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 Read more

Thanksgiving is tomorrow, 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 Read more

Since vegetables are the new meat, this year on Thanksgiving, why not serve an entirely meat-free meal?! The holiday can be just as delicious without the turkey. Start with an easy but luxurious appetizer: gorgonzola crostini drizzled with honey and sprinkled with chopped nuts. For the first course, offer a velvety, make-ahead pumpkin soup that's garnished with crunchy sweet potato chips and Read more

Right now it seems as if every chef is looking to the South for inspiration. So why not take a tip from the likes of Alton Brown and John Besh and serve a Thanksgiving meal that oozes with Southern charm? Plan a dinner that highlights simple and delicious cooking. Start with an unfussy roast turkey recipe that's seasoned with lots of salt and pepper and served with a rich turkey gravy. Keep Read more

If you have plans to party-hop this Saturday night to celebrate Halloween, why not make an entire evening out of it by inviting friends over beforehand for a simple and spirited dinner? Especially if drinking is on the agenda, you'll want to fill up on some hearty carbs. Start with devils on horseback, a crowd-pleasing appetizer that involves bacon-wrapped shrimp and a spicy dipping sauce. For Read more

This Sunday, I'm having friends over for a delicious dinner to celebrate the Fall season. Although my guests are carnivores, I'm trying to embrace a more meat-free lifestyle and want to encourage my friends and family to do the same. Thus, I'm serving a vegetarian menu; it will be so full of rich autumnal flavors that no one will miss the beef! For starters, I'll assemble a wonderful spread with Read more

The premiere of Sex and the City 2 is little more than a week away, and I don't know about you, but I'm excited! So much so that I've decided to invite my girlfriends over for nibbles before we go see the film. Since a couple of friends are pescaterians and we'll probably splurge on snacks at the theater, I'm keeping the menu light, finger-friendly, and meat-free. To start, there's mushroom Read more

Every year I attend the Butter and Eggs Day parade in my hometown. Since 2006, I've hosted a brunch before the parade. However, this April I'm doing something different and will invite everyone over for a big seafood barbecue after the parade. We'll start with grilled garlic shrimp and flatbreads with caramelized onions, sausage, and manchego cheese. The stars of the show are oysters and Read more