Shore Eats In the Kitchen
WITH
RECIPES FROM THE ISLAND A Semi-Homemade Dinner Party
The holiday season brings joy through the little things like sitting around the fire wrapped up in a blanket drinking hot chocolate and decorating the house for the holidays. The season also brings joy in big ways like parties - dinner parties, work parties, charitable parties, cookie parties, white elephant parties, we-like-to-party parties, etc.
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OCNJMAGAZINE.COM
HOLIDAY 2021
If you’re looking to host a dinner party with special touches and homemade dishes but are wondering how you’ll have time… try this semi-homemade OCNJ-inspired fete. It’s all about pairing house made items with store bought appetizers and take-out entrees, for a fabulous fiesta without a ton of prep work. Parties are awesome… but they are usually a full-day affair for the host. With our halfhomemade theme, you’ll be fresh and ready to party with your guests when evening comes. Below are three recipes from local OC restaurants: a signature cocktail by Agave Mexican Kitchen, a special sauce from Hula Restaurant and Sauce Co., and a dessert by Island Grill. All three are made at least one day in advance, freeing you up for day-of fun (or cleaning, as it were). Pair the horchata drink with store-bought appetizers or take out apps from your favorite restaurant for cocktail hour. Since the horchata is made in advance, it's the perfect cocktail for
our theme. Just pour into a mason jar or any fancy glass of choice when ready to serve… and say cheers! You can easily spike the horchata with rum or kahlua also. For dinner, select an entrée with a protein (Hula recommends fish tacos, salmon or mahi mahi) from your go-to take-out spot, and drizzle the poblano sauce on top before serving. You’ll bring a punch of freshly made flavor to dinner with minimal stress. For dessert, we suggest serving the key lime pie with a local coffee. Ocean City Coffee Co. coffee and Harry and Beans coffee is available online or in person. Both roast their own beans, making a rich cup of joe. To give your dinner party even more detail, get tableware from your favorite shop (In OC, try Spotted Whale and P. Francis, 944 Asbury Avenue), and a bouquet from The Flower Company, 48 Tuckahoe Road, Marmora, or Spinning Wheel, 858 Asbury.
By Stef Godfrey and Megan Antosy.
