Cranberry Rosemary Punch + Dana's Dates
Last night's party was delicious--delicious co-workers (thank you, Priya and Emily!); guests (Organization Development professionals from around the world); and client--my friend Geoff who has a PhD in giving heartfelt compliments. He knows how to make a girl feel appreciated.
In all my running around--taking dirty dishes, refilling crostini, fetching ice--I managed to promise guests that I'd post these recipes. They happen to be the two least labor-intensives nibbles of the night. The dates are from Dana's blog, and I've wanted to make them for a long time. Simple, quick, but "Give-me-another-one-of-those" scrumptious.
The punch was an accident. In the prep kitchen, I pulled out my big punch jar and went to grab lemonade concentrate. A thousand expletives. In my freezer at home! And no supermarkets downtown! Emily walked to Uwajimaya and called me from the frozen aisle--no lemonade. We decided on cranberry cocktail, and she carried some back to the gallery. I dumped the rosemary syrup in, floated a big chunk of ice and a bunch of thinly sliced lemons. People were pining for it, and it looked so beautiful in the glasses. It's a big joke on me--the thing everyone's begging for wasn't in the master plan. I'm sure you've got your own stories and metaphors where that's concerned. If we had it all together and never did things like forget lemonade at home, there wouldn't be room for cranberry punch. And what kind of world would that be?
Emily and Priya will tell you I was definitely NOT all zen about the punch last night, though, or about the rentals arriving 45 minutes late. Lest you think I can creatively solve kitchen emergencies and smile beatifically all the while. Sheesh. I'm not that multitalented.
Cranberry Rosemary Punch
This makes 5 quarts--a lot. Halve it for a smallish party. I often have simple syrups like this in the fridge, so you can just pour a little bit into a single glass of juice, too--taste, and adjust to your liking. Not surprisingly, I like mine really rosemary-y.
For simple syrup:
2 c. water
2 c. sugar
1/4 c. chopped fresh rosemary
In a saucepan, combine sugar and water over medium heat until sugar is dissolved. Add rosemary, simmer for a couple minutes, then remove from heat and cool. Pour mixture through a sieve, discarding rosemary. Keeps in the fridge for a couple weeks. This makes more than you will need.
To make punch:
Combine 4 cans frozen cranberry juice concentrate with 12 cans water and 1 1/2 cup of rosemary simple syrup. Add lots of ice (you want to dilute the punch a bit since you've just added sugary syrup), two thinly sliced lemons, and a couple fresh rosemary sprigs. Serve confidently, acting like you planned this the whole time.
Goat Cheese and Pistachio Stuffed Dates
Makes 16. Adapted from Dana Treat, who adapted it from The New Classics by Martha Stewart. You can make the goat cheese filling one day ahead and refrigerate it. These hors d’oeuvres can be assembled several hours before serving. Loosely cover them with plastic wrap, and refrigerate for up to three hours. Bring to room temperature before serving.
4 oz. soft goat cheese
3 tbsp. shelled salted pistachios, toasted and coarsely chopped
1 tbsp. finely chopped fresh chives
1 Tb. honey
Pepper
8 plump, soft dried dates (preferably Medjool), pitted and halved lengthwise
Stir together goat cheese, pistachios,chives, and honey in a small bowl until smooth. Season with pepper.
Arrange dates, cut side up, on a platter. Using a small spoon and your fingers, fill each date with a small mound of the filling. Garnish, if you like, with additional chopped pistachios and chives. Thinly drizzle a bit of honey over the whole platter.
October 17, 2009
Reader Comments (12)
Both of these were yummy-licious. Everything was. But that punch was the best little accident I've seen in a long time. Worked well with the cran-fig chutney thing too.
Question of the day: What am I going to do with all of that leftover Gouda?
answer: send it to me. :)
sarah, i'm sure you were more zen then you thought. sounds like a yummy party. now, let's talk nyc, please? :)
Love this response. So clear. So direct :)
Hear, hear, Bethany. Sarah came out of the "freak out" in short time and went with the flow, laughing all the way as people raved about the punch and came back for multiple refills. I know, because I was manning the drink table. Lots of happy people. "Rosemary? What a nice addition." "Where do you find Rosemary syrup?" "Do you think you could get some more punch for me out of the bottom of that container?"
And this post is remarkably humble. Sarah did an awesome job in the weeks leading up to this event and the day of. Beautiful, beautiful, delicious spread. An amazing bounty. And the guests and the gallery folks noticed and commented.
The most fun I've had "working" in a long time!
O, ya. I'm now posting my request for that chicken fennel salad.
Now, I'm logging off.
Good night.
well, when you know what you want, you have to ask for it...right?!
hmmm...good night at 6:57pm. i aspire to your life emily! :)
Good night from work - and I haven't left yet - ahhh!! I just don't have internet at home.
I aspire to yours too, sister.
xoxo.
I love the flavors here and I have yet to muster up my courage to try a galette. You make them look so effortless and this one in particular looks delicious. Yum. Oh, and I love the picture of your babies a few posts back. Gorgeous!
Hahaha...I meant to post the comment on the butternut squash galette post...scatered brain here. Aaaaggghhh. Sorry :(
I'm so glad you got to try the dates! Isn't it crazy how much people love them? They've become my signature appetizer and I'm always happy to make them because they are so easy. Sounds like a great party and good for you for being creative in the moment!