We’ve always loved the idea of a kitchen or recipe shower for brides or couples. So when we spotted these Hallmark vintage-inspired-yet-totally-modern recipe book designs, we couldn’t resist the temptation to put a fresh twist on the tradition.
The great thing about getting a bunch of recipes is…you know, getting a bunch of recipes. But they don’t do a bit of good if they’re not your kind of food. We like the idea of tailoring the request for recipes to the people getting married—and turning a stack of ideas from friends and family into a go-to-first cookbook.
Here are a few ways to do it…
The Comfort Food Recipe Shower
Key ingredients may include butter, cheese, noodles, and probably Things From Cans. These are the recipes you want after long days, on rainy days, for tough times—or just when you need the kind of hug you can only get from melty cheese.
- How do you know it’s right? The couple owns a big dog, has matching hoodies, or goes to lots of church pot-lucks.
- Level it up: Give it with a casserole dish or oven mitts.
Chicken Pot Pie Filling
This is a "grandma recipe"—so there's lots of room for interpretation. Also: This is just the filling. You can make individual pot pies or a casserole—just cover with homemade or store-bought pie crust. You can also place pie crust on bottom of pie if you like. See what we mean?
Ingredients
- 1 Rotisserie Chicken (Meat removed from bones and diced.)
- 5 cups Chicken broth (Or try leftover gravy.)
- Chicken bouillon
- 1 1/2 sticks Butter
- 2 Onions (Chopped.)
- 3/4 cup Flour (Reduce if you're using gravy, as it's already been thickened.)
- 1/4 cup Heavy cream
- 2 cups Carrots (Medium dice, blanched in boiling water for 3-5 minutes.)
- 2 cups Potatoes (Medium dice, blanched in boiling water for 3-5 minutes.)
- 1 10 oz. package Frozen peas
- Parsley flakes
- Salt and pepper
Instructions
In a large pot, melt the butter and sauté the onions (if using) over medium-low heat until translucent. Add the flour and cook over low heat, stirring constantly for about 2 minutes (You are making a rue).
Add the chicken broth and bouillon. Simmer over low heat, stirring until thickened. Add salt, pepper and heavy cream. (Taste to make sure it tastes chicken-y enough; add bouillon, salt, pepper to taste.) Add cubed meat, potatoes, carrots, peas, onions, parsley. Mix well.
You can make individual pot pies or casserole: Just cover with pie crust. You can also place pie crust on the bottom, if you like.
Place on baking sheet and bake at 375 for about 1 hour until the top is golden brown and the filling is bubbling hot.
Mango Wood Cutting Board | Faith, Hope, Love, and Biscuits Recipe Book | Treat Yourself Small Serving Bowl
The Healthy Habits Recipe Shower
No comfort food here—unless you’re subbing in cauliflower for pasta or fat-free yogurt for sour cream. Why reveal Grandma Ruth’s banana pudding recipe to people who eat plain berries for dessert? Give them that low-fat, high-protein, no-sugar goodness they crave.
- How do you know it’s right? They’ve planned their honeymoon around a big-city marathon or a hiking tour.
- Level it up: Include personalized sport-specific recipes, like pre-race carb dinners and or trail mix.
Healthy Chicken Salad with Sesame-Miso Dressing
Every time I make this, people ask for the recipe.
Ingredients
- 3 breasts Boneless, skinless chicken
- Salt
- Pepper
- Garlic salt
- 2 ounces Thin rice noodles
- 2 heads Romaine lettuce
- 1/2 cup Cooked edamame beans (thaw if frozen)
- 4 stalks Green onion (cut into match sticks)
- 1/2 cup Sliced almonds
- Sesame-Miso Dressing (recipe below)
Instructions
Season the chicken with salt, pepper and garlic salt. Allow it to rest and come to room temperature before baking in a 425 degree oven for 15-20 minutes depending upon the thickness of each piece. Cook till inside is no longer pink, or internal temperature is at least 165 degrees. Cool chicken and shred into bite-sized pieces.
Prepare rice noodles according to package directions, drain and set aside. If they are particularly long noodles, cut into three to four inch lengths.
Just before serving, combine chicken, edamame, rice noodles, lettuce and green onion. Add salad dressing and toss. Garnish with sliced almonds.
Sesame-Miso dressing
Serve with Healthy Chicken Salad (recipe above).
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup Honey
- 1 tsp Salt
- 3 tbsp White vinegar
- 1/3 cup Light olive oil or canola oil
- 2 tsp White miso paste
- 2 tbsp Toasted sesame seeds
- 1/4 tsp Pepper
Instructions
- Combine the above ingredients; mix well and refrigerate. Shake well and pour over salad just before serving.
Retro Recipe Cards | Retro Recipe Organizer Binder | Fiesta Flowers Ceramic Tidbit Bowls | Thanks for the Food Tea Towels
The Happy Hour Recipe Shower
They’re members of wine club, they frequent craft beer tastings, and they’ve just started “collecting” whiskey. Stock their bar with the most creative cocktail recipes you can find. Maybe some fancy bar snacks, too.
- How do you know it’s right? They’re very excited about the specialty cocktail for their reception.
- Level it up: Give drink recipes with the appropriate glassware, bar accessories, or garnishes.
The New Hotness
Ingredients
- 1/2 oz lemon juice fresh squeezed
- 1 oz gin
- 1/2 oz jalapeno simple syrup
- champagne or sparkling wine
Instructions
- Add first three ingredients to cocktail shaker with ice. Shake vigorously for 30 seconds.
Strain and pour into a champagne flute and top with sparkling wine (approximately 3oz.)
Garnish with lemon twist.
Embossed Recipe Binder | Lemon Cutting Board | Teal Embossed Recipe Refill Cards | Lemons Ceramic Juice Squeezer
Who’d we miss? Can you think of a great theme for a recipe shower? Let us know on Facebook or Instagram.