JOWY Productions Presents Wedding Wednesday: Falling Into Fall...Slowly

Happy August! August?! We have been so busy with our July events that the first of August surprised us when it hit.  Los Angeles hasn't exactly had a warm Summer so we just aren't quite ready for Fall.  We plan to savor EVERY last bit of summer we can get our hands on while we begin to think about Fall 2013. Here is what is inspiring us this month: 

{mimosa bar for the last few outdoor brunches}

{tulle, tulle and more tulle}

{end of summer salad - recipe here}

{fall flowers- JCrew liberty minaudiere}

{first fall dinner party - emerald and stripes}

What will you be doing with your last few weeks of summer? Let us know in the comments below.

Spice Up Thanksgiving With Seasonal Sides

As the leaves begin to change and even the LA weather starting to take an occasional dip, the JP team has been inspired to start thinking about their own holiday celebrations.  As all of us started discussing our fondest Thanksgiving memories, conversation suddenly started turning into a recipe exchange. Turkey is great and honey-baked hams are all fine, but here at JOWY Productions the sides are what really steal the show.  Side dishes not only add flare to your table, but they also incorporate some of the yummiest flavors of the season.  Here are a few of our favorite recipes:

Randi’s Persimmon Steamed Pudding

*A dear family friend

3 Medium Persimmons- pureed

    Add: 2 tsp. baking soda to puree.  Mix well with spoon.

    Set aside in bowl and cover with plastic.

 Cream Mixture

     1/2 C. Butter

     1 1/2 C. Sugar

 Add pureed persimmons to above mixture

    2 eggs

    1 tsp. lemon juice

    1 tsp. vanilla

    2 T. milk (I use 1%)

 Add in:

    1 C. Flour

    1 tsp. Cinnamon

 Mix well.

 OPTIONAL:

    ADD:

    1 C. raisins

     ½ C. nuts

 **YOU MUST HAVE A STEAM PUDDING MOLD WITH A SECURE TOP! 

Spray the pan with a non-stick spray, such as Pam. 

 In large, tall soup pot, boil water about 4-6 inches high, just so it reaches the steamer or whatever you place your pudding mold on.   

Once it boils, lower to simmer and put your mold into pot, making sure your lid is secure.  

(I use an old fashioned steamer (which opens up like a flower) for vegetables, to elevate the Pudding Mold from the water.)

Steam the pudding for 2 1/2 hours, Check water level and add more as needed - do not let water evaporate! 

Take out of pot, remove mold top and let cool for 10 - 15 minutes.  Place the steam pudding mold face down on a plate and shake gently to unmold.  

It's best-served warm - (not hot) or serve @ room temperature. (Sarah’s family prefers to serve it warm). This dish is a great re-heat and it can be made before the celebration.  Randi even suggested making two batches, one for Thanksgiving and one to stick in the freezer until Christmas since persimmons will no longer be in season.  Reheat by wrapping in foil and sticking it in the oven at 300-350 degrees for 10 minutes. 

Jen’s Sweet Potato Casserole

Makes 12 servings

Crust

1 cup brown sugar 
1/3 cup flour 
1 cup chopped nuts (pecans preferred) 
1/3 stick butter, melted 
Combine brown sugar, flour, nuts and butter in mixing bowl. Set aside.

Sweet Potato Mixture

3 cups mashed sweet potatoes 
1 cup sugar 
½ teaspoon salt 
1 teaspoon vanilla 
2 eggs, well beaten 
1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, melted

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Coat a medium-size casserole dish with nonstick spray.

Combine sweet potatoes, sugar, salt, vanilla, eggs and butter in a large mixing bowl in the order listed.

Beat thoroughly with a hand mixer to increase the fluffiness of the sweet potato mixture.

Pour mixture into the baking dish. Bake for 30 minutes. (At this point, dish can be covered and refrigerated.)

Sprinkle the surface of the sweet potato mixture evenly with the crust mixture and return to oven for 10 minutes.

Allow to set at least 30 minutes before serving. (The brown sugar and pecan crust should be slightly browned and crunchy.)

Stay tuned as we countdown to Thanksgiving by giving you many more recipe and design ideas for your holiday celebrations!