Chive, Leek + Cheese Quiche {#SundaySupper}

Brunch is my favorite meal to serve when hosting a Spring Gathering and it must feature a menu highlighting the best herbs of my Spring garden. Flowering chives and spring leeks are the perfect combination for a Chive, Leek and Cheese Quiche.

Sure I liked chives, who doesn’t. They added color and flavor to baked potatoes right?

But then it happened…. I fell in love with chives.

At the time, I was working with a caterer in Bucks County, PA and had to stop at one of our local suppliers for micro greens – Blue Moon Acres in Buckingham, PA – on the way to the office. I had passed the farm a zillion times before but never a reason to head to the back to the wholesale area. As I walked back towards the far greenhouse to pick up my crate of micro greens there it was … a garden of chives, really a ring of chives surrounding a smaller garden, all framed by a pea gravel walk way. It was April or May and the chives where in full bloom. There purple globes opening up to the sun. Love at first sight! My inner gardener, inner cook and inner designer all came together there in that very moment. I wanted to stay in that circle forever. I have been in love with Chives ever since.

Once you are in love with an herb you find every way possible to blend it into your recipes. Luckily chives are perfect compliment to most savory dishes and work well in salads and as a garnish on platters if you have extra.

Don’t even get me started on the edible chive flowers. Those little beauties are like purple gold! If you see them, buy them and add them to a spring salad. Your guests will never stop talking about it!

Chive, Leek and Cheese Quiche is a fantastic combination of subtle spring flavors perfect for breakfast, brunch or as far as I am concerned really any meal you wish. Share the flavors with friends when they stop over and be sure to accent your table with fun colors of spring like peach, white and turquoise. And yes, BTW I am a silverware convert – Rose Gold flatware will be making many appearances on my table this Spring.

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Melting snow, blooming flowers and trees, and greening grass means spring is here and everything is coming to life! There is nothing so wonderful as grilling on the deck, enjoying a drink on the patio, and soaking in all the new life that is surrounding you! Let’s bring some of that life to the Sunday Supper table this week and share recipes to welcome spring in 2016!

Thank you Renee from Renee’s Kitchen Adventures for hosting this week’s Sunday Supper event features all the best Spring has to offer!

Breakfast:

Chicken Sausage, Apple and Cheddar Breakfast Bake by Renee’s Kitchen Adventures
Chive and Cheese Quiche by An Appealing Plan
Lavender Scones by Feeding Big and More
Lemon Raspberry Baked Donuts by Grumpy’s Honeybunch
Matcha Donuts by The Ninja Baker
Whole Wheat Lemon Berry Coffee Cake with Lemon Glaze by A Mindful Mom

Appetizers:

Artichoke Lemon Hummus by Food Done Light
Asparagus and Goat Cheese Tart by Baking Sense
Butter Lettuce and Spring Radish Salad by Hardly A Goddess
Ceviche with Potato and Pea Shoot Salad by Caroline’s Cooking
Roasted Strawberry Popsicles by Brunch-n-Bites
Rustic Wrapped Tart with Ramps by Delaware Girl Eats

Beverages:

An Unconventional Mojito by Monica’s Table
Caribbean Cream Cocktail by Cosmopolitan Cornbread
Lavender Lemon Cocktail by The Crumby Cupcake
Limoncello Raspberry Sangria by Eat, Drink and Be Tracy
Spiced Rhubarb Champagne Cocktail by Hezzi-D Books and Cooks
Vanilla Lavender Limeade by The Tip Toe Fairy
Very Berry Springtime Spritzer by Cindy’s Recipes and Writings
Violet Hour by Wholistic Woman

Main Dish:

Cheese Ravioli with Morel Cream Sauce by Palatable Pastime
Cheese Tortellini with Herbed Ricotta and Fava Beans by The Wimpy Vegetarian
Gnocchi Primavera with Spring Asparagus and Peas by La Bella Vita Cucina
Grilled Pork Chops with a Dijon Balsamic Herb Glaze by Recipes Food and Cooking
Lebanese Fattoush Salad by Curious Cuisiniere
One Pan Spicy Lemon Chicken with Tomatoes by Fantastical Sharing of Recipes
Orecchiette with Peas, Pecorino and Onions by Cooking Chat
Pasta with Peas by Manu’s Menu
Pesto Shrimp and Zoodles Oh My! by My Imperfect Kitchen
Ramp and Mushroom Frittata by Pies and Plots
Sesame Ginger Seared Ahi Coconut Tacos by Simply Healthy Family
Spring Lamb Skewers with Roasted Baby Carrots by Food Lust People Love
Spring Salad with Scallops and Strawberry Vinaigrette by My World Simplified
Veggie Pasta Primavera by Momma’s Meals

Side Dish:

Asparagus, Goat Cheese, and Rhubarb Salad by The Texan New Yorker
Green Peas with Onion and Bacon by Magnolia Days
Minty Pea Farro Spring Salad by She Loves Biscotti
Roasted Asparagus and Mushroom Quinoa Pilaf by Cupcakes and Kale Chips

Dessert:

Amazing Coconut Cake by A Baking Legacy
Caramelized Black Figs and Walnuts with Mascarpone by Un Assaggio of Food, Wine & Marriage
Carrot Cookies by What Smells So Good?
Chocolate Covered Strawberry Cookies by A Kitchen Hoor’s Adventures
Colorado Crème by Cooking on the Ranch
Honey Blossoms by Get the Good Stuff!
Hot Milk Sponge Cake by Hey What’s for Dinner Mom?
Lemon Blueberry Pound Cake by Angels Sweet Homestead
Lemon Scented Choux with Rhubarb Ginger Pastry Cream by The Finer Cookie
Meyer Lemon Bars by The Chef Next Door
No-Bake Berry Greek Yogurt Pie by An Italian in my Kitchen
Rhubarb Meringue Pie by Jane’s Adventures in Dinner
Spring Cookie Bouquet by The Freshman Cook
Strawberry Cheesecake Puffs by Moore or Less Cooking
Strawberry Chocolate Chip Cake by Sweet Mornings
Strawberry Cupcakes with Vanilla Buttercream by Tramplingrose
Strawberry Moscato Sorbet by Seduction in the Kitchen
The Black Beast by That Skinny Chick Can Bake

Plus Spring Vegetable Minestrone and more Spring Recipes from Sunday Supper Movement

Join the #SundaySupper conversation on twitter on Sunday! We tweet throughout the day and share recipes from all over the world. Our weekly chat starts at 7:00 pm ET. Follow the #SundaySupper hashtag and remember to include it in your tweets to join in the chat. To get more great Sunday Supper Recipes, visit our website or check out our Pinterest board.

Would you like to join the Sunday Supper Movement? It’s easy. You can sign up by clicking here: Sunday Supper Movement

April 12, 2016March 31, 2023

Krayl’s Spring Entertaining Must Have’s

Some may say that for me, Spring Entertaining is simply an excuse to set a glorious spring tablescape, and they may be right… Who wouldn’t want an excuse to gather up all the prettiest flowers at the market, pop open a bottle of chilled Rose Champagne, and set the table with all your favorite spring tableware. Here are my suggestions for this Spring Tableware Picks to start fresh or to mix into your current collection.

Creative Candles – Taper Candles 12″ :: Don’t store you candles away after the winter, simply change out your colors for a fresh color that reflects the season. These Creative Candles Taper in Lime green is a reflection of the new grass growing outside your window.
Hampton Forge Paris Hammered Gold Flatware :: The gold trend is here to stay. And there is no need to fight it any longer when flatware is available in chic hammered gold patterns. Don’t be afraid to mix metals – gold + silver are a classic tablescape combination.
Spring Garden Dinnerware by Williams-Sonoma :: I can’t get enough of this fun garden inspired dinnerware featuring birds, bunnies and butterflies set on a pure white background. A border of sky blue completes the look and is perfect for Spring entertaining.
Waterford Lismore Essence Ice Bucket :: Can you ever have too many ice buckets? Clear crystal in the timeless Lismore pattern by Waterford compliments any table – chill some bubbly and celebrate!
Fresh Pink Peonies :: I wait all year-long to see that first peony bud open up in the garden and it never disappoints. If you can’t grow your own, find a resource and spend a little extra this month on flowers for the table, I promise their beauty will captivate you like it has me.
Edge Rose Gold Champagne Saucer – Set of 2 :: OMG! When I first saw these saucer champagnes I wondered where they had been all my life! Are they to die for. Seriously.
Ideal Home Range Artichoke Paper Cocktail Napkins :: Yes, 95% of the time I am all about reuseable and sustainable entertaining however, that 5% is left open for festive paper cocktail napkins. Add in bright green artichokes and I will buy out the store!

How are you entertaining this Spring season? What are your top must have’s for your table? Leave me a comment below and join the community by signing up for my newsletter here.

Looking for more Spring Entertaining tips + Recipes – Look Here!

Disclosure Statement

March 25, 2016

Spring Flowers. The Perfect Way to Celebrate the Season In Your Home.

Spring days scream for spring flower arrangements placed on every surface of your home. Don’t save these gorgeous spring blooms for Easter dinner or Mothers Day brunch, brighten your living room, entranceway table and Spring tablescape with a combination of Snapdragons, Pussy Willow branches and fragrant stock everyday!

I have a collection of vases for everyday flowers that sits on top of a sideboard in my dining room that I grab on a regular a basis, and then I have an amazing collection of art glass pieces I have purchased and acquired over the years that I bring out when I want to create something special. Now that doesn’t have to mean I am throwing a party, it can simply mean I picked up an extra bunch of flowers at the market or that I need a little pick me up on a Thursday.

Of course I start with my favorite flower arrangement filler, Eucalyptus leaves, in the base of my large glass container, cutting them to lay just on the edge of the vessel and then begin to add a layer of white fragrant white stock. On top of the line of white stock, add a large bunch of purple snapdragons for that pop of color.

Finish off this spectacular spring flower arrangement with a few Pussy Willow branches in the center. Spread them out so they arch over the top of the entire arrangement adding texture and height to the arrangement and your spring dinner or coffee table.

Promise me you add more flowers to your home this spring. Don’t wait for a holiday to add beauty to your table ~ try it today, just because. Celebrate everyday ~ Krayl

May 8, 2015April 12, 2022

Homemade Coconut Cake From Scratch – Even the Frosting

Let’s be real, is there anything prettier than a homemade coconut cake from scratch set out for a Spring gathering? Those pure white coconut flakes on the frosting remind of a newly born little bunny tail or a spring lamb in the field – fluffy white and pure. To complement the freshness, bring nature to the table by filling a clear glass vase tucked in the center of the bundt shaped cake with yellow Tulips for an unexpected pop of color.

Yes, baking a homemade Coconut Cake from scratch takes just a bit longer but the results, and sense of pride, make the extra time in the kitchen all worth while. Place your fluffy beauty on a raised white china cake plate, but keep the rest of the desert buffet clean with bone china cake plates, Hampton Forge etched polka dot flatware and two simple Wedgwood White miniature french inspired garden urns to mirror the natural feel of the tulips.

This look is perfect for indoors luncheon for girlfriends or an outdoor Mother’s Day gathering on the patio – however be sure to keep your cake chilled until serving time to ensure the frosting doesn’t melt.

HOMEMADE COCONUT CAKE FROM SCRATCH

INGREDIENTS

3/4 pound {3 sticks} unsalted butter, room temperature, plus more for greasing pan
2 ½ cups sugar
5 extra-large eggs
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 1/2 teaspoons almond extract
3 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting pan
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1 cup coconut milk
4 ounces unsweetened shredded organic coconut

METHOD

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Grease 1 round bundt cake pan, dust lightly with flour – tap upside down to remove excess flour.

In a large bowl cream room temperature butter and sugar until mixture becomes light yellow and fluffy. In a separate small bowl crack eggs. Add eggs into butter sugar mixture 1 at a time making sure each egg is full combined before adding the next. Add the vanilla and almond extracts – mix.

In a clean medium bowl, whisk together the dry ingredients – flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt. Add half of the dry mixture and half the milk to the butter egg bowl, mix to combined. Continue adding the remainder of the dry mixture and milk, mix well to combine all ingredients. Using a spatula scrape any remaining batter from the edges and fold in shredded coconut.

Pour the batter into greased and floured pan. Bake at 350 for 45 to 55 minutes, until the top has browned – do not worry if it puffs up and/or cracks – and a cake tester comes out clean. Place pan on a baking rack to cool for 30 minutes, then flip over to remove cake from pan and allow to cool completely before frosting.

See frosting recipe below.

HOMEMADE COCONUT CREAM FROSTING

INGREDIENTS

8 ounces cream cheese, at room temperature
1/2 pound {2 sticks} unsalted butter, at room temperature
3/4 cup sweetened cream de coco
1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
3 cups confectioners’ sugar, sifted
1 cup unsweetened shredded coconut

2 cups sweetened shredded coconut, to be used on outside of frosting

METHOD

In a large mixing bowl combine the cream cheese, butter, cream de coco and vanilla extract until just blended – do not over mix. Add in 1/2 the confectioners’ sugar, mix then add the remaining until smooth.

To decorate the cake, sprinkle the top with coconut and lightly press more coconut onto the sides. Serve chilled to room temperature – due to the butter content in this frosting it must be kept cool to hold its consistency.

SHOP ITEMS IN THIS FEATURE ON AMAZON

Cuisinart Chef’s Classic Nonstick Bakeware 9-1/2-Inch Cake Pan
Hampton Forge Skandia Dots 45-Piece Flatware Set
BIA Cordon Bleu Porcelain Round Cake Stand

May 6, 2015

The Mother’s Day Gift to Inspire Mom to CelebrateEveryday

Mother’s Day is Sunday May 10th, 2015, give the Mother’s Day gift sure to inspire mom to celebrate everyday, give her An Appealing Plan the book.

Your mom is your inspiration, doesn’t she deserve a Mother’s Day gift to inspire her to live everyday to the fullest and in the most beautiful way? Every day is a gift, so let’s celebrate it!

Each section of An Appealing Plan features season-specific menus and design ideas. Apart from being inspired by the seasons themselves, I also find inspiration for my recipes from my childhood, travels, and favorite restaurants. Some featured recipes are: Baked Brie with Almonds and Rosemary Syrup, Spinach and Gruyere Quiche, Savory Herb Waffles with Smoked Salmon, Cheese Fondue with Assorted Crudite, The Perfect Roast Turkey, Winter Squash Soup, Citrus-Marinated Olives, and Seared Scallops with Sage Brown Butter, as well as some of my favorite cocktails and desserts, including Fresh White Peach Bellini, Fall Fig Harvest Cocktail, Summer Fresh Berries, and Wine-Poached Pears.

An Appealing Plan is about “feeling so inspired by the beauty of the season that we are compelled to redesign our entranceways with containers overflowing with greens or other elements of the season or rushing home from the market to create a meal using fresh herbs and set a beautiful table with the season’s most bountiful flowers.”

April 14, 2015April 12, 2022

The Prettiest Spring Cocktail :: The Pretty Peacock

Spring flowers are not just to be kept in the garden – bring them to the table by adding them to your favorite Spring cocktail recipes. This Pretty Peacock cocktail gets it’s name from the Pavan Liqueur as well as the additional bright colors of edible flowers floating on top.

The lovely combination of flavors – Muscat grapes, Orange Blossoms and Elderflower – in this Pretty Peacock cocktail make it perfect for a Spring gathering set in the garden or in a space filled with Summer flowers. On the sweet side, but not clingy, it is an easy beverage to make as well as to sip!

Whether you are hosting an elaborate Spring time wedding, bridal shower or a simple Summer gathering on your patio with friends, the touch of edible flowers in your cocktails will surely elevate your celebration.

The ingredients for this spring cocktail are easy :: Two spirits – Gin and Pavan liqueur. Two mixers :: Club Soda and Elder Flower. One Juice :: Lime Juice and One Garnish :: Edible Flowers.

Add ice into the shaker, because we don’t want to dilute it too much. We want to make sure that everything gets nice and cool. Add one part Pavan, one part gin – right on top of the ice in the shaker. Then add one and a half parts of the elderflower lemonade – it definitely has a little bit of sweetness to it, but it’s very refreshing.

Pavan is a French liqueur, made from the small little tiny white grapes that grow right on the coast. Their website is beautiful. You must go take a peak – you will want to move tomorrow!

The Pavan is also a more literal world. It’s a slow and sort of majestic dance; it’s called the dance of the peacock. While I’m not completely sure if the peacock does the dance or humans do the dance, I think it is a dance that was done by humans but referred to as the dance of the peacock, sort of a proud, flamboyant, majestic dance.

“The Pretty Peacock gets it’s name from “the classic Pavan dance or “Dance of the Peacock” which was popular in the South of France during the Renaissance (16th century). In French, “se pavaner” is still used today, and means to act with pride, confidence and swagger… to strut like a peacock, so to speak”.”

Once you add your fresh lime swirl it together – you don’t want to bruise the gin by shaking. You could also just serve this straight up, but I like to throw a little bit of ice in the glass to keep it cool since it’s going to be served during spring or summer. Pour the mixture right over top of the ice and optionally add a touch of club soda – it adds a little bit of effervescence and keeps it a little bit lighter. Now pick your flowers to garnish and cheers.

The Pretty Peacock spring cocktail is light, refreshing, has a little bit of sweetness to it but not too much. It’s really, really excellent for sipping outside on the porch surrounded by flowers at a garden party. So mix up a batch of this pretty cocktail and get your swagger on.

THE PRETTY PEACOCK COCKTAIL

INGREDIENTS

1 part Pavan liqueur
1 part good quality gin, such as Bombay
1.5 parts Elderflower soda
juice of 1 lime, approximately 1 tablespoon
tonic water
edible organic flowers, for garnish
ice

METHOD

Fill a cocktail shaker with ice, add the Pavan, gin, Elderflower soda and juice of 1 lime. Swirl to combine and chill.

Place fresh ice in serving glass, strain mixture over top – filling to 3/4 full. Top with tonic water and garnish with selected edible flowers. Serve immediately.

Makes one cocktail.

Shop Items Used In This Recipe Now on Amazon

Belvoir Elderflower Presse
Fever-Tree Premium Indian Tonic Water
Pure Komachi Lime Green Paring Knife

April 2, 2015April 12, 2022

Nature Inspired Napkin Rings For A Spring Table

Use clippings and found ribbon to easily bring a bit of the garden to your Spring table by creating easy nature inspired napkin rings for your next gathering.

Just for you! My Spring Entertaining Checklist. Download, print out and make your next gathering as enjoyable as a spring breeze.

I love setting a pretty table and it doesn’t get any better than spring entertaining when it comes to incorporating nature into your tablescape + centerpieces. The world outside is bursting with fresh new textures, colors and inspiration just begging to be brought in.

Grapevine wired ribbon wraps perfectly around a floral Robbins egg blue napkin. Simply cut 4-6 inches and secure around your napkin bending the ends of the wire around each other to hold it in place.

Fresh Green Grosgrain Ribbon tied around a white linen hemstitched napkin creates the perfect nook to tuck 3 springs of Pussy Willow – add one to each place setting by topping each plate with a pretty bundle.

Secure two Rosemary springs around a blue cloth napkin with green florist wire or bakers twine and the aroma alone will have your guests ready for a delicious spring dinner.

Tan linen napkins rolled and tied with a grey gingham ribbon is just the right touch for a Spring brunch – a touch of class but not over done. A small clipping of seeded Eucalyptus pairs wonderfully with the subtle colors – cut one from your centerpiece and tuck it into the ribbon.

Shop items mentioned in this feature on Amazon ::
Green Grosgrain Ribbon
Hemstitch White Linen Dinner Napkins
Natural Baking/Cooking Twine

April 1, 2015March 10, 2016

How to Create A Spring Bulb Centerpiece.

Forcing bulbs to create a Spring Bulb Centerpiece brings the cheeriness of the outdoors inside, but requires you to plan weeks ahead to properly prepare the bulbs. This quick short cut creates the same look in a fraction of the time. Add this easy Spring bulb centerpiece to your Easter, Mothers Day or other Spring gathering tablescape and watch as each bulb opens up just as it would in your garden.

Begin by selecting the vessels and bulbs, for this table I am using gold accents therefore I am used several gold toned urns in varying heights and textures to add interest to the table. For the bulbs, I have picked up already growing yellow daffodils, purple hyacinth and white tulips – your local nursery, garden center or market most likely will have a nice selection of colors during the early spring months to choose from.

Once you have your vessel and bulbs are selected begin by place a small amount of soil in the base of the planter, then begin to add your bulbs on top. Nursery stock pots usually contain 3-4 bulbs in each, gently break them apart to fit in them in the container and spread out the colors as they would appear naturally in the garden.

Once the bulbs are arranged in the container add another layer of soil to secure them in place and to ensure their roots stay moist as they bloom. Complete your look by topping off the soil with green reindeer moss to cover the roots and add an additional texture to the spring bulb centerpiece.

When you have everything in its place bring the entire container over to the sink and give it a good drink of water – consider whether your vessel has drainage holes and if you need to protect the table surface as well as how much water the bulbs will rest in.

Group the gold urns together in the center of your Easter or Spring tablescape and enjoy the fragrance as they bloom just in time for your Spring gathering.

April 30, 2014May 31, 2016

Mother’s Day Gift Round Up

We love our Mom’s and you want to give her the best right? Our gift guide is full of all the gifts mom deserves this year.

SOURCES:

Rest Candle / Mind Body Soul Collection – Marie Todd Candles – $54
Green Amythest Pendent Necklace ~ Amy Holton Design – $217
Lavender Body Lotion ~ Wholistic Inc. – $28
Quilted Sari Throw Orange ~ Buy The Change USA – $89
Sea Salt Goat’s Milk Soap ~ Simply Caprine – $7
“HOME” Paper Quilling ~ Paper Liberated – $520

Visit the links above to read more about each gift. We have sampled and approved all gifts to ensure authentic quality and craftsmanship. Please share the love by sharing this post with the buttons below.

April 19, 2013February 10, 2015

Celebrating Mom. Mother’s Day Solutions.

“I want to show Mom I really love her but due to my work schedule and family obligations, I really don’t have time to prepare for a brunch or lunch. What should I do?”

Sound familiar?

This was a recent panicked email from a client. I quickly responded to calm her nerves and we have since coordinated the entire brunch for 10 family members. Menu, drink selections, table décor, everything; Even scheduling the cleaning team for the Friday before so that she no longer needs to worry, simply needs to relax and enjoy.

This situation can come up for any type of occasion or person you would like to show “a little love” for, so I thought I would share an idea that she and I discussed that can be prepared the night before and allows you to spend more time with your guests.

A Self-Service Champagne Table:

Cover a small table with a white linen cloth; add a second layer with a natural linen napkin overlay.

Select a silver tray {polish a week in advance} to place your champagne flutes on. Mix-and-Match the glassware, most of us have been given pairs of flutes over the years rather than a full set, they all work together no matter the size or shape.

Select a dozen of your favorite flower and place in a vase on the table to add life.

Linen hemstitched cocktail napkins elevate the display but beautiful paper napkins can be used as well.

An ice bucket filled with ice to keep the champagne cold can be set out at the last-minute. {Be sure to chill your champagne over night to ensure it is at the perfect temperature.}

As guests arrive pop the cork and celebrate!

Now tell me in the comments below what your top 3 concerns are about entertaining at home? What would be your dream solution to those concerns?

~ Krayl ~