Martie Knows Parties on MyRecipes.com: Midnight in Paris Brunch

Photo Courtesy Arden PhotographyDo you know I am the go-to party girl for the great folks at MyRecipes.com? We love their site-- if you haven't used it, try it! MyRecipes.com is a party planner's dream come true. In addition to one of the largest recipe collections on the web, they have a lot of tools and articles to help you. All of their recipes are tested by the Southern Living kitchens so you know you can trust them, and many of them are rated by readers, too. You can use their menu planning feature to help you with a menu for your next party. It really makes planning easy!

Check out our latest Martie Knows Parties video and menu: Midnight Brunch in Paris! This is a wonderful party theme for this time of year. Reuse your holiday lights and decorations-- add a few simple menu items like a delicious savory quiche and some bubbly and this party practically hosts itself. Get the how-to and the whole 411 on the Martie Knows Parties hub at MyRecipes.com

WATCH THE HOW-TO VIDEO NOW

Special thanks to Arden Ward of Arden Photography for the beautiful photography for the Paris brunch video and slideshow.

Party Quick Fix: A Cheese Board--- Yum!

Still need a few ideas for your holiday get-togethers? A cheese board is fast and easy--- and who doesn't love cheese? Some cheeses are not cheap--- in fact, some are completely outrageous but sooo worth the expense. Get several large blocks of cheese for a cheese board or get 6-10 smaller blocks for a cheese tasting. For a tasting, label each cheese so guests can identify their favorite.

A a large cutting board works well for a cheese board---or a marble pastry slab, if you happen to have one. Add baskets of baguettes and different types of crackers or breadsticks and fruit that pairs well with your cheese assortment. Pears, apples, strawberries, cherries, and figs are delicious with cheese and they add color to your presentation as well. Shopping for cheese can be a bit overwhelming so here is a list of some of my favorites!

1. Manchego: Spain. This is my all-time favorite. I have noticed it in lots of stores lately so it must be increasing in popularity. Maybe that’s because I have served Manchego at every party, picnic, or tailgate I have hosted since my first trip to Spain in 1997. Get the Manchego that has been aged for twelve months. It is worth the price difference.
2. Saint Andre: France This soft, smooth triple cream cow’s milk cheese is on every single cheese board I present, also. It is almost like brie but the taste is smooth and creamy. Delicious when served with a fresh baguette and pear or apple slices, this one is really a crowd pleaser--- my friend Debbie absolutely loves it!
3. Cypress Grove Humboldt Fog: California A soft, ripened goat’s milk cheese that pairs well with honey and pears or wild mushrooms and earthy flavors.  
4. Valdeon: Spain An award winner for Spain’s best blue cheese, the distinctive sycamore leaf wrapping makes this cow and goat’s milk blue stand out in a crowd. It is a less intense blue cheese, perfect for a cheese board and paired with smoked or cured meats.
5. Quickes Farm Traditional Cheddar: England This is everything a good cheddar should be. The rich sharp flavor has a slightly spicy undertone. Everyone will ask about this one.
6. Amsterdam Reserve Gouda: Holland Gouda is a familiar favorite but this young cow’s milk variety is very creamy with a hint of honey and butterscotch.  
7. Cypress Grove Midnight Moon Goat Cheese: California Firm, dense, and smooth, this pale ivory cheese is a perfect compliment to cured meats and fruit.
8. Amadeus: Austria Buttery soft with a Havarti-like taste that is best paired with something sweet like figs or roasted meats like turkey and chicken.
9. Brillat Savarin: France Rich and buttery with a sweet but tangy taste, this triple cream brie is best served with grapes, apples, and pears.
10. Parmigiano Reggiano: Italy It is impossible to have a top ten list without this one. Most people think it is just for cooking or best grated over pasta, but it is wonderful alone or with crusty bread, dipped in good balsamic vinegar, and with olives. It has a complex nutty flavor and dense, slightly grainy texture.
11. Belle Chevre: Elkmont, Alabama This cheese should have been in my Top 10 and it's only because you can't find it everywhere that it isn't higher on the list--- but you can have it shipped almost anywhere. If you like goat cheese, this will be a favorite. Their marinated goat cheese made the Real Simple list of top gifts under $50. Try it!

Update on Tuesday, December 21, 2010 at 12:05PM by Martie Duncan

We were invited to participate in a segment yesterday on ABC 33/40's Talk of Alabama in Birmingham with Tasia from Belle Chevre on putting together a cheese board for easy holiday entertaining. A cheese board is one of those things you can just whip up fast when guests just show up. Yesterday we used Greek Kiss from Belle Chevre from Elkmont, Alabama, Piedmont from Wright Dairy, and a delicious triple cream Mt. Tam from Cowgirl Creamery. Add these to your list to try!

Girls' Night Party Ideas: Host a Retro Roller Skating Party!

A week or so ago, we were in the process of celebrating Arden's 30th birthday week (Arden does most of our photography) and part of that celebration was a throwback birthday party at the local roller skating rink. We had such a great time! If you're looking for something fun and different to do for your next girls get-together, dust off your pom-poms, break out your striped knee socks, and get ready for some old-school fun that will have you laughing (sore and bruised) for weeks to come! Here's the party plan:

Call your local roller rink to find out what the restrictions are for a party. Some will allow you to hold your party during public skate times, others will require that you book a private party for your group. This usually depends on how many you have in your group.

Arden and Martie--- on wheels!Some rinks allow you to bring in food or cake. Others don't. If they allow food, take something that does not have to be served hot. Gourmet sandwiches, wraps, chips, salsa, or a delish cheese board would be easy to do. If not, meet for a pre-party party before you head to the rink. Our roller rink did not allow us to bring in our own food but we did get to bring in cupcakes and gift bags for everyone containing stuff from back when: Charms' Blow Pops, Bonnie Bell Lip Smackers ( the huge ones) and original Hubba Bubba Bubble Gum! I remember when that was all you needed to get a boy to ask you to go steady or at least couple's skate:)

If your crowd hasn't skated in a while, be sure and add a package of Advil and some Icy Hot in each guest's gift bag! 

Need other ideas for a girl's night out party? Why not try one of these great party themes?

Guilty Pleasure Party

Spa Party

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Martie Knows Parties on Better TV! Staycation Party Ideas & Holly Montag

WATCH OUR TV SEGMENT ON BACKYARD GETAWAYS! ITALY, BEACH & CAMPING!

We did a segment with Audra Lowe on Better TV in New York that will air Monday, July 26. It's all about making the best of your summer at home--- check it out! We talked about staycationing--- backyard Italy, camping and everyone's favorite, the beach.

Holly Montag from The Hills and I'm a Celebrity, Get Me Out of Here was on after us--- she's very cute. I told her this pic should up my hip quotient (HQ) and she said I upped hers! So smart, that Holly Montag! And she love loved the Vietri products we had sent in for the show so she's got good taste on top of being smart and adorable. Holly wanted the red Vietri pedestal planter we used for a beverage cooler for her Hollywood home.

 You can watch the segment on the web or on TV in your town--- check out the list of Better TV cities here. Hope it's good!! Let me know if you decide to have a destination backyard party! Send pictures and we'll post them!

Staycationing This Summer? How About Italy?

Have your vacation plans been put on hold this summer? You can create a backyard getaway to your favorite places with a little creativity and very little cash. Use some souvenirs and items you've collected from vacations past to bring the party to life. Even if you just throw this party for your family---- it's a great mini-getaway right in the backyard! Any place you want to go can be recreated right in the backyard. How about a seaside cookout? A trip to Italy, New York, Napa, Chicago or Spain? It's super easy--- here are a few ideas to get you started on your own backyard getaway!

Florence, Rome, Venice or The Amalfi Coast. Take the flavors of a summer in Italy- fresh tomatoes, basil, olive oil and make a late afternoon Italian-style picnic or a Capri cookout with seafood and pasta. 

Everyone loves Italy. If they have been, they want to go back and if they haven’t been, it’s certainly on the list of places they’d like to go.

By adding one beautiful platter or bowl, you can make over your table completely. This Vietri pattern with an Italian coastal village scene completely transforms this table from everyday to Italy. And use food as decorations—breadsticks, lemons, etc make beautiful centerpiece for this party.

Play Bocce ball! It’s played all over Italy and in Little Italy, too! You can buy this game almost anywhere these days and online.

Limoncello—the Italian lemon liqueur tastes like the Amalfi Coast. Float a little of it on top of Prosecco or drizzle it over gelato, sorbet or fresh berries for dessert. Instant Italy!

ITALY MENU- This is one of the easiest menus to make. Cook your own favorites; simple or elaborate!

Prosecco- The Italian sparkling wine... inexpensive and delicious!

Bruschetta- any kind. Fresh tomatoes, olive oil, basil, a dash of balsamic vinegar, S&P is easy and classic.

Antipasto Platter- Italian cheeses, olives, prosciutto, salami, breadsticks, almonds and spreads like tapanade. I make a great one with artichoke, lemon, capers and olives. No recipe, just put the artichoke hearts in the food processor and whirl until smooth. Add the other ingredients to taste.

Pizza- Frozen or fresh, I like to do these on the grill. Add a drizzle of olive oil and some Parmesan over the top before grilling. Yum.

Pasta- Any kind. Make your favorite. If you need ideas- let me know.

Gelato or Sorbetto- Make or buy it at Whole Foods. Vanilla gelato is great with limoncello drizzle. Lemon sorbetto is wonderful with Prosecco like an ice cream float. Crumble some Ameretti cookies over the top.

We did a few backyard getaway parties on Better TV in New York! Watch the video!