Easter Cocktails: Egg-celent Drinks For Adults

Throwing an Easter party? While the kids are away (hunting eggs perhaps?) the adults will play.

Here are some great Easter themed cocktails:

1. The Blue Cottontail:

Here’s a bright and springy drink that will leave your guests begging for the recipe.

Ingredients Per Cocktail:

1-1/2 ounces vodka

½ ounce triple sec

¼ ounce blue Curacao

Flamed orange peel (for garnish)

Preparation:

Shake all ingredients well, serve chilled with the flamed orange peel over the glass.

                                           

2. Pink Bonnet:

This drink not only includes an egg white in honor of the Easter spirit but also is pastel pink and perfect.

Ingredients Per Cocktail:

1-1/2 ounces gin

½ ounce simple syrup

¾ ounce lemon juice

2 dashes of crème de framboise or grenadine (this give it the beautiful color)

White of a small egg (you can use a pasteurized egg or two tablespoons of egg white substitute- the egg attributes to the cloudy coloring)

Preparation:

Shake all ingredients before adding ice to break up the egg white and create the cloudy color of the drink. Add ice and shake again. Serve with mint leaves if desired.

                                              

3. The White Chocolate Easter-tini:

Ingredients Per Cocktail:

1 ounce vanilla vodka

1 ounce cream

1 ounce white chocolate liqueur

Jellybeans 

2 ounces eggnog

Preparation:

Shake well, serve chilled. To add the illusion of Easter eggs in your drink thrown in a few jellybeans!

4. The Easter Egg: One egg you won’t want to hide!

Ingredients Per Cocktail:

2 ounce blue Curacao

2 ounce white crème de cacao

A splash of half and half

Preparation:

Fill a glass half full with ice and pour the Curacao and crème de cacao on top. Last add the splash of half and half.

                                                   

5. The Easter Bunny: The Myth becomes a reality with this festive drink!

Ingredients Per Cocktail:

1-1/2 ounces crème de cacao

½ ounce vodka

1 teaspoon chocolate syrup

1 teaspoon cherry brandy

Preparation:

Shake the crème de cacao and vodka with ice. Layer the top with chocolate syrup and cherry brandy.

                                 

Easter Basket Inspiration

Trying to save a little money this Easter but want to still give quality gifts? For children and adults alike, get a little creative and use a themed multipurpose basket! Here's how:

General Tips for Saving Money on Easter:

1)    Assemble your own themed basket instead of buying a pre-made one.

2)    Buy general things such as baskets, fake grass, or plastic eggs right after Easter to save for next year. They are more likely to be on sale!

3)    Reuse old Easter baskets or buy a “multipurpose” basket such as a lunchbox or beach bucket.

4)    Shop at thrift shops, $1 stores and the beloved Ebay.

5)    Make your own treats instead of buying candy. *This can also be a healthier option*

6)    Buy one thing they really want instead of a bunch of little, cheap toys that will break or soon be forgotten.

Themed Basket Ideas for Younger Children:

For Fun in the Sun: If you live by the beach, try using a beach bag or wrap everything in a beach towel. If you want to prep for summer, you can buy a blow up wading pool and fill it with shared things for all your children and have buckets or pails with goodies for each child. Items could include beach toys (shovels, buckets, beach balls, etc), flip-flops, swimsuit and sunscreen. If you have older children or teens, a nice pair of sunglasses or a gift certificate to buy a new swimsuit are great suggestions. All these gifts are fun yet practical and will last a lot longer than candy and treats.

                         

For the Gardener: You can easily create a fun garden themed basket using a watering can or flower pot and including various tools from the $1 dollar store and seeds. Turn this into a fun family project by starting a garden!

                                    

For the Girls: For a little girl, put together a doll themed basket. You can get a doll playhouse from a thrift store or garage sale and fill it with things for the doll and child. You can even sew your own clothes for the doll. Another great idea is getting a dress-up box and filling it with dress-up clothes and/or make-up. Spark the imagination with the typical princess costume but also search around garage sales and thrift stores for fun and inexpensive items.

For the Active Child: For a basket tailored to an active child or to promote activity, theme it around sports. No matter what your child is involved in (swimming, baseball, football, dance) fill it with things they’d need to practice with anyways. You can even substitute all the Easter candy with power bars and Gatorade. Other healthy snacks could include: goldfish, granola, fruit and nuts.

                                             

Themed Basket Ideas for Teens and Adults:

For the Chef or Baker: Use a giant mixing bowl as your Easter basket and put in a cook book! To make it really special, personalize it and scrapbook your own family recipes. You can also include an apron, ingredients for your child’s favorite thing to bake, or a gift certificate to a grocery store. This is perfect for anyone who loves cooking or baking, or even that child that just moved out and is learning to be on his or her own. Again, practical and fun!!

For the Photographer: Create a fun and unique gift basket themed around photography. Get a disposable camera and give your child a coupon to develop it on you. Include a photo frame or photo album. If you really want them to get creative, include scrapbooking materials such as construction paper, tape, glitter glue, and fancy edged scissors.

For a Date Night Out: Treat your Teen to a date night out! Use a popcorn tub as your basket and fill it with candy, popcorn, soda, and movie tickets. You can also include a gift certificate for dinner before hand or coupons to cook his or her favorite meal.

                                            

In any themed basket, throwing in a chocolate bunny will keep the Easter spirit alive.

New Year - New Adventures! Round One: New York

 Live from New York, it’s Events by Chelsea!

Out of the many 2013 new years goals, or resolutions I made, the one I’m looking forward to the most is adopting my new motto, “New Year, New Adventures”. I spent New Year's in New York City, I’m headed to Cabo for Spring Break with my family, Chicago for the first time around summer and fingers crossed for Dubai next Fall/Winter to visit a college friend.

Planning a vacation is very similar to planning an event. You get recommendations from friends, do research on the Internet, make a budget, etc. I was extremely lucky because I had a great tour guide (a NYC resident) who was able to orchestrate seeing all of the sites without feeling rushed. Here's a look at our whirlwind itinerary:

Day 1.

This was by far our craziest day! We:

• Walked Fifth Avenue
• Saw the Macy’s Christmas Tree and Festive Windows
• Took the Staten Island Ferry to see the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island
• Walked Wall Street
• Got $1 Real Authentic New York Pizza
• Saw Radio City and the 30 Rockefeller Christmas Tree, NBC Experience Store
• Walked from 30 Rock to the Empire State Building
• Went to the top of the Empire State Building

I’m a sucker for Christmas decorations, so I made a point to see as many trees as I could! The Macy’s windows were to die for.

Fun Fact: Macy’s Herald Square was built in 1902, it is the largest department store in the world, and it still has wooden escalators!

I highly recommend the Staten Island Ferry – it’s free (score!) and you get a picture-perfect view of the Statue of Liberty.

After the Ferry, we walked Wall Street and stumbled upon a great historical surprise – the monument marking the spot where George Washington was inaugurated!  The poli-sci nerd in me could hardly be contained.

Because I'm a DIE-HARD 30 Rock, The Office, SNL, and Parks and Rec fan, seeing the Rockefeller Center (the building, Christmas tree AND ice-skating rink) was a dream come true. As expected, due to the holidays, the whole area was teeming with excited tourists like myself.  However, no crowd could ruin that experience for me.  It was a top highlight of my trip, no question.  

My number one highlight, drumroll please, was going to the top of the Empire State Building. We had to wait for a solid 90 minutes in 32 degree weather. That was a trying experience for a California girl! But, after seeing the view, I would have waited twice as long. Seeing the skyline at night was breathtaking.  If you're going to brave the line, I highly recommend going at night - you won't regret it.

Fun Fact: The Empire State Building was the tallest building in the world for 40 years from 1931 to 1972. It's now  the 22^nd tallest in the world and 3^rd tallest in the U.S.

Here are some views from the top:

Day 2.

• Saw FAO Schwartz
• Walked through Central Park
• Toured the Natural History Museum

I was really lucky to stay in a place that was centrally located. We were able to walk to Central Park! On the way, I got to view the underground Apple store – how chic of them… oh Apple, always outdoing themselves. I also saw FAO Schwartz aka Gimbles from my favorite Christmas movie, Elf.

Once I hit Central Park I decided to continue my walk and go all the way through to the Natural History Museum. I was amazed at how HUGE Central Park was! It was by far one of the most beautiful parks I’ve ever walked through. There was a castle, a couple getting married, and a horse drawn carriage all creating a perfect, snow-covered Winter Wonderland.  It was nice have a day to just wander the city and Central Park - a good break from all the running around the previous day.

Next up: the Natural History Museum. I love art (don’t get me wrong) but when it came down to a choice between the Met and the Natural History Museum, NHM is going to win every time. Dinosaur bones. Space exhibit. Life size blue whale. Sign me up!

Walking through Central Park and the Natural History Museum are both very time consuming things. You definitely do not want to rush because there is so much to see!

Day 3.

• Walked through the Chelsea Market
• Walked the High Line
• Walked across the Brooklyn Bridge

By the last day we were tired but I was dying to go to the Chelsea market, for obvious reasons. Nearby the market is the High Line – a raised railroad track that they turned into a park. It has some beautiful views, was a nice walk, and what a fascinating concept!

We finished the last day by walking across the Brooklyn Bridge. It was an incredible sight to see and WOW, what a landmark! I guarantee that you’ve seen this bridge in a movie or tv show multiple times.

There are millions of variations for itineraries, but I hope mine helps if you are ever planning a trip! The Big Apple is most definitely a city that never sleeps. 

XO, Chelsea 

Super Bowl Sunday - The Ultimate Celebration: 49ers vs. Ravens

Besides the fact I just generally love watching football, any game, any team, I am now particularly excited to watch the Super Bowl because my very own San Francisco 49ers are playing. It's been an incredible year for Bay Area sports whether or not they win or lose... But that's a different story.

Needless to say we're throwing a viewing party. It's the first week I've had cable in over five years and what perfect timing!

Here are some recipes and games to throw your very own Super Bowl party.

First things first, if you didn't hear by now, maybe you don't have Facebook or cable (like us) the Super Bowl is February 3rd at 6:30 EST in New Orleans. It's the San Francisco 49ers and the Baltimore Ravens and fun fact: the two head coaches are brothers! Some are now deeming this the Harbaugh bowl; Ashkon even remixed a song - Harbaugh so hard! This is the 47th Super Bowl, 49er’s 6th appearance and the Ravens 2^nd since being relocated from Ohio. Half time performers will include none other than Beyonce herself.

Second, here are my favorite Super Bowl recipes:

1.     Chili Bean Dip in the Crock-Pot

This is honestly the easiest recipe in the world and brings back lots of memories from Super Bowl parties growing up.

Ingredients:

• 2 40 oz. cans Original Dennison’s Chili Con Carne
• 2 8 oz. containers of cream cheese

All you do is dump the chili and cream cheese in the crock-pot and heat. On high it should take about an hour at the most. To speed up the process cut up the cream cheese into smaller cubes so it melts quicker. Stir until all the cream cheese is melted and serve with tortilla chips or Lays.

Voila!

2.   Spinach Ball Hors D’oeuvres

This recipe is a variation of my mother’s famous sausage puffs. They are incredibly tasty but probably not the best thing for you. Besides that the sausage puff recipe is a family secret, this is the more healthy alternative J

Ingredients:

·      2 pkgs (10 oz) frozen chopped spinach

·      1 small onion, finely chopped

·      2 cups stuffing mix, crumbled

·      1 cup Parmesan Cheese

·      6 eggs beaten

·      ¾ cup melted butter

·      ½ tsp. thyme

·      Garlic salt, pepper to taste

Thaw and drain spinach very well. Mix all ingredients and chill. Roll into 1-2 inch balls. Freeze on tray. Store in container. Take out and bake at 350 degrees for 15 minutes or until lightly browned. Makes 3 dozen – 2 inch balls.

3. Fried Bocconcini with Spicy Tomato Sauce

 Ingredients:

For the Sauce –

• ½ cup extra virgin olive oil
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 tsp. red pepper flakes
• 1 can (28 oz.) crushed tomatoes, juice reserved
• Salt & Pepper

Fried Mozzarella –

• 3-4 cups peanut oil, depending on type of pan you will be frying the cheese in
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan
• 2 lb. mozzarella bocconcini (about 50 pieces)
• 4 eggs
• ½ cup milk
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 4 cups panko

Instructions:

1. For the sauce: In a saucepan over medium heat, warm the ½ cup olive oil
2. Add the garlic and red pepper flakes and cook, stirring, until the garlic is soft but not browned, about 1 minute.
3. Add the tomatoes and their juices and simmer until the sauce is thickened, about 6 minutes.
4. Season with salt & black pepper. Set aside.
5. Preheat the oven to 200 F
6. For the fried mozzarella: Drain the cheese from its liquid. Place the cheese on a paper towel-lined baking sheet and pat dry.
7. If your cheese balls seem big, halve or quarter them into bit size pieces. Once they get the panko breading on them, they will be a lot bigger.
8. In a bowl, whisk together the eggs and milk.
9. Put the egg mixture and bread crumbs in separate wide, shallow bowls. Combine the panko with the teaspoon of salt and Parmesan in another wide, shallow bowl.
10. Roll the cheese in the flour; dip into the egg mixture and coast with breadcrumbs, shaking off the excess after each step.
11. Repeat the breading process one more time for each cheese piece.
12. In a large, deep sauté pan over medium-high heat, pour the oil to depth of 3 inches and heat to 350 F on a deep frying thermometer.
13. Working in batches, fry the cheese until golden, about 45 seconds (or until golden brown watch them carefully as over temperatures may vary). If you notice that your thermometer’s reading decreases, wait for a little while until the oil gets back up to the proper temperature.
14. Transfer the fried cheese to a paper towel-lined plate and season with salt and lack pepper. Place the cheese on a wire rack set over a baking sheet and keep warm in the oven while frying the remaining cheese.
15. And serve!
    
    

This was a Pinterest recipe, thank you Curvy Carrot! 

http://www.thecurvycarrot.com/2011/01/30/fried-bocconcini-with-spicy-tomato-sauce/

For more recipes check out my Pinterest board; Game Day Entertaining. 

http://pinterest.com/chelseamartell/game-day-entertaining-super-bowl-parties/

Entertainment:

Whether you are throwing an adult & kids party or just adults this fun way of betting can be adapted for all ages.

1.  Take a piece of paper and use a ruler to make eleven long columns and then eleven columns the other direction to create a checkerboard. The top column will have numbers 0-9 as will the left side going down. But don't number them just yet!

2. Pass the board around to everyone at your party and have them initial two squares to start. After that pass around until everyone has equal squares and all 100 are filled.

3. Next shuffle the numbers 0-9 and randomly assign them across the top and left side. These are the ending numbers of the scores at the end of the quarter, half, third quarter, and game.

4. Label the top one team and the left the other. Example: End of the first 49ers are up 14 to 7, whoever is in the 49ers 4 and Ravens 7 spot wins!

To make this interesting you can charge a dollar amount per square or as host you can have prizes for adults & kids.

Post on the fridge or a public spot so everyone can check whose winning whenever someone scores.

Adults Only:

For an adult only party here’s a fun drinking game I found online from an angry fan that used it to force his Super Bowl party guests to pay attention during the game and not socialize as much. 

Tell everyone to choose a team, ideally the team they're rooting for. That gives indifferent people a vested interest in a side. 

You take a drink:

Every time your team loses yardage on a play.

Every time your team commits a penalty. Take another drink if the other team declines the penalty.

Every time your team takes a timeout.

Every time your team allows a play of ten yards or more.

Every time your team gets a field goal, safety, or extra point. 

You drink for five seconds:

Every time the other team scores a touchdown. 

Every time your team commits a turnover. 

Every time you lose a challenge. 

Every time your team has a kick blocked. 

Everyone drinks:

Every time the announcers agree that the refs made a terrible call. 

Every time they show a commercial that unanimously sucks. (This is my personal favorite)

Have fun and remember, Super Bowl Parties are the most fun when they’re potlucks. It’s always interesting to see what your friends bring. Maybe you’ll learn a new recipe!

Go 49ers!

XO, Chelsea