Backyard Sangria Gathering
I recently hosted a small birthday gathering at my home. I come from a large family, so I'm used to hosting big parties. But I enjoy smaller gatherings just as much. There's something special about being able to connect with close friends and family in a more intimate setting.
I used to make a lot of food for my parties, but I've had to scale back since my gatherings are smaller now. It's been a challenge, but getting creative with my recipes has also been fun. I've learned to focus on making a few delicious dishes rather than trying to make many different things.
I'm still getting used to hosting smaller gatherings, but I'm enjoying it. I love the feeling of being surrounded by people I care about, and I love being able to cook for them. I'm going to keep hosting small gatherings from now on.
I love to serve a robust sangria when I am entertaining guests. This recipe is my go-to when I am looking for something that is super rich and tasty. I used a Spanish red wine along with an abundance of citrus fruits. I added a small amount of SIMPLE MAPLE sugar and some cherries for a more full-bodied complex flavor. Throughout the evening, I CONTINUED to refill the pitcher as needed and added heaping amounts of ice.
To find this delicious recipe for the red Sangria, I made, go to gimmesomeoven.com by clicking on this link or the picture above.
““Let us celebrate the occasion with wine and sweet words.”
”
Sangria is a punch that traditionally consists of red wine and chopped fruit, often with other ingredients or spirits. Sangria is one of the most popular drinks in Spanish cuisine and is commonly served in bars and restaurants throughout Portugal and Spain. Although Sangrias are typically made from red wine, you can make it with any other type depending on your preference. The only caveat is that you need to change the ingredients based on the type of wine you choose.
An example of this IS if you use white wine. White wine typically already has natural fruity notes. By adding more fruit, you can compete with those delicious flavors. You will want to be careful ABOUT which other fruits you add to your sangria to complement the wine you selected.
To learn more about which fruits to choose for the wine you select for your sangrias, go to FoodandWine.com. Here they give you everything you will want to know about this scrumptious cocktail, which fruits to use for which wine, and so much more.
My hand-blown pitcher made for a lovely vase for my centerpiece. These pretty vintage linen napkins just add to the warmth and down-home feel to my design.
I adore using different types of vessels to gather flowers for a bouquet. This delicate glass pitcher was perfect since I wanted my centerpiece to be casual AND STILL HAVE SOME ELEGANCE. Just because you are entertaining outside doesn’t mean you have to compromise a beautiful presentation.
This pink cake plate was my mothers and I just adore it. It’s all the little things in a design that brings meaning to the whole presentation.
When decorating this cake, I wrapped each flower stem with clear wrap and then inserted them. If I plan to have a cake decorated for a longer duration and I know the flower will wilt, I will often fill flower water tubes, insert the flower stem into the tube, and then insert the tube into the cake. I am always careful with flowers to use when styling for an event.
Note: Many flower blossoms are NOT edible. some are poisonous. To learn which flowers are safe to eat, go to Southern Living Magazine by following this link.
This cake was baked by Taste By Spellbound in Avon, Connecticut. They are always my go-to for desserts. I love that this cake is 7” round but stands three layers tall. It makes for a beautiful presentation and can be decorated in many ways. Generally, I will order a cake with the color and flavor of my desire and then style it myself. Through the years, I have come to depend on them for their high-quality products and creativity in designing gorgeous cakes and other baked goods.
Green hydrangeas and light pink David Austin Roses filled this casual bouquet. I love the color combination with a linen floral tablecloth.
What better way to eat outside in the summertime than to use what you have in your garden for dinner? These are some of the heirloom tomatoes I used for a salad. All the other ingredients are bought at my local organic open market since mine were not ready to pick.
Color and presentation are so important when hosting a party. This salad was filled with a melody of colors and textures that screamed delicious!
Arugula, Heirloom Tomato, and Roasted Beet Salad
Layer a dish with fresh arugula
Roast beets with olive oil, salt and pepper. Once done, slice, or if they are small, keep them as is. I used both yellow and red beets.
Slice tomatoes. I used several types of heirloom tomatoes from my garden. I also used heirloom cherry tomatoes.
Sprinkle with either feta or goat cheese. I used feta.
Top with a nice buttery olive oil—salt and pepper to taste.
Refrigerate for an hour to let the flavors combine.
The roasted beets give this dish a lovely rich taste.
This dish didn’t need a heavy salad dressing since the combination of flavors stood on its own. A simple olive oil complimented the dish without interfering with the natural flavors. I added the feta cheese, which gave this dish even more depth of flavor.
“flowers always make people better, happier, and more helpful; they are sunshine, food and medicine to the mind.”
Gorgeous Zink French Glasses
As with everything I post on my blogs, please feel free to comment, or if you have any questions, please email me through my contact page. I welcome it anytime!
Design with your heart™️
Happy entertaining my friends!
Mary
“May your home be a place where friends meet, family gathers, and love grows. ”
David Austin Roses
