every dining occasion
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Chicken Piccata with Pasta and Mushrooms
Prep time: 40 minutes
Servings: 4
Ingredients:
6 ounces whole-wheat angel hair pasta
1/3 cup all-purpose flour, divided
2 cups reduced-sodium chicken broth
1/2 teaspoon salt, divided
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
4 chicken cutlets, trimmed
3 teaspoons extra virgin olive oil, divided
1 10 ounce package mushrooms, sliced
3 large cloves garlic, minced
1/2 cup white wine
2 tablespoons lemon juice
1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
2 tablespoons capers, rinsed
2 teaspoons butter
Directions:
Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add pasta and cook until just tender, 4 to 6 minutes or according to package directions. Drain and rinse.
Meanwhile, whisk 5 teaspoons flour and broth in a small bowl until smooth. Place the remaining flour in a shallow dish. Season chicken with 1/4 teaspoon salt and pepper and dredge both sides in the flour. Heat 2 teaspoons oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add the chicken and cook until browned and no longer pink in the middle, 2 to 3 minutes per side. Transfer to a plate; keep warm.
Heat the remaining 1 teaspoon oil in the pan over medium-high heat. Add mushrooms and cook, stirring, until they release their juices and begin to brown, about 5 minutes. Transfer to a plate. Add garlic and wine to the pan and cook until reduced by half, 1 to 2 minutes. Stir in the reserved broth-flour mixture, lemon juice and the remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt. Bring to a simmer and cook, stirring, until the sauce is thickened, about 5 minutes.
Stir in parsley, capers, butter and the reserved mushrooms. Measure out 1/2 cup of the mushroom sauce. Toss the pasta in the pan with the remaining sauce. Serve the pasta topped with the chicken and the reserved sauce.
Recipe source: www.foodnetwork.com
I recently tweeted (follow us on Twitter) about “Designer Ideas for Styling a Bookshelf” and got a huge response. The overwhelming interest made me think that maybe this topic needed a little blog time also. So here you go:
Styling a bookshelf, big or small, is a balancing act between objects, books, colors and space. Here are some hints and tips for styling your bookshelves like the pros do:
Most important – if it doesn’t look right, just keep moving things around. Eventually you will find the right look.
Images (in order of appearance): www.bhg.com, www.southernliving.com
Functionally, chandeliers are a striking way to light your space and esthetically, they really enhance and define your design style. They are really beautiful, if done right.
If you are considering adding a chandelier to your dining room, or any room for that matter, you may want to consider a few items first:
Size is everything when it comes to chandeliers. Better Homes & Gardens has a great calculator for figuring the size of your room into the decision on what size chandelier to purchase. But generally, if you have a:
Other considerations are:
Remember – chandeliers aren’t only for dining rooms and entry ways any more. Try using one in your kitchen over an island. They make a bold statement.
For more ideas and suggestions, read HGTV columnist Kathy McCleary article “Choosing a Chandelier”.
Image source: hgtv.com & www.diningintheround.com
With any luck my sweetie will be bringing home a big beautiful arrangement of flowers for me on Valentine's Day - and I'll want to make sure they last as long as possible. Here are a couple of tricks to make sure your cut flowers stay fresh and perky:
The little packet of flower food that will most likely come with your flowers are bactericides that kill the bacteria, yeasts, and fungi. They work great, but if you are looking for the same results without chemicals, here are a couple of suggestions:
* Add a penny to your flowers. Copper is a fungicide and acts to preserve the water from too many yeasts and fungi.
* Aspirin is an acid and helps to kill bacteria overgrowth.
* Add 2 tablespoons lemon juice or vinegar to 1 quart of water. The idea here is the same as with aspirin, since lemon juice and vinegar are acidic.
Other Guidelines To Keep Fresh Flowers Fresh * Place cut flowers in cold water, not warm! Warm water dehydrates flowers.
* Placing cut flowers in the refrigerator for six hours before arranging them will triple their lifespan.
* Hot water–up to 110-200 F–is recommended to restore very wilted flowers (the hotter water is for the more wilted flowers).
* Except for when you are cooling flowers, when you want cold water to cover the stems of the flowers, there is no need to have the water go higher on the stems then six inches.
* Recut the stems every few days.
* Remove all leaves and foliage below the water line.
Information Source: www.care2.com
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End your Valentine's Day with a special treat for you and your sweetie. This yummy tart and tasty sangria will be just what you need to top off a romantic evening.
Raspberry Truffle Tart
Heat oven to 350. Grease tart pan with removable bottom, about 9x1 inch, or springform pan, 9x3 inches. Mix Bisquick, powdered sugar and pecans in medium bowl. Cut in butter, using pastry blender or crisscrossing 2 knives, until mixture looks like fine crumbs. Stir in hot water. Press mixture firmly in bottom of tart pan.
Bake 15 to 20 minutes or until set but not brown. Brush with 1/3 cup of preserves. Cool completely.
Heat whipping cream and chocolate chips in 1 quart saucepan over medium heat, stirring constantly, until smooth; remove from heat. Stir in liqueur. Pour over crust; spread evenly. Refrigerate uncovered at least 2 hours until set.
Brush remaining 1/3 cup preserves over chocolate layer. Tip with raspberries. Refrigerate uncovered at least 15 minutes before serving. Remove side of pan. Cut into wedges. Serve with whipped cream. Store covered in refrigerator.
Recipe & Image Source: www.bettycrocker.com
Sparkling Wine Sangria
Stir the seltzer, brandy, and sugar together in a punch bowl. When the sugar is dissolved, uncork the sparkling wine and pour it gently into the bowl. Float about half the berries in the sangria and use the rest to decorate individual glasses.
Recipe & Image Source: www.foodnetwork.com
Surprise your sweetie this Valentine's Day with an extra special dinner prepared by little ol' you. They are sure to love it.
Salad: Caramelized Pancetta and Fennel Salad
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
In a medium bowl, toss together fennel, pancetta, garlic, brown sugar, olive oil, salt, and pepper. Place the ingredients on the baking sheet in a single layer. Cook until the pancetta is crisp and the fennel is caramelized, about 20 minutes. Remove from the oven and let cool for 5 minutes.
In a large bowl, place the salad greens, crumbled pancetta, and caramelized fennel. Toss the salad with the Red Wine Vinaigrette and serve immediately.
Main Course: Shrimp Scampi with Linguini
For the pasta, put a large pot of water on the stove to boil. When it has come to the boil, add a couple of tablespoons of salt and the linguini. Stir to make sure the pasta separates; cover. When the water returns to a boil, cook for about 6 to 8 minutes or until the pasta is not quite done. Drain the pasta.
Meanwhile, in a large skillet, melt 2 tablespoons butter in 2 tablespoons olive oil over medium-high heat. Saute the shallots, garlic, and red pepper flakes (if using) until the shallots are translucent, about 3 to 4 minutes. Season the shrimp with salt and pepper; add them to the pan and cook until they have turned pink, about 2 to 3 minutes. Remove the shrimp from the pan; set aside and keep warm. Add wine and lemon juice and bring to a boil. Add 2 tablespoons butter and 2 tablespoons oil. When the butter has melted, return the shrimp to the pan along with the parsley and cooked pasta. Stir well and season with salt and pepper. Drizzle over a bit more olive oil and serve immediately.
Dessert: Chocolate Covered Strawberries
Put the semisweet and white chocolates into 2 separate heatproof medium bowls. Fill 2 medium saucepans with a couple inches of water and bring to a simmer over medium heat. Turn off the heat; set the bowls of chocolate over the water to melt. Stir until smooth. (Alternatively, melt the chocolates in a microwave at half power, for 1 minute, stir and then heat for another minute or until melted.)
Once the chocolates are melted and smooth, remove from the heat. Line a sheet pan with parchment or waxed paper. Holding the strawberry by the stem, dip the fruit into the dark chocolate, lift and twist slightly, letting any excess chocolate fall back into the bowl. Set strawberries on the parchment paper. Repeat with the rest of the strawberries. Dip a fork in the white chocolate and drizzle the white chocolate over the dipped strawberries.
Set the strawberries aside until the chocolate sets, about 30 minutes.
Start your Valentine's Day with a special Breakfast In Bed made just for you and your sweetie:
Omelet for Two
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
Cut the bacon crosswise in 1-inch slices. Cook the bacon in an 8-inch ovenproof saute pan over medium-low heat for 5 to 7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until browned. Drain the bacon on paper towels and discard the fat from the pan. Add the butter to the pan, and then add the potato and yellow onion. Cook over medium-low heat for about 10 minutes, tossing occasionally, until the onion starts to brown and the potato is tender but firm. Add the jalapeno pepper and cook for 30 seconds.
Meanwhile, in a medium bowl, beat the eggs, milk, salt, and pepper together with a fork. Stir in the scallions and diced Cheddar. When the potato is cooked, add the bacon to the pan and pour over the egg mixture. Place the pan in the oven for 15 to 20 minutes, until the omelet puffs and the eggs are almost cooked in the center. Sprinkle with a handful of grated Cheddar and bake for another minute. Serve hot directly from the pan.
Image & Recipe Source: www.foodnetwork.com
Starting fresh in a new home, or redecorating a tired interior? It all starts with the basics...
Decorating doesn't have to be a daunting or scary task; and it doesn’t have to be expensive. A few simple updates here and there and some wise purchases can change the whole look of a space. You just have to know a few of the tricks of the trade.
Inspiration - Starting a decorating project is a lot easier if you have an inspiration. Inspiration can come from anywhere; your last vacation, a piece of art, a picture in a magazine or a pillow. The possibilities are endless. Once you have found your inspiration, start building your space around the piece. Pull wall colors from it and choose accessories with the same feel.
Paint – As we have mentioned in previous articles –color changes the mood and feel of a room instantly, without changing a single piece of furniture or accessory. Don’t be afraid of dark or bold colors, they can evoke a warm and cozy environment. Or stick to the neutrals to keep a clean, open and airy feel to your space.
Creating A Focal Point – A focal point can be just about anything. In a neutral space, try adding bold accent pillows to your sofa or in a dining room add a large floral display to a buffet or side table. Accent walls are also a great way to create a focal point. If possible, your accent wall should be in your immediate line of sight when you enter the space and it should draw the person in, not distract them. You could accent the wall with a bold or contrasting color or add an interesting accessory such as a mirror or piece of art over a fireplace.
Accessories – Accessories are the finishing touch that bring a room together and make it feel welcoming. They add personality and reflect who you are and what you like. You’ll want to combine colors and textures for interest. If displaying a collection, group it all together rather than spreading it out around the space. This may mean paring it down and rotating pieces so as not to overwhelm the space.
Plants and flowers also make great accessories. If you are worried about your not- so-green thumb, artificial plants are a great option. Accessories also include your wall art. When choosing art, select what appeals to you. Don’t worry about the theme or colors used in the art. For instance, if you have traditional furniture and colors, but love contemporary art….feel free to use it. Use traditional framing and matting that fits the style of your room. By varying the sizes, you can add interest to the room.
Decorating doesn’t have to be overwhelming or expensive. If you keep your focus on your inspiration, your room will practically decorate itself. And don’t worry if you can’t get it all done in one shopping trip – some of the best interior spaces take years to achieve the right “look”. If something doesn’t look or feel right, that is ok, try something new. Don’t forget . . . you can change your spaces for the seasons with just a change in accessories. Sometimes this is all you need to do to feel like you have a whole new room.
If you need help, just send us your questions in an email to support@diningintheround.com. And be sure to share your “new fresh design” with us.
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If you are in the market for a new or antique dining table - you may be thinking, "I'll just walk into the furniture store and pick out a table I like," but there are other considerations you may need to take into account.
Beyond aesthetics, you may also need to consider:
Budget – How much do you want to spend?
Family – How many people are you going to need to seat?
Space – What is the size of your dining room? Be sure to take your room measurements along with you while you shop.
Table Shape - What shape will be best for your space?
Lifestyle – How often do you entertain? Are you a formal or informal entertainer?
Style - What is the style of your dining space?
For other considerations and some really great information on dining tables, check out Decorati Contributing Antiques Editor Buzz Kaplan's blog post about How High a Dining Table Should Be, along with his post on How Many People Can Sit At A Dining Table.
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