Wedding Trends in 2024

Congratulations to all the newly engaged couples out there! Let the planning begin! Have you considered a Sun Valley, Idaho wedding? Our 2024 wedding calender is booking up and it’s definitely what you’ll find us doing during the summer and fall months here in the Wood River Valley. Just like our bistro menu changing summer and winter to stay fresh and on trend, we custom create all wedding menus for the same reasons. Again, best wishes on the upcoming nuptuals whether near or far, we hope your day is beautiful.

Now for the top wedding trends you may see in 2024 - compliments of The Knot and Vogue. **Things we like…

1. Dutch Masters inspired florals

2. Ceremony Friday, Party Saturday**

3. Cake slices and dessert stations*

4. Drone shows, Cold Fireworks, Laser shows

5. Wedding Stylists

6. Digital or Audio Guest Books

7. Documentary and Candid Photography**

8. Creative Dress Codes

9. Meaningful, Non-Formal Menus**

10. Wedding Crests

11. Champagne Towers, Ice Sculptures

12. Sustainability**

13. Experiential Entertainment

14. Themed Rehearsal Dinners**

15. Day-After Recovery Lounge

16. Cocktail Hour before the wedding**

12 Ways to Cashew Dip

Cashew Dip is a vegetarian, vegan-friendly dip that pairs perfectly with raw vegetables, crackers, and so much more. This creamy, delicious dip is a perfect appetizer or snack for movie nights, watching the big game (or awards show) or entertaining. Feel free to make it dairy free and gluten free also too!

First start with cashews - salted or unsalted per your liking. Add the cashews to a bowl and cover with hot water. Allow the cashews to soak for at least 10 minutes. Drain the cashews and to a blender cup or food processor. Now the fun part - what to add. Here are some ideas of variations: Pro Tip: If a thinner sauce is desired add more water until the desired consistency is reached.

1. Garlic (raw for the “bite”), olive oil, fresh squeezed lemon juice, honey or agave and water

2. Garlic, nutritional yeast, cumin, chili powder, salt, harissa/hot salsa/hot sauce, etc

3. Milk - cashew/almond,etc, fresh red pepper, nutritional yeast, garlic, fresh squeezed lemon juice, chili powder, salt

4. Fresh squeezed lemon juice, diced onion, oil, cumin pwoder, curry powder, salt

5. Milk - cashew/almond, etc, fresh squeezed lemon, chopped onion, garlic powder, salt, dried oregano, dried basil, dried chives

6. Avocados, garlic, soy sauce, fresh squeezed lemon juice, salt, pepper

7. Sun dried tomatoes, garlic, fresh squeezed lemon juice, salt, smoked paprika, olive oil

8. Fresh squeezed lemon juice, Worcestershire sauce, onion flake, salt, ground black pepper

9. Maple or date syrup, vanilla, fresh orange peeled

10. Fresh mint leaves, fresh coriander leaves, garlic, salt and pepper

11. Tamari, fresh squeezed lime juice, sriracha, raw honey, sea salt

12. Coconut milk, fresh squeezed lemon juice, pure maple syrup, pure vanilla extract, salt, lemon zest

The possibilities are endless here. We look forward to hearing which combination is your favorite!

Mushrooms for Health

Mushrooms are having a moment and we are totally on board! You may be new here, so let’s start with this…Eat more veggies!!! It’s one of Rasberrys things and we not shy about it. If we all just ate more vegetables, there would be less ailments and doctor visits.

Why mushrooms? Mushrooms have been around since ancient times. They were known for well-being and longevity in Ancient China, in Ancient Eygpt they were the plants of immortality and the Greeks used them to make a drink concoction for their infamous ritual ceremonies.

Mushrooms contain macronutrients for a healthy immune system. According to the Mushroom Council your immune system will benefit from Selenium, which helps your body make antioxidant enzymes to prevent cell damage (choose cremini or portabella), Vitamin D, which assists with cell growth, boosts immune function and reduces inflammation (chose maitake mushrooms), Vitamin B6, which helps your body form red blood cells, proteins and DNA (choose shiitake.)

This diverse vegetable has accompanied many dishes traditionally alongside a meat. Fast forward to 2023 and the veggie movement with plant-based, vegetarian and vegan diets and now mushrooms are the main event. Have you tried Miso Mushroom Risotto? Or Adobo Mushroom Tacos? Next time your dish calls for beef or chicken substitute mushrooms for that same meaty texture.

Don’t forget to ask Maeme about her mushroom coffee. Did you know we have a local mushroom grower Ironwood Mycology? Zach delivers beauties to us weekly!