Listen up single ladies! Instead of spending Valentine's Day by yourself, why not invite some fellow singletons over and host a casual party? Valentine's Day is on a Monday, so I suggest hosting a Bachelor viewing party. Sure the show is a silly reality series, but it's fun to watch with friends. You can laugh at the crazy antics of the love-hungry females in the competition. It's also a great theme to build an easy party around. Keep reading to learn how it's done!
For a truly romantic dinner for two this Valentine's Day, create a regal, Moroccan-inspired setting with luxe gold and red details. Set the mood with this Red Sea Reef No. 20° Candle ($50) and Jodphur Red Lantern Candleholders ($15), then pour some vino into these gold-rimmed glasses ($28). Use Le Creuset's heart-shaped casserole ($160) for the herbed potato gratin and DWR's Hungry Bowls ($175) for the arugula salad with blood oranges and fennel. To shop the rest of the look, click on the above images!
Instead of going out for a pricey meal on Valentine's Day, I suggest that you host a romantic dinner for two in the comforts of your own home. Make it special by setting the table, lighting some candles, and serving a meal that is decadent and delicious. I've searched through our recipes and selected a menu that's sure to please the meat-and-potato lover in your life. It's a four-course meal, so you might want to get started with the planning on Sunday.
It's t-minus two days until the big game, and there's still plenty of time to invite some friends over, cook up a feast, and rearrange your living room. Here's what you'll need in terms of decor! Several chips and dip platters — Crate & Barrel has a bunch of affordable offerings like this clear circular one for $4. Serve the sloppy Joes right out of a pot such as this durable one in Green Bay green from Le Crueset. Brownies are temptingly delicious when offered on a simple rectangular platter. Pour a batch of beer margaritas into a pitcher and serve with festive glasses; I love this set from World Market. Throw in paper napkins, serving trays for transporting the food to and from the kitchen, and a football for tossing around and call it a day!
Are you hosting a Super Bowl viewing? What's on the menu? How will you decorate?
Hosting a Super Bowl bash this weekend? Stock up on your favorite beer. It's the beverage of choice for watching a football game, and you can use it to make this recipe for the ultimate margarita! Yes, you heard me: this pitcher margarita has two secret ingredients, and one of them is beer. The second one is frozen limeade concentrate. Using the concentrate means that you won't have to juice a million limes. It's an easy recipe that serves a crowd and can be enjoyed blended or on the rocks. Check out the technique now.
The Super Bowl is this weekend, and it's time to start thinking about a menu! Whether you're having a crowd over or simply watching the game with a significant other, it's fun to make a special meal packed with game day eats. To inspire you, I've scoured through all of our recipes and come up with a winning menu. It has got two dips, a hearty sandwich, and a decadent dessert, so start clicking for the recipes.
The final meal of the year deserves a spectacular finish. However, if you are having people over for dinner like I am, you won't want to waste away in the kitchen preparing an elaborate dessert at the last minute.
I recommend serving something special that must be made in advance — something like this triple chocolate cheesecake. It's rich, it's decadent, and it can be made up to two days ahead! Interested in the uncomplicated recipe? Keep reading.
Instead of joining the crowds of party-goers this New Year's Eve, I'm staying in, and I invite you to do the same! Call up some friends and host a festive and special dinner party that lasts until the countdown. Start with a luxurious duo of appetizers: oysters on the half shell with two types of sauces (cucumber mignonette and classic cocktail sauce) and a bubbling pot of cheese fondue with lots of delicious items for dipping (bread cubes, potatoes, broccoli, etc.). For the main course, offer a thick and slow-cooked pork ragu with pasta. It's comforting and hearty. Crusty bread and a big green salad round out the menu. Check out the recommended recipes after the break.
Ever since I made homemade Nutella, I haven't been able to get the delicious combination of chocolate and hazelnuts out of my mind. That's why, when I found this spectacular-sounding cake recipe, I knew it must be served at Christmas dinner.
Both the batter and the frosting have Nutella, and chopped toasted hazelnuts add a lovely texture and crunch to the cake. The best thing about this recipe is that the entire cake can be assembled up to three days in advance — you just have to make room for it in the fridge!
Interested in the decadent recipe? Get it, after the jump.
I'm hosting Christmas dinner for the first time this year, and I want to serve a meal that is traditional but uncomplicated to make. To start, I'll offer my signature appetizer: shrimp. This time I'm salt-roasting them and pairing them with a lemon-pesto.
For the main course, I'm skipping the honey-baked ham and roasting a whole beef tenderloin. It's served alongside a roasted red pepper and black olive sauce. On the side? Fresh citrus and cranberry salad and a giant casserole dish of classic macaroni and cheese. Interested in these recipes? Keep reading!
