amuse bouche

making it for two
Categories: Appetizers, Dinner for Two, Cocktail Party, Dinner Party, Fête Fact, Posted on September 17, 2018 by Sandy Bergsten
Let’s be honest- after a long day who doesn’t want to come home to a little canapé? Please don’t roll your eyes because I make my spouse a small hors d'oeuvre to accompany his Makers Mark. And before you groan, let me show you how something that takes almost no effort can have a huge impact on those you love- be it your husband, wife, significant
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with a grain of salt

food detective
Categories: Beverages, Cocktail Party, Dinner Party, Posted on May 14, 2018 by Sandy Bergsten
I pulled into my desert house right after my 26-year-old daughter and her friends had driven off after a little Cinco de Mayo girls’ weekend. I was truly impressed that they had left the house just as they had found it. And even more elated when I opened the freezer to find a large bottle of top shelf tequila chilling on its side. Let’s get serious
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wink and a nod

perfecting the "done before they arrive" party- a work in progress
Categories: Appetizers, Cocktail Party, Dinner Party, Fête Fact, Posted on February 19, 2018 by Sandy Bergsten
Right before Valentine’s Day I taught a Girls’ Night Out cooking class at Dorothy Lane Market’s Culinary Center. The evening featured elegant and effortless appetizers and some simple but spectacular deserts. To make it more fun, Teresa Kearney, paired it all with wines from across Europe. Because let’s be honest, when having people over who
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on a roll

food detective
Categories: Appetizers, Cocktail Party, Posted on February 5, 2018 by Sandy Bergsten
One of my readers emailed me after my last post, which was on new year resolutions and my desire to make French cheese puffs, and asked me how I expected to lose seven pounds (another one of my resolutions) while eating gougères. Point well taken. So, I decided to investigate how I could work something bright and fresh into my canapé repertoire.
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resolve to make it simple

perfecting the "done before they arrive" party- a work in progress
Categories: Appetizers, Cocktail Party, Fête Fact, Posted on January 23, 2018 by Sandy Bergsten
This time of year we all have resolutions. Maybe it’s to lose 7 pounds, improve your daily workout, drink more water, mediate each morning. I know these are all on my list, along with another… to start making gougères. You might wonder what the heck is that!? A gougère is a delicate little cheese puff made with a savory pâte à choux. À pâte what?!
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interception

food detective
Categories: Appetizers, Cocktail Party, Fête Fact, Posted on January 9, 2018 by Sandy Bergsten
Football’s been a constant in our home the past few weeks. Personally, I am a diehard Michigan fan, I also like to root for the Cleveland Browns. Obviously, I have had little to cheer about. That said, my attention span tends to wander and wane when it comes to other teams and competitions. While my loved ones have been glued to the big screen
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double dip

perfecting the "done before they arrive" party- a work in progress
Categories: Appetizers, Cocktail Party, Posted on December 11, 2017 by Sandy Bergsten
Bringing an appetizer to a special friend’s party calls for something a little exceptional. Nothing says home like a dip, though there is certainly nothing humdrum about this one. First glances are deceiving, this concoction is sophisticated and sublime. Smoked salmon and salmon roe. Don’t skimp on the ingredients, the highest quality yields
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house of horror-d’oeuvres

perfecting the "done before they arrive" party- a work in progress
Categories: Appetizers, Cocktail Party, Dinner Party, Fête Fact, Posted on October 28, 2017 by Sandy Bergsten
What could be more frightening than having company arrive and not having a canape (or two) to greet them? Fear not! Just in time for Halloween (and the upcoming holiday season) here are several appetizers that can be made well in advance and stowed in your freezer, or assembled in a matter minutes. Now you’ll always have something scrumptious to
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easy as 1-2-3

perfecting the "done before they arrive" party- a work in progress
Categories: Appetizers, Cocktail Party, Posted on July 10, 2017 by Sandy Bergsten
Sometimes you need a sensational appetizer that literally comes together in the count of three. On Wednesday night I’m teaching a cooking class at Dorothy Lane Market’s Culinary Center. When I was putting the lineup of recipes together it seemed like we might need a little something to kick things off. The evening is going to feature grilled flank
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out of the box

food detective
Categories: Appetizers, Sauces and Such, Supper, Cocktail Party, Dinner Party, Well Equipped, Posted on June 11, 2017 by Sandy Bergsten
Every month, for the past decade, my husband receives a special delivery from the fruit of the month club. And each month I bring the package in, place it on the counter, and when he comes home from work we pour ourselves a cocktail and survey the box. After a thoughtful draw on our drinks we open it up. The first thing we say to one another is
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