Kitchen Tips for "Nearly-Weds" - Fresh Cranberry Relish

As a "Nearly-Wed", you are starting new traditions as a couple. One of the "biggies" - is Thanksgiving Dinner! Since I am far from the title of "domestic goddess", I rely on the talented people in the world around me to provide wisdom in their art and area of expertise. Chef Mary Ellen Rae from Hermosa Beach developed this recipe for a fresh cranberry relish which has been featured in the Los Angeles Times Food Section. It appears to be surprisingly simple to make - and even I might try this on Thanksgiving day...much to the surprise of my relatives, I'm sure!

As some of you may remember, last month I participated in a GREAT cooking class in Manhattan Beach - taught by Chef Mary Ellen Rae from Hermosa Beach. In anticipation of the big feast ahead, she has provided tips and her favorite Thanksgiving recipe for "nearly-wed" chefs ... and the rest of us, too!

Here's what Chef Mary Ellen says:

Thanksgiving dinners are filled with sacred family favorites, and unfortunately some family members are not willing to stray from the expected. I found that out one year when my editor at the L. A. Times asked me to develop a fresh cranberry relish for the Thanksgiving edition. I love the idea of a fresh (uncooked) relish instead of the usual stove top version. The texture is crisp and zingy and it only takes minutes to make. The tangerines and sugar soften the pucker of the berries and the blend of star anise, cloves, cinnamon, fennel and pepper in Chinese five spice powder add a beguiling new spice note. I serve this every year now, but I still hear from time to time, “Where’s the canned cranberries?”

Purchase spices in small quantities and store tightly sealed in a cool dark place. Experiment with small amounts of Chinese five spice powder mixed into spice rubs and marinades for poultry, pork and beef. Add to salt and brown sugar when roasting nuts or add a pinch to apple pie fillings.

Fresh Cranberry and Tangerine Relish (Serves 12)
Note: This recipe developed by Hermosa resident Mary Ellen Rae was adapted from article previously published in the Los Angeles Times Food Section.

1 (12-ounce) bag fresh cranberries
1 seedless tangerine
½ cup sugar or more to taste
½ teaspoon Chinese five spice powder

Rinse and drain the cranberries, discarding bruised ones. Peel the tangerine, scraping off excess strings from segments. Use a sharp paring knife to scrape the pith from the inside of half the peel and finely chop. Measure out 1 tablespoon, discard the rest.

Place the cranberries, tangerine segments, 1 tablespoon chopped peel, sugar and Chinese five spice powder in the bowl of a food processor. Pulse 8 to 10 times to reach the desired coarse consistency, adding more sugar to taste. Spoon into a glass serving bowl, cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least one hour or overnight. Stir before serving.

Chef Mary Ellen Rae is the owner of Personal Touch Gourmet; specializing in private and group in-home cooking classes and small event catering. Contact Personal Touch Gourmet at 310-403-5682 or MaryEllen@PersonalTouchGourmet.net

Can you have a wedding without a Wedding Planner?

April of April Whitney Events has showcased her service at A Legendary Affair for over 10 years! Each month she hosts Wedding Planning 101 in our Showroom. (Upcoming dates are listed in our Showroom Events Calendar on the left column). Those of you who remember her as "Ape" the DJ at KROQ in the 80's will know that she has LOTS of personality - and will entertain you as she shares her wisdom and expertise. I have heard April speak countless times - and you will still hear me laugh out loud as she shares outrageous stories and creates unlikely examples to prove her point.

Read on to learn more about April and what she has to offer Brides and Grooms...

Q: Is it possible to have a wedding without a Planner or Coordinator?
A: Absolutely! Hundreds of thousands of weddings go off every year without Wedding Planners. The difference is...

-how much you will work before, during and after the event
-how much frustration you will experience
-how much time you will have to spend learning about what is available
-how much research you will need to do to find reasonable pricing of goods & services
-how many problems you will encounter
-whether or not you will stay within your budget
-how much you, your family and friends will work the day of your wedding
-whether or not you will be plagued by questions and problems throughout the day
-how the event will flow overall and how much you will enjoy the process

Q: Do some Brides and Grooms need a Wedding Planner more than others?
A: Yes. Couples who really need and deserve a great Wedding Planner are those who...
-work full time jobs or are in school vs. those with lot’s of free time
-live in another city or are planning a destination wedding
-have parents or wedding party who live in other cities
-are having a “home” wedding or a wedding at a location where you bring everything in such as caterer and rentals
-want to relax and enjoy the process as well as the big day
-want their event to have design elements & creative touches that stand out above the rest

Q: Will the Wedding Planner "take over" and not allow us to contribute our ideas?
A: A great Wedding Planner will not take over. Rather, a great Wedding Planner is a partner in the planning process, helping to inform you, educate you, & guide you - to make sure that it is your vision that comes to life!

Q: What if we have already done all the work planning the event?
A: Instead of a Wedding Planner, you can hire "Day of" Wedding Coordinator. This is the best gift you can give yourselves for the day of your event. A great Wedding Coordinator will...
-take care of any problems that arise throughout the day
-carry an emergency kit and do all of the things you would do if you weren’t busy getting married
-confirm your vendors
-direct your rehearsal
-track down the limousine
-pin on boutonnieres
-get water
-oversee set up
-manage your vendors
-answer questions
-shield you from little problems
-take care of you and calm your nerves

And that’s just before the ceremony!

In addition to getting you down the aisle, a great Wedding Coordinator will...
-oversee set up of the reception
-set up place cards, set out favors
-make sure the cake is set up properly
-tuck menu cards in to napkins
-place table numbers
-double check assigned seating
-manage the entire location
-get you and your wedding party ready for your Grand Entrance

And that’s before the reception!

A great Wedding Coordinator will...
-oversee the flow of the entire reception
-answer questions
-give cues to the entertainment so that the photographer & videographer are ready to capture the next event
-cue toast makers
-set you up for and assist in your cake cutting
-find your comfortable pair of shoes when your feet get tired
-make sure all of your plans are carried out
-keep your vendors following the itinerary
-keep the event flow on time and in accordance with vendor & venue contracts
-make sure that the entertainment is playing the right song for the first dance
-keep you informed throughout the event of what is coming up next
-keep you abreast of bar costs
-load gifts to your car
-pack up all of your personal items such as guest book, cake knife, toasting glasses etc…

Phewwww....

So, to answer your question...Yes, you can have a wedding without a Wedding Planner...but do you really want to? It is your one day to shine. Do you want to remember what a great job you did or what a wonderful time you had?

April Whitney Events would be honored to help you bring your dreams to life on your wedding day! Reserve your space for Wedding Planning 101 and get to know April in person.

Notes from a Cooking Class - Great tips for Nearly, Newly, and Already-Weds!

As some of you remember from a previous post, I met Chef Mary Ellen Rae of Personal Touch Gourmet at an event and signed up for one of her cooking classes. Those who know me were a little surprised ... not because I am a domestic goddess and don't need any pointers - quite the opposite! I have never shown much interest in this subject, until lately. Maybe my wine tasting business has expanded my horizon in the whole arena of food and wine - or maybe I have been enjoying more wine and realize it might be a good idea to add a little food to the equation. In any case, I went, I cooked, and I loved it! First off, Mary Ellen is a lovely person and such an expert in her field. 10 of us gathered in a catering kitchen in Manhattan Beach and after 2 hours of slicing, chopping, combining, stirring, mincing, grilling (yes, we covered it all), we ended up with Stuffed Pasta Shells, Halibut Fish Tacos, Wok-fried Chicken, Chicken Cilantro Soup --- and Dark Chocolate Cookies with Hazelnuts and Dried Cherries. Here are a few of Mary Ellen's tips that might help you "Nearly, Newly and Already Weds" ---- as well as the "Single Chefs" out there:

Supplies to keep in your pantry:
Chicken Broth
Kosher Salt
Olive Oil
Vinegars
Canola Oil
Pasta
Black Pepper
Rice
Sugar
Unbleached All-Purpose Flour

Dry Goods to keep on hand:
Garlic
Onions
Potatoes

Things in the Fridge:
Butter
Mustard & Mayo
Parmesan Cheese

With these items available, all you need is a quick trip to the store for fresh items, and creating a meal (should be) easy.

Here are some interesting tips we learned:

SALT: The standard salt that most of us have in our cabinet can taste metallic and should be replaced with Kosher Salt for everyday cooking (Smart & Final), Fine Sea Salt for baking (Trader Joes), and Maldon Salt as a finishing touch. This salt has a very heavy grain and you just need a pinch.

SPICES: Usually need to be replaced after they have been opened for 6 months to a year. To test, rub the spice in your fingers. If the color is off and/or you can't really smell it --- toss it! (Seems obvious, but if you're like me, you probably have a cabinet filled with spices - that are "scary" old!)

KNIVES: You only really need a couple in the kitchen. It's better to invest in just the few you need rather than the whole blocked set ... something to keep in mind when you are registering for your wedding gifts! She suggested a large chef knife, a santoku knife (serrated), a large bread knife and a paring knife. Depending on how often you use them, you should get them sharpened professionally every 6 months to a year. Local readers might want to visit a vendor in the Manhattan Village Mall who sharpens knives and charges by the inch.

Now for a recipe....My cooking partner and I made the soup, and it was absolutely delicious. If I can do it ---- anyone can do it. Of course, Mary Ellen was on-hand to answer questions, but it was actually pretty easy and is a great item to make in bulk and freeze...

Chicken, Cilantro and Rice Soup (Serves 4-6)

2 tablespoons canola oil
1 1/2 cups diced yellow onion, about 1 medium
1 tablespoon minced garlic cloves (available already peeled in a container at Maraki Market)
1/4 cup seeded and diced jalapeno
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
3 piquillo peppers, pat dry and diced (available in a jar at Trader Joes)
1 (14.5 ounce) can fire-roasted diced tomatoes
2 (24 ounce) containers chicken broth (free range, organic)
3 cups shredded cooked chicken (easily made from pre-roasted chicken)
1 cup long grain rice
1 cup chopped cilantro leaves
Kosher salt
Freshly ground black pepper

Garnish with: diced avocado, shredded jack cheese or cheddar cheese, sliced green onions and tortilla chips

Heat canola oil in a large saucepan. Add onions and saute over medium heat until soft, about 5 minutes. Add the garlic, jalapeno and cumin, cook until fragrant, 1-2 minutes. Stir in the piquillo peppers, tomatoes, and chicken broth and bring to a boil. Turn down heat and add shredded chicken and rice, gently simmer for 15 minutes or until rice is tender. Stir in cilantro leaves and season to taste with salt and freshly ground pepper. Serve immediately with garnishes.

We paired this with my WineShop at Home Fleur Bleu Zinfandel - which was a delicious combo. Of course, I had to mention the wine...

I hope you enjoyed a glimpse of my experience. Mary Ellen is talking about having a couples class in February --- so be sure to visit her site if you are interested in contacting her!

Bon Appetit!

Post Your Favorite Toast Contest

As the upcoming season of celebrations approaches, it's time to raise a glass to friendships, amazing events (big and small), happenings that touched the heart and soul, successes, laughter at silly things ... and whatever it is that you have to be thankful for during this time of year!

I wanted to share my favorite toasts in hopes that you would share some of yours. There will be a prize for the best entry....


May the dreams you hold dearest
Be those which come true,
The kindness you spread
Keep returning to you!
CHEERS

May the friendships you make,
Be those which endure,
And all your grey clouds
Be small ones for sure.
CHEERS

May you live a long life
Full of gladness and health,
With a pocket full of gold
As the least of your wealth.
CHEERS

Here's to you and here's to me,
Good friends we will always be!
But, if by chance we disagree,
To 'el with you! Here's to me!"
CHEERS

There are good ships
And there are wood ships,
And there are ships that sail the sea,
But the best ships, are friendships,
And may that always be.
CHEERS

My friends are the best friends -
Loyal, willing and able.
Now let's get to drinking-
All glasses off the table!"
CHEERS

Wedding Gown Preservation Manhattan Beach, CA - FAQ

The wedding is over, you're back from your amazing honeymoon, and now you are settling into "happily ever after"! Just when you thought you were done with your wedding checklist, you remember one final detail ... getting your dress preserved! We are here to make that easy for you. I receive so many calls at A Legendary Affair about this service that I thought it would be helpful to answer some of the questions brides and moms frequently ask about wedding gown preservation:

Q: Do I need to clean my dress before getting it preserved?

A: No. Cleaning is included in the process so that it is done throughly to ensure a proper preservation.

Q: What is the process to clean & preserve my gown?

A: Call us at (310) 372-5200 to let us know you are bringing in your dress. We help carefully package your dress and prepare it for shipment directly to the experts at the Wedding Gown Preservation Company, who have specialized in this process since 1913. Upon receipt, each dress is evaluated to determine the best cleaning process based on fabric and design. All processes are safe, gentle and environmentally friendly. Then, your dress is carefully fitted into an acid free bust form and packed in an acid-neutral preservation chest. It is not vacuum sealed, as that has proven to be damaging to fibers over time. Your dress is then shipped directly back to your doorstep.

Q: What if my dress has stains and needs some repairs?

A: 95% of all stains can easily be removed. Common stains include mud, grease, food, grass, blood, tar, perspiration, cake, wine & beverages. Expert repair service is also available for a nominal fee. Simply request a call upon receipt to discuss repairs and receive a quote.

Q: How can I be sure it is my dress when it is returned to me in the preservation chest?

A: Your dress and veil are displayed in a window box. An outer box protects against sunlight.

Q: Is my gown guaranteed?

A: Yes! Wedding Gown Preservation Company provides a 20 year guarantee against caramelized sugar stains and yellowing. If any stains reappear, you may return your gown to be reprocessed. You will be refunded the cost of preservation if this process is found to be unsuccessful. Be sure to store your dress in a cool, dark, dry location and not in an attic or garage.

Q: How long does this process take to complete?

A: It usually takes about 4-6 weeks from start to finish.

Q: What is the cost of preservation?

A: $179 plus tax includes cleaning, preservation and round-trip shipping via UPS. Upgrade options are available.

Please give us a call and we would be delighted to help you with this service!

Cynthia Adkins

A Legendary Affair - Wedding & Event Invitations & Planning Showroom

505 N. Sepulveda Blvd., #10 - Manhattan Beach, CA 90266

(310) 372-5200

A Legendary Affair partners with Einvite for Online Wedding Invitation Shopping

Are you an online invitation shopper - or do you prefer shopping for invitations with an Invitation Specialist at a local invitation studio? There are pros and cons for each option. Whichever your preference , we can work with you at A Legendary Affair. We are pleased to partner with A Legendary Affair's Einvite for one of the most beautiful online collections of enchanting & whimsical or chic & sophisticated Wedding, Bar/Bat Mitzvah & Party Invitations. Ordering is easy and there is assistance with customer service when needed. Be sure to visit for a quick look at the latest color palettes and designs.

If you are in Southern California and prefer to see and feel the samples first-hand, as you relax in the care of an Invitation Specialist who will assist you with wording, layout, design and follow through - then, be sure and visit us at A Legendary Affair's Invitation Studio in Manhattan Beach!

Today's invitation tip: Did you know that the line: "request the honour of your presence" is reserved for a church wedding? If you are getting married outside of a sanctified ground, the appropriate wording is: "request the pleasure of your company" - even if the ceremony is of a religious nature. Wedding Etiquette - Take it or Leave it!

Quick Marriage Ceremonies at A Legendary Affair, Manhattan Beach!

I am happy to report that we have received requests for more details on the "Quick Marriage Ceremonies" that are now available in our Showroom. This is an important service for different people for various reasons. Some couples are planning a Destination Wedding and want to keep paperwork in the US. Others need to get married quickly for insurance or property purposes. We anticipate the importance of getting married on Valentine's Day or special, lucky dates. And --- there are those who just have that "loving feeling" and want to make it official, without the hassle of planning a huge event!

Whatever your reasons, you can “elope” at our Wedding Studio in Manhattan Beach! Simply call and set up your Saturday appointment – and you can get your Confidential Marriage License and say your “I Do’s” in 30 minutes or less! Here are all the details:

$275 LICENSE & CEREMONY:
Confidential Marriage License (see details below).
Simple Civil Ceremony for the Bride and Groom to be legally married.
Payment may be Cash, Visa or MasterCard.

$175 CEREMONY ONLY:
Simple Civil Ceremony for the Bride and Groom to be legally married.
You provide your LA County Marriage License (issued within 90 days).
Payment may be Cash, Visa or MasterCard.

$150 MARRIAGE LICENSE ONLY:
Confidential Marriage License (see details below).
Valid for weddings anywhere in LA County within 90 days.
Cash only for this service.

ADDITIONAL COST OPTIONS:
* $13 check to RRCC (Register Recorder County Clerk) for each certified copy of your marriage license. 2 are suggested.
* $40 to expedite the mailing of your license if you prefer receipt of certificate in approx. 3 weeks vs. 3+ months.
* $25 additional for a Civil or Nondenominational Ceremony presentation for up to 4 guests.
* $27 plus tax for a Name Change Kit.

DETAILS ABOUT THE CONFIDENTIAL MARRIAGE LICENSE:
County offices offer both Public and Confidential Marriage Licenses. The Confidential License can be issued outside of the County Office by specialized Notary Publics. MARRIAGE LICENSE EXPRESS is authorized to issue this license at our office location for LA County marriages that take place within 90 days. Many couples prefer the Confidential License over the Public License because it is a private record and is not accessible to solicitors. No junk mail. No media.

Who Qualifies:
Couples who are 18 years of age and state that they are already living together – even for a short period of time.

Identification to Bring:
Original and a photocopy of government-issued photo ID: Driver's License from the US/Canada or a Passport (anywhere in the world).

Additional Information Needed:
-If either has been divorced or widowed within the last two (2) years, bring a copy of your divorce papers/death certificate. If more than 2 years, exact date of divorce/death is needed.
-Knowledge of State or Country (if out of the US) where parents were born.
-Spelling of mothers maiden name.

Blood test, witnesses and US Citizenship is not required.

That’s it! Simple and Sweet! Call with questions and to set up your date! 310.372.5200