Creative Ice Cream Cones

No need for paper plates here! Consider serving simple summer treats in kid-friendly (and adult-friendly, too) ice cream cones!
Photo: Bakers Royale

Strawberry Rice Pudding

For me, rice pudding is such a satisfying dessert. It’s rich and sugary but also quite hearty, always leaving me with that warm content feeling that comes after a special meal. I really enjoy this recipe, which is inspired by the recipe found in Diana Shaw’s, Almost Vegetarian. While I enjoy the flavor of strawberries, any berries would be perfect for this easy, make ahead dessert.

Ingredients

1 cup low-fat or nonfat strawberry yogurt

2 ½ cups low-fat or nonfat milk

Zest of one lemon

2 tablespoons vanilla sugar

½ cup Arborio rice

2 cups sliced strawberries

Fresh mint (for garnish)

At least a week before preparing the dish, make the vanilla sugar. Fill a sugar bowl with about 1 cup of sugar and bury 1 or 2 vanilla beans in the sugar. Let sit for several days.

Warm the milk in a saucepan over low heat and steep the extra fine lemon zest in it for about 10-15 minutes. Keep the milk just below a simmer.

Dissolve the sugar in the milk. Remove milk from heat.

Add the rice to a heavy saucepan and pour in enough of the hot milk to just cover the rice. Stir over low heat until the milk is absorbed. Continue adding warm milk and stirring until you’ve used all the milk and the rice is plump and chewy.

Take the risotto off the heat and let it cool, about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. Stir in the yogurt and strawberries.

Refrigerate for at least three hours, covered, until the dessert is well chilled throughout. Before serving, garnish each serving with a sprinkle of vanilla sugar and fresh mint leaves.

Terracotta Cupcake Holders

Create a cupcake display by reusing wiped down terracotta pots. The small pots are just the right size to house these tasty treats and will look pretty for a garden party or other outdoor event.
Photo: Emmaline Bride

Eco Vase Filler

A scoop of richly colored coffee beans is all you need to creatively fill any vase. An arrangement of pretty pastel-hued flowers will really pop when contrasted with the deep brown beans.
Photo: The Knot

Archive Love: Farm Fresh Favors

Help support local agriculture by offering your guests seasonal produce, such as beautifully colored heirloom tomatoes, as favors. For a farm stand feel, arrange the produce in large baskets so that guests can take their time sorting through them. You can also supply guests with eco-friendly burlap bags, which they can use to carry home their produce, and then use again after your party.

Photos: Brides

Artisan Bread Favors

Looking for some favor inspiration suitable for all your foodie friends?  Treat each guest to a small loaf of artisan bread! When left out for guests at every place setting, the loaves help to enhance an already rustic tabletop. 

Photos: Emmaline Bride

Veggie Centerpieces

Farmer's market season is quickly approaching! While helping to support local agriculture this season be sure to pick up richly colored veggies for both your fridge and your tabletop. While assembling your next centerpiece, consider swapping a few varieties of cut flowers with textured veggies for a surprising twist!
Photo: Green Wedding Shoes

Fruit Favors

Small samplings of locally grown fruits are the perfect way to end an already sweet affair! Browse local farm stands to find fun fruity options that can serve as refreshing warm weather favors. 

Photo: Ruffled

Archive Love: Reused Fruit and Vegetable Can Centerpieces

Back in February, we created a post about tea tin centerpieces. We received a lot of positive feedback from readers about the tea tin centerpieces, and thus could not resist posting this similar party planning suggestion. Instead of tea tins, reuse aluminum cans as simple, yet decorative vases. I especially like the cans featured in this photograph, which still boast colorful labels. Browse the aisles of your local ethnic grocer to find cans with unique labels that advertise unexpected contents, such as exotic fruits. Then, find creative ways to incorporate these treats into your party menu. 

Photo: Rachel Ray

Candy Heart Centerpiece

We LOVE (pun intended) this adorable and easy to assemble DIY Valentine's Day centerpiece. To create this look, start by sorting through your craft closet for two transparent glass vases (one that can fit inside the other). Place the smaller vase into the center of the larger vase. Fill the space between the two vases with colorful conversation heart candies. To finish your sweet centerpiece, use the center vase as a receptacle for cheerful flowers.
Photos: The Wedding Chicks

 

 

Sweet V-Day Treats

Surprise your sweetie this Valentine's Day by baking up some super sweet (eco) treats. Spend some time scouring through a vegan-friendly cookbook for cupid-worthy treats (we adore the recipes in Babycakes, Clarkson Potter, 2009).
Photos: Babycakes

Edible Birthday Garland

Planning a child’s birthday bash? Forgo traditional garlands, which are often made of synthetic materials, and instead opt for playful strands of candy necklaces. When guests begin to file out, encourage the kiddies to help with clean-up duties (they’ll love snacking on this sweet party treat!).

Photo: Martha Stewart

A Fresh Centerpiece

Add a bit of cheer to a winter celebration by creating clean and crisp citrus centerpieces. A simple glass bowl filled with lemons, tangerines or other citrus fruits is a simple and cost-effective way to create colorful centerpieces year-round.

Photo: Martha Stewart

Edible Cones

When in search of storage for small favors, rather than purchase paper cones, which will more than likely end up in the trash, organize your treats in edible waffle cones. Fill each waffle cone with small tasty favors, such as roasted nuts. Rest one cone at each place setting for an inexpensive and relatively waste-free favor option that is just as simple as it is sweet.

Photo: Food Network

Cranberry Ice Cubes

Add some festive color to your holiday bar display without the need to add extra waste. Sprinkle loose (compost-friendly) cranberries in your ice cube trays prior to freezing. Once frozen, fill all your ice buckets with these very merry ice cubes for an extra pop of holiday cheer.

Photo: Country Living

Cranberry Place Cards

There is no need to waste tons of money (and resources) in order to add a splash of festive color to your holiday table setting. Handfuls of cranberries (which can be cooked or composted after serving a decorative use) offer beautiful bursts of red to any tabletop. Fill small glasses and votive holders with cranberries as well as simple handwritten notes for instant holiday place cards. For an added pop of color sprinkle loose cranberries down the center of your table or around your holiday centerpiece.

Photo: Country Living

A Greenhouse Celebration

Get an extra daily dose of veggies by creating a casual greenhouse-inspired party. Reused aluminum cans filled with small edible plants are all it takes to make a vitamin-rich table setting. 

Photo: Once Wed

Jelly Jars

Personalized jars of locally made jellies and jams serve as thoughtful and affordable favors year round. Customize each jar with vintage ribbons and one-of-a-kind labels or print special messages on tags made from recycled cardstock.

Photo: Once Wed

Fall Centerpiece

When creating autumn centerpieces look to the natural world for inspiration.  Gourds, kumquats and pumpkins are only a few examples of the hardy, colorful vegetables available for simply elegant fall centerpieces. 

Photo: Martha Stewart

Happy Autumn!

As the warm weather slowly shifts into a cool breeze take the time to visit local farms and have fun with a harvest-full of new design inspiration! A simple basket filled with “smiling” gourds is a great way to bring a bit of happiness to your guests at your first autumn festivity. Enjoy the season!

Photo: Martha Stewart