SUMMER
PARTY RECIPES
SUMMER 2015
DIY WITH CREATIVE BAG
THAT ANYONE CAN MAKE
PARTY TIPS FROM
JESSICA MULRONEY
NOTE FROM ELLE EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Elle Daftarian
MANAGING EDITOR Oleena Mak
PHOTOGRAPHY Jerald Bezener
STYLING Dela Kumapley Elle Daftarian
“LIFE IS ABOUT MOMENTS AND MEMORIES, PERIOD”
I am so proud and excited to share with you our first issue of SHEentertains Magazine. This is my way of giving back to all our beautiful fans and followers whose support is forever tattooed on my heart. SHEentertains is based on the woman that can do it all; work, have a family, take care of herself, be an amazing inspiration to others and still have the time to throw a crazy chic party. There is nothing more exciting to me than summer and it is finally here! I love having family and friends over while stirring up delicious cocktails, nibbling on some yummy appetizers, listening to great music and yes, wait for it...enjoying some decadent sweets! People often have a million and one reasons why they don’t want to host a party in their home; ‘it’s too hard’, ‘I never enjoy my own party’, ‘too many details’, ‘I don’t have time’ and the list goes on. In my opinion, there is nothing more fulfilling than hosting a party at home. I believe there is something special in sharing laughter and creating great memories in your own environment. Let’s be honest, those moments don’t come around everyday, so we really need to be present and enjoy them when they do. As this is our first issue, I want to share some tips on how to entertain while being a guest at your own party. I also want to introduce our very first SHEentertains woman, Jessica Mulroney; PR, marketing, branding and social media guru. Jessica will be sharing her tips on how she manages her everyday life while maintaining fabulosity and making time to entertain. Nothing in this magazine will be complicated to reproduce, trust me. Having followed numerous recipes, I have had my fair share of epic failures, I wouldn’t do that to you! Everything will require minimal labour with maximum WOW factor! So what are you waiting for? Let’s get this party started! Stay Sweet!
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IT’S ALL ABOUT THE
MARSHMALLOW
One of my favourite things to make for a party are marshmallows. Why you ask? Because there is no baking required! You can make them in advance and store them in an air-tight container so it’s one less thing for you to worry about. Dress them up any way you’d like by filling up bowls with different fun flavours and colours of marshmallow. Maybe add some graham crackers and Nutella and create a very sweet smore’s station, or keep it simple by cutting them into squares and dipping them half in chocolate for your guests to enjoy. You can create any flavours you’d like and the best part is that you can tell everybody that yes, it is gluten-free!
THE RECIPE
WHAT YOU NEED 1 tbsp of butter 1/3 cup powdered sugar 2 envelopes of unflavoured gelatin 1⁄2 cup cold water
1 cup granulated sugar 1⁄2 cup water 6 1⁄2 tbsp corn syrup 2 1⁄2 tbsp basil lime concentrate 1 tsp vanilla paste
1.Generously grease bottom and sides of an 11x7 inch (2-quart) glass baking dish with 1 tbsp butter. In a stand mixer, sprinkle 2 envelopes of unflavoured gelatin over 1⁄2 cup of cold water to soften and set aside.
2. In a 3-quart saucepan, heat 1 cup of granulated sugar, 1⁄2 cup of water and 3 1⁄2 tbsp of corn syrup and gelatin mixture over medium heat. Stir until sugar and gelatin are dissolved. Heat until boiling then reduce to medium-low. Cook without stirring for about 30 minutes at 235°F on a thermometer and remove from heat. While the mixture is cooking, watch that it doesn’t boil over and reduce heat to low if necessary.
3. Slowly pour 3 tbsp of corn syrup into softened gelatin, 2 1⁄2 tbsp basil lime concentrate (or any flavour you’d like) and 1 tsp of vanilla paste while beating on low speed. Increase speed to medium-high and beat for 8-10 minutes or until mixture is light green and has almost tripled in volume. Pour into dish. Spread and smooth top with rubber spatula. Leave it covered for at least 8 hours or overnight.
4. Sprinkle a large cutting board with about 1 tbsp of powdered sugar. Place remaining powdered sugar in a small bowl. Loosen the sides of the marshmallow from the dish and gently lift in one piece onto the cutting board. Spray a sharp knife with cooking spray and cut the marshmallow into desired size. Dip the bottoms and sides of marshmallows into bowl of powdered sugar and store tightly covered at room temperature. Have fun and serve marshmallows in different ways by piping, using cake pans, ice trays or molds. Mix and create any flavours and colours you’d like for your next party! 7
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CRUDITE IN A CUP
THE RECIPE WHAT YOU NEED 8 tbsp organic mayonnaise 1 lemon 1/2 tsp sea salt pepper chopped fresh dill (use to your descretion) cucumber zucchini celery asparagus olives basil
SERVINGS: 4 Party food should always be quick, simple and mess free for you and your guests. With this easy and refreshing crudite in a cup appetizer, there’s no need for anyone to get their hands dirty - at least not until dessert! In a glass cup, mix together your dipping sauce of mayonnaise, lemon, sea salt, pepper and fresh dill. Wash and vertically chop up all your green vegetables of cucumber, zucchini, celery and asparagus. Skewer the olives, add a leaf of basil and serve in the cup with the dipping sauce. It’s the perfect handy snack for your guests!
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ANTIPASTO SKEWER WHAT YOU NEED PER SKEWER
OLIVES SALAMI CHEESE BASIL GRAPE TOMATOES RED PEPPERS ARTICHOKES
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I love an antipasto platter, but often times I find the good stuff gets eaten right away and you’re left with unsatisfied guests. Antipasto skewer to the rescue! Not only do they look incredible, but all your guests can enjoy everything a delicious platter has to offer without missing out. Mess free since no plates means no clean up! All you need to do is skewer and you’re ready to go! Everything can be prepared beforehand so you can enjoy your party and not have to contantly run back and forth to refill the tray. You’re welcome!
LEMON MERINGUE
Last, but not least, dessert must be served! Most people tend to shy away from making desserts from scratch at parties because mastering the art of baking can be difficult. But what if there were an easier way to satisfy your guests’ sweettooth? Making a lemon meringue is the perfect, simple solution! Just mix, whisk and serve however you’d like. Use it as a filling for macaroons, bake it into a meringue cookie or simply serve as is topped with fresh fruits. Meringue shell cookies can also be purchased in stores, so all you need to do is make the custard and serve with an edible flower and berries.
THE RECIPE WHAT YOU NEED SERVINGS: 30
For the Meringue: ½ cup egg whites (about 4 large egg whites) ½ tsp cream of tartar 1 tsp vanilla extract 1 cup granulated sugar
1. Preheat oven to 225°F. 2. In a stand mixer, beat egg white, vanilla and cream of tartar until mixture forms soft peaks.
3. At high speed, slowly add granulated sugar 1 tbsp at a time until firm.
4. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper and pipe meringue into desired shape using piping bag.
5. Place in oven and bake for 1.5-2 hours until slightly golden.
For the Lemon Curd: 3 eggs zest of 1 lemon 1/3 cup granulated sugar ½ cup lemon juice 6 tablespoons butter, cut into small pieces 1 tsp vanilla extract
6. For lemon curd, whisk together lemon zest, sugar and eggs.
7. Place over medium heat and whisk in butter and lem-
on juice until the butter is melted and mixture is thick.
8. Strain mixture through a fine strainer and mix in vanilla. Place in fridge to cool.
9. Spoon lemon curd into meringue nests and serve. 13
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SWEET WINNER
SO YOU THINK YOU CAN PLAN? Our featured sweet table for July is by event planner Azar Jazestani of So You Think You Can Plan. Azar’s table embodies our number one mantra of ‘less is more’. The key to putting together the perfect sweet table is a neutral base, in this case white, and a simple palette of three to five colours. We love her pretty pastel table filled with chocolates, macaroons, cookies and cake pops. Boost your spread of treats with décor consistent with your chosen colour palette. To top it off, Azar adds a touch of floral and polka dot pattern for some additional texture. When putting time and effort into a gorgeous display, photography is key to ensure your masterpiece is not forgotten. Be sure to hire a photographer or ask a friend who is a whiz with a camera. These beautiful shots are by Monique Weston of Monique Weston Photography. It’s a delicious pastel party and we love it!
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IT’S A KID’S WORLD
Photography: Mango Studios Styling: Megan Wappel Scarf: Little Citizens www.confettico.com
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If the kids aren’t having fun, no one is going to have fun, which is why part of throwing the perfect party is taking good care of the little ones! The party gurus from Confetti show us exactly how to keep the kids occupied with their own little sweet table filled with delicious treats to keep them happy.
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ICE CREAM CRAZE
You can never go wrong with serving ice cream at a party. Whichever flavour that satisfies your sweet tooth, take a few scoops into a simple glass bowl and dress it up however way you’d like. Set up a mini ice cream station for your guests to add a dash of sprinkles, top with fresh fruits and edible flowers or drizzle with some sweet sauces. The kids aren’t the only ones that can enjoy ice cream! Icecream Story Photography: Megan Wappel
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DON’T LET
MELT
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T SUMMER
AWAY
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CRAZY FOR COCKTAILS No need to be a professional bartender to mix a up a delicious cocktail. With a shaker, strainer and some cool moves, you’re ready to get mixing! Rather than going out and spending your hard earned cash on overpriced drinks, invite some friends over and have a fun, causal summer day mixing up sweet and refreshing cocktails with snacks in your backyard. It’s an easy, quick and simple way to add a little homemade touch and a whole lot of fun!
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PINEAPPLE & CO.
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THE RECIPE
10 fresh mint leaves
A custom cocktail shows your guest that you’ve gone the extra mile to make the party a unique experience. Nothing like a good drink ready to go when you walk into the party, it’s the best icebreaker. When I think of a summer beverage I think of fruit. I’m obsessed with pineapple and coconut and my favourite cocktail is a good mojito so guess what you’re going to get? A pineapple coconut mojito! I call it Pineapple & Co.
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sprinkle of freshly shaved coconut
SUPPLIES melon scooper cocktail shaker strainer ice bucket
Âź cup fresh pineapple chunks (never canned)
PLUS 4 oz club soda 4 oz coconut rum
1
2
3
CRUSH
SHAKE
STRAIN
In bottom of a cocktail shaker or large glass, muddle the pineapple with the mint leaves and rum.
Strain into an ice filled cocktail glass and garnish with extra mint leaves. Feel free to sprinkle some shredded coconut on top.
Add ice and shake until well chilled.
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ENTERTAINING WITH CHALKBOARD Creative Bag’s Creative Director, Lorrie Everitt, uses chalkboard signs for party decor and to highlight food and drink options for guests with food allergies. It’s easy to make your chalkboard signs look like they were handmade by a creative chalkboard artist with Lorrie’s simple tips and tricks.
Gather your supplies: chalkboards, chalk markers & chalkboard paint from creativebag.com, and white tracing paper, tape and a pencil.
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Create your lettering on a computer to size. Print and cut out as shown. Use the tracing paper to trace your lettering onto the chalkboard surface.
Go over your traced design using the chalk markers. You’ll have perfect lettering and spacing and (if you used spell check) no typos!
LESS IS MORE Throwing the perfect party doesn’t always have to be a hassle. Sometimes, less is more. Rather than creating elaborate themes and decor to impress your guests, find beauty in the small details with just a single flower. Either grow your favourite flower or shop for the perfect one. Whether it’s peonies, daisies or dahlias, all you need to do is place a single flower into a small vase and place around your home to freshen it up just in time for your party. Sweet and simple, it doesn’t take much to brighten things up!
PARTY WITH
JESSICA MULRONEY PR, marketing, social media and branding guru Jessica Mulroney shows us exactly how to manage being a full time mother and entrepreneur while still making time to entertain guests.
TIPS FROM THE ULTIMATE MODERN MOTHER & ENTREPRENEUR When you think of entertaining, what’s the first thing that pops into your mind? How can I give my guests the most fun night without breaking the bank, or breaking my back. With a little planning and some out of the box thinking, you can host an incredible evening that won’t cause you to lose sleep. If you could throw any party, what theme would it be? I am not really into full blown themes. It is all about the food for me. I love researching new recipes that create conversation. As long as I can make my guests fully satisfied at the end of the night, my job is done. What’s your favourite cocktail? Cocktails are my thing! My husband and I have
been enjoying making a variation of cocktails that we found on the menu of our friend’s restaurant in Montreal. It’s iced and sweetened Darjeeling tea, with Sotol, lime juice and coconut water. We call it the “Nobility”. I like to concoct something different for all my parties. What is a must when throwing a party? A great playlist and Apple Music has just stepped up with a fantastic streaming service that takes care of all my DJ needs. If you could have anyone as a guest at your party, who would it be? Honestly, our family. We always laugh. I’m sure Oprah knows how to have a good time as well.
Photography: David Pike
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What does your sweet tooth always crave? I am a sucker for any sort of fruit crumble with vanilla ice cream. I am really enjoying flavoured marshmallows lately although I haven’t quite mastered that in the kitchen. What do you enjoy being better, the guest or entertainer? There is a time and place for both. We love Halloween at our house, so we host all of Ben’s siblings and their kids for a pre-Trick or Treating Orange Feast. Afterwards, the kids watch a
“
,,,Find a way to
enjoy the chaos or it’s going to be a long night.
“
What are some common mistakes people make when throwing a party? They don’t roll with the punches; glasses will get broken, there won’t be enough food, the AC might conk out. Find a way to enjoy the chaos or it’s going to be a long night.
movie downstairs and the adults enjoy a few cocktails and some homemade goodies. I really love hosting 8-10 people for dinner. That is my ideal number. Anything over that, I would much prefer to be the guest.
As a mom, wife and entrepreneur, how do you make the time to entertain or be entertained? You should never sacrifice one part of your life for another. You don’t stop being a wife when you become a mother, you don’t stop being a mother when you go back to work and you should never forget that you have friendships that always need to be nurtured. Make sure you accept invitations as a way to stay connected to your friends.
Do you think flowers are a must at every party? What is your favourite flower? I really enjoy doing my own flowers when I have time. It relaxes me. My friends at Crown and Flora inspired me to use plants, toys and coloured pots to liven things up. There is always something in your house that begs to be used creatively as table decor!
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