The Holiday Webisode Shoot in Washington DC~

Natalie and I headed to Washington DC for a Holiday entertaining video taping last week~ We love the nations capitol it is always so exciting and inspiring.
The webisode will be broadcast this week so stay tuned for where you can see it in full.

The ideas were budget minded, clever and recyclable. Using holiday wrap in a creative manner. along with re-purposed containers made this holiday gathering affordable and visually exciting.

Nat and I set up shop in the hotel room~ we are used to being creative in the most unlikely places.

Our adventure began at 6 am when we flew into DC, and rented a large van~ it seems we are always riding around town with a truck filled with props...

After ordering  breakfast, we started prepping all the projects we would be filming the next day.
Shopping for food in unfamiliar territory is always challenging~ but our trusty GPS got us to the Trader Joes, and the Whole Foods, and we only got lost once....
Once we finished our food shopping we headed to Georgetown for a brisk walk and dinner.

The next day we drove to the location with the car filled to the hilt with props food and wardrobe.
Antonia the producer greeted us at the door, and we were off an running! Unloading~cooking~ propping the usual...

We filmed all day, Josh our camera guy could not have been nicer, all in all a great experience, although I have a really crazy job, I would not change a thing.
The crew in DC were delightful to work with , very professional.

The party concept was simple , colorful and afforable and delicious with simple recipes you can entertain a holiday crowd with + have a ball in the process!
Here are all the stylist tips I shared in the upcoming webisode last week

 ~ Happy Holidays and enjoy!

The Buffet Table Decor~ Using Christmas wrapping paper...

*wrap boxes and use them as risers on your buffet table. ( these can be actual wrapped gifts, that you re-purpose as risers for bowls and platters)

*use paper to cover the entire surface of your table, I like to use 2 coordinating papers. ( this paper can be then reused to wrap holiday gifts, another re-purpose idea)
use birch logs on the table as natural, reusable decor elements, the birch can then be cut up and used in your fireplace as a pretty display in the firebox. ( this is a stylist tip)

*using vases that you already own, use wrap around the perimeter and tie with co-ordinatng thread and small jingle bells, using grocery flowers, seperate the like flowers ( mums are great) and assemble a tight bouquet and place into the vases ( notice these are all like flowers gathered into the bouquet this makes has boldest impact), place several of these arrangements around the buffet table and bar

*self serve bar~ using a large galvanized bucket and a tree stand fill the bucket with ice, place on top of the stand and put all wine, soft drinks  into it. place cocktail napkins and glasses around the bucket to create a self serve bar area.

*dessert can be served in a re-purposed ornament storage tray* see photo and recipe

Menu and Recipes~

Fig stuffed baked brie

Tomato Bruschetta

Hummus with Pita Chips

Olive tempenade~ French bread

Raspberry cannoli

Baked Brie with Fig preserves and dried figs~

Ingredients~

1 4 inch wheel of brie
1 package of frozen puff pastry
1 jar of fig preserves
1 cup dried figs
1 egg
1 tablespoon of flour

preheat the oven to 350 degrees F

Thaw puff pastry in the fridge over night
flour surface and roll out sheet of thawed puff pastry into a 18" square
place the wheel of brie into the center of the square
spread 1cup if the preserves on the top of the wheel
chop figs and place on top of the preserves
wrap the puff pastry dough around the wheel of cheese, gathering dough at the top and artfully knotting it on top of the wheel, encasing all the filling
place on a cookie sheet on parchment paper
whisk egg and with a brush, brush the entire pastry covered wheel with the egg wash

Place the wheel in the oven for 30 minutes, let cool for 20 minutes and serve warm.
I like the take a fresh piece of parchment paper and wrap the brie wheel like a gift with a ribbon, leaving one side open, this will be demonstrated on the video so stay tuned.

serves~ 8

Deconstructed Raspberry Connoli~ in a round glass

 
Cheese filling~

    2 cups fresh ricotta

    2 oz soft mild goat cheese at room temperature

    ¼ cup confectioner’s sugar

    ¼ teaspoon cinnamon

    2 oz. baby chocolate chips

 In a bowl combine cheeses, sugar, cinnamon and chocolate chips.

Raspberry sauce~

    ¼ cup granulated sugar

    3 pints raspberries

1 pint fresh raspberries

Store bought small canolli shells or chocolate twirl cookies

In a heavy saucepan combine sugar and raspberries cook over medium heat for 10 minutes, remove from heat and let cool. Place a sieve over a bowl, then place sauce into the sieve, and strain sauce into the bowl. Transfer strained raspberry sauce into a plastic squeeze bottle fitted with a top with a pointed tip. Set-aside until ready to assemble.

To assemble~ line up shot glasses, add cheese mixture layering raspberry sauce, from a plastic squeeze bottle, then cheese mixture, then a row of fresh raspberries and another layer of cheese filling, then finishing with the raspberry sauce.

Place the canolli shell or cookies at an angle into the glass.

Assemble these in the morning and chill, all but the shell/cookie, add the shell/cookie right before serving so it remains crispy.

serves~10

The video will be up this week and will be posted for your viewing pleasure, make this party and have fun, remember most of all to have fun and be creative while putting your party together, that's the most important part!