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The Entertaining IDEA

The Entertaining IDEA

Tips, Tricks, Hacks, and Advice to Make You a Better Host...or Hostess!

5 Steps for Game Day Party Success

1/24/2019

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Whether you have been planning for months or you’re inviting guests the day of, hosting a huge crowd on game day requires a bit more than RSVPs and a welcoming setting. Whether a “huge crowd” to you means five guests or 50, starting out with a plan can help make the day more enjoyable for everyone.


5 Steps for Game Day Party Success

(Family Features) Whether you have been planning for months or you’re inviting guests the day of, hosting a huge crowd on game day requires a bit more than RSVPs and a welcoming setting. Whether a “huge crowd” to you means five guests or 50, starting out with a plan can help make the day more enjoyable for everyone.

To help make your game day soiree a success, knowing which snacks are top picks for the event might make shopping a little easier. The experts at Frito-Lay North America conducted the inaugural U.S. Snack Index – a poll that surveyed Americans for insights on which snacks rose to the top for consumers this year – to share what guests want on game day.

Get Organized From Guests to Groceries
From sending invites to selecting the snacks you’ll serve, start by organizing your thoughts and writing down the details. For starters, create a guest list so you’ll know exactly how much food and drink you’ll need to buy and map out your grocery list for a stress-free trip to the store.

Game Day Setup
A picture is worth a thousand words, and you can rest assured many game day viewers will plan to share images of their spreads on social media. To make sure your game day setup is ready for primetime, start by decluttering your space, arranging furniture for ample seating and laying out the picture-perfect snack table so guests can reach for snacks, plates, napkins and utensils, with easy access.

Snacks for All
While it may be first instinct to feel like you need to cook crafty dishes and artsy snacks, that may not necessarily be important to game day guests. In fact, according to the index, nearly all game day party-goers will enjoy snacks during the competition, and 80 percent of viewers said they’ll eat either potato or tortilla chips. Chips aren’t the only thing to consider. Score big with your guests by picking the perfect pairings, like salsa for tortilla chips, which ranks as the most popular dip overall, or French onion dip, which is the most popular choice for dipping potato chips.

Encourage Fun for Everyone
Of course, the game is the reason for the party and the center of attention, but the fact is it’s possible not every person in attendance is a sports fan. By bringing out board games or cards and setting up tables in adjacent rooms, you can encourage a fun environment for everyone at the party. Plus, by creating a secondary station away from the TV, you’ll allow for non-sports conversation without upsetting the diehards.

Keep it Simple
Generally, game day watch parties are of the more laid-back variety. This no-fuss attitude carries over into party snack prep, as more than half of viewers surveyed in the U.S. Snack Index prefer to prepare simple recipes whether they’re hosting or attending. On top of laid-back snacks, more than one-third of consumers polled plan to simply put snacks in the closest bowl rather than planning out a social media-worthy snack table.

Find more survey details and snacking ideas at fritolay.com/snackindex.

Photo courtesy of Getty Images

SOURCE:
Frito-Lay


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Good lighting, games and garlic bites: 5 outdoor party tips

6/27/2018

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5_outdoor_party_tips
Good lighting, games and garlic bites: 5 outdoor party tips


Whatever the occasion, you can take advantage of the sun and extra space outside for the perfect backyard party. Let these tips help you plan and get your outdoor space ready for guests.


(BPT) - Whatever the occasion, you can take advantage of the sun and extra space outside for the perfect backyard party. Let these tips help you plan and get your outdoor space ready for guests.

1. Cluster the conversation spots

When planning your backyard layout, think beyond the patio table, and provide more than enough seating for all. Arrange sofas and chairs into conversation clusters to keep people outside and enjoying each other’s company. It’s also smart to provide coffee tables, side tables and other spaces where people can set their drinks and snacks. Don’t be afraid to borrow pieces from a friend or neighbor to make the party set complete.

2. Add the right lighting

Consider the time of day of your gathering and what that means for your lighting. Intense late-day sun glare is unpleasant for all, but a few strategically placed patio plants can make a dramatic difference (and make the space feel more intimate). For the post-sundown festivities, light up the party zone with holiday lights along deck rails or zig-zagged overhead. Add a fire pit, and, if it’s chilly, an extra stash of throw blankets and jackets and you’ll have a cozy, well-lit space for those late-night talks.

3. Keep flying invaders at bay

No one likes it when uninvited guests like flying, biting insects show up. Bottles of insect repellent in a conspicuous place are a good bet on buggy nights, but keep these (and the spraying area) well away from the food. For a chemical-free alternative, set out a fan or two on a low setting to stir up enough of a breeze to keep the pests away.

4. Get your game on

For the ultimate crowd mixer and crowd pleaser, keep a few fun and easy yard games on hand. Dust off the old bocce ball set. Or, with a few simple materials from your local hardware store, you can create and customize DIY versions of your favorites, including bean-bag toss, ring toss or even target shooting with water guns.
​
5. Keep the snacks simple and stress free
The secret to a good party is not stressing over every detail of the décor and the same goes for the food. An array of delicious but simple snacks are more than enough to get the party started. Soft pretzels are always a party favorite, but did you know that most people — 69 percent of them, to be exact — prefer to eat their soft pretzels dipped? Another 28 percent prefer cheese toppings. For the perfect snack to spice up the festivities, include a batch of Superpretzel Parmesan Garlic Bites or Superpretzel Everything Pretzel Bites (see recipes below).

Parmesan Garlic Bites

Ingredients:
  • 9-12 Superpretzel Soft Pretzel Bites
  • 1/2 cup of extra virgin olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons wet, minced garlic
  • 2 tablespoons dry parsley
  • 2 tablespoons pretzel salt
  • 1/4 cup of Parmesan cheese

Directions:
  • In a bowl, combine the extra virgin olive oil, garlic, pretzel salt, parsley and cheese and set aside.
  • Deep fry the pretzel bites in your favorite cooking oil at 360 degrees F for about 2 minutes.
  • When done, dredge the pretzel bites into the oil and cheese mixture.
  • Serve with your favorite dipping sauce.

Everything Pretzel Bites

Ingredients:
  • 20 Superpretzel Soft Pretzel Bites
  • Everything bagel seasoning
  • Melted butter
  • Optional: whipped cream cheese (for dipping)
​
Directions:
  • Prepare soft pretzel bites according to instructions on the box.
  • Lightly coat soft pretzel bites with melted butter.
  • Season soft pretzel bites with everything bagel seasoning and soft pretzel salt.
  • Bake in 350 degree F oven until golden brown.
  • Serve with whipped cream cheese.

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Excellent Entertaining

1/1/2018

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Delighting guests in unexpected ways is the hallmark of exceptional entertaining. With a little creative flair, you can elevate your menu with recipes such as Grape and Goat Cheese Crostini, Mini Pavlovas with Lemon Cream and Grapes, and Seared Chicken Breasts with Grapes and Artichokes to impress guests with every course.


Excellent Entertaining

Elegant ideas for a meal worth celebrating

(Family Features) Delighting guests in unexpected ways is the hallmark of exceptional entertaining. With a little creative flair, you can elevate your menu to impress guests with every course.

A savory appetizer is set off beautifully by fresh, sweet grapes in this Grape and Goat Cheese Crostini. Festive, bright and refreshing, grapes are a versatile ingredient that take dishes to the next level, making them ideal for special occasions.

Not only are grapes a smart choice to keep on hand for healthy snacking and everyday eating, the vibrant colors and flavors bring extra life to a basic protein. For a unique twist on a main dish, try dressing up chicken with an elegant addition like fresh grapes, as in these Seared Chicken Breasts with Grapes and Artichokes.

The secret to a winning dessert is presentation, and the vibrant colors of red, green or black grapes lend just the right look to these tasty Mini Pavlovas with Lemon Cream and Grapes. What’s more, the juicy sweetness offsets the tartness of the lemon for an explosion of flavor perfection.

A Fresh Approach to Décor

Not only do fresh grapes’ lively flavors make for exceptional dishes, their vibrant colors can also enhance your table in other ways. Lend natural beauty to your decor while providing your loved ones with a healthy snack option with these creative ideas:

  • Arrange grapes in bowls, on platters or draped from a cake plate for attractive and edible centerpieces.
  • Dress snacking grapes up for the occasion by dipping clusters in liquid gelatin. Roll them in sugar, spices and finely chopped nuts to make a “frosted” finger food with a hint of crunch.
  • Colorful grapes lend a pretty pop when used as a garnish to decorate serving plates.

Plan your next special occasion with the host of recipes at GrapesfromCalifornia.com.

Grape and Goat Cheese Crostini

Serves: 8

  • 2          cups quartered green, black or red California grapes (or a mixture)
  • 2          teaspoons lemon juice
  • 2          teaspoons honey
  • 1          tablespoon chopped fresh thyme leaves
  • 1/4       teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1/4       teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 1          tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
  • 16        baguette slices, thinly cut on diagonal
  • 8          ounces fresh goat cheese
  1. In medium bowl, combine grapes, lemon juice, honey, thyme, salt, pepper and olive oil. Spread each baguette with goat cheese and top with grape mixture.

Nutritional information per serving: 200 calories; 9 g protein; 23 g carbohydrates; 8 g fat (36 percent calories from fat); 4.5 g saturated fat (20 percent calories from saturated fat); 15 mg cholesterol; 340 mg sodium; 1 g fiber.


Mini Pavlovas with Lemon Cream and Grapes

Serves: 6

  • 4          large egg whites
  • pinch of salt
  • 1          cup sugar
  • 2          teaspoons cornstarch
  • 1          teaspoon vanilla
  • 2/3       cup heavy whipping cream
  • 1/3       cup lemon curd
  • 1 1/2    cups halved California grapes
  • chopped smoked or tamari almonds (optional)
  1. Heat oven to 350° F. Line baking sheet with parchment paper. With electric mixer on medium speed, in large bowl, beat egg whites and salt until firm peaks form. On low speed, add sugar 1 tablespoon at a time until meringue forms stiff peaks. Whisk in cornstarch and vanilla.
  2. Divide meringue into six 4-inch circles on baking sheet. With large spoon, make indentations in middle of each. Place baking sheet in oven and lower temperature to 300° F. Bake 30 minutes then turn off oven and leave baking sheet inside another 30 minutes. To serve, whip cream to soft peaks and stir in lemon curd. Dollop onto meringues and top with grapes. Garnish with almonds, if desired.

Nutritional information per serving: 350 calories; 4 g protein; 58 g carbohydrates; 12 g fat (31 percent calories from fat); 8 g saturated fat (20 percent calories from saturated fat); 55 mg cholesterol; 90 mg sodium.

Seared Chicken Breasts with Grapes and Artichokes

Serves: 4

  • 2          boneless, skinless chicken breasts (8 ounces each), butterflied lengthwise into 4 cutlets
  • salt, to taste
  • pepper, to taste
  • 2          tablespoons olive oil, divided
  • 2          cloves garlic, minced
  • 1          leek, white part only, halved and thinly sliced
  • 2          tablespoons chopped fresh oregano
  • 1 1/2    cups quartered artichoke hearts, frozen, canned or jarred
  • 1/2       cup dry white wine
  • 1/2       cup low-sodium chicken stock
  • 1          tablespoon lemon juice
  • 1/2       teaspoon lemon zest
  • 2          teaspoons butter
  • 3/4       cup green California grapes
  • 3/4       cup red California grapes
  • 2          tablespoons chopped flat-leaf parsley
  1. Season chicken breasts with salt and pepper, to taste. In saute pan over medium-high heat, heat 1 tablespoon olive oil. Add chicken breasts and sear 3-4 minutes per side. Remove chicken and set aside.
  2. Add remaining olive oil to pan, along with garlic, leek and pinch of salt; cook on medium heat 2-3 minutes to soften leek. Stir in oregano, artichokes, wine, chicken stock, lemon juice, lemon zest and butter. Simmer 2-3 minutes then add chicken back to pan, basting each breast with sauce. Add grapes and simmer 3-5 minutes, or until grapes are just soft and chicken is cooked through.
  3. Stir in fresh parsley and serve.

Nutritional information per serving: 320 calories; 26 g protein; 23 g carbohydrates; 12 g fat (34 percent calories from fat); 3 g saturated fat (8 percent calories from saturated fat); 70 mg cholesterol; 390 mg sodium; 5 g fiber.

SOURCE:
California Table Grape Commission

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