Photo by Ben30

So many people are intimidated by the idea of having guests over. When one mentions dinner party an image of slaving away in front of a hot stove for an entire evening comes to mind. If you are one of these folks, I suggest having a tapas party!

For those unfamiliar with tapas, they are a small Spanish dishes, brought to the table, and shared by everyone. Not only is the food spectacular, but the sharing of all the platters creates a warm intimate setting for you and your guests to enjoy.

Food

Naturally, the most important part of a tapas party is the food. The wonderful thing about making tapas is that most everything can be made ahead of time and there is very minimal cooking after the guests arrive. Tapas are meant to be served in bite sized portions. All the platters you fix should be similar in size to an appetizer you would order in a restaurant or you would snack on at a cocktail party.

What makes for good tapas? Marinated olives are an absolute must, and all the work that you do is go to the store! Tapenade with bread or crackers is a delicious choice that can be made the day before, and stored in the fridge. Par Boiling potatoes before hand, then pan frying them right before eating is a quick and tasty choice, that can be served alongside a dipping sauce. Meat or vegetables on skewers make cooking time quick, as the pieces are so small. Just remember when planning your menu; guests should not need to use a knife, and platters should be easy to share.

Black Olive Tapenade

• 10 cloves garlic
• 1/2 cup lemon juice
• 1 (10 ounce) can black olives, drained
• 1 cup chopped parsley
• 1 tablespoon chopped basil
• 1 1/3 cup walnuts
• 3/4 cup olive oil

1. In a food processor add all ingredients. Grind until it is a finely ground paste.
2. Serve with toasted baguette slices and crackers.

Chorizo Rioja Tapas
Recipe from Recipezaar.

• 1 1/2 pound good quality chorizo
• 8 ounces rioja wine
• 5 black peppercorns
• 3 dried bay leaves
• Flat leaf parsley for serving

1. Prick the sausage all over and place in a dish.
2. Pour the wine over sausages and add peppercorns and bay leaves. Cover and refrigerate for 24 hours.
3. Drain the chorizo sausage and cook them on a well oiled, medium-hot griddle pan for about 6 minutes each side, or until evenly browned and crispy.
4. Slice the sausage thickly and at an angle. Arrange on a serving platter.

For some more wonderful authentic tapas recipes check out Spain-Recipes and Tapas-Recipes.

Drink
Drinks are just as important as the food at any dinner party. Having some nice Spanish wine available for your guests is the perfect compliment to your bite sized meal. Check out this simple guide to Spanish wines for some very helpful information on choosing a wine.

If you really want to go all out, make your guests a nice big pitcher of Sangria. It is tasty, refreshing, and a great way to get the conversations rolling. Just make sure your guests aren’t planning on driving home for a while!

Sangria
Be warned, I like my Sangria strong. A little bit goes a very long way! If you prefer a little less alcohol, omit the white rum and brandy.

Ingredients:

• 1 bottle red wine, I use a Cabernet
• 1 cup orange juice
• 1/3 cup sugar
• 1/2 cup white rum
• 1/2 cup spiced rum
• 1/2 cup brandy
• 1 star anise pod
• 1/2 stick cinnamon
• 3 various fruits sliced into wedges or rings. I like using oranges, nectarines, lemons, limes, peaches, plus or grapes.

1. In large punch bowl or a large pitcher, add sliced fruits and sugar. Muddle with a wooden spoon to bring out juices.
2. Add remaining ingredients and refrigerate for at least two hours. Serve with slices of fruit in glasses.

On the Table

A tapas party does not require a formal table setting, but rather a bunch of small plates, some forks, perhaps even toothpicks. Much of the food will be eaten with fingers, so having plenty of paper napkins, or some nice cloth napkins is a necessity.

For decorations, keep it simple. A few candles, and a small vase with some sprigs of rosemary in it are great for setting atmosphere.

Music

You may already know what you and your guests would like to hear over your dinner. However, if you are going for a more authentic Spanish tapas party you will need to have some Spanish guitar or flamenco music. I suggest downloading Pepe Romero, Carlos Montoya, Paco Pena, Sabicas, or Sabu Martinez. Your guests will really be blown away by how much work you put into your dinner party!

Photo by Ben30

So darlings, phone up your friends and start planning your menu. Tapas parties are so fun with minimal effort on your part. Guests get a chance to enjoy a new eating experience while sitting in an intimate setting and enjoying good conversation. What could be better than that?

xoxo,
Cedar

Cocktail parties are probably my favorite type of party to attend, and to throw. I just love getting dressed up, and I love to see everyone else in their finest as well. With a cocktail or two, everyone starts to loosen up, the conversations start flowing, and if it goes good, people are dancing by the end of the evening.

Though it may be a cocktail party, to me the outfit is far more important than whatever drinks are being served. A cocktail party is the ultimate excuse to be as girly or as fabulous as you want to be. Here are my recent picks for the perfect cocktail attire….

Earrings, Stockings, Dress, Ring, Clutch, Shoes

Headband, Shoes, Dress, Belt, Stockings, Bag, Bracelet

Earrings, Shoes, Dress, Flower, Clutch, Lipstick

The job of a hostess is a hard one.  They are going out of their way to accommodate you, and do not want to feel that they are being taken advantage of, or that you are not appreciative of all they have done.

The job of a good guest is difficult as well. Learning to pick up cues that it is time to go home, or showing up with the right gift takes a bit of practice. Small things you do to help out a stressed out hostess can make a huge difference, and make her want to throw another shin dig in the near future.

When invited to dinner:

♥ Know what time you are to be there, and what time dinner is being served. Do not be late to this or you will keep others waiting, the food will get cold, and you probably wont be invited back for another dinner party.

♥ It is nice to bring your host a small something in appreciation. A bottle of wine does quite nicely for this. You can also offer to bring a dessert or something when you are invited.

♥ If you do bring a bottle of wine, and it isn’t finished by the time dinner is over do not bring it home.

♥ Pay attention towards the end of the night to cues that the host would like you to leave. If after an hour of talking around the table you see him start clearing the table and doing dishes, odds are this is his signal to you that it’s time to get going. Don’t be offended, he’s probably just tired. Offer to help, and then say your goodbyes.

When Invited to a Party:

♥ When invited make sure to ask if there is anything you can bring. Suggest an appetizer or a bottle of liqueur even if you know they host will decline your offer.

♥ Do not be the first to arrive or the last to leave. In other words, don’t show up early, and don’t overstay your welcome. Your host will most likely be very busy preparing things, and those last few minutes are very crucial to him or her. Also, don’t keep your hostess up long after all the other guests have left. She is probably pooped, and wants to either clean up, or go to bed.

♥ Do not eat them out of house and home. It is customary to have a light dinner before any party, other than a dinner party. If you come with the munchies, and chow down all the appetizers without considering others, it is most likely that guests and most of all the hostess will extremely irritated.

♥ Please don’t get waisted. Yes, it may be a cocktail party, but the purpose is to savor your drinks and enjoy the company. Don’t jump on the table and start doing the PeeWee Herman dance, don’t try to flirt with the hostess’s boyfriend behind her back, and as funny as it may seem don’t get so drunk you either remove articles of clothing, or need to vomit.

When staying overnight:

♥ Do not ask your host to cook your breakfast. Also, do not crash on the couch until 7 that evening. Though this sounds completely obvious, it has actually happened to me!

♥ Unless your host invites you to stay for lunch, or asks if you want to go grab some breakfast somewhere, it is usually best to get out of her hair soon after waking up. If she offers to make pancakes, then feel free to stay and do help clean up once breakfast is done.

♥ Be ok with sleeping on a couch, or on a small mattress on the floor. If it is only an overnight stay. Your host may not be accustomed to having people stay over.

When staying for an extended visit:

♥ If you don’t have a car, don’t expect to be driven around everywhere. When your host or hostess asks you what you would like to do over your vacation, mention the things you would like to do or see

♥ Offer to help out with house chores on a daily basis. If you are in town for a week or so, a lot needs to be done around a house, and with extra bodies, there is even more to do. Help do dishes, take out the trash, or sweep the floor.

♥ Help do the cooking, or offer to pay for dinner at least once. They deserve it for their kind hospitality.

♥ Do not surprise your host with an extra week.

Who doesn’t love a good movie night? It is a fun and incredibly easy way to get a group of friends together for a few hours. Unlike other party type get togethers, there is little to no preparation needed before hand, and no one needs to worry about getting dressed up. With a little thought before hand, it is quite easy to make sure that your movie night goes smoothly.

♥ Guests. Invite people who you all know share a common interests. Invite all your horror film lovers over on one night, and the romantic comedy fans over on a another night. Definitely don’t invite a Dungeons and Dragon enthusiast, a Hannah Montana fan and your grandma over to watch the same movie. Odds are, they won’t share the same interest in films.

♥ Picking a movie. Think about what your guests have in common. If you invite some girls from your dance class over, choose a movie with dancing as a theme, such as a Dirty Dancing or Funny Face.

Have a few different films for your guests in case one of them is a complete dud, or if it turns out everyone has seen the film but you. It is ok to watch a film that everyone has already seen, as long as you know it is a movie that they all share a love for.

♥ Before the movie. Invite your guests to come over about thirty minutes before you plan on showing the film. You can use this time to get the popcorn and drinks ready, and to have a little bit of chit chat. Consider having some pre movie short films. Old cartoons, such as Merrie Melodies work well for this.

♥ Setting. Comfort is important. If you don’t have enough sofa room for everyone, don’t panic. Pull out all the pillows and blankets you have, and lay them out around the room. With a little work you can make the floor look just as inviting to guests as the couch.

Lights should be dimmed for the movie. Leave a few candles burning to provide some light so no one breaks there neck trying to find the bathroom in the dark.

♥ Snacks. Skip the dinner party on this night, and focus on desserts and snack foods. Food should be quick to prepare, and remind one of being in a movie theatre. Load up on the popcorn, cookies, and small candies. Use some small brown paper bags to divide up the popcorn, so each guest can have their own. Put out bowls of Skittles or M&M’s. No need to get fancy. The whole point of the movie night is to be casual.

If you want to go all out, make ice cream sundaes. Buy some vanilla ice cream, chocolate sauce, caramel sauce, chopped nuts, rainbow sprinkles, whipped topping, and Maraschino cherries. Let your guests go to town, making their own sundae concoctions right before you start the film.

♥ Beverages. Depending on who you invite over you may want to have wine or beer available to your guests. If you don’t want to get into the alcohol, stick to sodas or fun juice blends. I like to buy several types of juice, and then mix them. A little pineapple, some orange, and a dash of cranberry….mmm…well you get the idea!

♥ After the film. If your friends are the type who like to discuss the movie once it is over, allow some time for this. If not perhaps just put on something to look at on tv, and turn the volume down so you can talk about other things. Your friends will naturally leave pretty soon after the movie, unless you invite them to stay longer.

Photo by JasperYue

With Valentine’s Day only two weeks away everyone is scrambling to make dinner reservations. With all those people out eating, dining out on Valentine’s day can be more chaos then one needs. Why not save on the stress of a busy restaurant, and have a special DIY Valentine’s date at home.

♥ Tell your special someone about a week in advance that you have something planned. Don’t tell them too much, because you want to surprise them with all the work you put into your date night.

♥ Food doesn’t have to be anything special, just make it seem that way. Make up a big pot of spaghetti and throw together a salad. Served on a nicely dressed table, even the most simple of meals can look elegant. If you do decide to go all out and try something fancy, make it once before the big day, so you have time to make adjustments if needed.

♥ Chocolate dipped strawberries are the way to go for dessert. Nothing says romance, and fun like this easy dessert. To make it even more intimate and fun, do it at the table! Make up a chocolate fondue, and have the strawberries set out on a plate. Serve a nice bottle of champagne alongside.
♥ Candles, candles, candles! Nothing says romance like a room full of candles. Set candles on the table, the counters, and throughout the room. Tea lights are very inexpensive for a large bag of them. Fill the table with them. If you have any strands of single colored Christmas lights still out from the holiday, these look beautiful, and mood setting when hung around windows.

♥ Flowers and candles always go well when dressing a table. Scattering flower petals or chocolate kisses around the table makes for a fun decor. Fill a few martini glasses with clear marbles, and then rest some tea lights in each glass for a unique way to light up the table.

♥ Make a mix of music before hand. Include some of your honey’s favorite songs (as long as they are not too upbeat and crazy) and some classics like Al Green or Isaac Hayes.

♥ Set the table. Use a tablecloth, it doesn’t need to be anything fancy, even just a piece of fabric will do. Invest in some cloth napkins if you don’t already have some. These look much nicer sitting on a table under candlelight than paper napkins. Having the table set with silverware, plates, and glasses when your date arrives will show just how much work you put into the special night.

♥Right before your date arrives turn on the music, light the candles, and put the finishing touches on the dinner. Sit down, and enjoy each other’s company in the romantic atmosphere that you created!

Don’t have the desire to cook up a romantic date? Check out Alternative Date Ideas for Valentines Day. Want to try that chocolate fondue I spoke of? Try my delicious Chocolate and Hazelnut Fondue.

Photo by Paige_eliz

I love wine. No, I love, love, LOVE wine. There is nothing in the world like having a nice glass of Pinot Grigio after or alongside dinner.

I hardly ever have it alongside of cheese, since it is most often after dinner that I drink it. I do however love a good cheese and wine pairing, and absolutely adore the idea of cheese and wine parties.

While you can just throw all the cheeses in your fridge on a platter and call it a day, there are some wine and cheese pairs that were born for each other. Below is a basic list of complimentary wines and cheeses.

♥ Bordeaux - Gorgonzola, Brie

♥ Cabarnet Sauvignon - US Brie, Camembet, Sharp Cheddar, Danish Blu,

♥ Champagne - Colby, Mild Cheddar, Gouda, Chevre, Edam

♥ Chardonnay - Mild Cheddar, Provolone, Gruyere, Parmigiano-Reggiano

♥ Gewurztraminer - Muenster, Caraway, Chevre, Swiss

♥ Merlot - Gouda, Gruyere, Pecorino Toscano

♥ Muscat - Gorgonzola

♥ Port - Sharp Cheddar, Gorgonzola, Roqueforte, Stilton

♥ Pinot Grigio - Asiago, Ricotta

♥ Pinot Noir - Ricotta, Asiago

♥ Riesling - Cheshire, Colby, Edam, Gouda, Monterey Jack

♥ Sauvignon Blanc - Shard Cheddar, Goat Cheese, Gruyere, Blue Castello

♥ Shiraz - Edam, Gouda, Sharp Cheddar

♥ White Zinfandel - Cream Cheese

♥ Zinfandel - Muenster, Goat Cheese, Gouda, Asiago

While I do appreciate most wines, my all time favorites are pinot grigio and cabarnet sauvignon. What are you favorite red and white wine?

For two much more in depth wine and cheese guides check out Gourmet Sleuth and Wine Monger.

When I first start planning my parties my first few thoughts are; who to invite, what I will wear, and what the theme will be. I always like to have a theme for my parties, it helps everything come together, adds a special element of fun for you and your guests, and makes you look like a master in the craft of entertaining.

A theme doesn’t mean that if it is “South of the border night” men come wearing sombreros, or if it is “Hawaiian Holiday” the women show up in grass skirts and coconut bras. This simply means that the food, music, and most importantly, drinks, are influenced by the theme. So break out the rum, slide the coffee table against the wall, and get to partying, Havana style!

Guests
Guests are probably one of the first thing you will want to think about when planning your party. If it is a sit down dinner, consider inviting only people who have met before, or you know would be able to have a good conversation. Because of the intimate setting of a dinner party, guests need to feel comfortable being involved in the conversation. Nothing makes for a more uncomfortable party than a bunch of people who have never met, and have no common interests.

For a cocktail party, guests don’t need to have that familiarity that you would want in a dinner party. The drinks will get the guests talking, even if they don’t share many common interests. Besides being able to open up over a few drinks, the nature of a cocktail party allows your guests to walk around and mingle, and get to know the other guests at the party.

Food

For a real retro Cuban fiesta you need hearty, full of flavor dishes. Ropa Vieja is one of my all time favorite dishes, and can be made hours ahead of time and placed in a crock pot, which makes for extra simple menu planning. If you aren’t big on the red meat, Jerk Chicken is a wonderful, tasty, and very spicy option, that will definitely put your guests in the mood for mambo. For a dessert you could serve up this delicious flan, or some sliced up pineapple, mangos, and star fruit on the side of some ice cream.

For some Cuban appetizer ideas, check out Taste of Cuba.

Drinks
With the wide array of flavors that Cuban, and other Caribbean foods provide, guests are going to want something cool, and slightly tropical to drink. A Mojito, Daquiri, or Cuba Libre can provide the ambiance, along with fun that is needed for a themed party. Make a large pitcher of your drink, so guests can help themselves. Use garnishes such as cherries, limes, and pineapple slices to make your drinks even more festive.

Decor
The key to decorating is lots of rich, vibrant, and contrasting colors. Nothing in the world says party like some bright, colorful streamers and they aren’t just for kid’s parties anymore. A bowl full of tropical fruits on a table make an incredibly beautiful, colorful, and simple centerpiece on any table. Hang some colored lights around the room to set the mood or dim the over head lights to help set the mood.

Music
Music is one of the easiest, and also one of the trickiest ways to set the mood for any party. What you put on your record/CD/i Pod player can really make or break your party. I have a very extensive collection of both records and MP3’s, however, if the guest list is more than four or so, I prefer to use the i Pod. The reason for this is obvious, it’s easier. With the i Pod I can plan out a play list ahead of time, hit the play list when guests arrive, and sit back and enjoy the music.

My very, very favorite record, which guarantees to get people up and dancing is A Touch of Tabasco by Rosemary Clooney and Perez Prado. Look for vintage mambo and cha cha music, such as Yma Sumac and Perez Prado. For some great compilations, check out the Ultra-Lounge collections, Mambo Fever and Cha Cha de Amor.

The biggest party day of the year has arrived, and what better way to celebrate than with a bottle (or two, or three) of bubbly?

Uncork that bottle, and get to mixing, and make sure to have a happy, and safe New Years!

Pink Slip
Fill a wine glass with 1 ounce of coconut rum and 1 ounce of cranberry juice. Fill remainder of the glass with champagne.

Bird of Paradise
Fill a champagne flute ¾ full of champagne. Fill the rest of the glass with pineapple juice. Add a dash of grenadine and enjoy this tropical cousin to a mimosa!

Flirtini
In a cocktail shaker with ice combine 1/2 oz Cointreau, 1/2 oz Vodka, and 1 oz Pineapple Juice. Shake, and strain into a chilled martini glass. Top with 3 oz Champagne.

What are your plans this New Year?

With the New Year right around the corner, I thought now would be the perfect time to share my cocktail party guide. Of course, cocktail parties are fun any time of year, but in the midst of the biggest holidays of the year, everyone has an excuse to throw one of these swanky events.

Food
Because the focus of your party are the drinks, cocktail food should be quick, easy, and prepared as much ahead of time as possible. Dips such as my roasted red pepper hummus or crab dip are great because they can be prepared ahead of time, and put out, next to a mixed vegetable platter, or some crackers, minutes before guests arrive. A plate full of various cheeses along side of some crackers may sound unoriginal, but unless all your guests are vegan, no one ever turns down cheese and crackers.

Because this isn’t a sit down dinner, it can be very tough to determine how much food you need to make without running out. It is pretty safe to estimate one pounds worth of food per guest. Always have more food than you think necessary.

As a rule of thumb for cocktail food, it should be no more than two bites. I like to offer a variety of food, from savory, to sweet, to healthy (I know, when drinking cocktails you rarely think of your health, but I like a big plate of veggies!). Things such as chocolate dipped strawberries, pigs in a blanket, and kabob skewers are some great options for bite sized snacks. If you are feeling a bit more adventurous, and have the free time, why not make these darling cream puff swans?

Drinks
Since this is a cocktail party, a stocked bar is key. If you don’t have the a liquor cabinet already built up, you can get away with just buying vodka, gin, whiskey, and a few mixers such as tonic water, orange juice, vermouth (for martinis), cola, and lemon lime soda. If you have a bit more cash, tequila, brandy, rum, and various liquors and juices really make for a swingin’ party. It is good to also have a few bottles of red and white wine, and various beers for the beer and wine drinkers.

If you are short of cash like I am, hiring a bartender is completely out of the question. Setting up a table or counter space with your liquor, mixers, ice, garnishes (limes, olives, cherries, etc.), cocktail shaker, straws, and glasses is ideal. I usually set a bar tending book nearby so that guests can look up their favorite drinks and make them, without interrupting the flow of the party. I highly recommend the Bartender’s Black Book. It is the most in depth and comprehensive bar book I have found. The back of the book contains a great index where you can look up any type of liquor, and see what drinks can be made with it. The book also has a section where they list all the different types of martinis, hot alcoholic beverages, blended drinks, shots, etc. for easy navigation through the land of liquors.

Having a specialty or “house” drink really helps save time, and confusion for those guests that don’t know what to drink. This can be made ahead of time in a big pitcher, or punch bowl, and guests can help themselves. It is much easier, and quicker than having each guest pour their own drinks. I love making a big pitcher of Sangria and setting it out with some wine glasses. Any drink could be made as your specialty drink, but make sure it is something that most everyone would like. Things such as punches, margaritas, daiquiris or other tropical drinks work well in big batches.

Estimate two drinks per guest per hour.

For a great and very retro How To guide in garnishing cocktails, click the thumbnail below.

Music
For a real swingin’ cocktail party, a good selection of music is ideal. Artists like Dean Martin, Peggy Lee, Nancy Wilson, Ella Fitzgerald and Charlie Parker are all great for creating the perfect cocktail ambiance. I also really like the Ultra Lounge collections, because they do all the hard work for you. They now have over twenty different albums, each with a theme (such as Saxaphobia, A Bachelor in Paris, & Mondo Exotica), and various artists. Just put on one of these discs, and you don’t need to worry about playing DJ the entire evening.

Other Important Tips
♥ Ice, lots and lots of ice. I start making ice about a week before the party, and keep it in grocery bags in the freezer
♥ Plan on hosting your party for about two to three hours. I like to host mine from 7-10, so people have a chance to eat a light dinner, and are out of your hair before the neighbors go to sleep.
♥ Have at least two glasses per guest or one per guest per hour. Try to have a variety of different glasses, martini, wine, rocks, and shot glasses.
♥ Having at least two cocktail shakers really helps to unclog the crowd at the bar. Reserve one for sweet drinks, and one for unsweetened, that way the shakers don’t need to be rinsed between each use.
♥ Learn how to make a few basic drinks like the traditional martini, Southern Bride, or a white Russian, just to impress your guests who are unsure about making their own.
♥ Don’t provide too much seating, it is good to have your guests up and mingling.
♥ Hire a babysitter. Cocktail parties are not family events, and nothing can kill a grown up social event like screaming children.
♥ Have on hand the number for at least one or two local cab service, in case any of your guests take full advantage of your bar!