"Life isn't about finding yourself, it's about creating yourself."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


Wednesday, August 5, 2009

Tablescape Thursday & Foodie Friday combo






Hi y'all ...I'm doing a combo post again today, Foodie Friday w/ Michael @ Designs by Gollum & Tablescape Thursday w/ Susan @ Between Naps on the Porch...both ladies are super nice w/ 2 of the most popular blogs in blogland & I want to thank each of them for being our wonderful hostesses today.



This was a simple dinner party, hubby & I had for our youngest son & his girlfriend. The photos aren't that good (they're not even up to my usual mediocre abilities *rolls eyes*) as I am always soo rushed to take photos when I have company. My family is used to it but I didn't want his girlfriend to think I was tooo weird.


Everything on the table was thrifted except for the napkins (Tuesday Morning) striped glasses (dollar store), & the flatware (Target, I think but it might have been Ross or one of those stores)


It was a southwestern-themed meal so I threw a bunch of limes & peppers in a Southern Living compote (thrifted!) & called it a centerpiece.


Basil tucked into the napkin ring....it adds a wonderful aroma to the placesetting.




Embroidery detail on teh tablecloth.




My food photos suffer the most from hurriedness...sorry! Wish it looked as good as it tasted! We had Southwestern Chicken w/ Lime Butter, black beans & corn on the cob (the butter is excellent on it as well). My son brought guacamole as an appetizer (he made it himself!) but we all just stood around the island & dipped into it so I didn't get a picture of it. I know the chicken looks burnt but trust me, it wasn't. It's just the rub from the recipe. I really wish that this photo was better...this chicken recipe is one of our favorites but it's not very appealing here.


Watermelon margaritas! We make many batches every summer...this time we used yellow watermelon. Yummm...summer in a glass!


And pumpkin flan for dessert. I garnished it w/ tiny champage grapes & a lime twist.



Southwestern Chicken w/ Lime Butter (recipe by Robert Del Grande, chef of Cafe Annie's in Houston) : serves 6

Ingredients
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1 tablespoon chili powder
1 tablespoon brown sugar
1 teaspoon cocoa powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
3 tablespoons olive oil
1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
3 1/2 lbs bone-in chicken parts
LIME BUTTER
1/2 cup butter, melted
1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
1 serrano chili, minced
2 tablespoons finely minced white onions
2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh cilantro
1 pinch ground black pepper


Directions
In a small bowl, combine first 8 ingredients. With a spoon or a basting brush, spread seasoning paste over the chicken. Grill chicken. In a small bowl, combine all lime butter ingredients. Drizzle over chicken just before serving or serve separately for dipping. (I usually double the lime butter & serve it w/ corn on the cob)

-----------------------------------------



Watermelon Margaritas (serves 4)

Ingredients :
2 teaspoons sugar
1 lime, cut into wedges
3 1/2 cups watermelon, cubed and seeded and frozen (be sure & freeze in a single layer so it doesn't all stick together)
1/2 cup tequila (I usually decrease just a bit)
3 tablespoons sugar
3 tablespoons fresh lime juice
3 tablespoons triple sec

Directions
Place 2 teaspoons of sugar in a saucer.Rub the rims of 6 glasses with one of the lime wedges and dip each rim in the sugar to coat. Combine watermelon, tequila, 3 tablespoons of sugar, lime juice, and triple sec in a blender, and process until smooth. Garnish with a lime wedge, if desired.

------------------------------

Easy Flan

INGREDIENTS
1 cup white sugar
4 eggs
1 (14 ounce) can sweetened condensed milk
1 (12 fluid ounce) can evaporated milk
1 tablespoon vanilla extract



DIRECTIONS
1.Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
2.In a medium saucepan over medium-low heat, melt sugar until liquefied and golden in color. Meanwhile, warm a 9 inch round glass baking dish up in the oven . Carefully pour hot syrup into warm dish, turning the dish to evenly coat the bottom and sides. Set aside.
3.In a large bowl, beat eggs. Beat in condensed milk, evaporated milk and vanilla until smooth. Pour egg mixture into baking dish. Place in water bath & cover with aluminum foil.
4.Bake in preheated oven 60 minutes. Let cool completely.
5.To serve, carefully invert on serving plate with edges when completely cool.

-------------------------------------------

Hope you enjoyed my Foodie Friday entry & my casual table....be sure & visit our hostesses for more tables & food.

39 comments:

Unknown said...

Oh! Yummo! And a lovely table to boot! :)

~Liz

Deanna said...

You have set a very becoming table.
Very inviting.
blessings,
d

Pearl Maple said...

Your table scape is beautifully presented with lots of little details to make it special and how kind of you to share all the recipes as well.

susan said...

Every single recipe looks like one I would like to try! I love the idea of the yellow watermelon margarita. Your table is lovely and I do understand about the girlfriend and the "photo session" :)

Joyce said...

Pretty presentation but I think I will make some of those maragritas this weekend for sure. Thanks for all the recipes.
Joyce

Stacey said...

Aren't you smart with the limes and peppers? That's a gorgeous table and that food is right up our alley!

xinex said...

Your tablescape and the menu are so perfect. I am definitely sure that your son's GF was totally impressed and I betcha she is worried now that she cannot duplicate that:-)...Christine

Candy said...

Everything was set for a wonderful evening. Hope the girlfriend wasn't scared off by the manner in which her BF is accustomed to being served. Good test!
I'll be calling if I get stuck ;-)

Terri Steffes said...

This sounds totally yummy. I am very interested in the margaritas!

trash talk said...

Your table looks very festive...just right for a fiesta or feast!
I am so going to make watermelon margaritas. Yum!
Debbie

Cathy~Mille Fleur said...

Your tablescape is so pretty...beutifully executed!!! I love every little detail!!! What a special evening to share with friends and family!!!

Happy TT!!!
XOXO
Cathy

Mary said...

Everything looks fabulously delicious! The tablecloth is beautiful! Would you pass the margarita, please? Very, very pretty!!!

Mari @ Once Upon a Plate said...

A tablescape with REAL food, and it all looks soo good.

Your lucky family ~ it's beautiful and the menu sounds divine. (I'm drooling.) :)

Lynne (lynnesgiftsfromtheheart) said...

I love your casual table... your food looks delicious...I've never heard of a watermelon marqarita..it sounds YUMMY... I'm definetly going to try that "very" soon... love, love, love your tablecloth... and all of your vintage finds scream family and home to me.. (have to check out the dollar store for those glasses..) hugs ~lynne~

Barb said...

Hi Cami, thank you for joining the Rooster party and displaying the button on your blog....so appreciated!

Oh, and your table and food are just wonderful. Now, I am hungry. Ha.

See you on the 28th.

Blessings, Barb

Brenda Pruitt said...

Watermelon margaritas! Sounds yummy! I love the herb tucked into the napkin. Must be wonderful to sit at your table with that pungent aroma. I love herbs and grow them all over the garden. The food does look delicious!
Brenda

Sharlotte said...

What a colorful table! I love all your finds to make such a welcoming tablescape. The fresh fruit is always a perfect touch.

I'm going to have to try your margaritas...I've never tasted watermelon margaritas! Sounds yummy!

Denise said...

Your table is so colorful and the menu sounds wonderful. Love that margarita, you've got me wanting one now... I've never seen an orange watermelon?
:)

Beansieleigh said...

Hi Cami! Everything looks wonderful! I am just a "grasshopper" watching and learning, but I appreciate the tablescapes I see more and more with every post I see and read! Thank you for sharing your recipes! I must confess, though.. I think I am most excited to try the watermelon margaritas! ~tina

Giovanna said...

The flan looks wonderful and between you and I, I'd let the girlfriend think I was weird. Keep her on her toes to make sure she treats your son right, you know? : ) Ha-ha

The Fajdich Times said...

Wow....All looks very good as does your table. I'm there for the Maragritas:)

Anonymous said...

OH, I love this! Your table is so pretty and the food! Oh, my goodness! Am I too late? :)
Oh, I'm all over that Rooster party!
Be a sweetie,
Shelia :)

bj said...

Your table is beautiful!! The food...oh, my, it all sounds and looks so so good. You did great on your photos, girl. It every bit is just perfect.

Lori E said...

You have a hat trick here. Not a hockey fan? How about a triple double? No?
Okay lets just say all 3 of these recipes make my mouth water. I can read a recipe and tell if it is good or not and these are fabulous.

Shirley said...

A beautiful table and a wonderful looking dinner, drinks and desert. You must have cooked all day!

Bargain Decorating with Laurie said...

I'll bet his girlfriend had a wonderful evening. Your tablescape looks so pretty. I love your tablecloth. I have to disagree about your food pictures. My mouth is watering looking at that chicken. And I've got to try one of those watermelon margaritas. Thanks for all of the recipes and inspiration. laurie

honeysuckle said...

Your table was colorful and welocoming. I love using natural elements too--like the limes. Chicken sounds wonderful and the flan too. Thanks for sharing the recipes with us. Have a happy day!

Mary Bergfeld said...

This post has my mouth watering. Your guests will look forward to more invitations. The chicken sounds incredible.

jeanne said...

Pretty table on a budget and wonderful food. I think the chicken looks divine. We love our chicken grilled with well cooked skin. Delicious. I especially love the tablescape. We all have to budget these days. The flan looks sinfull. Big piece please. Love your post.

Hugs...Jeanne

Unknown said...

You had me at the watermelon margarita and the flan. I love flan. It is a staple dessert back in the Dominican Republic. Thanks for sharing your recipes.

Shauna said...

What a pretty table, and I am going to have to try that chicken. Thanks for sharing.

Cindy said...

It all looks wonderful! Watermelon margarita's sounds delish too! And love those Dollar Store glasses...too cute! I thought they were vintage! :D

-c
yapping cat

Bill said...

I like that so much of your tablescape was thrifted ... and the basil tucked into the napkins is a thoughtful (and pretty) touch. The flan looks amazing ... mouth-watering!!!

Hope your weekend goes well!

Bill

Susan (Between Naps On The Porch.net) said...

Hi Cami...you are so cute talking about your photos...I know what you mean about when you're rushed. My friends patiently wait on me when we're touring gardens and homes now...they know it's for THE BLOG! LOL Your tablesetting and food look fantastic to me! Love the limes a simple, yet beautiful centerpiece. I've never had a watermelon margarita...sound delish. Thanks for a great TT! Susan

Katy ~ said...

Cami, you know what a great inspiration you are to me. I come here and oooh and aaah and wish I could be as creative as you are with the table, and your recipes! Lady, your food is fabulous. You know how to tie a theme together!

Kathleen said...

Looks lovely, Cami! I bet they loved it..Looks delicious!

Fifi Flowers said...

Everything looks YUMMY!!!

Unknown said...

I hope to see you at Crock Pot Wednesdays at diningwithdebbie.blogspot.com this week. Come on over and sign up with Mr. Linky.

Unknown said...

Lawsy mercy honey child, this looks like a to die for meal. I just copied your chicken recipe and will be serving it Friday evening to a group of friends. May even try the flan - not something I think to make often and it looks so pretty. Your table is so enchanting!
Happy Twirls