POLISH CHRUST PASTRY

If you have never heard of Chrust or Chrusciki or Angel Wings then you are in for a treat! This is a Polish dessert that is usually only served a few times (or once!) a year during the holiday season. In our house, we would usually have it around Easter time or on Fat Thursday as it marked a special occasion during that year. I remember getting excited about this dessert every year and eating them until I was super full – they did not last long in our house!

This week is Fat Thursday which is a Polish tradition different from Fat Tuesday celebrated in North America. On Fat Thursday, people eat various sweets, cakes and pastries that they would normally not eat during Lent. This includes Chrust, Pączki (Polish donuts) and other amazingly mouthwatering items.

Chrust is a light flaky pastry cooked in oil, therefore, it is not the healthiest treat out there but definitely super delicious! To top off its goodness you sprinkle powdered sugar on top giving it a sweetness in flavour. Yum Yum Yum! Oh and did I mention there is vodka involved – yes keep reading!

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ENTERTAINING WITH CHARCUTERIE BOARDS: DESSERT EDITION

Entertaining with charcuterie boards is one of my absolute favourite go-to tips when planning a party or gathering. They are very easy to put together because essentially anything can be used if you are sticking to similar flavours and items. I have seen some amazingly epic ones like this one from What’s Gaby Cooking and this one from How Sweet Eats if you are needing some fun inspiration. Today I want to go in a slightly different direction and talk about a type of charcuterie board that often gets overlooked, and that is the dessert charcuterie board! Can you imagine a full board filled with your favourite dessert items ever? Sounds like heaven to me!

My goal here at JMS is to share different companies and ideas from around the web for you to gather inspiration from and I am so excited to introduce you to Shari’s Berries and help showcase how they have put their own twist on dessert charcuterie boards.

Down below I have broken up the three main categories that you can take your dessert charcuterie boards in and each of them is filled with yummy goodness – I promise!

FRUIT LOVER

A large platter of fruits makes the perfect dessert especially if you are trying to keep things on the lighter side after a large meal! Depending on the season, the type of fruits can change drastically (summer = tropical and fall = harvest) and can completely change the theme of the charcuterie board, which is pretty neat. Also going with fresh fruit versus dried is a great way to change things up. The variations are endless and really provide a brand new dessert board each time for entertaining. Pairing fruit with some cheese, crackers and chocolate dipping sauce (my fav!)  rounds out the board for a fun dessert option.

Image via Shari’s Berries

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AUTUMN SANGRIA

I am absolutely obsessed with sangria and cannot turn down a glass when it is offered! Personally, the sweeter the better from my perspective but all of them are equally delicious (red, white and rose). Whenever I go to a new restaurant/bar I enjoy trying out their version of the sangria that they offer. I am always surprised by the different flavour combinations one simple drink can provide.

Although typically the sangria cocktail is a summer drink (patio season is bliss), I wanted to bring it into the season with some additional fall flavours. Who wants to let go of a good thing just because the leaves are turning colour !? With the holiday season approaching, it is always a nice option to have on hand for drinks and sometimes even needed after all those family dinners (I kid – well maybe a little!) Bring on the autumn sangria I say! The more the better!

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TIPS FOR WORKING WITH FOOD ALLERGIES & FOOD PREFERENCES

Today we are chatting about allergies and food preferences coming into play when you are hosting an event! As an Event Coordinator I have definitely seen the increase of food preferences and allergies over the past few years. Overall people have shifted their outlook on eating and health which has become more prevalent when planning meals for groups at event.

After receiving everyone’s food requirements it can get overwhelming very fast. This can definitely make things a little more difficult when planning a meal for a group of people but I find it a fun challenge to try to incorporate everyone’s needs and still have an amazing spread for everyone! I’ve gathered some tips below that have helped me over the years to to help with the process and make things as easy as possible for you.

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