Wedding Trends

Angel Hair Pasta with Shrimp and Rosemary
Sizzling Mini-Sliders

(Family Features) - Springtime ushers in the glitz and glamour of wedding season, which lasts into late fall. This year, economizing is foremost on everyone's minds, but betrothed couples want their weddings and the events leading up to them to be as special as ever.

These wedding trends are how brides and grooms are turning bridal showers, couples' showers and, of course, the wedding itself into priceless yet affordable experiences for everyone involved.

• Revisiting food classics that are guaranteed to please the palate but don't break the bank, like the Sizzling Mini-Sliders featured.


• Choosing fresh and flavorful wines that present incredible value for the price but don't compromise a smidge on quality.


• Serving food in smaller portions, a restaurant trend, is a hit for guests and a boon for the budget.


• Conserving resources with 3L Premium Wine Casks, a convenient, no-waste way to serve a crowd.

Here are some stylish, budget-friendly food and wine options that allow happy couples to have their cupcakes and eat them too.

Bridal Shower

To create an elegant and festive party atmosphere, decorate the event space with fresh flowers and set aside a table where gifts can be presented. A buffet table lets guests serve themselves and also provides a tableau for food and wine selections to be artfully displayed. Arrange an inviting layout of fresh seasonal salads and bite-sized desserts, with a delectable angel hair pasta dish as the centerpiece. Pair with the delicious Angel Juice Pinot Grigio, quintessentially Californian with delicate peach notes and a refreshing finish.

Couples' Shower

A couples' shower is the ideal way to informally celebrate the upcoming marriage. Commonly known as a Jack and Jill party, the event can be a luncheon, a laid-back barbeque or a party at a local park. A couples' shower is a prime opportunity for everyone to take a break and enjoy spending time together. Mini-burgers, or gourmet sliders, have universal appeal and offer up a new twist on an old favorite. Paired with the vibrant Big House Red, a California blend bursting with ripe red fruits that costs less than $10 a bottle, they will easily satisfy guests.

Wedding Reception

As an alternative to the traditional wedding cake, a cupcake wedding tree is a sophisticated way to end the momentous occasion on the sweetest of notes. Paired with the luscious, food-friendly Cupcake Chardonnay from the prized Central Coast winegrowing region, this spectacular dessert and the creamy, fruit-forward wine are a match made in heaven.

Wine Planning Checklist for Parties

• Use 3L Premium Wine Casks for large groups, as each cask will serve up to 20 guests, each guest with a standard five-ounce glass.
• Guests at daytime parties usually drink less wine. Serve approximately one glass of wine per guest every 90 minutes.
• For evening parties, serve approximately one glass of wine per guest every hour.
• Chill white wine for at least three hours before guests arrive.
• Open and decant red wines about 30 minutes before guests arrive to allow the flavors to open up and breathe.
• Be a responsible host and offer special non-alcoholic beverages and plenty of water for thirsty guests.

For more information about these wines, please visit www.UnderdogWineMerchants.com.

Angel Hair Pasta with Shrimp and Rosemary

Ingredients

• 16 ounces dried angel hair pasta
• 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
• 3/4 cup chopped onion (about 1/2 onion)
• 4 teaspoons minced garlic
• 3 teaspoons seeded and minced serrano chile about 1 chile)
• 2 teaspoons finely chopped fresh rosemary and sprigs for garnish
• 2 cups Angel Juice Pinot Grigio
• 3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice, about 1 lemon
• 24 large shrimp, peeled and deveined
• 4 tablespoons butter
• 1/4 cup pine nuts, toasted in a 350°F oven for 10 minutes until lightly browned
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

Preparation

1. Cook pasta according to package directions. Set large saucepan over medium heat and add olive oil. Sauté onions, garlic, chiles and rosemary about 4 minutes or until soft.
2. Add wine and lemon juice, raise heat to high and boil until liquid is reduced by half.
3. Add shrimp and cook until pink, about 2 minutes. Remove pan from heat, stir in butter and pine nuts, and toss with drained pasta. Add salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.

Serves
Serves 6

Notes, Tips & Suggestions
Pairing suggestion: Angel Juice Pinot Grigio

Preparation Time:
30 minutes

Sizzling Mini-Sliders

Ingredients

• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• 2 teaspoons minced garlic
• 1/2 cup Big House Red
• 1 1/2 pounds ground chuck
• 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
• 12 3-inch dinner rolls

Condiments

• Caramelized onions (sauté in olive oil, very slowly, about 20 minutes)
• 1/2 cup loosely packed watercress
• 1/2 cup thinly shredded radicchio

Preparation

1. In medium bowl, combine onion powder, garlic, wine, beef, salt and pepper.
2. Shape into twelve 1/2-inch-thick patties.
3. Grill until browned, 3 to 4 minutes per side. Grill dinner rolls until slightly toasted. On bottom of each roll, place caramelized onions, patty, watercress and radicchio. Top with roll top.

Serves
Serves 4

Notes, Tips & Suggestions
Pairing suggestion: Big House Red

Preparation Time:
30 minutes

SOURCE:
Underdog Wine Merchants