Today I want to post something about how to set the scene for a great time.
SETTING THE SCENE FOR A GREAT TIME.
When entertaining friends,nothing beats adding personal touch to tell your friends you care.Here's one you can use .
To make sure everyone knows their place at the table,make your own little name cards.It doesn't have to be anything fancy maybe lovely inked lettering on a plain card or printed manuscript on special paper.Place the card on a flora dinner plate and set it on the table where you want your guest to be seated.You can be assured that he/she will be pleasantly surprised and so very pleased.
More ideas for that personal touch:
If budget's not a problem,buy each guest a small gift in a cardboard gift box and place at each plate setting.Wrap the box with a ribbion and label the gift tag with the guest name to double up as a place card.
Roll plain white napkins loosely and secure with a lovely red ribbion and a name tag.This makes an interesting place card as well.
A stylish table setting doesn't have to be expensive.Use any simple white tablecloth and buy a stretch of sheer fabric(like organza or satin)that's the length of your table and long enough to drop over the sides.Fold in half and use as a table runner for a touch of class.
Here is some receipe:
Chicken and corn soup
Prep:10 mins.Cook:25mins.Serves 4-6
1.5 litres chicken stock
1 small boned chicken breast
1 ear fresh corn
1 stalk leek,rinised clean and sliced thinly
1 carrot,peeled and cubed
2tsps fried garlic or shallots
Salt and pepper to taste
1.Husk and remove silk from the ear of corn,then rinse.Using a small sharp knife,cut off the corn kernels.Set aside in a bowl.
2.Bring the chicken stock and chicken meat to a boil.
Then simmer gently till the meat is cooked,about 3-5 mins.Remove the meat and cut into cubes.Set aside.
3.Bring the stock to a boil again,add leek,carrot and corn and simmer gently for about 10 mins.
4.Add the meat and the fried garlic or shallots to the soup.Season to taste with salt and pepper.Serve hot.
Green Salad With Pine Nuts.
Prep:20 mins(includes frying pine nuts and garlic).Serves:4
3tbsps olive oil
1/4 cup pine nuts
500g romaine or iceberg lettuce
1 small red pepper,sliced thinly
4 fresh button mushrooms,wiped with a paper towel and sliced thinly.
Dressing
2 cloves garlic,chopped finely
11/2tsps light soya sauce
1/2 tbsp balsamic vinegar
1/4 tsp salt
Ground Black pepper
1.Heat 2 tbsps olive oil in a casserole over a low fire.Stir- fry the oine nuts for about 1 min or till lightly toasted.Remove and set aside to cool.
2.In the same casserole,add remaining 1 tbsp olive oil, and stir fry the chopped garlic until golden brown.Pour oil and garlic into a small bowl and set aside to cool.When oil is cool,add the rest of the dressing ingredients and mix well.
3. Tear the lettuce into bite-sized pieces,rinse clean,then spin dry in an salad spinner.An alternative to spinning is to pat dry with paper towels.
4.Put the lettuce ,red pepper and mushrooms into a large salad bowl and toss with dressing.Top with fried pine nuts.Serve at once.
Spaghetti With Creamy Clam Sauce
Prep:35mins.Cook:25mins.Serve:4
400g spaghetti
1 large saucepan of boiling water
1 tsp salt.
Sauce
2kg clams
2 cups water
2 tbsp chopped garlic
1 tsbp chopped parsley
1/2 cup cream or 1/4 cup cream and 1/4 cup milk
1 tsp salt
Ground black pepper to taste
1/4 cup grated cheddar cheese
1.Put salt in the boiling water .Cook spaghetti in boiling water till just firm.The timing given on the packet is a good guide.
2.Meanwhile,prepare the sauce.
Rinse clams clean.In a large casserole,heat water.Add clams and cook until they open.Remove and set aside
3.Leave the clam broth in the casserole to settle for 10 mins.Then carefully measure out one cup of clam broth and set aside.
4.Melt butter in another casserole over a medium fire till foaming.Add chopped garlic and stir fry till fragrant.
5.Add the clams,clam broth,salt and pepper and stir well.Add cream and lastly, the chopped parsley.
6.Stir in cooked spaghetti and mix well with grated cheese.Serve immediately.
Strawberry And Cream Agar Agar.
Prep:25mins.Serve:4
12g packet agar agar powder
250g sugar
1.3 litres water
1 drop red food colouring
6 large strawberries
1 deep pie dish
1 cup whipped cream
1.Put agar agar powder,sugar and water in a large saucepan and bring to a boil.
2.Hull the strawberries and slice into three lengthwise.Put strawberries in the pie dish.
3.Pour the agar agar into the pie dish to set.Leave to chill in the fridge.
4.To serve, cut the jelly into cubes and pour some cream over it.
Rounding up a lovely meal.
Surprise your guests with a final dish of white or mixed chocolates.Even those who generally skip desserts will warm up to the idea of ending the meal with a bite of chocolates placed on the dinner plate.
There are other equally ''sweet'' ways to end a meal:Serve fruits.They're healthy and add a good dose of fibre to any meal.Pick both sweet and tart fruits-like seedless grapes,dates,plums and green apples.This way each guest can pick her own favourite.
Cheese,biscuits and wine.This European-Style meal ender has an advantage.Cheese and biscuits will give those with big appetites a chance to fill their stomachs.Wine ,of course,give you a classy and merry ending.
A scoop or two vanilla ice-cream.This is one ice-cream flavour that's universally enjoyed.Drizzle with hot chocolate or caramel sauce and top with generous sprinkling of chopped mixed nuts.
Wildly Relaxing Zebra Child Recliner
Price: 101.99
Retail Price: 129.99
Creature comfort! Encourage your child’s imagination with a safari-inspired personal recliner. A perfect spot to get lost in an adventure tale or video. The fun animal print plush recliner is sure to make any youngster roar with delight every time they relax in it. Dimensions are 27 high, 20 deep, 22 wide. Seat Height is 13 width 14 and depth 14. Recommended for children ages 2 to 9.
Baseball Rocker
Price: 81.95
Retail Price: 133.88
In addition to the exquisite fabrics, this Baseball Rocker is crafted with quality pine wood, fire retardant foam and sturdy construction designed to withstand the physical demands of active children. The chair measures approximately 24 inches wide by 18 inches deep by 22 inches high. The seat area measures approximately 12.5 inches wide by 11 inches deep.
Butterfly Rocker
Price: 81.95
Retail Price: 123.75
In addition to the exquisite fabrics, this Lavender Buterfly Rocker is crafted with quality pine wood, fire retardant foam and sturdy construction designed to withstand the physical demands of active children. The chair measures approximately 24 inches wide by 18 inches deep by 22 inches high. The seat area measures approximately 12.5 inches wide by 11 inches deep.
Fire Engine Rocker
Price: 86.95
Retail Price: 123.75
In addition to the exquisite fabrics, this Hot Fire Engine Rocker is crafted with quality pine wood, fire retardant foam and sturdy construction designed to withstand the physical demands of active children. The chair measures approximately 24 inches wide by 18 inches deep by 22 inches high. The seat area measures approximately 12.5 inches wide by 11 inches deep.
Flower Rocker
Price: 91.95
Retail Price: 123.75
In addition to the exquisite fabrics, this Beautiful Flower Rocker is crafted with quality pine wood, fire retardant foam and sturdy construction designed to withstand the physical demands of active children. The chair measures approximately 24 inches wide by 18 inches deep by 22 inches high. The seat area measures approximately 12.5 inches wide by 11 inches deep.
Hello Kitty Rocker
Price: 91.95
Retail Price: 135.00
In addition to the exquisite fabrics, this Hello Kitty Rocker is crafted with quality pine wood, fire retardant foam and sturdy construction designed to withstand the physical demands of active children. The chair measures approximately 24 inches wide by 18 inches deep by 22 inches high. The seat area measures approximately 12.5 inches wide by 11 inches deep.
Quilted Blue Child Chair
Price: 116.99
Retail Price: 168.75
In addition to the exquisite fabrics, this Quilted Blue Chair is crafted with quality pine wood, fire retardant foam and sturdy construction designed to withstand the physical demands of active children.
- The chair measures approximately 24 inches wide by 18 inches deep by 22 inches high.
- The seat area measures approximately 12.5 inches wide by 11 inches deep.
- Recommended for children ages 2 to 9.
Quilted Pink Child Chair
Price: 116.99
Retail Price: 168.75
In addition to the exquisite fabrics, this Quilted Pink Chair is crafted with quality pine wood, fire retardant foam and sturdy construction designed to withstand the physical demands of active children.
- The chair measures approximately 24 inches wide by 18 inches deep by 22 inches high.
- The seat area measures approximately 12.5 inches wide by 11 inches deep.
- Recommended for children ages 2 to 9.
3-In-One Playhouse
Price: 206.10
Retail Price: 281.25
Made of solid wood, this 3-In-One Playhouse provides a new way for your child to use their imagination. The smooth boards of the 3-In-One Playhouse slide together which allows children to build their own space. Make a puppet theater, store, fort or whatever you dream up. Bring home the 3-In-One Playhouse. Enjoy the creativity that unfolds!
- easy to store and reassemble
- 40 1/4 W x 40 1/4 D x 44 1/2 H
- 80 lbs.
Bold Blue Tunnel
Price: 40.49
Retail Price: 37.69
This Bold Blue Tunnel is the way to more vibrant creative play. Children love to create hideaways, obstacle courses and fun places to let their imaginations take over. Order the Bold Blue Tunnel. Watch the fun take over! Enjoy their independent fun!
- 6 feet long x 19 in diameter
- padded interior for comfort
- collapses down for easy storage
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