Saturday, December 27, 2014

Arranging Platters

Arranging Platters is one of my favorite ways to display foods.  I pick easy things that look beautiful  together but usually is based more on assembling than cooking.  It's low stress but always impressive.  

Bellow are some of my favorites from the past year.  I usualy choose a large platter or cutting board and assemble things  with bright colors.  Anything that's mushy I put aside into a smaller dish
Picnic: fruit and veggie platter
My farmers market haul
Store bought lunch arranged as if it were home made - special treat to make my grand parents feel like they were on a luxurious get away.
Fruit platter a ranged by colors on a silver tray for added elegance to end a fall holiday meal
Veggie tacos for lunch on a cutting board with extra goodies on the side.
Pot luck for work, I bring everything separately  in zip lock bags and put it in the fridge until it's time to eat.
Other ideas are a mixture of cheese  and cold cuts on a cutting board. I like using my cutting  boards instead of having a separate cheese platter because my kitchen is so small I can not store so many different things. It also makes a study surface to cut on. 

This also make a good gift - if you are going to someone's house or a pot luck- you can buy them an inexpensive  platter or cutting board that you arrange nicely and then later they can keep it.

Christmas Eve 2014

Last year we hosted a small Christmas  eve dinner for Chris' immediate family.  This year, as our first year of being married, we had 8 people over: my parents and Chris' family.  I spent all weekend preparing with the help of my parents while my husband was away at work.

My decor was white, glass and Metallic on top of a black tablecloth.

Appetizers:
Summer beef sausage
Smoked cheddar
My deconstructed version of this tomato and whipped feta Crostini 
Entree:
Baked salmon: salmon fillet topped with mayonnaise, salt, pepper, and shredded Parmesan cheese. Baked at 350F for 15 minutes.
Roasted chicken breast sliced with garlic and thyme.
Silky mashed potatoes: courtesy of my dad.
Mushroom sauce: courtesy of my mom.
Barefoot Contessa's green beans gremolata.
Salad: romaine lettuce, arugula, shaved pepper cheddar chese, italian herb olive oil

Decor
Kate Spade Ellis Street grey vase from Homegoods filled with while roses and tulips.
Michael Aram wine holder
Lennox wine glasses
The Cellar square while dishes.
Large white platters from Home Goods and Bed Bath & Beyond
Black tablecloth from Amazon
Votive candle holders from Crate and Barrel.
I spent Christmas morning wrapping gifts for Chris' family. I love how the baking twine looks like peppermint and the silver paper and black tags make it look a bit more elegant.