Due to an address mix-up (apparently there is a different place with our exact address in another zip code), he was late, but to make up for it, he gave us a couple extra bottles of wine to try. And we had plenty of booze and appetizers to tide us over, so no one really seemed to mind.
![]() |
All the wine we sampled... |
PRP Wine sells wine from small boutique vineyards, mostly European and South American, that aren't available anywhere else. We tried a few whites, a few reds, and a dessert liquor called Golden Tango Cream that's described as "Bailey's with a kick."
Scott and I will soon be receiving the orders that our group placed. He and I bought one bottle of white (nicknamed the "patio pounder," just right for a warm summer night on the porch), two bottles of Spanish red, and one bottle of the dessert liquor (hey, "Bailey's with a kick" sold me!).
Of course, I also have to give you a peek at the appetizers and desserts I made. I promised Scott I wouldn't be cooking all day, so these are really simple ones. Thanks to those who brought dips, apps, beer, and wine too!
Grape and Goat Cheese Appetizers
Found some inspiration on Pinterest and tweaked the recipe a bit. I made small balls of goat cheese, rolled them in chopped pecans, and popped them in the fridge to chill. Then I assembled the grapes and goat cheese balls with toothpicks. Easy!
Blueberry Cheeseball
My mom passed this cheeseball mix along. All it required was a package of cream cheese. Mixed the blueberry flavoring into the cream cheese, wrapped it in saran wrap and chilled it for a couple hours before rolling it in the sugary topping. Served with cinnamon-flavored Teddy Grahams.
Bacon-Wrapped Dates
I first made these for Scott's birthday, and this time, I dusted the dates + bacon with a little brown sugar before baking them. These babies were gone before I could grab one!
Pigs in a Blanket
This recipe is simple and a crowd-pleaser. I used Pillsbury crescent dough (rolled out and sliced into strips) and little hot dogs. Just a bit of assembly, about 11-13 minutes in the oven (followed the dough baking instructions), and some condiments on the side... yum!
No-Bake Cake Batter Truffles
Can you tell that I love these? And I'm not the only one!
The Winning Hearts and Minds Cake
from A Homemade Life: Stories and Recipes from My Kitchen Table by Molly Wizenberg
If you love good food and good writing, you will LOVE this book. Molly Wizenberg, a freelance food writer and author of the blog Orangette, offers up her favorite recipes from friends, family, or her own experiences and experiments in the kitchen. It's fascinating to hear the story behind each recipe, especially when the writing is as beautiful and decadent as Molly's.
This cake was actually Molly's wedding cake (you will adore the story of how she met her husband!). She baked twenty of the cakes for her own wedding... so I couldn't wait to make one myself. It's simple, rich and pretty darn amazing. Like a cake, fudge, torte... all in one.
Ingredients:
7 ounces bittersweet chocolate, finely chopped (I used Ghirardelli 60% chips)
1 3/4 sticks (7 ounces) unsalted butter, cut into 1/2-inch cubes
1 cup plus 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
5 large eggs
1 tablespoon unbleached all-purpose flour
Lightly sweetened whipped cream, for serving (I dusted it with powdered sugar and garnished with a sliced strawberry)
Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F, and butter an 8-inch round pan. Line the bottom of the pan with a round of parchment paper, and butter the paper, too.
Put the chocolate and butter in a microwaveable bowl. Microwave on high for 30 seconds at a time, stirring often, until just smooth. When the mixture is smooth, add the sugar, stirring well to incorporate. Set the batter aside to cool for 5 minutes. Then add the eggs one by one, stirring well after each addition. Add the flour and stir to mix well. The batter should be dark and silky.
Pour the batter into the prepared pan, and bake for about 25 minutes, or until the top is lightly cracked, the edges are puffed, and the center of the cake looks set. Molly notes that she usually sets the time for 20 minutes to start with, and then she checks the cake every 2 minutes after that, until it's ready.
Remove the cake from the oven to a cooling rack, and let it cool in the pan for 15 minutes. Carefully turn it out of the pan and then flip it onto a serving plate, so the crackly side faces up.
Cool completely before serving, preferably with lightly sweetened whipped cream. Keeps up to 3 days at room temperature, 5 days in the refrigerator, or a month in the freezer (wrap in saran wrap and then foil).
... And on the topic of wine: last Friday, to celebrate the three-year
anniversary of our engagement (March 27, 2009) and Scott's promotion
(whoo hoo!), I picked up a bottle of the wine we drank the night Scott
proposed. Cheers!
I die inside every time I see those cake pops haha also the cake (and all the other food) looks amazing! I wish I could have joined in on the taste testing..you know how much I love Bailey's!
ReplyDeleteWell, then you would like this Golden Tango Cream. Next time you're in Chicago, we'll have to drink some on the rocks ;)
ReplyDeleteMelissa! Love seeing all these tasty appetizers! I'm such a fan of serving items like these at parties too. And YES on the pigs in a blanket. I can make ridiculous, fancy, gourmet, delicious new treats, but the pigs in a blanket are always a hit. Everyone loves them!
ReplyDeleteyumm!! those cake batter balls are so cute!
ReplyDeleteEverything looks so delicious!!!! I want to try the blueberry cheese ball dip!
ReplyDeleteIt's been a little while since I stopped by so I'm catching up. Where did you get that two tier stand that those no-bake cake batter balls are on? It's gorgeous and The cake balls look awesome by the way! :)
ReplyDeleteThe two-tier stand was a gift from my parents for Christmas... it's from Marshall's. They have such great home stuff if you keep an eye out!
ReplyDeleteoakleys sunglasses
ReplyDeleteceline handbags
nike store
fendi handbags
miu miu handbags
nike high heels
furla handbags
pandora jewelry
pandora charms
gucci handbags
uggs clearance
kd shoes
cheap kevin durant shoes
dansko clearance
ugg boots clearance
belstaff outlet
parajumpers outlet
clarks shoes
air max pas cher
cheap christian louboutin
ugg boots clearance sale
parajumper jackets
burberry bags
jimmy choo outlet
cheap coach purses
jordan shoes
pandora jewelry
canada goose jackets
louis vuitton outlet store
patagonia jackets
gucci bags
ugg outlet
fendi handbags
ReplyDeletelebron james shoes
ugg australia sale uk
ugg boots uk
ugg boots for kids
canada goose jacket
ugg outlet online
cheap ugg boots
dansko shoes
ugg boots for kids
discount ugg boots
ugg outlet
ugg boots uk
uggs for sale
ugg boots outlet
cheap ugg boots
ugg outlet
cheap uggs uk
true religion outlet
cheap uggs
tods outlet
ugg boots cheap
uggs on sale uk
nike air max 2015
roshe run
ugg boots outlet online
discount ugg boots
womens ugg boots
nike outlet
uggs sale
north face jackets
cheap uggs for sale
ugg sale
ray ban sunglasses
genuine ugg boots
air max pas cher
20150624meiqing
ReplyDeleteray ban sunglasses
cheap lululemon
coach factorty outlet
coach handags
chanel outlet
coach factory outlet online
jordan 11
louis vuitton
michael kors outlet
louis vuitton outlet
gucci outlet
michael kors handbags
concords 11
fendi
toms shoes
ralph lauren outlet
chanel bags outlet
jordan shoes
adidas wings
cheap toms
cheap jerseys
christian louboutin sale
jordan 11 columbia
michael kors bag
louis vuitton outlet
abercrombie fitch
louis vuitton
coach factory outlet online
true religion outlet
discount oakley sunglasses
coach outlet store online
michael kors outlet online
hollister clothing
michael kors outlet
prada outlet
prada
cheap air max
christian louboutin shoes
hollister clothing
jordan 11 low
15.07.22daigege
ReplyDeleteoakley sunglasses outlet
soccer jerseys wholesale
louboutin pas cher
true religion jeans
soccer jerseys
mont blanc pens
coach outlet store online
oakley sunglasses
tory burch handbags
ed hardy
sac longchamp
gucci
coach outlet
tory burch outlet online
pandora charms 2015
hollister clothing
tory burch shoes
oakley sunglasses sale
kate spade outlet online
michael kors handbags
michael kors bag
burberry sale
coach outlet online
ralph lauren outlet
replica watches cheap
coach factory outlet
cheap jordans
chanel bags
gucci borse
true religion
nike tn
louis vuitton
cheap ray ban sunglasses
nike blazer low
jordan pas cher
pandora jewelry
ralph lauren outlet
abercrombie
mont blanc pen
michael kors handbag
guowenhao0727
ReplyDeletebeats by dre
new balance 574
converse all star
nike free
custom mlb jerseys
lacoste polo shirts
true religion jeans
cheap football shirts
oakley sunglasses
ray ban uk
cheap soccer jerseys
ugg uk
thomas sabo uk
coach factory outlet
michael kors outlet online
air jordan 11
calvin klein outlet
ferragamo shoes
los angeles lakers jerseys
ray ban sunglasses
cheap wedding dresses
coach outlet
louis vuitton outlet
michael kors canada
nike outlet store
boston celtics jersey
ugg boots
supra shoes
mcm handbags
miami heat jersey
new york knicks jersey
puma shoes
kate spade outlet
lebron james shoes
pittsburgh steelers jersey
polo lacoste pas cher
tory burch shoes
ghd hair straighteners
oakland raiders jerseys
pandora jewelry
salvatore ferragamo outlet
ReplyDeletehair straightener
gucci sale
gucci belt
gucci handbags
gucci belt
gucci shoes outlet
gucci outlet
hermes birkin bag
hermes birkin
hermes bags
hollister kids
hollister
insanity workout calendar
iphone 4s cases
jimmy choo shoes
air jordan
air jordan shoes
juicy couture
juicy couture outlet
kate spade
katespade
kate spade bags
longchamp bags
longchamp outlet
louboutin
louis vuitton canada
louis vuitton outlet stores
louis vuitton outlet
louis vuitton outlet
louis vuitton outlet online
louis vuitton outlet
louis vuitton handbags
marc jacobs bags sale
mcm bags
mcm handbags
fangyanting20150911
ReplyDeletereal madrid football shirts
michael kors outlet online, http://www.michaelkorsoutlet-store.us.com
baltimore ravens jerseys
cartier bracelet
michael kors outlet store, http://michaelkors.outletonlinestores.us.com/
barcelona jersey
mulberry handbags
gucci, http://www.borseguccioutlet.it/
christian louboutin shoes
tory burch outlet
kansas city chiefs jerseys
vans sneakers
prada outlet
coach outlet store
oakley outlet, http://www.oakleysunglasses-outlet.us.com
swarovski outlet
air max 2014
michael kors outlet, http://www.michaelkorsoutletonlinstore.us.com
louboutin uk
oakley sunglasses
cheap mlb jerseys
nike air max,nike roshe,nike huarache
north face jackets
michael kors factory outlet, http://www.michaelkorsfactoryoutlets.in.net/
true religion jeans, http://www.truereligionjeansoutlets.us.com/
peter konz jersey,paul worrilow jersey,prince shembo jersey
chiefs jersey
ugg boots clearance,ugg australia,uggs on sale,ugg slippers,uggs boots,uggs outlet,ugg boots,ugg,uggs
lakers jersey
uggs on sale
chenlili20160318
ReplyDeleteralph lauren
louis vuitton bags
retro 11
true religion outlet
mont blanc mountain
tory burch flats
air max 95
tory burch outlet
mcm handbags
ralph lauren outlet
ghd hair straighteners
ladies cartier watches
uggs outlet
michael kors handbags
ugg outlet
nfl jerseys
coach outlet
michael kors outlet online
louis vuitton outlet online
louis vuitton handbags
coach outlet online
louis vuitton purses
true religion jeans
adidas uk
cheap toms shoes
michael kors outlet
air jordans
coach outlet
coach outlet store online
michael kors handbags
michael kors bags
the north face jackets
christian louboutin sale
adidas running shoes
beats by dre outlet
louis vuitton outlet stores
ugg for cheap
abercrombie outlet
ReplyDeleteoklahoma city thunder
detroit lions jerseys
baltimore ravens jerseys
air jordan 11
washington redskins jersey
titans jersey
minnesota vikings jerseys
indianapolis colts jersey
air jordan 13
raiders jerseys
baltimore ravens jersey
cleveland cavaliers
green bay packers jersey
new york knicks jersey
nike roshe run shoes
tods shoes
seahawks jersey
bengals jersey
colts jerseys
miami dolphins jersey
polo pas cher
air max 2014
abercrombie and fitch
abercrombie outlet
lions jerseys
cowboys jerseys
buffalo bills jerseys
jets jersey
nike outlet store
valentino shoes
puma outlet
packers jerseys
chicago bulls jersey
fred perry polo
16.5.13huangqing
rolex watches
ReplyDeletejordan concords
oakley canada
kobe shoes
cheap oakleys
adidas yeezy
tods outlet store
christian louboutin sale
louis vuitton outlet stores
air jordan shoes
adidas outlet store
michael kors uk
nike roshe one
ray ban sunglasses
replica rolex watches
toms outlet
ray ban sunglasses uk
cheap louis vuitton handbags
cheap toms
louis vuitton
lebron 13 shoes
kobe 8
louis vuitton outlet
cheap ray ban sunglasses
polo shirts
michael kors outlet
polo ralph lauren
jordan 11
abercrombie and fitch outlet
timberlands
retro jordans 13
cheap jordan shoes
coach factory outlet
ray ban sunglasses wholesale
burberry sale
retro 11
celine outlet
michael kors handbags
ed hardy outlet
concords 11
20168.2chenjinyan
moncler outlet
ReplyDeletechristian louboutin shoes
michael kors handbags
michael kors outlet
kobe 9
oakley sunglasses
nike trainers
cheap ray bans
michael kors handbags
michael kors handbags
air jordan shoes
ReplyDeleteadidas nmd
tiffany and co jewelry
hermes belts for men
michael kors outlet online
skechers shoes
authentic jordans
adidas superstar shoes
michael kors outlet online
nike zoom running shoe
michael kors handbags outlet
ReplyDeleteray ban sunglasses
michael kors outlet
sac longchamp
michael kors handbags
michael kors handbags wholesale
michael kors handbags clearance
michael kors handbags
washington redskins jerseys
birkenstocks
huarache shoes
ReplyDeletenike air zoom
longchamp bags
oakley sunglasses,oakley outlet sunglasses
adidas nmd
fitflops clearance
adidas ultra boost
adidas nmd
nike huarache
nike huaraches
atlanta falcons jersey
ReplyDeletenike air huarache
ghd hair straighteners
ecco shoes
new balance shoes
texans jerseys
nike air max 90
dolce and gabbana outlet
oklahoma city thunder
bears jerseys
mbt shoes men
ReplyDeletecheap ugg boots
louboutin pas cher
gucci handbags
michael kors outlet clearance
coach factory outlet
replica watches
canada goose
ralph lauren polo shirts
ugg boots
201612.28chenjinyan
michael kors outlet online
ReplyDeleteoakley sunglasses cheap
adidas trainers
air max outlet
hollister clothing store
canada goose jackets
coach outlet store online
beats wireless headphones
coach outlet online
ugg canada
zhi20170117
jordan shoes
ReplyDeleteadidas tubular
cheap tiffanys
michael kors uk
adidas stan smith sneakers
air jordan
authentic jordans
fitflops sale clearance
michael kors outlet online
yeezy boost 350
achang
mont blanc pens outlet
ReplyDeletemichael kors handbags
los angeles lakers jerseys
boston celtics jersey
michael kors handbags
michael kors outlet
michael kors handbags
pittsburgh steelers jersey
skechers outlet
air max 90
michael kors
ReplyDeletelebron 14
nike huaraches
yeezy boost 350 v2
links of london
michael kors outlet
retro jordans
longchamp outlet
adidas nmd
nike air max 2017
lebron 13
ReplyDeleteadidas stan smith
patriots jersey
light up shoes
kyrie shoes
nike air zoom
cheap jordans
cheap jordans
michael jordan shoes
tory burch shoes
adidas ultra boost
ReplyDeletenew england patriots jersey
nike air force
nike mercurial
ysl
nhl jerseys
Kanye West shoes
jordan 4
yeezys
af1