Cheesecake Highlights a Night of Casual Entertaining

Posted by myarticlenetwork on February 1, 2010

It is certainly not yet time to assert that the old fashioned cocktail party of the mid-twentieth century is a thing of a previous era, but there is a recent trend in entertaining toward less formal affairs. Remember Clark Gable or Fred Astaire, dressed in their tuxedos; or picture Betty Grable in her swirling gown. They gathered in a magnificent manor house, sipped martinis and danced throughout the night. Can you honestly dream of your family, friends or neighbors relaxing in such an environment and actually being thrilled about it?

Gourmet coffee, roasted to perfection, accompanied by a slice of delicate cheesecake better exemplifies the current era. That combination seems much better suited to an era in which men have discovered that an open collar is much more pleasant than a bow tie and cumber bund. Furthermore, the price tag for such an event can stay well under the cost of several bottles of imported gin, a little vermouth and fresh caviar served with gold spoons.

Your neighborhood certainly has a local bakery that sells cheesecake, or you might explore a little farther from home to find something that all of your guest don’t already experience in their everyday lives. You can have a selection of truly exquisite cheesecake delivered right to your home from across the country.

Remember that people’s tastes vary, so provide a choice of cheesecake flavors. Offer a gourmet turtle cheesecake for the chocolate lovers on your guest list. Add a few walnuts and some dark chocolate shavings to the plate.

A nice alternative would be a strawberry or blueberry cheesecake for your friends who enjoy a fruitier taste. You might want to venture to one of the more unusual berries such as Marionberry, unique to the Pacific Northwest. If you opt for the tarter flavors, you can decorate with a mint sprig.

Some of your guests might have some dietary restrictions (or have more self discipline than many of us). For those friends, include a gourmet low carb, sugar free cheesecake alternative. While that might not be considered a health food, it allows splurging within acceptable limits. An orange wedge makes a healthy addition to this plate.

Create some labels for each of your alternatives, so your guests can make informed decisions.

Of course, you’ll want to include a robust decaf option. In addition choose to present just one interestingly flavored coffee. Add to that a bold roast from Jamaica or Columbia.

Keep the cream, non-fat milk and non-dairy creamer in an ice bath in a shallow, decorative bowl. Throw in some cubed sugar with sterling silver tongs, for a decorative touch.

This is the kind of casual entertaining that does not sacrifice the good taste that is always the special ingredient for any social event in any era. Besides, there is no morning hangover the next day. Doesn’t this sound more twenty-first century to you?