HOLIDAYS
HOLIDAYS
Treat your guests to an apres dinner party that's beaming with elegance. Provide sparkling champagnes and light summer (but oh-so-sweet and delectable) berries for a decadent after party that will leave your guests thirsty for the rest of summer.
However, if a daytime party is more your style, check out our Bubbly and Berries Champagne Garden Party article.
- 6 Tablespoon unsalted butter or lard
- 1 1/2 Cup fresh blueberries
- 1 1/2 Cup fresh blackberries
- 1 Cup fresh huckleberries, or raspberries
- 1 Cup sugar
- 1 Tablespoon cornstarch
- 2 Tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- 1 Teaspoon finely grated lemon zest
- 2 Tablespoon whiskey
- 1 recipe Sweet Biscuit Mix, recipe follows
- 3/4 Cup water
- some confectionner's sugar for garnish
- Sweetened Cream for accompaniment
- Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
- Place the butter or lard in a small, round cast iron Dutch or camp oven (5 to 6 quarts), or large cast iron skillet and place over the grill or in the oven to melt. Remove from the heat.
- In a bowl, toss the fruit with the sugar, cornstarch, lemon juice and zest, and whiskey. Let sit for 20 to 30 minutes.
- In a bowl, combine the Biscuit Mix with the water and mix until just combined.
- Pat out the dough into a large round and place in the bottom and up the sides of the pot or skillet.
- Spoon the fruit mixture over the dough and cover with any juices.
- Place in the oven and bake until the dough is golden brown and risen, and the fruit is bubbly, 30 to 40 minutes.
- Remove from the oven and let cool for 15 minutes before serving.
- Sprinkle with confectioners' sugar and drizzle with ice cream, if desired.
- 2 Cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 Cup sugar
- 1/4 Cup plus 1 tablespoon powdered milk
- 1 Tablespoon baking powder
- 3/4 Teaspoon Salt
- 1/2 Cup vegetable shortening or lard
- Combine all the ingredients except the shortening in a bowl.
- Cut in the shortening until the mixture resembles coarse cornmeal.
- Place in an airtight container and store in a cool place.
- The Cake Ingredients:
- 2 Cup all-purpose flour
- 2 Cup sugar
- 2 Teaspoon baking powder
- 4 whole eggs
- 1 Cup milk
- 4 Tablespoon butter
Frosting Ingredients
- 1/2 Cup shortening
- 1/2 Cup real butter
- 1 1/2 Tsp clear vanilla extract
- 1 dash salt (optional)
- 5 Cup confectioners' sugar
- 2-3 Tablespoon milk
- 1 1/2 Cup fresh blackberries
- 1 1/2 Cup coarsely chopped fresh strawberries
Frosting Preparation:
- Cream butter and shortening, then add vanilla.
- Add sugar a cup at a time beating on medium speed.
- Add milk 1 Tbls. at a time and beat on high until completely blended.Tip: To cut the sweetness I usually sprinkle some salt in the vanilla (so it will dissolve) before proceeding with recipe as instructed.
- Divide the frosting in half and fold in the blackberries and strawberries on the half you'll use to frost between the cake layers.
Cake Preparation:
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit
- Combine flour and baking powder
- In a bowl, beat eggs on high speed about 4 minutes, or til thick.
- Gradually add sugar; beat at medium speed for 4 to 5 minutes or until light and fluffy.
- Add flour mixture, beat at low to medium speed until just combined.
- In a saucepan, heat and stir milk and margarine until margarine melts; add to batter, beating until combined.
- Pour into 2 greased 9 x9 x 2 inch baking pans. Bake at 350 degrees for 20 to 25 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean.
- Allow cake to cool
- Transfer one layer onto a serving dish and cover in berry buttercream frosting
- Add second layer on top and cover the rest of the cake with the frosting
- Refrigerate for a few hours
Expert Tip: If you like to serve cake at room temperature, remove it from the fridge just before you go to dinner. It will be ready to go when you return!
- Veuve Cliquot Brut - crisp, dry & full-bodied
- Tarlant Brut Reserve - creamy and rich, yet still refreshing
- Mumm Carte Classique - fresh, zesty & extra dry
Before going out for dinner with friends, let them know that you'll be continuing the evening with drinks and dessert at your place afterwards.
Purchase a case of your favorite champagne at a local Costco or Sam's Club for the most reasonable prices and and chill a few bottles before you leave for dinner.
Next, you'll want to have your dessert prepped so all that's left upon your return home is the actual baking. When you and your guests arrive at your place after dinner, you can hand everyone a glass of champagne to enjoy while you bake the dessert. This makes for wonderful anticipation, since delicious aromas will be wafting from your oven while your friends sip their bubbly.
Berry-filled Desserts:
The possibilities for berry-filled desserts are endless and can accommodate any skill set. Try a wonderful Summer Berry Cobbler (recipe provided). This is an easy one to prep beforehand and pop in the oven later.
If you prefer serving dessert immediately, or don't want to worry about baking while entertaining guests, consider making a light, berry-filled cake such as Milk Spongecake with Buttercream Frosting (recipe provided).
Pro cooks can go for the drama and cook crepes with jam. The cooking is part of the entertainment!
Those challenged in the baking department can order a few dozen chocolate-covered strawberries with various toppings ahead of time.
Regardless of what you serve, as long as you keep the bubbly flowing your guests are guaranteed to have a wonderful evening!
Decor
- Try scattering white diamond drops around the tables for a bejeweled effect.
- Use sugared berry garland for your table's centerpiece.
- Hang twinkle lights around your party space
- Use colorful flower napkin rings for your party's napkins to represent those yummy berries you'll eat.
This little gathering may call for some sophisticated Spanish Guitar, but if you'd like to go a different way, open up your iTunes and try some of these jams for your after-dinner drinks soiree:
- Scene At the Open Air Market - Thievery Corporation
- Rever le nez en l'air - Françoise Hardy
- Cinnamon and Clove - Sergio Mendes & Brasil '66
- Tears All Over Town - A Girl Called Eddy
- Les Loups Dans la Bergerie - Serge Gainsbourg
- Mais Que Nada - Sergio Mendes & Brasil '66
- I Hear a Symphony - Pizzicato Five
- Philosophy Will Die - Dallas
- Take Five - Dave Brubeck
- The Girl from Ipanema - Astrud Gilberto, Joao Gilberto, & Stan Getz
- Wild Horses - The Sundays
Cocktails
