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Maddie checks the table to ensure everything looks perfect for her dinner party in honor of her PEEPS.

DOGGING AN IDEA

Cover Photo: Madeleine Rose stands at the head of the table, checking every detail to ensure that her dinner party is on track.

 

Maddies-Peeps

“Maddie’s Peeps” is a special club– friends who give Maddie, (a spunky 5 year old Shorkie), wonderful vacations when her people parents leave town.  Tonight is her night for this treasured group of friends.  Maddie enjoys having her peeps over for a nice meal to show her appreciation.  Sometimes, she gives little gifts, like the wine bag pictured above.   For this evening, she is giving a REAL gift– one that you can EAT… PUPPY CHOW!  At each place setting,  a Puppy Chow filled box serves double duty as a favor and place card.  DSC_1026

PUPPY CHOW

  • 9 cups Chex cereal-Corn, Rice or Chocolate (or combination)
  • 1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
  • 1/2 cup peanut butter
  • 1/4 cup butter
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla
  • 1 1/2 cup powdered sugar

Measure cereal into a large bowl and set aside.

In a 1-quart microwavable bowl, microwave chocolate chips, peanut butter and butter uncovered on High for 1 minutes; stir.  Microwave about 30 seconds longer or until mixture can be stirred smooth.  Stir in vanilla.

Pour mixture over cereal, stirring until evenly coated.

Pour into 2-gallon resealable bag.

Add powdered sugar.  Seal and shake until cereal mixture is well coated.

Spread on parchment paper to cool.  Store in an airtight container in refrigerator.

The table is set, the favors are in place, the food is almost done, and Maddie is ready to greet her guests and party!

Maddie-w-Christmas-Tree

The Menu

Lisa’s Swiss Fondue with Bread and Apples (for dipping)

  • 1 clove garlic, split
  • 1 cup dry white wine
  • 1/2 pound Swiss cheese, shredded
  • 1/2 pound Gruyere, shredded
  • Dash of pepper, nutmeg and paprika
  • 1 tablespoon cornstarch
  • 1/2 cup Kirsch or cherry brandy

  • Rub the inside of fondue pot with garlic.  Add wine and heat until bubbles form around the edges of the pot.
  • Add shredded cheeses in small amounts, stirring constantly with a wooden spoon until smooth and melted.
  • Add seasonings and remove from heat.
  • Mix cornstarch and Kirsch into a paste, add to fondue.
  • Return to heat and cook another two minutes stirring constantly.
  • Serve, keeping hot over burner stirring occasionally.
  • Spear bread cubes through soft side into crust and dip in fondue.

**If you don’t own a fondue pot and you are interested in obtaining one, this is the one that I use and love.  In addition to being great for all sorts of fondue, it works well for many warm appetizer dips and meat in bbq sauces.

Herb-Marinated Pork Tenderloins

Classic Potato Gratin

Cranberry Chutney with Orange, Figs, and Mustard

Browned Butter Brussels Sprouts

  • Brown 1/3 cup butter on a baking sheet in a 350 degree F oven.
  • Rinse, trim and half 1 pound of Brussels sprouts.
  • Remove pan from oven, turn up the temperature in the oven to 400 degrees F, add sprouts to pan with browned butter and toss.
  • Sprinkle with Kosher salt and pepper to taste
  • Put pan of sprouts back into the oven and roast until browned, but still slightly firm when poked with a fork

Brownie Pudding with Ice Cream

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Puppy Chow

When we host parties where Maddie, (our adorable little Shorkie), is the focus of the occasion, I fill 'take-out' boxes, adorned with a bone with the guest’s name written on it, and filled with this sweet and crunchy treat. It looks great on the table, serves double duty as party favor and place card and did I mention, it tastes great!  
Course Dessert, Snack
Keyword Easy, Kid-friendly recipe, Puppychow

Equipment

  • Microwave

Ingredients

  • 9 cups Chex Cereal corn, rice, chocolate (or combination)
  • 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
  • ½ cup peanut butter
  • ¼ cup butter
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • cup powdered sugar

Instructions

  • Measure cereal into a large bowl and set aside.
  • In a 1-quart microwavable bowl, microwave chocolate chips, peanut butter and butter uncovered on high for 1 minute; stir. Microwave about 30 seconds longer or until mixture can be stirred smooth. Stir in vanilla.
  • Pour mixture over cereal, stirring until evenly coated.
    Pour into 2-gallon resealable bag. Add powdered sugar. Seal and shake until cereal mixture is well coated.
    Spread on parchment paper to cool. Store in an airtight container in refrigerator.

Delicious, Creamy and Simple To Make Swiss Fondue

I love fondue and this recipe is one of my favorites. Apples, good crusty bread and boiled new potatoes are wonderful 'dunkers'.
Course Appetizer, Main Course
Keyword Appetizer, Cheese, Fondue, Swiss

Equipment

  • Fondue pot

Ingredients

  • 1 clove garlic split in half
  • 1 cup dry white wine
  • ½ lbs Swiss cheese shredded
  • ½ lbs Gruyere shredded
  • dash cayenne, nutmeg and paprika
  • 1 tbsp cornstarch
  • ½ cup Kirsch or cherry brandy

Instructions

  • Rub the inside of a fondue pot with garlic. Add wine and heat until bubbles form around the edges of the pot.
    Add shredded cheeses in small amounts, stirring constantly with a wooden spoon or silicone spatula until smooth and melted.
    Add seasoning and remove from heat.
  • Mix cornstarch and Kirsch into a paste, add to fondue.
    Return to heat and cook another two minutes stirring constantly, until it thickens.
    Serve, keeping it warm over a low flame and stirring occasionally.
    **Trick for keeping bread on fondue fork: spear bread cubes through soft side into crust.

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Lisa Hoveskeland

I live in Spokane, Washington and I have a passion for sharing the things I know about entertaining, cooking, healthy living, and tapping into my creative side. My two lifestyle web sites; Entertaining An Idea and Teas2Tapas, are designed to work in tandem as comprehensive resources for: Parties, Recipes and Menu Planning along with Topical Thoughts and Musings and Ideas and Insights for Creative Inspiration. EAI is my gift to friends who have enjoyed my entertaining style over the years and for future friends I have yet to meet. Join The Party and Have An Entertaining Day!

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