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Wednesday, March 30, 2011

A Blues Table for Five (Recipes!)



I have been dying to use this TJ Maxx tablecloth for something pretty on the porch, but the pollen and weather are not cooperating. I was too impatient to wait, so tonight we dined on new thrifty finds in the kitchen.


Oh, where to start?


Well, the bargain on the table is the sherberts. I found them on eBay for less than $1 a piece! I can't even believe I almost passed them up! 




And the china was another eBay find. It is the Carlotta pattern made by Eternal Stone.  While it wasn't quite the deal of a $1 per piece, it was still a bargain. 




There is some crazing on a few pieces, but I adore the pattern and the two shades of blue. It is at least 75 years old and so chic! I love, love, love the way it looks with the sherberts and blue in the tablecloth! 




I could kick myself for not buying napkins in Homegoods that would have matched! I am one of those shoppers who (sometimes but not often enough) walks around with all the things I want, and gradually put most of them back only to regret it later! Do you do that, too?


The tablecloth is a good example of that very thing. I found four placemats and a runner in this same pattern at a TJ Maxx in Atlanta, walked around with them, and decided I didn't want just four placements. I left them there only to find the tablecloth in a different TJ Maxx a week later. This time, leaving the first stash behind was a good decision!




The Azaleas in the ice bucket are from the yard. I have one plant with a few flowers. The rest are still budding. The other green comes from camellia and honeysuckle leaves.








So, what's the menu?


Cocktail Shrimp


Frozen and thawed from the supermarket (easy recipe, huh?)
Serve with dipping sauces


Mandarin Orange Salad


Salad:
1 head of lettuce, washed and torn
4-5 green onions, chopped fine
3 stalks celery, chopped fine
1 11oz can mandarin oranges
Combine and chill.


Dressing:
1/4 vegetable oil
1 T white vinegar
5 drops hot sauce
2 T sugar
1/2 t salt
1/2 t pepper


Topping:
1/2 c slivered almonds
2-3T sugar
Caramelize on stove. Spread on wax paper to dry. Can be stored in an airtight container for a snack.


Combine salad and dressing. Toss. Top with almonds. Mmmmm. :)


Easiest Poppyseed Chicken



Preheat oven to 350 degrees.


Casserole:
1-2 lb of shredded or cut up chicken, whatever you have on hand
1 can of mushroom soup (10 3/4 oz)
8 oz sour cream
1/4 c. milk
Combine so that the chicken is covered, even if just barely.


Topping:
Place 1-2 stacks of Ritz crackers in a freezer bag and crush
add 1 stick of melted butter or margarine
add 2 T poppy seeds (if you have them)
Shake.


Spread over chicken mixture.


Bake until bubbly, (about 30 minutes).


Easy Rice Pilaf


Prepare 3 c. quick rice.


Melt a tablespoon or so of butter in a large skillet.
Add 1/2 c. green onions (chopped), 1/3 c. slivered almonds,  and 1 crushed clove of garlic.


When almonds are lightly browned (3-5 minutes), add rice and seasonings to taste such as salt, pepper, thyme, etc. Blend and serve.




I also served a can of corn. Another easy recipe. :)


Enjoy!
-Andrea





Sharing at:
http://betweennapsontheporch.blogspot.com/
http://boogieboardcottage.blogspot.com/
http://savvysouthernstyle.blogspot.com/
http://linda-coastalcharm.blogspot.com/
http://astrollthrulife.blogspot.com/
http://whistlestopcooking.blogspot.com/
http://romantichome.blogspot.com/
http://iloveprettylittlethings.blogspot.com/
http://thecharmofhome.blogspot.com/
http://frenchcountrycottage.blogspot.com/
http://nominimalisthere.blogspot.com/
http://bargainhuntingwithlaurie.blogspot.com/
http://thetablescaper.blogspot.com/








14 comments:

  1. I love the menu and the tablescape. Such gorgeous colors.

    XO,

    Sheila :-)

    ReplyDelete
  2. You tablescape is stunning. Yes, I too walk around the store picking things up and putting them back and regretting and trying to find them again. I should just buy the things and then return them if I change my mind. I love the lilac with the blue, so fresh and clean. Looks like a April Cornell.
    Linda

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  3. Beautiful tablescape and I love the sherbet dishes. I'm the same way about shopping, picking up and putting back or taking home to see if the color or size is right. I hate to return things so I really try to get it right at least by the second try. I'm going to try your recipes. They all sound easy and delicious. Have a nice weekend.

    ReplyDelete
  4. What a lovely spring table! I am coveting your sherbets in that yummy shade of blue! They'd be perfect with my good china! What a bargain you got! The dishes are great, too -- an unusual design, with wonderful texture.

    ReplyDelete
  5. How sweet of you to send me a link to some similar sherbets! They are such a pretty color and not TOO pricey -- though not the bargain yours were!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Gorgeous table...I love the aqua with the periwinkle...those plates are fabulous.

    ReplyDelete
  7. I really like the texture of the dishes. It is rare that we get to dine with such an intricate pattern at hand! Beautiful! And I LOVE the color!!!

    ReplyDelete
  8. Gorgeous table setting~ I love the blue plates against that beautiful tablecloth!! So pretty! Yes, I do walk around and gradually put things back... often times a good thing as I quickly forget about them... sometimes not so good as I kick myself and end up on a mad search for the one that got away because I put it back! lol! Thanks for sharing at FNF! :)

    ReplyDelete
  9. The tablescape is beautiful! Love the tablecloth and the sherberts. What wonderful dishes too. Thank you for sharing your pretty table at my party.
    Hugs,
    Sherry

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  10. What a beautiful tablescape! I love the tablecloth. The dishes would be wonderful year round. So pretty! Thanks for linking it up!
    Sherry

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  11. Beautiful! Love the sherbets and those dishes, and that tablecloth is fabulous! Dinner sounds so good. Thanks for sharing the recipes and for linking to Favorite things. laurie

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  12. I know this sounds like a silly question, but do y'all know that your Word Verification is on? I asked someone the other day, and they didn't know it was on. There are some bloggers who dislike W.V. so much that they won't leave comments on blogs that have them. Just thought I'd mention it in case you weren't aware that it was on. I hope you don't mind. laurie

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  13. What a beautiful cloth. Is it April Cornell? I think I have that cloth in a different size. She has such great color to her linens.

    - The Tablescaper

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  14. Your table is beautiful!! I love those blue dishes that you got!! How fun! I'm going to network follow you, would love if you'd stop by my blog and follow me :) Have a happy Monday!

    ReplyDelete

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