Tis the Season for Dinner Party Fun (Part I)
There is nothing like a good excuse to have a dinner party, especially with the busyness of the season. Now, when I decided to throw this little party, I knew I wanted to feature seasonal ingredients that would make for a warm, cozy, winter dinner. And of course, I wanted some wow factor!
Vietnamese Lettuce Wraps and Yay for Asians
For a DIY recipe for Bun Cha Hanoi, Grilled Pork and Rice Vermicelli Lettuce Wraps, filled with delicious, fatty pork shoulder, fish sauce, garlic and grated onion.
Cornbread Casserole
Earl Brandy, Jr.’s Sausage Pepper Cheese Quiche with Cornbread Crust, a 3rd place winner of the National Cornbread Festival 2009, soothed my southern envy!
Pomegranates
Pomegranates are such a magical fruit. Smooth and conservative on the outside, once you split it open though, a lurid flood of color hits your eye. Perfect for Coconut Israeli Couscous Studded with Pomegranate.
Tomato Pie: Ode to Corropolese
While these are no replacement or substitution for Corropolese's Tomato Pies (crispy, thick, Sicilian-style crust, covered in sweet, tangy tomato sauce), they will surely still be a crowd pleaser.
Skinny Banana Chocolate Malt Milkshake
I recently saw a jar of Chocolate Malt Ovaltine in the supermarket and was reminded of the delicious banana chocolate milkshakes I used to make after school. The chocolate malt and banana is a classic combo that will always satisfy my sweet tooth.
Cramming for Turkey Time
A round up of favorite Thanksgiving recipes like Double Baked Coconut Sweet Potatoes, Hot Crab Dip, Polenta and Sausage Stuffing, Pumpkin Ginger Cheesecake Pie and more!
The Chicken or the Egg?
In my house, the Chicken came first, Thursday night for dinner…but the Egg followed not long after for a delicious Saturday brunch! I am all about making my life as easy as possible, and it truly gives me great joy when I can create a satisfying “take 2†meal using leftovers: Balsamic Glazed Chicken served with Spinach Cheese Polenta & Eggs Sunny Side Up, over Spinach Cheese Polenta, drizzled with Balsamic Glaze.
Homemade Grrranola
Crunchy, nutty, sweet, slightly salty, and full of that baked goodness that you can only get with brown sugar and your oven. It’s better than the boxed stuff by far. You’ll shun store-bought granola forever after making your own.
Party Time! Entertaining Low on Budget, High on Flavor
We successfully fed 25 guests on $250, cooking up an array of tasty hors d’oeuvres. I mean, who doesn’t love appies? They’re usually the best part of the meal anyway. Plus, they’re perfect for large parties. They’re unassuming, filling, and allow people to mill around and chat while noshing on bite-sized bits of delicious.
