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How to Host a Dinner Party: Seattle Times Food and Wine section in 60 seconds


spice-rubbed chicken served with lemon orzo
I love hosting dinner parties, but know that it can be a highly stressful affair. Chefs offer a few tips to make it successful, including how to handle fussy guests, and offer recipes that keep the stress level low, i.e. that are relatively uncomplicated and can be prepared in advance: Herbed Lemon Orzo, Creamy Roasted Parsnip Soup with Chevre & Walnut Crostini, Spiced Chicken with Pears and Port, and Chocolate Espresso Martinis.

Pickiness isn't just the guests at your dinner party. The Times looks at pickiness in general.

As if the heavy stews and braises of autumn weren't enough, it's football season, which brings along with it lots of diet-killing "stadium foods." The Diet Detective offers tips on how to handle a giant plate of nachos.

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Tip of the Day

December may have peppermint bark, but have you thought to incorporate the taste of autumn into white chocolate with a rich pumpkin swirl?

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