Hostess with the Mostess

WRITTEN BY Jessica Tyler Comegys PHOTOGRAPHY BY Brittany Strickland

Growing up, my mom always seemed to have the deepest friendships, not just “fast friends,” but friends for life.

There are people who to this day still talk about her amazing energy and loyalty. She was a likable, lovable, friendly, open human being who never seemed to turn down an opportunity for a friend. She taught me that we should look for love and friendship everywhere we go and we will never feel empty. And to never underestimate the power of good girlfriends.

The older I get, the more cherished my long-time friendships become. Even when you have a spouse or significant other, you still need a few solid friendships for your health and well-being.

The hard part is to find the time between juggling the kids’ after-school activities, your own career, and your home responsibilities, to nurture your friendships as well. Because friendships are relationships, and they need tending to as well.

Whether you’re happily taken or living the single life, friendship should always be celebrated! And what’s better than ladies celebrating ladies? Take a twist on the day of love by throwing a Galentine’s Day party for you and your favorite girls. What’s Galentine’s Day? Only the best day of the year! Leave your husbands and boyfriends at home, gush on your celebrity crushes or praise your independence with your best gals on a day spent together to celebrate each other. 

“A party without a cake is just a meeting” – Julia Child

CREATE A LOVABLY CHIC TABLE
We found this amazing rose gold sequined table cloth and paired it with bright pink napkins and gold flatware found at the local discount home store.

CAKE PROVIDED BY BUTTERCUPS

Pick a menu thats easy and fun with lots of color because we always want to “eat pretty” especially on Galentines Day! We chose a fun raspberry-rose scone, lemon artichoke flatbread, and dark chocolate macarons. We also had one of our best gals make a special cake!

Get the party started by sending all your favorite girlfriends an invitation to the special lady date, decorate with sparkle and bright colors, and put on tunes by Queen B to set the festive mood. Pop the champagne and treat yourself to macarons and cake!

Best Ever Scones

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• ¹⁄3 cup sugar
• 1 tablespoon baking powder
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ½ cup cold butter, cut into ½-inch cubes
• ½ cup raspberries
• 1 cup whipping cream, divided
• edible rose petals
• Wax paper

1. Preheat oven to 450°. Stir together first 4 ingredients in a large bowl. Cut butter into flour mixture with a pastry blender until crumbly and mixture resembles small peas. Freeze 5 minutes. Add ¾ cup plus 2 Tbsp. cream and raspberries, stirring just until dry ingredients are moistened.
2. Turn dough out onto wax paper; gently press or pat dough into a 7-inch round (mixture will be crumbly). Cut round into 8 wedges. Place wedges 2 inches apart on a lightly greased baking sheet. Brush tops of wedges with remaining 2 Tbsp. cream just until moistened.
3. Bake at 450° for 13 to 15 minutes or until golden.
4. Sprinkle with edible rose petals
5. Makes 8 Scones

Lemon & Artichoke Flatbread

• ½ pound whole wheat pizza dough store-bought or homemade
• ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
• 3-4 cloves garlic minced or grated
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice and zest of ½ a lemon
• 1 teaspoon dried basil
• kosher salt and pepper
• 2 cups fresh arugula
• 1 (12 ounce) jar marinated artichoke hearts, drained
• 8 ounces fresh mozzarella torn
• ¼ cup grated parmesan cheese
• ½ of a Meyer lemon thinly sliced
• 2 tablespoons raw pine nuts
• fresh basil, arugula, crushed red pepper and microgreens, for serving

1. Preheat oven to 425 degrees F. Grease a baking sheet with olive oil.
2. On a lightly floured surface, push/roll the dough out until it is very thin. For thin pizza, divide the dough into two and roll out. Transfer the dough to the prepared baking sheet. Spread the dough with olive oil. Add the garlic, lemon zest, basil, a pinch each of salt, pepper, and crushed red pepper flakes. Spread evenly over the dough. Add the artichokes, and cheese. Top with lemon 3-4 lemon slices. Transfer to the oven and bake 10-15 minutes or until the crust is crisp and the cheese has melted. Remove the pizza from the oven and top with basil, arugula and microgreens.
3. Yummy Lagniappe – half way through cooking, crack a cage free egg or two on top of the pizza for a little extra goodness.

Sparkling Lola Cocktail

• Sweet, bubbly, and floral, our Sparkling Lola cocktail will have you dreaming of spring. We took bubbly champagne and tonic water and mixed it with the floral flavors of St. Germain and a dash of rose water, making for an effervescent cocktail that is light and refreshing and perfect for a girls brunch!
• 3 oz. Champagne or sparkling wine
• 1 oz. St. Germain
• 1 oz. Tonic water
• 5-6 drops rose water
• 1 drop pink food coloring (optional)
• Flowers for garnish

1. Combine the champagne, St. Germain, tonic water, rose water, and food coloring into a shaker filled with ice. Shake well, strain mixture into glass, and top with a few small flowers or petals. Serve and enjoy immediately!
2. Makes One Cocktail