Monday, December 12, 2011

Enchanted guest #1...say hi to Kate from Party Resources

Good morning. Hope everyone had a great weekend. I did, went to a wonderful Christmas party, had dinner with great friends, had some time to relax and take Teddy for a long walk, and even did some Christmas shopping! I will be featuring various wonderful guest posts from some of my uber talented blogging friends off and on for the next two weeks leading up to Christmas. The idea was that we were hopefully going to be moving and that I was going to have my guests fill in for me while I was busy getting settled in but that plan has been slightly derailed until after Christmas. Though we aren't moving for at least a few weeks now,  I am still in packing mode in addition to being in the full swing of Christmas so these guests posts are a lifesaver!!

To kick things off I welcome talented, wonderful Kate. You are in for a mega treat today. Kate is the talent behind Party Resources, my most favorite blog for entertaining and party deliciousness!! Kate is here today to talk about "Whats on your tray" for the perfect Holiday dinner starting with the cocktail hour. taking you all the way to decadent desserts.  Get ready to feast your eyes on this scrumptious post! Thank you Kate and take it away........







I am thrilled to bring the party over to Tina's today. Don't you just love her? If you know my blog, then you know I love to entertain - especially during the holidays. It is a hectic time for everyone, so plan ahead and do things in advance. What's on my tray for a holiday party? Let's take a peek..








Cocktails
While a well stocked bar is a must, I also love to serve a signature cocktail. Our friend Peter Callahan's CRANBERRY MARTINI is perfect for this time of year. 


Nibbles
My motto for cocktail nibbles is something that pairs well with drinks and is simple to prepare!

The Union Square Cafe has the best recipe for spiced bar nuts I have ever found. Really. Truly. RECIPE


And a Cheese Board with assorted crackers, dried fruit, etc. 


Along with one hot passed hors d'oeuvre - HAM AND GRUYERE THUMBPRINTS


Main Course
If I had to pick one favorite recipe for entertaining during the winter months that is always a huge hit (and can be made the day before), it is Ina Garten'sBEEF BOURGUIGNON. (I skip the pearl onions.) Topped with fresh chopped parsley and paired with lots of crusty bread.




HARICOTS VERT with Shallots


Followed by an arugula salad with shaved parmesan in a balsamic vinaigrette 


Dessert
I always serve champagne or Prosecco with dessert. 

Accompanied by homemade ALMOND BARK with Sea Salt 


To top off the decadent meal - CHOCOLATE HAZELNUT CAKE with Praline Crunch and vanilla ice cream



Hope this inspires your holiday entertaining! Merry! Merry! 






Well Kate, you have me quite hungry right about now. My bowl of oatmeal waiting is just not cutting it!  And not just for any meal....I am talking a full blown mega decadent and delicious sounding one like the elegant meal you have planned above....there is not a single thing there that I wouldn't be thrilled to indulge in! I might even want to start backwards and start by "nibbling" on the chocolate bark and chocolate hazelnut cake....yum!! Many thanks for stopping in and offering your elegant take on the perfect holiday foods to offer during this festive season. Love all of your wonderful ideas and thank you for sharing some of the recipes! Please be sure to visit Kate over at Party Resources where there is a  whole host of wonderful posts about delectable foods and elegant entertaining.
Wishing everyone an enchanted day!
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44 comments:

  1. AnonymousDecember 12, 2011 at 8:04 AM

    So fun! That almond bark looks yummy! Maybe I will try to make it. And I totally agree on the Prosecco! It is such a fun and unexpected treat.

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  2. NazDecember 12, 2011 at 8:08 AM

    It all looks so yummy....a little too yummy lol.

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  3. rachel @ Just a Touch of GrayDecember 12, 2011 at 8:19 AM

    This most definitely inspires my holiday entertaining! Great post!

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  4. LaurieDecember 12, 2011 at 8:58 AM

    Wow am I hungry....fun party.

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  5. Just Spiff ItDecember 12, 2011 at 9:09 AM

    We make Union Square Cafe bar nuts for Christmas presents - they are the best. WOW - this post has made me hungry! Everything looks so delish!

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  6. Julie Taylor and Danni GreenwaltDecember 12, 2011 at 9:15 AM

    Yum! I am going to have to check out these recipes. They look so good.

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  7. Splendid WillowDecember 12, 2011 at 9:59 AM

    Good morning ladies, when did you say you wanted me to come over?! (: I LOVE good food and you have featured tons of Delishhh here! Arugula salad with shaved Parmesan, Beef Bourguignon, and sea salt bark!! So me!

    Thank you for the inspiration.

    Hugs to you both!

    Mon

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  8. LisaDecember 12, 2011 at 9:59 AM

    Nice job! Wow this is really an amazing spread, I love the sound of a cranberry martini and beef wellington is my husbands specialty ( he makes it every Christmas day ). The chocolate hazlenut is calling my name, looks mighty good!
    Happy holidays to you both.

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  9. La DolfinaDecember 12, 2011 at 10:05 AM

    Now that is one fabulous evening of fine food, I thoroughly enjoyed every word and picture... yum!
    Thanks Kate!
    Merry Christmas

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  10. ElizabethDecember 12, 2011 at 10:13 AM

    Tina,

    What a great post! I love a good party and many of these are fabulous easy things anyone can do! I cannot wait to try the nuts! Love the dinner too!

    So sorry to hear that you will not be in by Christmas. I guess that means that your fabulous dream home will be decked out exactly the way you like next year. Enjoy your holiday my friend..

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  11. I Dream OfDecember 12, 2011 at 10:16 AM

    What a delicious menu Kate has put together. I'd love to try to make those savory thumbprints. Yum!

    Hope you have a delicious week, Tina. I'm so sorry to hear you won't be in your new home, but I guess the bright side is that it gives you more time to plan how you want you home to look like for your first Christmas there.

    Sending Merry thoughts! XO

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  12. CharlottaDecember 12, 2011 at 10:19 AM

    Dear Tina - a truly enchanted guest and post! Am drooling over my keyboard here!

    Am hopping across to Kate's blog to say 'hi' next.

    Lots of love from Sweden.

    xx Charlotta

    P.S. Good luck with all the pre-Christmas chores. Hope you get to squeeze in some time for fun too. xx

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  13. UnknownDecember 12, 2011 at 10:21 AM

    Yum- this looks like my kind of party!

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  14. Teresa Hatfield ~ Splendid SassDecember 12, 2011 at 10:39 AM

    Love Kate and her blog!
    This menu is unbelievably fabulous, and the table is gorgeous!
    Have a great day Tina and Kate.
    Teresa
    xoxo

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  15. Cindy AlbertDecember 12, 2011 at 10:48 AM

    OMG, all that food looks amazing!! Thank you for another fabulous introduction. I'm with you that I might like to start at the end. After all life is uncertain, so we should begin with desert. :)

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  16. Cindy AlbertDecember 12, 2011 at 10:49 AM

    Rather, dessert. I'm spelling challenged.

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  17. Julian | sofas pielDecember 12, 2011 at 11:10 AM

    Very good ideas for Christmas dinner, the decor is wonderful, I think I pick up your preparation for my house. Merry Christmas although still a bit early. greetings.

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  18. KathysueDecember 12, 2011 at 11:17 AM

    Yum!! I want to come to her party, delicious!!I am sure everyone would have a good time at this party,
    Merry Christmas!
    Kathysue

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  19. Party ResourcesDecember 12, 2011 at 11:30 AM

    Thanks for having me Tina!! xx

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  20. The Preppy PrincessDecember 12, 2011 at 11:51 AM

    We have a word for posts like this: yumalicious! Those cranberry martinis are gorgeous in the glass, almost too pretty to drink. (Never.) The rest of the treats look equally delicious, the haricots vert, all of it looks delicious.

    Love this post Tina, I'm off to visit Kate's blog!
    tp

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  21. pam {simple details}December 12, 2011 at 11:56 AM

    I love Kate's blog and never miss her posts, always filled with inspiration!

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  22. MarianneDecember 12, 2011 at 12:53 PM

    The perfect post for the holidays! Now I'm starving and need a little snack! YUM!

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  23. Vær våkenDecember 12, 2011 at 2:16 PM

    Hi Tina! I'm so glad to be back in the blog world! And thanks for introducing me to this wonderful blog. I love everything about this post!!!
    I also went to a Christmas party with friends this weekend. I love to be with friends around this time of the year :)
    Have a beautiful new week and good luck with packing!

    Kristin xx

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  24. Amber B (Simple Dwellings)December 12, 2011 at 2:56 PM

    Best of luck with the packing, Tina! You are in the home stretch! And what a wonderfully delicious guest post. Thanks for introducing me to a great new blog. The entire meal looks scrumptious! :)

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  25. Interior Design MusingsDecember 12, 2011 at 2:57 PM

    OK, have not had lunch - dying right now. The Beef recipe from Ina is so good. She has a long and short version and I've made both with amazing results - may have to make it this weekend!!! M.

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  26. Ispirato DesignDecember 12, 2011 at 3:29 PM

    I'm very much looking forward to a cocktail party this Wed with my best girl friends. I knew I would be bringing some sort of chocolate- now I know it will be Homemade Almond Bark! Thank you for the inspiration :)

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  27. Splendid MarketDecember 12, 2011 at 3:58 PM

    What a wonderful collection of recipes, the bar nuts and beef borg. are already in my repitoire, but I can't wait to try some of the others.

    We are giving away a Fresh Fraser Fir wreath, please stop by Splendid Market to enter {often and SOON} for the Scent of Christmas to be delivered to your door!

    http://www.splendidmarket.com/2011/12/its-beginning-to-smell-lot-like.html

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  28. HAMPTON HOSTESSDecember 12, 2011 at 4:25 PM

    looks delicious-especially the califlower gratin-so yummy! That and a glass of prosecco and I would be in heaven!

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  29. JulieDecember 12, 2011 at 5:11 PM

    Oh my gosh.. I now have a full blown case of heart burn. Slim Fast just is not going to cut it now~

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  30. The Buzz BlogDecember 12, 2011 at 5:20 PM

    I may need to steal these ideas for Christmas Eve and drink lots of those cocktails to survive the day!
    xxoo

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  31. UnknownDecember 12, 2011 at 6:28 PM

    I just adore Kate and all the amazing details and sources she shares with us each day. Her talented mother planned the weddings of 2 friends of mine. What a small world!!!

    I am absolutely making that chocolate bark and love her cocktail ideas. With house guests for a week and hosting an intimate New Year's Eve with friends...I can use all the ideas Kate has!!

    Merry monday!
    xoxo Elizabeth

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  32. Bon La LaDecember 12, 2011 at 6:56 PM

    Can not wait to try the martini & thumbprint recipes!

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  33. Mona Thompson Providence Ltd.December 12, 2011 at 9:34 PM

    First Tina...good luck with the packing...did that two years ago, not fun...we moved two weeks after Christmas, so I feel your pain...and the party...count me in. I had better fast for a week before with all that great food. XO, Mona

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  34. Castles Crowns and CottagesDecember 12, 2011 at 9:38 PM

    Good evening TINA!

    So late for this wonderful buffet of goodies, but what an array of glamor and fun! ARE YOU GETTING CLOSER TO MOVING IN???? I cannot wait! Anita

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  35. Karen T.December 12, 2011 at 10:20 PM

    What a fun and delicious post!

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  36. HamptontoesDecember 12, 2011 at 10:39 PM

    I'm with you Tina...Kate knows how to entertain with style, grace and passion. Adore her!

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  37. Desiree {CHIC COASTAL LIVING}December 12, 2011 at 11:39 PM

    This is making me hungry! How awesome would it be to be able to enjoy all of that in one sitting! Great post!

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  38. designchicDecember 12, 2011 at 11:42 PM

    What a beautiful party, Kate...would love to be a guest at this lovely table. The chocolate hazelnut cake has me dreaming...

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  39. danaDecember 13, 2011 at 12:00 AM

    These beautiful pictures of incredible food makes me wish I was throwing a party. Thanks for sharing-

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  40. Barbara@HausDesignDecember 13, 2011 at 3:24 AM

    This menu sounds fantastic from start to finish! What a beautiful post!

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  41. AgnesDecember 13, 2011 at 4:38 AM

    Hi Tina, missed your blog. Have been traveling a lot for business and am finally home for a few weeks for the holidays. What a great post and I am with you, eating backwards sounds like a great idea.
    A wonderful menu here, the martini sounds great, as does Ina's beef recipe (have tried it and its one of the best I have had). Got some great ideas here, thank you. Visited Kate at her blog too, such a nice blog as well!

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  42. UnknownDecember 13, 2011 at 4:41 AM

    Tina and Kate,

    Oh what fun it is to taste on a one horse open sleigh...jingle bells wow I'm loving this party mood for Monday great post!

    Bette

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  43. Annie H.December 13, 2011 at 9:21 AM

    I am glad I didn't see this when I was trying to convince myself that one Lean Cuisine last night for dinner was more than enough, this would have sent me straight to the kitchen! I do try to be really good, but for Christmas eve and day and any parties we attend, I like to enjoy and indulge just a little bit. This meal is just my dream meal in every way, right down to the chocolate bark, yum.

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  44. AnonymousDecember 14, 2011 at 8:53 AM

    I am drooling over that Chocolate Hazelnut Cake!

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Would love to hear what you have to say......happy thoughts only please!!