Black Olive Penguins and Igloo Cheeseball

Here is a fun idea for your next Winter/Christmas party. Almost too cute to eat!

 For penguins use a jumbo and a small black olive. Slice the jumbo down the center and stuff with cream cheese. Cut a slice of a large carrot and cut out a small triangle, this will make the feet and the slice will be the beak. We also cut the beak in half, thickness wise because it was too thick.
Make a slit in small olive and insert beak, place a toothpick down the center to hold it all in place.

The Penguin Maker

Igloo
Mix 3 packages softened cream cheese with a large bag of Mozzarella, season with salt and pepper. To form igloo use a bowl, shown here is 1/2  of the ball pan from Wilton. Line with Saran Wrap, place cheese inside, cover with another layer and chill.
To make igloo invert and unwrap cheese, pinch and mold by hand, an entrance. Score ice cube design by using a toothpick, dragging it around in circles and then up and down.

Use left over cream cheese for snow around igloo and place penguins.

NO Time for Gingerbread Caramel Cabin

 Love the idea of the gingerbread centerpiece but don't have the time or the patience? Here is an easy alternative.

Needed materials
caramels
cookies or graham crackers
frosting- home made or store bought
sugar cones for ice cream
sprinkles
assorted candies/decorations

HomeTalk generously gave away some party supplies  to throw a party for friends! The package included a beautiful bell choche from Wayfair, perfect for a centerpiece showcasing edible winter bliss!

On a small piece of wax paper- this helps with transport- "glue" with frosting the  unwrapped caramels. Continue to build, cut caramels in half when you get to the roof.

 I used some fig cookies for the roof, you can use grahams or whatever is handy and the right size for your cabin.

 Use green frosting for the trees, sprinkle with snowflakes, glitter or any cake decorations you like

I used a good smathering of frosting to anchor everything in place and topped it with more sprinkles and a small bit of blue sanding sugar.

There you have an easy centerpiece! So easy even the kids can make them!

Planning An Evening with Appetizers- mini foods and desserts

Appetizers for dinner!
 I usually do finger foods for parties, since it is my daughter's favorite way to eat, she would always say, "why don't you make these more often?" My son's biggest complaint was that I never made enough cheese balls for the family. Now that they are both out on their own it seemed a perfect way to have a get together- finger foods- and cheese balls.
We had a table full of bite size yummies and they went fast!

Menu:
Mini pizzas- store bought
wings
sweet chili meatballs
bacon wrapped water chestnuts
mini cheese balls and crackers
deviled eggs
California rolls
ham and cream cheese pinwheels
Finger cookies
Pudding shots
Pumpkin caramel fluff

When planning the layout, I usually get out a dish for each item. I move them around until I have the correct number and placement, then put scraps of paper naming the food item to go there, first so I remember to put everything out, and second if someone helps me, they know where it goes.

Finger Cookies

A day or two ahead you can make foods that store well.
Since it is close to Halloween- we celebrate Fall ourselves but a little ghoulish fun
was had with some shortbread finger cookies.

To make use a basic short bread or low rising cookie dough, shape into fingers, score knuckles with a knife and place a slivered almond for finger nail. Bake as directed, when cool dust with cocoa powder and use red piping gel for blood. Note- this still had too much rise and the fingers were flatter than I wanted so as soon as the came out of the oven I used a spatula to smoosh them inward (kind of like gently sculpting the cooked dough, then let them rest 5 min before removing them to a cooling rack.

Also made one day ahead
California Rolls
Deviled Eggs
Pinwheels- Spread seasoned cream cheese over tortillas, place ham or thin meats and roll up. Slice into bite size pieces. You can also add pickle slices and veggies.
Meatballs can be made ahead and refrigerated or frozen until use, then warm up with any sauce.
Cheeseballs 

The day of-
I made the desserts
Pudding shots
Pumpkin Caramel Fluff-
Mix 1 can pumpkin with 1 c cool whip, 1/2 tsp cinnamon, 1/2 tsp nutmeg and a half a jar of caramel ice cream topping. Place in single serve bowls, top with more cool whip and caramel and add a wafer cookie on top.

Prepare and bake
Bacon water chestnut wraps
Wings
Reheat or cook meatballs
Bake mini pizzas

pinwheels in center, chocolate pudding shooters and pumpkin caramel fluff

California rolls, deviled eggs

mini cheese balls

Meatballs with store bought sweet chili sauce, bacon wrapped water chestnuts

yes, 6 of us scarfed this down! a couple neighbors came by and managed to grab a few leftover scraps
Minis or appetizers are a little work with a big pay off- happy foodies!
Planning
If your having a party and using mini foods, I would plan on 8 - 10 apps per person and 2 mini desserts- minimum!!! that may seem like a lot but
1 egg, 2 bacon wraps, 2 meatballs, 2 pizzas, 2 cheese balls, 1 sushi roll - it adds up fast!!

Tea time tablescape

Well, who ever said you need 5 dishes at each place setting???
Maybe that is proper etiquette but over here at ND kitchen....its about the food!
(ok, it would be about the dishes if I had more....I am slowly adding to my collection)

I had a little tea with some lovely friends.....

A Steele Magnolia Tea in honor of my love for the movie and the South. See the Southern May pop? how about the okra and the Wisteria pods and Magnolia leaves.

Food

Food

More food

Boiled peanuts anyone???

I love the simple 60's style luncheon dishes.

This piece I just found at the thrift store just before the tea for $2.00

It has a built in flower frog and holds 3 candles.

Uncle Paw Paw was assigned to polishing...

Look there....my 17 year old son at a tea party????  Only because that is his lovely girlfriend across from him at the table.

Cheers!


More from this party can be seen at my blog  A Southern Belle With Northern Roots


I am linking to Table Top Thursday with BNOTP.


See recipes for Virgin Mint Juleps
                       White Chocolate Bread Pudding
                        Cucumber Walnut Sandwiches
                        Rhubarb Tea Cakes
                        Crab Salad
                        Cream Cheese Pansy Cookies
                       Coconut Macaroons
 sorry the blueberry crumble isn't posted yet but soon will be!!

Cucumber Tea Sandwiches

1 (8oz) cream cheese
2 Tbs mayonaise
3/4 tsp seasoned salt
1/4 c finely grated carrots
1/4 c finely chopped walnuts
1 Tbs finely chopped parsley
1-3 seedless cucumbers
12 pieces of thin white bread slices, crusts removed
garnish- finely grated carrot

In small bowl combine cream cheese, mayo, and salt. Stir in carrots, walnuts and parsley.
Using a good vegetable peeler thinly slice long strips of cucumber, with peel on.

 Spread thin layer of cream cheese mixture onto bread. slice into two smaller pieces and layer cucumber slices, slightly overlapping. Top with another dollop of cream cheese and grated carrot.

Cucumber bites

 Slice cucumbers into chunks or use remaining cucumbers from above recipe, after slicing ribbons from them.
Place remaining cream cheese mix. or use any seasoning or Watkins, Tastefully Simple etc. mix with another cream cheese base. Place 1 Tbs. on each cucumber slice and top with capers.

Salad Bar

Having guests? Do they all have different tastes? Maybe different dietary needs? How about a build your own salad bar at home. Have all the ingredients and keep them all separate so the gluten free person can steer clear of the croutons and blue cheese,and the vegan/vegetarian can have all the veggies and fruits they can eat.

Start with the greens; 

iceberg, romain, endive, arugula, chard, spinach or mixes

Throw in the veggies, use bowls, Tupperware and relish trays;

cucumbers, tomatoes, carrots, onions, broccoli, cauliflower........

Fruits:

chopped apple, mandarine oranges, strawberries, dried cranberries

Nuts and seeds:

almonds, pecans, walnuts, shelled sunflower seeds and pumpkin seeds, flax seed

hard boiled eggs

meat; chicken, ham, pastrami, bacon

cheese- shredded or chunks, any kind, how about a sharp cheddar, a mild mozzarella, and an asiago wedge

Don't forget the olives and the breads

hard rolls, croutons, crackers

Now be sure and have a good variety of dressings, including olive oil and a good balsamic vinegar.

Healthy and individual, your guests should have a wonderful time.

Baby Shower

A resent brunch baby shower

Yellow cake with Lime curd filling, vanilla frosting and a little blue food coloring swirled for wave effect..Wafer cookie sticks are adhered with frosting around the cake.

Sugar cookies

Baked French toast and Sausage Breakfast Casserole with fruit and oatmeal.

King cake with the baby hidden inside!

Use a gift for a decoration. Make a clothes line.

Throw in a few games.

Party favors, chocolate!!

Baby Joshua will be here soon!!!