St. Patrick’s Day – Brunch into Dinner
St. Patrick’s Day can be an all-day celebration if you want! I have tips to take your St. Patty’s Day from brunch to lunch and into dinner. Start off your morning with a traditional Irish coffee or one of my coffee cocktail variations and Irish brunch, then move into your day with an Irish lunch and finish the day with Irish beer cocktails and Irish stew. Of course this day can’t be complete without Irish-inspired green and gold table décor!
Start your day and brunch with a little bit of caffeine and one of the following Irish coffee cocktails with Baileys. Click on the links below for recipes.
Complete your brunch with Green Eggs and Ham – an egg cooked in a sliced green bell pepper, topped with green hollandaise sauce and green pepper Tabasco sauce and served with ham. Click here for the recipe.
Then, transition into lunch with Bangers and Mash. Also known as sausages and mashed potatoes, this dish is a popular British tradition in which the term “bangers” came about during World War II when sausages made in water would explode in high heat. Click here for the recipe.
Before dinner drinks, dinner drinks, or after dinner drinks can include beer cocktails using Guinness and Harp! Click on the links below for recipes.
To accompany your beer cocktails, you can make an Irish stew. In order to make sure not stewing in the kitchen for too long, you can make it with the ease of canned foods! This way you can enjoy the company of your friends and family on St. Patrick’s Day and still make a great meal. Click here for the recipe.
If you want to take it to another level, you can make the Irish stew and turn it into an Irish Pot Pie with this recipe. Click here for the recipe.
For a variation on what is thought to be a traditional pie, you can make a Shepherd’s Pie! Click here for the recipe, which includes mashed potatoes instead of a pie crust.
In order to come full circle with all of the Irish drinks and food, your table must have a little bit of Irish in it as well! Kissing the Blarney Stone in Ireland is thought to bring the gift of gab. Click here to download my Blarney Stone Placemats with some of my favorite Irish sayings (like the one above) to give your guests something to talk about.
Use a green tablecloth and gold napkins to add to the theme! To give your guests something green to wear, make wearable napkin rings out of green ribbon and fun pinnable buttons with Irish sayings!
St. Patrick’s Day – Brunch into Dinner: Green Eggs and Ham
Green Eggs
Ingredients:
-1 dash cooking oil spray
-1 whole large green bell pepper
-4 whole large eggs
-salt and pepper
Method:
1. Heat a non-stick skillet to medium low heat. Lightly spray skillet with cooking oil spray.
2. Cut bell pepper into 4 1/2 inch thick slices (you can use one bell pepper or different colors of bell peppers to give a variety of colors).
3. Place pepper rings in the skillet.
4. Crack one egg into each pepper ring. Cover and cook for a few minutes, until egg yolks are to desired firmness. If you like your yolks firm, it helps to break the yolk right after cracking into pepper rings.
5. Season to taste.
Green Hollandaise Sauce
Ingredients:
-3 extra large egg yolks
-1 stick unsalted butter, melted
-1 ½ to 2 tablespoons lemon juice
-2 tablespoons chopped parsley
-1 tablespoon chopped dill
-¼ teaspoon salt
–ground pepper
Method:
1. Add the eggs, lemon juice (start with 1 1/2 tablespoons), parsley, dill, salt, and a pinch of pepper to a blender.
2. Pulse to combine.
3. On medium to medium high speed, slowly add in the hot melted butter, just a little at a time. You don’t want to cook your eggs with the hot butter, you want to thicken the sauce.
4. Taste for seasoning.
Smithfield Spiral Cut Ham
Method:
1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees F.
2. Remove packaging; reserve liquid.
3. Place ham cut-side down on large sheet of foil in roasting pan, pour reserved liquid over ham and wrap completely with foil.
4. Warm ham in oven for 10 to 12 minutes per pound. Do not overheat.
5. For glaze, Remove ham from oven and apply liquid glaze evenly over ham surface. Allow to sit while glaze melts into the ham, approximately 5 minutes. Serve and enjoy!
St. Patrick’s Day – Brunch into Dinner: Bangers and Mash
Ingredients:
-8 links of Smithfield smoked sausage (1-14oz package)
-2 tablespoons canola oil
-1 large onion, sliced in half and thinly sliced
-1/2 tablespoon flour
-6 oz. canned chicken or beef stock
-salt and pepper
-32 oz. can of potatoes
-3/4 cup milk, warmed
-5 tablespoons butter
Method:
1. Pour a tablespoon of oil into a skillet and add a tablespoon of butter. Turn the heat to medium and add the onions.
2. Cook those, stirring often, for 20 to 25 minutes minutes, or until caramelized and golden brown.
3. Meanwhile, bring one pot of water to about 149°F, using a meat thermometer to check. Gently drop the sausages in and continue to boil for 2 minutes, turn off heat and let stand in hot water for 5-7 mins.
4. Bring a second pot of water to a boil and add the potatoes. Cook those for 20 minutes as well.
5. After the onions are well caramelized, sprinkle the flour on top and cook for another minute.
6. Add the chicken or beef stock. Reduce heat to a simmer, and cook for 10 to 15 minutes. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
7. When the sausages are done, remove them from the water and dry with some paper towels. Pour about 1 tablespoon of canola oil into a large skillet and cook them over medium heat until they are browned all over.
8. When the potatoes are done, drain in a colander. Pass the potatoes through a potato ricer into the empty pot, or mash them with a potato masher. Add the rest of the butter and warmed milk. Stir well and season with salt and pepper.
9. Add the potatoes to a plate, top with sausage and the onion gravy.
St. Patrick’s Day – Brunch into Dinner: Irish Stew
Ingredients:
- 1/4 cup olive oil
-1 1/4 pounds well-marbled chuck beef stew meat, cut into 1-inch pieces
-6 large garlic cloves, minced
-48 oz. of canned beef stock or beef broth
-1 cup of Guinness beer
-2 tablespoons canned tomato paste
-1 tablespoon sugar
-1 tablespoon dried thyme
-1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
-2 bay leaves
-56 oz. of canned potatoes
-8 oz. can of pearl onions
-16 oz. can of diced carrots
-8 oz. can of corn
-Salt and Pepper
-2 tablespoons chopped parsley
Method:
1. Heat olive oil in heavy large pot over medium-high heat. Lightly salt the beef pieces. Working in batches if necessary, add the beef (do not crowd the pan, or the meat will steam and not brown) and cook, without stirring, until nicely browned on one side, then use tongs to turn the pieces over.
2. Continue to cook in this manner until all sides are browned, about 5 minutes. 3. Add garlic and sauté 1 minute.
4. Add beef stock, Guinness, tomato paste, sugar, thyme, Worcestershire sauce, bay leaves, potatoes, onions, carrots and corn.
5. Reduce heat to medium-low, then cover and simmer for 40 min, stirring occasionally.
6. Simmer uncovered until until liquid thickens (additional 15 -20 minutes) Discard bay leaves. Tilt pan and spoon off any fat.
9. Transfer stew to serving bowl. Add salt and pepper to taste.
10. Sprinkle with parsley and serve.
St. Patrick’s Day – Brunch into Dinner: Irish Pot Pie
This dish takes Irish stew to another level with the addition of pie crust!
Ingredients:
- 1/4 cup olive oil
-1 1/4 pounds well-marbled chuck beef stew meat, cut into 1-inch pieces
-6 large garlic cloves, minced
-48 oz. of canned beef stock or beef broth
-1 cup of Guinness beer
-2 tablespoons canned tomato paste
-1 tablespoon sugar
-1 tablespoon dried thyme
-1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
-2 bay leaves
-2 tablespoons butter
-56 oz. of canned potatoes
-1 large onion, chopped
-16 oz. can of diced carrots
-8 oz. can of corn
-Salt and Pepper
-2 prepared pie crusts
-1 large egg yolk
-green food coloring
Method:
1.Heat olive oil in heavy large pot over medium-high heat. Lightly salt the beef pieces. Working in batches if necessary, add the beef (do not crowd the pan, or the meat will steam and not brown) and cook, without stirring, until nicely browned on one side, then use tongs to turn the pieces over.
2. Continue to cook in this manner until all sides are browned, about 5 minutes. 3. Add garlic and sauté 1 minute.
4. Add beef stock, Guinness, tomato paste, sugar, thyme, Worcestershire sauce, bay leaves, potatoes, onions, carrots and corn.
5. Reduce heat to medium-low, then cover and simmer for 40 min, stirring occasionally.
6. Simmer uncovered until until liquid thickens (additional 15 -20 minutes) and discard bay leaves. Tilt pan and spoon off any fat. Add salt and pepper to taste.
7. Transfer stew into individual serving sized ramekins.
8. Use a cookie cutter to cut out the shape of a shamrock in one of the pie crusts (optional) and cover the stew with crust just over sides of the ramekins to seal the pies. Place the shamrock cut-out on top of the the pie.
9. Add a few drops of green food coloring into a beaten egg yolk and brush the shamrock with the green egg wash.
10. Bake in 400 degrees Fahrenheit until crust is browned (8 – 12 mins.)
St. Patrick’s Day – Brunch into Dinner: Shepherd’s Pie
Ingredients:
- 32 oz. canned potatoes
- 2 tablespoons sour cream
- 1 large egg yolk
- 4 oz. canned chicken broth
- 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 3/4 pounds ground beef (or lamb)
- 8 oz. can of sliced carrots
- 8 oz. can of pearled onions
- 8 oz. canned peas
- 8 oz. can of corn
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 8 oz. can of beef stock or broth
- 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon sweet paprika
- 2 tablespoons chopped green chives
- salt and ground black pepper
Method:
1. Drain potatoes and put them into a mixing bowl with sour cream, egg yolk, cream and combine.
3. Add chicken broth little by little into potatoes and mash until potatoes are smooth.
4. Preheat a large skillet over medium high heat.
5. Add oil to hot pan with beef. Season meat with salt and pepper. Brown and crumble meat for 3 or 4 minutes.
6. Add carrots and onions to the meat. Cook veggies with meat 5 minutes, stirring frequently.
7. In a second small skillet over medium heat cook butter and flour together 2 minutes. Whisk in broth and Worcestershire sauce. Thicken gravy 1 minute. Add gravy to meat and vegetables. Stir in corn and peas.
8. Preheat broiler to high.
9. Fill a baking dish with meat and vegetable mixture.
10. Spoon potatoes over meat evenly.
11. Top potatoes with paprika and broil 6 to 8 inches from the heat until potatoes are evenly browned. Top casserole dish with chopped green chives and serve.
St. Patrick’s Day Cocktails
St. Patrick’s Day, the “Day of the Festival of Patrick,” falls on March 17 of each year. This day is a cultural and religious holiday named after St. Patrick, one of the most well-known patron saints of Ireland. For Christians, St. Patrick’s Day is the celebration and commemoration of Saint Patrick and the arrival of Christianity in Ireland, where the Lenten traditions on eating and drinking alcohol are lifted. However, this day is celebrated more secularly as a day of Irish culture. Common traditions on this day include wearing green (don’t forget!), shamrocks, drinking green beer, and attending parades and festivals.
In celebration of St. Patrick’s Day, I’ve created all kinds of cocktails to satisfy your taste buds whether you like beer, coffee, champagne or spirits! Click on the links below for recipes of each cocktail!
Beer Cocktails
Coffee Cocktails
Green and Gold Cocktails
Golden Champagne Kiss Cocktails
Valentine’s Day Chocolate Party: Chocolate Parfait
Ingredients:
- 1 pkg. (18.3 to 19.5 oz.) brownie mix
- 2 pkg. (3.9 oz. each) JELL-O Chocolate Instant Pudding
- 3 cups cold milk
- Whipped cream infused with sweetened cocoa
- 2 cups fresh raspberries
Preparation:
- Prepare brownie batter and bake in 9-inch square pan as directed on package; cool completely.
- Meanwhile, beat pudding mixes and milk in medium bowl with whisk 2 min. Stir in 1 cup whipped cream. Refrigerate until ready to use.
- Cut brownies into 1-inch cubes. Layer half of the brownie cubes, pudding, berries and remaining whipped cream in parfait cups. Repeat layers.
- Refrigerate 1 hour.
Romantic Valentine’s Day Stay-cations
Valentines Day is the most romantic day of the year and the ideal time to plan a couples getaway to a romantic destination. What about those of us who can’t fly to our dream destination of choice or don’t have extra cash lying around so soon after the holidays?
I’ll show you how to create a romantic Valentine’s Day stay-cation without leaving the comfort of your own home and without the hefty price tag. I’ve created three Romantic Stay-cation themes based on three lover types; Languid Lovers, Sporty Lovers, Lover Lovers. Each dinner is comprised of food, drinks and décor inspired by the culture and landscape of each of the destinations.
A Tropical Stay-cation Destination for the languid lovers who love to lay around with each other, sipping on drinks wearing only a strategically placed lei. Click the link to see how you can cool off your hot night with exotic frozen drinks and savor the sensual tastes of the tropical islands.
A Ski Stay-cation Destination for the sporty lovers who love to cozy up to a warm fire and enjoy après-ski bites and nibbles without the hassle of suiting up…in ski clothes! Click the link to see how you can prepare hot cocktails to warm you up from top to bottom and how to satisfy your sweet and savory sides with a classic Fondue menu.
A City of Love & Lights (Paris) Stay-cation Destination for the lover lovers who love to fair l’amour en Francais. Click the link to see how you can prepare bubble cocktails that will tickle your palate and how to prepare a romantic picnic by the Seine-style menu.
Winter Stay-cation Parties
Are you looking to cure the winter blues? During the cold winter months, it’s common for celebrities to take off on luxurious vacations to hot-spots all over the world. Stars are soaking up the sun in exclusive spa resorts and spending tens of thousands of dollars for private island getaways…but what about those of us who can’t make it to our dream destination of choice? I’ll show you how to create a stay-cation party for you and your “posse” with food, drinks and décor inspired by the culture and landscape without the hefty price tag.
- How to Create a Stay-cation Party Theme
Great inspiration for a stay-cation party can be found in the pages for your favorite travel magazines.
Choose a specific destination or you might run the risk of your party becoming a cliché luau or generic tikki party.
- Throw a Lavish Party Without Breaking The Bank
Every budget conscious party planner begins with a comprehensive party plan and a detailed budget to keep them on track (on budget and on time). Another cost saving tip is to look at what you already have at home that can be repurposed in unexpected ways: vases for food services, a festive throw or sarong as a tablecover, etc. Focus on decorative touches in areas of your home that your guests will frequent—setting the tone when the guests walk in at the front door and the bathroom (the two most visited places of the home). The majority of your budget should be spent on food and beverages. Using pre-prepared foods that you can “spice” up can be a considerable time and cost saver.
- How to Announce the Party Theme to Your Guests
Whether emailed or snail mailed, invitations are the first visual clue (or indication) you give your guests as to what the theme is and what is expected of them at the party. Create a collage of your inspiration images in invitations to set the tone. Travel-themed invitations such as passports and postcards can be effective to set the tone with a little bit more work and creativity. The invitation is also the place where you can request guests come in a particular attire to compliment the theme and if there are any special instructions you need to impart (i.e. prompt start time or must prepare to participate in a specific activity). - How to Encourage Others to Dress the Part
The invitation is the place to request specific attire: “flip flops and bathing suits” or “safari gear.” Offer your guests a reward to dress the part: “come barefoot and beautiful to see what the future holds.”
- Do Your Guests Need to Bring a Dish?
Typically my hostess rule is if you are giving a party, then you really shouldn’t ask guests to “pitch in” or bring dishes unless you are clear that it is a potluck dinner. If you are set on having guests bring dishes, then very clear advance notice is required to ensure guests won’t feel put off and will bring dishes that compliment the theme and each other. Make a clear statement on the invitation that each guest is expected to participate and to what extent.
Below are links for drink and food recipes as well as décor tips for 3 different stay-cation themed parties.
Tropical Stay-cation Destination—The Caribbean
If you’re in the mood for a little fun in the sun in the Carribean without the sunburn, click on the link above.
Ski Stay-cation Destination—French Alps
For a cold-climate destination replication of the French Alps, click on the link above.
Exotic Stay-cation Destination—South African Safari Adventure
For a safari adventure to South Africa, click on the link above.
Winter Stay-cation Party: Tropical Destination – The Caribbean
To have some fun in the sun without a sunburn, you can have a tropical stay-cation destination themed party! This one is inspired by the Caribbean and features easy frozen cocktails, pineapple shrimp skewers, and shrimp ceviche!
Frozen Cocktails
Parrot Bay frozen pouches come in three different flavors (Mango Daiquiri, Strawberry Daquiri, and Pina Colada) and are the easiest way to make frozen cocktails. You can layer the beverages with alternating flavors for an added touch–the Strawberry Daquiri and Pina Colada alternating is a great holiday beverage with the red and white layers. You can even set up a Make Your Own garnish bar with fresh fruits and skewers for your guests to garnish their own drinks! Setting up these drinks only requires these three steps:
- Freeze the drinks overnight.
- Pour into a daquiri glass.
- Garnish with fresh fruit skewers.
Pineapple Shrimp Skewers
These skewers are a little sweetness and a touch of heat–one bite later you’ll be savoring the taste of the tropical islands! The recipe below makes 12 skewers.
Ingredients:
- 6 tablespoons Italian dressing
- 4 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro
- 4 teaspoons brown sugar
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1.2 teaspoon crushed red pepper
- 24 uncooked cleaned medium shrimp
- 12 fresh pineapple chunks, approximately 1 inch
- 12 skewers
Method:
- Heat the grill (or if it is too chilly outside – preheat the broiler)
- Mix the first six ingredients in a medium bowl until well blended and add shrimp and pineapple to the mix, toss to coat.
- Thread 2 shrimp and 1 pineapple chunk onto each of the 12 skewers.
- Grill (or broil 6 inches from the heat) for 4 to 5 minutes of until shrimp turn pink.
Shrimp Ceviche
Shrimp ceviche is the perfect tropical dish for seafood lovers! The recipe below serves 4.
Ingredients:
- 2 ½ tablespoons superfine white sugar
- ¼ teaspoon sea salt
- ½ teaspoon chili paste or sauce
- ¼ cup fresh lime juice
- ¼ cup fresh lemon juice
- ¼ teaspoon fresh ground pepper
- ¼ teaspoon cumin
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- ¼ cup minced red onion
- 1 ripe tomato, finely diced
- 2 tablespoons minced fresh cilantro
- 1 jalapeno pepper, finely diced
- 1 pound very fresh medium-small shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 4 avocados, halved
Method:
- In a large glass or plastic bowl, dissolve the sugar, salt, and chili paste in the lime juice.
- Season with pepper and cumin.
- Stir in the garlic, onion, tomato, jalapeno and cilantro.
- Gently mix in the shrimp and then cover. Refrigerate for 4 hours.
- To serve, drain the excess liquid from the shrimp.
- Allow to rest at room temperature for 15 minutes and serve in avocado halves.
Décor
All décor should be designed in a tropical color pallet; lime green, aqua blue, sea foam green, lavender and red hibiscus. This will add color to your home and make you feel as if you really were on a tropical island.
- MYO Luminaries – Give your tropical stay-cation a warm flickering glow with luminaries.
- Gather small paper bags in various tropical colors and place a votive holder with a tea light in to the bag. The light from the tea light will diffuse through the bag creating a soft light that illuminates the room. You can even decorate the bags with punches or cut outs to allow a bit more light to shine through.
- Fruit Centerpieces – To add splashes of color, fill glass vases with whole fruit, oranges, limes, lemons, bananas. Top the vase with a pineapple to create your own palm-tree!
- MYO Leis
- Purchase flowers from your local flower shop or nursery; plumeria, orchids, hibiscus, and gardenia are best. Thread a needle with string or finishing line and thread flowers onto the string by pulling a needle through the center of the flowers. Repeat until you have the desired amount of flowers on the string and then tie the ends together to create a lei.
Winter Stay-cation Party: Exotic Destination – South African Safari Adventure
For a safari adventure to South Africa, follow the cocktail recipes, food recipes, and décor tips below.
Cocktails
- Bertrams VO(serves 1)
- Serve 2 oz Bertrams VO on the rocks or straight up
- A traditional South African brandy that epitomizes the art of traditional blending
- Serve 2 oz Bertrams VO on the rocks or straight up
- Parrot Bay Frozen Pouches Mango(serves 1)
- Method:
- Freeze overnight
- Pour into a daiquiri glass
- Garnish with a fresh mango
- Method:
- South African Sun (serves 1)
- Ingredients:
- 1 ½ oz Bertrams VO
- ½ oz Ketel One Orange
- ¼ oz fresh lemon juice
- ¼ oz fresh orange juice
- Method:
- Pour all ingredients over ice in a shaker and shake vigorously until combined.
- Serve in a martini glass
- Ingredients:
South African Sosaties and Yellow Rice
- Traditional Cape Malay Sosaties (Kebabs)- These popular kebabs are served with BBQ “wokked” vegetables. The kebabs have a very gentle curry flavor smell wonderful on the BBQ. Lamb, chicken and fish all work really well with this recipe.
- Ingredients:
- 1 tablespoon garlic, chopped
- 1 tablespoon chopped gingerroot
- Vegetable oil
- 1 teaspoon ground coriander
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 2 bay leaves
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 2 whole cloves
- 3 tablespoons curry powder
- 1 teaspoon ground allspice
- 2 tablespoons sugar
- 1 cup white wine
- ½ cup cider vinegar
- ½ cup chicken stock
- 2 tablespoons apricot jam
- ½ cup strained fresh lemon juice combined with ½ cup water
- 1 ½ pounds beef or lamb cubed (chicken can substitute)
- 1 cup dried apricots, softened in boiling water
- 1 onion, cut into quarters and softened in water
- 1 green pepper, cut into one inch pieces
- 1 red pepper, cut into one inch pieces
- Method:
- Sautee the garlic and ginger in oil until soft, approximately one minute.
- Add dry ingredients and stir for approximately 30 seconds; then add the remaining liquids and bring to a boil.
- Simmer for 5 minutes and remove from the heat and let cool.
- Skewer the meat alternating with apricots, onions and peppers.
- Cover the skewers with cooled marinade.
- Cover and marinate overnight or up to 3 days in the refrigerator.
- Grill the skewers over high heat basting with the leftover marinade. (The marinade can be used as a sauce–simply boil for 3 minutes)
- Ingredients:
- South African Yellow Rice
- Ingredients:
- 1 cup long grain white rice
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 ½ teaspoon ground turmeric
- 3 tablespoons white sugar
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ½ cup black raisins
- 1 teaspoon butter
- 2 ½ cups water
- Method:
- In a saucepan, combine the rice, salt, turmeric, sugar, cinnamon, raisins, butter and water.
- Bring to a boil uncovered.
- When it comes to a boil, reduce the heat to low, cover and let it simmer for 20-30 minutes, or until rice is fluffy and water has been absorbed.
- Remove from the heat and fluff with a fork.
- Keep warm until serving time.
- Ingredients:
Décor:
- Accents
- Cover your tabletop in African inspired fabrics with a weaving pattern in bright colors.
- You can also purchase (or make) pillows in similar fabrics for the couch and sitting areas in your home
- Centerpieces and Accent Décor
- Use brightly colored florals to make a living centerpiece.
- Soak floral foam in water and place it at the bottom of a wide-mouthed vase. Place greenery in the bowl in a criss-cross pattern to serve as your base and hide the foam. Insert the flowers into the foam starting with the most prominent and fill with lighter florals in the negative space.
- Animal Print
- Place touches of animal print fabrics and décor pieces to give you the feeling that you are on an African safari
Winter Stay-cation Party: Ski Destination – French Alps
For a cold-climate destination replication of the French Alps, follow these hot cocktail recipes, fondue recipes, and tips for décor!
Hot Cocktails
- Baked Apple Pie (Serves 6)
- Ingredients:
- 30 oz unfiltered apple juice
- 4 whole cloves
- 3 cinnamon sticks
- 2 star anise pods
- 6 oz Captain Morgan Spiced Rum
- Method:
- Put the apple juice in a large pot with whole cloves, cinnamon and star anise.
- Bring the mixture to a boil, then remove from the heat.
- Ladle the mixture into six coffee mugs and add 1 oz of Captain Morgan Spiced Rum to each mug.
- Garnish with a cinnamon stick.
- Ingredients:
- Peppermint Mocha Toddy (Serves 1)
- Ingredients:
- 1 oz Peppermint Schnapps
- ½ oz Dark Crème de Cacao
- 1 teaspoon crème de menthe
- 4 oz Hot Chocolate
- Whipped cream
- Shaved chocolate or chocolate sprinkles for garnish
- Method:
- Pour the liqueurs into an Irish coffee glass
- Fill with hot chocolate
- Top with whipped cream
- Garnish with shaved chocolate or chocolate sprinkles
- Ingredients:
- Winter Wonderland(serves 1)
- Ingredients:
- 1 oz Bailey’s Irish Cream
- 1 oz Bushmills Whiskey
- White hot chocolate
- Whipped cream
- Cinnamon for garnish
- Method:
- Combine ingredients in a mug or Irish coffee glass
- Stir to combine
- Top with whipped cream and sprinkle cinnamon for garnish
- Ingredients:
Fondues
- Artisanal Cheese Fondue - Smooth and rich, this fondue recipe is the classic après ski dish on menus in the French Alps.
- Ingredients:
- 1 clove garlic, cut in half
- 1.5 cups dry white wine
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 7 oz Comte cheese, coarsely grated
- 7 oz Roclette cheese
- 7 oz Gruyere cheese, coarsely grated
- Pinch of ground nutmeg
- Pinch of ground black pepper
- Pinch of ground paprika
- 3 tablespoons Kirsch
- Suggested dippables:
- Bite sized cubes of bread
- Bite sized pieces of roasted potatoes
- 1 inch cubes of seasoned veggies
- Peppers, Carrots, Broccoli, etc
- Method:
- Rub the inside of a saucepan with the cut side of the garlic and then discard the garlic.
- Add the wine and cornstarch to the prepared pan and bring it to a boil.
- Reduce the heat so the wine is just simmering and add the cheese, nutmeg, black pepper, and paprika, stirring constantly until the fondue is melted and smooth.
- Keeping the heat low to medium, continue cooking, never boiling, the fondue for 15 minutes until it is thickened.
- Add the Kirsch and stir constantly for 1 minute.
- Transfer the fondue to a fondue pot set over a flame and serve it with cubed bread.
- Ingredients:
- Chocolate Hazelnut Fondue for those who love sweets.
- Ingredients:
- ¾ cups heavy whipping cream, reserve ¼ cup to thin if fondue begins to thicken
- 4 bittersweet chocolate bars, chopped 3 ½ ounces each
- 2 tablespoons Bailey’s Hazelnut Liqueur (optional)
- ¼ cup finely chopped hazelnuts or almonds (optional)
- Suggested dippables:
- Bicotti
- Salted pretzel sticks
- Cubed pound cake
- Sliced bananas
- Strawberries
- Oranges
- Pineapple slices
- Method:
- Heat ½ cup cream in a heavy non-reactive saucepot over moderate heat until cream comes to a low boil.
- Remove the pan from the heat and add chocolate and let chocolate stand in hot cream for 3 to 5 minutes to soften, then whisk the chocolate together with the cream.
- Stir in Bailey’s Hazelnut Liqueur (and chopped nuts) and transfer the fondue to a fondue pot with a flameIf the fondue becomes too thick, stir in reserved cream, 1 tablespoon at a time to get the desired consistency.
- Serve with your favorite dippables.
- Ingredients:
Décor
- Fireplace
- A fireplace serves as a gathering spot in a ski lodge after a long day on the slopes.
- If you do not have an indoor fireplace, create an outdoor fireplace on a non-flammable dry surphase with a “Light ‘n Go Bonfire log from ecoforestfirewood.com
- For a high-tech option, put a crackling fire DVD on your TV. You will not get the heat of the fire, but the sight and sound of the fire will create a cozy environment.
- Setting the tone
- Drape tables and furniture with winter throws (the one above is from Lands’ End) to create a warm feeling for your ski staycation
- Arrange pine cones and evergreen branches throughout the space to perfume the air with a pine scent which is reminiscent of the aroma of a ski slope coursing along an evergreen forest.
- You can even use artificial pinecones and evergreen branches that have been recycled from your Christmas decorations.
- Skiing is not the same without freshly fallen snow. Cut out paper snowflakes and hang them around the room and in the windows, doorways and ceiling. Embellish the snowflakes with glitter for an added sparkle.
- Ski Gear: When you are on your stay-cation, you do not have to hide your ski gear in the closet. Use poles, skiis, boots, coats, scarves/hats/gloves and goggles for decoration around the home. Place the boots near the fire to keep them warm, place the skiis and poles near the front door. This will give you the sense that you have just come off the mountain.
“Luck of the Irish” Party
Saint Patrick’s Day is on a Saturday this year and what better way to celebrate than by inviting your friends and family over for a Shamrock Shin-Dig! I will show you some great ways to turn your home into a Luck of the Irish Party. From Leprechauns, Shamrocks, the Blarney Stone to wearing the color green, mark incorporates all of the lucky Irish traditions into board game-like party décor.
I will be on the Today Show on Monday, March 12th during the 4th Hour with Kathie Lee and Hoda presenting all of these great St Patrick’s Day party ideas. Check your local listings for station and showtimes!
Click the links below for more information on how to plan your own “Luck of the Irish” Party!
Blarney Stone Pathway and Rainbow Wall
Leprechaun and Fairy Activity Bags
Pot o’ Gold Bar
Shamrock Meadow Tabletop
Gold St. Patrick’s Day Cocktails
Green St. Patrick’s Day Cocktails
Shamrock Cookie Sandwiches - On a Stick!
Blarney Scones – On a Stick!
Green Velvet Mini Cupcakes with Green Buttercream Frosting – On a Stick!
Green Popcorn and Shamrock Whoopie Pies!
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Rainbow Wall Decor and Blarney Stone Pathway
Somewhere over the rainbow lies a pot of gold! To add some color to an already existing wall in your home is by making a paper plate rainbow. Using dinner, lunch and dessert plates in an assortment of colors, red, orange, yellow, blue, green and purple and double sided tape or thumb tacks or Command Hooks, you can decorate a plain wall with this rainbow that leads to the Pot o’ Gold Bar. You can purchase the paper plates at a local party supply store or by clicking here!
The Blarney Stone Pathway will great guests and guide them through the party stations much like the Yellow Brick Road in The Wizard of Oz. Using craft paper, cut stones and lay them on the floor with double sided tape for easy removal. To enhance the pathway, you can decorate the stones with traditional Irish sayings.
Here is a list of my favorite Irish sayings:
- May you have all the luck that life can hold- And at the end of your rainbows may you find a pot of gold.
- May good fortune be yours, may your joys never end
- Good times, friends and health to you… and the luck of the Irish in all that you do.
- Here’s a wish for a day that’s lucky all through from the likes o’me to the likes o’you.
- If you’re lucky enough to be Irish… you’re lucky enough.
- May you live as long as you want, And never want as long as you live.
- May you get all your wishes but one so you always have something to strive for.
- May your pockets be heavy and your heart be light, may good luck pursue you each morning and night.
- May the hinges of our friendship never grow rusty.
- As you slide down the banister of life, may the splinters never point in the wrong direction.
Now your guest won’t have to fly to Ireland and kiss the Blarney Stone to be blessed with he gift of the gab! To download my Blarney Stone Pathway, click here!
For more of Mark’s St Patrick’s Day recipes and tips, click here!
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Fairy and Leprechaun Activity Bags
I believe that all party guests should attend the party in their best St Patrick’s Day gear. For those who lack green in their wardrobe, I will show you how to put together the ultimate party favor: Fairy and Leprechaun Activity Kits!
Guests will be allowed to pick from the collection of bags hung on the wall to complete their ensemble. The Fairy and Leprechaun Activity bags can be hung on the wall a few different ways; using an existing hat rack, small removable hooks, or tacks. To label the bags according to it’s contents, Fairy vs. Leprechaun, put an F, for Fairy or an L, for Leprechaun on the bag with stickers, paint, and other decorative elements. For my labels, I used the CAMEO by Silhouette, which is an easy tool to create your own intricate design right from your home office computer.
The Fairy Activity Bag will contain costume accessories like:
- Green Hair Extensions
- Green Wigs
- Light Up Shamrock Necklaces
- Light Up Shamrock Rings
- Shamrock Nail Art
- Fun Bracelets
- Chocolate Gold Coins
- Fun Hats
- Green Beads
The Leprechaun Bags will contain costume accessories like:
- Temporary Tattoos
- Green Mustaches
- Luck of the Irish Fun Bands
- St Patrick’s Day Cuff Bracelets
- Shamrock Buttons
- Chocolate Gold Coins
- Fun Hats
- Novelty Glasses
All of these items can be found at your local Party Store or by clicking here!
For more of Mark’s St Patrick’s Day recipes and tips, click here!
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Romance Rendezvous with your Valentine – Mark Addison on The Better Show
Valentine’s Day is about showing your lover how much you love them. What better way to celebrate than with a romantic rendezvous? I have curated three different rendezvouses to romance your Valentine: A Shared Romance, Romance On-the-Go, and The Ultimate Romance. I have decided to go beyond the norm of greeting cards, flowers and chocolate and shows you how to romance your Valentine the right way!
Champagne is synonymous with Valentine’s Day. I have decided to incorporate three different gift sets from Moet Hennessey to pair with your romantic type, shared, on-the-go, and ultimate as well as a sweet treat to share with your sweetie and a gift or gadget to “wow” your significant other on Valentine’s Day.
Click the links below for more information on the three romantic types
A Shared Romance
Romance On-the-Go
Champagne Cupid Cups
The Ultimate Romance
24K Gold Creme Brulee
Check your local listings for dates and showtimes!
For more of Mark’s tips and tricks, “Like Us” on Facebook or “Follow Us” on Twitter!
Romance Rendezvous #1: A Shared Romance
A shared romance is for the couple who shares everything and loves to spend all their time together.
With this romantic type, I have chosen Moet Hennessey’s Ruinart One-For-Two. The Ruinart Rose is a charming treat that two can enjoy. Each set contains a 750 ml bottle of Ruinart Rose and serving spoon to pour two glasses of champagne simultaneously. The Ruinart Rose, which is presented in an elegant package, retails for $75.00.
Whoopie Pies are the new cupcake. Cranberry Island Kitchen bakes adorable whoopie pies in the shape of X’s, O’s and hearts for Valentine’s Day which allow you to spell out your desires; xoxo = hugs and kisses, xx = kiss kiss, and xxx = sex. The cream in the whoopie pies come in four different flavors, Vanilla, Chocolate, Chambord and Champagne. These delicious treats pair perfectly with the Ruinart Rose!
Hook -Link Bracelets are the perfect accessory for the couple that is attached at the hip! These magnetic love bracelets now allow this romantic couple to now be attached at the wrist! Hook-Link Bracelets retail for $30.00.
For more of Mark’s tips and tricks, “Like Us” on Facebook or “Follow Us” on Twitter!
Romance Rendezvous #2: Romance On-The-Go
Romance On-the-Go is perfect for the active couple that likes to take their romance to the beach, park or rooftop.
For this romantic type, I have chosen Moet Hennessey’s Krug Flanerie with leather carrying tote. The Krug Flanerie is the perfect on-the-go Champagne. The original and unique carrying tote sports an interior cooler that will keep your Krug Flanerie at the ideal temperature of 50 degree Fahrenheit. This gift set retails for $200.00.
When bringing your romance on-the-go, what better way than to pack an intimate picnic for two. I have found these great eco-friendly picnic boxes from Boxsal that come in a variety of great designs. For Valentine’s Day, The Paint By Numbers picnic box is the perfect fit! The picnic box is broken down into sections to house your food, such as cheese and crackers, fruit, mixed veggies and a cold bottle of sparkling water, and come equipped with compostable dinnerware. The Boxsal picnic boxes retail for $25.00.
The perfect dessert to share during your romantic picnic is the Cupid’s Champagne Cup. This delicious treat is easy to make and is perfect to pack in a picnic box because it will not spill!
The 3M Mobile Projector is the perfect travel gift. The mobile projector allows you to take videos and pictures and project them from wherever you are with the battery operated devise . The two hour batter life makes is perfect to show a feature film or your favorite home movies. The 3M Projector streams content from your iPhone, iPad or iPod and with the option of an additional adapter for other media players. The 3M Projector retails for $299.99.
For more of Mark’s tips and tricks, “Like Us” on Facebook or “Follow Us” on Twitter!
Romance Rendezvous #3: The Ultimate Romance
The Ultimate Romance is for the couple that feels you can’t put a price on love.
For this romantic type I have chosen Moet Hennessey’s Dom Perignon Side by Side. This gift set is a limited edition with two bottles of Dom Perignon with two different levels of maturation. These bottles were created for one to enjoy a new experience and an unforgettable champagne tasting experience. This gift set retails for $459.00.
24K Gold Creme Brûlée, made with edible 24K Gold and Silver Leaf is the ultimate dessert for this amazing couple! Each creme brûlée is adorned with a gold or silver gilded white or dark chocolate truffle.
You & Yours Signature DNA Rings are the perfect personalized gift for the person who has everything. These rings bring a new meaning to sharing your DNA. With these rings, you are able to give your loved one your DNA to treasure for the rest of their lives. Signature DNA Rings are an intimate reflection of a one-of-a-kind person and the one that means the most to you. These rings retail at $400.00/each.
For more of Mark’s tips and tricks, “Like Us” on Facebook or “Follow Us” on Twitter!
Cupid’s Champagne Cups
Ingredients:
- 1/2 bag Wilton Light Cocoa Candy Melts
- 2 cups boiling water, divided
- 2 packages (3 oz. each) JELL-O Raspberry Flavored Gelatin
- 1 cup cold Moet & Chandon Champagne
- 1/4 cup Chambord
- 1/4 cups cold water, divided ice cubes
- 1 cup thawed Cool Whip Whipped Topping
- Decorations, assorted Valentine sprinkles and candies
Method:
- Make heart candies using by squeezing melted chocolate out of a piping bag onto parchment. Place in refrigerator until hardened, approximately 10 mins.
** Helpful Tip: When making the hearts, pipe multiple layers on top of each other allowing time to set in between, this will help prevent breaking! - Add 1 cup boiling water to 1 package gelatin mix in a medium bowl, stir 2 minutes or until mixture is completely dissolved
- Stir in 1 cup cold water and mix thoroughly
- Pour into champagne cups, refrigerate 1 hour or until gelatin is firm
- While JELL-O is firming in the refrigerator, add remaining boiling water to remaining gelatin mix, stir for 2 mins until completely dissolved.
- Mix remaining water and Chambord and add enough ice to mixture to measure 1 cup. Add to gelatin and stir until thickened.
- Stir in Cool Whip, spoon over gelatin layer in cups
- Refrigerate for 3 hours or until firm
- Decorate with chocolate hearts and Valentine’s candies or sprinkles
How to melt chocolate: Place Wilton Candy Melts in a piping bag and microwave on high for 1 minute, mix until chocolate is completely melted.
For more of Mark’s tips and tricks, “Like Us” on Facebook or “Follow Us” on Twitter!
The Ultimate Dessert – 24K Crème Brûlée
Ingredients:
- 1 vanilla bean
- 2 cups heavy cream
- 4 large egg yolks, beaten
- 1/2 cup superfine sugar
- 1/8 teaspoon of 24K gold flakes
- 24K gold gilded chocolate truffle
Method:
- Preheat the oven to 275 degrees Fahrenheit
- In a medium saucepan, cook the cream and the vanilla bean over moderate heat until the surface begins to shimmer. Remove the vanilla bean and let sit for 10 mins.
- Meanwhile, beat 1/4 cup of sugar and egg yolks together in a large mixing bowl. Whisking constantly, pour warm cream mixture into the beaten egg yolks and pour through a very fine sieve into 4 (4 ounce) crème brûlée dishes
- Place the dishes into a shallow baking dish large to hold them without crowding. Place the dish on the middle rack of the oven. Carefully fill the baking dish with boiling water so it comes halfway up the sides of the filled dishes
- Bake for about 45 minutes or until the custard is set in the center. Remove the custards to a wire rack to cool. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour, or until ready to use.
- When ready to serve, preheat the broiler. Generously sprinkle the top of each chilled custard with an equal portion of the sugar, taking care to cover all of the custard, so that it gives an even finish
- Place the chilled crème brûlée dishes under the preheated broiler and broil for about 2 minutes, or until the tops are crackling brown
** Pro Tip: Use a culinary torch to brown the sugar, taking care to constantly move the torch around the surface to avoid burning the sugar topping - Remove from the broiler and serve immediately sprinkle with 24K Gold Flakes and top with a Gold Gilded Truffle
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1980′s Theme
The 1980′s was a decade of excitement. It was a decade of speaking out and fighting for what you believe in.
It was also an age where people found interest in debates, and solving problems.
During the 1980′s, Billy Bush was going to St George’s Academy in Newport, RI where he played Lacrosse and Hockey for his school. I was inspired to take a few of America’s favorite foods found in the cafeteria of any school and turned them into miniature snack bites with a 80′s inspired signature cocktail from the icon candy, The Astro Pop.
Pac Man and Cheese
Ingredients:
4 cups cooked elbow macaroni, drained
2 cups grated cheddar cheese
3 eggs, beaten
½ cup sour cream
4 tbsp. butter, cut into pieces
½ teaspoon salt
1 cup milk
peanut oil
flour
1 egg
plain bread crumbs
Directions:
- Preheat oven to 35o degrees Fahrenheit.
- Once you have the macaroni cooked and drained, place in a large bowl and while still hot and add the cheddar.
- In a separate bowl, combine the remaining ingredients and add to the macaroni mixture.
- Pour macaroni mixture into a casserole dish and bake for 30 to 45 minutes.
- Top with additional cheese if desired.
- Chill macaroni and cheese in the refrigerator overnight.
- Cut into pieces using a round cookie cutter.
- Heat 2 inches of oil in a large heavy duty Dutch over to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Dredge each circle in flour then egg, and then coat with bread crumbs.
- Fry for about 1 minute on each side until golden brown.
- Drain on paper towels before serving.
Truffle Tater Tots
Ingredients:
1 large bag frozen tater tots
truffle salt
Directions:
- Follow the instructions on the back of the package to bake the tater tots.
- Sprinkle with truffle salt.
Mini Pizzas
Ingredients:
Frozen Pizzas
Directions:
- Heat the oven to the temperature as instructed on the frozen pizza.
- Using fun shaped cookie cutters, cut the frozen pizza into small pieces.
- Bake as instructed.
Astro Pop Cocktail
Ingredients:
1 oz. Absolut ® Raspberri vodka
1 oz. sweet and sour mix
½ oz. grenadine syrup
½ oz. Blue Curacao liqueur
Directions:
1. Add vodka and sour mix into a tumbler with ice to chill.
2. Shake ingredients and pour in a large shot glass.
3. Use Grenadine and allow to sink to the bottom of the glass (pour slowly
down the inside of the glass)
4. Allow Blue Curacao to sink to the middle of the glass (it will sit on top of the
grenadine if poured slowly down inside of the glass)
5. The finished product will be red, blue, then white from the bottom to top.
1980′s Inspired Playlist
Here is a great playlist to immerse your guests in the 80′s theme.
1. Rick Springfield – Jesse’s Girl
2. The Bangles Walk – Like an Egyptian
3. Belinda Carlisle – Heaven Is a Place on Earth
4. UB40 – Red Red Wine
5. Starship – Nothing’s Gonna Stop Us Now
6. Daryl Hall – Kiss on My List
7. Steve Winwood – Higher Love
8. Cyndi Lauper – Time After Time
9. Kool & the Gang – Celebration
10. Boston – Amanda
11. Eurythmics – Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)
12. David Bowie – Let’s Dance
13. Simple Minds – Don’t You (Forget About Me)
14. Escape Club – Wild, Wild West
15. INXS – Need You Tonight
16. Olivia Newton-John – Physical
17. Phil Collins – Against All Odds (Take a Look at Me Now)
18. Lionel Richie – Truly
Celebrate 365: Australia Day, January 26th
Australia Day
aka Anniversary Day & Foundation Day (if your Australian) is the official national day of Australia. Celebrated annually on 26 January, the day commemorates the arrival of the First Fleet at Sydney Cove in 1788, the hoisting of the British flag there, and the proclamation of British sovereignty over the eastern seaboard of Australia.
Grab your best mates and “celebrate the love of the land and sea with “drinking and merriment”
Classic Shrimp on the Barbie
Ingredients * 1/2 cup lemon juice * 3 large garlic cloves crushed * 1 tablespoon minced shallot * 1/4 teaspoon salt * 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper * 1-1/2 pounds large shrimp unpeeled * Lemon slices
Directions 1. Combine first 5 ingredients in large bowl then mix in shrimp. 2. Marinate at room temperature 1 hour or in the refrigerator 5 hours stirring occasionally. 3. Prepare barbecue with medium hot coals. 4. Thread shrimp on narrow skewers then grill until just opaque about 2 minutes per side. 5. Arrange skewers on platter. 6. Garnish with lemon and serve.
Bloody Shame
(Australian Virgin Bloody Mary) Ingredients (See nutrition) 1½ litres tomato juice 2 teaspoons celery or plain salt 1½ teaspoons ground black pepper 3 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce 1½ teaspoons of Tabasco or other hot chilli sauce Garnish with a wedge of lime.
Directions 1. Combine all ingredients in a large bottle or jug. Secure the lid and shake, or stir to mix until well blended. Can be stored in the refrigerator for up to one week.
For something with a little more kick…
Australia Summer Sunset Cooler
Ingredients 1 shot gin, frozen Top with Passionfruit Soda, chilled Wedge of lemon splash of Grenadine
Please join in on the conversations and comments to start a dialogue on how will celebrate this colorful celebration from Down Under with other Australians and good ol’mates!
Cheers Mates – Marktini!
