Good Food to Feed a Big Crowd: Bolognese

I don't think I like anything much more than Bolognese-- meat sauce over pasta. I build my Bolognese with lots of flavor--- and really let it cook down to almost a paste consistency to make it really hearty, thick and rich. You can reconstitute it with stock (even chicken or veggie stock is fine) if you want to thin it out a little before serving. Bolognese, a cold salad, some fresh bread, and a good bottle of wine is a party in my book. Next time you want to impress somebody you love, invite them over for this classic Italian supper... you'll get rock star status for this one! Ciao!

BOLOGNESE

This makes a big pot. I usually freeze half but don't add the cream to the part I freeze.

1 T olive oil

5-6 strips bacon or pancetta, diced

1 large onion, diced

1 cup carrots, diced

4 garlic cloves, minced

2 t. kosher salt

1/2 t. black pepper

1 t. fresh thyme- minced (ok use 1/2 t. dried thyme instead)

1/2 t. fresh oregano, minced (ok to use 1/4 t. dried oregano)

1/4 t. fresh ground nutmeg

1 1/2 pounds ground beef

1 pound ground veal (optional)

1/2 pound ground pork sausage (I use Italian sausage and take it out of the casing)

 3 T. tomato paste

2 cups red wine (optional)

1 can (28 ounces) whole tomatoes including the juice, crushed

1 can (28 ounces) tomato puree

1 can (14.5 ounce) tomato sauce

3 cups beef broth (you can also use veg or chicken)

1 Arbol chili

3 bay leaves

1/2 T. sugar

1/2 cup heavy cream

1 T. fresh Italian flat leaf parsley, chopped fine

1 cup Parmesan cheese, grated or shaved

Add the olive oil to a large pot and heat. Over medium-high heat, add the bacon and cook until browned. Add the carrots and onions. Cook until soft. Add the garlic and cook for a minute, stirring constantly. Add the salt, pepper, oregano, thyme, and nutmeg. Add the beef and the sausage. Cook until the meat is browned, about 5 minutes. Add the tomato paste and cook for one minute, stirring constantly.

Add 1 cup of the red wine (or use stock if you are not cooking with the wine) and use that to deglaze the pan, scraping all of the flavor off the bottom of the pan. Reduce the heat to medium. Let the wine reduce completely, stirring occasionally. Add the other cup of wine and cook, reducing the liquid until it is almost completely gone. Once the wine has cooked down, addd the whole tomatoes (crush them first- I just crush them with my hand) plus the tomato puree and the tomato sauce, and half of the beef broth. Bring to a boil and cook for 2 minutes, stirring constantly to keep the sauce from sticking on the bottom of the pot. Add the sugar, chili and the bay leaf. Reduce the heat to low and simmer for 2-3 hours, stirring frequently. Add more beef broth as the sauce cooks down and becomes thick. You want the sauce to be very thick and paste like but you can add the broth to reconstitute it a bit if you like.

Before serving, remove the chili and the bay leaf. Stir in the cream. Serve with the Parmesan cheese over any hot pasta you like. Sprinkle the cheese over the hot pasta, then ladle over the sauce. Top with fresh parsley. Heaven on a plate!

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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!

Super Simple Desserts: Summer Berry Crush

Need a fast, go-to dessert for summer entertaining? It seems like a party just seems to materialize some weekends... you look up and all of the neighbors are in your yard. You probably have most of the ingredients for my Summer Berry Crush in your kitchen. And you can use any fresh berry: raspberries, strawberries, blueberries, or a combination of raspberries and strawberries also works really well. Seriously, in 15 minutes, you will have an elegant and delicious dessert that looks beautiful and tastes even better!

SUMMER BERRY CRUSH

Ingredients

2 1/2 cups fresh raspberries or strawberries. Save some for garnish

3 tablespoons balsamic vinegar

1 cup mascarpone cheese, softened (you can sub an 8 oz package of cream cheese if you can't find marscapone)

1/4 cup sour cream, at room temperature (ok to sub heavy cream if you don't have sour cream)

3 tablespoons agave nectar or honey

1/4 teaspoon vanilla

Pound cake, angel food cake, almond cookies or meringues to crumble -I like meringues for this.

Directions

In a small bowl, toss the berries and balsamic vinegar together- crushing them slightly with the back of your spoon. Let stand for 15 minutes. In another bowl, beat the mascarpone cheese, sour cream, vanilla, and agave until smooth and fluffy.

To serve: Crumble the cake or cookies into the bottom of the glass. Layer the raspberries and the marsapone mixture. Garnish with more berries or mint.

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Party Serving Solutions: Mason Jars for Serving a "Salad in a Jar"

Canning jars are awesome. No matter if you use them for serving beverages, as a vase for flowers, or as a portable serving solution, canning jars are inexpensive and also rather cool. I have quite an assortment of canning jars: Mason, Ball, and Kerr are some of the brands you'll see in stores. And if you have some of the blue or antique jars... lucky you!

This past weekend, I shared one of my ideas for spring and summer entertaining with guests at The Trussville Literary Club's tablescape event. Everyone loved my "salad in a jar" so I thought I'd share it with you. There are lots of variations on this theme. Be creative and come up with your own!

Salad in a Jar: An easy and creative way to serve salad for a party!Salad in a Jar: Layered Spinach & Fruit Salad with Poppyseed Dressing

Functional, easy, and pretty! If you are going to prep the day before your event, you probably should add the dressing just before serving so everything doesn't get soggy. But you can prep up to four hours before with the dressing in the bottom of this recipe and you'll be fine... but keep the jars chilled on ice, in the fridge, or in a cooler. And it is a perfect solution for picnics, too!

Makes 6

1- 9 ounce package of fresh baby spinach leaves, wash and remove the stems

1- 16 ounce container fresh strawberries, washed, dried, hulled, and sliced

1- 15 ounce can mandarin orange slices, drained

2 cups walnuts, toasted and roughly chopped

1- 6 ounce container Belle Chevre Belle and the Bee Breakfast goat cheese (or if you cannot find it, make your own by swirling honey into goat cheese to make it creamy and slightly sweet)

Poppyseed Dressing recipe  (or your favorite dressing)

Assembly

Start by spooning about 2-3 tablespoons of dressing into the bottom of the jar. Enough so you can see the layer of dressing. Next, add about 1 1/2 cups of the spinach leaves. Layer the strawberry slices around the outside of the jar and work your way in so they look pretty. Do the same with the orange slices. Next, add the walnuts and top with a thin layer of the goat cheese. Secure the lid and chill until serving time.

Poppyseed Dressing Recipe

1 1/2 Tablespoons apple cider vinegar

1/2 teaspoon dry mustard

1/2 teaspoon honey

1/4 teaspoon lemon juice

1/8 teaspoon Kosher salt

1/4 teaspoon sugar

1/8 cup sweet white onion, like a Vidallia, chopped

1/2 cup plain yogurt (some people prefer mayo instead)

2 1/2 tablespoons vegetable oil

3/4 teaspoon poppyseeds

a bit of water to thin, if required

Add everything but the oil and the poppyseeds into a blender or food processor and blend until very smooth and there is no trace of the onion. Reduce to the lowest speed and stream in the vegetable oil. Turn off the blender and add the poppyseeds. If you find it too thick (which I love for fruit) you can thin with a bit of water.  I use an immersion blender for this recipe. It's fast and easy to clean up!

FOR MORE TIPS AND IDEAS ON USING CANNING JARS, VISIT THE BALL WEBSITE!

Academy Awards Party: Movie Quote Trivia Game

Hosting an Academy Awards party or movie night party? My movie trivia game will keep the fun going through the commercials!

MARTIE'S MOVIE NIGHT TRIVIA GAME

It's easy to play. Just match the movie to quote. Award one point for the correct movie. Award another point for the actor responsible for the quote, and a third point for the name of the character for a total of 3 possible points per quote. You can play as teams or as individuals.

How-to: Put the quotes on index cards, or print out the PDF, cut out the questions, and put them in a bowl. Team A will draw a quote for Team B and read it out to them. The Team B can collaborate on their answer. They have to get the movie correct to answer the second and third parts of the question. If they miss the movie, they lose all three points. If you have more than two teams or players, you can have a "steal" option. For example, if Team B misses their question, Team C may "steal" the question and answer for the points. The team or person with the most points wins. Start with easy quotes and move into more difficult and obscure quotes as the night goes on.

 For example:

QUOTE: "Life is like a box of chocolates; you never know what you're gonna get."

MOVIE: Forrest Gump (1 point) ACTOR: Tom Hanks CHARACTER: Forrest Gump (1) = 3 possible points

Need help? Download this PDF with favorite movie quotes from our favorite Facebook friends!