For a busy holiday party, I find it easier to serve an appetizer or cheese board while everyone is waiting for the dinner hour. When guests arrive, it is very easy to have many types of cheese, nuts, dried fruit, condiments, crusty and multi-seeded bread ready to go. Guests can serve themselves while they enjoy…
Tag: cheese
Actually Grilled Cheese Sandwiches
Wednesday was National Grilled Cheese Day. I don’t really remember that day from past years, but thought I would celebrate this year with actually preparing grilled cheese sandwiches–Not just made indoors on a grill, but made outdoors on a charcoal grill. The feat was totally easy since I have a new grilled cheese basket by…
Chicago’s French Market
We ventured over to the West Loop of Chicago to visit Chicago’s French Market one morning a few weeks ago. The market earned a Zagat spot for markets to visit; along with the Melrose Market in Seattle, the St. Roch Market in New Orleans, and the Krog Street Market in Atlanta–so, it deserved a look…
Pizza soup with Pepperoni
With weather reports this past week coming in for our area, I was questioning if Spring was ever really going to take hold in Michigan. I am still wearing a sweater, and yes, still eating soup. My husband has learned over the years that I only offer certain foods, menus or dishes during appropriate months…
Gourmet food shopping
On a recent trip through Charlotte, North Carolina, we shopped at our favorite gourmet store — Dean and Deluca. The entire store has expanded into a lovely restaurant, enlarged store from our last trip, and a wine shop. Although I often order from their mail order, actually visiting one of their few shops is really…
Herb Potatoes
Try this easy way to make a small serving of red potatoes which are full of flavor and quite tasty. No one will have to be committed to eating a large potato, and they look very nice side by side in a chafing dish for serving with a buffet. I used small red potatoes, but…
Cheese fondue
For easy entertaining, I have served a variety of cheese fondue recipes over the years. Some have been made with classic cheddar cheeses, and others are made with a different flavor profile. This past Christmas, I served a new recipe that I enjoyed along with my guests. One of the best features of serving a…
Serving cheese
Pleasing presentation during entertaining has been encouraged for years by entertaining experts. Presenting food in an appealing way actually encourages the overall interest for the food, including taste and food satisfaction. I often consider what is the best plate, platter or tray to display appetizers or cheese for guests. I was thrilled to receive a…
Tomato Gruyere frittata
Crispy omelets or frittatas are some of the easiest meals to prepare. The key to a great frittata is an oven proof pan, preferably one that is non-stick or well protected with oil for easy serving. This is a great recipe that was inspired by Cooking Light magazine, July 2015. I changed up the eggs,…
late summer snack on my new bamboo board
Ah, the last day of August is here. I have been working in my garden for one week now, cleaning and dividing hosta and perennials. It is the time of year that I look forward to dreaming of what my garden will be next year. It is a time to think about what grew well…
appetizer presentation
An easy appetizer menu is one that is handy for summer entertaining. Here is a quick appetizer that looks perfect and takes five minutes to prepare 20-30 bites. I use grape tomatoes and Monterey Jack cheese cubes. I usually purchase in the block, and cut my own to size. It is nice if the cube…
Cheesy Brussels sprouts
Gaining popularity in recent years has been a member of the cabbage family, namely Brussels sprouts. Having been popular in the European city of Brussels, the green vegetable has gathered fame from some of the most noteworthy television chefs. Guy Fieri of the Food Network shared a recipe in the December issue of Food Network…
