Taste of Home (editor) - Taste of Home Farmhouse Entertaining Cookbook: Invite friends and family to celebrate a taste of the country all year long

Taste of Home Farmhouse Entertaining Cookbook

Celebrate Country Living all Year Long

From sunny picnics and fun-loving barbecues to cute Turkey Day kids tables and heartwarming Christmas menus, country-inspired celebrations offer the down-home charm everyone loves.

Now you can serve up homespun hospitality no matter what holiday, occasion or season. Simply turn to the 171 finger-licking recipes inside Farmhouse Entertaining Cookbook , and youre guaranteed memory-making success.

Shared by real farm-kitchen cooks, these dishes turn any gathering into a good ol time! Simply look inside for all the stick-to-your-ribs entrees and garden-fresh sides guests crave most. Youll also find icy Mason-jar beverages and blue-ribbon desserts sure to steal the show.

In addition, tips and how-to photos explain the best way to slice ham, make caramel apples and serve cold-brew coffee like a pro. Youll find these hints and dozens of others inside this colorful keepsake cookbook.

Todays hosts agree that a little farmhouse flair goes a long waywhether youre planning an Independence Day bash, a cozy bonfire, a Halloween party or a casual cookie exchange. Thats why we also included quick ideas that put your gatherings over the top. Create a few outdoor games, set up a smores station, send guests home with autumnal flower arrangements and package sweets in cute containers. Its a cinch! Simply let us show you how.

Youll also find instant ways to bring a touch of the country to your table and home. From creating quaint no-fuss centerpieces and place settings to hanging seasonal wreaths and holiday garland, adding rustic appeal to any room is a snap.

Whether youre hosting an Easter brunch or a Christmas open house, a backyard bash or a comforting Sunday dinner, the recipes, ideas and decorations in Farmhouse Entertaining Cookbook make it a delight to serve up a side of country living all year long.

SPRING FLINGS

Grilling the prosciutto with the asparagus gives this appetizer a salty crunch thats perfect for dipping into a sweet glaze. When a delicious appetizer is this easy to prepare, you owe it to yourself to try it!

Noelle Myers, Grand Forks, ND

TAKES: 30 MIN. MAKES: 16 APPETIZERS

• lb. thinly sliced prosciutto or deli ham
• 16 fresh asparagus spears, trimmed
• cup seedless raspberry jam
• 2 Tbsp. balsamic vinegar

1. Cut prosciutto slices in half. Wrap a prosciutto piece around each asparagus spear; secure ends with toothpicks.
2. Grill asparagus, covered, on an oiled rack over medium heat for 6-8 minutes or until prosciutto is crisp, turning once. Discard the toothpicks.
3. In a small microwave-safe bowl, microwave the jam and vinegar on high for 15-20 seconds or until jam is melted. Serve with asparagus.

1 ASPARAGUS SPEAR WITH 1 TSP. SAUCE: 50 cal., 1g fat (0 sat. fat), 8mg chol., 184mg sod., 7g carb. (7g sugars, 0 fiber), 3g pro. DIABETIC EXCHANGES: starch.

This South American condiment, featuring fresh cilantro and parsley, is more than just a sauce for tossing with meatballs. Youll want plenty for extra dipping.

Amy Chase, Vanderhoof, BC

TAKES: 30 MIN. MAKES: ABOUT 20 ( CUP SAUCE)

• 1 pkg. (22 oz.) frozen fully cooked Angus beef meatballs
• 3 garlic cloves, peeled
• 1 cup packed Italian flat leaf parsley
• cup packed fresh cilantro leaves
• 1 tsp. salt
• tsp. coarsely ground black pepper
• 2 Tbsp. red wine vinegar
• cup extra virgin olive oil

1. Prepare meatballs according to package directions.
2. Meanwhile, place garlic in a small food processor; pulse until chopped. Add the parsley, cilantro, salt and pepper; pulse until finely chopped. Add vinegar. While processing, gradually add oil in a steady stream.
3. In a large bowl, toss meatballs with a little more than half of the chimichurri sauce. Transfer to a platter. Serve with remaining sauce for dipping.

1 MEATBALL WITH ABOUT 2 TSP. SAUCE: 130 cal., 12g fat (4g sat. fat), 17mg chol., 318mg sod., 2g carb. (0 sugars, 0 fiber), 4g pro.

WINE PAIRINGS

With the varied and intense flavors in incredible appetizers, why not go with some surprising wine choices? Here are some amazing party-friendly options.

For a sparkling wine, try a Spanish cava . Made with red or white grapes, cava is a dry, light and minerally alternative to much more expensive champagnes.

A Greek assyrtiko is a natural match for shellfish, spinach and feta, but its versatile enough to serve with other flavors as well. This dry white is fairly new to the import market and can be hard to findbut its worth seeking out!

For a sweeter option, an Italian moscato dAsti works well with the meat-based appetizers in this chapter. This is a semi sparkling wine, so you get a pleasant zing rather than full-on fizz. Italians call this style of wine frizzante.

If youre looking beyond whites, a lambrusco frizzante is a good match for anything with balsamic vinegar or the classic tomato-herb-cheese trifecta. Lambruscos range from sweet to dry, so ask your wine seller for specific recommendations.