There’s no better way to introduce your friends and neighbors to your new house than through a Housewarming Party. The event doesn’t need to be formal, but there are some general guidelines a host should follow to make their party a success. Serving a variety of finger foods and hosting a self-serve bar are a great place to start. Creating a signature batch cocktail like a Blood Orange Margarita (recipe listed below) for your guests will be a hit for all attendees! Katy Foster of Stir Cooking School in Denver offers a Lemon Thyme Shortbread cookie recipe that will satisfy any sweet tooth and will leave your house smelling delicious!
Thyme Lemon Shortbread
Ingredients:
-2 sticks unsalted butter, room temperature
-1 tablespoon lemon zest
-1 cup sugar
-2 teaspoon fresh thyme, minced
-1/2 teaspoon salt
-1 large egg yolk
-1 large egg
-2 teaspoons vanilla
-2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
-more flour for rolling
-1.5 inch round cutter
Directions:
1. Cream butter, lemon zest, thyme sugar, and salt in a large bowl with a mixer and paddle attachment at medium speed for 3-4 minutes until pale yellow.
2. Scrape down the sides and add in the egg yolk, egg and vanilla and mix to combine well. Reduce speed to low and add in the flour, a little at a time, until just combined.
3. Divide the dough in half, flatten into a disk and wrap in plastic. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour.
4. Preheat oven to 375°F. Working with one batch of dough at a time, roll out the dough to 1/8 inch thickness using a well floured surface. Cut out circles using your cutter, trying to use up as much dough as possible. The dough should only be re-rolled out once.
5. Place on a parchment lined sheet tray, spacing the cooking 1 inch apart. Bake 2 sheets at a time until the cookies are slightly golden brown at the edges (about 6-8 minutes). If your cookies are thicker than 1/8 inch, you may have to bake for longer. After baking, immediately transfer to a cooling rack and cool to room temperature.
Blood Orange Margarita
*Recipe provided by Rio Grande Mexican Restaurant in Denver
Ingredients:
-6 oz ice
-2 oz. tequila, Maestro Dobel Diamante tequila preferred
-1 oz. orange liqueur
-2 oz. fresh blood orange citrus mix
-Juice from half of a lime
Instructions:
1.Fill a shaker with ice
2. Jigger all ingredients into shaker
3. Shake by hand
4. Pour into a highball glass
5. Squeeze lime into cocktail
6. Garnish with a blood orange wheel
Blood Orange Citrus Mix - yields one quart:
Ingredients:
1. 8 oz. lime juice
2. 8 oz. blood orange juice
3. ½ cup white sugar
4. Warm water
Instructions:
1. Pour sugar in a two-cup measuring cup. Add warm water until the volume reaches two cups.
2. Shake and stir until the sugar has dissolved.
3: Using a citrus squeezer, juice oranges and limes. Strain and measure for 8 oz. of each after straining.
4. Add orange and lime juice to sugar water. Mix thoroughly and enjoy!
Hostess Tips:
1. Make dishes that are delicious at room temperature and still look inviting if they’ve been sitting on a platter for a while
2. Clear off a table in a central location (but away from the front door) and stock with liquor, soft drinks, glasses and napkins.
3. Give guests what they came for — a guided tour of your new home. Or invite everyone to wander on their own.
