guest post: dinner party essentials

Today I want to introduce you to one of my favorite people in the whole world, Sam from Yankee in Nashville.   Although I was majorly bummed when she moved to Tennessee last year, I love keeping up with her adventures (food festivals and celeb chefs, to name a few) and great recipes (skinny pimiento cheese dip? fish tacos? my mouth is watering).

Be sure to stop by and check it out!

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Hi all! I'm Sam from Yankee in Nashville and I am thrilled to be guest blogging here on the fabulous Miss Emily's site. While Emily nails the decorating and styling, I specialize in eating :) Nothing makes me happier than having friends and family over while I bang around in the kitchen so today, I am sharing 5 dinner party essentials.

1. A cute apron

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Who needs a party frock when your apron is as cute as this? This helps especially when you have some guests who like to be super-punctual.

2. A great cheese board

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Even if your oven blows up and all the other dishes are destroyed (or just delayed), a cheese board requires no prep work other than slicing. So everyone will be satiated until you're ready to go.

3. A cool cocktail

I love this Southern twist on this class Brit drink from Hugh Acheson from this month's InStyle magazine. The cucumber is a nice mellow balance to the sweetness and tartness from the strawberries and lemonade.

Serves 4:

20 thin slices cucumber

4 strawberries, hulled and cut into thin rounds

8 fresh mint leaves, torn into pieces

8 slices lemon

1 1/2 c. Pimm's No 1

1 c. lemonade (try Simply Lemonade)

1 cup spicy ginger ale (try Blenheim)

 

Evenly distribute cucumber, strawberries and mint among 4 glasses with ice. Squeeze the lemon and add. Combine Pimm's, lemonade and ginger ale in a pitcher and stir. Pour into classes and ENJOY!

4. A signature salad

Jazz up some baby spring mix and wow guests with one easy addition--fried goat cheese! It's much easier than you think: simply slice a log of goat cheese into 1/2 in thick rounds then dip in flour, egg and bread crumbs. Lightly fry in a skillet with a tsp. olive oil and voilà--insta-gourmet!

5. Mood lighting

I find it very easy to get so wrapped up in the food, I forget some other details--but lighting is so essential. With just one element you can make the party elegant or festive or funky! Stringing lights really plays up an outside area and add some candles for extra glow.

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Seriously, how adorable is she?  Love these picks!!

Happy Tuesday, everyone!

xox