Perfect Salmon Recipe~Salmon In Pesto from The Purple Mermaid

This salmon recipe is superb! Salmon is a tasty and trendy choice for dinner parties ~ popular because of it's health benefits, salmon has become THE fish to serve your guests. Deliciously simple to make, this recipe is the perfect choice for entertaining since you will have lots of time to spend with your guests! We have served this dish on many occassions and have never failed to receive rave revues. Prepare in advance, cover and leave in the refrigerator until you are ready to cook! Serve with rice pilaf and asparagus and you are good to go! Guests will LOVE this one!.

Ingredients:
4 salmon filets, approxinately 4 oz each
8 oz. basil pesto
4 Tbsp. olive oil
2 Plum Tomatoes, sliced thin
Romano Cheese, grated

Preparation:
Take 4 individual casserole dishes (anything kind you can put in the oven). Put approximately 2 Tablespoons of Basil Pesto into each dish. Add 1 Tablespoon of olive oil to each dish and mix into the pesto until smooth. Pleace one salmon filet into each dish. Put 2-3 slices of tomato on each filet. Top with a sprinkle of romano cheese. Place your casserole dishes on top of a cookie sheet and Bake in 350 degree oven 15-20 minutes until pesto bubbles and salmon is opaque and cooked through. Use sliced roasted red peppers to top filets instead of tomatoes for a variation. Also, works with tuna or swordfish! Serves 4.

The Perfect Artichoke and Spinach Dip

This is a classic recipe for a spectacular Artichoke and Spinach Dip ~ Perfect for your next party, courtesy of The Purple Mermaid!

Ingredients:
4 cloves garlic
(10 ounce) package frozen chopped spinach, thawed and drained
1 (14 ounce) can artichoke hearts, drained and chopped
1 (10 ounce) container Alfredo-style pasta sauce
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
1/3 cup grated fresh Parmesan cheese
1/2 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened

Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Place garlic in a small baking dish. Bake in preheated oven 20 to 30 minutes, until soft. Remove from heat. When cool enough to touch, squeeze softened garlic from skins. In an 8x8 inch baking dish, spread roasted garlic, spinach, artichoke hearts, Alfredo-style pasta sauce, mozzarella cheese, Parmesan cheese and cream cheese. Cover and bake in preheated oven 30 minutes, or until cheeses are melted and bubbly. Serve warm.

Essentials for Planning The Perfect Party from The Purple Mermaid

There are four essentials to consider when planning your party:
1) The purpose of the occasion
2) The person whose party it is
3) Your guests
4) Your budget
Your guests will largely influence the sort of party you have, so consider them when planning. A family occasion such as a christening, for example, is likely to differ in theme from a rehearsal dinner
Now ask yourself what kind of party you want. Do you want a formal sit down affair or will an informal affair do? Would you like organized entertainment or like to provide an opportunity for people to meet and socialize? What music and/or activities would make the party really perfect? What would make the occasion special for the person/people that the party is for? Venue, food and entertainment should again be tailored to your guests and their preferences. Caterers and organized entertainment will increase the cost, but leave you with a lot less to do. Price out the various options and choose the best solution that is within your budget and appropriate for the occasion.

Perfect Party Tip

The Purple Mermaid has lots of tips for hosting The Perfect Party. Check out our website dedicated to the perfect party ~ http://www.perfectpartypress.com/. People often say they do not have a big enough space to have a really perfect party. We love that challenge because where there is a will, there is a way! We have hosted and assisted with hosting many successful parties in very small spaces. Some of these parties were talked about as wonderful memories for a long time after the party ended! Isn't that exactly what you want? Well, first look around at your space. Pay attention to mood. Think about the music, lighting, and where you're placing the food throughout the house so the party flows and the guests still have a place to land. For example, serve cocktails and hors d'oeuvres on your elegantly yet simply decorated deck or porch. No need to spend alot of money and you can use what you already have in the house to decorate a porch or deck. Put out hurricane candles, flowers and bold colored tableware. We believe in using "real" plates and glasses even outdoors. It spells ELEGANCE even with mix and match china. You can use a portable CD changer or radio for your mood music outdoors. Then move indoors for the main course. This gives the illusion of more space as well as allowing you to have each unique space decorated and set-up in advance. That gives you more time to spend with your guests. You can clean up the outdoor space later too! You can even serve coffee and dessert in the Living Room for yet another change of venue. These tips can extend your small space, give the illusion of a much larger space and give you more time to mingle. ENJOY!