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Recipe: Creamy Artichoke Dip

»» Recipe: Creamy Artichoke Dip

Filed under: Holidays,Recipes,easy entertaining | appetizer, artichoke, dip, holiday, Kate Morgan Jackson|1 Comment

Entertaining Tips from Pretzel Crisps®

Like many of you, I am getting ready to host a holiday gathering at my house. While I’m excited to celebrate the season with good friends and family, I dread all the work that goes into the planning, prepping, cleaning, organizing and shopping for the event. Not to mention the money and time spent before, during and after the party. So this year, I’ve decided to make it easy on myself, and my wallet, by hosting a “Pairing Party.” Similar to a cocktail party with hors d’oeuvres or a Spanish tapas party, I’ll be serving mingle-friendly appetizers and other finger foods for my guests to sample and build their own light bites. Not only will the pairing party cut back on the amount of prep work and the cost of a full-course meal, it will allow your guests to select which food combinations they want to try. So instead of cheese and crackers, maybe your guest prefers mini meatballs sandwiched between two Pretzel Crisps® with a slice of parmesan cheese. Think of it as a buffet of appetizers open to guests throughout the night. They will be able to sample a variety of foods, the way they like to eat them, while catching up with old and new friends.

»» Entertaining Tips from Pretzel Crisps®

Filed under: Football Fare,Holidays,Recipes,easy entertaining | Hostess gifts, Pretzel Crisps, Snack Factory|No Comments

Tuna and Ham Rolls with Tomato Pepper Relish

»» Tuna and Ham Rolls with Tomato Pepper Relish

Filed under: Fish,Recipes,Seafood,Tomatoes,easy entertaining | appetizer, ham, Kate Morgan Jackson, tomato, tuna|No Comments

Light and Airy Thanksgiving Dinner Rolls?!

My family loves dinner rolls with our Annual Thanksgiving Dinner. They claim they are an integral part of the whole experience. After all, how else would one sop up all the turkey gravy goodness? I know, a major conundrum for most families. But most rolls are so boring and do we really need another carbohydrate on the plate? As I start to say no, I happen to open the local paper and VOILA, there is my answer to boring rolls, GOUGERES. They are French and in their most recognized state as a dessert, they are called Pate Choux, crème puffs for a better name. But, GOUGERES pronounced goo-zhair are the savory version. As I read the ingredients, I knew I had the solution to boring. These puffs can have any number of herbs and cheese or anything else your little heart desires and they are not that hard to make, but they taste like they took all day! That should impress the family. Ha!

»» Light and Airy Thanksgiving Dinner Rolls?!

Filed under: Holidays,Recipes,Side Dish,easy entertaining | dinner rolls, GOUGERES, Michele Errichetti, Thanksgiving|3 Comments

Deviled Wings and Dicey Things

»» Deviled Wings and Dicey Things

Filed under: Burlington County,Halloween,Recipes,easy entertaining | Beth Christian, wings recipe|No Comments

Saint Patrick’s Day Party Picks

If you are hosting this Saint Patrick’s Day, try these four must-have picks for a perfect holiday. From start to finish, treat your guests to some fun and festive Irish-American fare with these simple and special recipes.

»» Saint Patrick’s Day Party Picks

Filed under: Holidays,Party Ideas,Recipes,St. Patrick's Day,Uncategorized,easy entertaining,menu plans | Dawn and Elizabeth, Dawn Sandomeno, Elizabeth Mascali, Party Bluprints|No Comments

Party Ready Red Pepper Pistachio Dip

»» Party Ready Red Pepper Pistachio Dip

Filed under: Camden County,Holidays,Recipes,easy entertaining | Beth Christian, party dip|3 Comments

Frighteningly Fun: Halloween Ghost Cupcakes With Fondant

»» Frighteningly Fun: Halloween Ghost Cupcakes With Fondant

Filed under: Desserts,Halloween,Holidays,Recipes,easy entertaining,new jersey | ghost cupcakes, Halloween recipes, Rachel Bozek, Samantha Kestin, Sweet Samantha|No Comments

Montclair: Chef’s Lab Grand Opening

What’s in a name? The newest addition to Montclair’s buzzing food community is called Chef’s Lab, but it sure doesn’t feel like a lab. In fact, the inviting space feels more like downtown-loft-meets-Jamie-Oliver’s-Food-Revolution-kitchen.

»» Montclair: Chef’s Lab Grand Opening

Filed under: Cooking Schools,Essex,easy entertaining | Chef's Lab, Montclair, Rachel Bozek|3 Comments

Your Superbowl Sunday Menu

180px-Superbowl_Trophy_Crop This weekend is going to be a great one for staying inside and cooking. As weather.com is so gently putting it this morning, we’re supposed to get “walloped” by a pretty big snow storm. So, the grocery stores are going to be packed, but if you want that perfect pot of chili ready for game day, I’m sure I’ll see you there. Here are my picks and some guest picks for some super Superbowl menu choices. I don’t list wings but you can bet we’ll have them at my house. The recipe I use is nothing more than coating the wings lightly with seasoned flour, deep frying them and tossing with the hot sauce recipe right off the bottle of Frank’s Hot Sauce.