Entertaining Ideas: How to Style a Crudité Platter

April 12, 2013 Nealey Dozier Thompson

Let's talk about how to style a crudité platter. I serve some form of veggie appetizer at almost every party I host (like this Caesar Dip I made last week) and I'm always looking for new and interesting ways to arrange them. It doesn't take much to go above and beyond the typical store bought spread, I swear—just a cupboard raid and a quick stroll through the produce department...

Entertaining Ideas: Paper Flowers

April 2, 2013 Nealey Dozier Thompson

These gorgeous paper flowers from West Elm have me so excited for spring. I can already think of so many uses for the lovelies — you could throw 'em in a vase to spice up a brunch buffet, keep a stash on hand whenever you need a hostess gift (for the gal that has everything), or even "snail mail" a beautiful bouquet to a dear friend in need.

Entertaining Ideas: St. Patrick's Day Party

March 15, 2013 Nealey Dozier Thompson

I am marrying into an Irish family, and they take celebrating St. Paddy's Day to a whole new level. Every year I spend weeks hunting down new recipes in hopes to impress their seen-it-all crowd. On Sunday I'm excited to debut a new party pairing that may just blow all the others away. What is this pièce de résistance, you ask? Cereal milk Bourbon Punch (dyed green, of course) and ooey gooey Lucky Charms Bars. Oh yes, yes I did.

In case that doesn't inspire you to "go green," perhaps these lovely photos will...

Row one: clover cake toppers, Row two: centerpiece, clovers, Row three: bottles, bunting, Row four: grasshopper bars, Row five: corned beef sandwiches/cupcakes, Row six: Irish cream

Southern Hospitality: Super Bowl Party

January 29, 2013 Nealey Dozier Thompson

Just a few more days until Super Bowl 2013! I've got to say, it is truly bittersweet considering how close our beloved Falcons came—Atlanta playing in New Orleans for the NFL championship would have been pretty epic. But the show must go on. Never one to shy away from a game day celebration, I've rounded up a little entertaining inspiration to get everyone in the spirit. When it comes to a good Super Bowl party, I am all about keeping it classic (read: classy). No plastic turf table cloths or football-shaped cheese balls here, y'all. When it comes to decor, simple is always best.

Send out a cute invitation and print a matching menu to let guests know what's cookin'. (Paperless Post is my favorite way to customize virtual paper goods.)

Flowers should be one color please, and do not feel the need to match them with the participating teams' colors. (Trust me, maroon and gold buds never looked good anywhere.) Yellow or white roses would look nice.

For serving food, buffet-style is always best for a football party since it allows guests to serve themselves at their leisure. Set up a side table topped with a simple white runner. Add bowls, mugs, cutlery, and rolled cotton napkins. (Don't forget about the fixin's!) Chili, soups, and stews look great served in the very Dutch oven they were cooked in.

Set the bar up in another area, with a galvanized bucket packed with ice and a variety of craft beer. (Place a shower liner underneath a tablecloth to prevent water damage.) Make a big batch of the signature cocktail ahead of time and keep it in a pitcher on the bar. Arrange appropriate glassware, garnishes, and cocktail napkins nearby (along with plenty of ice) to keep it foolproof.

With the surge of food blogs these days, it seems that everyone is always trying to one up each other in the "ultimate" recipe department. Call me crazy, but sometimes (most of the time) I just think it's best to stick with the classics. Take the Super Bowl for instance. No one, and I mean no one, has ever complained about a tasty dip, strong margaritas, and a warm bowl of chili. ( A tray of fudgy brownies never hurt, either.)

Agave Margaritas - Agave syrup in a margarita is not exactly a revelation, but it does makes for a tasty twist on the classic. These from Bon Appetit should fit the bill.

Ultimate Seven Layer Dip - A friend brought a double batch of this Cook's Illustrated dip to our SEC Championship party, and it was the biggest hit of the night. (Trust me, it's a far cry from the open-and-dump recipes of yesteryear.) I think it would be impressive served in individual glass dishes if you were so inclined.

Pork and Green Chile Stew - Walt's Aunt Becky made us a batch of green chile stew for Christmas and it was one of the best things I have ever eaten. Until I swindle the exact recipe out of her, this one by Emeril looks pretty similar. (Bonus points that it's make-ahead!) Walt and I added white rice, which I think is a very welcome addition.

Brownies with Peanut Butter Frosting - A pastry chef I used to work with introduced me to brownies topped with whipped peanut butter frosting. My life has never been the same, and yours won't either.

Image sources: Board one: Paperless Post, Blooms by the Box, Camille Styles, Today's Nest Board two: Two Tart, Food & Wine, Real Mom Kitchen, Little Red House

Southern Hospitality: Lake House Style

August 10, 2012 Nealey Dozier Thompson

Walt and I, along with his other Necessary Roughness locations crew, are headed to Lake Sinclair this weekend for bit of R&R before Walt hops onto another job. I am so excited to slip into relaxation mode, even if it is for only one night. It's no matter, I can assure you we will make the very best of our twenty four hours at hand.

I grew up spending summers at Lake Martin in sweet home Alabama, and by now I consider myself a seasoned good-times pro. (In fact, check out this very old post if you need a good laugh. Man, how my priorities have changed!) While I'm off sunning & funning, here's a little lake inspiration I gathered to ensure that we all have a good time.

First and foremost, itineraries be damned! Water activities are to be expected, but there's nothing wrong with the occasional nap (or two). If you get a wild hair, enjoy an impromptu picnic on the dock and a quick paddle around the slew; take a quick dip or float until your fingers are pruned. Whatever your choice, lake time is on your side.

Late night festivities are where things start to get interesting. A roaring bonfire and a bottle of 'shine will help get the party started, and a high-stakes game of poker can all but guarantee a late night (clothing optional) swim. Be sure to have hotdogs and S'more kits on hand to keep any booze-related hunger at bay.

Lake House Style-4

An easy "serve-yourself" brunch is a must, especially if last night's raucousness got the best of you. Blueberry scones, granola, buttermilk biscuits, Greek yogurt, honey, and jam can be left out for guests to grab on the go. Don't forget fresh-squeezed orange juice and a bottle of bubbly—early morning mimosas by the dock are required! (You know what they say about the hair of the dog...)

At this point it's time to pack up and head home; twenty four hours sure does come and go. Hopefully there will be another Southern adventure to be had soon. Stay tuned!