Metallic Inspired Thanksgiving Tablescape

Looking for Thanksgiving centerpiece ideas on Pinterest boards and home decor magazines can be as overwhelming and time-consuming as planning a wedding! Give your brain a break this Thanksgiving and create a Metallic Inspired Thanksgiving Tablescape with an easy but elegant mixture of metallic and natural elements.

metallic inspired Thanksgiving tablesetting ideas on AnAppealingPlan.com by Krayl Funch

The metallic trend is here to stay but don’t believe this means you can’t also use some of the traditional nature inspired Thanksgiving decor, such as gourds, wheat and Indian Corn, on your Thanksgiving tablescape this year as well.

One of my favorite looks is mixing the two decor trends together. Look for faux gourds in rich metallic tones like bronze, matte gold and copper which naturally complement the gold tones of wheat and the deep reds and browns of dried Indian Corn. 

metallic inspired thanksgiving tablescape ideas on pinterest AnAppealingPlan.com by Krayl Funch 3

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Place textured chargers under your china, then top each Thanksgiving placesetting with a linen napkin tucked into a grapevine napkin ring – then add a placecard if you like. One of my top tips for setting a Thanksgiving tablescape is to keep the decor low and tight, this allows guest to speak to each other over the centerpeice.

For this tablescape I am mixing and matching my glassware… we have “lost” a few to kitchen tragedies and I have more than enough. So why buy more when they all look so festive mixed together.

Entertainers Tip :: when mixing glassware have one common variable. For instance here they are all clear glass with a stem. 

metallic inspired thanksgiving tablescape ideas on pinterest AnAppealingPlan.com by Krayl Funch 1

metallic inspired thanksgiving tablescape ideas on pinterest AnAppealingPlan.com by Krayl Funch 4

Bring all the tones and textures together on your Thanksgiving table by tucking in a few sprigs of my favorite foliage Eucalyptus. The leaf color and shape looks great with metallic seasonal decor and perhaps even a bit of the calming energy to your gathering.

Happy Thanksgiving from my home to yours!  

 

Mini Stuffing Muffins {#SundaySupper}

Stuffing is one of the most popular dishes of a Thanksgiving meal, I thought why not try making it as fun appetizer bites served before the big meal OR as a fun twist on leftover stuffing recipe served Thanksgiving night or the next day.

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You can use this recipe with any stuffing recipe or leftovers, the key is to add back in moisture then bake the muffins to ensure they stick together.

Serve your mini stuffing muffins with the a side of cranberry relish for a tangy fruity and colorful topping.

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MINI STUFFING MUFFINS RECIPE

INGREDIENTS

1 tablespoon butter
1 teaspoon fresh chopped sage
1 cup stock, chicken/turkey or vegetable 
1/2 cup dried cranberries, rough chopped
4 cups stuffing – left over or pre-made

METHHOD

  1. Preheat the oven to 350°. Grease 12-cup mini-muffin pan with cooking spray.
  2. In a large skillet melt butter, add sage and cook on medium heat until sage begins to crisp.
  3. Add stock and bring to a boil. 
  4. Add chopped cranberries to liquid and allow to cook on medium for 2-3 minutes or until cranberries begin to absorb liquid.
  5. Pack the stuffing into the muffin cups and bake for 20 to 25 minutes, until golden. Transfer to a rack and let stand for 5 minutes. Loosen the muffins with a sharp paring knife and lift them out.
  6. Serve warm with Cranberry Relish.

 

Whether you are a seasoned pro or it is your first time hosting Thanksgiving the number of details to keep track of can be daunting to say the least. You need the Ultimate Thanksgiving Planning Checklist.Get yours HERE.

krayls-ultimate-thanksgiving-planning-checklist-2016-get-access-button


How to Use Holiday Leftovers

Everyone loves the holidays, but often we’re left with way too much food. This week the Sunday Supper Community helps us spice up our leftovers and turn them into new and exciting dishes!

Thank you Christie from A Kitchen Hoor’s Adventure, for hosting.

Appetizers

Breakfast

Dessert

Mains

Sides

Soups

Sunday Supper MovementJoin 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.

Easy Pumpkin Placecards

Pumpkin Placecards are super easy to make and add a festive fall accent to your Thanksgiving, Friendsgving or Harvest Celebration Tablescape. Use either kraft paper cut outs or chalk paint to give each placesetting a personalized touch.

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I don’t know about you but I LOVE mini pumpkins and gourds of all kinds so while I have the chance to decorating the table with Autumn gourds I take every opportunity to do just that! 

Start setting your Fall tablescape by lining the center of the table with mixed gourds, Indian Corn and a Succulent Pumpkin Centerpiece or two. There really isn’t a wrong way to group them. Pick out a variety of shapes and sizes ~ I promise they will all look perfect together!

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Once I have my centerpiece in place I like to add a textured charger, a main serving plate and a fall leaf plate at each placesetting. Continuing adding seasonal elements  like a grapevine napkin ring around a natural linen napkin.

The stress of hosting can be overwhelming. No matter if it is your first time hosting, Or your 10th. My ULTIMATE Thanksgiving checklist is HERE to make you look like an entertaining pro. Download yours for all my seasonal entertaining must-haves.

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For a step-by-step demo how to make your own Pumpkin Placecards, you can watch my  recent segment on WFLA Gayle’s Guide to Pinterest.

 Subscribe to my YouTube Channel and never miss a recipe or design idea! {It’s free!}

Thanksgiving tablescape with pumpkin placecards by Krayl Funch

HOW TO MAKE YOUR OWN PUMPKIN PLACECARDS::

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SUPPLIES ::

  • mini pumpkin
  • chalkboard paint
  • foam paint brush
  • chalk marker
  • leaf stencil
  • scissors

INSTRUCTIONS ::

For Chalkboard Pumpkin Placecard – 

Using a foam applicator simply apply a stroke of black chalk paint to the side of mini pumpkin. Allow to dry and apply a second coat.

Once dry, use a chalk marker to write your guest’s name on the card. Repeat for all guests.

For Kraft Paper Leaf Pumpkin Placecard –

Using a Maple leaf form, trace the edges onto kraft paper, Cut out shape and write your guest’s name on each card.

Carefully slice a slit in the top of the pumpkin stem. Insert paper placecard into stem and place on table!

Not the DIY type… Did you know I offer services tailored to meet the needs of busy women. They are especially valuable during the holiday entertaining season. Learn more on HERE on KraylFunch.com

 

Spiked Pumpkin Rice Pudding for October Unprocessed

For the second year in a row I am a proud contributor to October Unprocessed. A month long pledge created by Andrew Wilder of EatingRules.com to reduce the amount of processed food we consume. This year however, pushed my knowledge of processed versus unprocessed AND my comfort level in the kitchen to new levels as I created first a Baked Sweet Dumpling Squash with Pumpkin Custard and then recipe #2…. Bourbon Pumpkin Rice Pudding. 

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Yes, you heard correctly. I ended up creating two recipes but only one was fit to be published during October Unprocessed 2016. Why you might ask?

Turns out there is an entire FAQ on sugar, how it is processed, which sugars are considered the least processed and why we should/or should not consume them. I thought I was doing the right thing by using brown sugar {and the folks at Bob’s Red Mill consumer team have provided me thorough information regarding how they are using the best possible methods to create their line of sugars} but other companies may or may not have your best health in mind so please be sure to learn more about this topic HERE.

See how my Bourbon Pumpkin Rice Pudding turn out, my lessons learned in the kitchen and take the October Unprocessed pledge HERE.

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Thank you to Andrew and Kristi at EatingRules.com for their patience, support, understanding and commitment to their cause and Bob’s Red Mill for providing me with their tasty baking  Congratulations on another successful year!

 

Baked Sweet Dumpling Squash with Pumpkin Custard

As you know I LOVE a gourd. Gourds of all kinds can be found on my entranceway, dining room table and kitchen counter, but when I found out one of my fav was actually considered a squash my world was turned upside down!

Sweet Dumpling Squash are readily available in the Fall and are great for filling kitchen island baskets with seasonal color but let’s open up our eyes – and mouths – to the wide variety of recipes for Sweet Dumpling Squash, a hit in my home is baked with pumpkin custard. Serve it for dessert on Thanksgiving or to end your upcoming Fall gathering.

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Squash versus Gourd versus Pumpkin :: what’s the difference?

The family screams Fall but I can barely say the name. The Cucurbitaceae family is the latin name for gourds, squash and pumpkins, which most of us tend to simply lump into one big category of bumpy, viney, some say ugly, I say gorgeous, ground growing beauties that we generally associate with Fall.

Read on to amaze your friends with your Squash, Gourds and Pumpkins knowledge.

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sweet-dumpling-squash-with-baked-pumpkin-custard-kraylfunch-2Gourds.

The ornamental squash, hardshell, bottle and turban are the most common gourds seen on tablescapes, grouped in glass vessels and adorning mantles in the Autumn, aren’t generally meant for eating. Mainly decorative, our current day gourds – my spirit fruit {or is it vegetable… no fruit} – have been used throughout history in many ways including as tools, musical instruments and food. The are a staple in my seasonal decorating projects with clients and in my own home.

Squash. 

Hubbard, butternut, acorn, sweet dumpling and spaghetti squash {just to get the party started} that are perfect for roasting, souping, dicing, pureeing or any other shape or form you prefer to eat them. Most squash have a thick skin and dense flesh you must cut through in order to use for most squash recipes. However, once you cut back the skin simply scoop out the seeds {save them for toasting with a bit of kosher salt} and you are ready to go.  

Pumpkin.

The most popular of the cucuritaceae, pumpkins are both ornamental and edible. The super mini’s are more like gourds when it comes to getting any flesh from them for cooking but DO not discount them as a serving vessel or other ornamental seasonal piece. Medium and Large pumpkins make great entranceway decor, carved or un-carved, as well as provide tons of glorious flesh for recipes calling for pumpkin.

So the bottom line is – pumpkin is sort of “our” term for the round orange squash and not a biological name. 

I say let’s celebrate the season with the entire family! Squash, gourds and pumpkins are welcome on my table or plate any day. 

See my recipe for Baked Sweet Dumpling Squash with Pumpkin Custard below.

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[yumprint-recipe id=’36’] 

Are you hosting Thanksgiving this year? My Ultimate Thanksgiving Checklist will be your new BFF. Grab yours HERE.

Plan Ahead For a Stress Free Thanksgiving Day

Whether you are a seasoned pro or it is your first time hosting Thanksgiving the number of details to keep track of can be daunting to say the least. You need the Ultimate Thanksgiving Planning Checklist.

krayls-ultimate-thanksgiving-planning-checklist-2016-get-access-button

How many plates do I need? How will I serve the potatoes? How long do I defrost THE bird? How do I keep track of who is bringing what? What if I run out of forks before dessert? 

And the details add up if you are hosting overnight guests.

Where will they sleep? Do I have time to put up the wall paper in the main floor powder room before Thanksgiving? 

What fork goes where?

Not to fear. My ULTIMATE Thanksgiving checklist is HERE to make you look like the entertaining pro you know is your real calling.

Avoid the last minute stress of Thanksgiving with my ULTIMATE Thanksgiving Planning Checklist.

When you say yes to the checklist you will immediately receive the first week’s must do list. Then over the next few weeks you will receive a weekly checklist of what you need to accomplish + schedule that week to have a stress free Thanksgiving.

How easy is that?

You can be the hostess you know in your heart you are. Get access to the checklist HERE.

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Are you an overachiever? Perfectionist who can’t stand to wait for the weekly updates? My Fast Track planner was created for you. For only $15 you can have access to the entire checklist collection now. Buy yours HERE.

#FALLFLEA Home Decor Favorites + New Additions

The Fall Flea is now in it’s second week and the feedback has been really great! It is hard for me to say what my favorite Fall home decor items in the shop are. However if I had to pick, the Wood Cake Stand with Metallic Pumpkin accents, the Faux Cotton Wreath or the Metallic Leaf Candle Holder would make the list this week.

SHOP THE FALL FLEA NOW

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According to you, the shoppers, the most popular items in the shop to date have been the Burlap Runner, Gold Leaf Thankful pillow and the Gold Fall Acorn Decorative Dish

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Have you had a chance to shop the #FALLFLEA to pick your favorite Fall decor item for you home, kitchen or Fall gathering table?

If not, this is the perfect time to stop in the virtual pop-up market because new items have been added this week AND doors will close Sunday October 16th for the season and your opportunity to shop from my favorite Fall Decor items for 2016 will be like a leave blowing in the Autumn air…

SHOP THE FALL FLEA NOW

Ready to see a few of the new additions? I have added items to the home accent category, the kitchen collection and of course the entertaining collection!

 

HERE IS A SAMPLING OF WHAT’S NEW IN THE FALL FLEA SHOP!

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Hammered Copper Cheese Knife Set – Set of 3 Cheese Knives are a must have item for every well equipped host. The Hammered Copper handles on this set easily transition from rustic to modern tables, giving any style a touch of urban craftsmanship.

VIEW IN THE SHOP HERE.

 

 


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Give + Gather. Harvest Kitchen Towel

Give + Gather Harvest Kitchen Towels feature script give and gather lettering set around a fall foliage pattern. Enjoy in your kitchen or give them as a gift to your favorite hostess.

VIEW IN THE SHOP HERE

 

 


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Amber Glass Apothecary Bottle

Fall decor is all about warm colors and textures. Bring both this season to your kitchen, or bathroom, counter with Amber Glass Apothecary Bottles.

VIEW IN THE SHOP HERE.

 

 


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Faux Golden Apples – set of 2

I love to place faux fruit everywhere around my home these days. You will find Faux Golden Apples lining shelves, down the center of dining room tablescapes and dozen or so together in a bowl on my kitchen island.

VIEW IN THE SHOP HERE.

 

 


Here are my top 3 tips to make the most of The Fall Flea Pop-Up ::

#1 – Be sure to sign up + open your emails over the next two weeks to learn about new + featured items.
#2 – Join the Facebook Event Group for daily updates and community conversation about their favorite items.
#3 – Follow along on Instagram to see new + featured items first. And share your favorites using #FALLFLEA

Happy Fall! Shop the Fall Flea here now.

Creating an Easy Holiday Centerpiece with Flowers + Candles

To me flowers make the table! I like to use unexpected vessels for my arrangements but occasionally they aren’t water tight. Here is my quick fix for that and a how-to for creating an easy holiday centerpiece with flowers and candles using a few of my favorite greens – Seeded Eucalyptus and Boxwood clippings as well as a mixture of colorful flowers – Blue Eryngium Thistle Super Nova, Purple Liatris and Orange Safflower Seed. Please feel free to use whatever flowers you find at the market or garden.

Creating an easy Holiday Centerpiece with flowers and candles with AnAppealingPlan.com by @KraylFunch flowers on the table from above

Although I mention specific flowers and greens in this article, and in the video, the real take away is that you can create a base for your arrangements using any vessel that inspires you with just a few items you may even have around your home. Use this as an inspiration and let your creativity run wild!

Creating an easy Holiday Centerpiece with flowers and candles with AnAppealingPlan.com by @KraylFunch supplies

 

Creating a Holiday Centerpiece with Flowers + Candles

SUPPLIES 

    • oasis, wet floral foam
    • Ziploc style baggies – 1 gallon size or larger
    • 2 taper candles
    • Stick Um 
    • Fiskar garden clippers
    • Assorted Greens + Florals used in this arrangement:
      • Seeded Eucalyptus
      • Ornamental Cabbage or Flowering Kale heads
      • Blue Eryngium Thistle Super Nova
      • Purple Liatris
      • Orange Safflower Seed
      • Boxwood clippings

METHOD

      1. Cut your oasis foam block in half and soak in water overnight to completely saturate with water.
      2. Push your candle holders into the oasis foam deep enough to hold them straight and secure. If you are not using small candle holders the taper candles may be push directly into the oasis to ensure the stay upright.
      3. Place each block into a water tight bag and roll down the edges so they are just above the top of the block but are below the top of your decorative vessel. Place block and bag  into vessel, add the candles and center in the vessel.
      4. Begin to cut and place Eucalyptus branches along the outside edge, be sure the cut ends are deep into the oasis for hydration and so the are secure. Insert large Ornamental Cabbage heads into oasis to create the main body of your arrangement. Cut and insert Blue Eryngium Thistle Super Nova and Orange Safflower Seeds then fill in with Boxwood Clippings.

 

Creating an easy Holiday Centerpiece with flowers and candles with AnAppealingPlan.com by @KraylFunch flowers close up

Creating an easy Holiday Centerpiece with flowers and candles with AnAppealingPlan.com by @KraylFunch full veiw

 This flower and candle arrangement is perfect for Thanksgiving, Friendsgiving or it can easily be updated for any entertaining opportunity that occurs at your home during the winter and Christmas entertaining season. Simply adjust the color pallet coordinate with your seasonal decor or tablescape as needed.
Creating an easy Holiday Centerpiece with flowers and candles with AnAppealingPlan.com by @KraylFunch flowers on the table

Creating an easy Holiday Centerpiece with flowers and candles with AnAppealingPlan.com by @KraylFunch with lite candles

My Boxwood + Besties tablescape with my Roasted Butternut Squash + Cauliflower Soup recipe, perfect for entertaining friend during the holiday season has also been featured on The Inspired Home website.

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An-Appealing-Plan-the book by Krayl Funch Cover Image 150xAnd, if you are looking for even more easy holiday entertaining, check out An Appealing Plan the book.

I believe we are bringing back entertaining at home, lingering over a table after a lovingly prepared meal with friends. I am thrilled to be able to invite you on this journey with me through a year of celebrating every day. Filled with recipes, tablescapes, floral inspiration and seasonal entertaining ideas An Appealing Plan :: A Year of Everyday Celebrations. To learn more about An Appealing Plan :: A Year of Everyday Celebrations here. 

 

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5 Tips for Hosting Your Own Friendsgiving Gathering

Thanksgiving with the family is as American as apple pie and ice cream – a true iconic American holiday. But in the 2000’s most of us live miles from our family and have adopted, what I like to call, a chosen family consisting of friends and neighbors – the people we frequently spend the majority of our year with. And what better way than to host a Friendsgiving gathering to celebrate the harvest season with this special group of people.

5 Tips to Host Your Own Friendsgiving Gathering - AnAppealingPlan.com by @KraylFunch

 { All Photo credits in this post go to the amazing team of Caroline & Evan Photography. }

 I was recently asked to be a part of a collaboration with several bloggers in the Tampa Bay + Orlando area to celebrate and create a styled shoot around the trend of hosting a Friendsgiving dinner, I jumped on the opportunity to share my tips on hosting your own Friendsgiving gathering. So many creative amazing women came together to create a beautiful day – I am honored to be apart of the opportunity {thank you Nicole Crews of Casa de Crews for pulling us all together}.

5 Tips to Host Your Own Friendsgiving Gathering - AnAppealingPlan.com by @KraylFunch

 A thankful cheeseboard - 5 Tips to Host Your Own Friendsgiving Gathering - AnAppealingPlan.com by @KraylFunch

 My Top 5 Tips for Planning Your own Friendsgiving Gathering

Tip #1 :: Begin With a Plan for Your Friendsgiving Gathering

I know it seems obvious however, trust me entertaining is a breeze when you have an actual plan in place before the date actually arrives. Grab a cup of coffee or wine, and it down for 30 minutes to plan the guest list, dinner location, beverage selections, menu concept, table and overall decor ideas and even the music play list as soon as the idea hits you. I promise this will make the entire entertaining experience much more enjoyable and less stressful!

Tip #2 :: Include Your Friends in the Friendsgiving Menu Planning

Don’t try to do it all yourself! These are the people you lean on all year-long – don’t let your Friendsgiving dinner be any different. Include guests in the menu selection and ask them to create their favorite dish to bring to the party! Plus this equals less dishes for you to wash 

The complete tablescape - 5 Tips to Host Your Own Friendsgiving Gathering - AnAppealingPlan.com by @KraylFunch

The tablecape with flowers - 5 Tips to Host Your Own Friendsgiving Gathering - AnAppealingPlan.com by @KraylFunch 

Tip #3 :: Serve a Signature Drink at Your Friendsgiving Gathering

Having a signature drink makes entertaining 10 times easier trust me! When you have a go to recipe you can simply make a batch ahead of time and when each guest arrives you will be ready to pour a glass rather than having to mix them up as you go. Another plus – when you offer a signature drink along with wine + beer you can skip offering a full bar!

Tip #4 :: An Easy Holiday Cheeseboard is a Must 

Cheeseboards are my go to appetizer. They are always a hit, take very little time to plan and can be made one hour before to ensure you still have time to apply that last-minute coat of mascara. 

Dressing my brussels sprouts salad - 5 Tips to Host Your Own Friendsgiving Gathering - AnAppealingPlan.com by @KraylFunch

Krayl dressing the brussels sprouts salad - 5 Tips to Host Your Own Friendsgiving Gathering - AnAppealingPlan.com by @KraylFunch 

Tip #5 :: Set your Friendsgiving Fall Inspired Tablescape the Night Before 

This my rule for almost any gathering I am hosting for several reasons. First, it gives you time to ensure you have all your serving pieces cleaned and ready to go as well as time to run out and pick up anything you are missing. Second, it’s much more fun to set it the night before with a glass of wine and enjoy the process!

 

SUGGESTED FRIENDSGIVING MENU

First Course:

Cheese Plate with Figs and Honey by Casa de Crews

Cranberry and Goat Cheese Crostini by Casa de Crews

Second Course:

Harvest Kale Salad by Supper for a Steal

Entree:

Turkey with Dressing by Out of the Weeds

Brussels Sprouts with Pancetta Caesar Salad by An Appealing Plan by Krayl Funch

Spinach Gratin by Casa de Crews

Dessert:

No Bake Pumpkin Pie by Happily Audrey

Bundt Cake with a Cream Cheese Drizzle by Melissa Creates

Pear Sangria by The Flair Exchange

 

 5 Tips toCheers to all - Host Your Own Friendsgiving Gathering - AnAppealingPlan.com by @KraylFunch

 5 Tips to Host Your Own Friendsgiving Gathering - AnAppealingPlan.com by @KraylFunch

 

A huge thank you to our vendors who helped to make this shoot possible!

Photos by: Caroline & Evan Photography

Farm Table/Driftwood Chargers/Gold Flatware/Salt and Pepper Shakers from Set Event Rentals

Mismatched Wood Chairs from The Reserve Vintage Rentals

Floral from Belle Fleuer Tampa

Invitations and Menu cards from Tiny Prints

Creative Loafing Space, Ybor City, FL

The Tampa Bay and Orlando lifestyle bloggers - 5 Tips to Host Your Own Friendsgiving Gathering - AnAppealingPlan.com by @KraylFunch

Krayl’s Brussels Sprouts + Pancetta Ceasar Salad

As a kid Brussels Sprouts are a weird looking vegetable that my parents served for Thanksgiving or Christmas. They tasted bitter, looked funny and even smelled strange. Where did they even come from??

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Fast forward just a few years – hold on Mc Fly – and they are one of my favorite vegetables to serve. And it may have something to do with how they grow. Have you ever seen a Brussels Sprout stalk? They are an incredible example of Mother Nature’s ability to inspire and nurture us. You can usually find them in the fall and winter for sale in your local market – I ALWAYS buy them when I see them available to place on our kitchen island. Visitors are just as amazed to see them as I was my first time. But more on that later…

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I have always made and served Brussels Sprouts warm, usually roasted or some similar style of preparation – however I recently saw a recipe from Nathan Lyon for a cold preparation and ran with it to create my Brussels Sprout and Pancetta Caesar Salad for a Friendsgiving styled photo shoot.

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[yumprint-recipe id=’17’]I would like to thank our gracious host Nicole Crews, of Casa de Crews, who put this Friendsgiving event together. She did an incredible job of pulling an amazing team together for the menu, decor, rentals and MORE … Dying to see the entire styled photo shoot, check out my post on the 5 Tips for Hosting Your Own Friendsgiving Gathering! 

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An-Appealing-Plan-the book by Krayl Funch Cover Image 150xAnd, if you are looking for even more easy holiday entertaining, check out An Appealing Plan the book.

I believe we are bringing back entertaining at home, lingering over a table after a lovingly prepared meal with friends. I am thrilled to be able to invite you on this journey with me through a year of celebrating every day. Filled with recipes, tablescapes, floral inspiration and seasonal entertaining ideas An Appealing Plan :: A Year of Everyday Celebrations.To learn more about An Appealing Plan :: A Year of Everyday Celebrations here. 

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Krayl’s Easy Holiday Cheese Board {#SundaySupper}

Krayl's Easy Holiday Cheese Board AnAppealingPlan.com #AnAppealingPlan #EntertainingAtHome (5)

The holidays are almost here – literally they are only weeks away – and if you are considering entertaining at home now is the time to begin your holiday party menu. It may seem early but the sooner you pick your top go to appetizers the more relaxed you will feel about heading into the year’s most popular entertaining season.

May I suggest putting an easy holiday cheese board at the top of your go to recipe list.

Krayl's Easy Holiday Cheese Board AnAppealingPlan.com #EntertainingAtHome (3)

Krayl's Easy Holiday Cheese Board AnAppealingPlancom #AnAppealingPlan #EntertainingAtHome (6)

Cheese boards are super easy to pull together and when you offer items sweet and savor on the board you will please almost everyone in the crowd.

To create an easy holiday cheese board begin with a gorgeous wooden, or marble, board large enough to hold your cheeses – or consider two wooden boards, one to hold the cheeses and the other to hold the crackers and breads. Build your cheese board around a center of colorful grapes in the center, then placing 3 or four cheeses around them faces each corner for easy reach.

Krayl's Easy Holiday Cheese Board AnAppealingPlan.com #EntertainingAtHome (1)

 

On the second board place a selection of crackers and candied nuts for crunch. I like to offer the a variety of sweet and savory spreads to accompany the cheese board – place them in small vessels with serving spoons.

Here are my suggestions for an easy holiday cheese board::

  • Two varieties of soft cheese :: brie, double cream, blue, goat cheese
  • Two varieties of hard cheese :: aged gouda, cheddar, manchengo
  • Fruits :: grapes, berries, pomegranate seeds
  • Spreads :: honey, fig butter, olive tamponade, 
  • Breads + Crackers ::  water crackers, crusty Italian, rosemary crackers

The above are suggestions and as long as you provide a mix of textures and flavors you really can’t go wrong when you build a holiday cheese board. Be sure to put out cheese knives, small spoons and spreaders as well as small plates and napkins for your guest.

Krayl's Easy Holiday Cheese Board AnAppealingPlan.com #AnAppealingPlan #EntertainingAtHome (4)

 

What are you favorite things to put on a holiday cheese board??? Let me know in the comments!

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COVER-Krayl-An Appealing-Plan- FINAL-page1

And, if you are looking for even more easy holiday entertaining, check out An Appealing Plan the book.

I believe we are bringing back entertaining at home, lingering over a table after a lovingly prepared meal with friends. I am thrilled to be able to invite you on this journey with me through a year of celebrating every day. Filled with recipes, tablescapes, floral inspiration and seasonal entertaining ideas An Appealing Plan :: A Year of Everyday Celebrations.To learn more about An Appealing Plan :: A Year of Everyday Celebrations here. 

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Thank you Michelle De La Cerda-Nash, of The Complete Savorist and Valerie Cathell Clark, of Lifestyle Food Artistry, for hosting this weeks Sunday Supper Community post! Be sure to visit all my fellow contributors as they share their favorite recipes for Easy Holiday Entertaining.

 
Beverages

Appetizers

Main and Side Dishes

Desserts and Baked Goods

Sunday Supper MovementJoin 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.