Seasonally Inspired Living + Entertaining
This category offers tips, inspiration and solutions for Everyday Living during the SUMMER Season. Design, Decorating, Recipes, Tablescapes, Entranceway Design, Gifting and more. All about living with the season.
Wishing you, your family and friends the happiest 4th of July!
Enjoy the day grilling or doing garden work but be sure to take a moment to pause and remember just how amazingly lucky we are to live in America and have the freedoms that we so often take for granted.
God Bless America!!
Looking for entertaining ideas for your holiday celebration? Check out this summer product round up.
Enjoy!
Memorial Day. Fourth of July. Labor Day. Three holiday weekends that are classic summer entertaining opportunities. You can almost feel the excitement building in the air as the dates approach. Our Nations colors become part of our home and tablescape design. Fly your flag high and break out the Red, White & Blue with these #SummerStyle Entertaining picks we think are must haves for your next gathering.
PRODUCT LISTING + BUYING INFORMATION:
1} Lobster Cocktail Napkins by Caspari available via PaperStyle ~ $5
2} Red & White Star Paper Straws by Shop Sweet LuLu ~ $4
3} Red Rustic Serving Tray by FasProjects ~ $80
4} Blue Striped Melamine Plates by West Elm ~ $6
5} Red Bikini Tags by AnAppealingPlan for Etsy ~ $6
Do you have a special platter or tablecloth you bring out for your summer table? Tell us about it in the comments! Like + Share using the buttons below and be sure to sign up for everything AnAppealingPlan.com to your inbox using the form below. Happy Summer!
Beach themed events are always in style and centerpieces that bring the allure of the beach right to your table are perfect, whether you’re in the city or actually on the beach. In this video for eHow I show you how to make a centerpiece that can be used for an elegant gathering or placed on your hallway table as a seasonal display.
To start the video click the image below or click here.
Centerpieces that bring the allure of the beach right to your table are perfect, whether you’re in the city or actually on the beach.
SUPPLIES:
Begin by putting the crushed shells in the base of your vase. You can also use sand, if that’s more readily available to you. Place the Adirondack chair inside of the vase, settling it just as you would on the beach. Next, place the shells in, grouping them naturally as you would see them on the beach.
Add any other items that you have found at the beach, such as this dried coral and place it right inside.
This Beach Themed Centerpiece is are perfect for weddings and gatherings that are fun and casual, or elegant and romantic. Use your theme as a guide when you create your centerpiece.
Read more on eHow.com
Like this video? Subscriber to my YouTube Channel and SHARE with the links below.
Inspired by a recipe in the August / September issue of Garden & Gun Magazine , with a little more heat added by Poblanos and optional jalapeno peppers, this Tomato Pie is the perfect use of abundant tomatoes in August New Jersey gardens with a nod to my new-found appreciation of southern cooking. I hope you enjoy it as much as we did!
SAVORY TOMATO + POBLANO PIE RECIPEPreheat oven to 400 degrees.
Saute shallots, garlic, poblano + jalapeno in 1 tablespoon of olive oil until tender , 3-5 minutes. Set aside.
Place pastry shell in a 9-inch pie dish. Layer in half of the tomatoes, and season with salt + pepper, spread shallot mixture over top. Crumble goat cheese and half of basil on top. Layer on remaining tomatoes. Salt + pepper, top with remaining basil. Pour 1 tbsp. vinegar + olive oil over top of all.
In a small bowl, combine bread crumbs, 2 tbsp. olive oil, mustard and Parmesan cheese. Sprinkle over tomato filling.
Bake 30 minutes, or until crust and topping are golden brown. Let stand to cool slightly before cutting.
{* note: I was not able to cut this a true pie, however that did not alter the taste.}
Looking for a beverage to pair with this? How about a Thyme Sipper .
Be sure to visit the other recipes inspire by this week’s Sunday Supper “Spice It Up” theme. And if you really like this SHARE it with your social buddies AND sign up to receive our weekly updates to your inbox.
Snappy Starters & Snacks
Hatch Chile, Grape & Grilled Onion Salsa from Shockingly Delicious
Spicy Tempeh Chips from The Urban Mrs
Sriracha Popcorn from The Girl In The Little Red Kitchen
Cheese, Smoked Paprika and Fennel Crackers from What Smells So Good?
Baked Banana Pepper Poppers from Daily Dish Recipes
Spicy Black Bean and Corn Stew from Mama’s Blissful Bites
Caldo de Camaron y Pescado (Shrimp & Fish Soup) from girlichef
Bajia with Tomato and Chili Chutney from My cute bride
Shredded Buffalo Chicken Salad from Casa de Crews
Sriracha and Parmesan Fries from Mess Makes Food
Smoky Salmon Chowder from Cindy’s Recipes and Writings
Hummus with Spicy Turkish Ezme Salad from Neighborfood
Goat Cheese Stuffed Peppedew Peppers from Healthy. Delicious.
Tofu Hariyali Kebabs-(Tofu Kebabs in Cilantro Sauce) from Soni’s Food
Fiery Main Dishes
Spicy Stuffed Mexican Peppers from Peanut Butter and Peppers
Jalapeno Popper Fettuccine Alfredo from Chocolate Moosey
Baked Tilapia en Escabeche from La Cocina de Leslie
Spicy Grilled Chicken Wings with Two Dipping Sauces from Runner’s Tales
Chorizo and Scallop Skewers from Jane’s Adventures in Dinner
Buffalo Chicken Pizza from Cookin’ Mimi
Thai Cashew Chicken from Doggie at the Dinner Table
Skillet Jambalaya from Hezzi-D’s Books and Cooks
Firecracker Chicken from Juanita’s Cocina
Spiced Turkey Burger Patties from Cook the Story
Aubergine and Chickpea Curry from Small Wallet, Big Appetite
Savory Tomato & Poblano Pie from An Appealing Plan
Venison Mole Rojo from Curious Cuisiniere
Za’atar Chicken with Fattoush from Food Lust People Love
Crispy Oven Fried Buffalo Chicken Tenders from In The Kitchen With KP
Skinny Buffalo Chicken Strips from Webicurean
BBQ Chicken Pizza with Poblano Peppers and Pepitas from The Wimpy Vegetarian
Spicy Thai Beef Salad from Magnolia Days
Buffalo Chicken Sloppy Joes from Cupcakes & Kale Chips
Spicy Lemon Paprika Chicken Thighs from Family Foodie
Searing Sauces & Seasonings
Homemade Buffalo Sauce from Growing Up Gabel
Whole grain Mustard recipe – Moutarde à l’ancienne from Masala Herb
Homemade Sriracha Sauce from kimchi MOM
Zesty Sweets & Sips
Cinnamon Streusel Scones from Killer Bunnies, Inc
Fiery Pomelo from My Other City By The Bay
Cinnamon Monkey Bread from That Skinny Chick Can Bake
Cinnamon Peanut Butter Skillet Blondies with Ice Cream from Vintage Kitchen Notes
Goldilocks and the 3 Asian-Fusion Bars from NinjaBaking.com
Back by popular demand….
{I started off in the aisles of Home Goods. Spotted this great entranceway lamp x 2.}
{My darling husband picked up Sunflowers for me. I cut them short and placed them on the dining room table.}
{Friday afternoon… testing & tasting recipes for Sunday’s Post: Dark and Stormy Cocktail. Worth a visit to the post, even if it is just for the Bruce tune.}
{Saturday morning we woke up and the sun was shining down on me for my birthday at the beach! I love the green leaves against the terracotta and his happy smile.}
{Poolside with Mimosa’s, Husband and Garden & Gun Magazine. My new favorite subscription with tons of recipes, restaurants, and other information geared towards the South, and actually very few guns…}
{Snacks galore. Even poolside you can take the time to create an attractive table. I used shells from the beach and the houla ladies to dress up this spread.}
{Using my lifeguard skills, I saved Mr. Greenjeans after he flew head first into the pool. He dried off his wings and legs right in front of us and kindly waited just long enough to allow me to get his close up, then flew away. Nice to meet you sir.}
Hope you had a great week. Where did you go? See? Eat? Entertain? Let me know in the comments below!
I love Instagram and have started using it as my way of tracking my life in pictures. I think everyone should be there. But alas not everyone is. So I thought, why should only the people on Instagram get to see all these fabulous images and adventures? It didn’t seem fair. SO… welcome to
A weekly post filled with images of my life, loves & travels . Enjoy.
Rosen College for the Orlando Food & Wine Conference.
Katie Workman and Kim Chi Mom during the “Channeling Sara Molton” food demonstration.
Image titled: “Behind the Man Behind the Camera”. {NYC Filmmaker Michael Levine of Matzo Film}
Bougainvillea blooming in a garden on my daily walk.
I spotted these globe light at Copper Fish in Tampa, FL. They did a fantastic job on the decor!
Sweet Potato, Bacon & Cheese Quiche made at home on Sunday. {recipe to follow shortly}
The FIRST fig from my new fig tree. Slightly over ripe but I am still SO proud.
Garden urn filled with summer color ready to be placed on the outside patio of Piquant Hyde Park.
Well that’s the week in photo’s, I didn’t want the first week to overwhelm you… Get ready for August {it’s my birthday month and sure to be filled with some juicy ones!}
Summertime is grilling time and chicken is a staple in most homes that own a grill. Try this citrus and rosemary variation this weekend to shake things up a bit. I think you will find it juicy and delicious!
Rosemary Grilled Chicken
INGREDIENTS
DIRECTIONS
Place chicken in a glass baking dish or bowl. Drizzle with 1/2 cup oil, lemon and orange juice. Coarsely chop leaves from rosemary sprigs. Mix chopped rosemary, garlic and fennel in with chicken to coat; season with salt and pepper. Cover; chill for 3 hours or overnight. {or put straight on the grill if time is tight}
Build a medium fire in a charcoal grill for best flavor, or heat a gas grill to medium-high. Let chicken come to room temperature. Brush off any large pieces of rosemary or garlic ; grill chicken, turning occasionally to create grill pattern, until browned and almost cooked through, about 16–18 minutes for breasts.
FOR BASTING MIXTURE {optional}
Pour 1/4 cup oil into a bowl. Dip 2 rosemary sprigs in oil; occasionally baste chicken with sprigs until cooked through, about 5 more minutes.
Let chicken rest for 15 minutes. Transfer to wood cutting board for serving. Cut lemon and orange in half lengthwise, and place as garnish. Serve chicken on a platter with fresh Rosemary sprigs to garnish.
Serve this with cold craft beer, a Raspberry Rosemary Summer Sipper or a Summer Berry Cocktail Bar.
Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F. Place 6 (6-inch round) gratin dishes on a sheet pan.
To make the topping, place the butter in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment (you can also use a hand mixer). With the mixer on low speed, add the garlic, shallot, prosciutto, parsley, lemon juice, salt and pepper and mix until combined. With the mixer still on low, add the olive oil slowly as though making mayonnaise, until combined. Fold the panko in with a rubber spatula and set aside.
Preheat the broiler, if it’s separate from your oven.
Pat the cleaned scallops dry with paper towels and distribute them among the dishes. Spoon the garlic butter evenly over the top of the scallops. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes, until the topping is golden and sizzling and the scallops are barely done. If you want the top crustier, place the dishes under the broiler for 2 minutes, until browned. Finish with a squeeze of fresh lemon juice and a sprinkling of chopped parsley and serve immediately with crusty French bread.
The original recipe came from Bare Foot Contessa and I adapted it with the addition of the LAND O LAKES®. Olive Oil & Sea Salt butter by reducing the original salt and olive oil amounts. The recipe didn’t specify type of parsley to use, I selected flat leaf parsley, but you may get a brighter flavor by using curly instead, next time I will try it and perhaps add chopped fresh tomatoes at the table.
I will tell you with out a doubt, the Olive Oil & Sea Salt butter with chopped parsley on the warm crusty french bread was to die for. I could eat the whole loaf on my own, but had to share with the man sitting next to me…
“What is your favorite Recipe made with Butter?” Comment below to win a coupon for LAND O LAKES®. Olive Oil & Sea Salt
enjoy ~ xo krayl
Join us this week for Simple and Fresh Summer Recipes #SundaySupper. We’ll share these fabulous recipes and want you to share yours with us! The fun starts at 3pm EST and lasts all afternoon until dinner time and sometimes beyond. All you have to do is follow the hashtag #sundaysupper on twitter or follow along on TweetChat. Our #SundaySupper Pinterest Board will be filled with wonderful Simple and Fresh Summer Recipes. There is always room Around the Family Table for you.
About LAND O LAKES® Butter with Olive Oil & Sea Salt: Land O’Lakes is expanding its popular line of half-stick butter with the introduction of LAND O LAKES® Butter with Olive Oil & Sea Salt. Ree Drummond, better known to her fans as The Pioneer Woman, is helping us explore the delicious flavor of our new Butter with Olive Oil & Sea Salt. Ree will create blog posts, recipes, and videos that explore how she uses this new butter to enhance simple weeknight meals.
Disclosure: The author received a full-value coupon redeemable for LAND O LAKES® Butter with Olive Oil & Sea Salt, for recipe development and review purposes. All opinions are my own.