Dinner Parties and More

Marbella

Your First Dinner Party? Start Simple.

Keep It Really Simple      If you’re interested in hosting a dinner party, don’t start with a sit-down dinner for eight.      Host a dinner with yourself and one other person. Pick an elegant but simple recipe and perfect it. A simple but exquisite dish is Chicken Marbella.  It may take several iterations to get it right, but your patience will be rewarded. It’s Showtime      Next try a dinner party for four. Serve the dish you have practiced preparing, and figure out how to make it special. Pick…

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entertaining

Parties and Gatherings – Having People Over

     There are many reasons to have a party, but it’s mainly about wanting to mingle with the people we enjoy.      Your friends will be touched to be invited, and that you will be welcoming them into your home. It shows affection, and it’s a wonderful way to show appreciation for their friendship.       A party can also satisfy many of our social and emotional needs as human beings. It’s a chance to explore personalities and to mesh friendships. It’s also a chance to meet new people and to be introduced to new thoughts and ideas. And always remember,…

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Rib roast

The Standing Prime Rib Roast

A Regal Presence On The Table      Preparing and serving a prime rib roast is always an event. Its regal presence on a table makes the occasion special, and its aroma can get my digestive juices flowing faster than any other food. It’s also interesting to watch our guests catch the first whiff of what’s in the oven. When they realize it’s prime rib, their excitement is almost palpable.     As human beings, we seem to continue to love meat. Our long history of the way we’ve consumed our eatables goes all of the way…

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tango

A Trinity Of Passions – Food, Love and Tango

     Of all the dances we have to choose from, the tango offers the best means for us to demonstrate our individuality, uniqueness and style. But it’s teasingly incomplete.  We must  decide on the recipe for our own individual tango. Like a cooking recipe it requires interpretation, iteration and alteration.  Simmer it on the dance floor and it can become interesting, alluring, and sensual. And like great food the result can be a dish that is absolutely heavenly.      According to a recent ABC News poll, nearly nine out of ten people in our country say they believe…

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Getting Ready For The Watermelon Feed

Be Prepared      If watermelons are being served, you know people will be spitting seeds. At some point, usually a competition will ensue.      Most of the time these are simply fun activities, but if you are asked to participate and are directed to a spitway (an outlined 75 X 15-foot area), you know you are in the company of serious watermelon spitters. You need to be ready if this happens, especially if bets will be placed. The Rules Are Simple Seeds must be selected on site. The larger seeds…

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Fresh Halibut – My Favorite Fish

A Great Fish Selection Fresh Halibut      If you’re looking for a white fish that won’t fall apart in the skillet, and one that also tastes great, try halibut. The meat is low-fat, has a nice clean taste, and requires little seasoning. It’s oftentimes hard to find, and it’s always pricey when it’s compared to other fish. Halibut is my favorite. We think of it as a rare treat, but it’s oh, so worth it.      When purchasing the filets, I ask for larger pieces cut from the center of the fish. And…

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truffles

There’s Gold In Them Thar Truffles

     Pictured Above Is Risotto With Raisins And Both Black And White Truffles.  My Truffle Discovery      My actual introduction to a truffle occurred at The Modern in New York City. I had ordered the tasting menu, and one of the courses was risotto. For an extra $40 I could have sliced white truffle added at the table. Always keeping the words of wisdom from a Schlitz Beer commercial, “You only go around once in life,” I decided to go for it. It was one of the most fabulous foods…

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secret

Shhh! Secret Ingredients

Vive La Différence      Secret Ingredients can make a big difference in a dish. I would like to tell you about six of my favorites. I had originally planned to take them to my grave; however, I can’t in good conscience not tell you.      Up until now they’ve been closely guarded. The only exceptions where I’ve shared them have been with good friends and blood relatives, and I had each of them sign documents saying they would not divulge this information. The magic six are listed in no specific order: Truffle Salt (an…

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clams

Linguine In White Clam Sauce

 Quick and Easy      Linguine with a white clam sauce – sounds difficult, right? Not really. This is one of those quick meals you can prepare on the spur of the moment. If you have your act together, you can have this on the table and ready to go in about 40 minutes.      There is not a long list of ingredients. Garlic, shallots, and white wine are usually part of what you will have available in your kitchen. I have added linguine, cans of whole baby clams, and parmigiano…

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