February 23, 2012

February 17, 2012

Party Thyme Quick Tip: Entertaining & Pets

Pepper Entertaining and the family dog

Is your four-legged family member the type to enthusiastically greet guests with a big, hairy, drool-y kiss? Hard as it might be to hear it, not all your guests think adorable Puppy is as cute and lovable as you do! So when you have people over, be sure to prep Puppy too. Take her on [...]

February 10, 2012

Party Thyme Quick Tip: Occupying the Kids at Family Gatherings

When having a family party or get-together make sure there’s plenty to keep the kids occupied. And I’m not talking tv. (At least not until later!) Keep it low-key and simple with the goal of keeping them active and, preferably, outside. Balls are a necessity: soccer or football in the yard or basketball if you’ve [...]

February 3, 2012

Party Thyme Quick Tip: The Self-Serve Bar

Entertaining Tips

For a “relaxed” gathering like a Super Bowl party, make a self-serve drink station. Ice down beers, sodas, water and wine in an extra large ice bucket. Make sure necessary glassware, wine and bottle openers, and cocktail napkins are nearby. As an alternative, you can ice down bevs in an extra kitchen sink or bar [...]

February 1, 2012

What’s Cookin’ Super Bowl Sunday?

So we have an East Coast match up set for Sunday: the New York Giants will take on the New England Patriots. And trust me readers, this is good for the Super Bowl menu. My family’s tradition is that we make something inspired by one team’s home region for our Super Bowl meal. We’ve made [...]

January 27, 2012

Party Thyme Quick Tip: Set the Table. Check!

table top table setting

When hosting a seated dinner party, one thing you can do to get ahead of the game is to set the table early. In fact, set it the night before to get it out of the way. This will free you up for tasks like cooking the day of the party. Enjoy your weekend! -alyce [...]

January 20, 2012

Party Thyme Quick Tip: Don’t Forget the Flowers!

Fresh flowers really add to the ambiance and enhance the dining experience. It’s as easy as picking some flowers, herbs or decorative greenery from your garden. Or, if you prefer, pick up a bouquet at the farmer’s market. Regardless of where you get them, the arrangement can be as simple as a small bud base [...]

January 13, 2012

Party Thyme Quick Tip: Avoiding Bar Backlog

As a host, you want your guests to feel comfortable and relaxed. One way to do that is to offer a beverage soon after they arrive. So, a few minutes before your guests are scheduled to arrive, pour a few drinks to have at the ready. Place them on a tray, either near the front [...]

January 6, 2012

Party Thyme Quick Tip: The Cocktail Party

I’m calling for the return of the cocktail party in 2012. What a great way to entertain. Why? Whether your invite four or fourteen,  a cocktail party can be pulled off quickly, the commitment is minimal and it’s easy entertaining for those who don’t cook because you don’t have to be a master chef to execute [...]

September 20, 2011

Something Green for the Tailgate Party: Green Beans with Almonds & Blue Cheese

Green bean salad recipe

Football season’s in full swing, fall is nearly here are you know what that means… time to tailgate! This is a favorite recipe, and it offers something green for the tailgate menu. I love the crunch of the nuts against the creaminess of the blue cheese all set off by the lemony oil. It’s a [...]

September 6, 2011

Recipe Tuesday: Gorgonzola Dolce with Field Greens in a Mustardy Vinaigrette

Gorgonzola dolce with Field Greens in Mustardy Vinaigrette

Want to take your dinner party to the next level? Don’t serve that same old salad again. Shake it up by adding some cheese to the salad course. This is a great way to try a new and different cheese, perhaps a local goat cheese or maybe a Spanish blue. And it’s fun to serve [...]