My sister’s recent engagement has put me into full-fledged planning mode. I always like planning and organizing. And all this helping someone else plan an event makes me want to plan my own event. Inspiration was no farther than my Google reader:
Chow has 4 recipes for “flavor powders” to use on nuts and seeds for party snacks. I also just watched an episode of Good Eats that featured a recipe for Ginger Almonds that sounded delicious. I actually purchase flavored nuts fairly regularly, so it’d be awesome to make my own, for myself or a party.
It’s not a party without candy and Nestle just announced that they’re removing all artificial ingredients from their candy in the U.K. If that’s not a cause for celebration, I don’t know what is, even if they’re not planning to make that change in the United States. (via Huffington Post)
Pizza is the perfect party food. This article from mental_floss features 7 pizzas from around the world and it made me really hungry.
The Kitchn has 5 grown up party favors to give party guests. I find the newspaper wrapped candies a little strange, but the other 4 ideas are nice. Is it bad to use a party as an excuse to make things to give to people?
Friday was Dr. Seuss’s birthday and, after the fact, it occurred to me that it would be a really awesome reason for a celebration. Bit Rebels featured Dr. Seuss Peep Pops in the shape of various Dr. Seuss characters that are pretty awesome, even if Peeps aren’t that awesome.
I’ve never served cocktails at any of my get togethers, but if I ever decide I want to put in the time and effort, Serious Eats has made a list of recommendations of cocktail ingredients you should not make yourself.
Instead of cocktails, I usually just go the cheap wine route. It has nothing to do with guests, actually, I just always drink cheap wine. So I’m glad Serious Eats also has a post in which they tested every red wine in the Yellow Tail line.
Sometimes you need an excellent cake recipe. I mean, what’s a birthday without a cake? In general, I’m not a “cake person”, but this Peanut Butter Bliss Cake from Heather looks and sounds amazing.
Peanut butter cake not your thing? How about Birthday Cake Oreo Cookies from Liz on Little Bitty Bakes? Oreos are not generally my thing, but these cookies are definitely unique and I think they’d be the talk of any party. That’s the great thing about parties-you can make awesome food for other people, even if it’s not normally your thing.
image via Chris P. on Flikr
Thanks for the mention, Emily! And I agree, I actually often make food that I’m not so keen on when entertaining, just because I know it’s big with others.