RECIPE: CLASSIC OR POMEGRANATE MARGARITAS FOR A CROWD

Martie Duncan June 11, 2014

When you are planning for a crowd, think about serving the drinks in a big dispenser. This certainly makes entertaining easier. No bartender duties for anyone! I will make up large containers of my party beverages beforehand and put them in the freezer to get them slushy... this cuts down on the need for as much ice and the drinks don't become so diluted.

classic and pomegranate margaritas Martie Duncan

CLASSIC MARGARITA

Makes one cocktail

In a cocktail shaker with ice, combine…

1.5 ounces tequila (use any good quality tequila, I prefer blanco or white instead of anjeo, reposado or other)

1.5 ounces fresh squeezed lime juice

1 ounce orange liqueur (Grand Marnier)

½ teaspoon agave nectar (or you can use 1 teaspoon. Confectioner’s sugar)

*To make into Pomegranate Margaritas, add 1 ounce Pama Liqueur and reduce the orange liqueur to a splash. Add a splash of club soda to make it really fresh and light.

Shake until well chilled. Pour in a glass rimmed with kosher salt.

FOR A CROWD: 20 people

In a large dispenser or pitcher, mix together

4 cups tequila

4 cups fresh squeezed lime juice

2 ½ cups orange liqueur

¼ cup agave nectar (or ¼ cup Confectioner’s sugar)

3-5 cups club soda or to your taste to lighten a bit if you like; the melting ice will also dilute slightly

Ice

POMEGRANATE MARGARITAS

To make into Pomegranate Margaritas, add 2 cups Pama Liqueur and reduce the orange liqueur to ½ cup. Lighten with a little club soda, if desired.

Note: A good quality tequila is important because this drink is all about the tequila. I always add the ice at the last moment before guests arrive. The melting ice will slightly dilute the drinks or you can add the club soda to your taste to also dilute them slightly if the party will be going on for hours.

RECIPE: SPICY SPEEDY FOOD PROCESSOR TOMATO SALSA

Martie Duncan June 10, 2014

This is one of those recipes you can whip up fast when friends drop in… and if you don’t have all of the ingredients, it really does not matter. Use what you have; it is perfectly okay to omit the cilantro and add Italian parsley or omit the jalapeno and add your favorite pepper.

Normally, if I'm serving chips and salsa, I will stop by my favorite Mexican restaurant and pick up warm chips to serve but this salsa is so good, any old chip will do.

Difficulty: Easy

Prep Time: 10 minutes Cook Time: no cook recipe

INGREDIENTS

1 small white onion, quartered

2 small jalapeno peppers, halved, seeded

1 clove garlic, crushed

1 teaspoon olive oil

Juice from 1 lime

¼ teaspoon lime zest

1 teaspoon kosher salt

¼ teaspoon ground black pepper

4 large red tomatoes, quartered, seeded

1 green tomato, quartered, seeded

1/3 cup cilantro, roughly chopped

Pinch red pepper flakes, optional

INSTRUCTIONS:

Add the first 2 ingredients into the bowl of your food processor. Pulse until very finely chopped. Add the next six ingredients and pulse until chopped but not runny- leave the texture as whole as you can. Add the tomatoes and pulse 6-8 times depending on how chunky you like your salsa. Add the cilantro and pulse 1-2 more times. Check the seasoning; you may want to add more salt and maybe a pinch of red pepper flakes to up the heat. Serve with tortilla chips or over eggs for breakfast.

PARTY THEME: BACKYARD OLYMPICS PARTY

Martie Duncan June 10, 2014

One of my favorite party themes for summer fun for the 4th of July or a get-together with the neighbors or cousins is a Backyard Olympics party. Easy to host; all you need is a big back yard and some creativity! Old school lawn games like the sack race, three-legged race, egg and spoon race, wheelbarrow races, hula-hoop contest, bubble blowing contest are just the ticket for summer fun. This is also one of the most affordable party ideas because most of the games require very little in the way of supplies.

All photos: Arden Ward, Arden Photography

Backyard Olympics Party games Martie Duncan

Get the gang together for some old-fashioned fun by throwing a Backyard Olympics party this 4th of July.

Hula-hoops and other backyard game supplies can be found at the dollar store or toy store. Oriental Trading Company has many backyard party games available online.

Old fashioned games like the "wheelbarrow" race or the three-legged race make for lots of laughs and summer fun.

FOOD & BEVERAGES

It is an All-American theme keep the menu classic with hot dogs and hamburgers or fried chicken. Whether you make the food yourself, get it at the store or your favorite restaurant, or asks guests to bring a dish, that's up to you.

Deviled eggs, potato salad, slaw, and pickles are traditional picnic side dishes that we can never seem to get enough of in the summertime. Apple pie topped with homemade (or store-bought) vanilla ice cream completes the All-American menu.

Dispensers of ice cold sweet tea, lemonade, and flavored water (orange is always a good choice) makes serving easy and keeps bartender duties to a minimum.

Set up a beverage station at the game course with a big tub of bottled water, sports drinks, and other cold beverages on ice so the kids stay hydrated.

DECORATIONS

It is a Red, White, and Blue Patriotic theme for this party so use leftover 4th of July themed napkins, flags, ribbons, and other supplies to give an Olympic village feel to the table decorations. Hydrangea is a wonderful summer flower; use them in clusters and you'll only need a few stems.

Make quick lanterns using LED lights or glo-sticks and a piece of scrapbook paper. Easy, pretty, and functional, too.

ENTERTAINMENT

The games are the fun for this party. A frisbee toss, baggo, croquet, badminton, volleyball, bocce ball, and kickball are all great games if you have the equipment. There are so many fun yard games to play that require little or no equipment at all. Remember the wheelbarrow race, three legged race, egg toss, egg and spoon race, and