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October 22, 2014
At Home with Friends

6 comments

Artichoke Salad with Saffron and Preserved Lemons

Until I started reading about Moroccan food, I had no idea that artichokes were featured in the cuisine. In this recipe, they are treated to a glorious bath that includes preserved lemons, saffron, honey and other spices. The flavor is unique and wonderful! This can be made early in the day and served at room […]

October 17, 2014
At Home with Friends

3 comments

Spinach and Feta Pastries (“Brik”)

Everybody loves a small, savory two-bite pastry as an appetizer. I watched as my gluten-free, wheat-free, no-carb-eating friends devoured these. While spinach and feta are frequently seen in Greek spanakopita, here they are combined with savory chermoula (available at my Amazon Affiliate Store), allspice and pine nuts and formed into rustic, open triangles for a […]

MOROCCAN FEAST

GAME PLAN

 

5 Weeks Before

4 Weeks Before

  • Think about menu (see blog entry under Create the Menu)
  • If necessary, order the special spices

3 Weeks Before

2 Weeks Before

  • Review menu
  • Book serving staff if needed

1 Week Before

Monday

  • Set up table, dishes, glasses, silverware
  • Get out serving platters with serving utensils

Tuesday

Wednesday

Thursday

Friday

Saturday

Morning:

Afternoon:

Sunday

  • Relax and eat any leftover fruit with yoghurt and cake!

October 10, 2014

October 8, 2014
At Home with Friends

no comments

Moroccan Feast: Flavors of Morocco

Photography by Krista Bates SPICES The thing that makes Moroccan cuisine unique and distinctive are the flavors that come from unusual spices and herbs and the subtle mixture of sweet and savory in the recipes. Some of the recipes in this menu are absolutely authentic and some are inspired by the flavors of Moroccan food. […]

September 29, 2014
At Home with Friends

2 comments

What’s on My Table Apps & Alcohol

The inspiration for the table setting came from an $8.00 green dish I found at a flea market. I turned the dish over and saw that it was made by Bordallo Pinheiro, a type of Majolica ceramics. I loved the rich green color and started buying them whenever I found them. If you want a […]

September 24, 2014
At Home with Friends

4 comments

Fig Pesto Torte

This makes a wow presentation. As good as it looks, it tastes even better. The combination of savory (pesto) and sweet (figs) combine for a magical taste. This recipe makes a large 10-inch torte so it’s great for a big party. Also it’s better if you make it at least 2 days ahead. You can […]

September 17, 2014
At Home with Friends

3 comments

Crisp Sugar Cookies

I always include cookies as part of my desserts. They are fun to make and perfect for guests who just want a bite of something sweet. I usually have them out on the sideboard, in my dining room, from the start of the party so people can sneak a nibble whenever they want. These are […]

September 12, 2014
At Home with Friends

7 comments

Chocolate Pudding

When I was thinking about the perfect desserts for the Apps & Alcohol Party, I wanted small individual desserts just like the appetizers themselves: small bites that were absolutely delicious. Really good dark chocolate pudding seemed like the perfect idea. So the next question was which recipe to use. I was reading lots of recipes […]

September 3, 2014
At Home with Friends

6 comments

Grilled Lamb Chops

I love lamb chops and always have since I was a kid. People think lamb chops are difficult to make but they are really easy. This is not so much a recipe as basic instructions for preparation. I buy racks of lamb (at Costco) and trim away all the fat, cut them apart, season and […]

August 1, 2014
At Home with Friends

5 comments

Summer Solstice Beverages

The yellow peaches and white nectarines I found at the market were so delicious, I wanted to use them in a white sangria. I decided on a white sangria with tequila and white wine.  Usually, sangria is very sweet with added sugar. This has no added sugar. In fact, I kept it fairly simple, if […]