Photo by Stuart Villanueva
Sweet and Southern twists
Patriotic party
From shrimp rolls to micheladas, freedom never tasted this good
How they roll
Bring on the fireworks with this island-style tailgate party
Texas tidings, coastal cheer
Spread good tidings and cheer with a holiday open house featuring a stress-free menu with make-ahead dishes. Photo by Jennifer Reynolds
Biscuit bar and shrimp skewers make for a perfect holiday open house
Spreading glad tidings and good cheer is easy with a few festive dishes. [Read more…]
Patriotic party
From flamingo cocktails to beach ball pizza, celebrate Fourth of July with coastal flair
On the Texas Gulf Coast, Fourth of July parties are casual and relaxed. All you need are a few festive touches to ready your backyard for a patriotic party. [Read more…]
Perfect party fare
Make holiday gatherings unforgettable with this retro-inspired menu
We asked Alicia Cahill, Coast Monthly’s food stylist, to create an unforgettable holiday spread. She delivered with this retro-inspired menu that will have you dreaming of a winter wonderland. [Read more…]
Decorations of Independence
Photo by Jennifer Reynolds
Salute Fourth of July with this star-spangled soirée
We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all parties aren’t created equal. Coastal Texans understand how to throw a Fourth of July party — always breezy, never dull. [Read more…]
Dreaming of an island Christmas?
Writer Randi Faust and husband, Carl Herman, enjoy entertaining at their Indian Beach house on the island’s West End. The couple bought the house, called Argonauta, so Faust could retreat to write and they could spend long weekends and holidays with family there. Makeup by Desa Polivka, a Mary Kay independent sales director, 409.682.1113, www.marykay.com/desa. Hair by Rebecca Rivera, of Total Technique Salon, 3226 13th Ave. N. in Texas City, 409.945.9542. Photo by Stuart Villanueva
Try these easy dishes and drinks for a beach-house bash
Everything on the island is just a little more laid back, even holiday entertaining. Alicia Cahill, Coast Monthly’s food stylist, whips up some recipes that will make throwing parties this season seem like a relaxing day on the beach. [Read more…]
A crackin’ Fourth
Backyard Crab Boil. Photo by Stuart Villanueva
Celebrate freedom Gulf style with a backyard crab boil
Fourth of July is a favorite time to gather friends and family for an outdoor feast. This year, declare freedom from the usual hot dogs and hamburgers and add some bang to your bash with a backyard crab boil using fresh Gulf seafood. [Read more…]
Friendsgiving
Chef Mary Bass, from left, Chef Sarah Penrod, Tina Davis, Susan Walker-Benson, Vu Nguyen, and not pictured, Rick Benson, Alicia Cahill and Helen Gerding, toast to their holiday potluck at the Bensons’ home on Offatts Bayou. Photo by Jennifer Reynolds
Good wine, skilled cooks and water views are ingredients for perfect holiday feast
Sometimes, you can never have too many cooks in the kitchen. We asked Coast Monthly food stylist Alicia Cahill to gather professional chefs and really good cooks from around the county to serve up some of their favorite Thanksgiving recipes. What they brought to the table was a lot of fun and the perfect potluck feast for a seaside holiday gathering. [Read more…]