a st. patty's day menu

(image via a sugar high)

Happy almost St. Patrick's Day to you all!

For those of you impromptu dinner partiers, here's the perfect Irish menu to get you and your guests in the celebratory mood.

If anything, pleasseeee make the Guinness float. It's epic. Life changing. I had my first at 25 Degrees out in Hollywood and I dream about these things. Heck, it could even be your breakfast tomorrow (there's milk in it - so it's totalllyyyy healthy).

To sip on:
Keep it simple - Guinness, Smithwick's, and Jameson

To munch on:
Corned Beef and Cabbage Rolls

The main course:
Guinness and Onion Soup
Individual Shepherd's Pie

Dessert:
Guinness Float

a "ladies who brunch" menu

(image via the kitchn)

One of my absolute favorite weekend activities is getting together with my girlfriends over a leisurely brunch, which most likely consists of Eggs Benedict and mimosas. Why not host your own?

I've put together a menu that will guarantee a lovely brunch with your friends and a slightly fuzzy afternoon of mimosas.

(image via the kitchn)

Set up the Eggs Benedict as a "make your own" bar, so your friends can put whatever toppings under their eggs that they please.

To nibble on while people arrive:
Blackberry Jam Straws

To sip on:
Classic mimosas or
Hibiscus mimosas

The main course:
Lightly toasted English muffins or french bread
Poached eggs (here's how to make them the night before)
A spread of prosciutto, roasted tomatoes, wilted spinach (I did a similar spread here)
Hollandaise sauce
A bowl of raspberries, blackberries, and sliced strawberries

an oscars cocktail party menu

(image via twig and thistle)

Do you feel that? The anticipation in the air? That's me. Squirming in my seat because I can't wait for the Oscars.

I mean, really, what's there not to love? The dresses. The speeches. The return of Billy Crystal! 

(image via bon appetit)

What better way to spend this evening than with a few friends over cocktails and crostinis (and of course, competitive betting over each category's winners). 

I've put together a menu - just elegant enough (but not overly stuffy)  - for a cocktail affair with gussied up popcorn (duh, it's the movies), crostinis, and champagne. 

(image via zested)

Elderflower Champagne Cocktail

Bacon and Cashew Caramel Corn

Glazed Lemon and Poppyseed Popcorn

Shitaake Ragout on Chevre Crostini

Banh Mi Crostini

Hummus and Avocado Toasts with Roasted Tomato

If you need any ideas for decorating for an Oscar party, please immediately head over to Twig and Thistle for an amazing party spread.

a valentine's day menu

Josh and I have spent our fair share of Valentine's Days out at restaurants. We've suffered through the crowds, absurdly priced dinners, and fairly standard menus (filet mignon and flourless chocolate cake, anyone?).

(image via tiny urban kitchen)

A few years ago, we started the tradition of cooking in on Valentine's Day. Each year we pick a recipe that we've been dying to make that requires lots of "together" time in the kitchen. We make appetizers, open a good bottle of wine, and spend a few hours slowly putting together a delicious meal while blasting our favorite music.

It's comfortable, less expensive, delicious, and romantic. You should give it a try.

(image via bon appetit)

This Valentine's menu would be absolutely perfect for a night in. The spice on the pork rub has a bit of a kick, which pairs so well with the citrusy brussel spouts and the creamy potatoes. Make just one portion of the chocolate mousse and share it with two spoons.

(image via the comfort of cooking)

To sip on:
A bottle of Syrah (Aresti @ $16)

To munch on while you're cooking:
Baked Spiced Chickpeas

For dinner:
New Mexican Rubbed Pork Tenderloin with Bourbon Ancho Sauce
Margarita Potatoes
Sauteed Brussel Sprouts with Lemon and Pistachios

For dessert:
Julia Child's Perfect Chocolate Mousse with Homemade Whipped Cream

Prep Ahead the Night Before:
- Mix up the pork's spice rub and leave in a ziploc bag
- Make the bourbon ancho sauce
- Parboil the potatoes and store in a tightly covered dish in the fridge
- Mix together the margarita sauce and store in the fridge
- Peel the brussel sprout leaves and store in a tighly covered dish in the fridge
- Make the chocolate mousse