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A Pleasant Little Rotisserie Chicken Menu

Tags: A Pleasant Little Kitchen

Thursday, January 11, 2018 3:15:00 PM

Post and images by guest blogger, Rebecca White, of A Pleasant Little Kitchen.

Visit her full blog or find out more about her here.

It’s a question I often hear, and one that I always have an answer for:

“What types of dinners can I make from a rotisserie chicken from the grocery store?”

My response is always the same:

You can make SO many meals at all kinds of …
» Read More
Spring Into Safe Cleaning

Tags: Spring Cleaning, Safe Cleaning

Thursday, May 3, 2018 11:15:00 AM

For many people, spending time in the kitchen offers a chance to step away from our hectic lives and put our creativity to work. Whether it’s a home-cooked chicken cacciatore or a freshly baked blueberry pie, the opportunities are endless.

Food offers so many great benefits aside from the nutrition it provides. Cooking helps relieve stress and gives us an outlet to …
» Read More
Nacho Party

Tags: market street, APLK, Big Game, Party Recipes, Feeding a Crowd

Tuesday, January 31, 2017 7:22:32 PM

Post and images by guest blogger, Rebecca White, of A Pleasant Little Kitchen.

Visit her full blog or find out more about her here.

There’s an impending large crowd to feed on Super Bowl Sunday and they are coming to your home expecting food and fun.

The amount of time available to prepare dinner is limited so not only does the meal need to be easily prepared and …
» Read More
A Pleasant Little Wedding Brunch

Tags: A Pleasant Little Kitchen, market street, wedding

Wednesday, June 7, 2017 9:38:33 AM

Post and images by guest blogger, Rebecca White, of A Pleasant Little Kitchen.

Visit her full blog or find out more about her here.

There was a season of my life where it seemed like several weekends out of the summer involved parties celebrating the nuptials of dear friends. A few lucky times, I would be one of the friends who got to throw the get together.

The …
» Read More

4 Information Results For thanksgiving meal

A Pleasant Little Rotisserie Chicken Menu

Post and images by guest blogger, Rebecca White, of A Pleasant Little Kitchen.  Visit her full blog or find out more about her here.  It’s a question I often hear, and one that I always have an answer for: “What types of dinners can I make from a rotisserie chicken from the grocery store?” My response is always the same: You can make SO many meals at all kinds of skill level. Soups! Lasagnas! Pizza! Salads! Taquitos! Typically the question is two part though… what can I make from a rotisserie chicken and what can I make from a rotisserie chicken that is weeknight friendly (and let’s face it makes for great leftovers for the rest of the week). My answer never changes. You can make SO many meals that are weeknight friendly from a rotisserie chicken. From that point on the conversation varies depending on the person’s time availability, level of cooking skills and food preferences. I tend to always insert one piece of advice though. Get the rotisserie chicken from Market Street. It’s never dried out and there is a wonderful variety of seasoned rotisserie chickens that are nice to choose from that help enhance the flavors of the meal. Lemon Pepper! Simply Seasoned! Garlic! Southwest! Market Street knows how to cook a chicken. Now, not knowing your particular level of cooking, food preferences and time available in the kitchen I want to share with you some of my favorite recipes that I enjoy making with a rotisserie chicken: Linguini with Tomatoes and Chicken | weeknight | time in the kitchen: minimal Hatch Chile Chicken Lasagna | weekend | time in the kitchen: more than average Chicken Salad with Whole Grain Mustard and Thyme | weeknight | time in the kitchen: minimal Chicken Red Pepper Soup | weeknight | time in the kitchen: average One thing that all of these recipes have in common is that they make enough leftovers for the following night (or for lunch the next day). Now, add a few of these recipes to your menu this week and pop over to Market Street to pick up a rotisserie chicken--or two, because they are the best in the city. Linguini with Chicken, Tomatoes and Garlic Oil Author note: This dish is one that can be made in the time it takes the linguine to cook. This recipe serves 2 to 3 but could easily feed more by increasing the amount of extra-virgin olive oil, tomatoes and chicken. Feel free to increase the amount of garlic and cheese if a more vibrant flavor is desired. Red pepper flakes and fresh spinach would also make good additions to this dish.    Ingredients 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil 1 small shallot, roughly chopped 5 garlic cloves, crushed pinch of red pepper flakes (optional) 1 cup small tomatoes, halved (or larger tomatoes, diced) 1/4 tsp kosher salt 1 cup rotisserie chicken 1/4 cup pasta water 1/2 cup grated Pecorino Romano (or Parmesan) handful of linguine noodles (enough for 2 to 3 servings) lemon zest kosher salt   Directions 1. Fill a medium sized pan with water and bring to boil, pour a generous amount of kosher salt into the water and add the linguine. Cook the pasta to al dente according to the package's directions and reserve ¼ cup of pasta water. 2. Meanwhile, add the oil, garlic and shallots (and red pepper if using) to a medium-sized saute pan and cook over medium-low heat. Cook for about 8-10 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent the garlic from burning. 3. Next, add the tomatoes to the garlic oil and cook for an additional 5-8 minutes. 4. Then, reduce the heat to low and add the chicken, pasta water and cheese. Stir well to combine and continue to heat through. 5. Once the pasta is cooked to al dente, add the linguine to the saute pan. Stir well to coat the noodles with the garlic oil. 6. Divide the linguine, chicken and tomatoes between 2 or 3 bowls, spoon the remaining garlic oil over each dish and then top with freshly grated lemon zest.   Hatch Chile Chicken Lasagna Author note: For a more laid back approach to lasagna, this recipe can be broken down into two days of cooking. Cook the sauce and prep the chicken on day one. Make the béchamel and build the lasagna on day two. Use a rotisserie chicken from your local grocery store to make the cooking process a bit easier. Depending on how cheesy you prefer lasagna, feel free to add more parmesan and fontina cheese. Be sure to evenly distribute all components of the lasagna.   for the lasagna Ingredients Hatch chile tomato sauce (recipe below) Hatch-lime chicken (recipe below) béchamel (recipe below) lasagna noodles, cooked 1/2 cup parmesan cheese, grated 1/2 cup fontina cheese, grated 2 cups of mozzarella, grated 1 cup cilantro (and more for topping), chopped lime wedges for serving   Directions 1. Heat the oven to 350 degrees 2. In a 9x13 baking dish add a thin layer of tomato sauce. 3. Place a layer of cooked lasagna on top of the tomato sauce (be sure to cover the whole pan). 4. Evenly spread a layer of béchamel on top of the pasta. 5. Add a layer of Hatch-lime chicken on top of the béchamel. 6. Sprinkle a layer of cilantro on top of the béchamel. 7. Evenly distribute a portion of the cheeses on top of the cilantro. 8. Finish with a layer of Hatch tomato sauce. 9. Repeat all steps beginning with step number 2. 10. Add a final layer of pasta, red sauce, béchamel, parmesan, fontina and mozzarella. 11. Place in the oven and bake for 30 minutes. In the final five minutes, turn the oven to broil at 500 degrees and cook until the top of the lasagna is browned, up to 5 minutes. 12. Top with chopped cilantro and serve with lime wedges.   for the Hatch chile tomato sauce Ingredients 28 ounces crushed tomatoes 1 teaspoon cumin 1 teaspoon kosher salt 4 tablespoons unsalted butter 1 cup roasted Hatch green chiles, chopped (skins and seeds removed) 2 garlic cloves, crushed 1/2 onion   Directions 1. Place all ingredients into a saucepan. Simmer for 35-45 minutes. Salt to taste. Set aside.   for the Hatch-lime chicken Ingredients 4 cups rotisserie chicken, chopped 1 1/2 cups Hatch green chiles, chopped (skins and seeds removed) 1 jalapeno, stem removed, seeded and chopped 1/2 teaspoon cayenne 1 teaspoon kosher salt 1 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin juice of 1 lime   Directions 1. Place all ingredients into a bowl. Stir well to incorporate. Set aside.   for the béchamel Ingredients 3 tablespoons unsalted butter 3 tablespoons flour 2 cups whole milk, warmed 3/4 cups Hatch green chiles, chopped (skin and seeds removed) pinch of cinnamon 1 teaspoon ground cumin 1 teaspoon kosher salt   Directions 1. In a medium-sized sauce pan, melt the butter on medium heat. Once melted, whisk in the flour. Continue to whisk until the roux (the butter flour combination) is golden. 2. Pour in the warmed milk and continue to whisk. Simmer until the béchamel is thickened, about 5 to 10 minutes. Stir frequently to prevent the béchamel from burning. 3. Add the chiles, cinnamon, cumin and salt. Stir well to incorporate. Decrease the heat to low.   Chicken Salad with Whole Grain Mustard and Thyme Ingredients 4 cups rotisserie chicken, cut into bite sized chunks 1/2 cup red onion, diced 2 teaspoons fresh thyme 2 tablespoons whole grain mustard 1/3 cup toasted pine nuts (toasted optional) 1 tablespoon sherry vinegar 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt   Directions 1. Combine all the ingredients and stir to combine. Serve on crusty bread or by itself.   Chicken Red Pepper Soup Serves 6-8 Author note: The addition of cornmeal makes this soup heartier than your average soup. While this soup may appear to be spicy, it has only a low heat element. This soup is a perfect make-ahead meal because it reheats nicely. If you prefer a meatless soup, omit the chicken and top with a runny egg.    Ingredients 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil 1 jalapeno or serrano, seeded and quartered 1 garlic clove, quartered 1 4 ounce can hatch green chiles 1 small yellow onion, quartered 1 green bell pepper, seeded and quartered 2 red bell peppers, seeded 1 14 ounce can unsalted diced tomatoes 2 ¼ teaspoons kosher salt ½ teaspoon oregano 2 teaspoons cumin 2 teaspoons chili powder 1 bay leaf 6 cups low-sodium chicken stock 2/3 cup cornmeal 3 cups rotisserie chicken, shredded and chopped cilantro, chopped, for topping plain yogurt, sour cream or for topping lime wedges, for topping   Directions 1. Place the olive oil in a large pan and bring to medium-high heat. 2. Meanwhile, in a food processor puree the jalapeno (or serrano), garlic, green chiles, onion, green bell pepper and 1 quartered red bell pepper. 3. Add the pureed vegetables to the heated oil and cook for 10 minutes. 4. While the vegetables cook, seed and dice the remaining red bell pepper. 5. Add the diced bell pepper to the pureed vegetables and cook until tender (about 3 minutes) 6. Next add the tomatoes, salt, oregano, cumin, chili powder and bay leaf to the pureed vegetables. Simmer for 10 minutes. 7. Add the chicken stock, bring to a boil and boil for 10 minutes. 8. Remove 2 cups of the soup to a large bowl. Slowly whisk in the cornmeal into the hot soup, whisk well. 9. Slowly whisk the cornmeal mixture back into the soup. Whisk the soup until the soup is smooth and there are no cornmeal clumps. 10. Simmer on low for 30 minutes. Stir frequently to prevent the cornmeal from sticking to the bottom of the pan. 11. With 10 minutes remaining, place the shredded chicken into the soup and heat through. 12. Top with cilantro, sour cream and spritz of fresh lime juice. Serve warm. Read More

Spring Into Safe Cleaning

For many people, spending time in the kitchen offers a chance to step away from our hectic lives and put our creativity to work. Whether it’s a home-cooked chicken cacciatore or a freshly baked blueberry pie, the opportunities are endless. Food offers so many great benefits aside from the nutrition it provides. Cooking helps relieve stress and gives us an outlet to introduce others to unique food pairings they have never tried before. But despite the time, effort and preparation we put into making our food healthy and delicious, the kitchen itself could still make us sick. Spring is a great time to do a little spring cleaning and learn about the hidden dangers in our kitchens and how to keep ourselves and our loved ones safe.   Cut to the Feeling Cutting boards serve a wide variety of purposes in the kitchen like cutting up raw meat, slicing veggies or acting as a pot holder for a finished meal. But all the wear and tear cutting boards go through makes them a great hiding spot for germs and bacteria to thrive. There are three main types of cutting boards; plastic, wooden and bamboo. For years, plastic was seen as the safest because it can be washed in a dishwasher. In tests performed by the University of Michigan, however, plastic cutting boards held more bacteria than wooden ones and were incredibly difficult to disinfect by hand. Wooden cutting boards are tougher on your knives, but if you get a good hardwood like maple or beech, the wood’s tight grains will trap moisture and bacteria, killing them as it dries. Make sure to wash all wooden cutting boards by hand and have a good disinfectant available to ensure the board is clean. Bamboo cutting boards, like these that we carry by Good Cook, have many of the same benefits as wood, but are actually even harder. The bright side of bamboo is that it absorbs less liquid than wood, so bacteria may have a difficult time thriving on those products.    My Chemical Romance Cleaning a kitchen takes time and, more often than not, a parade of chemicals and cleaners with difficult to pronounce ingredients. While it’s important to make sure the kitchen is safe to cook and eat in, what we use to clean surfaces and scrub with has a big impact on our health. The average person spends about $500 each year on cleaning supplies, but according to the Environmental Working Group, more than half of those products likely contain ingredients that could hurt our lungs. It isn’t just bleach and ammonia that are causing problems, either. Everything from oven cleaners and surface disinfectant sprays to window cleaners and air fresheners all contain toxins capable of causing a variety of respiratory problems. For example, chemicals like formaldehyde, sodium borate and chloroform can cause chronic problems like asthma, coughing, and wheezing, while others are known carcinogens. Some cleaning supplies are also capable of causing eye and lung irritation, dizziness, and nausea. The easiest way to avoid coming into contact with dangerous chemicals is to simply read the labels on your products to see what they contain. The Environmental Working Group allows you to search more than 2500 products and find out how they rank on an A-F scale. You can search products here: https://www.ewg.org/guides/cleaners Market Street carries a large variety of cleaning products that rank well on EWG's scale, like Honest brand dish soap, Seventh Generation multi-surface cleaner, Aunt Fannie's cleaning wipes, Lysol all-purpose cleaner, ECover Zero bleach and many more. Many of these cleaners are made with plant-derived elements, essential oils, and other thoughtfully chosen ingredients to keep your home free of toxic chemicals.   Radioactive Dishes and Asbestos Tiles You’ve probably heard the rumors about old Fiestaware dishes, cups and bowls being radioactive, and the rumors are true! From the 1930s until World War II, Fiesta dishes contained uranium oxide in the glaze, and could leach out of the plates if the food was highly acidic (like spaghetti sauce) or if the plate became damaged. After the war ended, plates were once again made using depleted uranium oxide until the ingredient was finally removed in 1972. Although Fiestaware plates do emit radiation and are likely to do so for many years, it isn’t the only manufacturer to add uranium oxide to its glazes. In fact, many bright red and orange plates, along with yellow, green and brown ones made during that time, all contained uranium to get their color. New Fiestaware and other colored ceramics are completely safe to eat off of and have been so for several decades.   What Have We Learned? Poisons come in all shapes and sizes, including products and items we never would have suspected. It might seem scary to think about, but you can remove a lot of the danger these toxins pose by just avoiding them. Use high-quality cleaning products or make your own to avoid nasty chemicals. To avoid cross-contamination, don’t use the same cutting board for raw chicken as you would for raw veggies and wash everything thoroughly. Put your grandmother’s Fiesta plates back in the cabinet instead of eating off of them, and have your kitchen - and home - checked for asbestos before attempting any kind of remodeling project. By making smarter decisions, you’ll avoid exposing yourself to toxins and find a little more peace of mind in the kitchen. Your body, and your family, will thank you!   Content provided by Mesothelioma + Asbestos Awareness Center Read More

Nacho Party

Post and images by guest blogger, Rebecca White, of A Pleasant Little Kitchen.  Visit her full blog or find out more about her here.  There’s an impending large crowd to feed on Super Bowl Sunday and they are coming to your home expecting food and fun. The amount of time available to prepare dinner is limited so not only does the meal need to be easily prepared and make-ahead friendly, but it also needs to be delicious. Within this hungry football crowd are sleeping food dragons. These are the difficult eaters—smug ‘foodies’ or an adult with a picky palate. May I suggest a nacho bar? A “Nacho Night” get-together is a winner for all, regardless of the team you root for. For the host, it is easy to plan and prepare. Meats and sauces can be made ahead, or even purchased from Market Street the night before and gently reheated before service. Clean-up is a cinch (disposable foil pie pans for all!). Toppings can be chopped and refrigerated a few hours before everyone arrives. You’ll be casually sipping on a margarita when everyone arrives…and silently laughing. You’re actually making them do the cooking. And they’ll love you for it. It’s a win for the guests because they are pleasantly surprised. Conversations become livelier as the diners dive into the nacho building process. There’s food options for the pickiest eaters. But the overarching point of a nacho bar is that it’s tasty, memorable fun. You’ll be adding a memory to their food story and that’s awesome. When people come knocking at your door ready for kick-off, you’ll be ready to score big with your fans. Offer up chips, a selection of toppings and lots of cheese. It’s nacho night in America! Here’s a brief game plan to follow for the nacho building: Chips- make sure the tortilla chip is thick, not thin. Also, open the tortilla chip bag at the bottom instead of at the top. This allows all the small chips to be on the bottom of the nacho pile instead of on top. Market Street provides an abundant selection of tortilla chips that are perfect for nachos. It ranges from Tia Rosa to Xochitl to Market Street's very own, house-made seasoned deli chips (that make my heart skip a beat). Cheese- Goopy “queso” is not invited to this nacho party. This makes the chips soggy and undesirable. Use a neutral blend of shredded cheese (Monterey Jack is a good option). Be very generous when adding the cheese. If your nachos are based on a theme (like Greek or Italian) use a meltable cheese that compliments the other ingredients. Meat- offer a variety of meats or just stick to one. Market Street’s premade rotisserie chicken is perfect for nachos. Shred and then season with a bit of salt and lime juice—it’s an easy way to add flavor. BBQ brisket is also another excellent option. Layers- When building the nachos, think lasagna: chips, meat, cheese and repeat. I generally go with two layers, you may want more. Simplicity- Keep it simple on what initially goes on the chips and into the oven. Meat and cheese is all that’s needed at first (add beans and diced onions at the most). Leave the rest of the show up to your party guests and the toppings you put on your nacho bar. Toppings- This is where the fun begins and Market Street’s deli and premade sections are the perfect place to grab a few goodies. Go BIG when it comes to nacho toppings, here are a few suggestions. raw onions: white, red, green. crumbly cheeses: blue cheese, feta, goat cheese. greens: cilantro, parsley, chopped romaine lettuce. sauces: buffalo sauce, ranch dressing, pesto, tzatziki. vegetables: pico de gallo (also available in the Market Street ready to eat section), radishes, cabbage, bell peppers, jalapeños. beans (canned and drained): black, pinto, cannellini. Or if you prefer to skip the nacho bar and stick with pre-made nacho options, try these recipes for Buffalo Chicken Nachos or Chicken Pesto Nachos. Happy Nacho-ing! Buffalo Chicken Nachos Author note: This recipe is a non-recipe. The ingredients are listed; however, the amount of chicken, chips, cheese and toppings is really up to you. The buffalo sauce is adapted from Alton Brown's Buffalo Wing Sauce. Feel free to use store bought buffalo sauce and ranch dip if time is limited. For the nachos:  Ingredients:  canola spray thick tortilla chips roasted chicken, shredded Lucerne shredded three-cheese blend cheese For the toppings: red onion, diced radishes, thinly sliced fresh cilantro leaves, lightly chopped buffalo sauce (see recipe below) buttermilk ranch sour cream drizzle (see recipe below)   Directions:  1) Heat the oven to 350 degrees. 2) Line a large baking sheet with foil and spray with canola oil. 3) Make 1 even layer of chips on the baking sheet and top with chicken. Then add a generous amount of cheese (and I mean a lot of cheese). Repeat this step one more time (think lasagna). 4) Place the nachos in the oven and cook for 10 to 15 minutes or until the cheese is nicely melted and slightly browned. 5) Remove from the oven and top (to your liking) with the red onions, radishes, cilantro, buffalo sauce and sour cream drizzle.   For the buttermilk ranch sour cream drizzle: Ingredients: 1/2 cup buttermilk ranch dip (see below) water   Directions:  1) In a small bowl, add the buttermilk ranch dip and water (1 tablespoon of water at a time) until the dip is a nice, drizzly consistency. For the Buttermilk Ranch Dip: Author note: This recipe is adapted from Food52’s Basil Buttermilk Ranch Dressing. If you plan to serve this with salty chips, decrease the salt content to 1 teaspoon to 3/4 teaspoon. 1 cup sour cream ¾ cup buttermilk 2 tablespoons chives, finely chopped 2 tablespoons parsley, finely chopped 2 tablespoons shallot, finely chopped 2 tablespoons garlic (about 3 cloves), chopped ¼ teaspoon paprika 1 teaspoon kosher salt zest of ½ lemon   Ingredients:  1.Combine all ingredients into a bowl and stir well to combine.   For the buffalo sauce: Author note: If you love buffalo sauce, like I do, double the recipe. Ingredients: 3 tablespoons unsalted butter 2 garlic cloves, finely chopped 1/2 cup hot sauce (such as Texas Pete or Cholula) 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt   Directions: 1) In a small bowl, melt the butter in the microwave. 2) While the butter is still very hot, add the garlic, hot sauce and salt. Stir well to combine.   Chicken Pesto Nachos Author Note: Nachos are a personal creation, preferences for meat, cheese and toppings differ from person to person. Because of that this recipe has no measurements for the ingredients, it is a non-recipe. Be prepared to be addicted. After I make a batch, I’m already planning when to make them next. Keep in mind when making these, the more cheese the better. Store bought pesto also works if time is limited.   Ingredients: tortilla chips roasted chicken, shredded or diced mozzarella cheese goat cheese basil arugula pesto (for recipe, see below) tomato and red bell pepper salad (for recipe, see below) crème fraiche drizzle (for recipe, see below)   Directions: 1) Set the oven to 350 degrees and spray a rimmed baking sheet with canola spray. 2) Place one layer of tortilla chips, (evenly distributed and not a jumbled mess) onto the baking sheet. Top with a hearty sprinkling of mozzarella. 3) Top the mozzarella with 1/2 the chicken and then place chunks of goat cheese evenly over the top. 4) Continue steps 2-3 one more time. 5) Finish the nachos with a final sprinkling of mozzarella. Place the nachos into the oven and bake for about 15 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and slightly browned. 6) Before serving top the nachos with the tomato red bell pepper salad, spoonfuls of pesto and drizzles of creme fraiche.   Basil and Arugula Pesto Ingredients: 2 cups basil 1 cup arugula 1/3 cup pine nuts 3/4 cup finely grated fresh parmesan 2 garlic cloves, chopped 1/3 cup pine nuts juice of half a lemon 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt 1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil   Directions: 1) Place all ingredients, except olive oil into a food processor. Puree the ingredients until smooth. 2) While the pesto is still being pureed, pour the olive oil into the mixture in a steady stream. 3) Remove from the food processor and store in an airtight container.   Tomato and Red Bell Pepper Salad Ingredients: 1 cup red bell pepper, seeded and diced 1 cup tomatoes, diced 1/4 cup shallot, finely diced 2 tablespoon parsley, finely chopped 2 tablespoons basil, finely chopped 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt 1 teaspoon extra-virgin olive oil   Directions: 1) Place all ingredients into a small bowl, stir to combine.   Crème Fraiche Drizzle Ingredients: 2 tablespoons crème fraiche 1 tablespoon water   Directions: 1) Combine the two ingredients into a small bowl. Mix well. Read More

A Pleasant Little Wedding Brunch

  Post and images by guest blogger, Rebecca White, of A Pleasant Little Kitchen.  Visit her full blog or find out more about her here.  There was a season of my life where it seemed like several weekends out of the summer involved parties celebrating the nuptials of dear friends. A few lucky times, I would be one of the friends who got to throw the get together. The more I hosted, the more I realized being a good hostess is an art form and it takes practice to perfect it. Hosting is hard. But once you’ve figure out the ins and outs, it becomes a blessing not a burden.   Shower after shower my group of college girlfriends and I developed a systematic and successful approach to hosting. A few of the techniques we discovered that made the party successful were: Delegate responsibilities to the proper hostess. For instance: the outgoing hostess should greet, the organized hostess should manage checking off the list of day-of requirements, the creative hostess is in charge of table arrangements, etc. Having everyone at the post they feel most comfortable makes for a more relaxed gathering.   If possible, have two hostesses greet at the door to offer to take purses, jackets and gifts. One can direct the party goer to the gatherine while the other puts up the belongings and gifts. Make sure there is plenty of seating for everyone attending. Cluster the seating in groups of three or four to encourage conversation. Prep the night ahead if possible-- Arrange flowers, set-up the food and drink stations, etc. It makes the day of celebration less stressful.    Add fresh flower arrangements randomly throughout the party rooms. These bursts of color make for a romantic and beautiful touch. Market Street's floral department is full of beautiful prearranged bouquets that make the perfect touch to any gathering. If you're on a budget consider purchasing a few different types of flowers and make your own bouquets.   Aim to have everything set up 30 minutes before the party starts. This way all hostess should be able to catch their breaths AND be ready to smile and celebrate. Have a blend of homemade and pre-made food. Market Street has an excellent concierge service that will help you throw a tasty party. The concierge will assist you in selecting a few tasty add ons from their variety of menu items. If you go with a fresh fruit tray place it on a beautiful platter that you've picked up from one of my favorite spots, the Dish Department.   These days with small children it seems as though the opportunities to host showers, whether wedding or baby, are getting fewer and fewer. However, I have now taken this same approach of shower hosting to dinner party hosting and it still applies-- albeit there is only one hostess versus the five or six that’s offering a helping hand.   Celebrate your loved ones’ milestone with a party that is filled with intentionality, beautiful touches and delicious food. The next time you’re throwing a wedding shower let A Pleasant Little Kitchen be the hostess that arranges the food menu. And as always, these recipes are all make-ahead friendly which is critical to success when it comes to party throwing.   Watermelon Rose Granita Gougeres Fresh Fruit Tray Chive and Cheese Frittata Arugula Salad Cherry Tarts   Watermelon Rose Granita Author note: Another way to prepare this recipe is to pour the mixture into mason jars, cover, place in the freezer and shake every 30 to 45 minutes.   Ingredients 4 cups of fresh watermelon juice (about 6 cups of cut watermelon, that’s been juiced) 1/3 cup plus 1 tablespoon of rose simple syrup (click here for recipe) juice of 1 ½ limes mint for topping   Directions 1. Place all ingredients into a long glass pyrex and stir to combine. 2. Place in the freezer, and every 30 to 45 minutes scrape with a fork until broken up. (About 3 to 4 hours) 3. Continue this process until the juice has turned into a slushy delicious mess. 4. Serve in individual glasses and top with mint. Gougères Author note: Gougères are French cheese puffs. It is one of my favorite ways to make homemade rolls and feel fancy. These little cheese puffs are freezer friendly. Once baked, cool to room temperature and store in a freezer safe plastic bag. Reheat in the oven at 35o degrees for about 5-8 minutes. If you’re feeling fancy, you can pipe the dough into decorative shapes using a pastry bag. I prefer a spoon for a more rustic look.   Ingredients 3/4 cup whole milk 1/4 cup water 1 stick unsalted butter 3/4 teaspoon kosher salt pinch of nutmeg pinch of paprika 1 cup flour 3 eggs 3/4 cup grated gruyere 3/4 cup grated white cheddar   Directions 1. Heat the oven to 400 degrees. 2. In a sauce pan, combine the milk, water, butter, salt, nutmeg and paprika. Cook over medium-low heat until the butter is melted. Stir occasionally. 3. Quickly pour the flour into the saucepan and stir vigorously with a wooden spoon. Continue to do this until the dough pulls away from the pan and forms a ball. Stir until the dough begins to slightly stick to the bottom of the pan (about two minutes). 4. Remove from the heat and let cool for 1 minute. 5. Add one egg at a time to the batter, stirring constantly. The dough will get a somewhat shiny gooey exterior. 6. Add the cheese and stir well to combine. 7. Spoon the dough into 1 1/4- 1 1/2 inch rounds onto a parchment lined baking sheet. Baked for 22-25 minutes, or until the gougeres are lightly browned. Chive and Cheese Frittata Author note: I used to resort to the “flip” method of frittatas until I read Marcella Hazan’s Essentials of Classic Italian Cooking. Hazan preferred the “non-flip” method that simply leaves the frittata in the oven until it is completely cooked. I have since resorted to this method. Also, I don’t find it necessary to have a non-stick pan to have a successful frittata. With enough butter or olive oil to coat the skillet, the frittata comes out nicely. Finally, don’t be afraid to eat this anytime of the day– breakfast, lunch or dinner. It’s great with crusty bread and a nice salad.   Ingredients 5 eggs ¼ teaspoon kosher salt ¼ cup chives, chopped ¼ cup shredded mozzarella ¼ cup grated parmesan 2 tablespoons unsalted butter   Directions 1. Heat the oven to 350 degrees. 2. Meanwhile, place the eggs and salt in a medium size bowl and lightly beat. 3. Next, add the chives and cheese. Lightly beat to incorporate. Set aside. 4. In an 8-inch skillet, melt the butter on the stovetop. Once melted, swirl the butter around the pan to coat the bottom and sides. 5. Add the egg mixture into the skillet and then place in the oven. 6. Cook for 16 minutes, or until the eggs are cooked all the way through. Run a spatula carefully around the edges of the frittata to loosen it from the pan. Slide onto a cutting board, slice and serve. Arugula Salad Author note: This salad is incredibly flexible. Add whatever bits of herbs and vegetables you have lying in the fridge. Nuts or a boiled egg would turn this side dish into a protein rich meal. Gruyere, manchego, goat cheese or feta also work very well with this salad.   Ingredients 6 cups arugula 2 shallots, chopped 3/4 grated parmesan cheese 3 tablespoons balsamic vinegar 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil juice of 1 lemon juice 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt   Directions Add the arugula, shallots and cheese into a large bowl. Top with the vinegar, oil, lemon juice and salt. Toss well and serve immediately. Cherry Tarts   Ingredients for the filling 3 pounds fresh cherries, pitted pinch of kosher salt 3/4 cups sugar 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 1 cinnamon stick   Directions In a large saucepan, combine all ingredients. Stir and cover. Cook over medium-low heat for 20 minutes. Stir occasionally. Remove the lid, stir the mixture and increase the heat to medium or medium-high. Cook for 35-45 minutes (the cherries should maintain a steady boil). Stir frequently to prevent burning. When the mixture is reduced, thickened and coats the back of a spoon it is finished cooking. Remove from the heat and cool to room temperature. Store in the fridge.   Ingredients for the whipped cream cup cream 1/2 cup crème fraiche 3 teaspoons sugar 2 teaspoons vanilla extract   Directions Place a mixing bowl (stainless steel preferred) in the fridge and let chill for 15 minutes. Once the bowl is chilled, remove it from the fridge and place all ingredients into the bowl. With an electric mixer whip the cream mixture on medium until peaks form. Place in an airtight container and keep in the fridge until ready to use.   Ingredients for the tarts pastry shells cherry filling whipped vanilla cream   Directions Follow the pastry shells baking instructions. Let cool. Add the cherry filling to the baked shells. Top with a dollop of whipped cream. Serve chilled. Read More

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