Easy and Affordable Recipe: Meringue Party Cookies

I am a big fan of these little meringue cookies. Meringue cookies are light, and airy... they just melt in your mouth. Add food color and they become a whole different thing... they become party decorations, too! You can use them on trays, on cake pedestals, in paper cones or simply fill pretty bowls with them and completely change the look of your dessert table. Since these little gems only have a couple of ingredients, they are not only pretty and delicious, the are also very affordable. You can even make sandwich cookies out of them with Nutella, almond butter, icing, or any other favorite filling. They are simple to make- but they do require a little time so make them the day or night before your party.

PARTY MERINGUE COOKIES

Preheat oven to 200 degrees. Place your rack in the center of the oven so the air can circulate easily around the pan. Best to bake one pan at a time. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. "Glue" the parchment to the pan to prevent slipping by using a bit of butter on each corner of the pan.

Makes about 20 cookies, depending on the size

Use a pastry bag, a large plastic zip top bag, or even two large spoons to form the cookies.

6 egg whites

1 1/2 cups granulated sugar (use superfine sugar if you have it- it dissolves faster)

1/2 teaspoon cream of tartar

1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract (or sub your favorite flavor. I like almond equally as well for the white cookies)

OPTIONAL: a very tiny drop of food coloring to make pastel colored cookies

Fit your mixer with the wire whisk attachment. Put the egg whites into the bowl of the mixer and beat on low-medium speed until they are frothy. Add the cream of tartar and beat until soft peaks form. Turn up the speed on the mixer to medium-high and begin to add the sugar a little at a time, giving each addition a minute to fully incorporate before adding the next bit. Continue to beat until the sugar dissolves and the mixture holds very stiff peaks. You can rub a bit between your fingers to check to see if it is gritty-- if it is, it needs more time. Keep beating the egg whites until you can no longer feel the sugar. Beat in the vanilla.

Use a spatula to transfer the meringue to a plastic bag. Easily work the meringue into the corner of the plastic bag and snip the corner of the bag. Pipe 2- 2 1/2" rounds, leaving a little room between each one. If you mess up on the piping, just scrape it off and put it back in the bag and try again. (It usually takes me a couple of tries before I get it going the way I want them to look.)  

 Bake for 1 1/2-2 hours. Make sure to turn the pan halfway through so that the cookies bake evenly. They are done when they are pale and crisp. Turn off the oven at this point and leave the cookies in the oven overnight to dry out completely.

These can be stored in airtight plastic containers at room temperature for up to a week.

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Host a Summer Lawn Party

All of the Wimbledon buzz has inspired me to plan a Lawn Party.... British style!

Some of the traditions of Wimbledon have been in place for 100+ years! Wimbledon is played on grass, so even if you don't have access to a tennis court, if you have a patch of grass, you can host this great summer get-together complete with badminton, croquet, lawn darts, or make up your own lawn games.

The Invitation

Since a strict all-white dress code is in place for players at Wimbledon, it's always fun to stick to an all-white theme for the party. Ask guests to wear white attire and mention that lawn games will be involved so the ladies don't turn up in high heels. I always like to start this party late in the afternoon or early evening, after the temperatures have dropped slightly. A 6pm start time will give you several hours of daylight for games during the summer. White linen paper or card stock is just right for your party invite. A casual, handwritten note (very old school) is perfectly acceptable for this casual gathering.

THE PARTY MENU

A Wimbledon Tradition: Strawberries and Cream

Strawberries and Cream are a tradition at Wimbledon.There are a couple of traditions at Wimbledon that you are a must for your party menu. Strawberries and Cream are a Wimbledon staple so dessert is going to be easy! In England, cream is always single or double cream and it is difficult to find the English version in the US. If you want to make it easy on yourself, just get some really good vanilla ice cream, let it melt until it pours. Pour some cream in the bottom of each dish and fill the bowl with strawberries. Serve with a pitcher of the cream for those who want extra. Make sure to get extra fresh and really delicious berries.... Try Driscoll's Berries. Always fresh, always reliable!

Another option is to whip up some fresh cream and add some orange flavor to it. This is simple and delicious- the perfect compliment to the berries.

ORANGE WHIPPED CREAM

1 pint heavy whipping cream

1/2 cup Confectioners sugar

1/4 cup Grand Marnier (or orange flavored liqueur)

1 teaspoon vanilla

1/4 cup orange juice

1/2 teaspoon very finely grated orange zest

Add the whipping cream to a large bowl and whip with electric mixer for a moment at high speed. Turn it off and add the sugar. Whip at low to incorporate the sugar, otherwise it will dust you with white powder! Once you have it incorporated, add the other ingredients and whip on high until stiff peaks form. Chill until serving time.

CHECK OUT 7 WAYS WITH STRAWBERRIES FROM MY FRIENDS AT MYRECIPES.COM FOR MORE GREAT STRAWBERRY RECIPES!

BEVERAGE OPTIONS

Another staple at Wimbledon or at any other British event is a Pimm's Cup. Pimm's is to Wimbledon what the Mint Julep is to the Kentucky Derby. I love a good Pimm's Cup! Pimm's is a gin based liquor and it's so refreshing on a summer day. 

PIMM'S CUP

1 ½ ounce Pimm's #1

4 ounces lemon-lime soda-- 7-Up or Sprite

1 ounce club soda

Wedge of lemon

Cucumber spears

Optional: shot of premium vodka

I like to mix these in a pitcher and serve over ice in a tall glass. They're really unique and refreshing but watch out! They really sneak up on you.

Another great British beverage is the Shandy. A Shandy is half lager (shown below) and half lemon-lime soda. Believe me, I was a skeptic but it's delicious and refreshing on a summer day!

BRITISH SHANDY

For 2

One pint cold lager beer

One can chilled lemon-lime soda

Chilled tall glasses

Slowly pour half of the beer into the chilled glasses. Top with soda. Serve.

BRITISH PUB FOOD

Serve traditional British pub food for this party; fish and chips are a pub staple and always a favorite. Sandwiches and crisps (what we call potato chips) or maybe Cornish pasties... delicate meat and potato pies are delicious. Make what is easy and will keep well for your outdoor party.

The ENTERTAINMENT

This party starts with the lawn games so if you don't have access to a tennis court, set up a badminton net instead. Since croquet is also played at Wimbledon, you can also set up a croquet course in the backyard or at the park. Other fun lawn games include horseshoes, bocce ball. or lawn bowling. The game I came to know in Chicago as "baggo" is also fun for a lawn party. I always find lots of great lawn games at Target during the summer. Set up your game course in whatever green space you have. If the party is in the late afternoon, I like to string little while lights all around my game course.

This is a great summer evening party theme... try it for a rehearsal dinner or engagement party, a girls night out or guys night out party, a neighborhood party, family get-together, or anyone's birthday party! You can make it kid friendly or invite the adults only, but no matter who attends, my Summer Lawn Party is perfect for any occasion!

Girls' Night In Party: Throw a Pajama Party

Watching Kathie Lee and Hoda on the Today Show right now and they've got a pajama party on that looks like a lot of fun... They have champagne, cookies, cake, wine, beauty products, chocolate, etc. Well, I think they got their idea from us! Perfect for a bridesmaid's party, a bachelorette party, best friend's birthday party, or for the next time it is your turn to have your gang over, our Guilty Pleasure PJ Party is simple to host and totally affordable, too. Who doesn't need a chocolate covered attitude adjustment on occasion?

This Guilty Pleasure PJ Party featured everything you love but don't indulge in every day... Chick flicks, gossip magazines, fashion magazines, Sex in the City reruns plus loads of our favorite old-school pajama party foods: chocolate cupcakes, homemade truffles, doughnuts, candy, sliders, pigs in a blanket, chips, fondue, and more. Throw on some pink drinks like our Cosmopolitans and a beautiful rose' Champagne and you're done! The best thing about this party was the friends: Arden, Jessica, Ashley-Rose, Jenna Lee, and Charlotte made this girls' night party so easy and so much fun!

Take a look at some of our ideas for a pajama party for the perfect girls get-together. This is one of the most fun and most relaxing parties ever.

 

PERFECT GROWN UP PJ PARTY HOW-TO

The menu was pure indulgence. Mini cheeseburgers and pigs-in-a-blanket are so easy to make, we didn’t even need a recipe. Nachos are always easy but chocolate or cheese fondue is even better. Ask the girls to bring their favorite “guilty pleasure” candy or dessert plus a favorite DVD. Check with each guest to see what they’re planning to bring so you don’t end up with four plates of Rice Krispy treats and six copies of Grease. (Admit it, you know every song)  Serve a signature cocktail or drinks that fit the theme for the evening. Since Sex in the City was on the agenda for our party, Cosmopolitans were on the menu. Pre-mix a large pitcher of your signature drink so you don’t have to play bartender all night. That way, you only have to refill the serving pitcher when necessary.

All photos taken by Arden Ward/Arden PhotographyCLASSIC COSMOPOLITAN RECIPE

Makes 5 servings

5 oz premium vodka
2.5 oz Grand Marnier
2.5 oz fresh lime juice
2.5 oz cranberry juice

Shake vodka, Grand Marnier, lime and cranberry juice vigorously in a shaker with ice. Strain into a pitcher. Serve in chilled martini glasses garnished with a lime. Serves 5. Double or triple as necessary for a party.

DECORATIONS

Use colorful candies and treats as decorations by displaying them in clear bowls and vases. Lollipop sticks from the craft store make a doughnut or marshmallow sculpture to add height and interest to your table. Grab a bouquet of mixed flowers in your party colors at the grocery and pull it apart to use in assorted vases. For an informal party like this one, use stylish paper plates and napkins to cut down on clean up... pity to have so much fun and then have to do the dishes:)

ENTERTAINMENT

In addition to watching your favorite movies, watch your own! Start by scanning pictures of your past good times and make your own movie using your iPhone or FlipCam. Add your favorite tunes from back in the day as a soundtrack.

So call the gang and treat yourselves to a Girls’ Might IN party; it’s a chocolate covered attitude adjustment just when you needed it! 

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Engagement Parties and Bridal Shower Ideas: Throw a Breakfast at Tiffany's Party

Today was the Breakfast at Bromberg's wedding planning event in Birmingham. What a fun party! Bromberg's is to the South what Tiffany & Company is to New York; generations of area brides have trusted Bromberg's for their wedding rings and bridal registries. Since I am Bromberg's wedding expert, I was on hand to participate in all of the festivities. 

The party was a spin on the classic film Breakfast at Tiffany's. Brides-to-be enjoyed a yummy breakfast buffet among the diamonds and dishes as they met with area wedding professionals to get wedding planning ideas and information. Attendees dressed like the legendary Audrey Hepburn character Holly Golightly had a chance to win a strand of cultured pearls and all of the brides got gifts and won prizes, too. It was tons of girlie dress-up fun for everyone and a unique party theme for an engagement party, bridal shower or your next girl's night party. Have guests dress up in their favorite little black dress and strands of pearls as you watch the movie, drink champagne or martinis and blow off all of your wedding planning stress. Check out the fun in the photo gallery and get ideas for your own Breakfast at Tiffany's party! 

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Update on Thursday, February 26, 2009 at 8:18PM by Martie Duncan

So many people have asked for more ideas for a Breakfast at Tiffany shower! Here are a few other suggestions: Serve mini cakes for each guest in Tiffany blue with the signature white bow. (Cake by The Cake Girls Chicago) Send Tiffany blue box invitations from Fine Stationery to let your guests know what the party is all about. Be sure to give instructions if guests are to dress like a character from the movie, like we did for our party. Here are more party pics: