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DigsMagazine.com.
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easy
does it
how to entertain
without stressing yourself out
by Yee-Fan Sun |
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continued from page 2
5
easy mains
Speaking of real food, remember that good eats don't have to be
complicated. Those dishes that seem boring because you can throw them
together with your eyes closed? They're often the ones that folks like
best. Think about it and it's no great mystery why: it's easy for you to
cook that dish because you've made it a gazillion times. And the reason
you've cooked it so often is generally because you really like the way
it tastes.
For me, pasta with sautéed
garlic and veggies is one of those no-recipe-needed, 30-minute meals
that always goes over well. The key is simple: use good seasonal
veggies, and serve with freshly grated real parmesan cheese (i.e. not
the stuff that comes out of the canister). If that seems too pedestrian,
just add a spice or flavoring like crushed red pepper (excellent with
zucchini, broccoli, or really anything), lemon zest (perfect with
asparagus, artichoke hearts, and green beans) and fresh herbs (basil and
parsley are almost always welcome additions). No-cook
sauces, meanwhile, offer a good choice for hot summer days, and
can generally be thrown together -- in a nice, semi-cool spot in the
kitchen that's far, far from the stove -- while the pasta cooks.
For more of a protein fix, try
shrimp,
which is super speedy to cook up, and guaranteed to be gobbled up by
guests. Sprinkle with lemon, olive oil, salt and pepper (add cayenne for
kick) and grill it up in the summer, or sauté it with olive oil and
plenty of sliced garlic when outdoor cooking isn't an option. Broiled or
grilled fish
is another easy eat; brush with olive oil or melted butter, sprinkle
with salt and pepper and cook. To pep things up, serve with salsa -- fresh
tomato salsa, avocado
salsa, fruit salsa, whatever you like. And if seafood isn't your
thing, you can't go wrong with a classic roast
chicken (a dish that should be in every quasi-adult's cooking
repertoire, as it's ridiculously easy, thoroughly delectable, and very
easy on the wallet).
6 easy
desserts
Though I've started to come around to it these days, for a long time, I
hated baking. Never knowing whether that cake I had labored over would
turn out to be edible until I sliced into it with guests already
gathered round -- way too much pressure. The solution? Dressed-up ice
cream, of course. Using good vanilla ice cream as a nice neutral base,
it's easy to build an ice cream concoction that's the perfect complement
to any meal. For a traditional American menu, your roast chicken or
burgers on the grill, for instance, make banana splits. Go Italian by
adding ripe strawberries and a chocolate-covered biscotti, a sprinkle of
pine nuts or crushed hazelnuts perhaps; for a Mexican meal, pair with
chile-cinnamon-spiked chocolate sauce and crushed peanuts. Want
something tropical? Add mango chunks, chopped macadamia nuts, and a
sprig of fresh mint. Ice cream desserts are simple to prep, and
infinitely flexible in their variations. And best of all, no surprises;
this is one sweet that can always be relied on to go over well.
7
easy drinks
The easiest of easy drink options is, of course, the old beer or wine.
But for only three minutes more work, you can play schmancy bartender
with barely a fuss at all. Just choose one cocktail
and make it the evening's signature drink. Mix up a big pitcher ahead of
time and chill (minus any carbonated ingredients, which should be
stirred in just before serving). Once the guests arrive, just pour and
go. Stir well and pour over ice if you're serving on the rocks; if
you're serving drinks up (no ice), shake with fresh ice before pouring.
Voila, instant cocktails. Cheers! Now kick back and enjoy your party.
o
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