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Easy Lemon Tarts

August 21, 2009 by Shanna Hatfield

lemon-tartsA really easy and tasty dessert that can be thrown together in a jiffy for last minute entertaining is this recipe for lemon tarts. Great anytime, they are  especially tasty on these hot summer days.

Easy Lemon Tarts

1 small box lemon pudding

whipping cream, whipped

2 packages frozen mini phyllo shells

Make the pudding according to package directions. I prefer the flavor and texture of cooked pudding, but if you are really in a hurry, use instant. Once the pudding is made, chill. The phyllo shells I purchase have 15 in a box and two boxes comes out proportionately to the pudding. You can let the shells thaw  and then fill or you can put them into the oven for a few minutes to make them crispy. Fill the shells with the chilled pudding. Put on a dollop of whipped cream (if you are in a big hurry, use Reddi-Whip or frozen dairy topping) then finish off with a fresh raspberry.

Although very simple and easy to make, these little tarts look like you invested a lot of time in them.

Enjoy!

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Posted in Desserts, Easy Recipes, Fast Recipes | Tagged , , | 1 Comment »

Entertain Buffet Style

August 18, 2009 by Shanna Hatfield

tulip-tableOne of my favorite things about entertaining is the presentation portion – getting to make things look pretty. There is something so fun about deciding what serving pieces to use, what looks good where and then having the whole thing come together just before the doorbell rings.

When you are planning to entertain, think about serving the food buffet style. This method of serving does two wonderful things, it keeps the host from being so tied to the food and the kitchen and it creates a casual atmosphere where guests feel more at ease and are much more likely to mingle. I think it is fantastic when we entertain and the guests are all just hanging out and chatting. Bringing people together is the whole point of entertaining!

Another thing I love about buffet entertaining is that it allows the host to get the buffet set up in advance. You can even decide what serving pieces to use, where you are going to place them and what food goes in each dish. Once you get the buffet set exactly like you want it, write what food it will be serving on sticky notes and place  on each dish. That way, when you are plating up the food, it is easy to know where every thing goes. It also makes it possible for someone else to help you because all they have to do is read the notes on each serving piece and return the filled dish to its original place in the buffet.

Whether you are doing a single or double-sided buffet, make sure all food is within easy reaching distance. You don’t want someone dragging their sleeve or shirt-tail through a dish of red sauce.

Most importantly, have fun with it! You are the artist and the buffet is your canvas. Get creative and let your personal style shine through.

Next week I’ll share three tips for creating some “Wow!” factor with your buffet.

Posted in Entertaining at Home, Entertaining Ideas | Tagged , , | 1 Comment »

Crock Pot Barbecue Pork to the Rescue

August 14, 2009 by Shanna Hatfield

So what are the odds that the night before you have company coming for dinner that both the oven and the barbecue would go out of commission?

I had just taken a cake out of the oven when the stove started beeping annoyingly and the broiler went on and wouldn’t turn off. Hubby finally got it to be quiet and stop broiling. Evidently the temp sensor went haywire and of course they have to be ordered and no one in the area keeps them in stock.

Knowing I had seven hungry people I would need to feed the next evening and no oven, I started pulling out ideas for meals that could be grilled on the barbecue.  It was then that Hubby chimed in that the barbecue was not an option.

Pacing the floor the morning of our impending disaster, er dinner, I finally remembered I own a crockpot. Taking it out of the box and removing the packing materials, I quickly got it ready to roll. The result of our make-do dinner was spectacularly tasty.  Here is the recipe!

Barbecue Pork

3-5 pounds of pork tenderloin

2 cans of chicken broth

1 cup barbecue sauce

Dash of Salt and Pepper

Put all ingredients in crock pot and cook on low for eight hours. You can then shred the meat and serve on rolls or slice it. We sliced it and served with a side of additional barbecue sauce for those who like things a little spicier.

Since I’m new to crock-pot cooking, if you have any great recipes you’d like to share, I’d love for you to post them here or send them on!

Posted in Easy Recipes, entertain | Tagged , , | 1 Comment »

Entertaining with Children

August 11, 2009 by Shanna Hatfield

summerWhen you are entertaining families and youngsters will be included in the guest list, think about preparing some activities for them in advance. That way, when they arrive, there are  fun things to do to keep them occupied and entertained.

The activities do not need to involve a lot of time and expense. If there will be older children attending, make sure to get them involved as well. Involve your own children in the prep work. They can roll silverware in napkins, create place cards, decorate a welcome sign, put flowers into bowls or vases and serve as the welcome committee.

Here are a few ideas of things to keep kids entertained outside when the weather is nice:

• Place a big blanket out in the yard and put out a selection of toys. The littler ones especially enjoy it.

• Break the kids up into groups and send them on scavenger hunts. This can be done indoors or out. Create a specific list for each group with six to 10 items on each list. You could include things like a blue shoe, a spoon, a book, a flower blossom, etc. This works especially well with children of mixed ages.

• Turn them loose on the sidewalk with a bucket of sidewalk chalk and let them each create a masterpiece.

• Make a big batch of bubbles and let them blow until the air is filled with bubbles. Guaranteed to delight both young and old alike. (Mix 1 part Dawn regular dish soap, 10 parts water, and 1/4 part white Karo Syrup. )

• Give each child a sheet of plain white paper, have plenty of crayons or markers available and then let them each choose a slip of paper on which has been written an animal body part. Each child will then draw their body part – but of their favorite animal. When they are all done, have them try to assemble all the pictures into one animal. They might have something like a hippo-cat-phant-rocerus.

• Create a backyard obstacle course using stepping stones, a low bench, hoops, boxes and string.

Whatever you decide to do when entertaining youngsters, keep it fun and simple. Even some of the “big” kids will want to get involved!

If you have kid-friendly entertaining ideas to share, please post them here.

Posted in entertain, Entertaining Ideas | Tagged , , | Leave a Comment »

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