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Showing posts with label easy entertaining. Show all posts
Showing posts with label easy entertaining. Show all posts

Saturday, July 30, 2011

I ♥ cheese, You ♥ cheese, who doesn't ♥ cheese



Here's a great photo for serving and decorating inspiration at your next shindig. 
Cheese plate  an absolute must when feeding a group is so simple delicious and fun to put together. Anything goes! It's important to have a mix of mild and stinky, and different textures. Here there are cranberry goat soft goat cheese, a triple creme brie, gouda, stinky Canadian Oka, Manchego, and an unpasturized delicious something or other ( can't remember the name).  It's nice to place some roasted nuts and dried fruit around the plate, a bowl of mixed olives. Then grapes are always a must! I also like to have fresh figs and strawberries if they are in season of course. It's also nice to have a diverse mixture of different types of crostini, flatbreads, and crackers. As well a nice chutney or jam is a great addition to any party tray.


Just place everything on a giant cutting board if you don't have a fancy serving tray, but make sure you have proper cheese knives. My favorites are the Antonini olive wood set from William Sonoma they retail for about $50CAN, and make an excellent gift for a bridal shower, house warming or just because. 

Wednesday, March 3, 2010

White bean dip with rosemary

When you entertain as much as I do you need a few recipes that are plentiful and inexpensive to make. This dip is delicious and super easy especially if you have a mini chopper, hand blender or cuisinart. 
White bean dip with rosemary INGREDIENTS:
white kidney beans - 1 can
garlic - 1 clove
fresh rosemary - 1 sprig
white balsamic vinegar - splash
lemon - 1/2 juiced
olive oil - drizzle
salt & pepper
PREP: blend everything thing in mini chop or hand blend until smooth.
GARNISH: Fresh rosemary and drizzle of olive oil.
SERVE: with toasted bread, crackers, chips or as a dip for crudite platter.
NOTE: Beware of dragon breath at the end of the night, always have a bowl of mints near by!