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?
Posted by myarticlenetwork on January 21, 2010
We all have a friend who is totally helpless in the kitchen. Actually, if you don’t have a friend like that, read on, because I have enough friends who meet that description to share at least one of mine with you.
I probably should warn you in advance that you better like this friend quite a bit, because the gift tip I’m going to offer is a bit on the pricey side, although it is worth every penny. Perhaps that nameless guy is your roommate, your cousin or even your own son who you can seem to get to move out of your house.
Give the gift of a nice romantic dinner with the person of his own choice–right there in his home. Let’s face it, nothing sweeps a potential partner off his or her feet quite like a private, romantic, home made dinner. Now, the friend I’m thinking of needs all the help he can get in this regard. You may need to be very specific when you give him your gift and the instructions to go with it. Remind him to light candles, choose the music for him and suggest he pick up his dirty socks.
Start with a gift of a gourmet cheese for the beginning course If he is capable of slicing a couple pears or apples, suggest that as well. This course can actually be a nice appetizer, before they are actually seated at the dining table.
For the main course, present him with a gift certificate for a delicious lobster dinner or perhaps a surf and turf meal, if he is a beef addict. As noted, this guy needs plenty of help, so the fresher the lobster the better.
End the evening with a delicious, New York cheesecake or a turtle cheesecake, if he is a chocolate enthusiast for dessert. Whichever cheesecake option you choose, tell him to spruce up the serving with a few fresh berries or a sprig of fresh mint.
If he drinks alcoholic beverages, do not trust him to choose the wine for the dinner. Lobster is very hearty fare, so don’t be afraid to suggest he pair it with a bold wine such as a Merlot or even a Burgundy.
Once you’ve done your part in the scheme, relax until you receive the engagement announcement. If you learn that the perfect evening didn’t work, just give up on him, and next time you can enjoy the delicious meal with your own favorite partner.
Posted by myarticlenetwork on January 16, 2010
A few days ago, I talked with a family friend who recently learned that his huge manufacturing company was closing his plant. He is actually luckier than most of the people working for that company. He very recently reached the magic age at which he qualifies for early retirement, so he will continue to have a steady income. Those who did not reach that milestone of the specified number of years with the company will get a small severance package and be left to search for a job in that difficult market. That caused me to think about giving gifts for special occasions to those people who are experiencing difficult economic situations. I came up with a few ideas that make more sense than a piece of home decor or a new tie. Here are some of them:
A fresh fruit gift basket is healthy, beautiful, delicious and always enjoyed. If you live near your gift recipient, you can find a lovely basket or other attractive container and fill it with fruit that is in season in your region of the country, obtained at a farmers market, and fill it out with a few exotic fruits picked up at your local super market. If your loved one is farther away, you can arrange for any of a large range of beautiful fruit gift baskets to be delivered to the recipient’s home. It will help them to reduce their grocery bill on their next trip to the super market.
A special meal is another way to remember a special occasion or holiday. One possibility might be to take the friend or family member to a popular local restaurant. If price is no object to you, be sure to recommend a couple of the more expensive entrees on the menu, so that your guests know that they should not worry about ordering what they want. For example, you might say something like, “The crab legs are wonderful here, but, if you don’t like seafood, try the tender and tasty filet mignon.” If they live too far away for that, you can actually find delicious, gourmet, chef-prepared meals online that arrive frozen and can be heated in almost no time. (I actually keep my freezer stocked with these.)
You might also consider a tasty dessert. No person should have too many desserts, but on a birthday, anniversary or holiday, everyone deserves an opportunity to indulge a sweet tooth. Bake cookies, if that is a skill of yours, and hand deliver or have them delivered. For something a little more special consider giving them a freshly baked pie or turtle cheesecake. Whether you make it yourself or have others do the work for you doesn’t matter. It will be appreciated and definitely enjoyed either way.
You’ll notice a common feature in these suggestions. They all involve food. Someone who is going through a difficult time may not want to accept charity, but nobody can reject a genuinely special gift. If it reduces the grocery bill by a bit, so much the better.
