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Category: Palm Beach Entertaining

Pumpkin and Apple Picking

Posted on by Admin General

Three of my favorite stops for apple picking, pumpkin picking, fresh fall treats and more:

  1. If your house if full of children this fall, Hank’s is a terrific place to take the family for apple and pumpkin picking; and there’s a market full of fresh vegetables, fruits, pies and lots of homemade treats and decorations to bring home.  You’ll find gourds in every shape and color to decorate your holiday table, mums and oversized pumpkins for indoors or out. While you’re shopping you can enjoy fresh, sweet, roasted corn.  There are hayrides, playsets and mazes for an afternoon of family fun.
    Hanks Pumpkin Town
    240 Montauk Highway
    Watermill, NY
    (631) 726-4997
    www.hankspumpkintown.com
  2. With more than 20 varieties of apples to choose from The Milk Pail is a wonderful place to pick your own apples for any fall recipe.  The easy-to-reach dwarf apple trees make for easy pickin’s and the pumpkin patch is a delight.  The market includes fresh fruit, vegetables and flowers – all grown on site. Arguable, the best cider in the Hamptons is sold here. Great for young adults and gourmands.  
    The Milk Pail
    50 Horsemill Lane
    Water Mill, NY
    (631) 537-2565
    www.milk-pail.com
  3. A corn maze, u-pick pumpkin patch, corn cannon and a variety of fresh produce makes Fairview another terrific destination to spend the day with children of any age.  They also offer terrific gift baskets – perfect for a hostess gift!  You choose from a variety of fresh, local ingredients and they do the rest.
    Fairview Farm
    69 Horsemill Lane
    Bridgehampton, NY
    (631) 537-6154
    www.fairviewfarmatmecox.com

Carving Out New Ideas for Pumpkins

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When one thinks of autumn, pumpkins always come to mind. They are quintessential symbols of the season and using them in interesting ways can add the right ambiance to any autumnal celebration. Their versatility ranges from décor to crafts to menu options. Here are five ways to enjoy pumpkins this fall. 

  1. Roasted pumpkin seeds: a treat that everyone loves. It’s fun to create new variations on this seasonal favorite such as Creole, jerk, pumpkin-pie and Hamptons sea salt – all of which my family loves! Simply toss clean, dry seeds with olive oil and your favorite spices. Spread the seeds in a single layer on a baking sheet and bake for 40 minutes or until golden brown, in a preheated oven (300 degrees F., 150 C.).
  2. Potato-Crusted Halibut with Squash Two Ways and Arugula Pesto: this is my absolute favorite squash recipe by chef Gabriel Kennedy featured in Hamptons Entertaining. Roasted squash and squash puree make the best of autumn’s bounty. When I prepare this, I opt for cod instead of Halibut and when in season, roast pumpkin instead of squash; the results are delicious every time.
  3. Pumpkin-Spiced Crème Brulée: one of my all-time favorite pumpkin desserts, it’s truly autumn in every bite! Try Judith Giulian’s recipe, featured in Hamptons Entertaining.
  4. Place Cards: Create a unique place card by perching a mini pumpkin at each place setting; and with a silk ribbon, attach a tag to each stem and write your guests’ name on the tag.
  5. Scooped out pumpkins: To repurpose pumpkins, the Giuliani’s used small, scooped out pumpkins as soup bowls. What a special way to elevate the everyday. For table decoration, I like to add a glass vase into a medium sized scooped out pumpkin and fill it with fresh flowers.

As fall breezes into town and it is time to go pumpkin picking, keep in mind that they can be used for more than just carving!

Moscow Mule

Posted on by Admin General

When a dear friend of mine announced he would celebrate his 55th birthday, his gorgeous wife immediately arranged to mark the occasion in a most memorable way, inspired by F. Scott Fitzgerald’s classic novel The Great Gatsby. She created an unforgettable party just as Jay Gatsby would have: with music made for dancing, decadent food, and champagne that flowed all night long.  While the bubbly is essential for any Gatsby party, it was the vintage cocktails and guests’ costumes that really set the scene.

Gorgeous flappers in strappy sandals and synchronized swimmers entertained the guests and, as the Jazz Age dance music played in the background, it was easy to think you had stepped back in time. Ever since the most recent film adaptation was released, the Roaring Twenties have made a comeback in everything from fashion to design to event planning. After this birthday bash I was motivated to create a small vintage-inspired cocktail party of my own.

For more inspiration I turned to Palm Beach Entertaining, where the design team known as Badgley Mischka invited us in to a vintage Hollywood-themed party they were hosting.  Mark Badgley and James Mischka don’t need an excuse to celebrate; sometimes they host parties “just because.” Their affairs are as glittering and elaborate as the dresses they design. Their recipes were perfect for my cocktail party and included a cold tomato soup, gravlax, raw oysters with cocktail sauce and steak tartare.  My absolute favorite recipes are the vintage cocktails: the Side Car and Moscow Mule.  

I decided to serve the Moscow Mule at my gathering, poured into silver mugs. It was an unseasonably warm evening and the silver added a nice chill in the hand. Copper is the more traditional presentation for this drink, and will impart warmth and richness to any autumnal celebration.

My guests of honor loved the Moscow Mule! It is glamorous, easy to make, and all about the presentation.  Using high-quality vodka and a spicy ginger beer makes this classic taste as good as it looks.  

Raw Oysters served with chilled Vodka.
Steak Tartar
Fred Tanne, the birthday boy who inspired my gathering
Michael Lawrence presents the birthday cake
Laura Moore and Fred Tanne greeting guests
JoAnna Myers, Annie Falk, Michael Falk & Stephen E. Myers
The birthday boy with his synchronized swimmers

Yield: Makes 1 cocktail

Watermelon Lemonade

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Over the winter, on an especially hot and steamy Florida morning, I visited one of my favorite farmer’s markets in Fort Lauderdale in search of the perfect watermelon; big, ripe and juicy.  My daughter’s lacrosse practice had ended early, it was just too hot to be on the field, and the thought of refreshing watermelon was enough to entice her to join me.  The plan was to spend the day indoors, where it was much cooler, testing no-cook recipes for my book, Hamptons Entertaining.

The air was thick with the fragrance of ripe fruit and tart lemons and luscious strawberries were piled high. Inspired, we decided it would be great fun to make lemonade – the perfect refreshment for a party she would be hosting the next day.  As we gathered our ingredients I shared memories of picking watermelons with my father.  It was a time of dreamy innocence, when his stories evoked images of plump cherubs feasting on hunks of juicy watermelon as they lounged on puffy pink-stained clouds. 

Soon we found two large, round melons, no flat sides or blemishes and superbly ripe with the promise of sweetness.  Under the weight of our bounty, we staggered out of the market, giggling and bumping into one another with our prize picks. The moment we bit into the first chuck of fleshy melon we knew we had chosen well.

At the party, the watermelon lemonade went fast!  As guests enjoyed themselves, I took my first sip.  It was so wonderful; this divinely plump, refreshing fruit grounded me in the present moment – A most delicious place where memories are made. 

Yield: Makes 25 to 30 servings 

Chocolate Almond Cake

Posted on by Admin General

Summer is here and we are all looking for entertaining tips and hints for effortless, stress-free hosting. With an easy make-ahead menu, refreshing drinks and simple, sophisticated table setting ideas any hostess can feel relaxed, enjoy the great weather and the company of good friends.

For inspiration, check out Victoria Amory’s menu, below. Recipes are featured in Palm Beach Entertaining: Creating Occasions to Remember and I’ve included one of my favorites here, along with a few tips on hosting a relaxed gathering.

Menu for Eight:

Champagne and Pink Grapefruit Cocktail

Blue Cheese and Caramelized Onion Tarts

Turkish Eggplant and Yogurt Salad

Parsley and Walnut Salad

Orange and Red Onion Salad

Shrimp Skewers with Cumin & Honey

Chocolate Almond Cake

Hostess Tips

  • Mix and Match

Summer entertaining is all about being relaxed.  Shop your closets and use items from your home to set an interesting, casual, yet elegant table.  Victoria has been known to repurpose golf trophies as silver mugs and her potted annuals add a casual elegance to “Lunch with the Ladies,” featured in Palm Beach Entertaining.   Using objects you already have makes the table original and personal.

  • Prepare ahead

Almost everything on Victoria’s menu can be prepared the evening before your party and finished just before guests arrive!  This allows for a stress free gathering the hostess can enjoy.

  • Save Time

Using store-bought frozen puff pastry for the Blue Cheese and Caramelized Onion Tarts will save you the trouble of making dough and rolling it out. These tarts are so delicious no one will ever know.

  • Serve in Style

Layer the Turkish Eggplant and Yogurt Salad in a shallow glass bowl and show off your layering skills!  An easy way to elevate your table decor is to also layer your serving plates, so place the glass bowl on an attractive platter sprinkled with a few flowers from the garden.

Orange and Red Onion Salad – A colorful and healthful addition to any quick and easy menu.
Champagne and Pink Grapefruit Cocktail; Blue Cheese and Caramelized Onion Tarts – Delightful and refreshing!

Yield: Serves 8

Smoked Salmon Dip

Posted on by Admin General

Salmon is always a party favorite. It is a versatile fish that can be presented in many ways, and most recipes can be done in advance.  Two of my make-ahead favorites are Gravlaks on Toast Points (Norwegian Salmon Canapés that can also be served as an appetizer) and Whole Poached Salmon, decorated with cucumber slices. Both recipes are featured in Palm Beach Entertaining: Creating Occasions to Remember.

Some hor d’ouvres can simply be assembled to taste, no recipe required. With a bit of cream, fresh herbs and creativity this luxurious fish can be taken straight from the pack in slices. Guests can’t resist slices of smoked salmon over cucumber rounds with a dollop of crème fraiche and caviar; or toast rounds topped with cream cheese, smoked salmon and fresh dill.

An easy salmon recipe that disappears quickly at every party is one I collected from Beth Rudin De Woody: Smoked Salmon Dip. It’s perfect for kicking off any event and can be made quickly.

Smoked Salmon in Cucumber Cups
Gravlaks on Toast Points recipe in Palm Beach Entertaining
Whole Poached Salmon Covered with Cucumber Slices. Recipe in Palm Beach Entertaining
Salmon on Toast Rounds

Yield: Makes 2 cups

Let Your Table Tell a Story: Personal Collections & Tablescapes

Posted on by Admin General

While each party is different and unique in its own way, every time you entertain is a reflection of you and your style—and the tabletop is a wonderful showcase for your talents. I love everything about entertaining, but staging the tabletop has to be one of my favorite aspects of planning a party.

I love using unexpected things from around my home to create the tablescape. It not only makes for a display that comments on my personal style, it’s also a great way to spark conversation among my guests. One of my collections saved the day when an event was unexpectedly moved to my house, leaving me with two days to plan!

I have been collecting teapots for 25 years. As a child, my Irish nanny and I shared tea every afternoon. I started the collection after she passed away, in part as a way to remember her and keep her close at heart. Today, I have about 100 teapots.

The Mad Hatter’s Tea Party held in Palm Beach is part of a formula for a fund-raising event I created more than 10 years ago to benefit the Armory Art Center. The ceramics artists at the center created teapots for our silent auction and they helped us with tabletop decorations. Many of the teapots in my collection are from the auction, some are thrift shop finds, and several are found treasures from our travels

When I became the last-minute hostess of a gathering for the donors and supporters of this annual event, I loved putting favorite teapots from my collection on the table and repurposing them as flowerpots. The teacups hanging from the pergola were found at a thrift shop and each guest went home with a cellophane-wrapped cupcake in a teacup (those I purchased at an odd-lot store). The colorfully “mad” hats placed high above highlight the whimsical and varied collection of teapots, and guests were given equally fanciful hats to wear. The whole arrangement was as entertaining and engaging as Alice’s trip to Wonderland.

Here’s my best advice to keep in mind when planning your next party’s tabletop:

  • From the menu to the mood, the décor of your table should be cohesive with the rest of the event. Use flowers, intricate objects, and collections that correspond with your event’s theme.
  • Give every guest something lovely to look at. I like to place small items around the table, whether it’s votive candles, single stems in petite vessels, or baskets of candy, so everyone can enjoy the tableau.
  • Height is an often forgotten yet important element to consider when creating a tablescape. Keep flowers, candles, and other decorative elements below eye level or be sure they are thin and don’t block your guests view. You want your guests to be able to see across the table and converse freely.
  • If you are using a big centerpiece, make sure that there are other opportunities to visually involve your guests, like detailed place cards, napkin rings, or intricate chargers.
  • Always remember, unless you’re having Emily Post over, it doesn’t have to be perfect. The tabletop is just another way to channel your creativity, it can be as simple or complex as you’d like.