Every Wedding Needs A Great Salad

Photo by Ghetto Foodie

 

Every wedding needs a great salad and this will be your go to salad for weddings and parties for years to come. Sometimes I come across a recipe that I love, this Apple Bacon Slaw is one of those times. It is so, so good! Will it wreck my diet? Of course. But that's just one reason it's so so good. A combination of apples, bacon, fennel and some other goodies, this recipe is one that gets better the longer it sits (kind of like lasagna). It is also a perfect option for a picnic wedding. The only issue is keeping it cool. Be sure to only put it out in limited amounts that will be scarfed up as soon as you put it out! This isn't food, it's an addiction! You've been warned. Now go grab the ingredients and try it out. Your won't regret it.(Recipe based on one by Ghetto Foodie)

 

Apple Bacon Slaw Recipe:

 

1/4 C cider vinegar

1 C mayonnaise

1/3 C honey

2 tsps kosher salt

1/4 C pulp free orange juice

juice from 1/2 fresh lemon

1 tsp ground black pepper

1 sm Fennel shredded

1 medium cabbage, cored, shredded

1/2 pack of bacon fried very crispy then broken up into small pieces

1 bunch scallions, thinly sliced

1/2 C finely minced parsley leaves, optional

4 firm apples, peeled, cored and shredded

 

Place all items in a large mixing bowl and let sit in the refrigerator 8 hours or for best results, overnight. The longer it sits the better it tastes. You will love this recipe, and it's so easy to make and

Critical For Picnic or Backyard Weddings

Photo courtesy of  Style Me Pretty

 

I know, the last thing you want to think about at your summer outdoor wedding is BUGS! But one way to keep your guests comfortable is to provide buckets set around the perimeter filled with bug repellents. Yes, I know, you love your perfume and the bug spray is yucky at best but it beats being eaten alive by assorted bugs as you enjoy your best friend's wedding and reception.

 

Pick up some shepherd's crooks at your local hardware store or garden supply store, decorate them with ribbon streamers, and fill some small metal buckets with some of Avon's best bug repellents.

 

Check with your favorite Avon Rep (that would be me) at my Avon website at http://nancyvecchione.avonrepresentative.com and order yourself some bug repellent.  Don't forget to pick up some great body wash for when you head back to the hotel to wash off the bug repellent smell! Avon also sells an anti-itch spray that you could provide for your guests just in case they are bitten.

 

Beverage Dispenser Takes Your Picnic Up A Notch

Photo courtesy of Anthropologie

 

This bubble beverage dispenser from Anthropologie is perfect for filling with lemonades or fruit juice or even iced teas. It's not only gorgeous to the eye but efficient to use.

 

Each dispenser holds 16 quarts and 16.25" high and 14.5" in diameter. Love the clean modern look that lets you dispense cool goodness in old fashioned flavors.

 

Line three up in a row filled with three different fruit juices or teas. Attractive and efficient. Perfect for your picnic wedding and to use afterward for family occasions.

 

 

Vegan Gourmet Sandwich For A Picnic Wedding

What's this sandwich? Photo from Repinned posted from where it was re-pinned

at  nom nom nom!!! by Amy KauzLoric origin Healthy Happy Life

Having vegan guests? Consider serving these Lemon Jalapeno Asparagus Cashew Salad Sandwiches at your next picnic or even at a picnic wedding!

Fresh, filling, and attractive, these sandwiches will please your guests vegan and non-vegan!

Use thin whole wheat bread to make these easy to eat and serve. Consider picking up some delicious bread from Panera Bread. Their tomato basil bread (a sourdough bread with tomatoes, basil & sweet streusel topping) is tasty and has a sweet taste to the crust.

What's this sandwich? Photo from Repinned posted

from Healthy Happy Life

Have the helpful bakery clerks cut the bread to the thinness you want and your guests will have a sandwich they will never forget!

Another option?  Serve this unique filling on King's Hawaiian Rolls--if you've never tried them you need to! If you have never tasted the delicacy that is King's Hawaiian bread (of any type) you are in for a treat!

King's Hawaiian Photo

This sandwich is a great substitute for a gourmet egg salad sandwich! And it will have your guests asking "what's this?"  or "I wonder what was in that?" for months to come!

What's this sandwich? Photo from Repinned posted

from Healthy Happy Life

Watermelon Squares With A Burst of Flavor

Photo from Taste Spotting (found on Pinterest)

Want a cool appetizer for your picnic wedding or pre/post wedding party? Try Watermelon Salad with Feta, Cilantro, and Serrano Chile. A combination of refreshing taste and fireworks with each bite!

Use seedless watermelon, square the feta, and add a slice of Serrano Chilies. Fast, easy, and they will wow guests. My guests love them, why not see if yours will too?

Inspiration Board: Wedding Alfresco

Photos from this link.

                                                            
If you are having a picnic wedding this inspiration board will move your wedding planning way ahead! Love the wrapped wine bottles!

Cold Vegetables en Brouchette Bowls

Source: marthastewartweddings.com via Natanya on Pinterest

Looking for a new way to serve vegetables and dip to your guests? Try this great idea courtesy of Martha Stewart Weddings.  A slice of bread, hollowed out makes a baguette cup to hold your veggies and dip! Simple, easy, next to no clean up! Use carrots, beans, asparagus, peppers (red, yellow or green) and add some appropriate dip for each vegetable. I think I'm in love--with the baguette bowls with veggies and dip. Thanks Martha!

Casual Chic Picnicware

Source: atozebracelebrations.blogspot.com via Tressy on Pinterest

Looking for a way to combine drink glasses with silverware and napkins and make it look like part of your decor? Try using mason jars (STOP GROANING! I know... mason jars are everywhere!) lined with a scarf or napkin, and filled with silverware. Perfect for an outdoor wedding where you want to give it a 'casual but chic ' designer look.

And if you're not getting married use it for your favorite 4th of July picnic or other picnic get together with friends and family.

Party Punch, Bright and Sweet

Photo and recipe from Tastebook

Looking for a non-alcoholic option for a picnic wedding? One that will be thirst quenching without adding alcohol? Try this bright punch from Tastebook. Pineapple juice, pink lemonade, gingerale and strawberry ice cream are the primary flavors. For the exact recipe head to Tastebook where you'll find other recipes for alfresco weddings or just backyard picnics.

Red and Aqua Inspiration Board

Getting married outside, near the pool? Or just on your back lawn? This color combination is perfect for outdoor weddings and picnic like receptions.  

The Jones Soda carries through the aqua scheme with the addition of a small red tag as an accent. Ribbon wands to wave as the bride and groom walk down the aisle after the bride has been thoroughly kissed  make another great accent.  

Centerpieces are easy to make and pull together in a hurry.  It's easy to find picnic table covers in aqua, just hit your local Party Store.  

This inspiration board is great for the bride who's doing a lot of it herself with her friends and family.

Caramel Apple Grapes?

Yes, you've seen caramel apples for wedding sweet tables.  But I am positive few of you have seen caramel apple grapes.  These are large red seedless grapes first dipper in a caramel sauce, and then in some chopped nuts that are easy to eat and easy to make. 

Grapes are easier to make than apples, not much prep work, you can use Mazetti's Caramel Apple Dip (you can even go the low cal route) and add some sour cream, crushed nuts, crushed M&Ms or other crushed candies.  My mouth is watering!  Put grapes on lollipop sticks, toothpicks or skewers.  Dip, leaving some extra caramel on the bottom so the grapes will stand up.  Let cool in the frig and serve. 

You can decorate the sticks with ribbons or use coordinating colors for your wedding.  Perfect to polish off the end of your day!  No apple cores to deal with--seedless grapes have their uses!

All photos courtesy of Busy Mommy Blog

For complete recipe visit Busy Mommy at this link.  She'll give you all the details of how much sour cream to use and how long to heat your caramel dip.  Some bloggers have fabulous ideas, this is one of them!  Oops! Our grapes are ready to eat! Gotta run!  Have to personally taste test them! (Which means my husband at the whole first tray! Needless to say they are gone!)

Citrus Centerpieces

Looking for a cool and relaxing looking centerpiece for your picnic wedding? Try this simple, inexpensive, fruit centerpiece.  A combination of melons, citrus and mango or pineapples with a few calla lilies and you have a simple and easy summer centerpiece.

Looking for a different color combination? Just change out the fruit to suit your color scheme.  Be sure to add some lemon, lime, orange or pineapple juice to keep the fruit from browning.

Picnics Caprese Appetizers

Like all things caprese? Just grab a glass and make these great 'shooters.'  Mozzarella, tomato, some basil, and Caesar or Asiago cheese croutons with red wine vinaigrette.  A great marriage of flavors.  What better thing to serve at a wedding?  Cool, tasty, and easy to serve (and consume!)

If you're doing this outdoors consider using tiny plastic 'glasses' I used some tiny glasses I had at home but plastic is certainly doable. 

These are easy for your caterer (or Aunt Mary) to set up quickly, and don't have to be served but can be displayed on a picnic table with some crisp white napery showing off the colors and textures.

S'More Cups

Photo and recipe from Cookie Sheets and Cake Pans

OK, I don't know anyone who doesn't absolutely love the taste of S'Mores--do you?  So what could be more perfect for a sweet table at your wedding than these easy to make S'More Cups for Cookie Sheets and Cake Pans?  Previously posted from Pinterest and Texas Cottage believed to originally be from Pampered Chef's Recipes.

Photo from Pampered Chef Recipe Link

S'More Cups Recipe

7 whole graham crackers (1 cup finely crushed)

1/4 c powdered sugar

6 TBSP butter, melted

3 (1.55 oz) Hershey bars

12 large marshmallows

Preheat oven to 350°. Crush graham crackers in plastic bag, and mix with powdered sugar and melted butter in small bowl.

Place 1 TBSP of crumb mixture into the bottom of mini muffin pans (makes enough for 24). Press crumbs down with back of measuring spoon to create a shallow cup. Bake 4-5 minutes or until edges are bubbling.

In the meantime, break 2 of the Hershey bars into rectangles. Remove pan from oven and place one rectangle into each cup.

Cut large marshmallows in half crosswise using kitchen shears and dipping them in cold water. Place one marshmallow half, cut-side down, into each cup. Return to oven for 1-2 minutes, or until marshmallows start to puff up.

Remove from oven to cooling rack. Allow to cool for 15 minutes, then remove s'more cups from pan. Cool completely for 40-60 minutes.

Melt remaining Hershey bar in microwavable bowl (melt for about 1 minute, stirring every 30 seconds). Dip tops of s'more cups in chocolate and allow to cool.

Makes 24.

Comments from the cook: It was less expensive to buy one jumbo Hershey bar, so that's what I used. I cut each rectangle in half, and used small squares in each s'more cup...and they didn't seem short on chocolate at all :) I also chose to flick the chocolate across the top instead of dipping them.

These were amazing right after baking/cooling, and were also pretty good the next day (after being rewarmed in the oven for a few minutes).



If you use the Pampered Chef Link it will take you to all the products necessary to make these bites of heaven if you can't find them at home or at your local store.

Wine At Your Wedding They'll Remember!

Photo courtesy of Jo-Lynne at Musings of a Housewife

Photos of PSMM  Cyber Monday Party

Looking for a great way to serve wine at your picnic wedding?  Try PDX Vineyards  vineyards.  They package 5 wines in a 'paint can' complete with a push button pour spout.  Paradox is run by physicians who've moved into the world of wine. 

Located in Chester County PA Paradocx presents wines without pretense to be enjoyed by everyone.  No corks to uncork, no fancy bottles and labels, just a simple paint can and a push button spout to prevent spillage.  Paradocx wines aren't your Boone's Farm level wine, rather it's premium wine (about 4.5 bottles of 3.5 liters in each paint can) in an easy serve container. 

For more information about Paradocx Vineyard, directions and operating hours, please visit their web site or call 610-255-5684.

Paradox was nice enough to provide some 'cans' of wine for the PSMM Cyber Monday party at Dave & Buster's last week that I attended. The Philly Social Media Moms, a.k.a. PSMM, are a highly influential group of women in the tri-state Philadelphia area who write blogs or have resource websites and who are active in a variety of forms of social media on both local and national levels. If you're looking for a way to promote your products these ladies have mastered the art of getting the word out.  These are women with power on the net!

Refreshing Salad for Summer Weddings

This fresh tasting salad is based on a recipe from Mark Bitterman's 101 Days of Summer.  He suggests making a peach and tomato salad with slivers of red onion, chile flakes and cilantro tossed in a lemon juice and olive oil vinaigrette, I picked up this recipe from Cupcakes and Cashmere she suggests adding avocado for a creamy texture.  The final result? A light and refreshing salad bursting with flavor and tremendous depth perfect for a summer outdoor wedding-picnic style! (Photos courtesy of Cupcakes and Cashmere). 

Beet Citrus Salad - The Wow First Course

 

This Beet-Citrus salad from Martha Stewart Weddings will wow your guests as you serve it for your first course. The salad consists of thinly slice bright and beautiful beets, sliced orange, ricotta, arugula, and black walnuts.  Perfect to serve at a picnic wedding if you allow guests to self serve themselves from a large bowl or served on classic china at a black tie affair.  The flavors and the presentation will make your guests sit up and take notice whenever and wherever you serve it.

Grilled Warm Fig, Apple and Gorgonzola Flat Bread

Grilling at your picnic wedding?  This is the perfect appetizer to make on your grill.  The recipe for Grilled Warm Fig and Gorgonzola Flat Bread is from Steamy Kitchen and I guarantee you'll fall in love with this treat.  It's the perfect appetizer to serve at a picnic wedding.  Just cut in bite size pieces after grilling and serve. (Be sure to have lots of napkins, it can get a little sticky!)

There are some shortcuts to this recipe, one of which is to buy pre-made dough, so much easier than making your own! Why go to the bother of messing up your kitchen with all the flour when most grocery stores sell great dough?

Another shortcut for those of you who aren't into huge chunks of figs--buy some fig jam and spead it on the flat bread. (Imagine the filling in Fig Newton's).  You can buy this in Whole Foods Markets but if you have a Home Goods or similar store they often have the jam at a great price and in larger jars.  You can also purchase you honey at Home Goods or try your favorite wholesale club. 

Warm Fig, Apple and Gorgonzola Flatbread Recipe

2 tablespoons olive oil
4 8-inch round flatbreads
4 ounces crumbled gorgonzola cheese
1 apple, cored and sliced very thinly
8 ripe figs, cut into 6 wedges each
2 ounces parmesan cheese (Parmegiano-Reggiano), shaved with vegetable peeler
2 tablespoons honey
Preheat your grill, half direct heat. Brush olive oil on top of each flatbread, especially the edges. Assemble flatbreads with gorgonzola, apples and figs.
Grill flatbreads over direct heat for 3 minutes, until the bottoms are toasted and browned. Then move to indirect heat and close cover for 3 minutes to finish melting the cheese and warming the fruit.
If broiling, set your rack to upper 1/3 position. Grill flatbreads without the toppings for 2 minutes to just get them nice and toasty. Then layer on the olive oil, gorgonzola, apples and figs and return to oven for 4 to 6 minutes until cheese has melted and fruit is warmed through.
Sprinkle shaved Parmegiano-Reggiano and drizzle honey on top.
Serves 4 to 6 as appetizer or dessert.

Let me know how you like this appetizer.  It's one of our favorites for any kind of entertaining.

Finger Foods For A Crowd

Planning finger foods for a crowd is always tricky, especially if you want something different than your usual plain crudites.  These fancy finger foods for a crowd ideas are courtesy of the great site, Everybody Loves Sandwiches.  They have the full recipe for you and I love reading the comments of how other cooks have adapted each recipe. 

Up close and personal looks at these pretty finger foods are making me hungry even though it's the middle of the night as I write this and closer to breakfast foods than midday or later when you'd normally eat these beauties. 

These recipes are basically green beans or fresh baby asparagus wrapped in westfalian ham or prosciutto.  Shop Costco or other warehouse store for the best prices on the ham. Be sure to make the reduction sauce that goes over the top of these great veggie treats.

Last on the list of fun finger foods are these goat cheese stuffed dates! Oh WOW! Don't taste test these while you're making them... they're like those chips, 'bet you can't eat just one!' 

If you're looking for some great nuts to add to this recipe, Sante Specialty Foods makes some incredible candied walnuts that will send this recipe over the top.  As if the goat cheese and date combo wasn't enough to turn you into a finger food addict, the addition of Sante's nuts take any recipe from pedestrian to uber gourmet.  (Please note, several months ago Sante sent me samples of their nuts to try, they asked me to review their product.  Although the samples were free and given in exchange for my reviewing them, my opinions about products I review is my own and not swayed by their providing the free product.)

You can also add Sante nuts to your table of finger foods (try the Wasabi Almonds) for some crunchy snacks that will wow your guests. This is the link to their site. 

From Fruit to Nuts!

Yes, I know, it doesn't look like your typical wedding cake.  But a picnic wedding calls for creative cooking!

This Strawberry-Pistachio Tart (you have to log in to get to the recipe) by Martha Stewart is pretty and it will hold up to the rigors of being transported to an outdoor venue.  Follow the link to Martha's site for the complete recipe.  Serve it at your wedding or use for a wedding shower, either way you will wow your guests with this unique combination of luscious red strawberries, crunchy pistachios, and puff pastry.  I almost hate writing this post because it makes me want to abandon my computer and head to the kitchen!

If you're looking for an alternative to pretty watermelon desserts or just another option, try this out.  And hold onto the recipe for your recipe box for when you're a newlywed and need to bring something pretty to a party!  Warning: Some states don't allow the sale of green pistachios, which may result in a dessert that isn't quite as attractive as the one above.