in the bag- one week and counting

perfecting the "done before they arrive" party- a work in progress
Categories: Salads and Dressings, Dinner Party, Posted on June 10, 2012 by Sandy Bergsten
Entering the homestretch for the big party. Time to make sure the glassware is spot-free (an easy task if care was taken washing and storing it the time before). Check to see if any of the silver needs to be polished. Make sure the linens are clean, pressed and ready to go. Create a playlist or set out CDs for the evening’s music. And now is the
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key component- ten days and counting

perfecting the "done before they arrive" party- a work in progress
Categories: Desserts, Dinner Party, Sources, Posted on June 5, 2012 by Sandy Bergsten
When entertaining a crowd it's best to get your “bookends” out of the way. Nothing beats an appetizer or dessert that can be safely stashed in the deep freeze. Because these pretty key lime tarts must be frozen, they are the perfect finish to my dinner for twenty. While impressive these little darlings take less than a half hour to make.
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warmest of welcomes- two weeks and counting

perfecting the "done before they arrive" party- a work in progress
Categories: Appetizers, Cocktail Party, Dinner Party, Posted on May 30, 2012 by Sandy Bergsten
There is no better way to give your guests a warm welcome than with a hot canapé. No one needs to know that your toasty little treats have been stowed in your freezer for weeks. What’s better than a cheese puff? Here’s an easy twist on this classic hors d’oeuvre. The secret- toss out the typical toast rounds for premade phyllo dough cups.
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presto pesto- three weeks and counting

perfecting the "done before they arrive" party- a work in progress
Categories: Grains and Pasta, Sauces and Such, Dinner Party, Posted on May 25, 2012 by Sandy Bergsten
For a large party once you’ve established the guest list, sketched out the menu, and sent out the invites it’s time to make what you can ahead of time to stow in your freezer. Pesto is an invaluable deep freeze staple. It can be made weeks or months ahead of time. For one of the sides for my dinner for twenty I’m serving pistachio pesto on fusilli.
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judge this

perfecting the "done before they arrive" party- a work in progress
Categories: Dinner Party, Sources, Well Equipped, Posted on May 21, 2012 by Sandy Bergsten
Tonight I am having twenty over for dinner. And to raise the bar these guests are some of the leading horticulture, flower arranging and photography judges in our country. So not only do I need to have an expert meal for this esteemed group everything inside and outside needs to be looking it’s finest as well. Planning a fete such as this takes
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in like a lamb

food detective
Categories: Salads and Dressings, Posted on May 17, 2012 by Sandy Bergsten
Some of the best things in life are the simplest. This holds true for the tender gentle green- mache. Also known as lamb’s lettuce this tiny dark green leaf from France with it’s nutty flavor is making a big flavor splash here in the United States. Because it is a low grower and must be hand cultivated it makes it a challenge for mass production.
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circle that date

perfecting the "done before they arrive" party- a work in progress
Categories: Soups, Breads, Pizza, Tarts, Dinner Party, Well Equipped, Posted on May 10, 2012 by Sandy Bergsten
Months ago we inquired if friends could come over for dinner. As we scrolled through our collective calendars weeks turned into months, we finally settled on Saturday May 5th. In February when I tapped the event into my iPhone who knew that our date harbored two minor holidays- Cinco de Mayo and the Kentucky Derby. When this potential conflict
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don’t let the sunshine fool you

the hostess with the mostest hotel
Categories: Fish and Seafood, Veggies and Sides, Dinner Party, Wine Line, Posted on May 3, 2012 by Sandy Bergsten
Loaded into the Mercury Grand Marquis, armed with water and sunglasses we headed west to Joshua Tree Park. Past the alien-like windmills of Whitewater and north toward the national park the temperature readout on our dash the size of a park bench dropped with each mile. A quick pit stop greeted us with 35 mile winds and plunging 51 degree temps
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first night post flight

the hostess with the mostest hotel
Categories: Appetizers, Meat, Grains and Pasta, Desserts, Dinner Party, Posted on May 1, 2012 by Sandy Bergsten
The afternoon’s conversations drift from children to jobs and table to lounge chairs. Minted Arnold Palmers give way to Pete’s 22 Ice Cube Margaritas. And if you know my dad, as these girls most certainly do, when he says twenty-two ice cubes he means it. Guac and my food detective’s rendition of Salsa Attack Salsa are the evening’s preamble.
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ladies lunch and the cabana boy

the hostess with the mostest hotel
Categories: Poultry, Lunch, Posted on April 28, 2012 by Sandy Bergsten
Today marks the arrival of my college roommates. Not a typical fan of girls’ night out, and certainly not of its extended version (women being best served with a generous dose of men) this trio is an exceptional exception. My hubby was supposed to be away for business but changed his plans when he heard who was coming, and why not these are
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