perfecting the "done before they arrive" party- a work in progress
Last summer the Dorothy Lane Market School of Cooking asked me if I would teach a few classes on holiday entertaining. One of the things I’m well known for are my amazing hors d'oeuvres that seem to come together with relatively little effort, so a November class on make ahead canapés seemed perfect. I sent off nine recipes that could either be
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perfecting the "done before they arrive" party- a work in progress
Fast, fresh and full of color and flavor. One of the best parts of living in Ohio during the summer is the abundance of home grown tomatoes. I can’t get enough of caprese salad. Thick slices of juicy tomatoes, creamy burratta cheese, slivered freshly picked basil, a pinch of kosher salt and a big grind of pepper. Heaven. So when putting my menu
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perfecting the "done before they arrive" party- a work in progress
Entertaining is all about planning an event ahead of time. So when life throws you a curveball or even a cannon ball what’s a hostess to do? The answer often lies in the reason you were having folks over in the first place. If tragedy hits there’s no shame in canceling, your guests will certainly understand. But most of the time we entertain so we
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perfecting the "done before they arrive" party- a work in progress
My buddy Rick came in from San Francisco to call on his Midwest clients. I jumped at the chance for him to visit our new home in Dayton. It’s not often we get coastal company, or for that matter any houseguests at all. Southwestern Ohio doesn’t have much destination appeal. Ironically everyone who has ventured to our place has fallen in love with
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something in a snap
There is something sublime about mortadella, the Italian cold cut made from heat-cured pork often studded with pistachios. I’ve heard it’s a staple in Bologna but in that pass of a name ends the comparison. If you have never had mortadella I invite you to venture into an Italian deli or high-end butcher and have them slice you a quarter pound
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something in a snap
How many times have you needed an appetizer only to find that all your spare time has evaporated into thin air? Lately I’ve been on the run leaving me very little time to cook, let alone photograph and post. But rather than stressing out about it I decided I would share some tricks I keep up my sleeve when I’m faced with an actual entertaining need
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perfecting the "done before they arrive" party- a work in progress
Just taught my first class at DLM’s Cooking School. What a blast! The theme was a “vertical dinner party”. Many of the students arrived wondering what that term actually meant. Truth is I made it up, but it’s my go-to version of a pumped up cocktail party. When you want to entertain a crowd but are pinched for space, time or money instead of a
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perfecting the "done before they arrive" party- a work in progress
Just got back from Philadelphia where I was a delegate for Garden Club of America’s centennial annual meeting. Needless to say it was an auspicious affair. Among the keynote speakers were Alice Waters chef, author, activist and owner of Chez Panisse in Berkeley. A champion of the organic food movement, Waters spoke of how gardening had shaped her
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making it your own
Please don’t throw away the key. Sometimes it’s best to beg, borrow or steal. When you can procure a superior component rather than make it from scratch- go for it. The trick is to tweak it to make it your own. Last weekend my dear friend Pokey asked me to bring an hors d'oeuvre to her Saturday soiree. I couldn’t resist the alliteration and decided
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perfecting the "done before they arrive" party- a work in progress
What’s more special than an array of irresistible nibbles to begin and end an evening? With a small group it’s easy to splurge. So pull out the stops and create an assortment of delectable bites to greet your guests and send them on their way. Here are some distinctive bookends that can be prepped entirely ahead of time, ensuring your night
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Wherever I find myself, I’m happiest with a full dining room table. As a former professional chef and caterer I want to share what I’ve learned over the past three decades of entertaining. On this site you’ll find tricks of the trade to help even the most harried of you pull off a seemingly seamless fête. Come join the conversation! read more →