Martie Knows Parties on WREG.TV live@9 in Memphis‏

HELLO MEMPHIS!!

Host Marybeth Conley from Live @ 9 MemphisWe had a great time today on Live @ 9 in Memphis this morning with host Marybeth Conley! For those of you watching at home- here are the links to the party we discussed: How to host a Garden-ing Party.... perfect for those with a little space to plant some veggies for summer recipes. And the how to for my salad-in-a jar serving solution. Thanks for the fun, Memphis! I'm in love with this city and cannot wait to come back! Thanks Live @ 9 and Marybeth!

We will post the link to the video once it is up on the WREG site.

Salad in a Jar: Keep canning jars chilled in the fridge or a cooler until serving time.How to Host a Garden-ing Party

Perfect for Earth Day, Mother's Day, a friend's birthday or just an excuse to get the girls together... when you get the whole gang in on the planting, you are planting more than veggies and flowers.... you're planting memories, too.

Salad in a Jar: A Simple Serving Solution for Casual Summer Entertaining.

Mason jars or canning jars are perfect serving pieces and glassware for your casual entertaining. At under $10 for a dozen, they are not only super functional, they are cheap chic.

And don't forget our lemonade station with lots of add-ins and mix-ins!

For Pink Lemonade, I used fresh Driscoll's raspberries and layered that with Chambord Vodka and Chambord Raspberry Liqueurper serving to make the adult version of pink lemonade. FYI: I like to soak the raspberries in the Chambord for a bit before serving. Make kid-friendly Pink Lemonade by simply adding a little grenadine. You can find it in the section of the grocery store with the bar supplies and bar mixes.

MARTIE'S PINK PARTY LEMONADE

1 1/2 ounces Chambord Pink Vodka

1/2 ounce Chambord liqueur

5 ounces fresh lemonade

7 fresh raspberries, soaked in Chambord

Freeze the lemonade and allow it to thaw slightly so it is slushy at serving time so you don't have to shake each drink in a cocktail shaker. Add the remaining ingredients. Stir gently. Float the raspberries on top. Serve with a straw.

As the lawyers say, enjoy responsibly!! Cheers!

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Cooking for a Crowd: Make a Big and Toasty Grilled Cheese Sandwich

Today is National Grilled Cheese Day! I do believe it is my favorite of all the food holidays.... there's National Cupcake Day, that could be the rival, I guess. I love a good grilled cheese; plain old American cheese grilled up on a cast iron skillet works for me... but if you have a big crowd coming over, standing over a hot stove flipping sandwiches is not exactly fun. So I came up with this idea and it works great for all kinds of sandwiches... but grilled cheese is my favorite because it gets so crusty and so melty... yummmm! Time for lunch!

This is not a recipe. It's more of an artistic expression... throw together what you like.

Great Big Grilled Cheese Sandwich

1 loaf Italian, Ciabatta or your favorite bread

Herb butter or regular butter

Salt and pepper

Cheese- use whatever you have or like. I use about a pound to 1 1/2 pounds of cheese on mine. Try Swiss, American, Gouda, Gruyere, Goat, Parmesan, or anything else you like. I like the Goat, Gouda, and Gruyere combo.

Optional add-ons: onion, tomato, spinach, arugula, chicken, pulled pork, sliced ham; whatever you like.

OK... slice the bread in half length-wise. Put the bottom on a big sheet of aluminum foil, large enough to wrap. Butter both sides lightly with the herbed butter. Salt and pepper. Next, layer on the cheese. Just make sure the slices are not too thick or the bread will burn before the cheese melts. I usually grate the cheese first to make it melt easier, in fact. Don't worry if some doesn't make it onto the bread. That makes for delicious crusty bits of cheese on the outside of your sandwich.

Put the top on and press it down a bit. Dot the top of the loaf with a bit more butter to get it crusty and brown. Wrap and put the loaf in the oven on about 400 for 14 minutes or so. You'll have to time it. When the cheese is getting melty, open up the top of the foil and let the top brown. I often put a little more grated cheese on the top so the whole thing is crusty brown and super cheesy. If you are grilling, you can even take the loaf from the foil and press it down onto the grill at the last minute to get some grill flavor and those ultra important grill marks, but I promise you, it is not necessary.

Use a serated knife to slice the loaf into wedges or large slices and serve!

Weekend Cocktail: Cotton Candy Martini

One of our friends, Lea Ann from Newnan, Georgia is hosting a wonderful party tomorrow for a little boy who really needs one. I'm amazed by Lea Ann... for those who follow my Facebook page, she's Makaley's mom. Even though they have a lot on their own plate, they've made time and budget to do something wonderful for another family. Lea Ann told me she was testing cotton candy for the party tomorrow.... doesn't that sound like fun? Anyway, it made me remember this recipe. Since we've used some of the ingredients before, hopefully you'll have them on hand.

Here's to you Lea Ann! Thanks for following us and for sharing your wonderful ideas and generous spirit with all of us! Happy weekend, everyone!

COTTON CANDY MARTINI

2 ounces raspberry flavored vodka

1 ounce Chambord liqueur

splash of Grenadine

splash of Champagne, Prosecco or club soda for some fizz

If you have it- cotton candy for garnish

Fill a cocktail shaker with ice. Add the vodka, Chambord, Grenadine, and Champagne. Shake until the shaker is frosty and the cocktail is well chilled. Serve in chilled martini glasses and top with a whisp of cotton candy. Serve!

Cheers to the weekend!

More weekend cocktail recipes from Martie Knows Parties

Chambord Champagne Cocktail

The King's Peach

Strawberry Pear Sangria

Reata's CF Cherry Limeade

Classic Whiskey Sour

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Easy, Affordable Entertaining: Make a Deviled Egg Bar

I love to set up interactive stations for easy entertaining. A DIY bar offers guests lots of options and encourages conversation, too. In my book, that is a win-win. For Easter brunch (or any brunch for that matter) a DIY Deviled Egg Bar is nothing but easy, yummy fun and with a price tag under ten cents per serving, deviled eggs are super affordable!

Photos: Arden Ward, Arden Photography Location: The Sonnet House Leeds, AlabamaClassic Deviled Eggs with toppings: BBQ, Salmon, and BaconHere's How:

Make your deviled eggs.* I'd suggest making a pretty basic recipe** since your guests will be adding toppings and piling on lots of flavor.

Assemble the eggs on a variety of different plates, egg dishes, and platters at different heights. Put the toppings in small dishes, jars, or bowls in groups. I like to get a bowl and fill it with ice and arrange bowls filled with toppings that are best kept chilled.  

SUGGESTED TOPPINGS (From our wonderful Facebook family! Use as many or as few as you like based on your budget and the amount of room you have)

Fresh Dill, Thyme, Tarragon, Chives, Italian parsley, cilantro; finely chopped

Scallions, finely chopped

Capers

Spicy pickle relish

Pickled okra slices

Roasted red peppers, diced

Jalapeno peppers, diced

Green olives, sliced

Toasted pecans, chopped

Bacon crumbles

Goat cheese crumbles

Shredded cheddar cheese

Fresh horseradish

Country ham, sliced ultra thin and cut into small pieces

BBQ (beef or pork, shredded)

Smoked salmon (thin sliced)

Fresh lump crabmeat (cooked)

Cooked baby shrimp

Caviar (if you have the budget)

Sour cream, creme fraiche or Greek yoghurt

Fig preserves

Chutney

Hot sauce

BBQ sauce

Salt

Pepper

Paprika

*To Make Hard-Boiled Eggs

Use a stainless steel pot- don't use a non-stick pan

Layer the eggs in the pan leaving a bit of room between them. Cover with cold water by one inch. Bring the eggs to a boil and very gently stir them in the pan. This will keep the yolk centered. Once the eggs reach a rolling boil, Immediately reduce the heat and simmer, cooking for one minute. Remove from heat and cover. Let the eggs stand for fifteen minutes. If you have very large eggs, you may want to allow them to stand for eighteen minutes. Don't peek or open the lid. Place the pot in the sink and run cold water over the eggs to cool them.   

To peel, lightly roll the egg on the counter with your hand and the shell should crack and peel away easily. I find they peel easier if you do this right away.

**Classic Southern Style Deviled Eggs

12 hard-boiled eggs

5 tablespoons mayonnaise

1 1/2 teaspoons yellow mustard

1 1/2 tablespoons sweet pickle relish

1/4 teaspoon salt, pepper to taste

Paprika for garnish

Cut the eggs in half and put the yolks into a bowl and reserve the whites for later. ( I probably did not have to tell you that, but you'd be surprised) Add the mayo and mustard. Now, there is no precise measurement for the perfect deviled egg. Everyone does theirs to taste. I don't like mine to be thin or runny. I prefer a thicker consistency. Add more or less mayo depending on the consistency you like. Use a fork to mash it all together until somewhat creamy; if there are some bits of egg peeking through, that's ok. Add the salt, pepper, and relish. Combine well. Spoon the yolks into the egg whites. Or... you can make a pastry bag from a Zip-lock bag and pipe the mixture into the egg white. Simply spoon the mixture into the bag, smush it down into the corner and squeeze out the air... then snip the end and pipe nice little swirls onto your egg. I can do this so trust me, it's not hard. 

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The Royal Wedding: Details for Prince William & Kate's Wedding; Viewing Party Ideas

I've got to admit that I have a growing curiosity about the big day... I'm talking about the most anticipated wedding of the year; that of Prince William to Kate Middleton. It is estimated that over 2 BILLION people around the world will stop what they are doing to watch as this historic event takes place at 11am on April 29, 2011 at Westminster Abbey and I will be one of them. I planned a little viewing party back in the day when Princess Diana married Prince Charles and I do not intend to slight the oh-so dashing William- who, I am sure, is marrying Kate only because she reminds him so much of me:) Live pre-wedding coverage begins at the following times around the USA:

New York, Atlanta: 6am (Eastern)

Chicago, Dallas: 5am (Central)

Denver, Salt Lake City: 4am (Mountain Daylight)

Phoenix: 3am (Mountain Standard)

Los Angeles: 3am (Pacific)

Details of the wedding have been closely guarded secrets; very few of the plans have been released or leaked out. What is known thus far is that Kate will arrive at Westminster Abbey by car and not by carriage. The ceremony will last for approximately an hour. After the wedding, the couple will travel by the same carriage used for the wedding of Charles and Diana to Buckingham Palace where the royal family and invited guests will enjoy a reception hosted by the Queen. Later in the evening, Prince Charles will host a wedding dinner for close friends and family at Buckingham Palace. For more details of the wedding, the history of Westminster Abbey, Buckingham Palace, and the couple, visit William and Kate's official wedding website... after all, every couple has one these days:)

ROYAL WEDDING VIEWING PARTY IDEAS

If you're planning a royal wedding viewing party to watch the actual event as it happens, a typical British breakfast is a must. Use formal china and teacups if you have them. This is the perfect occasion to drag out all of your silver trays and tiered serving pieces. The Brits are known for their eclectic and whimsical sense of style so feel perfectly free to mix and match patterns like a slightly kooky old aunt. Kate's wedding color is blue which you can incorporate in china, flowers, or linen. The English are known for their incredible gardens and every Brit I know has a bit of green they are proud to show off. Known for their roses - a bunch of any large, open roses make the perfect decorations. 

THE ENGLISH BREAKFAST: TWO WAYS

The British call the post-wedding meal a 'Wedding Breakfast' but it actually features brunch and main course dishes, not breakfast items. The culinary team at Buckingham Palace is responsible for catering the reception, which will begin with an array of cold and hot canapes for the 660 guests invited to Buckingham Palace after the ceremony. Read more and watch videos about the reception and wedding cakes from the royal wedding site...

Full English Breakfast with eggs, sausage, tomato, etcSince the wedding will happen at the crack of dawn in the US, a real breakfast menu is the perfect way to go. There are two traditional types of English breakfast menus: a 'fried' breakfast" or "Full English" features eggs, grilled sausages, which are called bangers, beans (like our baked beans), hash browns, a baked tomato and mushrooms with grilled cheese on toast on the side.

Scones with cream and jamThe other type of English breakfast includes tea with milk, scones, toast, or English muffins, jam, marmalade, butter, and fresh fruit. The Brits are known for their strawberries and cream, which always show up on the menu at Royal Ascot, Wimbledon, and posh polo matches. The symbol of love, purity, passion, and healing, the strawberry has been incorporated into English wedding breakfast since medieval times. 

Get Martie's recipe for strawberry scones...

Other typical wedding breakfast items include Buck's Fizz, similar to what we know in the USA as a Mimosa.

Buck's Fizz Recipe

Fill a champagne flute with 2 parts orange juice and top it off with one part chilled champagne. The traditional recipe calls for a drop of grenadine.

If you really want to pitch in and feel as if you are a part of the Royal Wedding, the couple has set up a charitible gift fund to help celebrate their wedding. The fund will focus on aid for five different causes that have been chosen by the couple: Conservation for future generations, aid to service personnel and their families, changing lives through arts and sports, children fulfilling their potential, and help and care at home.

Touched by the massive outpouring of good will and congratulations since their engagement, the couple asks that anyone with the desire to send them a wedding gift consider making a donation in their name to the fund.

 Learn more about the Prince William & Miss Catherine Middleton Charitable Gift Fund...

 Cheers and best wishes to William and Kate. Here's to a long and happy life together!

FOLLOW MARTIE ON FACEBOOK FOR MORE RECIPES, COCKTAILS, PARTY IDEAS, AND CONTESTS! Martie with Chanda Temple, writer for the Birmingham News