Shower Power

Posted by Jodi

At parties, I’m not content simply to drink some punch and chat with guests. I find myself taking mental notes of genius ideas I intend to “borrow” for my own parties.

Case in point: A brilliant and flavorful baby-shower brunch that was a feast for the eyes as much as it was for the stomach.

A feast to behold

I particularly loved the menu as it included a combination of homemade (i.e. unique) and store-bought (i.e. easy) foods.

Heidi Johannsen, a talented food editor and stylist, along with some other friends (many of whom are behind the ideas at Martha Stewart) prepared the gorgeous buffet for our coworker.

Heidi said the food was intended to be a reaction to the wintry season. “It was February, which is cold and often gray,” says Heidi. “So we chose to focus instead on flavors that were lively, vivid, and unexpected. The exotic tastes were a welcome change and echoed the theme of the party: casual, stylish, and bright.”

The delicious and colorful platter of citrus fruits including navel, blood, and cara cara oranges; mango and papaya were chosen for their intensity and the fact that each was in season in mid-winter.

A bowl of winter blues banishing fruits

The miniature sweets from Sukhadia -- a local Indian restaurant -- were works of art and mimicked the hues of the fruit. Some were even silver-leafed.

Mini sweets from Sukhadia

The main courses (on banana-leaf-lined platters) included a frittata and hand pies filled with a spiced-pork mixture. The recipe was inspired by Jeffrey Alford and Naomi Duguid's book, “Mangos and Curry Leaves.” Both were served with store-bought mango chutney and paratha bread (picked up in advance and frozen until the day of the shower).

Hand pies and paratha

To drink, there was a big thermos of chai tea and pink grapefruit juice for more added color (as if we needed it).

Another amazing stylist, Cindy DiPrima, made a lovely and lush-looking garland for the mom-to-be to sit in while she opened presents. None of us could believe she crafted it from inexpensive corner-deli carnations.

The carnation garland

The garland (now dried) has a new life as a beautiful wall hanging in the baby’s room.

Comments

[Gretchen Bradley]

Thanks for the ideas. I'm hosting a shower in few weeks and these will come in handy. What about games? Do you have any new ideas for games? I've done it before, but it just seems that I can only find the same old things. Any new ideas or direction would be appreciated!

[chicago gal]

what dish was the big bowl of bananas? Bananas foster? That looks luscious.

The cut fruit and carnations were both brilliant and affordable ideas.

[Heather Nunes]

Wow, that citrus looks SOOO good! Looks like a wonderful baby shower-good food and good times! Great job!

[christine]

i would love to find out how the carnation garland was made! (hint, hint)

[elisheva]

great ideas, I wonder if the photos don't do them justice though.

[Ophelie]

Wow -- that's lovely. Bright colours and flavours in the middle of winter are great. And that carnation garland!