I am working on a new book, well, more of a booklet on the simple joy of tea. I love hosting teas. Find them to be the very best way to entertain friends. Much easier than a full-blown meal and perceived as being more elegant and difficult. Tea may be elegant, even the way I do it, but it is by no means difficult when it is done The Extreme Diva way. I frustrate myself trying for perfection with my writing. I must turn my internal editor off and push ahead. The info in this book is too important and a precursor to my book on the simple joy of entertaining. We need to begin entertaining in our homes more.
I believe women are feeling isolated. Many of us have gone back to work or are working longer, harder hours. We are struggling to keep up with things around the house and with our families. We are coping with financial difficulties. All these things have overwhelmed us and caused us to shut ourselves away. Instead, we need to turn to one another for strength, support and guidance. Women do not function well alone. We are social creatures that need a strong social network to build a strong self esteem. Without that strong network, we lack the confidence necessary to tackle the issues facing us daily.
So, I must get busy. Not for my sake but for the sake of all those women out there needing my help. And I know you are out there! 
Cordial glasses are the perfect way to serve sherry and dessert wine. They are smaller than white wine glasses. Sherry and dessert wine should be sip and only a small portion is served in these delicate glasses. Sherry is a wonderful wine to serve at Holiday teas. Just a small libation to offer your guests before tea is served. Dessert wines are a nice compliment to the end of a meal.
This cordial glass is part of the Gala collection from Crate & Barrel.
While there is really no right or wrong when choosing a wine glass, there are still glasses that present specific types of wines to their advantage. When serving white wine, you want to use a narrower glass rather than the balloon glass used for red wine. Remember, part of the wine experience is the bouquet. You want to be able to smell the fragrance of the wine without being overwhelmed by it. Reds have a stronger fragrance than white. Whites have a subtle fragrance. The narrow opening of this glass helps to concentrate the fragrance of the wine. I have one set of wine glasses that have a wider opening than this glass but not as wide as a balloon. I am able to use it for both red and white if necessary. So, you can find glasses that offer a compromise between this glass and a balloon, allowing you to use one glass rather than having to buy 2 different types of glasses.
Glasses from Crate and Barrel Ollie Collection
Choosing the proper wine glas is almost as difficult as choosing the proper wine. Despite what many people tell you, you can use any wine glass for any type of wine. However, there is a reason specific glasses are recommended for specific wines. This week, I am discussing the variety of glasses and why each is perfect for a specific type of wine.
Today, let’s talk about balloon glasses. Red wine has a stronger bouquet that white wine. Therefore, balloon glasses work better with red wine. Balloons allow the wine to breath and emit its fragrance. You wouldn’t want to be overwhelmed by the rather powerful fragrance of some red wines when you go to sip them. Part of the enjoyment with wine involves the bouquet. The balloon glass allows you to enjoy all your red wines to their fullest.
Glasses from Crate and Barrel Ollie Collection.
If you don’t have a Crock Pot, you must get one, at least one, before Thanksgiving. There is so much you can do with one of these handy devices to make dinner prep easier. When I have a large crowd, I prepare my green beans in my crock pot. More important, I cook my stuffing in one. Someone suggested this to me a few years ago and I thought, what the heck, I’ll give it a try. WOW! It worked great! I was able to roast my turkey unstuffed, so it cooked faster. Plus, I didn’t have to worry about it being done in the middle. Nothing to interfere. I was able to make lots of stuffing, my favorite dish on Thanksgiving. My husband and daughter (and me at one time) have jobs that keep them busy Thanksgiving week-end. I like have lots of leftovers so they are able to take plenty of hardy food to keep them going during the busy times.
Anyway, I prepare my stuffing following the instructions on the package. I put a can of broth in the cooker and add the celery and onions, letting them simmer for 30-60 minutes before I add the other ingredients. This allows the veggies to get tender. I then add the bread and liquid as the recipe states. Your stuffing may look “wet” but it will cook down. I find keeping it really moist, but not soupy, for the first few hours.
You do not have to cook it forever. You don’t want it to dry out. Put your stuffing on to cook half way through the roasting time for your turkey. This means planning to put your veggies on to simmer 30-60 minutes before that. Stir your stuffing every so often so it cooks through. I add a touch of broth if the stuffing begins to look dry.
So, you have your turkey roasting in a bag and your stuffing cooking in a slow cooker. You can relax awhile, giving thanks for modern conveniences!
The weather has turned cold and damp. What’s better than a hearty hot dish for dinner? Especially when it is a family favorite like spaghetti? Well, what about spaghetti that can be prepared one night and baked the next night? Just add a salad, veggie and a simple dessert and you have a meal guaranteed to become a family favorite. And, the leftovers are incredible.
- 12 oz pasta
- 1 lb ground meat
- 1 small onion, chopped (or ½ cup frozen chopped onions)
- 2 small cans tomato sauce
- 1 small can tomato paste
- 2 cubes beef bouillon
- seasoning as listed
Preheat oven to 350. Brown ground meat. Drain and set aside.
Boil 1 ½ quarts water in a large stock pot. Add bouillon cubes and allow to dissolve. Add 1 tablespoon oil to boiling water. Add pasta. Stir to prevent sticking. Cook pasta until just tender. DO NOT DRAIN. Add tomato sauce and paste. Season with 1 tablespoon crushed garlic, 2 tablespoons fresh oregano, 1 tablespoon basil and salt and pepper. Blend thoroughly.
Add meat. Mix. Pour mixture into large flat baking dish. It will look sloppy. Top with mozzarella and parmesan cheese. Bake on e hour or until firm. Allow to cool for 15 minutes. Cut into squares.
This recipe may be made ahead of time. After pouring into pan, refrigerate until your event. Top with cheese and bake.
Posted by admin | Posted in Entertaining | Posted on 21-08-2009
Take a break with your girlfriends. Invite everyone over for a movie night. Fix comfort food and have your friends bring comforters, throws and pillows so they can relax while watching the movie. What a great night of comfort: warm soup, a warm throw and the warm comfort of your girlfriends.
Menu
Tomato Soup
Grilled Cheese Sandwiches
S’mores
Popcorn
Cocoa
