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Archive for the ‘Entertaining Ideas’ Category

Prep Tools are Important

Posted in Entertaining at Home, Quick and Easy, tagged , , on July 21, 2009| 2 Comments »

For many people, standing in the kitchen doing the prep work necessary for cooking is not terribly appealing.  In fact, many people avoid this step as much as possible, thinking of prep work as some form of torment or drudgery.

It doesn’t have to be that way.

You can have fun with prep work and also get through it a quicker when you have some good basic tools in your kitchen. Take a look at the tools you use. Are they outdated, in need of sharpening, not good quality, from early-marriage poverty? It may be time for an upgrade!

I’m not an advocate for oodles of tools, but you will see a huge difference in the amount of time and effort it takes to do prep work when you invest in a few quality pieces. Have at least one great piece of cutlery and cookware. Get a good-quality peeler or paring knife. Have a set of mixing bowls that you like to use, that fit your hand well and hold up to a variety of challenges. Get two good cutting boards, one for meat and the other for everything else.

Invest in tools that you can use for a lifetime and you’ll be so glad you did!

For information about the tools I recommend the most, please sign up for my newsletter or post a comment here.

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Inspired Entertaining

Posted in Entertaining at Home, Entertaining Ideas, tagged , , on July 14, 2009| Leave a Comment »

Although most of us don’t think about it, entertaining at home can really be broken down into three main areas: inspiration, preparation, and presentation. Although very different, each category has equal importance in your entertaining success.
Today we’ll focus on inspiration. It boils down to “what’s for dinner?” What are you going to serve the people you are entertaining?
The type of event or celebration will help narrow your selections. Choosing a theme also narrows the field and helps create some guidelines. Themes are a fantastic way to entertain, but we’ll talk more about those another day.
Inspiration can come from many different areas. Maybe you have been to a party and saw or tasted something there you want to try. Maybe you are under the gun to host a family event – like a family reunion. If you like food magazines or collect cookbooks, you’ll find a lot of ideas and inspiration there. The Food Network and websites such as allrecipes.com can also provide some great inspiration.
Take a look around you. What is fresh and in season? Let it inspire you! This time of year it is so fun to entertain with all the fresh goodness that abounds from gardens.
Inspiration doesn’t have to be difficult. Have fun with it and see how much your guests enjoy the fruits of your labors!
What is your favorite way to find inspiration in the kitchen? Please feel free to share your ideas!

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Entertain with a Summer Picnic

Posted in Entertaining Ideas, Quick and Easy, tagged , , on July 8, 2009| 1 Comment »

picnicSummer is the perfect time to grab a blanket, pack some food and eat in the great outdoors. If you haven’t gone on a picnic in a while, think about inviting a few friends or family members to join you for a casual meal. The key ingredient should be fun.

The Perfect Spot
Pick your picnic spot strategically. Look for an area in the shade, away from foot traffic. If you have children along, make sure there are no hazards nearby: busy roads, deep water, or cliffs. Be realistic about what you can carry to the picnic spot.

The Perfect Seat
Lounging on a blanket is all fine and dandy unless the ground is wet. Bring along a plastic tarp to put underneath the blanket. My favorite picnic blanket is a comforter that is thick and soft and just meant for lazy afternoons out in the sun.

The Perfect Food
Keep the food simple and opt for no-fuss picnic fare like crusty bread, cheese and fruit. Add something sweet for a treat like cookies, brownies or slices of pie. Think about foods that are easy to transport and keep cold. Wraps and sandwiches are yummy, simple to make and easy to pack. Before you fill the cooler, make sure everything is thoroughly chilled. Take plenty of ice and remember food should not set out more than an hour in heat that is 85 degrees or higher. Also take plenty of beverages to stay hydrated.

The Essentials
Picnic basket or cooler
Bottled water (freeze overnight and use as an ice pack)
Outdoor dinnerware
Flatware or plastic silverware
Napkins
Glassware
Cutting Board
Sharp Knife
Bottle opener
Tablecloth, blanket
Decorative centerpiece (hurricane candles, a cup of freshly plucked wildflowers, a beautiful dessert)
Sunscreen
Bug spray or citronella candles
Wet-wipes
Paper towels
Hand sanitizer
Trash bags
Games (Frisbees and balls for the kids, badminton for adults)

If you have any fun picnic ideas to share, please post them here.
Enjoy your summer entertaining and may all your picnics be ant-free!

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4th of July Food Safety Tips

Posted in Entertaining Ideas, tagged , , on June 30, 2009| 1 Comment »

red wagonAs families and friends gather this weekend for backyard barbecues and outdoor parties to celebrate the 4th of July, keep some basic food safety tips in mind. By using a little precaution, you can avoid anyone going home with food poisoning.
• Have two sets of cutting boards, cooking utensils and platters – one for uncooked foods and the other for cooked foods.
• Pack a meat thermometer to make sure you are cooking meat and poultry to proper temperatures.
• Prevent the spread of bacteria by washing fruits and vegetables before putting them in a basket or cooler.
• Pack clean foil, plastic wrap and resealable bags to store leftovers. Don’t reuse what you used on uncooked food.
• If you won’t have access to soap and water at the picnic, bring along moist towelettes, antibacterial hand cleanser, bleach wipes or a spray bottle with soapy water.
• Use nestled bowls to serve cold items, filling the larger with ice and using the smaller as the actual serving bowl.
• Fill unusual containers with ice and place cold dishes inside. A red wagon is the perfect way to serve up a trio of salads, especially on the 4th of July!
• Hot foods should be eaten within two hours of being made.
• Food should not stand out longer than two hours and on a day when the temperature is above 85 degrees, one hour is the maximum. Store leftovers in an ice-filled cooler.
• When packing the cooler, wrap raw meat, poultry and fish in air-tight resealable plastic bags or containers and keep seperated from cooked foods, fruits and veggies.
• Think about taking a separate cooler for beverages, as it gets opened frequently and makes it difficult to maintain a cool temperature.
• Thoroughly chill cold fods and beverages before putting into a cooler.
• Pre-chill your cooler by adding a bit of ice about an hour before you are ready to pack it.
• Transport hot food in a separate insulated cooler. Wrap in newspaper or dishtowels and pack tightly in a cooler surrounded by more newspaper or dish towels. You can also heat bricks and place in the cooler to keep hot foods hot. Remove the bricks and put under dishes to keep warm while serving.
• A full cooler will stay colder longer than a partially filled one. If your food doesn’t fill the cooler, add more ice.
• If you are traveling a distance, insulate coolers even more by wrapping in blankets or sleeping bags. If possible, avoid putting in the trunk.
• If possible, replenish ice as it melts. If you don’t have access to more, keep the water in the cooler. It works almost as well as ice.
If you have any tips or hints to add, please leave a comment or send me a message! I’d love to hear from you.

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