first
Thanksgiving is the one time of year I pull out all the sterling silver flatware, serving pieces and candlesticks, polish it up and use it. I love the rich luster of well used and well loved sterling silver. It catches the light and is especially striking when used with beautiful linens. Sterling silver requires elbow […]
Once you’ve decided that you’re going to have a party, chosen the menu and guest list, it’s time to design the tabletop. The table design and setting is just as important as the food because it adds another element to the event and the overall experience. I always start with one thing as my main […]
If you slice up some generic Swiss and put a hunk of orange cheddar on a plate, odds are no one will eat it and you’ll be eating lots of cheese omelettes and baking cheese bread to use up the leftovers. Nothing wrong with cheese omelettes or cheese bread, but wouldn’t you rather present a […]
This is another recipe that you will see different variations of on my blog. Just in case you wondered, I test recipes several times before I post them. I want to be sure they work and that my tasters rate them as totally delectable. These are crostini composed of a vegetable spread called Ajvar (available […]
I have always loved pot de crème, crème brûlée or any type of baked custard dessert. There is something about the rich, luscious, creamy texture, combined with the intense flavor that brings a smile to my face with the first spoonful. I tried to sort out the difference between crème brûlée and pot de crème. […]
You need to stop whatever you’re doing and make this recipe immediately! I know it freezes well because the first time I made it (as a test), it was so good, I had to tightly wrap it, seal it up and put in my garage freezer to stop from eating it all. And as good […]
Sometimes the table design comes first and sometimes – the menu. The chicken / egg question. In this case, I started with the feeling I wanted to create: Fun, fun, fun! I knew I wanted bright colors and playful flowers, nothing too dressy or even sophisticated. I started out rummaging around in my butler’s pantry […]
For the Sit-in-the-Kitchen Dinner with my friend Maria, I knew I would assemble an Antipasto Platter, but I wanted to make it extra special. I am fortunate to be able to buy gorgeous raw colossal wild shrimp at my neighborhood market. These shrimp are delicate with a slight sweetness. I could have just broiled them […]
Marinated artichoke hearts with tarragon
Baked wild shrimp with ***Ajvar and feta
Mozzarella balls with basil and red pepper flakes
* Roasted tomatoes with garlic
** Italian salami
** Prosciutto di Parma
** Olives
** Baby arugula
Polpettone stuffed with eggplant and smoked mozzarella
Sautéed spinach / Roasted asparagus and zucchini
Gratin of pears, blueberries and mascarpone cheese
Coconut oatmeal ginger cookies
* Purchased at Bristol Farms
** Purchased at Trader Joe’s
*** Available at my Amazon Affiliate Store
Sometimes one or two pieces can inspire and set the tone for the entire party. In this case, the pieces were the table fabric and the vases. The vases were just something I fell in love with but had no idea when I would use them. I just had to have them. I found the […]
