Holiday Entertaining Southern Socials The New Year’s Eve Hors d oeuvres Collection A beautiful selection of cheeses, crudités, relishes & crackers is always a good appetizer to serve when entertaining. They may be arranged as luxurious offerings but a simple collection of items can be equally impressive. Choosing one cheese & preparing a variety of […]
The Classic New Year’s Day Entertaining Recipe Collection
Holiday Entertaining Southern Socials The Classic New Year’s Day Entertaining Recipe Collection Timeless recipes filled with the iconic favorites southerners have come to expect on New Years Day is a lovely way to ring in the new year. Hoppin’ John served over Long Grain White Rice features seasoned black eyed peas while Bourbon-Orange Baked Ham & Classic Collard Greens deliver […]
The Profile: Heirloom Knives
Entertaining Essentials Southern Socials Heirloom Knives Beautiful entertaining pieces should be used for a variety of occasions from spring parties, birthday celebrations & bridal showers to holiday gatherings & even game day socials, particularly when hosting guests in your home. Heirloom knives most certainly should be used for more traditional entertaining gatherings, however they offer […]
Cooking Classics: Rosemary-Garlic Prime Rib Roast
Cooking Classics The Technique Rosemary-Garlic Prime Rib Roast A standing rib roast is one of the most straightforward beef recipes that may be served to guests when entertaining. It makes a beautiful focal point to holiday meals & pairs well with a variety of sides from Oven-Roasted Brussel Sprouts & Classic Potato Gratin to Lemon-Thyme […]
Cooking Classics: Moonshine Mustard Sauce
Cooking Classics The Technique Moonshine Mustard Sauce When main dish entrees are front & center on entertaining menus, Moonshine Mustard Sauce is a classic that compliments them beautifully. Peppercorn Beef Tenderloin & Grilled Rosemary-Garlic Pork Tenderloin become something a bit more special when this simple sauce is served with them. Beyond holiday entertaining, it can be […]
The Basics: Gruyère
Cooking Essentials The Technique Gruyère Gruyère cheese is widely known for its’ pungent taste notes when added to recipes. It imparts bold flavor to simple foods from potatoes & grits to pastas & sauces. Prepared from cow’s milk, gruyère contains about 40% fat & boasts Swiss origins. It’s a compact, hard cheese with semi-soft qualities […]
Cooking Classics: Potato Gratin
Cooking Classics The Technique Potato Gratin Classic Potato Gratin is a side ideal to serve guests for a variety occasions & it pairs particularly well with beef. Although the most traditional recipes instruct to layer raw, thinly sliced potatoes in the dish, I find that boiling them briefly ensures they will be throughly cooked in […]
The Basics: Béchamel Sauce
Cooking Essentials The Technique Béchamel Sauce A Béchamel Sauce is one of the five classic French mother sauces. A light roux is prepared by combining butter & flour & the technique is complete before any browning of the flour occurs. Milk or cream is then added whilst whisking vigorously over the heat. As the mixture […]
Cooking Classics: Oven-Roasted Brussel Sprouts
Cooking Classics The Technique Oven-Roasted Brussel Sprouts Oven-Roasted Brussel Sprouts are one of those recipes every entertainer should know how to prepare & once the technique has been mastered, they may be flavored a variety of ways. Brussel sprouts pair beautifully with turkey, chicken, pork & beef making them a versatile side dish that frees […]
The Basics: Brussel Sprouts
Cooking Essentials The Technique Brussel Sprouts Brussel sprouts are a cool weather crop most noted for harvest between September through March. They closely resemble cabbages as they are apart of the same family, Brassicaceae. Many cultivars are available ranging in color & slight flavor variation from shades of purple to green. The buds may be […]
