take your time

perfecting the "done before they arrive" party- a work in progress
Categories: Grains and Pasta, Sauces and Such, Dinner Party, Sources, Posted on March 24, 2013 by Sandy Bergsten
In a world of texts and tweets we can fall victim to the illusion that anything is instantly available. Some things in life to take time to develop. Consider the evolution of a friendship or a simmering ragu. Time and genuine attention can alter what is seemingly simple into the truly sublime. As fate would have it last Friday night we had the
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bare all

food detective
Categories: Grains and Pasta, Sauces and Such, Supper, Dinner Party, Posted on January 28, 2013 by Sandy Bergsten
Sometimes you want to try something new, what safer way than with a pair of old friends. Hunkering down for a snowy supper with a roaring fire and just one other couple is my idea of the perfect Saturday night. It’s also the perfect opportunity to skate out on thin ice with a new recipe. There are a few dishes I wish I could successfully make
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night before christmas

perfecting the "done before they arrive" party- a work in progress
Categories: Appetizers, Fish and Seafood, Poultry, Grains and Pasta, Veggies and Sides, Desserts, Dinner Party, Sources, Posted on December 24, 2012 by Sandy Bergsten
As for many with adult children our holidays are looking more like a sprawl. This year we must divide and conquer. All this entertaining demands that memorable meals come together with a minimum of last minute effort. For selfishly I want to be with those I love, not tied to my overused stove. Here’s the first of our three “Christmas” dinners.
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it’s all greek(ish) to me

what's for dinner
Categories: Salads and Dressings, Poultry, Grains and Pasta, Veggies and Sides, Dinner for Two, Supper, Posted on October 22, 2012 by Sandy Bergsten
Busy week, busy day. What to have for dinner? Greek burgers and Israeli couscous with roasted grape tomatoes and basil. My take on Greek excludes lamb. Not sure why but I can’t stomach it. Lamentably lamb was the celebratory meal of choice in my first husband’s family. Because he was the last of five to marry there was lots to celebrate.
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bumper crop

perfecting the "done before they arrive" party- a work in progress
Categories: Grains and Pasta, Sauces and Such, Posted on October 15, 2012 by Sandy Bergsten
One of the joys of summer is an abundance of fresh herbs growing right outside the kitchen door. Toward the end of the season some have gone to seed, others have turned into lanky vines but almost without fail my basil plants seem to vie for a starring role in a Miracle Grow ad. Spring’s seedlings have turned into autumnal bushes and with the first
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all choked up

perfecting the "done before they arrive" party- a work in progress
Categories: Fish and Seafood, Grains and Pasta, Veggies and Sides, Dinner Party, Posted on September 17, 2012 by Sandy Bergsten
Took my baby to the airport. I’m as predictable as Old Faithful. The waterworks starting misting up days ago. My maternal tears can be quite disarming. Pity the person who encountered me on the first day of preschool, the back roads of New Hampshire after I dropped my little ones off at summer camp, or heaven forbid the airport when they went off
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welcome home

perfecting the "done before they arrive" party- a work in progress
Categories: Salads and Dressings, Grains and Pasta, Supper, Dinner Party, Posted on September 10, 2012 by Sandy Bergsten
We all have those meals that conjure up memories of home. It’s usually the first request of one’s first night. I remember being a freshman at the University of Michigan and my dorm mates reminiscing about the first dinner they had when they went home for Thanksgiving break. Meatloaf, spaghetti, fried chicken. Everyone wanted to know what my mom
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game day

perfecting the "done before they arrive" party- a work in progress
Categories: Salads and Dressings, Poultry, Grains and Pasta, Desserts, Dinner Party, Posted on June 29, 2012 by Sandy Bergsten
The big day finally arrives. The house is clean, tables set, music laid out, serving dishes in their place, bar is stocked, nametags printed. The freezer and frig hold all the components for tonight’s dinner for twenty. The beauty of this meal is that it is served room temp. Meaning I can set it all out right before the first guests arrive
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post this- the night before

perfecting the "done before they arrive" party- a work in progress
Categories: Appetizers, Salads and Dressings, Soups, Poultry, Grains and Pasta, Veggies and Sides, Desserts, Dinner Party, Posted on June 24, 2012 by Sandy Bergsten
One of the many gifts my mom gave me was showing me the importance of putting everything in its place. There is an air of elegance if everything is exactly where it is supposed to be. For a large party you’ll strike gold if you set out your serving pieces the night before. Marking each piece with an identifying post-it is a certain silver lining.
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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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