Classy and Opinionated Lifestyle Mom Blog
I am very fortunate to be able to review some great products here at The Classy Chics, and some of my favorites have come from Pereg Natural Foods, which a search reveals. Pereg’s extensive product line includes all-natural grains, flours, spices, breadcrumbs, beans, pasta, rice, …
Back in the day, I fancied myself an amateur calligrapher, and I really enjoyed being able to create calligraphic items for family and friends. When I heard that there was an updated method for calligraphy, I thought it might be a good chance to resurrect …
Looking for a cookbook that will guide you through the upcoming holiday entertaining season? Look no further than the soon-to-be-released Table Tales: Do-Ahead Dinner Party Menus that Whet Appetites, Loosen Tongues and Make Memories by Ray Repp and Richard Alther (Regent Press, November 2018).
* Complimentary book received for review. This cookbook is part of the TwoClassyChics annual holiday gift guide. This post may contain affiliate links.
This highly readable cookbook presents complete dinner party menus (plus one buffet) that are composed of appetizer, first course, main course, and dessert recipes, all designed to be prepared ahead of time so the hosts can spend more time with their guests. Each chapter begins with a story from one of Ray and Richard’s dinner parties, and I must say, those stories might just be my favorite thing about the book.
I also love the way the authors present the recipes. Of course, there are ingredient lists and step-by-step directions, but there are also snippets of wisdom dropped in almost as asides, describing tips, personal preferences, and suggestions. Reading through the recipes, you know that they’ve been made over and over, sometimes with this twist, sometimes with that. It’s reassuring, and inspiring, too. They also share their hosting experience in helpful sidebars called “Hospitality Tips,” where they describe different incidents from their parties and how they handled them.
The dishes they serve are rich and varied. Richard is the dessert specialist, while Ray handles the rest of the menu. Here’s a sampling of their delectable recipes in Table Tales:
• Appetizers: Mini Crab Cakes with Basil Mayo; Crunchy Pesto on Crackers
• First Course: Seared Tuna with Catalan Sauce; Golden Gazpacho
• Main Course: Seafood Wellingtons (or Beef); Layered Tomatoes and Potatoes with Herbed Bread Crumbs
• Dessert: Lemon Cream Cheese Layer Cake; Cranberry Lime Tart
There is much more to be gleaned from Table Tales than menus, recipes, and entertaining tips. Reading this well-crafted book, I found myself dreaming of being the kind of person who could host or even attend such sumptuous feasts with such diverse, interesting attendees. However, on the next—albeit rare—occasion when I am either host or guest, I will think of Ray and Richard, and I will try to emulate their ease, their consideration, and their ability to enjoy the moment.
If you’re planning on entertaining this holiday season, treat yourself to a copy of Table Tales if only for the inspiration. On the flip side, this book would make a great hostess gift if you’re invited to any holiday gatherings. Or wrap it up with a set of holiday-themed tea towels and an apron, and you’ve got the perfect gift for the entertainer on your gift list.
For more information about this fun cookbook and guide to entertaining, check out its dedicated website. There you’ll find author bios, links to their social media feeds, excerpts from the book, and more.
* This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, we may or may not receive a small commission which helps to support this site. Thank you!
Giveaway: One lucky winner is going to win a copy of the Table Tales Cookbook, thanks to Regent Press. Good luck!
Giveaway Details: This giveaway is open to residents of the US ONLY age 18 and over. Please read our Terms of Service & Disclaimer Policy before entering. This giveaway will close on November 12th, 2018 at 11:59 pm EST time. No purchase necessary to enter or win.
Disclaimer: A. Bailey received a complimentary product for review purposes & feature on The Classy Chics blog. No monetary compensation was received. A. Bailey’s thoughts, opinions and words are 100% her own. Your thoughts may differ. Please read the blog’s terms of service policy before entering any giveaways. The Classy Chics are NOT responsible for prize fulfillment or shipping of any items won from this blog.
It may not be the biggest problem in my life, but I really dislike the wet goopy mess that a bar of soap can turn into. SoapStandle to the rescue! “Standle” means that it’s both soap stand and soap handle, solving the problem of soap …
Most of us who follow The Classy Chics are women, and we know how a pretty new accessory like earrings or a necklace can make us feel like a million bucks. The men in our lives know that feeling, too, when they put on a …
For me, one of the joys of autumn is baking with apples, and one of my favorite things to make is apple crisp. I usually add a handful of oats to the topping, but this time I was inspired to use Golden Girl Granola instead. The result? Amazing!
* Complimentary Product Received for this Recipe Feature.
First let me tell you a little about the Massachusetts-based company that makes this delicious granola. I’m always happy to support small businesses like Golden Girl Granola, a family-owned business that makes seven different flavors of gluten-free, Non-GMO Certified granola in small batches. They use all-natural ingredients and source them locally whenever possible. You can purchase their products directly at their website or check their store locator to see if a retailer near you carries it. You may also want to visit them on Facebook for recipe ideas, news, and promotions.
I received a bag of Golden Girl Granola’s “Bluesberry” flavor to try, and although it’s great right out of the bag, I knew its almond-oat-maple-coconut-blueberry goodness would be a perfect complement to my apple crisp. And I was right! Bluesberry’s warm flavors and varied textures brought my apple crisp to a whole new level. Without further ado, here’s my recipe:
Apple Crisp with Bluesberry Granola Topping Recipe
Topping ingredients:
3/4 cup all-purpose flour
1/4 cup light brown sugar
1/4 teaspoon salt
4 tablespoons cold butter
1 cup Golden Girl Bluesberry Granola
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Filling ingredients:
4-5 medium-sized apples (I used Honeycrisp)
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1/8 cup all-purpose flour
2 tablespoons granulated sugar
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon salt
Start with the topping: In a medium-sized bowl, combine the flour, brown sugar, and salt. Using a pastry blender or your fingers, work the butter into the mixture, leaving bits of butter from pea- to dime-sized. Mix in the granola and cinnamon. Set the topping aside.
Peel and core the apples, then cut them into 1/2-inch to 1-inch chunks. Place the apple pieces in a 1-1/2 quart baking dish; the dish should be about 2/3 full. Sprinkle the lemon juice over the apples, then toss gently to moisten all the apples. In a small bowl, combine the flour, sugar, cinnamon, and salt. Add this mixture to the apples, stirring gently so they’re evenly coated. Distribute the topping mixture evenly atop the apples; press it down lightly. Bake in a preheated 350°F oven for 35-45 minutes, until the topping is golden and the filling bubbles up slightly at the edges. Use a pick or cake tester to pierce through the topping to check that the apples are soft and cooked through. Serve the crisp warm or at room temperature. A dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream on top is yummy, and sprinkling on a little extra Bluesberry granola makes a nice presentation.
Disclaimer: A. Bailey received complimentary products for review purposes & feature on The Classy Chics blog. No monetary compensation was received. A. Bailey’s thoughts, opinions and words are 100% her own. Your thoughts may differ. This post may contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase through an affiliate link, we will receive a small commission which helps to support this site. Thanks!
If you have a knitter on your gift list, or if you’re a knitter yourself, you’ll be excited to hear about The Knitter’s Dictionary: Knitting Know-How from A to Z by Kate Atherley (Interweave Books, October 2018). This new reference book is a comprehensive listing …
Not long ago, SeaSnax sent me a big sampler of their seaweed snack and food products. Previously, I’ve reviewed their Roasted Snack Sheets and Grab & Go Packs (wafer-thin sheets of seaweed roasted with extra virgin olive oil and flavorings to eat as snacks or …