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Decorating the Holidays

Posted by Peppers Team on Fri, Nov 12, 2021

Decorating for the Holidays: How to Make Your Home as Wonderful as the Food

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It does not matter how much you plan, cook, clean, or stress- nothing can compare to holiday decorations. There is something about the sights of the holiday season that brings a warm fuzzy feeling. But many people struggle with the same question, where to begin?! 

1. Don't Over-Do It. There is a fine line between the right amount of decor and too much decor, but that fine line is an important line. Having too many knick-knacks sitting out or too many lights hung everywhere makes the space feel claustrophobic, is overwhelming to look at, and is expensive! Decorations are one area where the time-old statement "less is more" still proves to be true. 

2. Use Your Resources! There are so many websites you can draw inspiration from. Pinterest, Instagram, Tumblr, and so many more. When in doubt you can even Google good ideas on how to decorate. Pick something you like that isn't too complicated, and try to replicate it. Don't forget to add your own flair though! 
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3. Bargain Shopping. Don't break the bank decorating for one holiday! If you start early, you can find loads of sales and discount coupons so you can get fantastic decorations at a fraction of the cost.

Pro Tip:  Try planning ahead an entire year! The best time to buy holiday decor is to buy it right after the holiday when everything is on sale! You won't find better quality at a better price. 

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4. Ask for Help. Decorating can be such hard work, especially if you're hanging lights or other large elements. Ask a few people to help you! Doing it together will make it so much more exciting, and you'll make so many, often hilarious, memories.  

5. Take Pictures! Take pictures of all your hard work so you have something to remember it by. You'll have pictures from the parties of course, but your decorations won't be the focus. Take a few minutes to walk around and snap some photos. For those serious decorators, you can try starting a scrapbook of your holiday decor so that next year you have inspiration from the styles you like the best. 

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The holidays are one of the most special times of the year. It is not often that people can join in with their friends and families and share a meal and a laugh. This time should be joyful and happy, so don't stress yourself trying to make everything perfect! Make your plan, and then take a step back to enjoy your efforts. Interested in learning more about us - contact us today! 



Hosting the Holidays

Posted by Peppers Team on Fri, Oct 22, 2021

Hosting the Holidays: How to Enjoy Your Own Thanksgiving

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For many people, hosting the holidays is something that you look forward to for your whole life. You grow up watching your parents, aunts, uncles, or grandparents putting on these big productions, and when you are an adult, you want to do the same. But then you realize- hosting the holidays is HARD. Below are the tips that we have found to be the most effective in making sure you don't get too overwhelmed amid all the planning. 

1. Remember What Makes Them Important. Thanksgiving is not about what you eat, wear, or where it takes place. Thanksgiving is a time to come together and be thankful for the time that you have with your loved ones. It is time to reminisce about past good times and remember loved ones who are no longer with you. It is also a great time to look forward to what you have to be thankful for in the future. While you're planning, take the time to stop and think about all of this so you can keep the upcoming holiday in perspective.

2. Do As Much As You Can In Advance. One of the most stressful parts of any holiday is running around last minute trying to figure things out! Before you even begin to invite people into your home for Thanksgiving, first think about what you want to make! Do research to determine how many people your recipes will feed and how much the ingredients for each one will cost you. Make sure you can get everyone at a local store, or if not, that it can be delivered in time. Once you have a plan, then you can begin making your guest list. 
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3. Take Some Of The Pressure Off of Yourself. People love to be involved! Ask people who are coming to bring something small. You can ask them to bring a side or a dessert. If you would prefer to provide the meal, you can always ask people to bring a game, a beverage, or even some photos of family or friends that can be enjoyed by all. This will help draw your guests in and make them feel engaged and it will also help you to feel like you don't have to do it all. 

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4. It Doesn't Have To Be Traditional. The best thing about holidays is that you get to decide how they are celebrated. You don't have to follow the way the adults did it when you were a kid! Shake things up, try something new this year! Maybe you don't like pie and want to do something more fun for dessert, or maybe you want to host Thanksgiving but absolutely hate to cook. To explore some ways you can host Thanksgiving without ever having to make a single recipe, take a look at our Thanksgiving Menu. 
5. Follow CDC guidelines! Now more than ever, it is so important that we protect ourselves and our families. Do whatever you can to ensure that your holiday guests help you to follow CDC guidelines for a safe and fun get-together. If weather permits, host your party outside! If not, you can open windows, socially distance, and make hand sanitizer and masks readily available for anyone entering your home. 

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The holidays are one of the most special times of the year. It is not often that people can join in with their friends and families and share a meal and a laugh. This time should be joyful and happy, so don't stress yourself trying to make everything perfect! Make your plan, and then take a step back to enjoy your efforts. Interested in learning more about us - contact us today! 



Planning a Memorable Graduation Party During The Covid-19 Pandemic

Posted by Peppers Team on Fri, Jul 31, 2020

Planning a Memorable Graduation Party During Covid-19

Outdoor Graduation Party With Balloons

We understand that the Covid-19 pandemic has put a lot of summer parties, especially 2020 graduation parties, on hold. With the introduction of phase 3 in Massachusetts, our clients are looking for ways to still have a memorable graduation celebration while following state guidelines. Here are our top tips for planning a graduation party during Covid-19.

  1. Host your party outdoors. We have always been fond of backyard graduation parties because they feel more personal. We recommend renting a tent to keep both your guests and the food out of the sun. Following guidelines of keeping guest seating 6 feet apart will impact the size of the tent needed based on your anticipated guest count. You will want to keep in mind the space you have to work with and size of the tent needed to determine the number of guests you can safely host. Our team, in coordination with a tent rental company, can help you determine the appropriate size. 
  2. Order food from a caterer that is following CDC and state guidelines for sanitization and food preparation. Whether looking for pick-up catering or a full-service event, the way food is presented is important. Guests may not be comfortable with a large self-serve buffet with many different hands touching the serving utensils.
    Chinese Food Takeout ContainerIndividually boxed gourmet sandwich
    Consider offering a boxed meal for each guest or individually served items. Boxed meals don’t have to be just your standard sandwich or salad. Think gourmet sandwiches served alongside homemade chips, individual Asian noodle salads served in Chinese takeout boxes, or a curated bento box with a variety of healthy offerings.

    If you’re thinking of having a full-service catered event, servers can handle food from the buffet to limit the amount direct contact guests have with the buffet. BBQ style cuisine like BBQ chicken, pulled pork sliders, and cornbread have always been popular options for summer grad parties and can easily be served by staff. Another option is an on-site chef cooking fresh burgers right from the grill for each guest. You could even bring in the sports game-day feel with individual open-top boxes assembled for guests, each filled with mini sliders or chili dogs served alongside fries. 
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  3. You can’t have a graduation party without sweets. A cake can still be served but think of having one person assigned to cutting all the slices and putting them on individual plates for each guest to grab as they are cut. You can also offer cake as individually wrapped cake pops. Or if pies are more your style, you can do individual pie pops. Looking for a dessert that helps beat the summer heat? Individually wrapped novelty ice cream desserts are a great way to go. Check our some of our bakeries past dessert creations
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  4. When it comes to drinks -- you can include them in the boxed meal if you are doing that style of service, or have servers bring drinks to each guest individually. If you are hosting an event without a caterer, you could encourage guests to bring their own beverages.
  5. How about adding in a unique way to follow mask guidelines? You can incorporate face masks into the celebration by getting custom cloth masks in the school colors or with the school logo on them.

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  1. Make it easy for guests to follow sanitization guidelines. Consider having hand sanitizer out and available for guests on every table and trash cans close by.

Graduations are a very special and important milestone to celebrate. We are here to help you plan your event so you, the graduate, and your guests feel safe and have an enjoyable time. Interested in learning more about us - contact us today! 



Lemon Poppy Seed Cake with Homemade Lemon Curd

Posted by Peppers Team on Thu, Mar 29, 2018

Lemon Poppy Seed Cake with Homemade Lemon Curd

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Our lemon poppy seed cake is a delicious dessert perfect for the spring and summer season. The combination of the light and airy poppy seed cake paired with rich lemon curd creates a wonderfully balanced treat. This dessert originated from one of our local farm to table dinners and was such a big hit we decided to make it a staple recipe for the summer. Now you can enjoy this recipe at home!  

Ingredients (Makes 12 servings)

Lemon Curd

  • 3 eggs
  • 1 cup white sugar
  • 1/3 cup lemon juice
  • 1/4 cup butter
  • 2 teaspoons lemon zest

Lemon Poppy Seed Cake

  • 3 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 2 cups white sugar
  • 4 eggs
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 cup vegetable oil
  • 13 fluid ounces evaporated milk
  • 1/4 cup poppy seeds

Steps for lemon curd:

1. Whisk eggs, sugar, and lemon juice in a double boiler over simmering water until mixed well, then continue to stir until thick, about 7 to 10 minutes.

2. Drain mixture through a mesh sieve to get rid of lumps. Fold in butter until well incorporated. Mix in lemon zest.

3. Cover curd and chill in the refrigerator until it has thickened, about 4 hours.

Steps for Poppy Seed Cake:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease and flour a 10 inch cake pan.

2. In a large bowl, mix flour, baking soda, salt and sugar. Make a well in the center and add eggs, vanilla, oil and milk. Mix well. Then fold in the poppy seeds. Pour mixture into a 10 inch cake pan. 

3. Bake at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) for 1 hour, or until a toothpick inserted into the cake comes out clean.

4. Cool for 10 minutes in the pan, then turn out onto a wire rack and cool completely.

5. Pour lemon curd over cooled cake and top with berries and whipped cream. Enjoy!

 

Pumpkin Cheesecake Recipe

Posted by Peppers Team on Thu, Nov 02, 2017

PUMPKIN CHEESECAKE RECIPE

Pumpkin cheesecake
Makes: 8” cheesecakePumpkin Cheesecake

Ingredients:
2 cups graham cracker crumb
3 tbsp sugar
5 tbsp melted butter
1 Pound cream Cheese
2 cups pumpkin puree
¾ cup sugar
3 eggs
1 cup sour cream

Preheat oven at 350 degrees. Line an 8” spring form pan with parchment paper. On the outside of the cake pan wrap with foil up to the sides of the pan on the outside (this will prevent water from getting into the pan when baking the cheesecake mixture). Mix the graham cracker crumbs with the sugar and melted butter. Pour into an 8” spring form pan. Press the crumbs down into the bottom of the pan and the sides of the pan, you can use a measuring cup or spoon to push down the crumbs even more. Bake at 350 degrees for 5 minutes. Cool for 5-10 minutes.

Cream the cream cheese, pumpkin puree and sugar until smooth. Add the eggs one at a time, scraping the side of the bowl until all incorporated. Add the sour cream and vanilla and mix on low for 2 minutes. Pour the batter into the spring form on top of the crust. Make sure the batter is evenly distributed. Place the pan into a dish that can hold hot water 1” deep. Place dish with cheesecake into oven, pour hot water into pan once in the oven. Bake at 350 degrees for 25 minutes or until there is a slight wiggle but not wet. 

Steamed Cranberry Pecan Pudding

Posted by Peppers Team on Thu, Nov 02, 2017

Steamed Cranberry Pecan Pudding
A wonderful and classic dessert than can be made days in advance of the big day. 

INGREDIENTS
¼  cup unsalted butter, plus a couple tbsps. to grease the pan
3 tbsp. sugar, granulated plus extra for dusting
¾  cup pecans, chopped
1 & 1/2 cups cranberries, coarse chopped
1 & ½ cups flour
1 & ¼  tsp baking powder
½  tsp baking soda
½ cup brown sugar, firmly packed
¼ cup molasses
2 tsp orange zest, minced or from a zester
1/3 cup buttermilk
Serve with your favorite seasonal ice cream

1. Generously grease the inside of a decorative bundt / angel food cake style pan, especially the bottom. Dust the mold well with granulated sugar and shake out the excess.
2. Combine the cranberries and the 3 tbsps of sugar and set aside while mixing the remaining ingredients.
3. In a large mixing bowl, blend the butter, brown sugar, molasses and orange zest. Mix at low speed for 2 minutes to blend well. Add in the dry ingredients slowly then add in the buttermilk and blend until mixed. Lastly, fold in the pecans, cranberries and any liquid in the bowl.
4. Spoon in the entire mix into the baking pan, spread evenly and cover with aluminum foil if you do not have a cover. Place the pan into a larger pot with boiling water, to come half way up the pan. Place this hot water bath on a medium low heat for 1 and ½ hours until the cake pulls away from the side of the pan and a knife inserted comes out clean of any batter.
4. Remove the cake from the water bath to cool for 15 minutes, then turn upside down onto a wire rack.

* This cake can be served or cooked a day or two in advance and kept wrapped in the refrigerator until service or ideally, gently warmed in a 275 degree oven until warm, before serving.



 

Catering for a Bar or Bat Mitzvah

Posted by Peppers Team on Tue, Mar 07, 2017

Catering for a Bar or Bat Mitzvah

catering bar mitzvahAs I await the assignment of my own son’s Bar Mitzvah date, I am thinking of all of the planning that goes into the big event. Where to have the party? Kids or adults? Afternoon or evening? Who sits where? One of the most important questions for me, is what will the food be? That leads to a whole other list of questions. Who will cater? Buffet or plated? Small kiddush or elaborate dinner?

As an Event Manager, I have planned -as well as attended as a guest - numerous Bar and Bat Mitzvahs. I find that choosing a menu for the kids can be more challenging than one would think. Gone are the days of chicken fingers and french fries. Kids today have much more adventurous palates. In addition, kids who go to Mitzvah after Mitzvah, weekend after weekend, grow tired of the same cuisine at every party.

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Food stations continue to be a popular trend. More focused than a buffet, a food station not only gives the kids an opportunity to create their own meal, but also offers a deeper dive into one particular type of cuisine. In addition, food can be eaten on the run, while dancing or during games. As we all know, kids don’t want to sit for long! Here are a few of my favorite food stations. 

  • Taco Station: Soft and hard taco shells, pulled chicken, ground beef, refried beans, tomato, shredded lettuce and cheese with a variety of salsas, hot sauces, guacamole, homemade tortilla chips
  • Burgers and Dogs: Beef and vegetarian sliders, hot dogs, chili, sliced and shredded cheeses, with all the fixins, paired with seasoned french fries or sweet potato fries.
  • Mac and Cheese Bar: Creamy mac and cheese with a variety of add-ins like bacon, tomatoes, jalapenos and more.
  • Salad Bar: Assorted mixed greens with a variety of toppings. For even more intrigue serve the salad in a martini glass!
  • Asian Dumpling Station: Soba noodles paired with veggie and beef dumplings, shrimp shumai, and all the fixins. Serve in asian food containers and you have a great on the move food station.
  • Grilled Cheese: Who doesn’t love a warm freshly grilled grilled cheese? Our chef active grilled cheese station is always a hit. Pair this with a warm soup for a perfect combination.
You can turn eating into an activity for kids. Know a sushi chef? Have a make-your-own sushi bar with lessons on rolling your own. Tired of ordinary cakes? How about a cupcake decorating station for dessert? Of course, this is only the beginning! Any of these suggestions can be rearranged or substituted to suit your or your child’s tastes.

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photo by Nancy Katz Photography 
Written by Jen Shotkin, Event Manager & Bar/Bat Mitzvah Specialist 

Let these ideas be a springboard for your own creative ideas! Contact us today to begin planning your bar or bat mitzvah menu. For more inspiration follow our Pinterest page

Contact Us

3rd Annual Farm to Table Dinner at Indian Head Farm

Posted by Pepper's Team Blog on Thu, Sep 01, 2016

3rd Annual Farm to Table Dinner at Indian Head Farm

Another year and another successful farm to table dinner at Indian Head Farm. We are fortunate to collaborate year after year with Lilac Hedge, Indian Head and Crystal Brook Farm to offer a delicious dinner featuring great local products. Over the course of two days we fed more than 140 guests an array of passed appetizers, local beer, and a three course dinner. Music for the event was provided by The Brother Rule Band and The 19 Carter Band.

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Menu

Hors d'oeuvre

Zucchini, Lemon & Mint Bruschetta

Roasted Vegetable Croustade, Crystal Brook Chevre Boursin

Pissaladiere Tart with Honey from Peppers own Bee's

Eggplant Caviar, Bloody Mary Pearls, Basil Crust Cornet

First Course

Chilled Local Corn Soup, Basil Chantilly Crema

Field Green & Herb Salad, Shaved Radish, Beets & Herb Vinaigrette

Second Course

Nicoise Potato Salad, on Rocket Lettuce, French Tarragon

Farm Fresh Vegetable and Spelt Salad with Red Wine Vinaigrette Honey Roasted Carrots with Tahini Yogurt

Braised Cabbage with Raspberries Zucchini and Summer Squash Potatoes au Gratin

Smoked Lilac Hedge Ham

Spit Roasted Baron of Beef from Lilac Hedge Farm

Third Course

Fresh Basil Pot d' Creme

For More Information about the farms:
http://www.indianheadfarm.com/
http://www.crystalbrookfarm.com/
http://lilachedgefarms.com/

We are proud to be a Certified Green Caterer by the Green Restaurant Association. Click here to learn more about our green catering program.  

 

 

Our Favorite Sweet & Savory Late Night Wedding Snacks

Posted by Pepper's Team Blog on Tue, Jul 05, 2016

Sweet & Savory Late Night Snack Ideas

Dinner has been served and the dancing has started but the food service doesn't need to come to an end just yet. Keep your guests energized and the party going with delicious late night sweet or savory snacks. Servers can pass on fun trays through the dancefloor as a nice surprise and quick pick me up for your guests. Here are a few of our favorite late night passed snacks that are sure to be a hit! 

Homemade Ice Cream Sandwiches are perfect for your summer wedding. Mix and match your favorite cookie and ice cream flavors for fun combinations your guests will enjoy. 

Wedding Ice cream sandwiches

Photo Credit: Simi Rabinowitz Photography

 

Mini Filled Cones are a great quick two bite passed sweet. They can be filled with mousse, ice cream, sorbet and more! 

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Photo Credit: The Imagery Studio

Cookies and Milk Shooters are one of those all-time favorite comfort foods. Serve mini cookies with a shot glass of milk for a delicious sweet to end the night. 

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Dessert Pops - Think cupcake pops, cake pops, pie pops - the options are endless. Dessert Pops are easy to grab - plus they are so adorable and fun!

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Late night passed snacks don't need to be sugary and sweet. If you tend to lean towards savory and salty we've got you covered. 

French Fries or Chips- Pass these salty snacks in paper cones that match the theme and look of your wedding or event. Guests can easily handle the cones while busting a move on the dance floor. 

wedding late night snacks

Photo Credit: The Imagery Studio

Mini Sliders- Looking for a heartier late night snack then these sliders will be the perfect pair for you. 

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Sugared Bacon Planks- Bacon is delicious any time of day! They can be a wonderful mix of savory and sweet when dusted with our whiskey sugar blend. 

Popcorn- A fun snack that can be easily passed in miniature bags. Flavors can go either salty or sweet or pass both to please all of your guest’s taste buds. 

We hope these inspire you to start thinking about the many late night snack options you can offer your guests. 

More Menu Ideas

Group Bridal Tasting Sneak Peek

Posted by Pepper's Team Blog on Mon, May 09, 2016

Group Bridal Tasting Sneak Peak

Thinking of attending a complementary group bridal tasting at Peppers? You’re one step closer to experiencing all that Peppers has to offer….and it’s not just exquisite food!

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While we're most-known for our fresh, flavorful and locally-sourced cuisine, we provide so much more than just a delicious meal.  Consider us a “one stop shop” for all of your wedding needs, from cuisines to cakes, and drinks to decor. Let us bring your vision to life through other custom special details like edible favors, stationery ( invitations, menu cards, place cards, etc.), florals, and more.

When you walk through the front door you will step into an experience. You’ll be greeted with a passed seasonal cocktail, escorted to your seat and then encouraged to look around- and there’s a lot to look at! 

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Our style and Design department will have expertly designed a few different tablescapes for you. The tables are ever changing from rustic to industrial to glam and spring inspired. Even if they are not the specific look you want for your day- we hope they start the process of envisioning how you can change the look of your wedding with a unique tablescape.

You will be seated at a table with other excited couples.  At each table there will be placecards, a menu, and table numbers that have been specially designed to show you examples of what we can custom create for you. As a thank you for coming, there is an edible favor adorning each place setting, which we welcome you to enjoy or save for later!

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Tastings include a variety of our most popular hors d’oeuvres followed by a sample of some of our favorite entrees. Typically a beef duo plate, fish and chicken dish and vegetarian selections are served- each featuring a starch and vegetable that pairs nicely with that particular course. Our chefs will circulate the room, explaining what you are enjoying and answering any questions that you may have. We welcome you to take notes directly onto your custom menu for you to review following the tasting. Have a particular allergy? No problem! Let us know prior to the tasting and we will happily accommodate.  Throughout the tasting, some of our Senior Event Designers, Event Managers and Waitstaff will be available to talk and answer question for you, as well.  Following the main course, you will be invited to indulge in some delectable desserts and will receive a few slices of cake to take home and enjoy.

 Our goal at these tastings is to allow you to not only taste our food, but ignite all of the senses in one inclusive experience. We want you to leave feeling excited and inspired for your one of a kind day. Once you experience Peppers, you’ll see why we we’re so passionate about what we do and why you won’t regret having us cater your special occasion!