Category: Hosting
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What is the difference between the types of tequila?
Most people know tequila is made in Mexico from the blue agave plant, but how the plant produces the liquor and the differences between its varieties is less well known. Tequila is made from the piña, the fibrous core of the agave plant. To produce tequila, the core is cooked and then shredded into fibres.…
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Crowd Pleasing Movies for your next movie night!
Movie night is a party classic whether with friends or family! But let’s face it, choosing a good, crowd pleasing movie is more art than science, a tricky balancing act. Don’t fall into the trap of aimlessly flicking through Netflix, polling the room like it’s a dodgy episode of ‘Say Yes to the Dress’. Pick…
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Cheese Expert: 10 must-know Spanish cheeses
Introduction If you think of Spanish food you might be thinking of salty jamon, spicy chorizo and juicy oranges but if you’re not also thinking of cheese, you are missing out. Spain’s most famous cheese is undoubtedly the fresh manchego but there are more than 20 DOP cheeses produced in Spain’s regions. Admittedly, Spanish cheeses…
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7 Best Pork-Free Cheeseboard Ideas
Charcuterie platters and cheese boards are super popular appetisers, especially when hosting. There’s often a strong emphasis on charcuterie or deli meats, in which pork features heavily. But many people don’t eat pork for religious or personal reasons. If you or your guests are pork-free, it can seem like a cheese board or charcuterie platter…
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9 simple ideas for interactive dinner parties that aren’t board games
Interactive dinner parties are a refreshing twist to the usual get-togethers. They are a fabulous way to breathe life into regular gatherings and make the whole experience more engaging and enjoyable. If you’re craving a change of pace from the standard ‘how have you been’ chat (as wonderful as that can be), consider hosting a…
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What is charcuterie and how should you serve it?
Charcuterie, pronounced “shahr-koo-tuh-ree,” is a culinary tradition with roots that extend deep into the heart of European gastronomy. Charcuterie comes from the French words chair and cuite, translating to ‘cooked flesh’. This centuries-old practice involves the craft of preserving and enhancing meats through various techniques, including curing, smoking, and ageing. However, in recent years charcuterie…
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9 great ideas for a vegetarian cheese board
If you want to make a cheese board but you, or someone you’re serving is vegetarian it can be hard to figure out where to start, given that meat or charcuterie often take centre stage. But with a dash of creativity it’s very possible to make a vegetarian cheese board. It is important to know…
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Cheese expert series: 10 most popular british cheeses
Welcome to our first post on Cheese Expertise, where we introduce cheeses around the world and how to use them. First up is Britain and the United Kingdom. Britain is known for its cheese, and it is estimated there are over 500 kinds of cheese produced around the country. The most popular cheeses are easily…
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Our 6 top tips to upgrade your cocktails. Easy and simple!
If we’re anything here at A Lovley Affair, we’re cocktail girlies. Nothing like a tasty drink in my hand makes all my problems seem a little bit smaller. Cocktails, for me, are all about the experience and they are to be savoured not guzzled. Gone are the years of pouring whatever liquor I could afford…
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Cheese for dessert? Yes, really! How to pair the best dessert cheeses
A cheese platter is a simple and elegant dessert option. We love traditional desserts like ice cream or apple pie or chocolate pudding, sometimes it’s a nice note to end a meal without a sugar high. Cheese paired with sweet flavours like honey, figs, grapes and other fruits brings a whole new dimension of flavour…
