Holiday planning 2014

Tulsa World Supplement, Wednesday, November 12, 2014

Holiday P lanning

Gift Ideas for Your

Hostess Delicious Holiday Foods

Celebrate Planning Ahead for Festive Gatherings

Win a Trip of a Lifetime

tulsaworld.com/holidays

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TULSA WORLD SUPPLEMENT

November 12, 2014

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Enter for a chance to win a $3,000 vacation simply for visiting one of these participating retailers: Avon Beauty Center Bahama Sun of Brookside Celebrity Attractions Emy Couture Felini’s Cookies & Deli Garbe’s Honda of Tulsa Sportscenter Ida Red John Daniel’s Footwear

Miss Jackson’s Queenie’s Cafe & Bakery Star Jewelers Summer Snow The Market at Walnut Creek Tulsa Ballet Theater Tulsa Symphony VIP Limo

Find more great seasonal ideas in Tulsa World’’s Holiday special sections: Holiday Entertaining — Wednesday, November 26 Holiday Gift Guide — Wednesday, December 3 Holiday Favorites — Sunday, December 7 Holiday Region of Giving — Sunday, December 14

November 12, 2014

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SWEET TREAT

Share the Gift of Chocolate Indulgence This Season (Metro) — One tradition that seems to have made it into many families’ holiday celebrations is indulging in delicious baked goods.

This holiday season, try Sticky Chocolate Gingerbread courtesy of Maxine Clark’s “Chocolate: Deliciously Indulgent Recipes for Chocolate Lovers” (Ryland, Peters & Small).

Sticky Chocolate Gingerbread Makes an 8-inch cake 2 1/3 cups dark molasses 6 ounces dark chocolate (60 to 70 percent cocoa solids), grated 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour 2 teaspoons ground ginger 5 ounces whole pieces preserved stem ginger, drained and roughly chopped 1 stick (8 tablespoons) unsalted butter, softened 1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons dark brown sugar, sifted (to remove lumps) 2 medium eggs, beaten 1/2 teaspoon baking soda 2 tablespoons milk, warmed A pinch of salt Extra-large crystallized ginger pieces, to scat-

ter on top before baking (optional) Preheat the oven to 325 degrees. Grease and line bottom and sides of a deep 8-inch square cake pan or 8 x 6 x 3-inch oval cake pan with nonstick parchment paper.

Put molasses in a pan and heat gently until hot, but don’t boil. Remove from the heat and add the chocolate. Stir until melted.

Sift flour, ginger and salt together in a bowl.

Add the stem ginger and toss to coat.

Using an electric mixer, cream butter and sugar in a large bowl. Beat in the eggs, then the molasses and chocolate mixture and finally the flour mixture. Dissolve baking soda in milk and gradually beat into the batter.

Pour into the prepared cake pan, scatter with the crystallized ginger, if using, and bake for 45 minutes. Reduce the temperature to 300 degrees and bake for another 30 minutes. (If using the oval pan, cook for about 45 minutes at the higher temperature, then about 1 hour at the lower temperature, as it will be deeper.) A metal skewer inserted into the center should come out clean. Let cool for five minutes, then turn out onto a wire rack and cool completely. Store in an airtight container for two days to become sticky.

Courtesy

Ginger and chocolate give this gingerbread recipe an unforgettable flavor.

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November 12, 2014

PARTY PLANNING

Dazzle Guests With Simple Touches

By Kevin Armstrong

can be a lot of fun.”

Other ideas of interest are handcrafted table runWhen does the holiday season truly begin on your calendar? ners, servingware, centerFor more than 25,000 Tulsa-area residents, it’s the weekend pieces and candles. Frein before Thanksgiving. says flameless candles are That’s when An Affair of the Heart sets up shop annually at popular, and one vendor Expo Square, drawing shoppers looking for unique gifts and offers custom blends of home decor items to deck the halls in festive attire. The potpourri that he mixes on Oklahoma City-based organization will host its site.

28th Tulsa show Nov. 21-23, featuring more than If you can’t make the Experts say 450 local and national artists, craftsmen and show, treat yourself to adding one unique retailers from 20 states, including 60 exhibia shopping expedition new item to your tors new to Tulsa. Admission is $7 (children to Miss Jackson’s at table decor can ages 12 and younger are free).

Utica Square. This retail institution has been helping Tulsans make all “It’s your one-stop shop to get ready for the prepare for any special occasion for more than a century. the difference. holidays,” says Lisa Frein, An Affair of the Heart “We’ve got a lot of holiday-themed merchandise,” says spokeswoman. “There are numerous vendors Creative Director Rachel Kern, “everything from holiday china to who will meet the needs for holiday planning.” simpler everyday bakeware and servingware.”

Frein says anyone looking to entertain guests during And don’t forget table linens and centerpieces to create a the holidays should sample the soup, dip and dessert mixes avail- special holiday look. able at the three-day show. They can find easy recipes for turning Kern says many customers already have table-setting items party food into something special. that they plan to use for hosting a party, but they may be For those looking to spruce up their homes, An Affair of the looking for one item to add something new this year.

Heart shoppers can find one-of-a-kind holiday crafts and wreaths.

“We’re great at helping people mix holiday pieces with “It’s the perfect time of year to pick up those pieces that are things in their everyday collection,” Kern says. unique,” Frein says, adding “the hunt for such items at the show See PLANNING page 5 Special Sections Editor

Annie Glass

The Annie Glass collection offers distinctive designs to accent your holiday table settings, and they are available at Miss Jackson’s.

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PARTY PLANNING Continued from page 4

Among some of the popular tableware items are the Mary Jurek Design line of handhammered stainless steel pieces and items from the Annie Glass collection of handblown glass products.

“Look for one thing to brighten the table,” Kern recommends, adding that another idea is to purchase a party favor, such as a small candle, that each guest can take home.

Lastly, keep in mind that not all holiday gatherings have to involve staying at home.

VIP Limousine

Consider treating your guests to a night on the town to view Christmas light displays.

VIP Limousine can take your guests on the road to view Christmas lights all over town.

A single limo can accommodate up to 14 people for two-hour tours of Tulsa and surrounding areas.

“We’ve been doing this for 24 years and have our routes down,” says VIP Limousine owner Chuck Cotton. “We know where all the subdivisions are with the best Christmas lights, and we can customize the tour to see Courtesy what the customer wants.”

Tours are offered every night from ThanksAn Affair of the Heart offers lots of holiday decor and giving through New Year’s Eve, with the gift items at the Nov. 21-23 show at Expo Square.

Thursday through Sunday slots filling up first each year.

“It’s a family-oriented Christmas special,” Cotton says.

The company maintains a full fleet of vehicles that can accommodate romantic excursions for two in a smaller vehicle or stretch limos that seat eight, 10 or 14 passengers. The rides are stocked with water and soft drinks, and passengers 21 and older are invited to bring along their own holiday spirits to enjoy while cruising in style.

Passengers also can stop at any place along the way to stretch their legs, use the restroom or get a closer look at the lights.

VIP’s professionally licensed chauffeurs will ensure a safe and memorable trip.

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November 12, 2014

PAR ETIQU

Summer Snow

It’s beginning to smell a lot like Christmas with Hillhouse Naturals holiday scented soy candles, home fragrance mists, lotions, body washes and potpourris. Available at Summer Snow.

Garbe’s

Give the gift of joy with an adorable holiday flag featuring a welcoming snowman for your hostess to display.

Available at Garbe’s.

Carpentree

Honor your hostess this holiday season with a practical and fun gift from Carpentree. Chalkboards are great for displaying holiday greetings, menus or fun crafts from the kids.

This tabletop magnetic chalkboard will bring a smile to your hostess’ face.

Garbe’s

You don’t need to bust your budget to give something special.

This charming holiday themed ceramic dish from Garbe’s features garland and a candy-cane striped handle. It’s a whimsical dish that can hold holiday candy or nuts for party guests.

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RTY UETTE

HOSTESS GIFTS Festive Local Picks For This Holiday Season

Always bring a gift to a home you have never visited.

Carpentree

A teapot is a great gift for collectors or a hostess who enjoys the tastes of the holidays. For an extra special surprise, stuff this teapot from Carpentree with holiday treats.

A hostess gift is a tangible way to say “Thank you for inviting me.”

Summer Snow

Dress up your table with Caspari napkins that will beautifully complement your holiday place settings. They are available at Summer Snow in a variety of colorful designs.

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November 12, 2014

FABULOUS FOOD

Don’t Kill Yourself in the Kitchen

By Kevin Armstrong

your guests will be seated or standing while they’re eating. Is this a primary meal with place settings or finger Hosting a party this time of year can quickly foods made for munching while steal your holiday cheer. mingling?

Rather than feed those fears, consider using a Queenie’s Cafe & Bakery at local restaurant to cater some or all of what you Utica Square offers a range of plan to feed your friends, co-workers or savory and sweet options for extended family. Turn the tables on catering your party. your stress by treating yourself first Among the most Treat yourself to a lunch or dinner at several popular items are the as well as your local dining establishments well sandwich tray (from guests by hiring ahead of your event to sample egg or chicken salad to what these professional cooks ham or turkey) and the someone else to can do for you. fresh veggies with sides cater the food Most local restaurants can (hummus, baba ganouj for your party. cater anything on their dine-in or tabouli). Queenie’s also menus, but don’t assume that. Also, features a variety of entree saldon’t order only your favorite items. You ads, including the popular Marilyn will need to satisfy a variety of appetites at your Monroe Chicken Pasta and Mexican party from the sublime to the savory, from the Chicken Salad. salty to the sweet. Offer your guests both healthy No holiday party is complete without and hearty choices, and you will be sure to please. dessert, and Queenie’s offers a variety of A lot of your decisions on what to serve will be dessert trays, from cookies and cakes to pies. based on how many people you expect to feed, “We offer some of them as minis,” says Genwhat time of the day or night you will hold your eral Manager Heather Smither, explaining that it event, whether it’s at home or work, and whether See FOOD page 9 Special Sections Editor

Tulsa World

Bring out the child in everyone with delicious decorated Christmas cookies. Felini’s offers an assortment of holiday designs.

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FABULOUS FOOD Continued from page 8

makes the desserts much easier to serve.

The sweet selections will leave you dreaming of sugar plums, from the banana caramel cake and lemon bars to sour cream lime tarts and mocha toffee pie.

Don’t forget the pumpkin cookies, Smither adds.

Queenie’s serves them only between Oct. 1 and Jan. 1 as a holiday treat.

Cookies also are a holiday favorite at Felini’s

Queenie’s

Queenie’s veggie tray includes your choice of Middle Eastern spreads such as hummus or baba ganouj.

Cookies & Deli, 3533 S. Harvard Ave. “We have multitudes of designs,” says owner Seth Martinus. “We have hundreds of cookie-cutter shapes that we have acquired over the years to fulfill customers’ requests.”

As for other food, Felini’s specializes in finger-sandwich trays as well as fruit and cubed-cheese trays.

“We’re not a sit-down, four-course-meal catering service,” Martinus says, “but we’re an affordable alternative.”

Felini’s offers convenience, too. The restaurant needs only 24-hours’ notice to fill a catering order, can deliver the food to your home or office for $10 extra, and it will provide all the plates and utensils for free.

If hot food is what you want, then consider Andolini’s Pizzeria, which has locations on Cherry Street and in Owasso.

“We don’t always just deliver and drop it off,” says Amber Paddock. “Anything on our menu can be catered.”

Andolini’s staff will set up the food, stick around to serve your guests and clean up after your party.

Award-winning pizzas are what Andolini’s made famous, but the restaurant’s menu has a lot more, including several pasta dishes that are popular at parties. Among the choices are Fettuccine Alfredo with chicken and Penne Pomodoro.

Andolini’s also offers a tasty selection of strom-

Andolini’s Pizzeria

Andolini’s caprese antipasto is the perfect blend of tomato slices, fresh mozzarella, roasted red peppers, kalamat olives, prosciutto, grilled portabello, marinated artichokes, Pecorino romano and a balsamic glaze. bolis, calzones and hot sandwiches as well as a half-dozen variety of fresh salads.

And don’t forget both the appetizers and desserts, from bruschetta to Italian butter cake.

Instead of roasting and running yourself ragged to entertain your guests, you can be toasting and savoring the season with friends and family this holiday season.

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November 12, 2014

GATHERING TOGETHER

Plan Your Holiday Meal With Ease (Metro) — Perhaps the most anticipated aspect of the holiday season is the lavish holiday meal. Many people look forward to the food just as much as they look forward to the festivities. This could be why the average person gains a pound or two from the period of Thanksgiving up until New Year’s Day. Planning a holiday gathering and meal can be stressful for hosts or hostesses. There seems to be a lot of pressure placed on the person in charge. However, establishing a wonderful and stressfree meal is possible with a few easy-to-follow tips.

• Create a meal concept. Holiday meals can be traditional or avant garde.

There are many options from which to choose, but one thing to keep in mind is to select foods that go

together. Those new to holiday hosting may want to stick with items that are well known and expected, such as turkey and trimmings.

Those who want to experiment may want to introduce one or two new dishes into the mix. Food choices should be about what your guests will want to eat and not about which items will ensure a spectacle.

• Keep preparation time in mind. Another thing to consider when planning the meal is the amount of time you have for food preparation and cooking. The holidays are a busy time of the year, and work and social engagements may continue up until the eleventh hour.

Choose foods that can be prepared in advance and heated on the holiday if you’re time-pressed. Or simply choose dishes that won’t

take much time to prepare.

• Compile a shopping list. Once foods are selected, review all recipes and make a list of the ingredients you will need. This will serve as a shopping list to take to the store. Also, see which items you have on hand in the pantry. Look at expiration dates and be sure that everything is top quality.

If in doubt, add it to your shopping list. Make a list of things that can be bought in advance (paper products, coffee, linens, etc.) and other items that need to be checked off closer to the actual holiday. Cross off each item once it is purchased.

• Create a timetable.

Make a schedule or use a calendar to schedule when each component of the meal and other preparations will be made. This way you ensure you will stay on track and have everything done by the actual holiday.

• Ask for help. Delegate some jobs to others. For example, if a grandmother or aunt is known for her prized potatoes or pies, ask her to make that item. Some hosts and hostesses turn the holiday meal into a potluck where everyone is encouraged to bring one item and the host simply provides the main dish. This can cut down on the work involved and make others feel they’ve contributed to the sentimental holiday meal.

• Go easy on yourself.

While not everything will work out exactly as you expected, chances are little glitches will not even be noticed by guests unless you point them out.

• Make time for socialization. Don’t worry so much about impressing guests with lavish foods and festivities.

Leave time to sit and chat and, most importantly, relax.

Following these tips can help you enjoy the season, as well.

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