Tuesday, May 29, 2012
Fandango Catering Offers 4 Ideas for Summer Entertaining
Continuing with our annual summer blog series, "Summer Entertaining," today we offer 4 ideas for easy outdoor or indoor/outdoor summer events.
Now that summer entertaining season has officially begun (in the U.S.) with Memorial Day yesterday, summer is a great time to entertain as people are more relaxed (as opposed to the Christmas holidays, when people are more rushed and stressed out). Take advantage of this easy living mode to host (or co-host, ever more popular) a wonderful summer gathering. And to do so, easy food ideas; read on.
Pare down the menu, but make each component of best quality--First you must decide: Will you cook or will you buy or have catered? Or a combination (also increasingly popular as people seek ways to entertain but not blow oodles of money)?
If you decide to cook (and even if you decide to buy or have everything made), pare down the menu along these lines: a fabulous cold soup or interesting salad first course, gourmet sandwiches or grilled meat or burgers and grilled vegetables (or a grilled meat salad, great ideas in Patricia Wells's Salad as a Meal; the French are masters at these cold meat salads!), and a bought dessert. This can (and probably should be) done as a buffet--unless your gathering is more formal, serving food in courses is always more work.
If you decide to have a summer cocktail party, keep in mind that the expectations tend to be higher for finger foods than for the type of easy summer menu we suggest above. The thing to keep in mind as you begin planning is: What kind of mood do you want to create, easy and fun or elegant and sophisticated? Then decide the menu.
Another easy idea is to cook a beef or pork tenderloin or grill it, and while you're at it grill vegetables, a couple of days ahead, then on the day of your party let it all come to room temperature and serve these with maybe a bought starter and dessert. Here the key is to season the meat well, not just grill it--again, many French cookbooks have great recipes for cold meat salads. And then serve on nice trays and/or plates--so many cool serving options for outdoor events!
Hearty eaters? Then put together a humongous Insalata caprese with the best tomatoes and fresh mozzarella and chopped fresh basil, and complement this with grilled burgers or steaks and grilled corn or grilled foil packets of sausage, corn, potatoes, veggies, etc. Dessert? Ice cream galore--easy and you can dress it up with toppings as well as buy in large quantities to feed your hungry bunch.
The key is to plan your summer entertaining with mostly easy food so that neither you nor your guests stress and you can enjoy the beautiful weather and your guests.
Warmly,
Kristina
Fandango Catering and Events
(713) 522-0077
www.fandango-catering.com
Now that summer entertaining season has officially begun (in the U.S.) with Memorial Day yesterday, summer is a great time to entertain as people are more relaxed (as opposed to the Christmas holidays, when people are more rushed and stressed out). Take advantage of this easy living mode to host (or co-host, ever more popular) a wonderful summer gathering. And to do so, easy food ideas; read on.
Pare down the menu, but make each component of best quality--First you must decide: Will you cook or will you buy or have catered? Or a combination (also increasingly popular as people seek ways to entertain but not blow oodles of money)?
If you decide to cook (and even if you decide to buy or have everything made), pare down the menu along these lines: a fabulous cold soup or interesting salad first course, gourmet sandwiches or grilled meat or burgers and grilled vegetables (or a grilled meat salad, great ideas in Patricia Wells's Salad as a Meal; the French are masters at these cold meat salads!), and a bought dessert. This can (and probably should be) done as a buffet--unless your gathering is more formal, serving food in courses is always more work.
If you decide to have a summer cocktail party, keep in mind that the expectations tend to be higher for finger foods than for the type of easy summer menu we suggest above. The thing to keep in mind as you begin planning is: What kind of mood do you want to create, easy and fun or elegant and sophisticated? Then decide the menu.
Another easy idea is to cook a beef or pork tenderloin or grill it, and while you're at it grill vegetables, a couple of days ahead, then on the day of your party let it all come to room temperature and serve these with maybe a bought starter and dessert. Here the key is to season the meat well, not just grill it--again, many French cookbooks have great recipes for cold meat salads. And then serve on nice trays and/or plates--so many cool serving options for outdoor events!
Hearty eaters? Then put together a humongous Insalata caprese with the best tomatoes and fresh mozzarella and chopped fresh basil, and complement this with grilled burgers or steaks and grilled corn or grilled foil packets of sausage, corn, potatoes, veggies, etc. Dessert? Ice cream galore--easy and you can dress it up with toppings as well as buy in large quantities to feed your hungry bunch.
The key is to plan your summer entertaining with mostly easy food so that neither you nor your guests stress and you can enjoy the beautiful weather and your guests.
Warmly,
Kristina
Fandango Catering and Events
(713) 522-0077
www.fandango-catering.com
Ths wk Ckn Tarragn Crm Sauce Moroccan Spiced Carrots Butterrmlk Mshd Potatoes w Caramelized Shallots More http://ping.fm/Ro8H7
Thursday, May 24, 2012
Fandango Catering Offers More Summer Theme Party Ideas
Continuing with our idea of summer theme parties, today we offer several more theme ideas for your summer parties.
Again, the key is to use the theme as the basis for the food, decor, music, etc.--and to have fun with it! The advantage of these types of parties is that they can be easier to plan as the food, decor, and music go with the overall theme.
More themes for summer parties:
An easy way to work out the details of a theme party is to make headings--on paper or computer--for each of the elements: Food, Decor, Music, Beverages (and anything else like party favors that you might want to include). Then under each heading list your ideas--or see where you need to come up with ideas!
Possibly you'll also see that some theme parties are easier than others to pull off, and with the headings this is easier to see--like if you can't think of enough ideas for each major heading. If so, choose another theme. And if you're really stuck, ask friends for their ideas! You'll be surprised how many good ideas others have.
Warmly,
Kristina
Fandango Catering and Events
(713) 522-0077
www.fandango-catering.com
Again, the key is to use the theme as the basis for the food, decor, music, etc.--and to have fun with it! The advantage of these types of parties is that they can be easier to plan as the food, decor, and music go with the overall theme.
More themes for summer parties:
- Mexican/margarita madness
- 1960s or Mad Men
- 1970s
- Cajun
- Ethnic (Indian, Moroccan, Thai, etc.)
- TV shows (classic or recent)
- Game shows
- Movies (classic or recent)
- Western
- Las Vegas
- Sci Fi
- Highway 101/Pacific Coast 1 in California (Napa, San Francisco, Santa Barbara, LA)
- Locations like Paris, Rome, or NYC in the summer
An easy way to work out the details of a theme party is to make headings--on paper or computer--for each of the elements: Food, Decor, Music, Beverages (and anything else like party favors that you might want to include). Then under each heading list your ideas--or see where you need to come up with ideas!
Possibly you'll also see that some theme parties are easier than others to pull off, and with the headings this is easier to see--like if you can't think of enough ideas for each major heading. If so, choose another theme. And if you're really stuck, ask friends for their ideas! You'll be surprised how many good ideas others have.
Warmly,
Kristina
Fandango Catering and Events
(713) 522-0077
www.fandango-catering.com
Wednesday, May 23, 2012
4 Indoor or outdoor events ths summer, love MS Living's idea GSI enamelware stainless steel rim white plates, http://ping.fm/pHCzc
Monday, May 21, 2012
So cool for summer outdoor events: Solar hanging lanterns in mod shapes, last 6 hours: http://ping.fm/zGOfe
Fandango Catering Offers 7 Ideas for Summer Theme Parties
Summer presents many great ideas for theme parties or events, and if you're looking for a theme to bring your summer event together and make it more fun, today we offer 7 ideas for summer theme parties, below.
Warmly,
Kristina
Fandango Catering and Events
(713) 522-0077
www.fandango-catering.com
- Cannes--The actual Cannes film festival ends May 27, but even after it ends you can still use the concept as a French Riviera party with food, colors (bright or shades of blue and yellow), majolica dishes (cool majolica-style melamine dishes for outdoor use are available at better retailers now), French wines, music, etc.
- Summer Olympics--Watch the Games or not, as you please, and feature food, team facts, etc. Cool for sports lovers and those who just like summer gatherings.
- My Vacation--Where are you vacationing this year? Use that at a theme for your summer party, either before or after your actual vacation. It's almost better after your vacation so you can use things you brought back from vacation.
- Tennis championships--The French Open, Wimbledon, the U. S. Open...tennis-themed is the way to go, which you can have great fun with. Watch the matches or not, as you please.
- Backyard games--Games like backyard or sand volleyball, badmitton, shuffleboard or pétanque, are fun for many ages and you can have a great time with this type of theme.
- Summer brunch--my parents' generation often had outdoor summer brunches, and it's still a great type of summer gathering as your guests still have time after the brunch for other activities. Plus it's generally cooler in the earlier part of the day.
- Trip around the world--Designate certain areas for food, etc., from different countries and label the foods or lay out menus in each area. People love sampling from different world cuisines. With at least three different cuisines you can do this. Just keep the cuisines separate or you'll spoil the fun. If you're feeling creative, use music, etc., from each of the areas featured.
Warmly,
Kristina
Fandango Catering and Events
(713) 522-0077
www.fandango-catering.com
Thursday, May 17, 2012
Fandango Catering Offers 4 Easy Ideas for Early Summer Events
The next month or so will see a flurry of parties and events (or people considering hosting a party or event), whether for a grad, a dad, an end-of-school year occasion, or an early summer gathering of friends or family. Today we offer 4 easy ideas for early summer events and parties.
Make it a burger thing--Next to sandwiches, burgers, especially if they're kicked up with gourmet seasonings or toppings and breads, are not too much trouble (get the griller in your group involved) and everyone likes them, they're festive (vegetarians in your group? Grill or sauté a portobello for them and let them make that a burger, along with the nice fixings).
The key is to season the meat--don't just grill it! There are so many wonderful seasonings out there that you're sure to find some combo you like. A combo we like is ranch dressing base (powder), chopped fresh herbs, and one or more of the Penzey's spices (www.penzeys.com ) mixed with bread crumbs, eggs, and a dash of milk. Grilled or sautéd, they're wonderful.
Fixings? Several gourmet cheeses like cheddar, Gruyere or Emmental, Fontina, even blue; perhaps some sauteed mushroom strips. Plus a couple of nice lettuces and tomatoes (heirloom are nice if available). Bread? We like brioche either as sandwich or slider size. Or a cool and fun idea is to use tortillas to make taco burgers (wrap it around the burger). Add gourmet condiments like herb or pesto mayo or Riesling dijon (many such gourmet condiments are available commercially but we like to just add fresh herbs or pesto to mayo).
Add a green and/or fruit salad--And to make a fresh fruit salad interesting, add mango-orange juice mixed with sugar to taste, just enough to moisten. So good, and even kids love it.
Add a dessert--Pressed for time? Buy one, or take our advice and buy or have made for you a mini dessert display--guaranteed to please. Many upscale food emporiums now sell very good mini desserts.
Add nice drinks--Dress up an easy party like this with nice wines, craft beers, and/or a signature punch (punches are very hot this year).
A cool spread, just right for early summer.
Warmly,
Kristina
Fandango Catering and Events
(713) 522-0077
www.fandango-catering.com
Make it a burger thing--Next to sandwiches, burgers, especially if they're kicked up with gourmet seasonings or toppings and breads, are not too much trouble (get the griller in your group involved) and everyone likes them, they're festive (vegetarians in your group? Grill or sauté a portobello for them and let them make that a burger, along with the nice fixings).
The key is to season the meat--don't just grill it! There are so many wonderful seasonings out there that you're sure to find some combo you like. A combo we like is ranch dressing base (powder), chopped fresh herbs, and one or more of the Penzey's spices (www.penzeys.com ) mixed with bread crumbs, eggs, and a dash of milk. Grilled or sautéd, they're wonderful.
Fixings? Several gourmet cheeses like cheddar, Gruyere or Emmental, Fontina, even blue; perhaps some sauteed mushroom strips. Plus a couple of nice lettuces and tomatoes (heirloom are nice if available). Bread? We like brioche either as sandwich or slider size. Or a cool and fun idea is to use tortillas to make taco burgers (wrap it around the burger). Add gourmet condiments like herb or pesto mayo or Riesling dijon (many such gourmet condiments are available commercially but we like to just add fresh herbs or pesto to mayo).
Add a green and/or fruit salad--And to make a fresh fruit salad interesting, add mango-orange juice mixed with sugar to taste, just enough to moisten. So good, and even kids love it.
Add a dessert--Pressed for time? Buy one, or take our advice and buy or have made for you a mini dessert display--guaranteed to please. Many upscale food emporiums now sell very good mini desserts.
Add nice drinks--Dress up an easy party like this with nice wines, craft beers, and/or a signature punch (punches are very hot this year).
A cool spread, just right for early summer.
Warmly,
Kristina
Fandango Catering and Events
(713) 522-0077
www.fandango-catering.com
Wednesday, May 16, 2012
Tuesday, May 15, 2012
Fandango Catering Offers 6 More Ideas for Spring & Summer Events
- Use cool lighting--A cool lattice lantern (that includes an LED candle) addes exotic flair indoors or out, with no worries about fires
- Make your food presentations pop with lollipop sticks--The lollipops trend continues to be popular (though cake pops are fading out); in fact, savory lollipops have become almost more popular than sweet ones. You can make almost any finger food look cool with lollipop stick. Here are a few ideas: Meatballs, whole baby pesto potatoes, cubes of watermelon or other (seedless) fruit cut into cubes or rounds, cubes of cheese with cherry tomatoes. For the easiest method insert the lollipop stick into the food and leave the lollipop stick sticking up in the food, with the food providing the base. Line them up and it will look great!
- For a cool summery drink from Spain--Try the tinto del verano, made with 2/3 red wine, ice, lemon slices, and 1/3 Sprite
- Tired of white porcelain trays?--Find unique and beautiful options at good prices on ebay or www.etsy.com We love Moroccan-style etched trays. Or check retailers for porcelain trays with shapes like a large seashell or cool colors (light or acqua blue and ombre tones are hot this year).
- To make a simple picnic or sandwich spread interesting--Pack the components in colorful Chinese takout boxes. So cool looking and fun. Just don't try to serve hot foods in them or they won't stay hot and will lose flavor.
- Have a fun-loving crowd?--They'll like the Play & Freeze ice cream maker--fill with ice and salt plus the ice cream ingredients and play with the ball for 15 minutes, and you'll have ice cream. Fun and easy! Available at www.Rei.com
Kristina
Fandango Catering and Events
(713) 522-0077
www.fandango-catering.com
Friday, May 11, 2012
Fandango Catering Offers 4 More Ideas to Make Your Event Distinctive
People are always looking for ways to make their party or event distinctive and today we offer 4 more ideas for making your event stand out.
Use colored or reflective material linens--The reason celebrity parties look cool and luxe is that their event designer doesn't use beige or all white! Medium-strong colors for table linens like mango, orange, orchid, cornflower or aqua blue, bright yellow or pink, or black and white toile are hot for this year's spring and summer events.
If you like an all-white look, add one or more silk or satin ivory or very pale gray puddled cloths on the food, guest, or bar tables, with the food or plates or bar stuff or whatever over that, and you'll see that it has that light look you like but is more interesting because of the reflective nature of the puddled cloths.
If it's an outdoor event, use a canopy--Even if your outdoor event is small, a canopy over the food or bar tables really add oomph to your event and the EZ Up ones go up in less than 5 minutes with no weights needed unless you're in a really windy area. White canopies look best--other colors look too much like a day on the beach rather than an event.
Serve a cool retro trendy signature drink--A cool retro trendy signature drink like a rob roy, sidecar, Manhattan, tequila sunrise, or, for a more elegant touch, a mix of champagne and a liqueur like Chambord or a mix off retro trendy liqueurs like Sambucca, Frangelico, Gran Marnier, Tía María. So cool this year.
Cool punch bowls are hot this year--Punch bowls are back and cool mod ones can be found at Crate & Barrel and department or specialty stores or lovely vintage ones on ebay or at better resale shops.
Warmly,
Kristina
Fandango Catering and Events
(713) 522-0077
www.fandango-catering.com
Use colored or reflective material linens--The reason celebrity parties look cool and luxe is that their event designer doesn't use beige or all white! Medium-strong colors for table linens like mango, orange, orchid, cornflower or aqua blue, bright yellow or pink, or black and white toile are hot for this year's spring and summer events.
If you like an all-white look, add one or more silk or satin ivory or very pale gray puddled cloths on the food, guest, or bar tables, with the food or plates or bar stuff or whatever over that, and you'll see that it has that light look you like but is more interesting because of the reflective nature of the puddled cloths.
If it's an outdoor event, use a canopy--Even if your outdoor event is small, a canopy over the food or bar tables really add oomph to your event and the EZ Up ones go up in less than 5 minutes with no weights needed unless you're in a really windy area. White canopies look best--other colors look too much like a day on the beach rather than an event.
Serve a cool retro trendy signature drink--A cool retro trendy signature drink like a rob roy, sidecar, Manhattan, tequila sunrise, or, for a more elegant touch, a mix of champagne and a liqueur like Chambord or a mix off retro trendy liqueurs like Sambucca, Frangelico, Gran Marnier, Tía María. So cool this year.
Cool punch bowls are hot this year--Punch bowls are back and cool mod ones can be found at Crate & Barrel and department or specialty stores or lovely vintage ones on ebay or at better resale shops.
Warmly,
Kristina
Fandango Catering and Events
(713) 522-0077
www.fandango-catering.com
Monday, May 7, 2012
New on our blog: 5 Hors d'Oeuvres Presentation Ideas for Spring and Summer Parties: http://bit.ly/9OepuP
Fandango Catering Offers 5 Hors d'Oeuvres Presentation Ideas for Spring & Summer
First, use cool trays--With a cool tray as your starting point, half the work is done! If you're looking for cool trays, look for a tray in an unusual shape or color or something mod elegant like chrome.
Next, put a touch of color in the corner(s) or the center--We most often use flower blooms as our brand is eco-friendly and this trend has been big for the last few years, but it's surprisingly easy for even non-professionals to use flower blooms for their hors d'oeuvres presentations.
If your food is not colorful--and let's face it, so much food isn't colorful (a few years ago in the Saveur 100 issue it said that most food is brown(ish) and so what if it is?). If you use pale or white blooms, they should be large or else they won't make a statement (large blooms are always better to make an hors d'oeuvres presentation statement than small flowers). So think a strong or bright color in large-ish blooms, especially for spring and summer events. Or smallish fruits or vegetables in the corners--we like crabapples, passionfruit, or figs for spring and summer trays.
Then put the food in rows on the tray--If you don't want to refill trays, put more food (just make sure it doesn't look crowded); if you plan to refill or have the trays refilled by a helper, than put less food on them (but again, in rows). Even get creative with your rows: geometric, lines, X lines...And put any dipping sauce in a corner of the tray (we prefer that to putting it next to the tray, though you can also put the dipper in the center of the tray).
Looking for something retro trendy and really unique? Ice sculptures are back but in unique shapes like mermaids, cowboy hats, or a signature building. The hors d'oeuvres set on tables with ice sculptures are set off, even if the tray decoration itself isn't unsusual, in light of the uniqueness of the ice sculpture. Or a cool mod statue or statue hand holding a tray of hors d'oeuvres--unique!
Warmly,
Kristina
Fandango Catering and Events
(713) 522-0077
www.fandango-catering.com
Thursday, May 3, 2012
Fandango Catering Offers 6 Ideas for Outdoor Events
The outdoor event, whether a cocktail party, a theme grilling party, a charity occasion, or a beach wedding, is popular this year, especially now that the weather is nice, and today we offer 6 ideas for making yours a success.
If you are in an insect-prone area, repel insects, but safely and naturally-A new eco-friendly formula made from lemongrass is now available for misting outdoor areas safely.
Make sure there's adequate lighting--Most hosts don't do a good job in this area, and people can trip in the dark and hurt themselves, not to mention that being at an outdoor event without adequate lighting is like being at a campfire. Many options exist, from lanterns to luminarias to candles (flame candles in safe, enclosed containers only, please), to solar lights. Or move the party indoors once it gets dark if you don't want to bother with adequate lighting.
Avoid falling leaves--Do not put open beverage containers like punchbowls or open food trays under tree leaves that shed
Make sure any paperware (napkins, plates, etc.) doesn't blow away--Put them in a basket, box, or something to keep them from blowing away.
Tablecloths should also not blow away--For outdoor events, heavy cloth like duck, sateen, or raw silk (or for a very patio-ish feel, vinyl) is better than light fabrics, which lift or blow away. Tablecloth weights exist but it's better to buy a heavy fabric tablecloth that you can use indoors or outside.
Even if your event is outdoors, decorate the food trays--Decorate your trays with blooms, fresh herb sprigs, sugared grapes, something...This will lift your event's wow factor and establish you as a cool host. Or have a buffet indoors and have the guests inside and outside. Either way, decorate your food trays.
Warmly,
Kristina
Fandango Catering and Events
(713) 522-0077
www.fandango-catering.com
If you are in an insect-prone area, repel insects, but safely and naturally-A new eco-friendly formula made from lemongrass is now available for misting outdoor areas safely.
Make sure there's adequate lighting--Most hosts don't do a good job in this area, and people can trip in the dark and hurt themselves, not to mention that being at an outdoor event without adequate lighting is like being at a campfire. Many options exist, from lanterns to luminarias to candles (flame candles in safe, enclosed containers only, please), to solar lights. Or move the party indoors once it gets dark if you don't want to bother with adequate lighting.
Avoid falling leaves--Do not put open beverage containers like punchbowls or open food trays under tree leaves that shed
Make sure any paperware (napkins, plates, etc.) doesn't blow away--Put them in a basket, box, or something to keep them from blowing away.
Tablecloths should also not blow away--For outdoor events, heavy cloth like duck, sateen, or raw silk (or for a very patio-ish feel, vinyl) is better than light fabrics, which lift or blow away. Tablecloth weights exist but it's better to buy a heavy fabric tablecloth that you can use indoors or outside.
Even if your event is outdoors, decorate the food trays--Decorate your trays with blooms, fresh herb sprigs, sugared grapes, something...This will lift your event's wow factor and establish you as a cool host. Or have a buffet indoors and have the guests inside and outside. Either way, decorate your food trays.
Warmly,
Kristina
Fandango Catering and Events
(713) 522-0077
www.fandango-catering.com
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