Entertaining Archives - Cooking In Stilettos™

Delicious Dishes Recipe Party – New Year’s Eve Appetizers

December 27, 2016 By Aly 1 Comment

A delicious collection of New Year’s Eve Appetizers and Cocktails and our Delicious Dishes Recipe Party!

Welcome to the Delicious Dishes Recipe Party!

2016 is ending and we are about to greet 2017 with a bang and we have some delicious recipe ideas for your New Year’s Eve parties. Our host faves were from the delicious recipes you shared with us at last week’s party. As always, we are also sharing the most clicked recipes that you all loved at the Delicious Dishes Recipe Party. This week we won’t be having a link up but don’t worry – next week we will have one heck of a link up for y’all!

If this is your first time, let me fill in you in on the scoop about this fabulous link party!

Delicious Dishes is a weekly link party where bloggers can share their most delicious recipes all while checking out the fabulous recipes that other bloggers are sharing.

Each week we will be featuring our favorite recipes from the week before and pinning them to our Delicious Dishes Pinterest board. Make sure to follow us there!

So – we hope you have fun with our party – we know we will!…

Holiday Entertaining with French Onion Bites and #Pillsbury

November 19, 2015 By Aly

These French Onion Bites have the flavors of the classic soup in a chic appetizer. Buttery Pillsbury Crescent Roll Dough is baked with richly caramelized onions and savory fontina cheese for the perfect bite!

This conversation has been sponsored by Albertsons and Pillsbury. My opinions are my own. This post may contain affiliate links to products I trust and adore in my kitchen. Thank you for supporting Cooking In Stilettos.

I have the perfect holiday appetizer for you today that are so easy to make and are packed with flavor – French Onion Bites.

The holidays are upon us and I am in full-on planning mode, testing recipes, planning menus, making shopping lists and just trying to, as Tim Gunn would say, “Make It Work!” Thanksgiving will be here before you know it and then comes the onslaught of holiday parties, family dinners and kitchen chaos. I am all for easy entertaining and I have a few tried and true recipes that I rely on. However, there is one recipe that has been haunting me for years – the French Onion Soup Dumpling.

Yes, you heard me right – a French Onion Soup dumpling. I saw it mentioned on a show and the process seemed so daunting – between making and freezing the soup, the dumplings, the frying, and the cheese – sounds delicious but, quite frankly, I don’t have the time. There has to be a way to make things easier. I was picking up some holiday supplies at my local ACME and noticed that they had a plethora of Pillsbury™ Crescent Rolls and it hit me – I could make mini muffin size “bites” reminiscent of the classic soup but intense in flavor and, of course, with lots of bubbling cheese….

12 Days of Giftmas – All Things Entertaining Edition

December 18, 2012 By Aly 1 Comment

We are down to the wire – the holiday is upon us and it’s all things holiday prep. Let’s continue with the 12 Days of Giftmas with some last minute ideas to help you round out your holiday gift list.

Entertaining is not just for the holidays but year ’round. I must confess that I, personally, can lose sight of that. There’s something to be said about the hustle and bustle of hosting a soiree for a few close friends to gather, have a fabulous cocktail and some delicious dishes, all while enjoying everyone’s company. Sure, you can go to a restaurant and do the same but, personally, I love the feeling of opening my doors to friends and family.

While I’ve been in Philly, I’ve done a wee bit of entertaining (much less than my Orlando days) but I’m determined to change that in 2013. With the SousPug’s med issues, there has been a bit of a monkey wrench in my social calendar. However, I’ve always been the type of gal who is prepared to face any situation –whether it’s whipping up a cocktail sauce for the shrimp or tossing some wine, spirits and some fruit together for a killer sangria. Here are a few things I swear by, some things I adore and some things that will make fabulous gifts for the entertainer in your life.

12 Days of Giftmas – All Things Entertaining – 2012

1. Candles and entertaining go hand in hand – after all, who was it that said everyone looks fabulous in candlelight? Now, while there is a bit of a risk factor with a few lighted candles here and there, I always tend to have candles at the ready whenever I entertain. For some areas, I do use flameless candles (less to worry about), but for the table, the candles are lighted and flickering. Want a piece that will get the conversation started (and people remarking how chic your table is?) – check out this Branch Candelabra from Colin Cowie. Absolutely stunning!

2. When I entertain, I often serve buffet or family style. Over the years, I’ve added various serving platters and dishes along the way to my collection and I’ve got my eye on both of these lovely Marin Blue Serving Platters (and the corresponding dinnerware set) from Crate & Barrel. Don’t like the blue? Mix it up with some of the other shades in the collection.

3. There’s nothing like a fabulous martini glass to set off a cocktail (or a dessert!). This Hollywood Black and White Martini Glass has that va va voom factor!

4. For the cocktail portion of the evening, I tend to make a signature cocktail and serve it either in a swanky pitcher or a drink decanter like this Nantucket Beverage Jar.

5. A fabulous hostess gift or stocking stuffer is the Corkcicle. Yes – you read that right – a Corkcicle. You keep it in your freezer and use it to chill your wine. Brilliant – right?

6. In my shopping travels, I came across some stunning dishes and bakeware that I just had to have and, lo and behold, it was designed by no other than one of my favorite chefs, Marcela Valladolid. Seriously gorgeous pieces! One of my faves: the glass carafes. Don’t even get me started on the Acacia wood pieces – love!

7. Seeing this trifle dish inspired me to make a trifle this holiday season. People underestimate the wow factor of a seriously fabulous trifle (and how forgiving it can be). Just tumble in a few ingredients, dollop with some freshly whipped cream and voila – you have a wow factor desert.

What is one of your tried and true tips for holiday entertaining?

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12 Days of Giftmas

[FTC Disclosure: This post contains affiliate and/or referral links which help offset the cost of hosting this site. However, as always, my opinions are 100% my own]

Fab Friday – Gloomy Day Edition

July 20, 2012 By Aly 1 Comment

I wrestled with the idea of posting a Fab Friday today after hearing the news today about what transpired in Aurora, CO last night. My heart goes out to the victims of this horrible tragedy and their loved ones. I just can’t fathom how someone could do this to another human being and what would make them act in such a manner.

One thing the tragedy did remind me of – how blessed I truly am. Every day on this earth is a gift and, if anything, I’m going to definitely try to live in the moment more and, when I start to whine, I will remember that my problems are miniscule compared to others who have real issues to deal with. If I am whining, please feel free to slap me with a stiletto.

So – with that said, here’s this week’s Fab Friday.

Fab Friday – Gloomy Day Edition

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Amy Atlas To Bring Sweet Designs To Williams Sonoma

May 31, 2012 By Aly 3 Comments

In addition to cooking, entertaining is another passion of mine and I’m always looking for a bit of inspiration when I am entertaining in stilettos. When I heard Williams Sonoma was hosting a book signing for “The Sweets Stylist” Amy Atlas’ new book, Sweet Designs: Bake It, Craft It, Style It, I immediately placed it on my calendar. See, Amy Atlas is a gal after my own heart – a legal eagle who can cook and entertain like a rockstar. Her book is gorgeous (like that was any surprise – have you seen her blog?) and one of the people singing her praises – Colin Cowie!

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