Solano Bride

Newlyweds: Learning to cook for two

Solano Bride — Thu, 18 Aug 2011 17:57:08 +0000

(ARA) – So you’ve just tied the knot, or will soon wed, and you realize that mealtime (among other things) is about to change. If you have any jitters about cooking for two, rest assured that setting up a kitchen and cooking delicious meals – no matter what your budget or time constraints – are well within reach.

Essential kitchen tools

If you’re lucky, you received most of what you need to set up a kitchen as wedding or shower gifts. Here’s a rundown of the very basics. You can add to your supplies down the road, once you see what kind of cooking you most enjoy (a wok if you rely on stir fry and a crepe pan if you fancy crepes for Sunday breakfast, for example).

For now, you can tackle just about any recipe if you have:

A couple of basic pots (one large enough to make pasta and a medium-size one for sauces and steaming veggies)
A skillet
A casserole dish
Measuring cups and spoons
One large and one small mixing bowl

Wooden spoons, a good can opener, a slotted spoon, a ladle, rubber spatulas and a metal spatula

A cutting board and a good chef’s knife, a paring knife, a vegetable peeler and a grater

Baking pans: one 9-by-13-inch, two round cake pans, a pie pan, a couple of cookie sheets, a pizza pan and a loaf pan
Storage containers and recycling bins

The spice rack

It needn’t be a rack, of course, but a solid collection of spices will be necessary for cooking from recipes and can help you transform ordinary fare into very special – even signature – dishes. Stock a handful of basics, then build your selection. Store them away from heat and light (not over your stove).

A good start would be: basil, bay leaves, cayenne, chives, cinnamon, cumin, garlic powder, marjoram, oregano, paprika, parsley, pepper, rosemary, sage, tarragon, thyme, turmeric and, of course, salt and black pepper.

If you have an ongoing gift registry, you might add Simply Organic’s Spice Rack with Spices. It provides 16 basic spices, including Daily Grind Black Peppercorns and Grind to a Salt blend.

For convenience (and reliability), stock plenty of ready-to-use spice blends, too, such as all-purpose seasoning, chili powder, curry powder, Italian seasoning, Mexican seasoning, and pumpkin pie spice.

Recipes

Deciding what to have for dinner needn’t be a hassle. It’s helpful to plan your menus for the week ahead, both for shopping ease and peace of mind.

Start by relying on basic recipes. Maybe you have some that have been passed down in your family. Or maybe you’re teaching yourself now. You might want to set aside one day a week to try a brand new recipe, such as a new ethnic dish or something you saw on a cooking show or website. If it works, add it to your repertoire.

You can also greatly vary your basic recipes, such as potato, pasta and egg dishes, just by experimenting with seasonings and other toppings. If you know how to cook pasta (and if you don’t, just follow the directions on the package and you’ll nail it), you can make myriad dishes by choosing a variety of pastas in various shapes. Then mix things up by seasoning your sauces differently: add basil, garlic powder and thyme to your tomato sauce one day and oregano, garlic granules and basil another. For a white sauce, try tarragon, paprika and parsley or marjoram, dill weed and chives. If you’re going for convenience, simply choose a blend such as Italian seasoning, and you’re good to go.

You can find some good “beginner” recipes on Simply Organic’s recipe website, which, for convenience, creatively use mixes and blends. You can also download the company’s free recipe app for your iPhone, iPad, and/or iPod Touch.

Take shortcuts

Speaking of mixes and blends, if you haven’t noticed, they’re not just for dessert anymore. You’ll find convenient, healthful mixes and blends for everything from sauces and dips to main dishes, side dishes and, yes, desserts. If you don’t have the time and inclination to spend hours in the kitchen mastering recipes, it’s mixes and blends to the rescue. Even if you enjoy spending time in the kitchen, mixes are great when you need a dish done faster.

Here are a couple easy-to-assemble recipes that you can use to put a complete, scrumptious dinner on the table.

Homestyle Meatloaf

Ingredients: 1 pound lean ground beef, 1 cup bread crumbs, 1 egg, 1/4 cup ketchup, 1 package Simply Organic Sloppy Joe Mix, 1/4 cup water

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 F. In a large mixing bowl, combine beef, bread crumbs, egg and ketchup. In a small bowl, dissolve Sloppy Joe Mix in water. Add liquid mix to beef mixture and knead into a loaf shape. Place on cookie sheet or in oven-safe pan and bake for 45 minutes.

Creamy Mashed Potato Casserole

Ingredients: 3 pounds russet potatoes, peeled and diced into 1-inch pieces, 1 package Simply Organic French Onion Dip Mix, 1/2 cup sour cream, 1/2 cup cream cheese, 1/4 teaspoon salt, 1/4 cup butter, cut into pieces

Directions:

Place potatoes in a large pot. Cover with water. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 15 to 20 minutes, or until tender when pierced with a fork. While potatoes are cooking, combine dip mix, sour cream, cream cheese, and salt. Stir until well mixed, and set aside.

When potatoes are tender, drain off the water. Add the sour cream mixture and butter to the potatoes. Mash potatoes using a hand-held mixer or potato masher. Place in a greased 3-quart casserole dish. Bake at 350 degrees for 35 to 40 minutes, uncovered.

Three can’t-miss ideas for fall wedding planning

Solano Bride — Thu, 18 Aug 2011 17:47:41 +0000

(ARA) – When you think of prime wedding months do May and June spring to mind? You might be surprised to learn that October and November are also popular months for nuptials. When you realize autumn brings not only cooler weather, but less busy caterers or wedding venues, the season’s appeal is easy to understand.

Whether you’re finalizing plans for a wedding this fall or planning ahead for autumn 2012, you’ll be looking for ideas to add seasonal spice to your big day. From fall wedding decoration ideas to seasonally appropriate menu suggestions, here are some trends to consider for your fall wedding:

Alfresco and all natural

“Many brides cash in on fall’s ample sunshine and cooler temperatures by holding their weddings outside,” says Ray Miller of My Wedding Reception Ideas.com. “An outdoor wedding celebrates the season and plays to another popular trend – eco-awareness.”

In many areas of the country, autumn brings less heat and rain. Plus, saying your “I do’s” outside, surrounded by fall’s vibrant hues, makes Mother Nature your co-decorator.

If you’re considering having your wedding outside, don’t overlook unusual venues. Municipal parks, national parks, botanical gardens, fruit orchards and even zoos can all be fun and interesting places for a wedding.

Seasonal decor and accessories

The colors and spirit of fall can also inspire your accessories and decor. Rustic materials and touches like raffia, twigs and straw can add seasonal flair to decorations. Leaf motifs and autumnal hues can be used to adorn everything from cake cutting sets and table linens to table centerpieces and slipcovers.

You can even tie your theme to fall holidays like Halloween or Thanksgiving. Leaf-shaped votive holders, personal-size pumpkins and other Halloween wedding favor ideas can add seasonally appropriate fun to your celebration.

Remarkable menus

A fall wedding also opens up opportunities to create memorable menus that play on the flavors of the season. Just as spring and summer wedding menus benefit from the season’s fresh produce, you can incorporate the fruits of the fall harvest into your autumn nuptials.

Fall vegetables like pumpkin, butternut squash, beets, carrots and rutabagas can be served slow-roasted for a side dish that capitalizes on the season’s most colorful and nutritious offerings. Greens such as spinach, endive and celery root come into season in autumn and can be incorporated into soups and salads for a pop of flavor and vitamins.

Just as spring and summer wedding menus benefit from the season’s fresh produce, you can incorporate the fruits of the fall harvest into your autumn nuptials.

Main course choices also open up in fall, when great game comes in season. Replacing boring beef with venison or mundane chicken with pheasant not only puts a seasonal stamp on a menu, but creates a culinary experience wedding guests will remember.

Wedding reception math: How to know how much you need of everything

Solano Bride — Thu, 18 Aug 2011 17:33:41 +0000

(ARA) – Acting as your own planner can help save money on your wedding reception. From ordering wedding napkins and favors to deciding how much cake and drinks to have on hand, you can keep a handle on costs by self-managing as many reception-related tasks as possible.

But how do you know how much to buy? Buy too little of any important item and you could run out, leaving guests hungry, thirsty and disappointed. Buy too much and you’ll waste money and be faced with the challenge of getting rid of leftovers.

Buy too little of any important item and you could run out, leaving guests hungry, thirsty and disappointed. Buy too much and you’ll waste money and be faced with the challenge of getting rid of leftovers.

The reception experts at My Wedding Reception Ideas, a leading online resource for brides seeking unique wedding favors, wedding decorations and wedding supplies, offer these tips for calculating how much you’ll need of key reception items:

Beverages

With all the dancing and celebrating they’ll be doing, your guests are sure to work up a thirst. It’s important to calculate the right amount of beverages to buy so you don’t run out. A good rule of thumb is to plan for one drink per person, per hour. You may need more or less depending upon the make-up of your crowd. Lots of kids? You’ll probably need less alcohol and more soft drinks. Plenty of adults who love a good party? You may need to adjust the amount of alcohol accordingly. Here are some averages to give you a starting point:

Beer – Three to four beers per person.
Champagne – Two glasses per person (mostly for the toasts).
Wine – Three quarters of a bottle per person. One bottle of wine or champagne yields about six to seven glasses.
Soft drinks – Three to four servings per person. A 2-liter bottle holds seven to nine drink servings.

It’s always good to err on the side of caution and order more than you think you will need – about a third more is standard. Check with your distributor before you order; some will allow you to return unopened bottles.

Food

If you’ll serve cocktails and hors d’oeuvres before the reception, limit this time to an hour or 90 minutes – you don’t want guests filling up before the main event. Estimate three hors d’oeuvres per person, per hour – roughly five per person for the entire time. If your reception will be a cocktail/hors d’oeuvres event without a sit-down dinner, increase your calculations to 12 pieces per guest. If you’re serving a sit-down dinner, one plate per person per course should be your starting point. You may choose to ask the kitchen/caterer to have some extras on hand in case anyone requests seconds or some last-minute guests arrive.

For the wedding cake, simply tell your baker how many guests will attend and they can recommend the size cake you’ll need. It’s good to estimate more servings than invited guests as some may want seconds or bring last-minute additions to the party. If you’ll serve desserts other than cake, estimate one to two servings per guest.

Napkins

Personalized or plain, linen or three-ply, wedding napkins are a wedding reception must-have item. It’s hard to imagine going overboard and having too many napkins, but it could happen – and if it does you may find yourself using those napkins at your first anniversary celebration. To ensure your napkin buying is on target with your needs, follow these guidelines:

Two to three cocktail napkins per guest for the bar area.
One cocktail-sized napkin per guest for the cake table.
One and a half dinner or luncheon napkins per guest at the meal table if you won’t be using linen napkins. For example, if you’ll have 100 guests, plan for 150 dinner napkins.

Finally, favors

This one may seem obvious – one favor per guest. In reality, however, you need to allow for breakage (What if someone drops a box of favors on the way into the reception hall and several shatter?) and guests who may ask to take an extra favor home for a relative or friend who wasn’t able to attend. Increasing your favor purchase by just 10 percent won’t cost that much more, but could allow you to send guests home with an extra favor or two.

Couples who cook together, share together

Solano Bride — Thu, 18 Aug 2011 17:21:21 +0000

(ARA) – First comes love, then comes marriage, then comes … cooking together? With 90 percent of bridal registries containing kitchen appliances, today’s couples are thinking about the thousands of meals they’ll share together. Many registries focus on appliances, as couples hope to complete cooking tasks quickly and easily, but they should also consider the most important ingredient: a partner to cook with.

One truism of marriage is that the more activities a couple shares, the stronger their marriage becomes. Cooking together is a great choice because it’s something that you can easily incorporate into your life, whether it’s your everyday routine, entertaining guests or, of course, date night. Couples who prepare meals together create a feel-good home environment that builds trust, problem-solving and teamwork.

The kitchen also is a place of memories. You may remember mom’s chicken or grandma’s homemade marinara sauce. Whether you create your own recipes, cook each other’s favorite dishes or just discover meals you’re both fond of, cooking together can contribute many happy moments every year to your marriage.

Your bridal registry choices set the initial stage for what types of delicious meals (and drinks) you share together. Just follow these helpful hints by Black & Decker so you and your spouse can plan to cook, love and eat your way through the many years to come.

Start the day easy.

What better way to start the day than to cook and eat a meal together with your spouse? Not only is breakfast the most important meal of the day, it’s also a great opportunity to connect as you fix it together.

Make coffee like a barista with a Black & Decker coffeemaker, which lets you set the strength of your brew. You can also create cafe-style sandwiches in a toaster oven for each other, or experiment with different artisan breads to see which you like best. Try hearty rye, rich sourdough or tangy olive loaf to supplement your regular white or wheat.

Entertain your guests effortlessly.

While every marriage has a foundation of two people, you’ll want to include friends and family in your home celebrations. Preparing food for guests can be intimidating the first few times you try it, but with some key appliances, you can cook great dishes with just a little skill. Black & Decker appliances provide the tools you need, with the durability you want and at a value you’ll appreciate.

The PowerPro 2-in-1 Food Processor & Blender will help you quickly prepare ingredients for your dishes and then quickly switch to frozen drinks when the guests arrive. With one cost-saving appliance, you can make healthy smoothies and decadent milkshakes or chop up vegetables and cheese for a homemade pizza or healthy salad. A countertop convection oven can serve as a second oven when cooking for the entire family. Cooking with convection ensures that you will never wait long for your food to be ready, whether it’s a baked dish or delicious roast chicken. Finally, cleanup is easy now that most appliances feature removable dishwasher-safe parts.

Don’t forget date night.

Marriage requires investment to keep the relationship fun and interesting. While everyone enjoys a night out at a restaurant, a date at home can save money and increase your bond as you create new and interesting dishes together. With the right kitchen appliances, you can save a lot of time so you focus more on each other and less time on food prep.

Instead of going to a Mexican restaurant, make a Mexican-themed meal. Starting the night off with a frozen margarita is easier if it’s made in a blender that shreds ice into snow. Use your food processor to whip up a spicy salsa, then quickly slice and shred ingredients for some tacos. For dessert, a countertop convection oven can bake indulgent individual caramel flan in a snap. With just a little help from your kitchen appliances, your date-night meals will come out memorable every time.

Learning to cook together doesn’t have to be a daunting task. Whether its breakfast, entertaining lunches, or date-night dinners, your appliances will help guide you through the many meals to come.

Visit www.blackanddeckerappliances.com for more information on registry ideas for couple’s cooking.

Getting married? Why you should discuss your finances now

Solano Bride — Thu, 18 Aug 2011 17:18:09 +0000

(ARA) – Couples heading to the altar have a lot to think about. Planning a wedding is no small feat, but, as many people will tell you, planning for your life together beyond the big day is even more important. While thinking about the future is definitely exciting, you should also be sure to have a discussion with each other about topics like buying a home, merging your finances and managing debt.

If both of you have relatively low debt – or better yet, no debt – you should talk about the steps that you need to take to keep your finances in good order. Living debt-free is a great goal to have as a couple, and doing so will eliminate one of the major stressors of any marriage.

Having a frank conversation about your finances now can help prevent future marital conflicts about money. Consider these points for discussion with your fiance. Keep the tone of your conversation kind and understanding – it’s easy to get aggravated, but that won’t help anything in the long run.

Should we combine our finances after getting married or keep them separate?
What kinds of purchases do you think it’s appropriate to make with credit cards?
How will we budget for major expenditures, like cars, vacations or home repairs?
Who will be responsible for paying bills?
Are you open to seeing a financial advisor or having an outside party prepare our taxes?
What is the total debt load between the two of us and how will we address it?

When it comes to debt, make the conversation realistic, but optimistic as well. It’s important to ask tough questions like why you got into debt and what could happen if you don’t deal with the situation. Those answers can help paint a clearer picture of how you’re going to start paying down your debt.

When it comes to debt, make the conversation realistic, but optimistic as well.

But to give yourselves something positive to work toward, ask what living debt free would mean to each of you – or to you both, as a couple. Maybe it means you’d be able to afford the home of your dreams or take yearly vacations – those answers can be the inspiration that keeps you working toward being debt free.

Using a tool like Debt Wise, from credit reporting agency Equifax, can make the process easier to manage and enable you to get out of debt faster. Using the information that the agency already has from your credit card companies and other lenders, Debt Wise automatically prioritizes your debts into a plan designed specifically for you and updates as you make progress. Not only can it help you tackle your debt faster, it can also help you save on interest charges – giving you even more financial room to achieve your goals. For more information, go to www.debtwise.com.

Bridesmaid’s dresses are not just for weddings anymore

Solano Bride — Thu, 18 Aug 2011 17:12:01 +0000

(ARA) – You bought the dress, the shoes and the special accessories. Now the big day is over and you’re left with yet another bridesmaid’s dress cluttering the back of your closet. No matter how many brides have told you that you’ll totally be able to wear that dress again … you’ve never worn that dress again. Halloween doesn’t count.

But wouldn’t it be nice if you could? What if it wasn’t just another few hundred dollars down the drain? Design experts say go ahead and take those dresses out of the closet and introduce them into your wardrobe.

No matter how many brides have told you that you’ll totally be able to wear that dress again … you’ve never worn that dress again. Halloween doesn’t count.

Step one: “Take a look at the overall silhouette of the dress and say, ‘What changes can I make that still keep the silhouette?’” says Rosalind Grenfell, academic director for fashion design and fashion retail management at The Art Institute of Colorado.

Next, if that dress is floor length, it’s time to cut it down to size. “Shorten the skirt to a mini,” suggests Zoya Nudelman, fashion design instructor at The Illinois Institute of Art – Chicago. And while you’re at it, Nudelman says you may as well remove any extraneous bows.

Now that you have all that extra material left over after hemming your dress, it’s time to use it. “Make it asymmetrical, add a shoulder to a strapless dress,” recommends Marina Saba, fashion design instructor at The Art Institute of Houston. You can also add beaded spaghetti straps to a strapless dress to change the look says Nudelman.

But you don’t have to have a tailor on retainer in order to make your bridesmaid’s dress not look like a bridesmaid’s dress anymore, especially if it’s already cocktail length to begin with. “Re-accessorize,” says Grenfell. “Put a shawl with it, change the shoes or put a cardigan with it for a more casual look.” Nudelman also suggests chunky jewelry.

Since most brides pick the same dress for all of their bridesmaids even though the ladies usually all come in different sizes, make sure the changes you are making are enhancing your best features and that the new look will complement you and fit your personality, adds Saba.

And speaking of brides, your dresses can get a once over, too. “Some brides make their wedding dresses into cocktail dresses and wear them out on their first anniversary,” says Grenfell.

Saba says if brides do go that route, they should choose a tailor carefully. “Make sure that you can retain some of the special effects of the dress while still getting more use out of it.”

Nudelman acknowledges most brides are too afraid to ruin the dress and choose to preserve it.

To learn about The Art Institutes visit, www.artinstitutes.edu/nz.

Bridal Faire set for Sunday at Ulatis Community Center

Solano Bride — Thu, 21 Jul 2011 16:37:21 +0000

You’ve said, “yes,” and now you’re ready to plan your big day.

The Vacaville Community Services Department is ready to help by inviting you to attend a Bridal Faire from noon to 4 p.m. on Sunday at the Ulatis Community Center. The event is an opportunity to meet local wedding professionals, get information on venues and services, and help you plan your special day. A fashion show at 2 p.m. will help you find the gown of your dreams. There will also be discounts and giveaways.

Admission to the Bridal Faire is $5 per person. Receive $2 off when you bring the ad on the inside cover of the Summer Events Guide. For more information about the event or about becoming a vendor, please call 469-4010.

Fabric Forward

Solano Bride — Fri, 15 Apr 2011 18:06:20 +0000

These days, it’s not your grandmother’s taffeta or silk that bridal designers are using in their wedding collections.

As they ratchet up the bar on innovation in an increasingly crowded market that’s turned more competitive with lower-priced players – Costco recently unveiled its line of “Costcouture” wedding dresses designed by Kirstie Kelly, selling for $600 to $1,400 – bridal designers are creating novelty with the sheer use of fabric, whether there’s dimension to the fabric or an addition of a pattern or design treatment. The results can be dramatic, imparting confidence and sophistication.

Monique Lhuillier’s fall 2011 collection includes a silk organza gown textured to look as if it’s wrinkled and a strapless taffeta gown printed with barely there oversized florals. Also for fall 2011, the Christos line offers a strapless, petal-pressed organza gown and a strapless Alencon lace style with a point d’esprit skirt for a jeune fille look. Amsale’s strapless satin jacquard gown billows and mesmerizes with its optic design, as if the bride should be walking down a long, long aisle in a cathedral.

The evolving dress silhouettes are giving designers room to experiment. Trumpet-style gowns allow for contrast fabric in the skirt, and the newer trend of dropped-waist gowns create larger real estate in the bodice to showcase the fabric. Anne Barge uses shirred silk organza in her strapless gown with an elongated bodice, then sets it off with an asymmetrically ruffled skirt accented with roses. Carolina Herrera, who often marches to the beat of a Spanish flamenco dancer with her lively designs, has been at the forefront of this trend, creating a floral pastel and seashell silk fil coupe’ jacquard strapless gown for her spring 2011 bridal line.

It’s a mood that’s been embraced by the runways. For fall 2011, Narcisco Rodriguez unveiled a collection full of red, black and white printed silk fil coupe’ shifts, two-tone trousers and designs mixing fabrics such as silk and wool. Bridal boutiques welcome the new fabric designs, noting how designs are shifting more dramatically than in the past.

“We have a ton of brides asking for pops of color and novelty,” says Michelle Hanson, owner of Flutter Boutique in Minneapolis. “It’s great to see such newness in the bridal market, which didn’t use to change much year over year.”