Citrus Is Sensational For Summer!

How would you like a recipe for the best dessert you'll have all summer? One that is impressive enough for company, but easy enough to whip up just because you're in the mood for something cold, creamy, with a little crunch and full of wonderful citrus flavor? Yes? I thought so!

I acquired this recipe from a caterer that I had the pleasure of working with in Williamsburg, Virgina about 8 years ago. We met by accident (it's a long story, so I'll provide the ultra condensed version) and when she found out I loved hosting parties and was passionate about design, she made a proposition I could not resist. 

Secrets to a great tart!

She was catering a bridal luncheon for the daughter of her client and asked if I thought I could I do the table setting, handle the flowers, and favors? I said yes and she arranged for me to meet her at the residence a few days later-basically to asses my abilities! The housekeeper, of the stunning big old house, led us to the butler's pantry. It was a large butler's pantry with more dishes than I had ever seen outside a store setting. It was spectacularly beautiful and simultaneously utilitarian and the image is still etched in my mind. I perused the options of dishes, linens, crystal and silver and took advantage of the abundant assortment of hydrangea and roses from the expansive garden, then spent the next few hours completing my "interview" for the job.

Catherine and I worked on 2 more parties together for this client and a few others before I moved. I learned so much from her and this recipe is one example. It was love at first bite! And, the fact it can be made ahead-a caterer's secret weapon as well as that of any busy hostess and a working person's saving grace, just added to the perfection. It's been a favorite of the A&A house since I first made it for my family and my son always requests it for his birthday instead of cake. Until now, I have never shared this recipe with even my closet friends. But since blogging and blog friends have been such a treat, I thought this was the perfect way to say thanks for reading and participating in our on-going conversations...especially when my blogging has been so erratic this year!

 I generally use a square tart pan and cut approximately 3x3 slices and often there are requests for another piece!
So if you're serving a crowd or want leftovers, make extra tarts. If you don't have a whip cream dispenser with decorative tips, a big dollop of fresh cream is just fine.

Citrus Tart
2 cups crushed gingersnap cookies (use a brand that you like to eat)
6 tablespoons of melted unsalted butter
3 tablespoons of dark brown sugar
1/4 teaspoon of ground cinnamon
1 (14oz) can of sweetened condensed milk
1/3 cup frozen (no pulp) orange juice concentrate, thawed but icy/cold
1/4 cup fresh lemon juice (do not use bottled)
2 tablespoons of fresh lime juice (optional-I usually omit this)
2 large eggs separated

Stir together the first 4 ingredients and press the mixture with your fingers into the bottom and up the sides of a 9 inch tart pan (it doesn't matter if it's square or round) with a removable bottom. Next, whisk together the condensed milk, OJ, lemon juice and yokes of the eggs together until just blended Then, beat egg whites with an electric mixer on medium speed until stiff. Fold the eggs whites into the juice/milk mixture then pour the filling into the tart (crust) pan. Bake at 325 degrees until filling is set-about 25 minutes. Cool completely on a wire rack then cover with wax paper and chill overnight. Remove bottom of tart pan and form and place on a serving dish. Garnish with fresh (only) whip cream, citrus and mint. ENJOY!!! 

Sharing Holiday Entertaining Tips!

Please join me today at the beautiful Party Resources blog where Kate has been running her series on Holiday Party Tips and I sent her mine along with a few of my favorite holiday images from Martha Stewart who is always so inspirational this time of year!

When Kate asked me last month if I'd like to guest post for this series, not only did I think it would be fun, but it would also keep me focused on my own holiday planning. Thank you Kate!

In addition to sharing tips on topics from Best Hostess Gift Under The Tree to Favorite Holiday Cocktail,  I thought I'd kick things off by passing along the recipe for one of my favorite quick appetizers. This recipe for cheese filled apricots came via Traditional Home-November 2002 in a segment called Cooking School that featured appetizers that took only 10-20 minutes to assemble. This was included in the 12 minute category!

Recipe:
Blend equal parts blue cheese and butter until smooth. Pipe or spoon into small dried apricots, top with nuts.

Every holiday season I buy 2 rosemary trees to flank my kitchen window. They are festive, fragrant and
 oh, so handy when I need a quick snip to garnish a platter as well as seasoning for the Christmas roast!

Tips I've learned from making these for nearly a decade:

Use a pastry tip and bag. Or fill a zip-lock plastic bag, cut a small hole in one corner and fill the apricots. I could never figure out how to "spoon into" without making a mess!

Both walnut and pecan halves work great or combine the two to appeal to the nut lovers.

Use quality blue cheese and unsalted (my preference) butter at room temperature when blending. Taste and make any adjustments before you fill the pastry bag! 

These can be assembled on any size platter depending on how many you make. My favorite way to garnish them is with a rosemary wreath. Put them on a cake stand or pedestal and they look especially festive, like little jewels!!!

Please visit Party Resources for more tips and to say hello!  

PS: Since this guest post was already scheduled for today, I will announce the signed book givaway winner this weekend!

All photos courtesy of A&A

C'mon Baby Light My Fire!

Or just sit with me by the fire and enjoy some wine and chocolate. I do like Valentine's Day...a lot, but not in the scatter rose petals in a path to the bed sort of way. If my husband ever did that it would kill any chance of romance because I wouldn't be able to stop laughing.

We tend to keep it pretty simple most years, and this year we had to celebrate early since Mr. A&A is globe trotting again. I honestly don't know why I haven't considered doing this before...dessert fireside in the library. Just enough to celebrate the holiday without being over the top.



The mini cake came from Trader Joe's and had the authentic aroma of chocolate.
 The roses also from TJ's...gorgeous almost lilac. The little
pink bowls are antique and are perfect for raspberry sorbet!

 This year skip the lavish preparations and try something simple to show your love to the one you love!

Gold and White and Candlelight

This is one of my favorite combinations that I rely on for the holiday season. This scheme was already enjoyed with friends. I will use it again for our family Christmas dinner and a variation for New Year's Eve. I don't think it's necessary to completely reinvent the table for each occasion.  I just wash and press the tablecloth and replace the fresh greens as needed or add flowers and maybe a small gift to give it an update. Figuring out an interesting centerpiece for a round table can be a challenge. This year I decided to treat it as I would an oval or rectangle and do something more linear.

Three miniature fresh Cypress trees and loose greens swirled into wreaths around the glass candelabras added seasonal freshness. Hand rolled beeswax candles gave a beautiful glow.

Christmas crackers or "poppers" are a tradition with Christmas dinner for us, so I am always on the hunt for sets that have beautiful paper.

I love to make things personal and intimate for a sit down dinner and individual S&P shakers, or a least a set per couple as well a tiny votive at each place setting does the trick. They also add to the sparkle.

The buffet received the holiday treatment too with a large crystal faceted globe, two white feather trees and my two new finds are topped with pears!

A gold bird  nestled in a small fresh tree that is draped with  gold pear garland and placed in an antique black urn signals Christmas, and holds my version of a Partridge In A Pear Tree.

Now if I could just decide on the menu for Christmas dinner...

Addendum: I've linked to Susan at Between Naps on the Porch for her holiday table preview series. Wonderful inspiration from many creative bloggers! 

Tuesday Tip

Making a list, checking it twice. Gonna find out who's naughty or nice! Or at least who is a nice host and ready for the holidays...and who is naughty and not prepared!



C'mon Santa, don't look so surprised!



Each year, I began focusing on the holidays the first 2 weeks of November. I find it hard to jump into decorating, baking and shopping if there are a bunch of incomplete tasks distracting me. I start by making 2 lists. The first is for non-perishable items I need to buy/stock and the second is for seasonal chores to complete. This year I actually feel a bit behind since retail has decided Christmas should arrive before Halloween this year. Did you notice too? Crazy!


Make your bar beautiful for the holiday season!!!


Purchase list:
bar basics
cider
nuts
olives
crackers
cheese straws
chocolate/truffles
baking basics
soaps
candles
hostess gifts(not wine or flowers!)



 Truffles, a holiday favorite!

Plenty of delicious crackers for your cheese selections.



Mixed olives are perfect for easy entertaining.



Chore list:
Break it down into categories so you don't feel overwhelmed.  Commit to tacking at least 2 items from each group to complete each week. Hire out what you can and solicit family members to help out. Motivating tip: tell your family you will not be able to shop for gifts or mail lists to Santa until the chores are complete!  This has been a great motivator at the A&A house for years.

Kitchen:
clean oven(s)
wipe out silverware trays
wipe out fridge & freezer
clean out & organize pantry
check spices, toss any over a year old



Polish silver while listening to Christmas music.



Dining:
polish silver
clean chandelier
launder & press table linens



  Launder & press table linens.


Guest relations:
sweep & tidy entryway
gather towels, sheets and soaps



Seasonal soaps are a nice gesture.



Be prepared for overnight guests with beautiful sheets.

General:
deep clean every room of the house before Thanksgiving
send rugs out for cleaning or clean under them and rotate

Other:
clean windows
clean out gutters
chimney sweep
change batteries in all detectors



The dirtiest job!


Not only will you feel relieved by completing these items before the holidays get in full swing, you feel so much more prepared and ready to bake, shop for presents, and just enjoy the season!

What's on your list?

Images via Martha Sterwart for Ashley Hicks, Godiva, Williams-Sonoma, Ralph Lauren, Caswell- Massey, Google

Tuesday Tip

Ten minute tablescape! I love entertaining, especially outdoors!!! I have been working on getting my deck whipped into shape this year and posted about it here and here. The casual nature of dining alfresco takes all pressure off to make things perfect. I nearly always just use what I have on hand.

Which is why it is so important to always be editing yourself and to make thoughtful purchases. When I am buying something new I always ask myself 2 simple questions.....

1.) Is this item flexible? Specifically, whether I am shopping online or in a store, I ask myself...can I use it in multiple ways...does it go with multiple styles, seasons, and rooms?
2.) Do I have space to store it and access it easily? This is equally important.  Because if not, I won't ever remember to use it!

I don't often buy new items. I have a decent and  flexible supply of  dishes, linens, silverware, candlesticks, baskets, containers and vases. But, sometimes I find I really do need something or it's too fabulous to pass up! So as long as I can justify it...using my own guidelines...well out comes the credit card:

When they're not enjoying time outside, I think these little blue birds ($12) would look equally good on a desk, bookcase or table. And, the mini aluminum planters ($2) you may have spotted one lined with parchment holding croissants here. They also did a very good job containing Goldfish, pretzels, and Trail Mix for some teen snackers!

For those of you who like to blow up the picture, your eyes do not deceive you...yes, I just plunked the pots of white inpatients into the planters. And, yes I know you can see the black plastic rims. I can assure you no one minded...or even noticed!

The 3 plastic containers were relocated from my seagrass basket that will sometimes get lined with a large napkin and loaded up with rolls:

And, just in case someone is concerned that I don't know how to properly set the table...I do, but I was trying to get a good picture of the flatware with the trees above reflected in the spoons...and got distracted...

cooking bacon.....for homemade potato salad. The sun kept going in & out and never I never did get a clear close-up picture and ended up leaving it this way....no one seemed to mind this either!

Sources:
Tablecloth: Ralph Lauren Home from Macy's
Silverware: Pottery Barn Mother-of-Pearl
Napkins: Pottery Barn linen with bee embroidery
Plates: Johnson Brothers-English china
Rattan Chargers: William's-Sonoma
Ceramic Bluebirds: RSH Catalogue*
Glasses: Villeroy & Boch
Aqua Hurricane: Villeroy & Boch
Mini planters: TJ Maxx*
*new purchases this spring

A mix of high & low.....Simply done.
All photos by A&A

Tuesday Tip

I think many of us, whether we are designers managing tight budgets or home owners looking to make little updates, watching for sales is an often necessary part of design.

My pick today is Anthropologie!  I have a long standing affection for this store.  It has an eclectic array of merchandise that appeals to a broad range of ages and tastes.  I do however, have a great deal of trouble paying full price for items that are often deemed unnecessary.  I shop their sales and pick up items that I can use in my own home, design projects, or to give as gifts to friends and family.  So, with the 20/10 rule in place, here's what I found:

Woodland Creatures Pot Au Chocolat:  I am certain any hot chocolate will taste divine poured from this pot, as well as delight both young and old with this whimsical design!!!  At $19.95 it is the most expensive item of my lot, but who could resist???

Love Bird Salt & Pepper Shakers:  For spring luncheons, Mother's Day, a friend's birthday, a collector, or dining alfresco in the summer.  At $12/pair, a very sweet tweet-tweet!

Laurel Leaf Bowls:  Wonderful raised details and a soothing blue color to compliment many dishes already in your cupboard.  And if you have glass front cabinets, like I do, your dishes need to be pretty and practical to hold up to everyday use.  These bowls are a good deal at $7.95 each because they are microwave and dishwasher safe!

Olive Picks:  These look like miniture tulips!  Made from olivewood, each one has its own unique characteristics.  At $3.95 each, buy them to encourage good manners!!!  Add your favorite jar of olives, a beautiful ribbon and you just created the perfect 10 minute hostess gift!  They would also be great tied on packages or dropped into stockings.  I wish I had bought more....so hurry!!!