Menu Planning

When it comes to the Super Bowl, "go big or go home" is the motto for sports fans and foodies alike. Ending football season on a high note means serving up the best game-day favorites. We're kicking up appetizers with bacon and giving buffalo wings a run for their money with a honey barbecue sauce. Even if you're not throwing a party of your own, impress your friends with Mrs. Fields-style chewy chocolate chip cookies or an unexpected six-pack. No matter who you're rooting for, we can all agree that this menu will leave guests wanting more!

Radeberger Pilsner
The Super Bowl isn't just any game, so why drink just any beer? Radeberger Pilsner, a classic Teutonic tipple, changed the way we look at beer. Consider this brew a jazzed-up version of Coors Light, satisfying those who want a refreshing beer that still peppers the palate with hops-forward flavor. Because it runs about $8 for a six-pack, it's a great choice for an intimate viewing party or an impressive beer to contribute to a potluck.

Bacon Guacamole
Guacamole is a Super Bowl essential. Take this classic game-day dish to another level by adding bacon (yes, bacon!), an unlikely combination that's like a club sandwich in dip form. With its creamy, crunchy texture and chipotle kick, this bacon guacamole recipe promises to be a hit (and devoured in minutes).

The rest of the menu after the break.

This menu, loosely based off Italian-American cuisine, is foolproof — even for the beginner cook. The main course and dessert can be made the night before, and the cocktails and appetizers are straightforward and a cinch to pull together an hour before your guests arrive. Entertaining is all about enjoying yourself, too. Put the apron away, and take out the party dress. It's about time you joined your guests in the living room. Here's to a successful, easy-breezy dinner party!

Negroni

The bittersweet negroni cocktail, made from gin, Campari, and sweet vermouth, is stirred and served straight up with an orange twist. It's a strong beverage, intended to be sipped slowly. You'll find negroni cocktails help cut the fat in rich appetizers like the sausage skewers and buttery garlic bread.

See the rest of the menu.

You might not be able to take back all the eggnog, Champagne, ham, and neighbors' cookies you ate during the holidays, but you can start making healthier, lighter choices in 2013 by trying out this menu with those thoughts in mind. Deprivation's not on our list of resolutions. We want you to get all the good stuff: fried chicken, barbecued beans, and even dessert. However, each of these recipes has a little secret — they're all better for you than their original counterparts.

Celery Root and Leek Soup

Modeled after potato and leek soup, the main starch in the soup is actually celery root; also, you won't find any cream acting as a thickening agent. Make the soup even lighter by garnishing it with a dollop of Greek yogurt instead of crème fraîche.

Mayo-Free Waldorf Salad

If you don't like mayonnaise or blue cheese, then you'll appreciate the fact that this updated Waldorf salad is free of those heavy ingredients, traditionally found in the original salad.

Keep on reading for the rest of the menu.

When it comes to cooking, there's nothing more rewarding than serving your friends and family at a party. Whether it be a dinner, baby shower, or birthday bash, crafting the perfect menu is crucial to an event's success. From your guests' dietary needs to the occasion to the season, there's a lot to consider when planning a menu. Don't be overwhelmed, I've got a handful of suggestions to keep in mind the next time you're deciding what to serve.

• Being a good hostess means that you make guests feel welcome and comfortable, that's why it's important to think about their diets. Don't serve a meat-heavy menu if you have vegetarians in attendance. A friend allergic to gluten? Offer a gluten-free meal. While you may have to think outside the box, there are millions of dishes in the world; it can be done!
• If it's easier for you to cook with a theme, like rustic Italian, casual Californian, or traditional Spanish, do so!
• Unless you are highlighting a special item on purpose, (like serving a blood orange meal, where each course features blood oranges), make sure there isn't too much of one ingredient. Too much cheese or starch or vegetables will result in an unbalanced meal.

Get the rest of my tips — and share yours! — after the jump.

Now that I've bombarded you with delicious-sounding Thanksgiving recipes, it's only fair to share my tips for choosing the perfect holiday menu. It's the second week in November, so the time to think about this stuff is now!

• Start by choosing a theme. Traditional, bold and flavorful, Southern: the possibilities for a menu's theme are endless!
• Search a wide range of sources for recipes that match your theme.
• Know your guests. If one friend is allergic to peanuts and another is a vegetarian, respect these dietary needs by serving dishes that everyone can enjoy.
• Several vegetarians in attendance? Think about serving a vegetable entree that's a hearty alternative to turkey.

For the rest of my suggestions, keep reading.

Editor's note: The following is a guest post written by Colin Cowie, wedding planner and lifestyle guru. This week, Colin shares his dos and don'ts when it comes to wedding food.

Food is like theater, and I try to catch every show in town. What happens in the first few minutes sets the tone for what's to come, and I know right away if I’m staying past intermission. It's easy to get caught up in an elaborate production that in the end quite possibly goes nowhere rather than a simple production that leaves you wanting more.

To get the Colin's tips, keep reading.