All Things For All Parties

Asian Inspired Wedding by Colin Cowie

 

Asian Lettuce Wraps

 

Whether you're hosting a party to celebrate the Chinese New Year or just having friends over these lettuce wraps are the perfect dish to serve.  They are easy to make and very yummy!

Cook Time: 20 minutes
Yield: Serves 8
Cost per Serving: $1.30

It's a Sake Tasting Party

 

Move over wine tasting parties...Sake is moving in on the spotlight.  Be a trend setter and be the first of your friends to host a party in honor of the hottest sips from the Southeast.  This is the perfect way to ring in the Chinese New Year (the Year of the Rabbit) with your friends & family. 

In preparing for the party, purchase sakes and store them. Make sure you keep them in dry, dark places.  For your decorations, buy porcelain sake glassware or traditional masu wooden boxes - you can get these great little glasses at a local asian market or find them online (Amazon.com).  If you are working on a budget, just use your shot glasses for sipping.

T.G.I.F. Kumquat Mojito

 

My house is under construction, my hubby has been out of town for 2 weeks, we had to get all of our Spring wholesale orders out...Whew, I am beat!  Thank goodness it's Friday!  This week definitely kicked my butt...I think I may need a pitcher of today's drink of the week.  Enjoy!!!  (I know I am)

Makes 1 drink

The vibrant color and flavor of kumquats make this drink a winter hit. A candied kumquat, or a tiny slice of a fresh one, is an elegant and edible garnish.

2 1/2 kumquats, halved
8 fresh mint leaves
Ice
2 ounces white rum, preferably Myers's
1 ounce Organic Modmix Mojito Mix

Times to Use a Chinese Lantern

 
  


Perhaps you have seen flying lanterns at events or parties that you've been to, or perhaps you have seen them on television, online or read about them. There are so many occasions when you could use a Chinese lantern to add a little magic and enchantment to an evening that the options are limitless. What's more, Chinese lanterns are very affordable, especially compared with fireworks, which are highly expensive. Everyone can feel involved with a Chinese lantern display, each releasing their own lantern, or releasing one in pairs, whereas with fireworks the role of the guests is passive. Here are three of the most popular times to use a Chinese lantern:

Using a Chinese lantern at a wedding

Many brides and grooms look for a memorable way to end their big day before they head off to a hotel or on honeymoon. On a Summer's evening when guests can spend time outside, a lantern display is a wonderful idea. Because they are so affordable, there is no reason why each guest, or each couple, shouldn't have their own to release. Lanterns are traditionally thought to be lucky, so what better way to bring luck to the couple as they begin married life?

T.G.I.F. The Red Lotus

 

I have to start by apologizing for my recent blog activity things have been so hectic these days that I just haven't been able to catch my breath let alone sit down to write something remotely interesting.  Anyway, I can now see the light at the end of the tunnel and today's post is in honor of the upcoming Chinese New Year's...Woo Hoo!  I lived in San Francisco for years and Chinese New Year's is one of the biggest celebrations of the year so let's kick-off the festivities with a Red Lotus...Yummy!

In the Red Lotus cocktail the distinct flavor of lychee liqueur is accented with the lighter taste of cranberry. It's an interesting play of flavors that is both intensely sweet and delicately refreshing. I like to garnish a Red Lotus with three pitted lychees skewered on a cocktail pick.
Ingredients:
•1 1/2 oz vodka
•1 1/2 oz Lichido Liqueur
•1 oz cranberry juice
Preparation:
1.Pour the vodka, Lichido and cranberry juice into a cocktail shaker with ice.
2.Shake well.
3.Strain into a chilled martini glass.