"GardenParty" news and stories

One of the advantages of helping out on Is My Blog Burning (a notice board of all the foodie blog events and happenings) is the advance notice of such events.

One such event, posted today, is the Garden Party as organized by Dispensing Happiness.  This should be great. Basically, Blog Party is a virtual cocktail party. As Dispensing Happiness says, "It's a chance to make those little bites and fantastic drinks we all love, but never make. Blog Party is about taking time for us: setting aside some time to cook (which, clearly, we all love), to prepare appetizers we want to eat but never get around to. And best of all, it's about getting together, albeit via the Web, with like-minded friends."

You don't have much time to join in -- if you have a blog -- as entries have to be in by the 18th. I am thinking refreshing elderflower cordial; perhaps some Pimms, and some crisp little savoury nibbles. Of course, you can always take a peek at our own Slashfood Garden Party for insipiration.

[Image from Dispensing Happines]

Thanks, everyone, for coming by our little Garden Party today! In case you missed anything, or want an easy reference back to all our recipes, ideas and posts, here is a roundup of all the stuff we did today:

General and How-To:

• Party Food Porn: White Chocolate Petit Fours
• Edible centerpieces for a garden party
• Cookbooks for parties
• Impress with caviar
• Lime cheesecake mini-tarts

Recipes:

• Smoked Salmon Benedict
• Carrot Mini-Muffins with Cream Cheese Filling
• Lemon Buttermilk Cupcakes
• Edamame Hummus on Toasted Flatbread
• Asparagus, Basil and Tomato Fritatta
• Spinach and Feta Fritatta
• Garlic and Parmesan Roasted New Potatoes
• Coconut Cupcakes
• Cauliflower Soup with Toasted Garlic and Scallions
• Elegant Nasturtium and Cucumber Tea Sandwiches

Drinks:

• Easy punch recipes
• Pimms Original Cocktail
• Campari and Soda with orange
• Grapefruit Cooler Cocktail
• Sparkling cocktails: mimosa, bellini, and kir royale

Tropical fruits:

• Papaya
• Tamarind
• Watermelon Juice
• Spanish Limes/Genips/Quenepas/Mamoncillos

We also had a reader submission from Cookbook 411 for some amazing looking Mini Puff Pastry Pizzas - check them out!

[Photo by Nicole Weston]

The days are getting longer and warmer. New life is pushing out from beneath the damp, barren soil in the yard. Slashfoodies are heading outdoors.

Spring is the time to celebrate new life and fresh food. And we're having a virtual  Garden Party on April 13th! We'll be bringing out some of our best brunch dishes and finger foods, as well as some ideas to get the whole family cooking. There will be plenty of sweet stuff, too. Don't worry about there being enough to go around, because we wouldn't let anyone leave a party without being full to capacity from some of our delicious recipes!

If you have a blog and would like to bring something to the party, just send us a link to your post on April 13th. See you then!