Rarely am I the host of our family and friend get-togethers, but I’m proud to say this year, I’ve outdone myself.  I hosted the first dinner of the season for my close friends a few weekends ago, and personally I think it was a great success – my menu was fresh and included a delicious protein.  My guests loved it!

For those of you considering hosting the first get-together of the season amongst your own crew, I’d like to offer some simple advice.

- The internet is your friend – don’t fight it – it’s the 24-hour food network and party-planner all in one.  Lately I’ve been leaning on my new passion (and possibly my first addiction), Pinterest, for new recipes and party ideas.  I love this site!  This is where my cooking inspiration often begins.

- I highly recommend testing all new recipes prior to the big event.  There’s nothing worse than being stressed over a failed new recipe at your own party!  Start with something you’ve done before and build your menu around that.

- Keep it simple, prepare as much as you can the night before.  With only one exception, my entire meal was prepared the night before the party.

My menu was a rustic, down home feast consisting of slow cooker pulled pork sandwiches, coleslaw, corn bread, quinoa salad and cheesecake-stuffed strawberries finished off with a refreshing white sangria.  It doesn’t sound like a lot, but it was filling, especially with the addition of a few appetizers.  I put out a cheese & fruit platter and prosciutto-wrapped asparagus…trust me, no one left hungry that night!

Image courtesy of rachelleb.com

Pulled Pork Sandwiches

Ingredients:
1 (2 pound) pork tenderloin (pork shoulder or butt can also be used)
1 (12 ounce) can of root beer
1 (18 ounce) bottle of barbecue sauce
8 hamburger buns

Directions:
1. Place the pork tenderloin in a slow cooker and pour the can of root beer over the meat. Cover and cook on low for 6 hours or until pork shreds easily with a fork.
2. After pork has cooked, drain and discard the root beer. Shred the pork and place it back in the slow cooker. Pour the barbecue sauce over the pork and stir to combine. Serve immediately or keep warm in slow cooker until ready to serve. Serve on hamburger buns.

Recipe courtesy of tablespoon.com

Image courtesy of epicurious.com

Quinoa and Black Bean Salad

Ingredients:
1 1/2 cups quinoa (small disk-shaped seeds)
1 1/2 cups cooked black beans, rinsed if canned
1 1/2 tablespoons red-wine vinegar
1 1/2 cups cooked corn (cut from about 2 large ears)
3/4 cup finely chopped green bell pepper
2 pickled jalapeño chilies, seeded and minced (wear rubber gloves)
1/4 cup finely chopped fresh coriander

Dressing:
5 tablespoons fresh lime juice, or to taste
1 teaspoon salt
1 1/4 teaspoons ground cumin, or to taste
1/3 cup olive oil

Directions:
1. In a bowl wash quinoa in at least 5 changes cold water, rubbing grains and letting them settle before pouring off most of water, until water runs clear and drain in a large fine sieve.
2. In a saucepan of salted boiling water cook quinoa 10 minutes. Drain quinoa in sieve and rinse under cold water. Set sieve over a saucepan of boiling water (quinoa should not touch water) and steam quinoa, covered with a kitchen towel and lid, until fluffy and dry, about 10 minutes (check water level in kettle occasionally, adding water if necessary).
3. While quinoa is cooking, in a small bowl toss beans with vinegar and salt and pepper to taste.
4. Transfer quinoa to a large bowl and cool. Add beans, corn, bell pepper, jalapeños, and coriander and toss well.

Recipe courtesy of epicurious.com

Image courtesy of thesweetlife.ca

Cheesecake Stuffed Strawberries

Ingredients:
1 lb large strawberries
8 oz. cream cheese, softened (can use 1/3 less fat)
3-4 tbsp powdered sugar (4 tbsp for a sweeter filling)
1 tsp vanilla extract
graham cracker crumbs

Directions:
1. Rinse strawberries and cut around the top of the strawberry. Remove the top and clean out with a paring knife, if necessary (some may already be hollow inside). Prep all strawberries and set aside.
2. In a mixing bowl, beat cream cheese, powdered sugar, and vanilla until creamy. Add cream cheese mix to a piping bag or ziploc with the corner snipped off. Fill strawberries with cheesecake mixture. Once strawberries are filled, dip the top in graham cracker crumbs. If not serving immediately, refrigerate until serving.

Recipe courtesy of thesweetlife.com

Oddly enough spring makes me think of food, I love food.  This season, in my mind, is all about barbeques, camping, getting together with friends and family and in the centre of all that, there’s food!  There’s nothing tastier than a meal made fresh with vegetables and seasonings out of your own backyard!  I’ll be the first to admit that I definitely do not have a “green thumb”.  It’s not for lack of trying.  Every year we plant a vegetable garden in our backyard – well, my husband does the majority of the work.  I support him with food and beverages.  It’s still considered teamwork right?  I do plant my very own herb garden though – yes, all by myself.

Creating your own personal herb garden is simple and contrary to popular belief; you don’t require a substantial piece of property.  I like to use a couple of large planters out on my front patio and plant several herbs together.  This year though, I’m going to try growing some herbs indoors.  I love the idea of having fresh herbs right at arm’s length and the lingering essence they provide.

My inspiration – the beautiful selection of pots and planters featured in our Urban Barn stores right now.  Bright colours, neutrals, big or small, there has to be one for you!  That being said, if you’re not ready to begin your gardening journey, we also sell several varieties of potted plants that don’t require any care whatsoever.  You just can’t eat them.

If you want to give it a try, you can start now but if it’s still too chilly, consider starting the herbs indoors.  Below are a few tips for creating your own herb garden, indoors or out:

Location – Indoor, ideal location is in or near a window facing south, most herbs will thrive in unobstructed sunlight.  If you don’t have a bright spot, there are several varieties of herbs that don’t mind shade such as mint, chives, parsley and coriander.  Outdoors, find your brightest spot and plant these guys – oregano, rosemary, thyme, basil, sage and cilantro.

Planting – if from seed, check the expiry date on the package, plant more seeds then you think you need, only few will likely sprout.  Select varieties that grow easily.  If you’re like me and want instant gratification, purchase your herbs already sprouted.  You’ll need only to transfer them with some fresh lean soil into your new pot or planter.  Water regularly but make sure there’s good drainage.  Easy breezy!!

Selecting a vessel – should be approx. 6-12” deep and 6” diameter for a single plant.  24” diameter is sufficient for 4-5 plants.  If the pot doesn’t have drainage then place rocks or marbles in the bottom before planting.   This will provide room for the roots to grow without promoting root rot.

Selecting Herbs – chives, basil, parsley, thyme, rosemary, dill and mint are just a few hearty herbs worthy of growing indoors or out.  As mentioned above, some need more sun then others and most are labeled with the basic requirements.

Now I don’t rough it completely.  I don’t grow all my herbs from seed – many I buy already sprouted.  For me a bit of a head start doesn’t hurt and they’re probably better off considering my lack of “green thumb”.  As for my selection, I like to have the basics, those that I can use daily like Rosemary, Thyme, Basil, Dill and Parsley.  I also tend try something new each year.  Last season I grew Lemon Verbena, a refreshing and fragrant plant, it’s as versatile to use as actual lemons!  I used it in everything I could, tea, citrus meat marinades, stuffed into fresh fish before grilling – delicious!  This year I’m trying Chervil, which is considered to be a gourmet Parsley with slight hint of anise flavor.  This should step up my menu a bit.  Another favourite of mine is Cilantro.  I know so many people who are not fans, I was too, but now I can’t get enough of it.  My favourite summer recipe, and I’ll share, is a Strawberry Mango Salsa.  This is a one bowl, no fail, crowd pleaser, guaranteed to satisfy!

Strawberry Mango Salsa

2 pints of ripe strawberries

2-3 ripe mangoes

1 large red onion

1 jalapeno pepper (2 if you want a real kick)

1 bunch fresh cilantro

Salt & Pepper to taste

Juice of 2-3 limes

Dice strawberries, mangoes, onion and jalapeno pepper.  Combine in a large bowl.  Add chopped cilantro and lime juice then season with salt and pepper to taste.  Toss, cover and let sit overnight in refrigerator for best flavor.  Serve with your favorite tortilla chip or cracker.  This salsa is really versatile; you can change it up with additional fruit or hot peppers.  It’s also a delicious condiment for grilled fish or pork.  Enjoy!

I realize it may seem early to be talking about spring and summer but I’ve been thinking and working on it for the last six months!  I’m ready for winter to move on and the warm weather to move in.  Therefore I’m ignoring the Groundhog Day results announcing we’ll have an extended winter – really?  I’m craving sun, blue skies, fragrant new blooms….all those amazing colours that flourish in this season!  Can’t wait!

Thankfully I’ve been able to immerse myself in all this for many months now.  Preparing for our spring and summer introduction at UB is such an exciting process.  What makes it even better is having an inspirational palette with colours so vibrant they exude happiness.  The colour trends this year are so bright and refreshing… tangerine, lemon yellow, sea blue, blossom pink, aqua teal, lush lilac… bright or pastel, it’s all a go this Spring.   It’s exactly what we need to energize ourselves and our homes after a long dreary winter!   I’m so excited to get Spring into our stores and into our customers homes.  Here’s a sneak peek of a few of my absolute spring faves coming to a UB near you….I hope you find them as inspiring as I do…

Townhouse Birdhouse.  This is one of an assortment of four, all handmade and fully functional for our feathered friends.  I’m confident they’ll appreciate the attention to detail as much as we do!

Hoot Stool.  This fella will be a perfect perch indoors or out, as a stool or a side table.  Available in white, silver or grey.

Zazi Owl Cushion, one of a collection of five Bollywood inspired cushions.  If you’re looking for a colour infusion, look no further!

Rio Throws.  Perfect accessory for a cool summer’s eve, lightweight and super soft chenille.  Seven inspiring colours to choose from.

Milton Table Lamp, what a way to bring the colour in!  Also available in a sage green.

It’s inevitable that with Spring, showers will follow…this colourful stand will brighten those days!

One would think that being a retail buyer, I’d be very organized and prepared for the holiday season. This is  false!   When it comes to personal shopping for myself or my family, procrastination is my hallmark.  There’s always tomorrow, right?  Unlucky me.… there’s less than a month left to finish shopping, wrapping, entertaining, baking…the “to do” list seems endless.

I have no problem picking gifts for children – the options are unlimited; it’s the adults that seem to be tricky.  I want to buy the perfect gift for everyone:  it has to be personal, attractive, functional…oh, and unique.  Is that asking too much?   Well, it is asking too much for me!  If you’ve ever stood in one of the many big box stores with hundreds of other desperate shoppers looking at the same items, you understand me perfectly.  The holidays can be made easier if you find yourself in the vicinity of an Urban Barn!  Yes, I’m biased.

Here are some of my favourite gift ideas.

1. Aluminum Retro Microphone ($60) Who doesn’t want to be a rock star?

2. Quentin Sherpa Throw ($49) Everyone wants to be cozy – no matter how buff you are!

3. Drinking Buddy Wine Charms and Stopper Set  ($8) Oprah loves this one too – it’s presently featured on “O’s Favorite Things”

4. Esquire “Eat like a Man” ($34) A deliciously written, mature cookbook – not recommended for the avid “Hungry Man” lover.

5. Skull Sculpture $36 For the friend who always wanted to get a tattoo but isn’t ready to commit… Also available in this collection: Voodoo Candle Holder ($15) & Skull Salt & Pepper Shakers ($19)

1. Emily Throw ($39) Pretty, frilly, super-soft…like a favourite sweater!  Available in four colours.

2. Bijou Jewelry Tree ($20) No more tangles!  UB has an endless selection of jewelry storage solutions.

3. Pretty Cupcake Kit ($23.95) and  Mini Cupcake Cookbook $18.99 Perfect for the Martha Stewart wannabe!

4. Mongolian Toss Cushion ($69) The ultimate in luxury, it’s like an adult “stuffy”.  Available in five colours.

5. Far Flyer Cushion ($30) Beautiful vintage-inspired cushions will brighten up any room all year long.

Here’s a great idea for a family gift everyone in the house will use…

Circ Collection

Now you can feel good about junk food!  One for Sweets ($9), Popcorn ($28), Nuts $9 or Chips ($28).