The Hip Hostess

Menus, tips and ideas for hosting with style!

BBQ/ Grill Theme Cake June 29, 2009

 

IMG_5054

This is definitely not a cake for a high-brow soiree, but it’s perfect for a casual BBQ/ grill theme party.  Serve this as dessert at your Fourth of July cookout and you are sure to get a few laughs.

 

To make this fun grill cake: Bake a traditional round layer cake and frost it with your favorite chocolate frosting.  Use chocolate or black licorice for the grill outline and lines (black will stand out better against the chocolate frosting but chocolate is generally softer and easier to cut through when slicing the cake).    Use softened tootsie rolls to form the hamburger pattie, and black shoestring licorice pressed into the pattie as the grill lines (you can press your pattie into an actual grill pan for guidance on how to space the grill marks).  Use softened pink starbursts mixed with a few tootsie rolls to form the hotdog.   Cut wooden skewers to scale and thread on chunkes of “beef” (three softened red startbursts formed into chunks) and “peppers” (yellow and orange starbursts flatened and shaped like pieces of bell pepper).

 

Host a Father’s Day “Cook-In” June 18, 2009

Grill_pan

Don’t let the rain ruin your plans for a Father’s Day cookout.  You can still throw your favorite father a BBQ in his honor -  just shift gears from a cookout to a “cook-in.”  Here’s a menu that you can make on the grill or in a grill pan.

 

 

Cookout or “Cook-In” Menu
 
Black bean and corn quesadillas
Chips and mango salsa
Coffee and chili rubbed steak
Chopped cucumber, red pepper and tomato salad
Chipotle mashed potatoes (add 2 Tbs. chipotle peppers canned in adobo sauce to your favorite type of mashed potatoes)
Grilled Asparagus
Espresso chocolate chunk cookies
Fruit kabobs (thread chunks of fresh fruit on bamboo skewers and drizzle with honey and fresh lime juice)
 
Vodka spiked lemonade or peach iced tea sweetened with agave nectar
Assorted ice-cold beer

 

http://hiphostess.wordpress.com/2008/05/26/coffee-chili-steak-rub/

http://hiphostess.wordpress.com/2008/06/03/espresso-chocolate-chunk-cookies/

 

Hip Tip – Serve Cheese at Room Temp June 15, 2009

Cheese is one of THE great entertaining staples.  For optimal flavor, serve cheese at room temperature.  Bringing the cheese to room temperature allows the full flavor of the cheese to come through; the flavor of cheese is muted when served chilled.

 

Plan ahead and take cheese out of the refrigerator at least 1 hour before serving time.  Keep cheese covered until you serve it to prevent the surface from becoming dry.

 

Monogram Theme Father’s Day Party June 1, 2009

monogram_beer_pitcher

If it feels like the father in your family is hard to shop for, throw a Father’s Day party with a monogram theme and tell all your guest to bring dad a monogrammed gift.  Your dad will feel super special with his initials all over.

A monogram theme also works well for a bridal shower, a birthday party or an anniversary. 

Here are some other ideas to get your monogram party started:

  • Send invitations with the guest of honor’s monogram.
  • Buy a brander with the guest of honor’s initial or monogram and brand steaks and burgers before serving them.
  • Serve drinks from a monogrammed pitcher or in monogrammed glasses. 
  • Buy disposable napkins with the guest of honor’s first initial imprinted on them. 
  • Serve cupcakes with the guest of honor’s initial piped on top or use alphabet shaped cookies to spell out their initials. 

Some great ideas for monogrammed Father’s Day gifts include:  Pilsner, low-balls or martini glasses, beer mugs, flasks, coasters, leather catchalls (for change and keys), money clips, cuff links, key chains, cotton handkerchiefs, toiletry bags, towels, coffee mug, playing cards, polo or button-down shirts, grill tools, guitar picks, gym bags, golf towels, golf balls or golf club links.

*Monogrammed beer pitcher shown above is available at Pottery Barn for $21.50 (including cost of monogramming)
http://www.potterybarn.com/products/p11076/index.cfm?pkey=cbarware

 

 
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