Party Planning -
Party Buzz Newsletter
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How to get the most out of
hosting
(ARA) - Dazzling guests with a perfectly prepared
meal is always the goal when deciding to open your
home to friends and family, but it sometimes can be
a stressful experience. Following a few simple tips
from a chef who knows a little bit about
entertaining guests at high-profile events can help
put you at ease when planning your next big
get-together.
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World-renowned
chef and best-selling cookbook author, Chef Art Smith, is
used to setting the stage and the table for some of the most
influential people in the world after working as Oprah
Winfrey's personal chef for nearly a decade.
"The food you make is only part of hosting a successful
event," says Chef Smith. "Planning ahead and taking measures
to make sure your guests are comfortable are also key to
making sure your party will be remembered fondly."
Chef Smith offers the following 10 tips for hosting a
successful event at your house.
1. Shop early and get organized. After you select the
menu, get to the store and get everything you need well
before you begin preparing for your guests. Lay out a
schedule to get as much cooking and other preparation done
as possible well before your guests arrive.
2. Make sure you have the right amount of storage and
your refrigerator has enough space to store ingredients, as
well as cold items you'll be preparing ahead of time. If
you're doing a lot of entertaining, you may want to consider
a French-door refrigerator that offers a slimmer in-door ice
maker, taking up less shelf space and providing more than
just added capacity. For example, the newest 4-door model
from LG offers an ultra-large capacity with a slim in-door
ice maker design that frees up additional storage space on
the refrigerator door, providing more usable refrigerator
shelf space (a plus when entertaining a big group).
3. Serve what you know. While experimenting with your
cooking on your own time is a good way to expand your
culinary horizons, serving what you know you do well will
save you stress and guarantee success when hosting that big
event.
4. Aromas make a good first impression. Having
something tasty in the oven when guests arrive will fuel
their appetite and set the stage for an exciting evening.
5. Meet and greet. Be sure to warmly greet each
person as they come through the door to make sure they feel
welcome.
6. Promote good food and health. Update your recipes
with healthy ingredients and fresh ingredients whenever
possible. Guests will be doubly impressed when they find out
your food is not only delicious but also healthy and
nutritious.
7. Think about drinks. Do some research ahead of time
to pair wines, cocktails or summer coolers with the food
you'll be serving. A fridge with an automatic ice maker is
crucial for entertaining; look for one with an extra-tall
dispenser area that can easily accommodate containers of all
sizes including pitchers and coffee pots.
8. Don't tie yourself to the kitchen. Prepare what
you can ahead of time so you have time to socialize with
guests and enjoy yourself. A refrigerator with double
freezer drawers can easily accommodate larger items, making
it easy to prepare entrees ahead of time and freeze them to
cut down on preparation time closer to the event.
9. Decorate beforehand to make your space as inviting
as possible for your guests.
10. Set the mood with music. Music can really help
make the room come alive, especially when the first few
guests arrive.
"Planning and organization, with lots of storage in your
refrigerator, are really important for the successful
hostess. And following all of these simple tips should make
entertaining friends and family as enjoyable for you as your
guests," says Chef Smith.
In addition to these quick and easy entertainment tips, Chef
Smith offers one of his signature recipes that's guaranteed
to leave your guests satisfied.
Art Smith's Goat Cheese Drop Biscuits
Makes 12 biscuits
Ingredients:
2 cups King Arthur self-rising flour
1 teaspoon salt
4 tablespoons (2 ounces) cold butter
4 tablespoons (2 ounces) goat cheese
1 cup (8 ounces) buttermilk
Extra butter to grease pan and top biscuits
1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese
Directions:
Preheat your oven to 425 F. Place one 10-inch, cast-iron pan
into the oven while it is preheating. Place flour and salt
into a medium-sized bowl. Cut in the butter and goat cheese.
Make a well in the middle of the ingredients and pour in the
milk. Stir until the mix is moistened, adding an extra
tablespoon of milk if needed.
Remove the hot skillet from the oven and place a tablespoon
of butter into it. When the butter has melted, drop
one-fourth cupfuls of batter into the pan. Use a muffin
scoop to drop the batter if you have one. Brush the tops of
the biscuits with melted butter. Bake 14 to 16 minutes until
browned on the top and bottom. Remove from the oven and
sprinkle with the grated parmesan cheese. Enjoy warm.
To see more recipes from Chef Art Smith, visit www.lg.com/us/kitchen/tips-advice.jsp.
Courtesy of ARAcontent
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