simple shrimp

I recently hosted a fabulous cocktail party at my apartment.  I wanted to serve cocktail shrimp, but not the basic cocktail shrimp; I wanted a more flavorful, interesting version.  This is a roasted cocktail shrimp with homemade cocktail sauce.  It was one of my favorite hors d'oeuvres at the party, and it was so simple to make!  Here is the recipe:

For the shrimp:
- 2 pounds (12-15) shrimp
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

For the sauce:
- 1/2 cup chili sauce
- 1/2 cup ketchup
- 3 tablespoons prepared horseradish
- 2 teaspoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
- 1/2 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1/4 teaspoon hot sauce

Directions:

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.

Peel and de-vein the shrimp, leaving the tails on.  Place them on a sheet pain with the olive oil, salt, and pepper, and spread them in one layer.  Roast for 8 to 10 minutes, just until pink and firm and cooked through.  Set aside to cool.

To make the sauce, combine all the ingredients and serve as a dip with the shrimp.

table setting: the cheat sheet

With the holidays coming, I thought it would be a good idea to talk a little about place settings.  This diagram below shows the traditional place setting.  Whether or not your place setting will have all of the pieces shown below, or you're going to have a more simplified version, this is a guideline for where to put everything.

A – Napkin
B – Dinner Plate
C – Soup Bowl on Plate
D – Bread and Butter Plate with Butter Knife
E – Water Glass
F – White Wine
G – Red Wine
H – Fish Fork
I – Dinner Fork
J – Salad Fork
K – Dinner Knife
L – Fish Knife
M – Soup Spoon
N – Dessert Spoon and Fork

Note: It is often recommended that the salad fork (J) is placed to the left of the dinner fork (I). However, in this formal setting the dinner fork is placed before the salad fork because it is suggested that the guest waits for the main meal before helping him/herself to the salad.

secret santa success

Holiday season is officially here, and with that comes the ever-so-stressful workplace gift exchange.  There is always a dilemma with a gift exchange--you pull a name and it's someone too old, too young, someone you do not know well, or someone you do not love so much.  One more thing, and for me is always the most stressful part; the budget!  Typically, $20 is a common limit for a workplace secret Santa.  Here are some great ideas from West Elm.  I love all of these!

Who doesn't love tape?  Well, I do, and I am really loving these wooden tape dispensers, with Japanese tape!  These are from West Elm, and they are colorful, stylish, modern, and FUN!  Trust me when I tell you that you can give someone tape for Christmas--and they will love it!

Coasters?  YES, PLEASE!  Everyone needs them, and everyone will LOVE these lacquered coaster sets.  They come in the most amazing colors.  I am loving the gold and silver sets; instant glamour!

I am always writing things down because I forget everything.  So be sure not to forget this gift idea!  These color block journals are the perfect stocking stuffer.  Or, pair one up with a fancy pen and that gift is good to go!

How chic are these white ceramic diffusers?  I have to admit, these days I have been ditching candles and scattering decorative diffusers all over the apartment.  They are so perfect!  My favorite diffusers come from West Elm.

Now I know what you might be thinking; really, Andrew, a nut bowl?  YES, a nut bowl!  This is not just for nuts.  I would use these for candy, or even as kitchen prep bowls.  They are $4 each, and for only $20 you could give an entire set of five of these.  Mix and match, or give all black, tie them up with a great bow and the fabulous signature gift wrap from West Elm, and everyone will be calling you fancy pants!

holidays trend alert

Leave it to West Elm to bring back the classics--and add their contemporary twist--to these handmade felt ornaments.  These are definitely going on my Christmas list.  I love the whimsical twist, and candy cane colors.  I think these would also be fabulous as gift toppers.

These mushrooms are absolutely adorable!  All of these fabulous felt creations are HANDMADE by artisan women in a village outside of Kathmandu.

I am in LOVE with the white felt bead garland seen here.  West Elm has an amazing selection of holiday decor.  Check out their website for lots of great things.

wall flower

I am loving this idea!  Urban Outfitters sells these wall tapestries that can be used on a bed, on a couch, or--how the store has it displayed--on a wall.  What a great way to create an interesting optical illusion and cover a bare wall.  They offer a few varieties; this is the birch tree option.  I love Urban Outfitters, especially for their home collection.

servery style

 

I absolutely love exposed shelving, and I love all white dishware. This rather small space was enhanced beautifully with basic white shelving, and a mixture of glass serve ware and  white porcelain. A large basket is the perfect container for olive oils and vinegar.

wine and dine

Martha mania

food tents with Microsoft

 

drink up