I know that travel and adventure and generally leaving the house has been much more difficult over the past year, but instead of being discouraged, get inspired! I absolutely love throwing dinner parties — both small and intimate, or large and loud. It’s a great excuse to decorate, throw together a new outfit, and cook food that I wouldn’t normally experience. It’s an at-home staycation that feels like you walked into another world, what’s not to love?

So throw yourself and your family a Moroccan dinner party inspired by the colors, flavors, and cultures in Northern Africa. After all, you’re all overdue for a much-needed vacation at home. It doesn’t have to be super fancy or expensive, just a small but special dinner party with all the magnificence of the Sahara or the beauty of the Mediterranean Sea.

What to Serve at Your Moroccan Dinner Party

Morocco is known for so much great food! Beef, lamb and chicken are all fairly common and usually roasted or cooked in a tagine. And for a side dish, you have to serve couscous — everything in Morocco, it seems, is served with these little round grains.

Here are a few key flavors to look out for when deciding on your Moroccan dinner party menu:

• Use fun spices and herbs.

• Nuts and dried fruit are common additives.

• You can’t go wrong with a great mezze board to snack on all night.

• You should definitely have a batch (or several) of Harissa olives.

• Homemade flatbread and naan are staples!

• Plums, boiled eggs, dates and lemon are all common ingredients in Moroccan food.

• Spiced orange is a popular treat! Consider serving my Spiced Honey Orange Cocktail with dinner.

Whatever you choose, the exotic flavors are sure to please both the pickiest and most adventurous of eaters.

How to Make Your Moroccan Dinner Party Happen

At the end of the day, you really only need three things for a great dinner party: food, atmosphere, and fun. Here are a few of my Moroccan dinner party essentials — they’ll ensure you have less stress and more fun when planning your at-home vacation!

Cooking with a Tagine

A Moroccan tagine is a cone-shaped, ceramic cooking vessel that has been traditionally used in North Africa for generations. A traditional tagine is cone-shaped and sits on top of a round base. When cooking, the lid traps the heat and steam, which then allows the liquid to return to the pot. This leads to an incredibly moist dish packed with amazing flavors.

Protein dishes, slow-cooked stews, and other savory dishes are commonly cooked in a tagine.

The Perfect Decor

When decorating your home or yard, you’ll want to keep a few aesthetics in mind:

• Aim for an indigo-colored tablescape to showcase the beautiful beaches.

• Think intricate carvings and colorful mosaic tiles!

• Moroccan fabrics are rich in color and often feature busy patterns and detailed textures.

• Food is generally eaten family-style in Moroccan homes, so a similar setup will help your dinner party feel more authentic.

If you have a beautiful tapestry, velvets, or silks, now is your opportunity to showcase them!

Final Tips for Your Moroccan Dinner Party

• Start with mint tea. Most authentic Moroccan meals being with a refreshing mug of hot mint tea steeped with fresh mint leaves. It’s the perfect way to put your guests in the right atmosphere as soon as they walk in the door! I like to use green tea as a base, but you can also use black tea if you’d like something stronger.

• Buy a lot of olives. I guarantee you will go through tons of green Harissa olives. Even without a Moroccan theme, they’re delicious, but they’re also perfect for snacking on, adding to hummus and veggie platters, or garnishing your dishes.

• Don’t forget the wine. A nice Cabernet (red) or Sauvignon Blanc (white) both pair perfectly with the flavors of Morocco.

• Atmosphere. Remember that for any dinner party, it’s up to the host to fully commit to the atmosphere — the sounds, the smells, the decor, AND the outfit. Keep it simple with a few candles and Moroccan music, or go all out with jewel tones, bright colors, and long flowing clothes.

The post How to Throw a Moroccan Dinner Party in Your Backyard appeared first on The Inspired Home.

Whether you’re throwing a sushi tasting dinner or a sushi-making party, you can’t go wrong with hosting your very own sushi night at home. Easy to throw together by ordering in or a fun learning experience with family and friends, this kid-friendly dinner party will become an annual event in no time!

All you need to host sushi night is the atmosphere, food, and fun — and there are so many possibilities in the mix. Create a casual dining experience in your living room by arranging the beautiful sushi rolls on a coffee table. Then sit around with your guests and learn about Chinese culture, the history of sushi, or just catch up on life in general! Good food and good company are all you need for sushi night to be an absolute success.

Why You’ll Love Sushi Night

• It brings the restaurant home. Why go out when you can stay in? I’m all about small, intimate and casual dinner parties these days. Gather with your closest family or friends and host a sushi night complete with sake, maki, and all your favorite sides!

• It’s super easy to put together. Sushi night can be as simple or elaborate as you’d like! Go all the way and learn how to make your own sushi, or order in different types of sushi rolls from your favorite local restaurant. Just set the mood and welcome the guests for a fun-filled dinner party.

• It serves different dietary needs. Whether you’re making your own sushi or ordering in, sushi can be made with all types of ingredients. If you’re hosting guests with different dietary needs, you can easily accommodate by specifying which types of rolls are which.

• It’s perfect for any season. Maybe it’s just me, but I crave sushi all year long. It can be freezing outside or a sunny summer day, I’ll still crave a delicious sushi roll with some comforting miso soup. Keep sushi night in mind whenever you’re craving a fun dinner party with close family and friends!

What You Need for Sushi Night

Food: Obviously, you can’t have a dinner party — regardless of the theme — without tons of delicious food! For sushi night, you should focus on serving different types of sushi, like nigiri, sashimi, and maki. If you’re making your own homemade sushi rolls, I’d recommend trying a type of maki roll, which is when the filling is wrapped in rice and seaweed. Regardless, it wouldn’t be sushi night without an array of colorful options!

Drinks: Sushi pairs well with so many different drinks. Green tea or matcha would definitely add a flair of authenticity to your sushi dinner party, plus hot sake and beer for the adults.

Fun: I’m always a fan of having an activity or two planned for my dinner parties. Whether that means conversation starters, fun facts about sushi history, or learning how to make sushi rice or sushi rolls from scratch, it’s always a good idea to have a crowd-pleasing game in your back pocket.

How to Make Sushi Night Happen

First things first, you need to decide what kind of sushi night you want to have! Are you hosting a sushi tasting dinner or planning a sushi-making party?

Sushi Making Tips:

• Keep it simple! Aim for making maki with a few, simple ingredients.

• Watch lots of videos. The Internet can teach you so many things. Having a good idea of the process before you try to make your own sushi rolls will be a huge lifesaver!

• Invest in a good sushi roller. Yes, it really is worth it, especially if you or your guests are first-time sushi makers.

Sushi Tasting Tips:

• Variety is key. Vary the types of sushi rolls you serve, from spice level to ingredients.

• Label everything. Because there are so many levels of heat and different possible ingredients, it’s always a good idea to label each roll so your guests know exactly what they’re in for.

• Don’t overdo it. How many leftovers do you really want? Make sure you get a mixture of familiar and new so you don’t end up with crazy amounts of leftover rolls.

How to Throw the Best Sushi Night

Set the scene.

Think about your favorite sushi restaurant and try to recreate the overall vibe! Dim the lights, play soothing background music and make the environment comfortable. Consider presenting your sushi rolls on a coffee table and turning the space into a small, intimate gathering space.

Focus on the food.

We’ve already covered diversifying the sushi rolls served, but there are so many other side options! Grab or prepare fun pre-made snacks and sides, like some of these favorites:

• Mochi
• Miso soup
• Edamame
• Matcha tiramisu

Don’t forget the drinks.

I’m always a fan of hot sake! Serve alongside your favorite beer and have green tea on hand to cleanse the pallet.

Final Tips for Sushi Night

Make it kid-friendly.

Make sure the kiddos are included in the sushi fun! Order or prepare special kid-friendly maki rolls made of avocado, cucumber, or sweet potato. You can even make a few kid-friendly chopsticks with a little rolled paper and a rubber band — and hey, maybe a few adults will need some too.

Recycle your chopsticks.

Keep things green either by using reusable chopsticks or finding a creative way to recycle wooden ones! You can reuse wooden chopsticks as stirrers or even for homemade popsicles. Some cities even have recycling programs that specifically search for chopsticks! See if there’s one near you.

Prepare for leftovers.

I don’t know about you, but every time I throw a dinner party, no matter how well I plan and portion, I always end up with tons of extra food. Save yourself some time (and cleanup) and plan ahead! Buy a few Chinese-style take-out boxes and let your guests create their own take-out meals to enjoy later.

The post You Need to Throw This Sushi Night Party appeared first on The Inspired Home.

There is no reason you need to wait until June to throw a s’mores party with your close family and friends! Bring the fire (safely) inside with an indoor fire burner and have the same marshmallow-roasting fun you’ve enjoyed since childhood.

While I was definitely skeptical of an indoor fire burner when they first started getting popular, much research and a little experience of my own made me a convert. As long as you are not using your burner in a small or enclosed space and your home is properly ventilated, you’re good to go! I’d recommend keeping a window open to let out smoke and welcome in the fresh air.

With s’mores, it’s all about the toppings.

You can’t have an indoor s’mores party without a huge spread of different toppings and ingredients. We all know the basics — chocolate, crackers, and marshmallows — but how much are you willing to change it up?

Try a new s’mores flavor with some of these sweet add ons:

• Fruits: Cold or cooked, you really can’t go wrong with sweet strawberries, blueberries, or raspberries as a nice topping to your rich s’mores. Think your favorite pie filling, but a dollop added to freshly roasted s’mores.

• Spreads: An easy add on, especially for the kids, is to have bowls of chocolate spread, peanut butter, Nutella, and any other favorites to spread onto the crackers either before or after roasting.

• Bacon: Hear me out, I had never heard of this until recently, but you can cook small strips of candied bacon and then put them between the chocolate and marshmallow — THEN you melt it all together. If you’re a bacon lover, you are going to have to try this combination.

How to make your Indoor S’mores Party happen:

• Set a warm and cozy atmosphere. You all know I love decorating, and over the past year, I have perfected my recipe for the warmest, coziest, most work-from-home friendly atmosphere. That being said, it’s important not to go too crazy for your indoor s’mores party — remember, there’s going to be an indoor fire burner at the center of attention.

Hang a few strands of twinkle lights, dim the lights, open a window, put on some campfire music, and enjoy the feeling of the fireside right in your living room.

• Have beer ready for the adults at your Indoor S’mores Party. If you were having an outdoor s’mores party, you would likely serve beer, right? So you have to do the same indoors to keep the s’mores party truly authentic. Try a refreshing brew to fully embrace the summer s’mores atmosphere from your living room in the middle of winter.

Final tips for throwing an Indoor S’mores Party:

• Smart decor: Use different sized glass jars and containers to hold different types of chocolate and various sizes of marshmallows. Not only does it make for a really quick and easy decoration, but it’s also easy to personalize your s’mores with everything organized.

• Cleanliness is key: With hands in jars and marshmallows being popped into mouths, I always make sure to have plenty of wet wipes nearby. After all, there’s nothing worse than gooey marshmallow hands getting stuck on your living room furniture!

The post Stay Warm While Throwing an Indoor S’mores Night appeared first on The Inspired Home.

These days, I’ll take any excuse to great dressed up and out of my sweats! This year’s Valentine’s Day will be just that — normally not a holiday that I focus on or put a lot of energy towards, but this year it will have my dedicated February attention.

Valentine’s Day brunch is the perfect way to spend the day, while still getting to enjoy all the fun feelings that come with the holiday! To make the brunch feel special, I chose an area in the house that we typically don’t spend a lot of time in. This way, we can get to bring new energy to a space, all while giving the illusion that we ventured to a new space to celebrate the day!

Valentine’s Day is a holiday that is meant for indulging and brunch is something I’ve been craving…so selfishly that’s the direction I went and so should you! I started with the Catanga Riser to serve as my centerpiece — I went with a charcuterie style board so that the environment felt fun and casual!

I built out the charcuterie with a few of my favorite things with some Valentine’s Day classics as well! You can’t celebrate Valentine’s Day without candy!

To dress up the table, I added this pink and sparkly Sparkles Home runner! It added that pop of color I needed to the tablespace without feeling over the top — it’s a subtle and chic way to incorporate the color and texture!

Now, a table setting is never complete without some candles! Candles are a great way to create ambiance and ad dimension to your setting!

For dimension I started with these Jasper Taper Candle Holders in a few different sizes — they are such a classic piece that you can use for any table setting throughout the year or for your console table décor.

To add another pop of color, but not to compete with the pink runner, I added these herringbone short candleholders filled with votives.

By bringing life to a different space in our home, with a little color, candy and dimension, we are all set to celebrate! The holiday has never felt more special than it does now!

The post Celebrate Valentine’s Day with This Charcuterie-Style Brunch appeared first on The Inspired Home.

What makes these nights super special is really just some hot cocoa and good conversation. We have a famous hot cocoa recipe that you can find below.

I just make it on the stove and then pour it into a beverage server like this one from Frieling. It’s so perfect to keep it warm all night long.

Print

Destiny’s Hot Cocoa Recipe

This hot cocoa is our favorite hot cocoa recipe! We make it in a Dutch oven on the stove and then pour it into a beverage server or carafe to keep it warm.

Skill beginner

Prep Time 5 minutes minutes

Cook Time 10 minutes minutes

Total Time 15 minutes minutes

Servings 6

Calories 210kcal

Ingredients

• 0.5 cups sugar
• 0.25 cups unsweetened cocoa
• pinch of salt
• 2 cups heavy cream or milk (1 qt.)
• 0.75 tsp vanilla extract
• 0.5 tsp cinnamon
• 0.3 cups hot water

Instructions

• Mix sugar, cocoa and salt in medium saucepan; stir in water. Bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring constantly; boil and stir 2 minutes
• Add milk; stir and heat until hot. Do not boil.
• Remove from heat; add vanilla. Beat with whisk until foamy.
• *Adapted from Hershey’s Hot Cocoa Recipe

Nutrition

Serving: 1g | Calories: 210kcal | Carbohydrates: 19g | Protein: 1.5g | Fat: 15g | Saturated Fat: 9.5g | Cholesterol: 55mg | Sodium: 16mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 17g

But we also might throw on a Christmas movie or two. We love all the new movies like Christmas Chronicles, but enjoy classics like Home Alone and Elf too!

These fantastic mugs are perfect for a night like this. tag’s Hand Warmer Mugs fit perfectly around your hands for a nice warm mug hug! It was our first time using them this year, but I see them being such a great hit. If you are a mug lover, add these to your collection!

This year, we also added this Gratitude Jar (one of Oprah’s Favorite Things!). It’s a super simple way to keep our gratitude and thankfulness up, not just around Christmas, but really year-round.

All you do is write a small note of gratitude or what you’re thankful for and once you’re done you toss it in the jar.

On nights like this, we like to read them together. It’s really special! They also have a Christmas Wishes Jar in case you want to make your own Christmas tradition.

If you are looking to have your own night around the Christmas tree, here are some other ideas that just might make it even more fun:

• Christmas Bingo
• Wrapping Gifts
• Decorating the Christmas tree
• Popcorn garlands
• Paper garlands crafts
• Name a Christmas Song game
• Sing Christmas carols together

The post Celebrate with a Night Around the Christmas Tree appeared first on The Inspired Home.

Now that we are headed into the holiday season we can finally have my most anticipated movie night: Hallmark Christmas Movie Night!

This year turn your living room into a cozy, Christmas oasis. Invite your pals to join you virtually in creating their own cozy space into the ultimate winter movie experience. Plan for a mutual movie time take a vote on what you’ll watch beforehand.

Hot cocoa bar is a must!

First things first, you’re going to need some good quality hot cocoa. This year I turned to Le Creuset to get super festive with a set of their holiday mugs.

A good quality Dutch oven is the perfect vessel to keep a large batch of hot cocoa warm. Be sure to put out lots of toppers like marshmallows, candy canes, and syrups, even if it’s just for the fam. Touches like this make a regular night feel really special.

Did someone say snacks?

A trip to the movies isn’t complete without fresh popcorn. Ditch the microwave this year and opt for popcorn kernels. This Cuisinart popcorn maker is counter friendly and perfect for whipping up a few batches of fresh, buttery popcorn.

RELATED: 3 Homemade Popcorn Seasonings

Don’t forget the Christmas sugar cookies for the full array of snacking. For the adults, be sure to stock up on plenty of red wine, a Hallmark movie night must.

The Big Screen.

There is something so cozy and childlike about throwing all of the fluffiest cushions and blankets onto the ground for a movie night. Ditch the couch this year and pull out every blanket you’ve got. An easy switch like this will make the night feel extra cozy and special.

Plus, the TV will seem that much larger from a lower angle. We’re viewing all of our favorite movies from a Westinghouse 50-Inch with 4K because Christmas movies need the best quality! I love how this Smart TV has all of our favorite apps built-in for easy show finding!

Ultra Cozy!

There are a few ways you can turn your living room’s cozy level up a few notches. Before we turn everything on for a movie night I always light a few scented candles for perfect lighting and cozy seasonal smells. Ditch any overhead lighting and opt for something cozier. In this case, lights from the Christmas tree or extra twinkle lights work perfectly.

The post How to Throw the Ultimate Hallmark Christmas Movie Night appeared first on The Inspired Home.

The question that I hear most often about how to incorporate the old with the new is: “what should I look for?” And while the answer is pretty hard for me to say, considering everyone’s homes and styles are different, I invite you to ask yourself what types of wares intrigue you the most. You see, there’s really no right or wrong answer. It’s about searching for what you like, and that’s the fun of it!

Maybe brass candlestick holders catch your eye, or maybe it’s smoky wine glasses. Maybe you love mismatched silverware or old cracked ironstone serving-ware. No matter the answer, the trick to curating a lovely collection is to pick what you find the most interesting, fun, and different.

No matter what, a vintage item will add instant color, style, or texture to your home, simply because it was produced in a different era. Start with what catches your eye, only buy what you “triple love”, and begin to curate your collection and look. You’ll learn so much as you go.

Now I must say, you may make some mistakes along the way. Like, “Oh, I should have bought that when I saw it”. Or, “Shoot I paid too much for this, I don’t really love it.” And while those are of course bummers, it is totally okay! Those will be experiences that inform your buying decisions next time. Every time you browse antiques you have another opportunity to learn, so don’t fret.

Now, let’s get to what you’re really here for, my 5 tips for styling a holiday tablescape:

1. Start with new linens.

Yes, vintage linens are stunningly beautiful, and absolutely have a place in your kitchen and home. But, they can be hard to come by and are pretty devastating to ruin with red wine or candle wax. There are so many beautiful linen options these days that are easy to clean and make for one less thing to worry about.

For my table, I chose a vintage-style lace tablecloth placed over an easy ducking-type plain tablecloth. I like that it’s a total balance of texture and that the colors are slightly different.

I wanted to bring in a pop of red for holiday cheer, so I picked a casual frayed edge red napkin and popped on vintage napkin rings to elevate them a smidge.

2. Decide on your candle setup.

I almost always start here when it comes to the tabletop’s style. It’s like working from the center out, tallest/brightest first. At this point, you can choose to go entirely vintage or mix old and new through texture and shape.

Here, I picked a classic set of 3 old brass taper holders and mixed it with new glass and wood tea light holders. I love the way these modern tea light holders balance out the candles themselves with a sleek low profile and nice texture.

This set up doesn’t feel too formal and still gives a romantic glow on the table both up high by eye height, and down low by food height.

3. Pick your florals.

It may not be every day that you have some sort of floral arrangement or greenery on your table, but I definitely think a holiday table should have them. Pick a vessel for your arrangement that lands somewhere in the middle of your two candle heights. I like to see something live, abundant, and fresh between the flicker of candle flames.

Vintage Buying Tip: If you have a lot of plain glass vessels from floral arrangements that you’ve been gifted, I invite you to start the search for vintage vases to replace the “blah” ones that you may have accumulated.

For my table, I decided that I wanted to forage some holly from my yard to highlight the red of the napkins. But I don’t love holly in an arrangement, so I decided to make them part of my place settings down low. Plus, I have another design trick up my sleeve that, in my opinion, requires a minimal on-table centerpiece.

4. Decide on your place settings.

Here’s where I really love to mix and match old and new. I think so much balance can be achieved in combining the two in a setting. Try to set it up as evenly as possible. If you have vintage plates and silverware, try for modern glassware and side plates.

Here I picked all-new plates with plenty of texture and added vintage silverware, a silver salt cellar (plate), and vintage glassware. I went for a full-on formal setting to add flare and used components of each, old and new, to achieve something fun and interesting to sit down to.

5. Last but not least, style something off the table!

Last but certainly not least, style something off the table! This is my favorite tip for creating a really special table for the holidays. Especially because I wanted our table to feel really magical and fairytale-like. It’s been quite a year for everyone, and this holiday season feels like it needs to be a touch more special. Off table styling where modern buys are particularly helpful!

In order to achieve my look, I purchased ready-made paper snowflakes to hang from the chandelier and over the windows. They dance just above and around the flame (but not too close, of course!), making for a whimsical vibe.

Next, I wanted a little extra glow to draw the eye over into our living room where our Christmas tree and fireplace is. I decided on two oversized lanterns with a single pillar candle in each. It sets the mood by bringing candlelight off of the table in a minimal but impactful way.

I hope that you enjoyed my 5 tips for creating a holiday table using vintage and new wares! Tag us if you use any of these tips in your own home. Happy holidays!

The post Mix Vintage with New for a Simple Holiday Tablescape appeared first on The Inspired Home.

Of course, when you’ve never been a drinker or have stopped drinking for a period of time, you tend to be a little rusty when it comes to keeping the bar stocked.

Here are a few items that I like to keep on hand and some tips on how to stock your bar for non-alcoholic drinks as well. This way, you’ll be ready to serve some drinks with or without alcohol.

All-in-One Bar Set.

This bar set from Godinger is a great starter for your bar. It comes with one ice bucket with a cover, one shaker, one tool holder, and four tools with a silver tray to match. These tools will help with making any type of mocktail you’ll want to serve up!

Glasses.

Every bar needs glasses. Some of the most basic ones you can start off with are:

Margarita Glass: perfect for frozen margaritas

Wine Glasses: red and white wine glasses which can also be used for non-alcoholic wine

Martini Glasses: perfect for your favorite martini recipes

Old Fashioned Glasses: you can even make your own old-fashioned bar for guests

Muddler.

Having a good cocktail muddler in your arsenal will help when a recipe calls for you to smash or muddle fruits like strawberries or citrus, or leaves like basil and mint.

Pitcher.

If you plan to make a big batch of a specific drink then make sure you have a good pitcher. This will allow guests to help themselves to their own drinks all night. A long stir stick will also help with mixing.

Check out our favorite non-alcoholic recipe below that uses one.

Non-Alcoholic Beers and Wines.

Some of your guests won’t need a mocktail, so having these options is great! Companies like Fre have some great options that I hear tastes like the real thing. Serve them up in beautiful glasses and you’ve got a drink for everyone!

Bitters and Spirits.

If you want to add some flavor to your drinks then using spirits and bitters will give your cocktails a boost! Bitters add flavor while spirits replace the alcohol flavor you would normally have in a cocktail. Seedlip is a company that took away the fermentation process and made a gin-like spirit which has a great herbal taste. It’s a great spirit to have in stock!

Make sure to check out some of our favorite cocktails and mocktails here on The Inspired Home!

Fresh Fruits and Herbs.

Of course, you can’t keep fresh fruits and herbs stocked in your bar forever, but having fresh fruits and herbs on hand will prove to be very important when you’re entertaining. Before you have your guests over, have one or two mocktail recipes that you will serve or have your guests self-serve to make it a little bit easier.

Strawberry, Lime & Mint Smash-Up Mocktail

Print

Strawberry, Lime & Mint Smash-Up Mocktail

This delicious mocktail is the perfect blend of sweet strawberry, tart lime, and refreshing mint.

Skill beginner

Prep Time 5 minutes minutes

Total Time 5 minutes minutes

Servings 2

Calories 248kcal

Ingredients

• 2 cups strawberries, plus more for garnish
• 5 fresh mint leaves (use up to 8), plus more for garnish
• 0.5 cups sugar
• 4 oz lime juice, freshly squeezed
• 12 oz club soda, ginger ale, or flavored sparkling water
• ice cubes
• lime wedges, for garnish

Instructions

• In a blender, blend together strawberries, mint leaves, sugar, and lime juice until well-blended to make the strawberry concentrate. Transfer to pitcher.
• To make one drink, pour ½ cup of the concentrate into a tall glass. Top with ice. Pour 6 oz. of your sparkling beverage over the ice. Give it a little stir.
• Garnish with strawberries, mint, and a lime wedge.

Nutrition

Serving: 1g | Calories: 248kcal | Carbohydrates: 66g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 0.5g | Sodium: 39mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 58g

The post How to Stock a Non-Alcoholic At-Home Bar appeared first on The Inspired Home.

How to Make Candy Corn Cotton Candy

The first thing you’ll need is a cotton candy machine! Our friends at Nostalgia specialize in small appliances that give you that familiar comfort of favorite childhood foods with a retro spin!

You can get a cotton candy machine made for small home parties or something like this commercial-sized machine for larger families or get-togethers! Either way, the ingredients will be the same.

First, you’ll want to add color and flavor to regular sugar.

To make an intense yellow-colored cotton candy, you’ll want to add 5-7 drops of gel food coloring. Gel because it won’t make the sugar watery! Plus gel gives more intense color. I also added 2-3 drops of lemon extract flavoring to the yellow to give it some delicious flavor!

To make the orange cotton candy, I used red and yellow gel food coloring drops. 5-7 drops of yellow and 1-2 drops of red for the nice intense orange color. I also added vanilla extract to this mix!

For the white cotton candy, I used regular white sugar with no flavoring.

To mix each color I used a small chopper and gave it a few pulses until it was fully mixed. This is the best way to mix to get the flavor and color evenly mixed.

After that, I warmed up the machine for about 20 minutes so it was nice and hot! Then I added each color to the cotton candy machine and went to work! It comes together pretty fast once you get everything heated up! Just use the cotton candy stick it comes with and continues to swirl until it comes together.

Once we had all the colors mixed, we put them into bags and layered the orange, yellow, and white cotton candy and put them into bags!

These would so perfect for a small Halloween party you might throw this year with close friends and family!

Print

Candy Corn Cotton Candy

Channel your inner child and combine two favorites – cotton candy that looks just like candy corn!

Course Dessert

Skill intermediate

Total Time 5 minutes minutes

Servings 6

Calories 381kcal

Ingredients

• 3 cups White Sugar
• Red and Yellow Gel Food Coloring
• 1 tbsp Lemon Extract
• 1 tbsp Vanilla Extract

Instructions

• Place one cup of sugar into three different bowls.
• In the first bowl make the yellow color. 5-7 of yellow and 1 tablespoon of lemon extra. Mix in a small blender/chopper.
• In the second bowl make the orange color. Use 5-7 drops of yellow and 1-2 drops of red food coloring and 1 tablespoon of vanilla. Mix in a small blender/chopper.
• Leave the last bowl as is.
• Use each color in a warm cotton candy machine. Once finished layer each color in small bags to make a candy corn!

Nutrition

Serving: 6g | Calories: 381kcal | Carbohydrates: 100g | Sugar: 100g

The post This Homemade Candy Corn Cotton Candy Is Such a Cute Halloween Idea appeared first on The Inspired Home.

Not only will you save money and resources but there are plenty of ways to bring Italian authenticity right to your own home. Choose a place that you love and dive into as much culture as you can.

1. Whip Up a Batch of Aperol Spritzes

The first thing that comes to mind when it comes to a vacation in Italy is Spritz O’Clock. In Italy, practically every evening before dinner is a time carved out for an aperitivo.

An aperitivo is an hour or two spent relaxing and enjoying a fresh cocktail usually after work and before dinner. It was my favorite time of the day in Italy. We would order a classic spritz made with 1-2 ounces of Aperol, prosecco and a splash of soda water that is served with a large orange wedge.

Not only is a spritz tasty, but it’s one of the most picturesque cocktails ever. Turn on some twinkle lights on your patio or backyard, play some easygoing music and uncork a bottle of prosecco for an at home aperitivo.

2. Use Light Fresh Seasonings

When it comes to food in Italy in the summer, many of the dishes are seasoned simply to allow the natural, seasonal flavors to shine. Think things like caprese salad and prosciutto wrapped over fresh melon slices seasoned with good olive oil, salt and pepper.

I love keeping my Peugeot salt and pepper mills close by simple, fresh seasonings of flaky sea salt and cracked black peppercorns. For an extra spicy kick I’ll crack over a few turns of my whole chili pepper mill. I find this is the freshest way to add spice to dishes.

3. Gelato!

Much like an Aperitivo, having a scoop (or two!) of gelato everyday is traditional on an Italian vacation. Pick up a variety of flavors and scoop up cones for the whole family during the hottest peak of the day. I love using my OXO trigger scoop for authentic ice cream cone scoops.

4. Have a Picnic

Italians take dining outdoors as much as possible when the weather is nice. Many cafes are lined with outdoor dining tables and packing a lunch picnic for the beach is a staple. Whether you pack a picnic for the beach or just set up a blanket in the backyard, spend a few of your meals outdoors and enjoy some fresh air.

5. Relax on the Beach

My good friend Sierra grew up in Italy and when I asked her what staples she remembers doing, spending time on the beach or near water playing cards was one of them! Italians do a great job of ditching the electronics and enjoying each other’s company the old fashioned way.

If you have a body of water nearby, grab a deck of cards or your favorite board game and head to the beach of any body of water where you can soak up a bit of extra sunshine while it’s still nice out.

Want more Italian food and drink inspiration?

These delicious Italian recipes for lunch and dinner will get you geared up to travel to the boot-shaped country, or better yet, enjoy are simplicity of a fresh Italian meal from the comfort of your home.

• Get your aperol spritz on with these fancy Carbonated Cocktails that Bring All the Fireworks.
• Don’t miss these 3 Homemade Pasta Sauce Recipes You Need to Know.
• You’ll definitely want to try this mouthwatering One Pot Carbonera with Pancetta Peas recipe.
• Grab your Instant Pot for this savory Slow Cooker Italian Beef with Homemade Giardiniera recipe.
• For a sweeter snack, incorporate this Summer Peach Cherry Panzanella Salad recipe into your weekly food regimen.

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