Entertaining

Update Your Party Nibbles

by Jennifer Iserloh, Posted Jan 1st 2010 @ 1:00PM

Jennifer Iserloh, Skinny Chef

Craving party or bar foods? Make it at home with real, honest to good ingredients! Most store-bought party foods have little or none of the real ingredients that would make it flavorful. These recipes are the perfect way to get the holiday spirit going into the new year while sticking to your New Year's resolutions.

Cheesy Bites

Zucchini Bites are a nice alternative to your run-of-the-mill cheese and crackers. Compliment the juicy texture of zucchini by combining it with a light layer of salty, flavorful tapenade. It can be assembled ahead of time and popped in the oven while you are serving your guests' drinks.

More recipes after the jump.

Filed under: Entertaining

Champagne Cocktails - LeNell It All

COMMENTS 1

by LeNell Smothers, Posted Dec 31st 2009 @ 3:00PM

Photo: LeNell Smothers

With 2010 knocking at our door, our minds turn to Champagne, or at least sparkling wine since the stuff labeled "Champagne" ideally should come from the Champagne region of France. Although it's hard to believe, I have heard some people complain that they simply don't like Champagne. Are you planning on entertaining guests this New Year's Eve who fall into this category? Perhaps try serving them a sparkling red like bubbly Shiraz or a brutish dry Lambrusco. Or just take on the challenge and turn them onto Champagne cocktails by laying out an array of everything needed to make a variety of them.

Chill some Champagne or a good cheaper alternative, like a Blanquette de Limoux from France. Set out some spirits basics like brandy, gin, absinthe, Campari, various liqueurs such as Chartreuse, Pama pomegranate and orange liqueurs like Clement Creole Shrubb or your favorite triple sec. Basically offer your guests whatever tickles your fancy and pleases your budget. Lay out sugar cubes and a spread of various types of aromatic cocktail bitters such as Angostura, Peychaud's, Regans' Orange, any of the Fee Brothers or perhaps some of the Bitter Truth line. Pick out a variety of flavors and allow guests to create their own Champagne Cocktail versions. Set out some lemons and oranges for wedges, twists and spirals. Let folks play. Happy New Year!

A playful Champagne cocktail recipe:

Place sugar cube in bottom of chilled Champagne flute. Dash some bitters on top of the sugar cube. Add no more than ½ ounce chilled liquor or liqueur of choice, which may be shaken or stirred with ice or pre-chilled in an ice bucket or in the fridge. You can also just drop an ice cube into your glass like bartenders of yesteryear would do. Pour a little chilled sparkling wine into the flute to prevent foam over. Let settle and then fill with bubbly. Garnish with citrus spirals, twists or wedges as desired.

Filed under: Drink Recipes, Holidays, Drinks, Entertaining

The Year-End Yumminess of YumSugar

COMMENTS 1

by Jose Ralat Maldonado, Posted Dec 31st 2009 @ 1:00PM

Photo: YumSugar.

Each Thursday, we round up a selection of scrumptious links from our friends over at YumSugar. Here's what they've got cooking this week:

Rick Bayless is voted the best chef of 2009 -- a well-deserved honor -- beating out Food Network favorites.
Let's put it this way: Williams-Sonoma got the electoral-college nod.
Wind down 2009 and fill up for 2010 with sweet potato and bacon in endive boats.
If you come across a well-coiffed onion, will this instrument come in handy?
Bacon continues its starring role to the very end.
Is family-style dining the way to go during the holidays?
Roll the dice for New Year's fortune with Hoppin' John soup.

Filed under: On the Blogs, Food News, Entertaining

Happy National Egg Nog Day!

COMMENTS 0

by Alexa Weibel, Posted Dec 24th 2009 @ 1:15PM

Eggnogg Holiday egg nog. Photo: Astrangegirl, Flickr.

Happy National Eggnog Day!

Infrequently (nay, never) have eggs and liquor been married into such a winning combination. But the pairing of egg and nog (British slang for strong ale) have become a loved and hated holiday tradition since the early nineteenth century.

The recipe -- which relies upon dairy, eggs, sugar, nutmeg and alcohol (typically whiskey, rum or brandy) -- was once used to toast to one's health but has since evolved to become a Christmas tradition. Get in the spirit with our recommended recipe.

If there's one thing to be said about eggnog, it's that it sparks a spirited love-hate debate. Do you enjoy a glass of it during the holidays or are you appalled by the thought of drinking raw egg? Weigh in, in the comments!

Become a member of the Slashfood Flickr pool to get a shot at having your photos featured on the site.

Filed under: Drink Recipes, Holidays, Entertaining

Hot Hesper - LeNell It All

COMMENTS 0

by LeNell Smothers, Posted Dec 23rd 2009 @ 5:00PM

Photo: LeNell Smothers.

"Anna likened you to Phosphor the morning star, and herself to Hesper, the mortal star of evening, and when I told her those twin stars were one and the same, and not a star at all but the planet Venus..." - John Barth

A perfumist friend made me a delightful custom scent he called Gin Hesper -- inspired by the aromas of DH Krahn gin and perhaps my "Hesper'ness." A relatively new gin on the market, DH Krahn offers a less pronounced juniper flavor with a nice citrusy note. I took the perfume's name as inspiration for this drink I created during the 2008 holiday season -- perfect for festive occasions with its beautiful, deep ruby-red color. Even better, it combines both the DH Krahn gin and my love for rye whiskey.

Dusting off the crock pot and having mugs out for guests is one of my favorite ways to serve a holiday gathering of friends and family. Self-serving out of the crock pot sure beats your having to worry about serving guests individually. And wouldn't you rather be caroling, eating, opening presents or most importantly, just basking in the glow of those around you?

Filed under: Drink Recipes, Entertaining

'The All-American Christmas Cookbook' - Cookbook Spotlight

COMMENTS 0

by Alexa Weibel, Posted Dec 23rd 2009 @ 2:00PM

good eats cookbook cover Photo: Amazon.com.

'The All-American Christmas Cookbook: Family Favorites From Every State'
By Georgia Orcutt and John Margolies
Chronicle Books -- 2008
Buy it on Amazon

Half of what makes the Christmas holiday special is the warm, familiar blanket of tradition -- the Christmas tree (real or faux), the music (Bing Crosby classics or modern hits), the food: eggnog or mulled wine, baked ham or roasted turkey, buche de Noel or peppermint pie. And "The All-American Christmas Cookbook" showcases the very best of festive dishes rooted in American tradition, from a lebkuchen recipe inspired by German settlers in Indiana to maple-walnut fudge from the syrup state of Vermont.

See what we tested and whether it's worth buying after the jump.

Filed under: Cookbook Spotlight, Books, Reviews, Entertaining

How to Host a Cookie Swap

COMMENTS 0

by Slashfood Editor, Posted Dec 23rd 2009 @ 11:00AM

Photo: Steve Adams

by Julie M. Usher

While cookie swaps are synonymous with Christmas time, they are easy-to-plan parties year-round. The traditional cookie swap is a specialized form of potluck, where guests share in the baking and cost burden by bringing their favorite cookies to the party (they're made ahead of time). The hostess provides the space, sends out the invitations, sets up the cookies and provides the beverages. Guests bring two or three batches of their favorite recipe (5-6 dozen) and then they are swapped with other guests cookies. The advantage of a cookie swap? Multiple cookie varieties without the prep time and mess.

More recently, people have started to participate in baking exchanges, where guests bring their ingredients to the hostess's home and they bake together. With more interaction at this type of party, it's great for people less savvy in the kitchen. This concept is also a great way to get kids into the kitchen by encouraging them to help in prepping and decorating stages. Kids can get their hands dirty while learning how to cook and take pride in what they make.

The Rules of Cookie Swapping and Party Planning Tips after the jump.

Filed under: Holidays, How To, Entertaining

Vacherin Mont d'Or - Cheese Course

COMMENTS 1

by Max Shrem, Posted Dec 22nd 2009 @ 5:00PM

vacherin mont d'or

Photo: edseloh, Flickr

The distinct woodsy taste, unctuous milky paste, and pungent aroma of Vacherin Mont D'Or are sure to make any holiday meal unforgettable. Hailing from the canton of Vaud in Switzerland, the cheese's mere appearance -- a wrinkly light-orange washed-rind with white molds -- is also a scene-stealer. Alluring rind and luscious flavor aside, this cheese is only available in November and December, making it the perfect pick for celebrating the holidays.

The cheese makes lasting impressions. "I remember the woodsy flavor and the taste of mushrooms the first time I tried the cheese," recalls Jason Bond, chef at Boston's Beacon Hill Bistro. Bond, who was introduced to the cheese 10 years ago when a chef friend brought it back in his suitcase from France, explained, "We purchase a large format Vacherin Mont D'Or for our New Year's Eve menu, and whatever we have left over, we'll put onto the regular menu."

Filed under: Cheese Course, Recipes, Entertaining, Features

16 Boozy Gift Boxes

COMMENTS 1

by James Cury, Posted Dec 22nd 2009 @ 2:30PM

Photo: Dewar's

Walk into almost any liquor shop after Halloween, and you'll see an army of old bottles dressed up in holiday clothing. Sometimes the booze has been rendered festive with tinsel or bells. Or there's a sexy cocktail shaker -- or frosted glasses -- sitting next to the vodka bottle in a shiny Christmas-themed box.

Nobody buys these gift-box bottles for themselves; they are quintessential gifts (and re-gifts). But that doesn't mean you can't appreciate the alluring tchotchke inside.

This year's crop elicits many of those "I-want-that!" responses whether you're a fan of vodka, gin, tequila, whiskey, rum or Champagne. Though most are fairly priced between $20 and $60, the gift sets range from $15 to $425. Just remember: Prices and availability may vary.

Filed under: New Products, Reviews, Recipes, Drinks, Entertaining, Features

Goat Cheese in Herbed Olive Oil - Feast Your Eyes

COMMENTS 0

by Alexa Weibel, Posted Dec 22nd 2009 @ 10:00AM

Photo: Patent and the Pantry, Flickr.

So simple that its use of the name "recipe" is misleading, this goat cheese doused in a seasoned, herbed olive oil dipping sauce is an exquisite amusebouche. With an elegant simplicity, this dish takes on a casual, comfortable appeal when dipped into and devoured with fresh pieces of baguette or other quality breads.

Vouches blogger the Patent and the Pantry -- who counts the recipe as a cherished holiday tradition -- "the combination of slightly grassy oil, softened garlic and the sharp heat of peppercorns mixed with rich goat cheese is so perfect." In addition to taste and a luscious mouthfeel, the dish boasts one advantage not to be neglected in the busy holiday season: It's easy to prepare ahead of time and assemble for last-minute guests. Simply simmer the seasonings (with the likes of rosemary, coriander and fennel -- oh my!) in oil for five minutes then pour over the cheese and serve. Who knew perfection could be such a breeze?

Become a member of the Slashfood Flickr pool to get a shot at having your photos featured in Feast Your Eyes.

Filed under: Feast Your Eyes, Recipes, Entertaining