Cheat’s dinner party: menu for six people for less than £35 - Telegraph
My goodness life has been busy! But I can never pass up on sharing my favorite Telegraph column for dinner party cheats.
This time it's:Starter
- Creamy mushrooms on Toasted Brioche
Main course
- Chicken and Sage
Pudding
The fabulous thing is that in this link you get the recipes and timings because it's all prepared within one hour..
- Chilli Chocolate Pots
Hello no! They're just different..Is the dinner party dead? | Open thread | Comment is free | guardian.co.uk
According to a study conducted at Sussex University, "the formal sit-down do, with carefully-planned menu, placement and guestlist governed by social aspiration, is a thing of the past. Instead, according to researchers, people are turning to more informal gatherings of friends and family, with drinks and a more buffet-style of serving food – and even with dishes brought by guests".
We're still getting together for dinner parties.. check it out..
Cheat’s dinner party: menu for six people for less than £35 - Telegraph
My all-time favorite regular Telegraph column.
What's on offer today?Starter Carrot, watercress and orange soup with parmesan and walnut crisps
Main course Tomato and crab tarts
Pudding Amaretto pears with chocolate ice cream
And all prepared with an hour..
Here's another simple idea for those who are time poor but friend rich..A pear recipe for a simple dinner party | Life & Arts | Star-Telegram
there's no need to go to the great effort of cooking up a three course dinner party - there are other options. Here's this suggestion from a column in The Star Telegram..
"When you are pressed for time but still want to entertain, take the easy way out. Instead of asking friends over for dinner, invite them for appetizers and wine. Preparing several delectable nibbles to set out with a bottle of vino is far less stressful and demanding than a full-fledged menu."
Recipe included in article..
For our American friends..Share Your Come Together Dinner Party Stories! - ABC News
"Good Morning America" is teaming with Macy's and Feeding America as part of the "Come Together" project. The goal of the initiative is to feed millions of Americans by encouraging people to throw dinner parties at which guests are invited to donate to Feeding America. Macy's will match donations dollar for dollar until the goal of ten million meals is reached. Just $1 will fund 7 seven meals."GMA" wants to hear about YOUR "Come Together" dinner party. Tell us who you invited, what you served, and why you were inspired to get involved.
A "GMA" producer may contact you for more information and we might share your story on air on "GMA!"
I'm sure they won't mind me including all their text to promote this great event..
Again, how can I not share my discovery with you? - I mean this UK Telegraph column that really does help dinner party cheats.. This affordable menu for six includes:Cheat's dinner party: menu for six people for less than £35 - TelegraphStarter Baked mushroom creams
Main course Parmesan lamb patties on rocket, pear and toasted almond salad
Pudding Fig, honey and basil tart
Mmmmm - recipes included in the article link!
If you've been to my blog before you will know I am a big fan of this regulat Telegraph UK Cheat's dinner party column. here's the menu to cook for six people on a budget:Cheat's dinner party: cook for six people on a budget of £35 - TelegraphStarter Almond and Fennel soup
Main course Plaice with a Thyme and Herb Crust and Beurre Blanc
Pudding Blackberry Syllabub
Of course the recipes are included and the whole meal takes just one hour to make - not bad huh?
Gordon Ramsey says - he is going answer to the question he is most commonly asked: what is the perfect dinner party menu? So.. what do you think?Gordon Ramsay's perfect dinner party menu | Gordon Ramsay | Food and Drink - Times Online
And you know what? His advice sunds very similar to that of my last post here. He says " it may sound like a cliché, but do yourself a favor and keep it simple. The less complicated a menu, the less likely you will be to run into problems on the night. Always try to prepare as much as possible in advance and choose dishes that don’t require too much attention on the evening; the more that you can do during the day, the better."
But the recipe suggestions - delish.. check it our for yourself.. he even includes the recipes!
I found this article which has some really useful tips - like make sure you have at your own dinner party too.. we are often so busy ensuring all are guests are well looked after that we out ourselves last.. But, with a bit of pre-planning you can make things easier for yourself so as to relax more and mingle..Have a good time at your own party | Detroit Free Press | Freep.com
"For a dinner party that's as much fun for you as the guests, start with a comfortable outfit that makes you feel great, plan a simple menu that can be prepped in advance and keep the conversational ball rolling."
I tend to often go with their semi-home made approach - that is, I often don't make every course from scratch.. I may buy a classy looking entree or dessert.
Anyway, have a look and see what you think..
Hear of dinner party wars? That is friends competing with one-another to host that perfect dinner party.How to hold the perfect dinner party
Tony Tobin gives hints and tips here about how to make you "the ultimate showman in the kitchen."
He gives some great tips (including the one below) and what's more - there are a number of recipes to consider when planning your next dinner party..
"For finishing touches decorate the top of your table using banana leaves or pin chillies to the hem of your tablecloth. Another tip is to heat up spices in warm water to give your room a wonderful aroma."
Having the sweet tooth that I do, this article caught my eye!Sweet Sunday: Throw a dessert party
Danielle E Brown has come with a great idea for people wanting to throw a large dinner party without the massive expense.. just cut out the other courses and go straight to dessert..
"Invite people to your house as you would for a formal dinner party. Don't scrimp on elegance! Send paper invitations or classy e-vites and impose a dress code; cocktail attire would be fun and appropriate in this instance. In a tough economy, people are trying to cut back, so cut back on your budget -- but not the fun -- by substituting a dessert party in place of a dinner party."
And instead of regular wine, your friends can bring over dessert wine..
And instead of your guests bringing some containers to take any yummy leftovers, maybe have some handy yourself?
Enjoy!
I like the sound of the following statement because it is just so true..dinner parties are just such a great way to catch up with friends.3 News > Lifestyle > Story > How to host the perfect dinner party on a budget
"Feeding 6 sounds expensive but cook Annabelle White says it doesn't need to be - and is a great way to get goodwill and good fun flowing through your social life."
You can take your time without feeling pressured to leave a restaurant to make room for the next sitting..
"Annabelle White doesn't do boring dinner parties, right from the start they’re interesting. She says “I find having a large knife and greeting my guests at the door instills a certain frisson of fear - now fear tends to liven up the mood.”
Read more in this article:
"Nothing screams, “summer!” louder than a picnic. It’s the most relaxing (and delicious) way to enjoy the great outdoors, it is an effortless way to bring young, old and everyone in between together, and all it takes is a patch of grass or sand, some snacks and drinks, and a blanket. It’s an adventure, a feast, and a party all at once, and you don’t actually have to go to the trouble of having anyone over for dinner. In fact, picnics have been potluck since they were invented in France way back in the 1600s, so don’t be shy about asking everyone to bring a dish."Grab the coleslaw and plan a perfect picnic - TODAY Food and wine
Ain't that the truth?
When planning your next dinner party, ask yourself if a picnic might be the better option so you can enjoy the delights of the great outdoors..
It can be a lot less work but you will still be bringing people together over food..
Dannielle Kyrillos' article is worth a read..
"As with all social occasions, your mother will doubtless have instilled in you from an early age the need for good behavior at all times. However the temptation to stray when faced with a soirée compiled entirely of friends of third cousins once removed and their respective partners, dogs and children (most probably in that order) is nothing short of colossal. Here are some top tips for taking up the gauntlet with panache, finesse and most importantly, a degree of enjoyment."Surviving a dinner party | News | Houses for sale, properties for sale - Country Life
And so begins Alice Cook in her article about how to survive a dinner party..
Her tips are kind of cute .. dress to impress, watch how much you drink, smile and if you get stuck for conversation because4 you have so little in common with other guests.. play the alphabet game..
Read more here..
Well - this clip stands out because the author Angela Gala is suggesting how to plan an elegant formal party on a budget as opposed to just any old dinner party..Throw a Formal Dinner Party on a Budget | hitched
I agree - just because times are tough at the moment, doesn't mean we can't be a little more creative and have a formal theme for our next dinner party.
Angela comes up with all sorts of ideas and suggestions about the invitation, decor,drinking vessels, food and wine - she has it all covered..
It's worth a read..
This article includes some great advice on how to transform your outdoor space into a Summer Oasis full of flowers and color! You'll find great decorations and outdoor essentials.The summer garden party
"When it comes to summertime food, seasonal veggies and fruits add flavour and zest says Melissa Jenkins-Gray in her article for canada.com
And don't forget to check out the cool summer beverage ideas..
How to cook with port - Times Online"Don't leave the port until the end - Mark Frary makes the most of it at a dinner-party cookery course at Brook Hall, in Bucks"
This course sounds terrific - and I love the statement - don't leave port until the end"which is what we would normally do.. Think outside the box and cook outside the box.. and the cooking tips from an expert don't go astray!
"Cockburn’s Dinner Party Cookery Course is a mixture of demonstration and hands-on practical elements and the idea is to learn to prepare a seasonal dinner party menu with dishes made from or for serving with various types of port (hence the Cockburn’s connection). It is one of a number of different courses Brook Hall runs."
If only I didn't live in Sydney! No, I actually love living in Sydney but when I see what is on offer in other parts of the world I wish I could be here, there and everywhere.. like the New York underground supper clubs for instance..
But back to cooking with port - check out the menu that Stephen Bulmer prepares by clicking into the article link.. sounds delish!
How would you like to host a dinner party and then have your guests give you criticism at the end of the night?The real winner's dinners - Features, Food & Drink - The Independent
"Telling your host what you really think of their entertaining skills used to be considered the height of rudeness, but now, thanks to Channel 4's cookery show Come Dine With Me, things have changed. Inspecting your host's crêpes suzette and dissecting their beef Wellington is now as much a part of the evening as cheese and biscuits."
This show apparently really shows you what goes on behind dining room doors in Britain and it's sure caught my interest.
This is a great article if you get a chance to have a read:
Cheat’s dinner party - TelegraphWhat do you think of the latest cheat's dinner party menu? They suggest
Starter FENNEL, CELERY AND RADISH SALAD WITH RICOTTA AND PARSLEY OIL
Main course MISO TROUT WITH BABY CARROTS IN A BAG
Pudding PAIN AU CHOCOLAT PUDDINGS
The beauty is that these three courses can be prepared in just one hour.
Love this regular Telegraph column..
Cheat’s dinner party - TelegraphWhat do you think of the latest cheat's dinner party menu? They suggest
Starter FENNEL, CELERY AND RADISH SALAD WITH RICOTTA AND PARSLEY OIL
Main course MISO TROUT WITH BABY CARROTS IN A BAG
Pudding PAIN AU CHOCOLAT PUDDINGS
The beauty is that these three courses can be prepared in just one hour.
Love this regular Telegraph column..
Awkward etiquette
Dinner parties are so fabulous that not only do they create art installations about the theme, there are also plays - like this one - “The Dinner Party” by Neil Simon.Welcome to Simon’s ‘Dinner Party’ | emporiagazette.com
"The production is a decidedly French dinner party served up in a chaotic mode that only a master of comedy could create. Five people are invited to dine at a first rate restaurant in Paris. They do not know who the other guests will be or why they have been invited. Tossed together in a private dining room, they have a sneaking suspicion that this unorthodox dinner party will forever change their lives."
I have suggested a fondue dinner party idea in the past so thought I'd do so again after I spotted this great article. This sure caught my eye:Pantagraph.com | Food | Do fondue: What dinner party could be more simple?
"What dinner party could be more simple? Your guests do the cooking, so you can relax and enjoy your own party. If you limit the menu to cheese and chocolate fondue, you can skip the expensive entree. Just add a fresh green salad, a few bottles of wine and coffee and you’re set."
Included in the article is:Remember to remind your guests from the outset that there's no double-dipping.
- the recipe for Bourbon Bacon Cheddar Fondue
- some great fondue tips
- a few fondue party tips
These dinner parties really are great fun!
This is a great article which provides green tips for throwing a great dinner party and it even has the recipes Katie Lee Joel prepared. I like the way the whole evening was dedicated to Mother Earth.Throw A Green Dinner Party! - CBS News
"By using sustainable, local or organic ingredients, your "footprint" on the earth is much smaller, she notes."
You can also read Katie's great tips on how she dressed her table. Here's just one her great tips:
"Placemats made out of recycled brown craft paper. The leftovers from the roll can be saved for gift wrapping. It's very inexpensive and look great on a rustic table."
Read the whole article here:
I really enjoyed this article by Chester Francis-Jackson in the Jamaica Gleaner News..Jamaica Gleaner News - Knowing your stemware - Outlook - Sunday | April 5, 2009
A lot of fear is associated to the word "formal" dinner party these days but with Chester's tips you'll feel so much more confdent.
For instance, it's great to get advice from an expert about just how much you should fill a glass (stemware).."The history of stemware is as old as the art of wine-drinking itself, if not older. For the purposes of this article, we have condensed samples as well as their recommended usage for you.
Water goblet, fill almost to top. Red wine goblet 1/2 full. Red wine, balloon-shaped glass, served a third to 1/2 full. White wine glass, served 1/2 full. White Rhine wine goblet 4-6 oz, 3/4-inch deep. Brandy snifter, served a 1/4 or a finger full.
Flute champagne glass, served 3/4 full. Saucer-shaped champagne glass (now almost extinct), served full.
Martini or cocktail glass 4-6 oz, served almost to top.
Sherry, port, Madeira wine glass, served 3/4 full. Cordial or liqueur glasses, served 1/2 to 3/4 full."
And, you can even make certain that you are holding the stemware in the correct fashion..
"Generally, the accepted way of correctly holding a wine glass is to hold it by the stem, near the bowl. The common practice of grasping the bowl, for red or white, is incorrect and should be avoided, especially for whites as by holding the bowl, your body temperature serves to actually heat the chilled wine. With reds, however, holding the bottom part of the bowl, where it intersects with the stem, is considered acceptable."
But you can get even more tips - on table manners..
Love it - fondue that is..03/28/2009 - Dip into fondue for a frugal, simple dinner party - STLtoday.com
We have a fab Swiss restaurant up the road but where we really do get to enjoy a traditional fondue but you can prepare these at home. When is the last time you enjoyed a fondue dinner party at a friend's? It's on the unique side and very sociable and fun.. Check out this article..
"What dinner party could be more simple? Your guests do the cooking, so you can relax and enjoy your own party. If you limit the menu to cheese and chocolate fondue, you can skip the expensive entree. Just add a fresh green salad, a few bottles of wine and coffee and you're set"
Kim Severson's assignment was to create a dinner party for six for $50..Kim Severson's Dinner Party - A Mexican Feast With Artisanal Technique - NYTimes.com
"I figured if I looked toward Mexico, I could make clever use of inexpensive ingredients like jicama, beans and peppers. If I combined them with big flavors and artisan techniques, I could easily hit the $50 mark. Julia would fold like a cheap tent."
This article is well worth a read..
I loved this article because as they say, the worst nightmare for any dinner party host is a surprise - something that we just didn't plan for and can ruin that special dinner party that you'd spent so long planning.Awkward etiquette
Matthew Pearson from the Ottawa Citizen has interviewed three of Canad's top etiquette experts to deliver some fabulous tips to "handling -- and perhaps avoiding -- these sticky situations."
They give advice on:
- a guest informing you on arrival that they have certain food allergies.
- you've cooked just enough for a set number of people and one of the guests takes their share.. and someone else's!
- friends arrive to an adults only dinner party with their kids.
- you're hosting potluck and the person who promised to bring the main meal doesn't show!
- You and your spouse don't drink - are you obligated to serve your guests alcohol?
- You have a specified time for your dinner party. Three couples show up on time and the fourth couple show up an hour late..
Thinks about what you'd do before you check out the answers in the article link below.
And don't forget that a dinner party should be on enjoying time with your guests - all three experts agree on that fact for sure!
This underground dinner party in a Missouri hunting lodge sounded fabulous!Underground supper clubs a delicious discovery - CNN.com
In fact, the whole concept of these dinner/supper parties is wonderful.
The dinner guests on this occasion had no idea about where they were going or what to expect but they did know that a sumptuous five course meal was being served somewhere along the way.
They'd received a top-secret email invite from "by John-Jack, an undercover chef who'd invited each of them to the latest of what he calls his "Entre" dinner parties.
It's all about eating fabulous food in the most unlikely places...
"The trend started in food-centric cities like San Francisco, but in the last year, groups have been popping up across the country," says Jenn Garbee, author of "Secret Suppers," which spotlights some of the more than 80 clubs now up and running in the U.S."
Read the whole article here:
What a fabulous blogger! I completely agree with Partysugar when she says:Come Party With Me: Indian Dinner — Drinks | cocktails, recipes, Come Party With Me | YumSugar - Recipes, Menus, Food & Wine
"No themed dinner party can begin without the relaxing mood enhancer and conversation stimulator that is the specialty cocktail. Since India (outside of the big cities) doesn't have much of a drinking culture, I'm turning to Dale Degroff, the king of cocktails, for inspiration."
I'd suggest taking a look at her site.. I just like to share posts I personally think are interesting. Life is not about money.. it's about having a blast of a time..
I enjoyed this article by Brittny Goodsell Jones.. Shari Wells was shocked one day when she the total of someone's party had come to $600 so she has just published a cookbook about how to entertain while eliminating non-essential items.The Herald Journal Serving Logan and Cache Valley > News > Please Be Seated
"Eliminating non-essentials means the cook has more attention given to presentation. The best way to make a low-budget meal look fancy is to “paint the table,” she says. For example, using colorful, ironed tablecloths helps the table look fuller and more sophisticated. Wells also suggests rotating napkin colors, and to mix and match with tablecloths for a different look.
Intense colors help show off a table more dramatically. Wells came up with this idea of making the table “pop” after visiting a Van Gogh exhibit in California."
It's amazing how aesthetics can be so pleasing to the eye that they really can make a difference to the success of your dinner party - regardless of the cost of the menu items.
I have always loved the way the Japanese pay so much attention to the presentation of their food.. It makes eating a real joy..
Imagine going to a dinner party and being asked to chip in for the costs once the meal was done?
Seattle Parenting Examiner: Hold an Academy Awards: and the Oscar went to... all day party bash
This event proves a fabulous opportunity to catch up with friends over dinner and then watch this not-to-be-missed annual event.
A night of glitz and glamor - maybe you could all dress to suit the occasion?
Start the night by allowing guests to make their vote - who will win?
A great article by Kristy X-Y follows:
A snippet of an article by Kristy X-Y follows about how her Oscar party turned into an all-day affair and how it became an even for the whole family!:
"There is always so much hype over the clothes worn and people that attend, the Movies themselves get less press! That is what got us to start our Academy Awards: and the Oscar went to... all day bash many years ago.
What is the Academy Awards, and the Oscar went to... all day bash? Well, basically it is an all day Oscar winning movie marathon with a lot of food, fun and drinks thrown in. Now in college, there was a lot more drinks involved than after we started having kids and it morphed into a family event! It really is a lot of fun for everyone."
Please support this global dinner party like Paula Tzouanakis who is throwing a party with a purpose at the Mississauga Grand Banquet Hall & Convention Centre in support of research to end multiple sclerosis on February 26.Dinner party supports the fight against MS - The Mississauga News - Mississauga.com
Hey, my blog even appears here and can help with those ideas.
Since 2003, the dinner parties have raised more than $250,000 for research. Parties are typically hosted on the last Saturday of February.
"A mid-winter menu foll o sass and sweetness starts with a honey citrus salad. The entree follows suite with short ribs braised in honey-cinnamon and served with polenta. The perfect end to this satisfying meal is coffee with miniature chocolate-dipped snikerdoodles."
I like this woman - Emma Christensen - she says:
"Back in January when the year was still shiny and new, I made a resolution. Forget dieting. Forget jogging three mornings a week. This year, I was going to master the dinner party".
Emma continues:
"I’ve decided that the key to overcoming my dinner party anxieties is three-fold. First, I need to relax. After all, these are friends. Second, I need to plan dishes that are easily made ahead and don’t rely on precise timing. Third, I need a theme."
And themes are what you can find right here!
Return of the dinner party - Telegraph
If you are a regular to my blog, you will have seen a number of articles about this very topic. People are being creative and still enjoying the company of their friends over dinner..
"Heard the one about the couple that paid £40,000 for a new kitchen in 2005 and have only just started using it? It is not a joke. The days are dwindling when tables for six in well-reviewed restaurants were full every night. Dining at home is back. Sales of dinner party food are outperforming 2008 figures by more than 100 per cent; supermarkets are seeing wine sales rocket by as much as 200 per cent. But the re-born dinner party is a rather different affair to the classic image of a dining room table laid with polished silver. Eat out in someone else's home, post credit crunch, and you are more likely to be served supper in the kitchen, dining on a casserole with good red wine bought at a third of restaurant prices."
Read the whole artilce by Rose Prince here:
This article by Jan Burgess inspired me - see what you think..NWAnews.com :: Northwest Arkansas' News Source
"February, a month of hearts and flowers, brings Valentine's Day.
Red hearts can be part of your decorations, the shape of frosted cookies or the icing on a red-velvet cake. Flowers are for the special woman in your life, as well as beautiful in a centerpiece.It can be a time for romance or remembering.
It is a time when kids buy valentines for their classmates and hope for one in return from that special friend. It is a month when we are reminded of the importance of love.
It is also a time to have fun in the kitchen. Of course, there are the obvious ways we all know about. Restaurants have dinners by candlelight. Cookbooks are replete with fancy recipes of tasty things representing Valentine's Day, and stores carry everything from boxes of chocolates to those little candy hearts with messages of the season inscribed in tiny red letters."
Read the rest here:
Water Gap chef offers personal, personalized service - poconorecord.com - The Pocono RecordI have mentioned before here that many top chefs will come your house - if the price is right..Water Gap chef offers personal, personalized service - poconorecord.com - The Pocono Record
Here is an example of a chef who specializes in this sort of work..
"Two years ago, I advertised a dinner special for two for Valentine's Day. It was for either fillet mignon or salmon with all the trimmings delivered on Valentine's Day with reheating instructions," he said.
"I only sold a few until the day before, when people started hearing about a big storm coming. I am doing the same deal again this year.
"Although the economy isn't quite what it used to be, Rock is still feeding people at private dinner parties and functions. Many might say that it sounds expensive to have a catered meal in their own home, but Rock states otherwise.
"People think that a personal chef is expensive, but that isn't true because I don't have the overhead that restaurants have," he said. "I just did a dinner party for four in Milford a few weeks ago and it didn't cost them anymore than it would have in a fine dining restaurant."
Randa
The Hostess with the Mostess
A bit self indulgent here but what the heck since it's an amazing (and about time) point in our history here on this planet! Here's the dinner party story by Becky Pugh :Barack and Michelle Obama: the night of the 10 inauguration bahells - Telegraph"On Tuesday evening, euphoric after spending the day becoming the First Couple of the United States of America, Barack and Michelle Obama quick-stepped their way through 10 inaugural balls. Yes, that is 10 parties in one night. And, in welcome contrast to the early-to-bed and alcohol-free George W Bush, they appeared to enjoy every minute. How on earth did they manage it, you might ask. How did they keep their grins genuine and the blood flowing in their feet?
""Well, I don't think it's such a tough proposition. In fact, I think it's an appealing one. Admittedly, I've never notched up 10 in a night – I think five is my personal best, comprising two pre-dinner drinks parties, a dinner party, and two all-nighters after that – but I can imagine how it might be. You'd be blissfully non-committal at each of them, knowing you weren't there for the long haul. And you'd behave accordingly. Forced to be strict with yourself, you'd home in on the people you most wanted to talk to, and have brief but valuable conversations with them. You would get away without exchanging a single word with the bores and saddos with whom you usually feel obliged to engage on grounds of compassion.
The thought of the delights that lay ahead would be your fuel. Every time you began to feel jaded, you'd be on the hop again. Each party would bring with it new faces, new music, new canapés, new cocktails. Best of all, you'd be a longed for breath of fresh air at every one. Just as your fellow guests were running out of topics and tiring of the relentless jazz quartet, you'd make your entrance – a bright young thing, clearly so much in demand that you have time only to dip a toe into this particular gathering. Then you'd scintillate the revellers with stories you'd picked up at the previous party, before waltzing on to the next.
The travel between the soirées would be the one major snag for mortals like us. You would, in every likelihood, lose valuable time to signal failure on the Piccadilly line or never-ending roadworks. But, of course, that wasn't a consideration for the Obamas – they had their trusty motorcade to get them everywhere before the shiny presidential limo turned back into a pumpkin."
This event took place in a town called Danvers..Empty Bowls Dinner Party at St. John’s Prep - Georgetown, MA - Georgetown Record
Their ninth annual Empty Bowls Dinner Party was held recently and was open to the community with all proceeds going to Haven from Hunger.
Guests could enjoy piping hot soup on a cold winter night while helping to raise funds for Haven from Hunger
Empty Bowls events have been organized by potters across the country as a creative way to use art for social action, according to ceramics teacher Dale Bryant, who introduced the idea to St. John’s in 1999. In addition to raising money through Empty Bowls, students from St. John’s prepare and serve meals at Haven from Hunger throughout the year.
Invite your friends and family over to share your finest hour – creating this sumptuous four-course meal in a mere 60 minutes.
Up to 1 hour ahead:
Up to 45 minutes ahead:
Just before serving the starter:
10 minutes before serving the entree:
Just before serving the main:
Just before serving dessert:
Australian Good Taste - March 2006, Page 64
What an amazing dinner party .. or art installation this was:A dinner party on ice
"YOU'VE heard of a quiet dinner, but this is ridiculous.
Water officials were left "baffled" yesterday after a dinner table with a bottle of wine and two glasses were spotted – in the middle of a frozen lake.
The bizarre restaurant-style scene was discovered by stunned ramblers in the centre of Crowdy Reservoir on Bodmin Moor in Cornwall.A small dining table, covered with a tablecloth and a bottle of red wine and two glasses, had been placed on the frozen surface.
Officials from South West Water have issued a warning over the scene saying whoever set it up risked their lives crossing the unstable ice.
Eyewitness Jack Brady, 70, took several photographs and said it looked like "something off the Mary Celeste".He added: "It was totally bizarre. I always walk around the lake and I could see something out in the middle of the ice."I got a closer look and it was a table and full service. There was even a bottle of wine and glasses.
"I have no idea who set it up or whether they stayed and had their dinner or not. There was nobody about. It was like the Mary Celeste."After the incident, at Davidstow near Camelford in Cornwall, South West Water warned people not to walk on frozen reservoirs.
A spokesman said: "A table and chairs was set up near the centre of Crowdy Reservoir. It is impossible to tell how thick the ice really is."Anyone going out on the ice is clearly running the risk of serious injury and even death.
"Meanwhile, Devon and Cornwall Police reiterated warnings that people walking on frozen rivers and canals were risking their lives.The force responded after people were reported to be walking on the frozen canal at Bude, North Cornwall. It said the freeze was now starting to thaw out and it was "only a matter of time" before lives were put at risk.
Betty says:Avoid post-holiday letdown with an easy dinner party
"To avoid post-holiday letdown, my husband suggested that we have a few friends over for supper. All I needed was a quick and easy entreé, such as the pan-seared chicken breasts topped with tomato tapenade" - the recipe is found in the link..
This article by Candice Choi offers some excellent suggestions on how "think creatively in the year ahead to play host to friends and family on a tightened budget." Here's an example of Candice's interview with Lizzie Post, an etiquette expert with The Emily Post Institute:The Associated Press: There's a recession, but don't party like it
"Serving only appetizers or desserts is another way to keep spending in check. Setting time parameters might help gently drive the point home that you're not serving a meal.
For a cocktail gathering, the invitation might state the party will be from 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m."The indication is that they go elsewhere for dinner after," Post said.If you're worried that a potluck screams "low budget," spruce it up with a theme. You could even make it a recession party and cap how much people spend on their dish. This might bring out your guests' inner "Top Chef" and give them a good conversation starter.
