Diane Rossen Worthington - Seriously Simple Parties: Recipes, Menus & Advice for Effortless Entertaining

Text copyright 2012

by Diane Rossen Worthington.

Photographs copyright 2012

by Yvonne Duivenvoorden.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form without written permission from the publisher.

ISBN 978-1-4521-2868-9.
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data available under ISBN 978-0-8118-7257-7.

Designed by Laura Palese

Prop styling by Catherine Doherty

Food styling by Lucie Richard

Production management by Sarah Lichter

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Ethan Ellenberg, my agent, who is always available with a creative thought

Bill LeBlond, my supportive editor, who is always there to listen to my ideas

Amy Treadwell, for her helpful editorial input and creative thinking, which have helped me solve organizational challenges

Joanna Ramos, for her skilled assistance in the kitchen and her sense of humor

Jill Kanofsky, for all of her recipe assistance, testing, and help at a moments notice

Anthony Dias Blue, whose expert knowledge is reflected in the wine pairing advice

Denny Luria, for her lifelong friendship and thoughtful insights and for always being there

Laurie Burrows Grad, Kathy Blue, Janice Wald Henderson, Ciji Ware, my cooking colleagues and dear friends, for all of their input

Mary Beth Rose; Lucy Suzar; Connie Bryson; Judy, Kenny, Sam, and Ali Miller; Lisa and Steve Hillman; Cathi and George Rimalower; and Ruth and Don Salk for being great tasters and critics

And last but not least, my husband, Michael , and my daughter, Laura, who always make me laugh.

for laura

& michael,

who give

me reason

to celebrate

I wrote Seriously Simple in 2002 to help the busy home cook spend as little time as possible in the kitchen while still creating tasty dishes. My recipes had as much to do with lifestyle as they did with flavor. They were designed to minimize prep time and streamline cooking techniques, while retaining the pleasing, complex flavors of more labor-intensive dishes.

The recipes I created seemed to resonate with my readers, and Seriously Simple Holidays followed soon after. In response to that book, repeated e-mails to my Seriously Simple Web site raised questions about entertaining. My readers wanted to know how to throw a party without becoming overwhelmed by all the planning, shopping, prep work, cooking, and serving. Is it possible to do it all without calling in the troops? I love to entertain and have many tips to share, having learned from my own mistakes over the years. So I decided to write Seriously Simple Parties, a collection of recipes that are meant to reduce that all-too-common feeling of party anxiety.

This book will show you how to pull together a festive meal for a small or large group that is tasty and beautifully presented, but doesnt require endless hours of preparation. Ive developed recipes based on fresh ingredients, shortcut cooking techniques, and a well-stocked pantry to enable you to throw a party with a minimum of effort.

The most important requirement for a successful party is organization.

Years of entertaining have shown me that careful organization ahead of time makes for the best event. Preplanning allows me to spend time talking and relaxing with my guests, instead of working in the kitchen. Whether I am preparing a meal for 4 or 12, planning ahead and making to-do lists is my secret to an enjoyable get-together.

The section on Party Entertaining Styles () will help you select from a range of options, whether its a sit-down brunch for 6, an outdoor buffet dinner for 12, or a family-style luncheon for 10, where all the dishes appear on the table at the same time.

Seriously Simple Parties provides a variety of menus () for a range of different kinds of entertaining. The menus are meant as suggestions: feel free to make changes to suit your own taste. Note that the menus and recipes are arranged by season, so your dishes will include the freshest ingredients currently available.

See Stocking the Bar (), and choose from a number of creative cocktails to help get the party going.

Having your staples on hand is key to hassle-free party prep. The Party Pantry () will help you stock your cupboard with ingredients that are essential for my recipes. For example, you will appreciate having a good selection of red and white vinegars and assorted oils when making salad dressings, sauts, and sauces. Keeping good-quality chicken or vegetable stocks and canned tomatoes within reach will make soup and stew prep that much easier. A selection of chocolates and nuts will give you the freedom to throw together cookies or cakes without having to make another trip to the store.

They may seem like extra work, but careful planning will save you time and make entertaining seriously simple. I think of these lists as my road map to a successful party, a strategy that takes the stress out of pulling everything together.

Space out your cooking tasks. My recipes always offer tips for advance preparation, which will make your work more manageable. A sauce can be made a week in advance and frozen until youre ready to use it. The first couple of steps of many recipes can be completed days ahead. As the day of your party draws near, remember the Seriously Simple philosophy: keep it fresh and keep it simple. That means if you dont have time to prepare all the dishes you want to serve, dont panic. Feel free to pick up a fresh store-bought item instead.

LISTS AND SCHEDULES

Menu and Cooking Schedule

List all the dishes you will serve at your party, and note when each one will be made. You may decide to do some steps well in advance, and others a day or two before the party. Also note any last-minute touches that will need to be added.

Shopping and Chores Schedule

Arrange a schedule for buying flowers, desserts, or other last-minute purchases. Coordinate any final tasks for party prep, including lighting the candles, refrigerating wines and drinks, and getting ice ready. Note any family member or friend who can do the task.

Drinks and Other Nonperishables Shopping List

Note all the nonperishables you need, from the wine to the centerpieces. These can be bought a week or so ahead.

Perishables Shopping List

The list should include all the fresh food you will need, such as salad ingredients and other vegetables, cheeses, and meats. Purchase fruit that needs to ripen at least a couple of days ahead of your event. Decide what flowers you will need and purchase them a few days ahead of your event.

Tabletop Items

The dishes, tablecloths, napkins, silverware, serving pieces, and candles you plan to use should be included in this list. You might want to think about where people will sit, and even make place cards for a more formal gathering.