Pumpkin Lovin

Ooh la la!  My picks were featured on laist.  Thanks folks!  Click here for my full article!

My Thanksgiving Menu

Ever wonder where I get my je ne sais quoi?  That certain something comes from my mother.  This Southern belle was Homecoming Queen, in the Glee Club, a cheerleader and moved to Los Angeles after graduating from high school.  She met my dad at the drive-in and married my Mexican/Portuguese daddy because he didn't look like any of the boys from back home and he was a charmer too.

When it comes to Thanksgiving, momma rules the roost.  Don't worry, when Christmas rolls around, I'm all about tamales, tres leches and all of that latin flavor!  Sadly, there aren't enough Southern restaurants here in LA and it's the epitome of comfort food.  There's a reason when I met Paula Deen I felt like I was running into a long lost relative.  She acted the same way.  LOVE Southern hospitality.

Here's my working menu for next week.  Input is welcome.

• Roast Turkey
• Aunt Diane's chicken and cornbread dressing  (this is non-negotiable.  best stuffing/dressing ever)
• Cranberry Sauce
• Mashed/Scalloped Potatoes/Potatoes Gratin... which?
• Homemade or Instant rolls, depending on the time I have.
• Baked sweet potatoes with brown sugar and butter
• Pumpkin Pie.  Always.
• Turnip greens/sauteed spinach or gasp! green bean casserole

I never tried green bean casserole until a few years ago.  My mother always turned up her nose to "entrees" fixed with Cream of Mushroom soup.  I had green bean casserole at a boyfriend's house and thought it was the most delicious thing I had ever tasted.  You should've seen my mother's face.  Priceless!  But I still love it to this day!

Ok, what am I forgetting?  What are YOU serving??

Best of LA: Pumpkin Pie

It isn’t Thanksgiving without pumpkin pie. If you’re not making your own, who offers the best pie in the Southland? Look no further. I’ve done the research for you with fork in hand and a hearty appetite. After my culinary journey, I’ve made a list of the most unforgettable pumpkin pies in LA and my first pick is offering free slices of their incredible pumpkin pie all weekend!

Maison Richard ($24)

This charming French bistro offers the most elegant and scrumptious pumpkin pie I’ve ever tasted. It’s almost like a pumpkin mousse and I could've polished off the entire thing all my myself. You have a chance to try it yourself this weekend, because they're offering...

Free slices!
11am-4pm
Sat. Nov. 20th & Sun. Nov. 21st

Maison Richard
707 North Stanley Avenue
Hollywood
(323) 655-7777

Did your pumpkin pie make the cut?  Click here for the full list on CBS!

Thanksgiving Tabletop

Here's a sneak peek at my look for Thanksgiving, inspired by this photo.

I couldn't resist a mockup on my dining table, even though I'll be cooking and serving dinner at my parents' home.  My mother's dining room is pale green (like mother, like daughter) and I think I'll have to steal this look for my home too.

Aren't these flower arrangements insane? @JRummerfield worked her magic and made these fabulous creations.  The orange just sets the table on fire!

Capellini Pomodoro

This is such an easy recipe.  Don't tell anyone and pretend you spent forever over the stove.  It's beautiful, healthy and impressive to serve.

This takes about 10 minutes to make.  Hallelujah.

What you need:

1/3 cup olive oil

1 tbs crushed garlic

1 package (12 oz) cappelini aka angel hair pasta

1 lb roma tomatoes

1/4 tsp black pepper

1 cup fresh chopped basil

1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese

You need two pots. Start heating one pot with boiling water for your pasta.  Chop your tomatoes, then heat olive oil in a pan with crushed garlic.  Once it starts to pop, add your chopped tomatoes and pepper, stir and cover. Start chopping your basil.  When the water starts to boil, add a dash of olive oil to the water and then boil pasta for three minutes.

Strain pasta, then add it to your tomatoes.  Add chopped basil, 1/2 of the parmesan and gently toss together.

When you serve, top each plate with the remaining parmesan, or as much as you like.  Don't forget it, because this recipe contains no salt.  Enjoy!

New Home, New Traditions

My parents have been renovating for months and recently moved into their new beach house.  Last night we installed new cornice boxes (my husband made!) to set off my mother's gorgeous new drapes.

Don't you love the sweater?  $27 at Forever 21.  So anyway, my mom is just starting to decorate and I'm cooking Thanksgiving dinner at her home this year, so I want to bring a color scheme to the table that feels elegant and warm, yet fitting for the beach.

Tip: Never drink wine and drill at the same time.  Not my glass people!

Onto our beautiful decor choices...

Aren't plums, grapes and greenery gorgeous?

This monochromatic table has hints of rusty orange.  Maybe a twist of both?

Photos from Better Homes and Gardens

Christmas Is Coming!

 

Last year I hosted an Ugly Sweater Christmas Party.  This year, I want glamour!

I'm all about my these deep red roses with gold trim.  They remind me of the decadent Queen of Hearts.  I'm going heavy on the reds and golds inspired by the Fall/Winter holiday Barney's catalog.

I'm going the decadent route, but it doesn't mean I'm blowing my budget.  Some of my best finds have been at Home Depot, CVS and Big Lots.

Pumpkin Flan

My recipe for pumpkin flan is less like a custard and more like pumpkin pie or even cheesecake.  The how-two video is below with the complete recipe.  Enjoy!

 Pumpkin Flan

Caramel 
 2 cups sugar
6 tbs water
non stick cooking spray (for the ramekins)
 Filling
1 can sweetened condensed milk
1 can evaporated milk
6oz cream cheese
1 cup pumpkin puree
5 eggs
1/4 cup sugar
1 tbs cornstarch
2 tsp vanilla
1/2 tsp cinammon
1/2 tsp ground cloves
1/4 tsp ginger
12 servings
 Preheat your oven to 300 degrees.  Now, prep your ramekins.  Spray the insides with non-stick cooking spray and arrange in a casserole dish.  Heat your sugar with the water to keep it liquid until it's light golden brown.  Use a pot where you can see the color change. It should take about 10 minutes.  If it starts clumping, add a dash of water to thin it.  Don't let it burn! Once it's ready, pour a thin layer of the sugar into each ramekin.  Set aside.
 In a mixing bowl, blend all of your remaining ingredients except the milks and cream cheese.  Heat the dairy separately until it just starts to bubble.  Strain into the mixing bowl.  Blend everything while heating a tea kettle of water.
 Pour the filling into the ramekins and once the tea kettle starts whistling, pour into the casserole dish around the ramekins 3/4 of the way up.  Cover with heavy duty foil and place carefully into your oven.  Let cook for 45-50 minutes.
 Slowly take out your dish and place the ramekins on a cooling rack or counter.  Let them cool to room temperature.
 Once the flan is cooled, scrape around the edges to loosen the flan, flip onto a plate and serve with vanilla bean ice cream or whipped cream.
 You can prep these a few hours before serving, so it's a great dish to make ahead.  Just wait to take them out and serve.

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A Paige of Inspiration: Holiday Hair!

Braids, bangs and buns, oh my!  With the holidays upon us, don't you love a romantic hairstyle this time of year?  I recently cut bangs and I love them!  It looks especially cute when I pull the rest of my hair back in a loose bun or braid. You don’t need bangs to wear braids or buns.  They look great on everyone!

-Paige

Have you checked out my blog? Click here xo 

Orange Pomanders

Orange pomanders are easy to make.  Just buy oranges and whole cloves available at all supermarkets.  Create any pattern you like!  The scents of citrus and clove are delicious and they're the perfect start to my fall centerpiece. 

Don't Be Tardy For the Party

I love The Real Housewives of NY and Atlanta.  Then I sat down to watch the Real Housewives of Beverly Hills tonight and I'm now obsessed.  I thought I recognized a face from my Miami Vice bash a couple of years ago.

Look to your left...

Check out who's in my backyard (along with a mess of other familiar faces).

Lisa Vanderpump-Todd!  Here she is wearing a diamond that makes me want to cry, posing with Robert Kovacik.  I love LA.

Haute Holiday Inspiration

When I opened the fall/winter Barneys catalog, a lightbulb went off.  This is the look I want this holiday.  Give me deep rich reds and warm golds, shine and sparkle!

Trick or Eat: CNN Features My Fangtasia Feast

Click on the image for the full article by Nicole Saidi. Or click here. 

Frightfully Decadent Cupcakes

I brought these into work today.  They vanished quickly.


Devil's Food Cake mix, dark chocolate frosting, orange sprinkles from Target ($1!) Cupcake wrappers and picks from Alin Party Depot.  The Beware Sign - 99 Cent Store.

Sookie Sookie Now!

 

After decking out my dining table like the vampire club Fangtasia, I invited in some vamps, shapeshifters and even a monster from out of town.  My guests dined on bloody pecan pumpkin pancakes and spidery deviled eggs.  I served a pair of signature cocktails called the Fanglicious and Jason Stackhouse.  It’s the most fun I’ve had in the past century!

For a complete list of recipes you can check it out here on CBS!

True Blood Halloween: Fangtasia Tabletop

My Fangtasia inspired table is dark, decadent and inspired by the vampire bar from the tv show True Blood.  It's sexy and little outrageous, which is perfect for a happy haunting. 

You can learn how to make your own at CBS. Click here for the complete photo gallery and shopping list!

True Blood Halloween: Garden of Evil...Takes Root

In case you're just coming on board, I'm planting a Sookie-inspired garden for Halloween, perfect for sweet pretty faeries.  As you are lured to my front door, you're suddenly at the entry to Fangtasia, the vampire-owned club with a sexy yet dangerous vibe.

My silvered pumpkins are nestled into their beds with cabbage plants, small ferns and flowers.

The different heights and textures keep things interesting.  Can you believe this was a rock garden just a few months ago?  Upgrade.

This name of this succulent with fuschia edges is Etcheveria.  Robert & I are debating whether the name is Basque or Portuguese.  It could be both?

I've gotten a start on Fangtasia.  This is just the front door.  Wait until you see inside.

If you dare...