Introducing...Texas Caviar

With Memorial Day fast approaching, I thought I'd share with you one of my favorite summer time recipes.  It's a Southern one... what did you expect?  Texas Caviar is the perfect addition to your backyard barbecue.  Plus it's super easy to make. 

This is straight from my mama's kitchen, Y'ALL!   

Photo: The Red Headed Hostess

So put on your big girl shoes, head over to your local grocery store, and let's all pretend we've been playing hostess for years.

Photo: Barbecue Addicts

Ingredients:

1 can of Black Beans

1 can of Purple Hull Peas or Black Eye Peas

1 can of Whole Kernel Corn

1 can of Shoe Peg or White Corn

1/2 Bell Pepper (chopped)

1/2 can of Diced Green Chilies

1/2 Tomato (diced)

Chopped Onion Chives

3/4 tsp of chopped Garlic

Zesty Italian Dressing 

Okay, gathering the ingredients was the "hard" part.  Push up your leaves, and let's get down to business.

Directions:

Rinse and drain all cans of beans, peas, and corn.  

Place in a bowl.  

Mix all remaining ingredients.  

Serve with tortillas, pitas, or as a side salad. 

(it's.that.easy)

Picture: Top Shelf

This recipe is definitely a crowd pleaser.  Trust me, your guest will be begging you for more.  You can always double the recipe for bigger parties.  I served this at Jason's birthday bash, and it was a huge success.  I promise, you are going to LOVE it and you'll even thank me later. Vegetarians will love you for it too!

Rittenhouse Row Spring Festival

On my way to the Rittenhouse Row Spring Festival... one of Philly's first signs of summer! Free wine, cocktail and beer tastings.  Bravo's Candidate for Top Chef, Jennifer Carroll will be there too.  Can't wait!  Click the picture below to find out more information.

~XoXO!!

Tiny Apartment Party Planning

It's Friday!  Do the Friday Dance!  The blogging hiatus is over my friends.  

Let me tell you, birthday planning... it ain't easy.  But daaang, Gina!  I pulled it off. 

In actuality, I owe it all to this girl, Aisha.  This woman is a goddess!  I cannot thank her enough!  The star of the show and not to be mistaken by the curly head brunette on the left... that would be my husband.  

CONFESSION: I was more concerned with the decor of my apartment than the birthday party. 

Note: white shelf, portrait paintings, large coral frame, small yellow frame, white bamboo frame, and hanging basket.  One hour prior to the party there stood one boring blank wall and a tiny black shelf.  

Yes, I am crazy, but the wall had to have some attention (for the sake of the party of course).  And now, without further adieu, my highly sought after tiny apartment party planning secrets.  

Party Planning Secrets: 

1.) Seating: Bring in the extra chairs.  That beach chair stuffed in the closet deserves some company and storage bench serves a second purpose.

2.) Stations: Setting up stations and letting guest serve themselves will ease your duty as host.  Set-up a drink station with ice, cups, lemons, limes, and a variety of beverages.  Food is not meant just for the kitchen.  Hors d'oeuvres should be available wherever guest tend to mingle.

3.) Become a Wholesale Club Member: Trust me on this one!  BJ's, Sam's Club, Costco.  It doesn't matter.  Often these types of clubs offer trial memberships.  Take advantage of it!  My free 60 day trial membership was well worth hauling the restaurant size quantities up the stairs.  Not to mention the discounts!!  BJ's offers a one day pass.

4.) Humor: What's a party without a little quirkiness?  For Jason's party we used our chalkboard wall to write special, funny, and even a bit unusual birthday messages.  The guest loved it, and it allowed me to meet and greet while guest got their draw on.

Enough, about Jason... it's now my birthday month!

Happy Party Planning!!!