When the heat and humidity start to get you down in the dog days of summer, what better way to bring back your cheer than to host a quick get together? Try chilled champagne soup and sweet from the tree, sliced mangoes. Nothing perks up a crowd faster than this icy cold sparkling treat. Call all your friends and tell them to put on their party hats and dancing shoes!
Try to use a crisp, dry sparkling wine that has a soft, smooth flavor as this pairs well with the sweet tree ripened mango. Freixenet Cordon Negro Brut is my favorite, but you could also use your own personal favorite. This presentation never fails to impress even the most jaded of guests. Served in your best crystal bowls and you will be vying for the next best hostess award!
What to pair with Champagne soup? Try warm croissants fresh from the oven with real sweet cream butter. You can even cheat and use the tube type from the case at the supermarket. These little guys only take a few moments to bake and your guests will never know the difference!
Would you like your guests to think you spent hours preparing this little get together? Arrange some fresh cut flowers in an heirloom vase as a centerpiece and bring out your favorite cloth napkins. This is a classic look, but takes almost no time to prepare and I will never tell!
Wonderful fruit and berries are always available in summertime so be sure to take advantage of this. Dessert could be big, juicy strawberries dipped into a melted healthy dark chocolate. Try using one of those chocolate fountains or use a water bath to safely melt the delicious rich chocolate. Keep the stem on the berry for extra color and it makes a great dipping handle, too! Be careful not to burn yourself when you dip. Cool the berries off on waxed paper and then transfer them to your favorite platter to serve. This is an easy make ahead dessert and can be stored in the fridge for at least a couple of days.
Red wine and dark chocolate is a match made in heaven! I like Concha y Toro Cabernet Sauvignon/Merlot. Dark chocolate needs a bold red wine and this Chilean wine fills the bill bringing out the best in both. Be sure to decant in advance and give the wine time to breathe. Yummy!
A cup of coffee might be nice as the party winds down. A very special treat that the Austrians invented is called a melange. This coffee beverage is a fifty-fifty mix of coffee and milk stirred to form a foamy top. In the Austrian coffee houses this is usually served on a silver tray with a glass of sparkling mineral water on the side, garnished with a slice of fresh lemon. Very CHI CHI! Do not forget to bring out all your silver and crystal. Always stop at garage sales to look for partyware as they usually have a lot of grandmas old silver and crystal items that make up for a festive party.
Discover how easy wine food pairing really is. Plan ahead and WOW your guests. With this in mind you will be able to enjoy the party right along with your friends. CHEERS!
