Set the Table

A Spanish Themed Dinner with Williams-Sonoma & Le Creuset

Celebrating the traditional flavors of Spain with a vibrant, yet laid-back spread
Filed Under > Set the Table

A Spanish themed dinner, @waitingonmartha Spanish themed spread with Le Creuset Carribean. @waitingonmartha A Spanish themed cheese plate with Le Creuset, @waitingonmartha #ad Spanish seafood paella, @waitingonmartha A Spanish themed spread with Le Creuset, @waitingonmartha #ad A Spanish themed dinnerwith Le Creuset, @waitingonmartha #adSpanish inspired dinner with @waitingonmartha Spanish themed dinner, @waitingonmartha

Today’s dinner (and MAJOR giveaway) is not only an ode to the traditional, yet vibrant flavors of Spain, it’s a celebration of the Spanish laid-back approach to dining.  Let’s just say they know how to sit back, pour a glass or two of wine, nibble on some tapas and savor really great food.  And since I’m a big fan of all of those things, I decided it was due time I payed homage to the beautiful Iberian peninsula with a casual dinner spread and Spanish inspired menu. 

I tried my hand at two Spanish staples: a seafood paella and hearty spinach with chickpeas.  Both dishes I’ve enjoyed at restaurants for years, but have been nervous about recreating at home.  So to say I was thrilled and just a tad surprised at how simple they actually were to prepare is an understatement.  I’ll be sharing the recipes for my Seafood Paella and Espinacas con Garbanzos (Spinach & Chickpeas) tomorrow, but I’d be amiss to leave you hanging about the cheese plate.

I knew I had to have a cheese plate when planning this Spanish themed dinner, but I wanted to avoid what seems to be the current cheese plate trend of the “bigger-the-better.”  Yes, we all love cheese and all that accompanies it, but unless you’re throwing a full blown party, when entertaining for 10 guests or less, keep it on the small and simple.  The cheese plate is just something to nosh on before the main event.  You don’t want it to be so complex and filling because it runs the risk of taking away from the meal itself. 

So with that being said, I kept it simple with two Spanish cheeses (Manchego & Mahon), roasted red peppers, a mix of Spanish olives, marcona almonds, two different marmalades and two Spanish meats (Jamon Serrano & Salami).  I arranged it all on this Le Creuset Tray, which is part of a 2-piece casserole dish and tray.  The tray serves as the top of the casserole dish, so you can use them separately or together…genius!  

Speaking of Le Creuset, how wonderful is this cool Caribbean blue?!  I love Le Creuset, that’s all there is to it.  Cast-iron kitchenware is just one of those things you’ll have forever, and Le Creuset is my absolute favorite brand when it comes down to it.  When I saw this collection, I knew I had to have it.  I mean, by now you know my love affair with all things blue and white! See, when it comes to blue, I don’t discriminate.  I’ve found that all blues truly go together, and I knew this bold, island-blue would be the perfect pop to my table for nights like this.  Paired with a mix of other tabletop favorites, the Caribbean dinnerware collection infuses a welcoming, bright feel to any table…something I’ll be looking to do all year ’round.  Truly, MKR

P.S. Because Mondays are always better with giveaways, I’m so thrilled to announce our week-long giveaway today with your chance to score a 16-piece Le Creuset set in the color of your choice!  All the details are listed below in the widget, and I’d love to hear: what color would you choose?!  

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Photography, Rustic White for Waiting on Martha  |  This post was in collaboration with Le Creuset, a brand we love and adore.  All opinions are 100% our own. 

Atlanta Food & Wine Festival: Asian Inflection

A Magical Rooftop Dinner, with crafted details and simple settings
Filed Under > Holiday Entertaining

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While Atlanta Food & Wine Festival‘s pop-up urban vineyard was show-stopping, the next night was just as magical.  With the help of the Lee brothers and Blooms of Dunwoody, we set an absolutely stunning Asian inspired dinner for the festival’s Connoisseur Dinner Series on the Loews Hotel rooftop.  The theme for the evening celebrated and explored the Asian influence on Southern food, and offered a multi-course meal with award-winning wine and cocktail pairings with each dish.  And just to walk you through the vision of our Asian inspired dinner: we were literally surrounded by a concrete, mirrored, glass jungle, and we then created a zen-like oasis with paper lanterns and live orchid garland hanging from a chuppah canopy made of live birch trees. #Swoon.

The setup, however, didn’t go off without a hitch (like most outdoor events, am I right?!). The rooftop proved to be incredibly windy (I mean WINDY) and we watched with panic in our eyes as the chuppah swayed from side to side with each new gust.  We quickly brought in sand bags and stabilized the canopy, but the wind was so strong that we all had to make an executive decision to bring the long dining tables inside for guests.   

To my relief, the result was just as magical; guests enjoyed cocktail hour outside to then join along long dining tables in clean white linens stretched down the inside hall, adorned with simple votive candles and low, airy white florals snaking down the expanse of the table.  

When recreating this event (on a smaller scale, I expect!), consider simple linens and monochromatic florals for an understated, yet elevated effect. And while big centerpieces are always beautiful, the short, square glass vases were the perfect vessels for the florals because they didn’t risk obstructing the view around the table. This is a great thing to keep in mind if you’re hoping for conversation to be flowing (just as much as the wine) at your dinner party. And of course, placing votive candles (the long-lasting ones!!!) is one of my favorite, easy and affordable ways to bring the magic by soft candlelight to any tabletop.  Truly, MKR

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Photography, Kathryn McCrary for Waiting on Martha

An Easter Gathering + A Juliska Giveaway

Setting a Bright and Beautiful Easter Tablescape & Chance to Win $250 to Juliska
Filed Under > Entertaining

Easter place setting via Waiting on Martha Setting the Easter table via Waiting on MarthaEaster desserts via Waiting on Martha Sweet pea salad via Waiting on MarthaEaster table inspiration via Waiting on Martha Deviled eggs on Easter via Waiting on MarthaEaster place setting with Juliska via Waiting on MarthaEaster ham inspiration via Waiting on Martha Easter table inspiration via Waiting on MarthaEaster egg cake via Waiting on Martha

Planning an Easter tablescape, means setting the table for a happy, bright, and spring gathering. More importantly it means a chance to welcome loved ones around the table with great food and blessings. 

To celebrate a special occasion like Easter Sunday, I’m always eager to set the table with anything and everything Juliska.  Many of you will recognize the dinnerware as I’ve been gradually adding to my beautiful collection over the past few years.  Its Country Estate line in Flint is perhaps my favorite design of all. Country Estate is anything but generic; its design makes every day dining just special enough, and is the perfect starting point when I’m dreaming up a table that is fit for a feast. The dinnerware sits atop green straw placemats, which have quickly become my favorite accompaniment to any place setting.  Lastly, to bring a softness to the Easter tablescape, I used Juliska’s Arabella Petal Pink Goblets and Arabella Petal Pink Tumblers as the glassware. 

What else to include, you ask?  Seasonal, fresh flowers are always a must.  But they’re made more festive in a moss “grown up” Easter basket, and when they’re accompanied by plenty of tiny, sweet signs of spring throughout the entire spread.  Think delicate bird nests with festive speckled eggs, everyone’s favorite chocolate bunnies, fresh herbs, a carrot cake and macaroons I can not take credit for (thanks Williams Sonoma), but a few and mouth-watering main and side dishes I’m happy to say I can (recipes coming this week!). The table will be busy, yes, but with that busyness comes a certain vibrant energy to any space and gathering. 

So, friends, to spread the Easter cheer, I’m thrilled to announce that one of our lucky readers will win $250 to Juliska to set their own stunning table at home. Though I do wish you luck settling on your purchase; Juliska makes hundreds of beautiful items for the table and home, so the selection will be a tough one (so naturally I say: start collecting!).  Each piece is inspired by “the joy of bringing people together and helping create a happy home,” which as you know, is something I’m very passionate about as well.  A big thank you to Juliska for the generous opportunity, and I wish you all the best of luck!  Truly, MKR

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Photography, Rustic White for Waiting on Martha 

AS PICTURED: JULISKA COUNTRY ESTATE DINNERWARE c/o | JULISKA GOBLETS c/o | JULISKA TUMBLERS c/o | JULISKA PLACEMATS c/0 | FLATWARE | TABLE | THROW PILLOWBIRD NESTS | SPECKLED EGGS | NAPKINS |  CAKE c/o  |  MACAROONS c/o  |  CHOCOLATE BUNNIES c/o  |  MOSS BASKET c/o

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