Weekend Inspiration: Holiday Parties

Photo courtesy of Pinterest

We're off to orchestrate our first holiday party of the season! Here's hoping your weekend is filled with great friends and loved ones! Happy Holidays!

Make Your Own Fruit-Infused Vodka

     Photo courtesy of 101 Cookbooks  

Ever though of making your own vodka? Whether you're entertaining or would like to give it as a great gift, the process is a pretty simple one. Here's a great recipe for a Rasmopolitan that we found on Martha Stewart Weddings. 

1 - ounce (2 tablespoons) citrus-flavored vodka

1 - ounce) 2 tablespoons) Raspberry Infused Vodka

½ - ounce (1tablespoon) Chambord

1 tablespoon freshly squeezed limejuice

1 tablespoon Simple Syrup

2 tablespoons cranberry juice

Raspberries for garnish

Fill cocktail shaker halfway with ice. Add vodkas, Chambord, limejuice, syrup, and cranberry juice. Shake until well chilled. Strain into a martini glass. Garnish with raspberries; serve. 

DIY Drinks: iSi Twist 'n Sparkle

Hooray! Now you can make your own soda! The iSi Twist 'n Sparkle soda maker from Williams Sonoma can carbonate drinks in less than 30 seconds. Great for entertaining company at home or makes a great "Thank-You" gift for members of the wedding party.

Price: $49.95

Healthy Eating Series: Garden-Style Lasagna

Vegetable lasagna is a crowd-pleaser and a classic make-ahead dish.

INGREDIENTS

Cooking spray

2 cups chopped onion

4 garlic cloves, minced

2 teaspoons olive oil, divided

2 cups chopped zucchini (about 8 ounces)

2 cups chopped yellow squash (about 8 ounces)

2 cups thinly sliced carrot (about 8 ounces)

2 cups chopped broccoli (about 6 ounces)

1 teaspoon salt, divided

1/2 cup all-purpose flour (about 2 1/4 ounces)

3 1/2 cups 1% low-fat milk

1 cup (4 ounces) grated fresh Parmesan cheese, divided

1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Dash of nutmeg

1 (10-ounce) package frozen chopped spinach, thawed and drained

1 1/2 cups 1% low-fat cottage cheese

2 cups (8 ounces) preshredded part-skim mozzarella cheese, divided

12 precooked lasagna noodles, divided

PREPARATION

Preheat oven to 375°.

Heat a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Coat pan with cooking spray. Add onion to pan; sauté 4 minutes or until lightly browned. Add garlic; sauté 1 minute. Spoon onion mixture into a large bowl.

Heat 1 teaspoon oil in pan over medium-high heat. Add zucchini and yellow squash; sauté 4 minutes or until tender and just beginning to brown. Add to onion mixture.

Heat remaining 1 teaspoon oil in pan over medium-high heat. Add sliced carrot; sauté 4 minutes or until tender. Add chopped broccoli; sauté 4 minutes or until crisp-tender. Add to onion mixture. Sprinkle with 1/2 teaspoon salt; toss well to combine.

Place flour in a medium saucepan. Gradually add milk, stirring with a whisk until blended. Bring to a boil over medium heat; cook 2 minutes or until thick, stirring constantly. Remove from heat. Add 1/2 cup Parmesan, remaining 1/2 teaspoon salt, pepper, and nutmeg; stir until smooth. Stir in spinach.

Combine cottage cheese and 1 1/2 cups mozzarella; stir well. Spread 1/2 cup spinach mixture in bottom of a 13 x 9-inch baking dish coated with cooking spray. Arrange 4 noodles over spinach mixture in dish; top with half of cottage cheese mixture (about 1 1/2 cups), half of vegetable mixture (about 2 1/2 cups), and about 1 cup spinach mixture. Repeat layers, ending with noodles. Spread remaining spinach mixture over noodles; sprinkle with remaining 1/2 cup Parmesan and remaining 1/2 cup mozzarella.

Cover and bake at 375° for 20 minutes. Uncover and bake an additional 20 minutes or until cheese is bubbly and beginning to brown. Let stand 10 minutes before serving

Sushi Themed Bridal Shower

Looking for an interesting idea for your bridal shower? How about a sushi theme?

{Courtesy of Storkie.com}