Menu

The Oscars are this Sunday and every year I like to invite friends over to watch the show with me. It's easy to get creative with an Oscars viewing menu — you could do modern movie foods (like truffled popcorn and goat cheese nachos) or a spread of upscale appetizers (delicious enough to feed the celebrities!). Then there's always Wolfgang Puck's recipes (he is the chef for the Oscars afterparty) or a meal inspired by one of the nominated movies.

While these are fun options, I've decided to take a tip from Puck and serve the signature dish he created in 1982, the gourmet pizza. A pizza menu is not only easy to prepare in advance, but it's also ideal for eating; no utensils required.

I'll be making three crispy, thin-crusted pies: sausage, red onion, and wild mushroom; herbed mascarpone, smoked salmon, and asparagus; and artichoke and fontina. To take a look at the recipes, read more

One of my favorite parties of the year — the Super Bowl — is just around the corner. While I'm not a huge fan of football, I do love game day eats, so when my friends Alex and Ryan asked me to help them host the ultimate bash, I couldn't say no. Alex and Ryan are good-looking, young, successful bachelors with only a little bit of experience in the kitchen. That's why I'm suggesting a menu of easy, fast, and classic dishes.

To start, there's nothing quite as crowd-pleasing as artichoke-spinach dip. This cheesy variation is simple, all you have to do is mix the ingredients together and bake. Also on the appetizer spread? Pizza pockets! Store-bought pizza dough makes these hand-held snacks a cinch. Feel free to change the filling to suit your family's needs.

Finally, during halftime, we'll feast on a Mexican selection of store-bought guacamole, salsa, queso dip, and homemade quick beef tacos. These recipes are ideal for the beer-guzzling bachelor in your life, share them now.

This Friday, after you've opened presents with the family, why not sit down to a leisurely and luxurious brunch? It's a great way to start the day and enjoy each other's company. Serve an easy menu of dishes that can be prepared the night before and baked first thing in the morning. A sausage, fontina, and bell pepper strata is colorful and hearty. It contains chunks of bread, so you don't have to worry about making toast.

Offer crispy oven-roasted home fries with onions on the side. Brew a pot of coffee and give the kids mugs of hot chocolate. For these simple but scrumptious breakfast recipes, read more

During December, many people host cookie swaps. Organizing a festive cookie party is a great way to cut back on your holiday baking. Instead of making a million cookies, you and your friends each bake a different cookie. Then you get together and trade cookies; everyone walks away with an assortment of treats. To ensure that you don't end up with 10 dozen chocolate chip cookies, ask your guests what type of cookie they will bring. Throw the party on a Saturday or Sunday afternoon in between lunch and dinner.

Don't worry about serving a bunch of appetizers, but do offer a couple of easy nibbles like mixed nuts, cheese, and homemade savory cookies. Thyme, lemon, and sea-salt shortbread is crisp and buttery, while blue cheese pecan crackers are rich and addictive. You'll have to wait until tomorrow to see my suggested sweet cookie recipes, but you can learn the techniques for the salty shortbread and cheesy crackers when you keep reading.

Thanksgiving is two days away, and if you've all of a sudden realized that you're in charge of planning, cooking, and hosting a dinner, don't freak out. I've got your back — and an incredibly easy menu that can be put together in just about two hours. For the appetizers, take some help from the store. Pick up your favorite cheese, crackers, dried fruit, and nuts. Use these items to throw together an uncomplicated yet stunning cheese display. When it comes to the main course, the simpler the better. Serve turkey breast roasted with lemon and thyme, mashed sweet potato paprika puree, and a hearty, healthy portion of braised kale.

Thanksgiving isn't about the quantity of food, it's about the quality of conversation you have while enjoying the meal. To savor these dishes with loved ones, get the recipes and read more

From 2003 to 2006, every October I hosted an annual pumpkin carving party. In 2007, I threw a huge Halloween bash, and last year, I didn't do anything!

Now, I've decided it's time to bring back my beloved pumpkin carving dinner. I supply the pumpkins and a hearty Fall dinner and ask everyone to bring a bottle of wine or a six-pack of beer. Since the party is all about creating interesting pumpkin designs, I like to serve a menu that guests can enjoy at their leisure.

For starters, I'll offer an orange and black cheese ball and spicy sausages wrapped in pizza dough.

A huge pot of vegetarian chili will bubble on the stove, and in between carving pumpkins, guests can grab a bowl and top it with an assortment of items like cilantro, avocado, and sour cream. A side of jalapeño cornbread muffins are ideal for dipping. To look at these recipes, read more

In wine making, the harvest is one of the most crucial times of year. It's when the vintners pick the grapes and usually occurs between August and October. Since the harvest is such an important season, many wineries celebrate with a lunch or dinner.

I think the tradition is the perfect excuse to plan a party! Just because you don't live in wine country doesn't mean you can't commemorate the harvest. Invite friends over for a meal that honors the wonderful world of wine. Every dish on the menu has wine on the ingredient list.

Start by displaying an assortment of charcuterie, olives, crackers, and goat cheese mousse with red-wine caramel. For the main course, offer chicken braised in white wine with shallots, pancetta, and fennel. Plate the chicken with a simple risotto alla Milanese — made with white wine and Parmesan cheese. These recipes are welcome at any dinner party, be it harvest-themed or a special birthday. To check them out, keep reading.

Since both Summer and my birthday are officially over, I've been a little down. There's nothing that makes me feel more excited and happy than a party on the horizon, so to celebrate the arrival of Autumn, I'm planning a simple lunch. The meal will honor the season and its most prominent ingredients. I'll start by putting together a small spread of olives, crackers, and charcuterie. When guests arrive, they can savor olives or nibble on crackers. To begin the sit-down meal, I'll serve a spicy green salad with Manchego cheese, pears, and pumpkin seeds. For the main course, a Fall lunch requires something comforting and classic, like a butternut squash and sage lasagna. If you are interested in the recipes to this menu, read more

Contrary to popular belief, Oktoberfest, the annual German beer festival, doesn't begin in October, it actually starts this weekend! Just because I can't travel to this year's event doesn't mean I shouldn't celebrate in the comforts of my own home. You can, too, by following my plan for the ultimate Oktoberfest.

Start by serving a delectable German-inspired meal. Sauteed bratwurst are succulent when paired with braised sauerkraut, soft onions, and sweet apples. A classic vinegar-based potato salad is a filling and savory side dish. To get these recipes please keep reading.

Every Fall, to honor the return of television's most exciting shows, I like to host an informal premiere party. Two years ago I was all about Ugly Betty and last year I celebrated Heroes. This week I'm turning my attention to one of the CW's hottest shows: Gossip Girl. The third season debuts next Monday and I'm having my sister and best friends over for a dinner/watching party.

Since it's a weeknight, the menu is fairly simple. However, the recipes I plan on using are created by acclaimed chefs from New York City. When the girls arrive, I'll have Daniel Boulud's warm Camembert with wild mushroom fricassee ready and waiting.

For the main course, I'll throw together Mario Batali's spaghetti with shrimp and chiles. On the side, I'll serve a simple mixed green salad. For these scrumptious recipes, read more