Just Easy Recipes » Entertaining Ideas

Christmas Cocktails

Louise — Tue, 29 Dec 2009 07:00:57 +0000

Christmas is nearly over but you’ve still got to welcome the New Year with a bang, so why not do it in style by sipping on deliciously funky Christmas Cocktails?

Here’s a few ideas for you:

Eggnog Cocktail

30 ml Baileys
30 ml Kahlua
30 ml Vodka
1 glass Eggnog

Swirl Irish Cream, Kahlua and vodka gently in a cocktail shaker with ice to chill. Strain into glass. Swiftly fill glass with cold Eggnog to mix.

Black Santa

22.5 ml Coffee Liqueur
7.5 ml Peppermint Schnapps
15 ml Vodka

Pour the vodka and coffee liqueur into an old-fashioned glass half-filled with ice cubes. Add the peppermint schnapps and serve.

Christmas Cranberry Fruit Punch

45 ml Rum
15 ml Triple Sec
90 ml Cranberry Juice
30 ml Raspberry Juice

Shake ingredients in a cocktail shaker with ice. Strain into glass.

Gingerbread Man

1 part Baileys
1 part Goldschläger (Cinnamon Schnapps)
1 part Butterscotch Schnapps
1 part Vodka

Combine ingredients in a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake and strain into shot glasses.

Mistletoe Martini

1 shot Melon Liqueur
1 shot Coconut Rum
1 shot Pineapple Juice
1 shot Sour Mix

Chill cocktail glass. In a mixing glass, pour all ingredients together.

Rudolph’s Raspberry Love Potion

7.5 ml Dark Chocolate
7.5 ml White chocolate
15 ml Raspberry Liqueur
15 ml Vodka (Raspberry, if possible)
60 ml Cream

Drizzle chocolate along the sides of a large martini glass. Combine ingredients in a mixing tin with ice. Shake vigorously and strain into martini glass. Sprinkle chocolate shavings on top.

Snowflake

30ml Anisette
30 ml White Rum
30 ml Vermouth, extra dry

Shake ingredients in a cocktail shaker with ice. Strain into a cocktail glass.

…Pick your favourite, share with friends and enjoy!

Reference: Drinknation

Christmas Cookie Exchange Party

Louise — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 07:00:03 +0000

Now that Christmas is around the corner most of us are dreaming of all sorts of wonderful cookies and can’t wait to start baking up a storm in our kitchen – getting into the spirit of Christmas!

In order to be able to offer friends and family a nice variety of cookies throughout Christmas you need lots of time to bake, however… So why not host a Christmas Cookie Exchange Party? Get all the ladies together and exchange cookies, which means you’ll have a large variety in your cookie tins in no time at all.

Get everyone to bring a large batch of their favourite homemade cookies – making sure in advance that there’ll be no duplicates – and perhaps bring along a small savoury snack as well. You can provide the drinks – such as egg nog or mulled wine along with coffee, tea, juices and, of course, milk.

Herewith some tips for your Christmas Cookie Exchange party:

Ask each guest to bring 10 or so cookies for each attendee to take home (agree on a set number), plus another cookie per attandee for the party.
Supply plastic storage bags or paper plates and foil just in case someone forgets to bring a container for taking their cookies home.
Remind everyone to store each cookie variety in separate containers until serving, as mixed cookie varieties lose their individual flavour and texture.
Suggest that everyone should bring copies of their recipe to share with others.
Prepare a large table for everyone to set out their cookies. Spread a festive cloth on the table and place a tray or plate on the table for each attendee to place their contributions.
Place an extra platter on the table for the cookies that will be enjoyed during the party.
Play Christmas music, and even if you haven’t finished your holiday decorating by the date of the party – be sure the party room has some festive decorations.

Reference: Donna Pilato, about.com entertaining guide

Theme Dinner Parties

Louise — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 07:41:01 +0000

Get creative and start exploring themes when you are planning fabulous dinner parties. Get a few friends together and organise one theme evening a month – where each of you get a turn to be the host. A great idea is to have a kitty where everyone puts a set amount in each month, and the person who’s hosting that particular month get to use the money in the kitty to buy food, drinks and decorations for the party.

Set a different theme for each night, such as Exotic Bollywood, Tropical Hawaiian, Traditional South African and Mexican Fiesta. Get everyone to dress up according to the theme, and serve food and drinks typical of that theme.

If you are doing the Mexican Fiesta, for example, set the mood by using Mexican blankets, sombreros, tissue paper flowers and chilli pepper wreaths as costumes and decorations, and put some lively Mexican music on. Serve margaritas or tequila-based cocktails along with Mexican beer, and create a buffet feast which can include tacos, fajitas, burritos, nachos, guacamole, salsa and other spicy goodies.

Take a look at our Traditional Mexican recipe section for a couple of easy, tasty ideas!

Unique Dessert Platter

Louise — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 11:05:49 +0000

When entertaining your friends and family, why not add variety to your dinner party by having individual dessert platters for each guest. Choose three of your favourite desserts and instead of serving a full portion for each guest, you can portion out three small servings from each dessert and place them artistically onto a mini platter. Your guests will love the variety!

Perfect Dessert Idea

Louise — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 11:05:18 +0000

Make multiples of these scoops-on-a-stick and you won’t have to spoon ice cream, one serving at a time, in the middle of a party. Dole out balls onto a lined baking sheet. Insert a craft spoon into each and place in the freezer. Chill until hardened. Roll scoops in sprinkles, toasted coconut or crushed nuts or sweets, and store them in the freezer on a freshly lined baking sheet.

Reference: Martha Stewart

Ideas for a Table Setting

Louise — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 11:04:44 +0000

It’s a special oaccasion and you are having everyone over for dinner at your house. A lovely idea would be to make a small colourful Easter egg parcel and attach it with ribbon to the knife, fork and serviette at each setting. Your guests will love it!

Create a Recipe Gift Jar

Louise — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 11:01:26 +0000

Next time you find yourself unsure of what to buy someone as a gift, why not purchase a jar and fill it with the ingredients of your favorite sweet recipe. It’s cute, creative, thoughtful and fun to make!

Make Some Healthy Nibbles for your Guests

Louise — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 10:58:12 +0000

Create a simple snack for a party or an eye-catching offer on a table full of deserts. All you need is some fruit and a kebab stick. An inspiration to eat healthy!

Display your Flavour

Louise — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 10:55:10 +0000

Instead of using your traditional salt and pepper cellars, create a delightful centrepiece with your salt and pepper. All you need is salt, pepper and something to shape your pattern with. Items like children’s stencils and cookie cutters work well, or bring out the inner child in you and create your own stencil with cardboard.

Serving Individual Crudités

Louise — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 10:51:48 +0000

A fabulous and innovative snack idea at your next gathering would be to serve crunchy vegetables complete with their own dip, such as buttermilk and peppercorn, roasted pepper and eggplant or toasted curry. Their bowls – hollowed out baguettes – are meant to be eaten, too.