Thursday, April 7, 2011

Celebrate Spring with a 'Herbed Party'...

Hello my dears and happy Thursday! With Easter just around the corner, my Swedish mind inevitably drifts to Spring. I guess this proves that you can 'take the girl out of Sweden but not Sweden out of the girl', because really, I should be immersing myself in Autumnal glory as this is the season we're enjoying here in Sydney right now.. Oh well..


So, the other day I came a cross this suite of pretty pictures, and suddenly found myself dreaming up a 'herb themed lunch' with a buffet of foods and drinks inspired by the first harvest of herbs from the Spring garden. Why not eh?!

 I love this idea!
I was thinking baskets of freshly baked breads - perhaps some with flaky sea salt and fresh rosemary on top. Racks of 'Herb crusted Spring lamb' (click for recipe) and a large tray of Swedish 'Hasselbacks Potatis' (see here for recipe).

 Beautiful picture and recipe via 'Almost Bourdain'

There would also be bowls of beautiful ‘Salsa Verde(click for recipe), and scrumptious ‘Pesto Genovese’ (click for recipe). And perhaps a nice big plate of lightly steamed green asparagus with a side of sage butter, and a big salad of tender Spring time vegetables tossed with fresh Coriander leaves & a light dressing.


The hardcore ‘Scandi’ that I am, I would also add a fresh batch of ‘Skagen Röra' (see my mother's recipe below), and most definitely also a tray of home made ‘Gravlax’ (click for recipe) fringed with zingy lemon wedges. Both of these recipes use fresh dill as a core note and out of all herbs, dill is the one that is most true to my beloved Sweden. At least in my humble opinion.


I would serve up a variety of good wines (I love Lewin Estate Art Series whites, and Penfold's reds) and also set up a side table with a few jugs of flavoured water.  


 

I also love ‘lavender flavoured’, and ‘rose or tulip petal’ water. These are wonderful, and if you decide to make them please ensure you use 'pesticide free' petals only. Perhaps you grow these in the garden, but if you are relying on your local florist or flower market, please ensure you tell them what you are using the petals for so that you are given ones that are 'suitable for consumption.
 This image via

Last but not least. If you are able to get your mittens on some fresh passion fruit, I can highly recommend you make Australian chef Bill Granger's 'Passionfruit & coconut slice' for desert! Serve up with minted whipped cream and reap the rewards! Bake two - you'll need it!

This image via 'Almost Bourdain'

Hope you feel inspired to put on your own 'Herbed Party' to celebrate the unfolding Spring in the Northern hemisphere. Such a glorious time of the year and so much fun to have!


xx Charlotta

55 comments:

Unknown said...

What a gorgeous idea, a herbed party....I love it!

Hope you are well my lovely :) xx

Verdigris Vie said...

Beautiful gallery. I love the idea of a herb themed lunch.. Complete with mojitos and sweet treats..:-)

milav said...

Bellissima tavola!Grazie:)
Milly

designchic said...

Oh Charlotta, these images are gorgeous...ready for a Spring party!!

Solid Frog said...

Lovely pictures and recipes!

Hoppas allt är bra!
Kram

It's me said...

It all looks very lovely like the greens....love Ria....xxx...

Karena said...

Charlotta I adore the herb wrapped place setting and cards!! All of it actually..... really fresh and loevly!

xoxo
Karena
Art by Karena

Barbara@HausDesign said...

I love this theme too - so girly and fresh - perfect! Beautiful post with some great ideas here - thanks! I am a lover of herbs too so I'll definitely put these ideas to good use!
http://bjdhausdesign.blogspot.com/

La Belle Vie said...

Lovely!!! This is so perfect!!

michele said...

gorgeous post, Charlotta! i can smell the bread with rosemary, and i'm drizzling mine with olive oil. just potted some basil yesterday and plan to go heavy on the herbs in my flower boxes this year!

i will be back for the great recipes. when i was little my mom made something called rutamus (sp?), a mashed potato-rutabega-butter mixture. know it?

hugs.

michele

Unknown said...

Love this whole party idea....from the tabel setting, to the infused waters to the darling herb wrapped cutlery!

What a beautiful way to spend some time with friends!!
xoxo Elizabeth

Splendid Willow said...

Charlotta, how pretty!

I wish Spring would arrive so I can get in the mood for some parties myself. (It started snowing again and the kids hopped on the yellow school this morning bus equipped with mittens and scarves!).

The herbs around the cutlery is a splendid idea! I will so adopt it!

I made that lavender lemonade myself, thanks to that very same picture! (Do you remember?). Love, love, love it.

And your Mom's Skagenroera. What a nice touch. Soon she will be making it for YOU, you lucky cat!

Warm hugs,
Mon

P.S Jag aer stressad som en utter -hinner inte ens gaa paa toa! (: (Som man saeger!). Beraettar mer naesta vecka.

Unknown said...

Beautiful!! Spring is here and I'm so glad about that. These images you shared are so yummy.
Lovely post.

claire said...

I am in love with that plant chandelier. It's so fresh and just gorgeous. Makes me want to throw a dinner party, just so that I can make one of these babies.

xo

Alena: Oh, Its Just Perfect! said...

Just so gorgeous. Can't wait to try some of those delicious sounding drinks!!

Desire Empire said...

My favourite inspiration was your first spot. So very beautiful.
Best Carolyn

Glamour Drops said...

Very prettily thought out post Charlotta!

Lots of lovely ideas to use ~ no matter the season, as long as it is a sunny day.

Ali said...

Those first two images for the herb party are beautiful... what a fantastic idea!

Meera @ firstsense said...

What a lovely and pretty post, Charlotta, I want to steal all the ideas! They all look so tempting and yummy! Loving the idea of a herbed party this spring!

Meera xx

dame said...

This is a beautiful table setting! That looks really lovely.

Tuuli - Lumo Lifestyle said...

What a gorgeous setting, a great idea for Easter! And lovely recipies, have to try some of these; I love Hasselbacka potatis, but haven't made them for a long time, thanks for reminding.

Having a relaxing "home office" day at my in laws on countryside. Still snowy, but getting better...

Rachael said...

What a beautiful post with such fabulous ideas.

I intend to try some of these idea for Easter, even though we are in Autumn. Those potatoes look divine!

www.fabrikoflife.wordpress.com

La Boheme said...

I would love to have Herbed party and even better if you were there too Charlotta! I love Spring so your post is just perfect! big hugs to you

A Perfect Gray said...

charlotta, what a beautiful and dreamy post. not only do the herbs look lovely, but just imagine the wonderful aroma of having those so close by...yum!

happy weekend to you and yours! donna

Castles Crowns and Cottages said...

OH DEAR, this is MARVELOUS! I grow herbs in my potted French garden in the summer, and now you have made me hungry for all the lovely dishes I can make with the savory herbs that waft in the air...this is a lovely party, and dearest, thank you for traveling up north to visit with me on my special month of celebration. MUCH HAPPINESS TO YOU, Anita

Designwali said...

thanks for leaving a comment on my blog because now I found yours!

Susan said...

what a simply fabulous idea!! sounds wonderful and lovely photos.

Sarah Klassen said...

Sounds rather delicious and lovely! Pretty :)

Hope you are having a fabulous weekend so far, Charlotta. Thank you so much for your kind comment the other day.

xo

Casa Très Chic said...

Charlotta, this post makes me dream, it's all about Spring and romance.
Thank you for sharing, I saved the second image just for using in my table.
About the Sidney Knitters, didn't know about them, I found amazing images about their work, fantastic.
Big hugs
Tereza

The enchanted home said...

What a gorgeous post and what a great day I chose to discover your blog!! Such beautiful pictures..I want to have an herb party!! You have gotten me in the mood:)
So happy to have found your blog..its lovely! Please visit me too, have a newish blog about the building of our new home and my love for design and decor.
www.theenchantedhome.blogspot.com

Unknown said...

What a beautiful idea for a party! It would be perfect for Easter!

Julie at Belle Vivir said...

Charlotta,

Every thing looks and sound so delicious. I love the idea of decorating the table with herbs because it's so refreshing and also since herb is food and not flower the smell does not interfere with the taste.

LiveLikeYou said...

So delicious!! I can't wait to taste your mother's recipe!! And the flavored water...yum!!

Mona Thompson said...

Charlotta, I love every detail of this post. I'm just giddy saving pics for future inspiration. I love growing and cooking with herbs. I planned my entire kitchen around having an herb garden right outside the kitchen door. I'm just making plans for it this year. I have a couple of Spring luncheons coming up that I am definitely going to use some of these ideas. Thanks so much for sharing. Have a great week. Mona

Will @ Bright.Bazaar said...

Hello darling! Thank you for your lovely comment today - always pleased to see you pop up over in the B.B corner.

So my birthday was a few weeks back, but I think some of the overseas post is still trickling though! Boxes - we are getting there, I think only one or two left now - thank goodness!

Hope you and the family are well. Lots of hugs.

xo

ella ravi said...

I dont' know the Herbed Party, it seems a great idea and
... what beautiful photos and beautiful decorations ... I'm thinking of organizing a party in Milan too. Great inspiration and great blog! Sorry for my English! Ella

72 and sunny said...

those herbs are beautiful, wrapped around the utensils!

I'm stealing this idea

Stacey said...

Love, love the recipes that you shared and just had to add them to my favourites! Oh, i love Spring time and a herb garden is always a must for me(i usually can't wait until the last frost passes to start planting). I adore this post:-). Hugs to you and the family. XX

Kelly Frances Dunn said...

It always makes me smile to know what's going on over there :) Everything you do is truly an inspiration. Remember your detox post from last August? I saved it and I am in the middle of trying my first detox ever. Tomorrow will be day 3 and I'm just doing a 7 day to get me feet wet. I hope to increase that and become more seasoned. Just wanted you to know, not because I'm great, but the power of posting and sharing is incredible and I listen when you speak :) Have a wonderful day dear Charlotta! Love, Kelly

Unknown said...

Hej Charlotta!
Vilket underpart örtparty!!
Ser ut som vår midsommarmat det du bjuder på. Och så vackert..... det saftas i munnen.
Ha en fin vår med många smaker och dofter.
Marie-Louise Hallgren

Lisa McGee said...

What wonderful images - I am so inspired by the simple design and lovely ideas.

Acanthus and Acorn said...

Each image better than the next! I love flavored water and the place cards with the herbs are so sweet!

Anonymous said...

So pretty love that first setting.

Gwen Driscoll said...

Charlotta,

These are just amazingly beautiful and inspiring images. It makes me want to entertain this weekend!!! Hope you are well. Thanks for stopping by RHS.

Tina said...

Hej Underbara!
Åh, wow det här låter helt underbart. Du måste vara den perfekta värdinnan, jag skulle aldrig kunna ställa samman en sådan här vacker, inbjudande och smakfull bjudning! M a o tack så himla mycket för inspirationen!
Och Tack snälla för mail. Jag skriver snart tillbaka. Tänker på dig också!!!
Massor med kramar till Dig Du Underbara!
//Tina

Anonymous said...

I love the table setting and that bread looks to die for!!!
Have a wonderful weekend.
Xo,
E&J

Splenderosa said...

Charlotta, you can come up with some of the MOST creative & interestings post I've ever seen. Those potatoes are gorgeous & I would love to serve them. The images are beautiful to look at and then the links to everything associated with the post only show the love & attention you put into everything you do. Sending love, my dear friend....

Vær våken said...

Hi! What a great blog you have and this post is so inspiring!!! Have a beautiful weekend! I'm your newest follower :)

Kristin xx

LENE said...

I would love to come and eat in your 'Herbed Party' Charlotta!
We have wonderful spring in Scandinavia now, both Norway, Sweden and Denmark, white and blue anomones lighting up the woods - it's so beautiful.
Wish you a lovely easter Charlotta!
Love from Lene

design elements said...

Charotta, gorgeous post! The Swedish 'Hasselbacks Potatis' make me dream :-) Happy weekend!

Charlotta Ward said...

Darlings, thank you all for your enthusiasm and comments on this foodie post. I love putting on a good party and food is very close to our hearts in this family!

Hope you try out some of the Swedish recipes - they are all fantastic. And please don't get me started on Bill's flan.. Mamma Mia, you are going to love that one!!

Big hugs to all and thank you again!

xx Charlotta

manvi @ mochatini said...

oh how fantastic. simply love the idea of this party. thanks for planting an herb themed party idea in my head. now i want to have one too. and that recipe, i MUST try, even though i dont cook much. xo

Linn said...

Hi
You have a great blog.
Have a nice day from Oslo:)

My Dream Canvas said...

I am delighted to have found your blog. Love it!! Hope to see you at My Dream Cavas. Following you now. Have a great day..

Jessica said...

lavender-flavored water! wow, i´ve never seen that before and will definitely be trying. it looks almost too lovely to drink, though! xoxojess(you´re newest follower! :)

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