toasts

Being a native to the Bay Area, I've long been a seasonal eater. This means that I enjoy peaches and corn in the Summer and pears and squash in the Fall. However, there are certain fruits and vegetables that have become season-less due to the fact that they're always available at grocery stores, such as apples, strawberries, and one that used to be only around in Spring, asparagus.Now, let me clarify something. I'll avoid these ingredients at all costs until they are in season, but if a friend or family member begs me to serve them for his or her birthday, I can't say no! That's how I came to make these uncomplicated but delectable asparagus canapes. Crispy toast, creamy cheese, and fresh asparagus: what's not to love? They're an addictive bite; you won't be able to eat just one, so make the whole recipe. Get the technique after the break.

Editor's note: The following is a guest post written by Colin Cowie, wedding planner and lifestyle guru. This week Colin tackles the sometimes difficult subject of toasting.

We've all been there before, when the toasts and speeches seem like an endless ode to childhood memories, vacations long past, or inside jokes no one, other than a select few, are able to relate to, or for that matter really care about. There’s an art to speaking in front of a crowd and the best way to get comfortable and say what needs to be said succinctly is by practicing in front of a mirror until you're ready to practice in front of a friend.

For Colin's tips on giving the perfect toast, read more.

A good toast will never be the most talked about part of a wedding, but a bad toast will be — for all the wrong reasons. Surely we all remember the scene in Wedding Crashers, when Rachel McAdams's character awkwardly silences the room with her jabs at her sister's money-grubbing tendencies.

If you've been asked to stand up and say a few words, don't fret. Just follow these simple tips to make a toast with the most.

• The first rule: remember it's a toast, not a speech. Make it five minutes at most, preferably shorter.
• Prepare. Whether you write out your toast or just outline your major points in your head, having an idea of what you're going to say before you raise your glass works wonders.
• Be funny, but not if you don't want to. Toasts with humorous anecdotes or tasteful jokes are always crowd-pleasers. But if you're not known for your comedy, don't force it. Sincerity goes over just as well.

Five more tips after the jump.

Everyone knows a friend or family member with a birthday in Spring, so why not celebrate your loved one with a meal that honors the season? Keep things light and casual by inviting guests over for an informal Friday night dinner party.

Serve an easy, crowd-pleasing menu that highlights the bounty of green produce at the farmers market. Start with asparagus and ricotta toast canapes.

Then sit down to a hearty braised chicken and artichoke fricassée with morel mushrooms. The creamy and flavorful fricassée can be paired with pasta, rice, potatoes, or polenta, so select a side dish that suits your hosting needs. For these delightful recipes, please read more

Although I love roasting a whole chicken at home, sometimes there simply isn't time. When that's the case, I head to my local supermarket and pick up cooked chicken. If I'm serving friends, I'll purchase an entire rotisserie chicken, but if cooking for just myself, I simply buy one breast. The things you can do with a store-bought chicken are endless. This recipe uses the chicken to make a quick salad that's paired with toasty garlic bread. It's a great base recipe that can be added to and modified. Toss in vegetables, cheese, or nuts to make it more complex.

Get the basic technique after the break.