• 20Oct

    Easy Entertaining for Beginners is Named a Finalist in the National Best Books 2008 Awards


    I got some exciting news today. My book, Easy Entertaining for Beginners has been named an Award-Winning Finalist in the cookbook:general category of the National Best Books 2008 Awards sponsored by USA Book News. To view the winners and finalists go to: http://www.usabooknews.com/bestbooksawards2008.html.

    I am continuing my virtual book tour during the month of October. Go to www.virtualbooktours.wordpress.com to view a different interview/guest blog each day. I hope you can join me.

    As always, with the holidays/entertaining season fast approaching, feel free to contact me with your entertaining questions and I will do my best to help.

    Happy Entertaining!
    Patricia

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  • 14Oct

    If you have been following my recent posts, you will see that I have been walking you through a very first dinner party. I’ve given you the dinner party menu, recipes, music and drink suggestions, step-by-step checklist and some do’s and don’ts. Here are a few last instructions to make your dinner party entertaining a success.

    Optional Shortcuts

    1. You can purchase a pie from a bakery instead of baking the Kahlua Fudge Brownie Pie if you are short on time.

    2. You can purchase baby salad greens already washed in a bag in the produce section.

    3. If you have a nice tablecloth, use it for this setting. Use cloth napkins and your best dishware. Fresh flowers in a low vase would be a lovely addition, and if you would like to use candles, be sure they are unscented. Don’t forget salt and pepper on the table and a glass of water for each person in addition to a wine glass, if serving wine. Set out the silverware and salad plates on the table and put the dinner plates in the kitchen, since you will be plating this dinner individually.

    Party Etiquette

    Turn off your cell phones or put them on vibrate mode. Turn on your answering service or voicemail and try to avoid being on the telephone when you entertain.

    Mistakes to Avoid

    Don’t compare yourself with your mother-in-law. She has had lots of years of practice and started out the same as other young wives. If you struggle at all with competitiveness or insecurity, throw it out for the evening. Remember, you are giving a gift to your in-laws of a lovely meal and gracious hospitality. Who doesn’t appreciate that?

    Tips to Ensure Success

    This entree is a good one to plate individually. First, serve the salad at the table and then arrange the haricots verts, potato and Beef Tenderloin Medallions with Savory Sauce on the dinner plates and garnish with the cilantro. Make it look neat and appealing to the eye and serve your guests their entree already plated.

    Have fun and enjoy your dinner party!

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  • 07Oct

    Dinner Party Menu: Pace Yourself

    Now that you have all the recipes for your dinner party menu for your in-laws, here is the step-by-step checklist to help keep you organized. If you follow it, you will not have to worry about running way behind schedule. In my next post, we will discuss a few last important points about pulling off your first successful dinner party.

    Step-by-Step Checklist

    2 days before

    Clean the house, reread the recipes, and make a shopping list.

    1 day before

    Shop. Chill the drinks.

    Make the Kahlúa Fudge Brownie Pie; refrigerate.

    Morning of the dinner

    Make the Orange-Ginger Vinaigrette; refrigerate.

    Clean, cut up, and parboil the haricots verts; refrigerate.

    Chop 6 cloves of garlic, (3 for the haricots verts, 1 for the savory sauce, and 2 for the blue cheese dressing. Cover and refrigerate until ready to use.

    Prep the potatoes; refrigerate until ready to use.

    Prepare the blue cheese dressing, cover, and refrigerate.

    Prepare the Cosmopolitan mix in a pitcher; refrigerate. Set the table.

    1 hour before

    Make the savory sauce.

    Season the steaks, and set them out at room temperature, covered.

    Put the baby greens in a salad bowl, cover, and refrigerate.

    Preheat the oven and bake the potatoes.

    As guests arrive

    Turn on the music, and light candles, if using.

    Serve the drinks.

    Check the potatoes.

    15 minutes after arrival

    Toss the salad with the vinaigrette and serve.

    Put the blue cheese dressing and butter on the table.

    Pan-fry the steaks and warm the sauce over very low heat.

    Stir-fry the haricots verts, and sprinkle with sliced almonds.

    Serve the salad.

    Plate the steaks, baked potatoes, and haricots verts.

    Pour the sauce over the steaks and garnish with chopped cilantro.

    Serve.

    Sometime during the evening

    Serve the Kahlúa Fudge Brownie pie with coffee, if desired.

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