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.

I love Giada. I love her simple yet sophisticated take on Italian food – authentic flavors, beautiful presentations, and dishes/ingredients described in wonderfully poetic terms. And happy to say, she was in town today promoting her new book, Giada’s Kitchen, at the massive flagship Williams-Sonoma in Union Square.