5 Reasons to Eat Chocolate -- as if you need a reason!

It's one of the most popular sweets of all time. Women crave it, men devour it, and Aztec kings were said to have been the first to eat it. But why do we love chocolate so much?

Following are just a few reasons why chocolate is so popular--and why you shouldn't give it up completely, even if you're on a diet!

1.  It melts in your mouth so seductively - Chocolate contains fat--that's no surprise. The cocoa butter in chocolate gives it a rich, creamy consistency that transmits the cocoa's flavor perfectly. It also has a melting point that's just a bit lower than the average human body temperature, which gives you that melt-in-your-mouth feeling every time you pop a piece of chocolate in your mouth. Chocolate lovers often describe this melting feeling as a true moment of ecstasy.

2.  Just the right chemistry - According to a study done at the University of Michigan, chocolate contains chemicals called opioids. Opioids are also found in opium, and they serve to dull pain and give a feeling of well-being to people who ingest them. According to the study, people who eat chocolate produce natural opiates in their brains that soothe their nerves and make them feel good. When the receptors that detected opioids were blocked, that chocolate craving was lessened.
Chocolate also naturally contains "uppers" like caffeine, sugars, and phenylthalymine, which give you a feeling of alertness. The effect is not dramatic enough to be uncomfortable in most people; it's mild enough to produce a pleasant "high," which is often equated to the feeling of being in love!

3.  Chocolate equals love - Speaking of love, the association might not be completely physiological. Women crave chocolate more often than men do. Women are also habitually given chocolate as birthday and Valentine's Day presents. In our culture, chocolate is thought of as a romantic gift. It's outside the realm of mundane, day-to-day food, reserved for special occasions--and, for women especially, it's associated with love and romance. That could be another reason why women particularly love chocolate: deep down, it makes them feel loved, cared for, and pampered.

4.  It really is good for you - Recent studies suggest that chocolate--especially dark chocolate--contains chemicals that lower the risk of cancer and heart disease. Flavanoids and antioxidants in dark chocolate have been shown to make a difference in cardiovascular health. Until recently, tea was considered the main source for these chemicals. Now, scientists recommend that you have an ounce of dark chocolate for more of those life-lengthening chemicals. Don't have milk with your dark chocolate, however--the same studies show that milk can cancel out the healthful effects of eating chocolate by preventing those helpful chemicals from being fully absorbed in the body.
Chocolate does contain fats and sugars that you shouldn't eat a great deal of--but as long as you eat it in moderation, the science suggests you can add as much as a year to your life.

5.  It's great for your sex life - Ever since the time of the Aztecs, people have believed that chocolate has aphrodisiac properties. But there may be some deeper truth to those old legends. Recent studies have shown that women who eat a little bit of chocolate a day have significantly more sex than women who don't. This could be because of those brain-soothing chemicals that are found in chocolate, and that chocolate encourages the brain to release more of as it's eaten. Chocolate just makes us feel good--which is a key ingredient for a healthy sex life.

So go ahead and enjoy some delicious & HEALTHY chocolate!

Fun Graduation Party Ideas!

It'll be here before you know it...Graduation!  Just for fun we decided to share a few unique (and traditional) ideas to make your son or daughters party more memorable!

What's your major? If your son or daughter has decided on a college major or other type of career, play on this to create a fun and memorable party. Here are some ideas to get you started:

Theater: Create a "stage" as a backdrop for a photo gallery of the graduate in his/her school plays. Purchase a real Hollywood clapper at a novelty store and write in details of the party on it. Place inexpensive masks on the tables as party favors. Hang movie posters or pictures of the graduate's favorite actor in the room. (You can find several movie posters at on ebay!) Serve fancy finger foods and non-alcoholic champagne.

Medical: A visit to your local medical supply store will make your decorating a breeze. Inflate surgical gloves for "balloons." Guests can sign tongue depressors and add words of wisdom for the graduate. Place anatomical posters and models throughout the area. Inexpensive play doctor kits can be used for table centerpieces. Serve food hospital cafeteria style with vending machine munchies in wicker baskets.

Law: Place legal pads near the entry for guests to sign in and add words of wisdom. Velcro "legal briefs" (men's briefs) along the front of the food tables. A brief case can house the graduation cards. Stick legal "red tape" down the center of each table. Construct a makeshift witness stand for guests to sit in and have their picture taken for the graduate to keep. Serve traditional fare or Chinese "take out" for attorneys burning the midnight oil.

Military: Decorate with plenty of flags and a red, white and blue color scheme. Throw in some camouflage napkins or tablecloths. A couple bags of plastic army men, tanks, helicopters and other military toys can be scattered on the tables. Serve the buffet mess hall style.

Business/Financial: Fill inexpensive brief cases with plastic cutlery on the buffet table. Scatter play money on the tables with toy cell phones. Purchase personal business cards for guests to sign and add words of wisdom. Serve traditional fare with virgin cocktails and candy "Tums," as stressed-out business people have a lot of stomach trouble!

Teaching: Place rulers with quotes about education on the tables for guests to take home. Visit www.quoteland.com for quotes. Be sure to place plenty of shiny apples in bowls for centerpieces. Post educational posters (found at teacher supply stores) in the party area, and have a desk and journal at the entry to serve as a guest sign in. Serve paper sack lunches with a variety of juice boxes, sodas and milk in pint-size cartons.

Journalist: Place an old typewriter with plenty of paper nearby for guests to type their sentiments. These papers can later be placed in a folder for the graduate to keep. Pencils and pads of paper with the graduate's name and graduation date can be inscribed for party favors. A pizza buffet is well suited for the journalist who eats on the run to cover the hot stories.

Sports: Pennants, sports equipment, magazine covers, posters and photos of the graduate playing sports are great for decorating the area. Borrow or rent large grills to cook hot dogs, hamburgers and brats. Offer peanuts in small paper bags. You may also want to rent a popcorn machine or cotton candy maker to further enhance the sports stadium atmosphere.

Traditional Ideas

If your graduate prefers a more traditional party, here are a few more ideas:

• Send invitations in the form of diplomas.
• Cover a wall with black construction paper to create a "blackboard." Leave chalk for guests to scribble notes for the graduate to read and treasure later.
• Suspend graduation caps from the ceiling as if they were thrown in the air. 

And of course let us help with the food!  That's what we "major" in!

Football & Strawberries!

How'd you like to serve these fun and delicious strawberries at your Super Bowl Party?  Watch this video to see how!

Weird Food Combinations!

Ketchup sandwiches. Peanut butter and Bologna. Scrambled eggs and grape jelly...We all have weird cravings and our favorite odd food combinations that we think are absolutely delicious but sound gross to other people.
For me it's toast with peanut butter and pickles (or bacon).  I can picture my husband gagging right now...but trust me, it's delicious!

Which weird foods do you eat that other people find utterly revolting?
 
Embarrassed to admit your favorite odd food combination? C'mon, it's cathartic!
Check out these strange food combos I gathered from friends as inspiration:

1. Mashed potatoes and noodles with gravy.
2. Gravy and biscuits with grape jelly.
3. Peanut butter and mayo sandwiches.
4. Chocolate cake with pinto beans.
5. Hollowed-out pickles filled with ranch dressing and cheese.
6. Garlic bread topped with peanut butter and spaghetti.
7. Peanut butter and cucumber sandwiches.
8. Eggs with Spam and white rice.
9. Doritos dipped in cream cheese.
10. Sugar and grits.
11. Popcorn and mustard.
12. Pancakes and ketchup.
13. Frito's and caramel sauce.
14. Peanut butter and Cool Ranch Doritos sandwiches.
15. Peanut butter and ham sandwiches.
16. Uncooked pasta dipped in peanut butter.
17. Cream cheese with jam on toast.
18. Chocolate chip cookies with cottage cheese.
19. Potato chips dipped in mustard.
20. Pizza dipped in ranch dressing.

Is it wrong that most of these sound delicious to me?
What is the weirdest thing that you eat?

Last Minute Wedding? No Problem!

8 Tips for Planning a Last-Minute Wedding

For a host of reasons, some consumers, especially younger military members, may find themselves with a narrow window to plan and execute their nuptials. If the unexpected or simple circumstance creates the need for an accelerated wedding day, you don’t have to choose between elopement or the local courthouse. Here are a few ways to craft a great wedding on the fly.

1. Create a Checklist

There are a lot of sites like My Wedding Reception Planning that offer checklists for wedding planning. Many have timelines based on how far out the wedding date is. You can follow one completely or look through and narrow it down to fit your needs. Either way, a checklist will help keep you organized to get the required and desired done.

2. Location, Location Location

If you have the means to hire a wedding planner, it may be beneficial to let them focus on booking a location. Planner or not, consider booking a place that can host both the ceremony and reception. On short notice, your best options may be restaurants or unconventional spaces like a photography studio.
You’ll need an on-site minister to officiate, but the double-purpose location will serve your stress levels well. In a military chapel, you can save yourself time on finding a minister and use the chaplain without a fee. Unfortunately, the chapel typically books a year in advance, so be prepared with a Plan B.

3. Invitation Creation

Before you invite your guests, prepare to be turned down on such short notice. That being said, if there isn’t enough time to order invitations, you can consider printing or handwriting your own. You can even launch your own wedding site on eWedding to ease communication.

4. Go With a Small Cake or Bake

Talk to your local catering company and/or bakery.  If there is not a fast enough option for you there, involve a family member by asking them to bake and decorate a cake or cupcakes.

5. Provide for the Bride

Wedding dresses can require three weeks for alterations alone, so attempting to shop for dresses not guaranteed in stock is plain dangerous with a limited time frame. Consider heading to retail outlets like David's Bridal, where the dresses are in stock (and often kind to your budget). Ensure your hair and makeup look great by booking appointments as soon as possible and doing trial runs. Military consumers should always inquire about discounts.

6. The Groom Costume

If your groom is in the military, he’s got his service dress, which would suit the occasion well. If you prefer to have the traditional tuxedo, be sure to rent a tux as soon as possible. That way sizes can be taken with enough time to prevent any mishaps in measurements.

7. Those Beside the Bride

Just like the bride’s dress, ordering bridesmaids dresses can take too long for a quick wedding. An alternative can be buying formal-looking dresses from a department store or asking your bridesmaids to buy a dress of a certain color on their own.

8. Food, Flowers, and Photos

Catering companies require booking in advance, but give them a call (or us if you're in our service area) and ask. Also, many restaurants offer platters that you can order a day or two beforehand. And if your reception is in a restaurant, you’re set with deciding food.
For flower bouquets and decorations, check your local supercenters or farmers markets. Typically flowers in season are cheapest, so if you’re flexible with the look you can go seasonal and save some money for the honeymoon.
Save yourself some time and stress, and scratch the professional photography by asking a family member or friend to be the designated photographer. Also, you can get random, candid photos by leaving disposable cameras around the guest tables.

The Hottest Wedding Reception Decor Trends 2013!

1. Mix-Matched Centerpieces: "One of the biggest trends we've seen is, as opposed to having one flower arrangement on a table, people are doing a variety of smaller bud vases featuring different, single-stemmed flowers," says O'Grady. She suggests using a variety of mismatched vases from thrift stores or "Grandma's basement" to create the eclectic look.

2. Unique Place Settings: Gone are the days of tables set with perfectly matching dinnerware and glassware. "I really love that eclectic look where you have a variety of drinking glasses that are different textures and color," says O'Grady. And the same things goes for place settings. But can this mismatched look work for a high-end wedding? "Absolutely!" she says. The result is an elegant wedding with an "eclectic, refined" feel to it.

3. Small, Elegant Weddings: "There was such a theme of opulence and over-the-top decor and indulgence and it's now shifted to the other side," says O'Grady. The current trend is "not minimalist, but it's very elegant and done in a tasteful way." So, rather than having 400 people at their wedding, couples are inviting 150 guests and they're serving "excellent food and spending a little bit more on the wine." 

4. Vintage Themes: According to O'Grady, the vintage look is still going strong. It's "really hot" right now, she says of the theme, so we can expect to see many more mason jars filled with signature cocktails or simple wildflower arrangements incorporated in reception decor.

5. Alternative Head Tables: O'Grady says that most of her clients are still doing head tables, but they're not opting for the traditional one-sided table on a riser. Instead, couples are inviting the members of their wedding party and their dates to sit at a large, double-sided head table in the center of the room. "People are sort of getting over the fact that some people might have to see their backs," says O'Grady of the arrangement. "It's an evening to be sociable, so it's not like you're staring at someone's back all night. It's just during dinner, so that's acceptable."

6. Ditch The Crystal: If you've been to a wedding within the past couple of years, you've no doubt spotted your share of crystals. "They were dripping all over every centerpiece for years and that look is gone," says O'Grady. Reception decor these days is "a little bit more reasonable and comfortable for everyone." 

Building a Home Bar

 Ever wanted to emulate the characters on Mad Men and mix yourself up a martini after a long day at the office?  This activity is making a comeback and how much more relaxing is an amazing cocktail in the comfort of your own home, as opposed to a noisy happy hour somewhere?!

You can really get creative with this, but no reason to go broke...just start with the basics.

Emily Schuman, author of "Cupcakes & Cashmere: A Guide for Defining Your Style, Reinventing Your Space, and Entertaining with Ease" has some great advice on building your home bar:

"Alcohol – Four main spirits to stock: whiskey, gin, tequila, and vodka. They provide the foundation for many drinks, but are also perfect on their own. Vermouth (both sweet and dry) is also used quite often. While I typically prefer rye whiskey, bourbon is also an excellent choice for your entry point into “brown” liquors. As for gin, there are quite a few new options on the market, but it’s hard to go wrong with a classic English dry variety, like Plymouth. For most tequila, I go with a “blanco” version since they aren’t aged as long as other tequilas and are more neutral flavored. Simply be sure you always buy 100% agave and not a “mixto” version. I’m not a big fan of vodka (I find it completely tasteless), but it’s one of the most popular spirits and good to have on hand.

Additions – Club soda, tonic water, and ginger beer/ale are common mixers, whether it’s to add some effervescence or round out the flavor of the drink. Many cocktails also call for a sweetener (i.e. simple syrup, honey, agave, etc.) and while you can easily make your own simple syrup (it’s equal parts sugar/water boiled down), I always have a bottle in the fridge. Bitters are the final key component when stocking your new bar. They come in a wide variety of flavors and provide a wonderful complexity and body to many cocktails, but when starting out, all you need is a bottle of Angostura bitters. They are probably the most famous variety and are an essential ingredient in classic drinks like a Manhattan and an Old Fashioned.

Tools – A cocktail shaker, strainer, and bar spoon are three items you need to mix drinks. For measuring, I prefer a clear small measuring cup that offers multiple volumes and conversions (i.e. teaspoons, ounces, etc.), rather than jiggers. As for glasses, my go-to are: cocktail/champagne coupes (if you’re only going to get one type of glass, this is the one to own), a lowball tumbler, and a collins glass. I also make sure to keep straws on hand and cocktail picks for skewering garnishes.

Extras – Many cocktail recipes have some kind of garnish, so I like to keep a variety of citrus, olives, and cherries on hand. While Luxardo maraschino cherries are an investment, they’re vastly superior to the neon-red version at the local market."

Building your home bar doesn’t have to happen instantly – and remember that most alcohols last almost indefinitely, so take your time and enjoy the process!

New Years Resolutions? Maybe not...

Christmas and New Year’s Eve largely comprise the holiday season around the world.  Well, Christmas has come and gone, and hopefully you had a wonderful time with family and friends, as well as getting a few gifts that you’d been wanting.  Next up, however, is New Year’s, and one of the major traditions there aside from celebrating is making New Years resolutions.

New Year’s resolutions are essentially promises you make to yourself about something that you really want to accomplish.  The most common resolution is “I want to lose weight!” or “I want to make a million dollars!” or something equally cliche.  Interestingly, very few people keep their resolutions, which can lead to unnecessarily beating up on oneself. 

New Year’s resolutions are a bad way to try to accomplish something, and in this post, we’ll look at why New Years resolutions don’t work, and how you can make quality goals and resolutions and give yourself a much better chance of succeeding.


1.  New Year’s is only once per year.

Okay, so, let’s say you want to learn how to cook all the French classics...but the problem with making it a New Year’s resolution is that New Year’s only occurs once per year.  If you want to do something or learn something, just do it, because your motivation will be highest at that point.  If you put it off until New Year’s to make it a resolution, odds are that your enthusiasm will have died down, making it harder for you to achieve your goal.

Additionally, you’ll often forget to set certain goals on New Year’s, so why wait another year before making your resolutions?

2.  People set easily achievable or unachievable goals.

Even for people who use goal setting techniques throughout their daily lives, setting a realistic goal that is both achievable yet challenging can be a tough accomplishment all by itself.  Many people tend to overestimate themselves (human arrogance undoubtedly), and thus they set goals that no one could possibly achieve.  On the flip side of that coin, in the effort to set achievable goals, many people set easy goals that do not challenge them and force them to grow.  This applies to New Year’s resolutions especially, where people set goals for the next year that are usually wildly out of proportion to their capabilities.

3.  People set inappropriate goals.

There are several key components of a good goal or resolution.  The first, is that it must be specific, secondly, it must be measurable, and third, it must be time targeted.  Basically, just saying “I want to lose weight!” is a bad goal.  It’s not very specific, a better goal would be to say “I want to lose fat!”.  Therefore, you’re now being specific about what kind of weight you want to lose.  Next, it must be measurable, which is accomplished by throwing in an amount, such as “I want to lose 10lbs of fat!”.   Third, there needs to be a time table for accomplishing this, otherwise, what, do you want to lose 10lbs over the course of your lifetime?  In one day?  Understanding time as one of the most important factors in whether or not a goal is achieved is one of the key parts to making appropriate goals that challenge you and yet are achievable and give you a feeling of satisfaction.

This particular set of components is often referred to as SMART, which is Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, Time-bound.  If you set SMART goals, you will not only find that your goals are more refined, they are also more likely to be achieved regardless of the difficulty of the goal.

4.  New Year’s resolutions are trendy.

In the popular culture phenomenon of New Year’s resolutions, people inevitably choose goals that are trendy for that past year.  Most of us, coming off the holidays, have eaten far too much unhealthy food, which is why weight loss tends to be one of the most common resolutions made by people.  Depending on the financial climate, other people make saving or investing as their primary goal, and if a new technology has come out, many of us will say that we need to learn how to use it.

5.  New Year’s resolutions don’t last.

Going along with point #3, goals need to be measurable and time-bound, which means that in order to know if you’ve achieved a goal, you need to regularly measure and assess your progress. 

The problem with New Year’s resolutions (or with most resolutions in general) is that people tend to work hard on them for a short time, sticking to their regimen, before losing interest and letting it get away from them.  To avoid this, it’s rather simple, just follow the advice from points #1-3, by setting SMART goals and working on them from the time that you want to achieve your goal, instead of waiting till a given trendy day like New Year’s to set your goals.

Hopefully, with the advice from this article, you’ll find yourself setting quality goals for yourself, challenging yourself and pushing yourself to new heights.  Goal setting is one of the most powerful achievement techniques, but it’s most effective when governed by your own interests and desires, as opposed to the holiday season or other factors.

Do you have any great goal setting techniques or stories you’d like to share?  Or do you think that I’m missing something in my points here?  Let me know in the comments!  Have a great New Year!

FAMILY DINNERS - They're Still Important

10 reasons why, and 10 shortcuts to help get the family to the table.


After-school activities, late workdays, long commutes -- it's no wonder few families eat dinner together. Yet studies show that the family dinner hour is an important part of healthy living.

When families dine together, they tend to eat more vegetables and fruits -- and fewer fried foods, soda, and foods with trans fats, research shows. When younger kids frequently eat dinner with their families, they are less likely to be overweight than other children. That tends to change in the teenage years, when they're less likely to eat at home.

It only takes a few minutes a day to dramatically improve your health. And with our list of fun and easy good-for-you habits, you'll want to get started right away. Yeah, yeah — you know that exercising and eating right should be at the top of your daily to-do list. But let's face it: Some days there's barely enough time to sprint from the car to the pizza parlor to grab a pie to go. We're in no way suggesting you abandon those bigger long-term health goals, but...

It's a serious concern, since statistics show that nearly one in five children aged 6-19 in the U.S. are overweight. That puts them at higher risk for many health problems later in life, including heart disease, high blood pressure, and diabetes -- as well as emotional problems.

"One of the simplest and most effective ways for parents to be engaged in their teens' lives is by having frequent family dinners," says Joseph Califano Jr., chairman and president of The National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse at Columbia University (CASA).

CASA recently reported on a national phone survey of 1,000 teens and 829 parents of teens. Eating dinner as a family helped kids in many ways. It helped them get better grades, and kept them away from cigarettes, alcohol, and marijuana, and more.

10 Benefits of Family Dinners

Toting up all the benefits of frequent family dinners:

    Everyone eats healthier meals.
    Kids are less likely to become overweight or obese.
    Kids more likely to stay away from cigarettes.
    They're less likely to drink alcohol.
    They won't likely try marijuana.
    They're less likely to use illicit drugs.
    Friends won't likely abuse prescription drugs.
    School grades will be better.
    You and your kids will talk more.
    You'll be more likely to hear about a serious problem.
    Kids will feel like you're proud of them.
    There will be less stress and tension at home.

10 Tips for Organizing Family Dinners

Don't let this mission feel daunting! Even the simplest meals -- like order-in pizza -- qualify as family dinners. The goal is to get everyone to the dinner table and to spend quality time together - not to force Mom into June Cleaver or Carol Brady mode. Here are tips on pulling it off:

    Set a goal. Twice a week, perhaps? Build from there.

    Keep it simple. Family meals don't have to be elaborate. Work salads and vegetables into meals. Focus on familiar favorites, like chili or frittatas.

    Be prepared. Keep ingredients for healthful meals on hand, including plenty of fruits and vegetables.

    Keep healthy 'appetizers' on hand. Stock the kitchen with fresh fruits, nuts, and low-fat cheese -- stuff the kids can snack on after school, instead of chips.

    Get the family involved. Let kids help prepare meals and set the table.

    Use the crock pot. Put everything together before leaving for work in the morning. You'll come home to the delicious smell of a cooked meal.

    Pick up take-out, order pizza, or eat out. It still counts as quality time spent together.

    Avoid portion distortion. Keep serving sizes under control, whether you're at home or eating out.

    Make it enjoyable. Leave the serious discussions for another time. Family meals are for nourishment, comfort, and support.

    Set the mood. Play soothing music. Put flowers on the table. Light a candle. Create a relaxing environment.

Here's another hint -- no TV allowed, no phones answered! This is time for listening to each other, sharing the day's stories, and nurturing the family connection.

The History of Valentine's Day!

Valentine's day isn't all about roses, candy, and expensive dinners.

It has a historical background too.

Contrary to what some may believe, Valentine's Day wasn't created by greetings card companies just to sell cards and candies. It's actually a church sanctioned holiday, as Pope Gelasius deemed February 14 St. Valentine's Day near 498 A.D.

Shrouded in mystery, the exact origins of the celebration of St. Valentine are somewhat unclear, according to History.com. While the holiday's history is well documented through the years, the saint (or saints) it's named after is up in the air.

It's still unclear exactly who the celebrated saint of love really was, as the Catholic Church acknowledges 3 separate saints named Valentine or Valentinus. All of them were martyrs.

From History.com:

    According to one legend, Valentine actually sent the first "valentine" greeting himself. While in prison, it is believed that Valentine fell in love with a young girl -- who may have been his jailor's daughter -- who visited him during his confinement. Before his death, it is alleged that he wrote her a letter, which he signed "From your Valentine," an expression that is still in use today.

The oldest know Valentine's poem in existence today was written by Charles, Duke of Orleans during his imprisonment in the Tower of London, following the Battle of Agincourt, according to History.com. The poem was written to his wife.

The holiday continued to gain tremendous popularity through the 17th and 18th centuries, but saw tremendous popularity in more recent times, with faster communication. It wasn't until the 1840s that Valentine's day cards began to be produced.

This Valentine's Day, consider calling us to discuss an impressive and intimate, romantic dinner menu for you and that special someone in your life!

Go HERE to browse our menu...we think you'll find something perfect!

Easy Peasy Truffles & Thumbprint Cookies!

Easy Peasy Truffles

Yields: 12 dozen truffles

Total Time: 5 hr 45 min

Ingredients

Ganache:

• 1 quart(s) heavy cream
• 3 pound(s) bittersweet or semisweet chocolate, chopped
• 1 1/2 stick(s) cold unsalted butter, cut into tablespoons
• Pinch of salt

Truffle Flavorings:

• 1 1/2 tablespoon(s) dark rum
• 4 teaspoon(s) pure peppermint oil
• 2 teaspoon(s) instant espresso dissolved in 2 teaspoons water
• 1 teaspoon(s) ground cardamom

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Directions

1. To make the ganache: In a large saucepan, bring the cream to a simmer. In a large bowl, combine the chopped chocolate with the butter and salt. Pour the hot cream over the chocolate. Let stand until the chocolate and butter are melted, about 5 minutes. Whisk the ganache until smooth and shiny.
2. Divide the ganache into 4 bowls. To flavor it, add either the rum, peppermint oil, espresso, or cardamom to each batch. Cover the ganache and refrigerate until firm, about 3 hours.
3. Line 3 large rimmed baking sheets with parchment paper. Using a 1-tablespoon-size ice cream scoop, drop level tablespoons of the ganache onto the baking sheets. Chill until firm, about 1 hour.
4. Coat the truffles: Spoon the coatings into small bowls. Moisten your hands with ice water and roll the ganache into balls, then roll in the coatings. Package the truffles in decorative bags or boxes. The coated truffles can be refrigerated up to 3 days.
5. Optional toppings that can be used for the coating: Finely crushed toffee bits, mint candies, pretzels, dehydrated raspberries, amaretti cookies, malted milk balls, chocolate cookies, finely chopped toasted almonds, chocolate covered espresso beans, toasted coconut, roasted salted peanuts, candied ginger, cinnamon-sugar, confectioners' sugar mixed with cocoa powder, and large pinch kosher salt.

---

Tips & Techniques

Truffle ideas:
Peppermint filling with powdered sugar, chocolate cookie crumbs or mint candies
Espresso filling with cinnamon-sugar, amaretti, or cocoa powder-salt mixture
Rum filling with coconut, candied ginger or toffee
Cardamom filling with cinnamon-sugar, amaretti or candied ginger
Plain chocolate filling with raspberry, malt balls or peanuts

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Coconut-Raspberry Thumbprints

 

Yields: 6 1/2 dozen cookies
Total Time: 1 hr 15 min

Oven Temp: 350

Ingredients

• 2 1/2 cup(s) all-purpose flour
  
  
• 3/4 cup(s) shredded unsweetened coconut
• 1/2 teaspoon(s) baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon(s) salt
• 2 stick(s) (1/2 pound) unsalted butter, softened
• 1 1/4 cup(s) sugar
• 1 large egg yolk
• 1 teaspoon(s) pure vanilla extract
• Raspberry jam

 

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Directions

1. In a medium bowl, whisk the flour with the coconut, baking soda, and salt. In a standing electric mixer fitted with a paddle, or using a hand mixer in a large bowl, beat the butter with the sugar at medium speed until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Beat in the egg yolk and vanilla, scraping the side and bottom of the bowl. Beat in the dry ingredients at medium-low speed. Wrap the dough in plastic and refrigerate for 15 minutes.
2. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Position the racks in the upper and lower thirds of the oven. Roll the dough into 1-inch balls and bake for 14 minutes. Make a dent in the cookies; fill with jam and bake for about 10 minutes. Let the cookies cool on the sheets for 5 minutes, then transfer to racks to cool completely.

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Tips & Techniques

Make ahead: The cookie dough can be wrapped in plastic and aluminum foil and refrigerated for up to 1 week or frozen for up to 1 month. Thaw in the refrigerator before using. The baked cookies can be stored in an airtight container for up to 1 week or wrapped in plastic and foil and frozen for up to 1 month.

Why Is Beef Wellington Called "Beef Wellington"?

 Why Is Beef Wellington Called Beef Wellington?

Beef Wellington is a delicious entree using the best and most tender cuts of steak available. This dish tends to be on many fine dining steakhouse menus. There are many theories behind the origin of Beef Wellington. Some say it was a French dish. It was called "filet de boeuf en croûte" in France. Since the ties between England and France were not good at that time, an English chef changed the name to honor the famous Duke of Wellington and called it Beef Wellington.

History

    Beef Wellington is said to be named after the winner of the Waterloo battle in 1815, Arthur Wellesley, the Duke of Wellington. After defeating Napoleon, the Duke had become a national hero and the entire country was proud of him. One of his cooks, wanting to honor the Duke, created this dish to serve him one night at dinner. Surprisingly, he was indifferent to food inasmuch that the cooks in his kitchen left their jobs, saying that their talents were wasted on the Duke of Wellington.

    There were a particular set of boots that were brown and shiny just like the beef after preparation. The beef was said to have looked and been shaped exactly like a Wellington boot. Wellington boots were military boots that were named after the Duke of Wellington himself. Therefore, it was only fitting that the dish would be named after him since the recipe came from his kitchen and looked like his boots, hence the name Beef Wellington.

    Beef Wellington had a resurgence in the 1960s when the late President Richard Nixon was in office. As Beef Wellington was his favorite dish (although no one knows exactly why), the President stated that he would like to have his favorite dish served at every dinner he hosted while in office.

Identification

    Beef Wellington is rare-roasted beef tenderloin coated with mushroom paste in puff pastry. A recipe for Beef Wellington calls for combining a beef tenderloin filet that has been seared filet of beef tenderloin coated with duxelles and pate then wrapped in puff pastry and before being baked. The finished Beef Wellington can be served as large cut or in individual servings.

Am I the only one whose mouth is watering now?  YUM!

The History Of Catering

 THE HISTORY OF CATERING:

Most people have been to an event that was catered by a professional catering company. 

Catering enters peoples’ lives during some of their most important times: weddings, baby showers and anniversary parties, just to name a few.  Have you ever wondered just when catering
actually started?  Catering can be traced back to the 4th millennium BC in China. During this time
in China as well as in Ancient Egypt, Greece and the prosperous times of the Roman Empire, catering was used to provide food for soldiers on transportation and trade routes. It was also critical in the Christian Pilgrimages to Rome and other travelers throughout Europe.  During the Middle Ages catering spread throughout Europe and evolved into not only providing food for soldiers and travelers
but for entertainment purposes for the upper classes.

Catering and food service became so popular in the 14th and 15th century that Germany was the first country to put laws in place regulating quality of both food and beer.  Catering continued to flourish and in the mid 1800’s Alexis Soyer invented the first catering boiler which used steam to help keep food warm.
During the 19th and 20th century many more technical innovations, improvements in transportation, and growing populations helped catering become an important part of the national economy. 
Today’s catering has evolved from simply providing food for travelers. Catering companies now pride themselves on not only providing appetizing food but also a visually appealing atmosphere, from the presentation of food to linens and decorations.  Although the intent of catering has changed throughout the years, it continues to be a vital part of our society.

Something light to get you through Winter!!

This is the time of year to be in full planning mode for a Spring Wedding!  So we thought we'd share some of these beautiful themes.  Hope you enjoy!

Spring Weddings - Pretty Pastels

Office Party Do's & Don'ts

‘Tis the season to socialize with your coworkers. We thought we'd put a few "rules" out there to help keep people in good standing at the office.  Here’s how to have fun while keeping it professional.

Party time. It doesn’t matter whether your employer is holding this year’s holiday party at the office or off site. Nor does it matter if it takes place at lunchtime or after hours.
It’s still a work-related event. Repeat: a work-related event.
What does this mean?

Leave the low cut party dress in the closet. Yes, you look stunning in it. You’ll wow everyone. You may even be the center of attention—but this isn’t the kind of attention you want.
Still not convinced? Picture overhearing your coworkers talking about how your girls had a night out. Uh huh.
The same rule applies to dresses, skirts, and tops that are too short or too tight.
This doesn’t mean you can’t wear something a little more festive; just remember it should be appropriate.  When in doubt, err on the side of conservative.

Watch your alcohol intake. You may think you can hold your liquor, but don’t risk going anywhere near your perceived limit at a work-related event.
For one thing, your true limit is probably less than you realize. And, more importantly, one too many drinks can turn people into babbling fools...or worse!
If you find yourself feeling the effects, switch to a non-alcoholic beverage. Better safe than sorry (there’s a reason it’s a cliché).

Avoid behavior that might be construed as flirtatious. Okay, you already know not to sidle up to an attractive coworker with a drink in your hand while batting your eyelashes.
But other behavior, such as standing too close to the other person, also sends a message.

Resist the urge to gossip. In social situations, the conversation often veers away from work.
One of the topics people tend to talk about is other people. Some conversations are innocent enough, as in, “I met Jane’s sister at the gym. What a lovely person she is.”
Other conversations, however, clearly are not going down a good path. If a person says, “I met Jane’s sister at the gym. She’s not nearly as attractive as people say she is,” it’s time to change the subject or move on to a conversation with another person.

Mind your manners. It sounds basic, but it can be easy to forget some of the simple things, especially if you’re a little nervous.
When your manager’s boss comes up to you and asks if you’re enjoying the party, you don’t want to talk with food in your mouth.
Similarly, you don’t want to wolf down your meal, even if you are famished.
You also want to be polite and gracious to your host. Sure, it’s a work-related event, but you should still thank the person responsible for the party and wish him or her a happy holiday season.
If you sincerely (key word) had a great time and the event was spectacular, you might want to seek out the party planner(s) as well and let them know you enjoyed yourself.

Remember your position. This last point often gets overlooked and, as a result, can be a source of confusion.
In a social situation, people generally become more relaxed. But this doesn’t mean the corporate hierarchy has vanished.
Joe CEO is still the CEO; he’s not suddenly your buddy Joe. Similarly, people who report to your direct reports aren’t members of your new hang-out-and-party gang.
This doesn’t mean you can’t be friendly to one and all. You can and should socialize. Here again, though, don’t lose sight of the big picture.
After the holiday party is over and you return to work, Joe CEO won’t be hanging out in your cubicle. Likewise, you don’t want to give workers who report to your staff members the impression that you are their new best friend.

Party hearty. Once you know how to turn your party animal into a cool cat, you can enjoy the festivities of the season and maintain—perhaps even enhance—your professional standing at work.

Holiday Food Traditions!

For many families, the best thing about the holidays isn’t the lavish gifts, it’s the traditions they have made together. And while old customs won’t fade, families across the country are spicing up their holiday celebrations with new traditions this year.

Here are FIVE ideas for new food traditions you can start this holiday season:


• Serve food from other cultures:  Try adding a cultural dish to your holiday feast. Danish roast goose, Hungarian chicken paprikash, Jewish latkes, Irish oyster stew, or Grecian leg of lamb are all traditional meals that could invigorate your holiday spread. For dessert, try Italian sweet cakes or Australian Pavlova, a meringue-like treat.

• New take on an old favorite:   Lots of families have traditional holiday favorites that they break out once a year. For many, that dessert is the moist, sweet cake panettone. Bauducco Panettone is a ready to eat specialty cake loaded with a variety of raisins, candied fruits and chocolate chips. Extremely versatile, panettone can add a new twist to classic recipes. Some unique recipes include using panettone to make croutons for fresh arugula and roasted fruit salad or substituting Bauducco Panettone in a bread pudding with amaretto sauce.
“Even for breakfast, its light texture and subtle sweetness make the cake perfect to pair with coffee or hot chocolate,” said Stefano Mozzi, General Manager at Bauducco Foods Inc. “It can even be used to make French toast and waffles.”
For some delicious recipe ideas, visit www.bauducco.com/product/panettone.
You can find Bauducco Panettone on store shelves this holiday season at Wal-Mart, CVS, Walgreens and grocery stores, drug stores and mass market retailers nationwide.

• Plan a cookie exchange: Have everyone in your family bake one type of cookie and bring them to the festivities - one dozen cookies each for larger groups and two dozen for smaller ones. You’ll have a variety of delicious cookies for dessert, while only having to bake one type yourself. This is an easy and surefire way to please your family’s sweet tooth!

• Cook with the kids: The days leading up to the holidays are a great time to bond with your kids. One of the best ways to do that is to get them involved in the cooking process. Have your children pick a few recipes they can help you with. Make extra for friends, neighbors and the less fortunate and deliver them with your kids to spread some good cheer.

• Hire a Catering Service & Relax: Instead of all the rushing around, trying to get everything done with limited time, consider using a catering service, like Celebrations Distinctive Catering to help out and give you more opportunity to just enjoy the season!

Try something new in the kitchen this holiday season. Sometimes the traditions you start on your own are the best of all.

Thanksgiving Day Leftover Recipes!

Wondering what to do with all those leftovers?  Here are some fabulous looking recipes courtesy of The Food Network!

Thanksgiving Day Leftovers

Top 10 Wedding Menu Ideas

Wedding catering has come a long way over the years, with more and more interesting food on offer than ever before!  So have a look and give us your input, too!

These are in no particular order, and please feel free to add your own ideas in the comments section!

1. - Finger buffet

2. - Hot buffet

3. - Food platters

4. - Sit down meal

5. - Spit roast

 

6. - Pasta Station

7. - Crepe station (and mashed potato/taco, etc... stations)

 

8. - Combination menus

9. - Hog roast

 

10. - BBQ catering

9 Tips for Hiring a Caterer on a Small Budget...

 

 

1. The Bar

Instead of hosting a bar stocked with every imaginable liquor, mixer and condiment, choose a soft bar that serves only beer, wine and champagne. If your heart is set on serving a true cocktail, add one signature drink to your beverage menu, such as the wide-appealing Sour Apple Martini, Cosmopolitan, or Gimlet. And don’t forget to dream up a great name for your signature special, like “Sarah and Mike’s Romantic Refresher.” You may also choose to create a semi-soft bar, adding one or two versatile spirits to the drink menu. We recommend going with vodka or whiskey. Both are extremely flexible, can be enjoyed alone or in a cocktail, and work well with a variety of mixers.

2. The Three Course Meal

After a sampling of hors d’oeuvres and drinks, a three-course meal that includes a soup or salad, entrée, and finishes with wedding cake is plenty of food for your guests. Remember, most people don’t order that much food when they dine at their favorite restaurants, so just say “no” when your caterer asks about including expensive additional courses in your reception menu.

3. Go Easy On The Hors d’oeuvres

Though it’s common for caterers to recommend many more choices, we suggest you select a maximum of three prepared hors d’oeuvres to serve during your cocktail hour. Remember, you’re just giving your guests something to nibble on before introducing the main culinary event, so an abundance of food at this point in the event is really an unnecessary expense.

4. Self-Serve Bites

Skip the passed hors d’oeuvres altogether and pile cocktail tables high with beautiful spreads of crudités and dips, plates of artisan cheeses, baskets of gourmet crackers and fresh breads, and mouth-watering bowls of fruit. You’ll save money by paring down both on food preparation and serving staff.

5. Skip the Delicacies

Forgo expensive entrée ingredients like lobster, filet mignon, Ahi tuna, caviar, and truffles. If you absolutely must include one of these flavors in your event, ask your caterer to create an hors d’oeuvre that celebrates the ingredient, yet uses it sparingly. A mini blini with a tiny dollop of crème fraiche and a smidge of caviar is a perfect example.

6. Keep It Simple

You may be wild for Beef Wellington or crazy for cassoulet, but these labor intensive dishes take more time and expense than other equally delectable dishes. To keep costs down, choose simple, easy to prepare entrees.

7. Supplement with Stations

Make a budget meal seem sumptuous by adding one or two cost-friendly “stations” to your reception menu. We particularly love self-serve pasta and mashed potato stations, both set with an array of inexpensive but delicious sauces and toppings.

8. Limit Entree Choices

There’s no rule that says you must give reception guests their choice of entrees. To stay within your budget, ask your caterer to create one widely appealing main course, like a savory chicken breast with a wonderful sauce, or a fabulous pasta primavera.

9. Educate Yourself

Certain cuts of beef cost much more than others. Farm-raised catfish is far more economical than wild Alaskan salmon. Organic produce is often more expensive than conventionally grown fruits and vegetables. Work with your caterer ahead of time to determine which corners you’re happy to cut, and which menu elements are non-negotiable.

Bite Sized Thanksgiving? Yay, or No Way?

In a 2011 issue of WV Living Magazine, Publisher/Editor Nikki Bowman dished up a delectable Thanksgiving meal. This isn't just some ordinary Thanksgiving spread, however. This menu is chock-full of delectable finger foods and bite-sized recipes your family and friends will love. No more are the days of sinks full of dirty dinner plates and silverware. No more are the days of feeling so full you're afraid the top button of your pants is going to pop right off (assuming you didn't think ahead and throw on a pair of elastic waist-band sweatpants or a comfortable, loose cotton skirt). This bite-sized, "mini-meal" is perfect for a big family Thanksgiving dinner because everyone can just grab a shooter of soup or Thanksgiving dinner in a glass and off they go! There's the added perk, too, that bite-sized meals are so on trend, so this Thanksgiving consider a whole new concept for the Thanksgiving meal...here is just a glimpse of some ideas for Turkey Day Gone Bite Sized!

Let us know what you think of this concept.  Too avant garde for you, or are you always willing to test the new trends?  Give us a call for help with your Thanksgiving feast, be it teeny tiny or gargantuan!