HOLIDAYS
HOLIDAYS
Few things this year have been more delicious than Robert Pattinson-that ever-brooding actor who plays serially sexy vampire, Edward Cullen. Thankfully, he's back on the big screen in the second installment from the "Twilight" saga, "New Moon."
Inspired, we've set out to create a a romantic Thanksgiving day fete that's almost as appetizing as the teenage vampire himself. Think satiating entrees, blood-curdeling cocktails and of course a dark decadent desert.
Whether you're a die-hard fan, or just looking for a themed pre-movie theater dinner party; here's what you'll need for an epic feast certain to inspire a few sequels.
Inspired, we've set out to create a a romantic Thanksgiving day fete that's almost as appetizing as the teenage vampire himself. Think satiating entrees, blood-curdeling cocktails and of course a dark decadent desert.
Whether you're a die-hard fan, or just looking for a themed pre-movie theater dinner party; here's what you'll need for an epic feast certain to inspire a few sequels.
According to Twilight's author Stephanie Meyer, "New Moon," chronicles the darkest period in her heroine Bella's young life. It's this teenage tragic heartbreak that provides the inspiration for our decadent desert. Think layers of gorgeous dark chocolate cake with a delicate pink raspberry filling hidden inside. Poetic, no? We think your guests will be swooning.
Garnish with fresh raspberries.
Ingredients
- 2 Cup Sugar
- 1 3/4 Cup Flour
- 3/4 Cup Dutch Cocoa
- 1 1/2 Teaspoon Baking Soda
- 1 Teaspoon Salt
- 2 Whole Eggs
- 1/2 Cup Oil
- 2 Teaspoon Vanilla Extract
- 1 Cup Fresh Raspberries
- 1 Cup Milk
- 1/2 Cup Butter
- 5 Cup Confectioners Sugar
Steps
- Combine first 6 ingredients in a large bowl, and make a well in center of mixture
- Stir together eggs and next 3 ingredients; add to dry ingredients. Beat at low speed with an electric mixer just until blended. Beat at medium speed 2 minutes. Stir in boiling water. Pour batter into 2 greased and floured 9-inch round cakepans.
- Bake at 350° for 35 minutes or until cake begins to pull away from sides of pan and a wooden pick inserted in center of each layer comes out almost clean. Cool in pans on wire racks 10 minutes; remove from pans, and cool completely on wire racks.
- Split layers horizontally. Spread Raspberry Filling evenly between layers. Spread Dark Chocolate Frosting on top and sides of cake. Garnish, if desired.
- For Raspberry Filling: Process raspberries in a food processor until smooth, stopping once to scrape down sides. Pour puree through a fine wire-mesh strainer, pressing with the back of a spoon; discard seeds. Add enough milk to equal 1/2 cup.Beat butter at medium speed with an electric mixer until fluffy. Gradually add powdered sugar alternately with raspberry mixture, beginning and ending with powdered sugar. Beat at low speed until blended after each addition.
- For Chocolate Ganache: 6 tablespoons butter, softened2 2/3 cups sifted powdered sugar1/2 cup Dutch-process cocoa6 tablespoons milk1 teaspoon vanilla extractBeat butter at medium speed with an electric mixer until fluffy. Combine powdered sugar and cocoa; gradually add to butter alternately with milk and vanilla, beginning and ending with powdered sugar mixture. Beat at low speed until blended after each addition.Tip: To prevent a white dusting on your chocolate cake layers, dust cakepans with cocoa instead of flour.
While New Moon may be the among the most hotly anticipated movies of the year, it's certainly no match for the anticipation that accompanies the Thanksgiving meal. So here we've dreamed up a few dishes that you can sink your "Forks" into. Sure it's a little light on the O-negative, but we're pretty sure your guests will find everything bloody delicious!
Chicory Pomegranate and Blood Orange Salad: In keeping with the theme, we substituted tangerines for evocative blood oranges.
Cranberry Relish: This sauce is so much more than the stuff that comes out of the
can. Pomegranate juice combines with crisp "Twilight" appropriate apples and sweet raisins for a tasty sauce that everyone have everyone at your table pining for more.
Have a thirst for blood? Even if you're not among the undead, all types (O negative included) will love sipping these delicious citrus martinis. Add a festive touch by serving these libations in antique sliver goblets. Garnish with Stirring's tasty blood orange cocktail rim, a tasty twist of can sugar and dried blood...blood oranges that is.
Did you know: Blood oranges are a hybrid of ancient origin, possibly between the pomelo and the tangerine?
Ingredients
- 4 Fl. Oz. Vodka
- 1/2 Fl. Oz. triple sec or flavored orange liqueur
- 2 Fl. Oz. Blood Orange Juice
- 2 Slices Blood Orange
Steps
- In a martini shaker combine all ingredients except the orange slices, with a generous amount of ice.
- Shake vigorously for a few seconds. Strain the libation from the ice into a martini glass. Garnish with the orange slices.
More Twilight Party Ideas
As important as the menu is to transporting your guests, nothing sets the mood quite like an evocative table setting. With New Moon's gothic Italian setting as the inspiration, here is how to create a dark and romantic interior tablescape that will completely seduce your guests.
- Choose a rich red, or black tablecloth. The cloth should hang softly over the edges of your dinner table. Choose the converse color as a runner and place down the center of your table.
- Set tall white candles in silver sticks towards the center of the table. You want them to create a seductive glow.
- Choose silver, or pewter place settings, and crystal goblet style glassware. Tie silverware in a simple black ribbon. Take two ruffled tulips (the book's cover flower) and tie them together with the black ribbon. Place them together on each guests dining plate.
- In addition to the candles, create a glamourous flower arrangement using tarnished oversized silver or pewter vases-you can find these at thrift stores or antique shops. Select dramatic flowers like dahlias, callas, eucalyptus, and the book's cover flower; the ruffled tulip.
- Add whimsical dark touches, like fake sparrows or lanterns.
- For a creative take on place cards; find an astrological chart that depicts the various phases of the moon. Print on card stock in black ink. Fold in half. On the inside write your guest's name in red ink.
Thanksgiving Skits
for Children
for Children
Thanksgiving Treats
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for Your Office or
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Thanksgiving
Tablescapes
Tablescapes
