Squash Dip with Autumn Crudités – otherwise known as what you should probably serve at Thanksgiving. Appetizers are one of the quickest ways to ruin a dinner party, or stress yourself out beyond belief. Too often people get excited when planning a menu and understandingly want the whole fête to be impressive, from the cocktail bites…
MAPLE CHEESECAKES WITH CANDIED PECANS
Made in Mason jars, these individual cheesecakes are perfect for a cocktail party or gathering with standing guests. Once sealed shut the cheesecakes travel well making them great for picnics. A gluten-free dessert option, the crustless cheesecakes are served simply with chopped candied pecans and a maple syrup drizzle. For easy pouring, I transfer the cheesecake batter…
FALL COCKTAIL BITES
This fall I’ve discussed entertaining alternatives to a dinner party, highlighting the appeal and simplicity of seasonal appetizers and first courses. I’ve touched on ideas for a soup and salad evening and also a fondue spread. Last week I shared a favorite drink and a bite to savor with friends. Today I’m focusing on three simple appetizers, all perfect for…
DEVILED EGGS
In college, my roommates and I used to hard boil eggs by a placing eggs in boiling water and coming back for them 25 minutes later. They eggs were always over cooked with grayish yolks. Thankfully those days are long gone and I’ve graduated to a method for perfectly cooked hard boiled eggs that produce beautiful…
QUICK PICKLES
Pickles are an easy way to turn seasonal produce into a near effortless appetizer. While you can use almost any vegetable, I like pickling hearty cauliflower and carrots for the fall. I use a combination of white and cheddar cauliflower florets and add red onion for some extra flavor. Simply cover the raw vegetables in…
PEAR AND SWISS CROSTINI
With the juicy pear, sweet maple syrup and earthy thyme, these bites taste like autumn. Apples could easily replace the pears in this recipe, but I love the texture of pears combined with the cheese and crisp crostini. I also find pears don’t seem to oxidize as quickly as sliced apples. You can prepare the Simple…
SPARKLING PEAR COCKTAILS
There’s no need to splurge on Champagne for these festive fall drinks. Cava or Crémant de Bourgogne are inexpensive sparkling options, and this cocktail is also beautiful served with sparkling rosé. Great for a group, load a drink tray with glasses and serve a batch of these bubblers at your next soirée. Sparkling Pear Cocktails…
CARAMELIZED ONION AND OLIVE TARTLETS
A bite size-twist on the classic French Provençal Pissaladière, these tartlets save you plenty of time in the kitchen by using frozen puff pastry sheets. I love the flavor of red onion for this recipe, which sweetens as you cook it. Before a big dinner I find it’s best to limit the number of appetizers….
AUTUMN FONDUE PARTY
Don’t be intimidated to throw a fondue gathering because you don’t have the right equipment. Fondue kits are one of those fancy box sets sitting in your basement (or apartment cabinet) that never get used. Save yourself the trouble and space and use the practical items you already have in your kitchen. Make fondue in…
HARVEST SOUP AND SALAD EVENING
As summer leaves us and the weather turns, I find my small family spending more time at our home in New York. No more weekend escapes from the hot city weather or vacations on Lake Michigan. Fewer weekend activities and places to go. One of the things I love about autumn is always I fall…