The choice of a theme is an important part of every great dinner party. It doesn’t necessarily have to be the first step in your planning, but it is a cornerstone that will influence every other aspect, from the food to the décor. Sometimes a theme is defined by the event itself, like Thanksgiving, Halloween or Independence Day. Other times, finding a fresh approach can take a bit of brainstorming.
If an event isn’t tied to a specific holiday, I always look to my surroundings and the season for inspiration. The right flowers and color scheme can combine for an elegant and simple concept. A few years ago, we had an enormous hydrangea bush in full bloom outside my home in the Hamptons. I was so inspired by the color of the deep, dark, royal purple flowers that I centered a dinner party menu and tabletop design around it. My guests were delighted and everyone went home with a bouquet.
Sometimes, collaborating with a chef, or playing around with menu options, can bring about a common thread that will serve as your motif. For example, if a menu circles around foods from the French countryside, a blue and yellow tabletop with ceramic roosters and rustic flowers feels natural and authentic.
When planning a large gala or an elaborate birthday party, a multi-layered theme that’s innovative and fun will help guests get in the mood. The “Groovy Sixties” of the Austin Powers films is one of my favorites and I’ve used this theme many times for gatherings large and small. The 1960s are renowned for psychedelic colors, go-go dancers, and Twiggy-inspired clothing, giving friends lots of easy costume opportunities—and scattering the tables with sets of false teeth just like Austin’s lets everyone join in for fun photo ops! Look to other famous films—or the classic books that have inspired them (like The Great Gatsby or The Wizard of Oz) for themes that everyone will enjoy taking part in.
With a great theme there are endless ways to get your guests in the party mood. And don’t be afraid to recycle a theme—just be sure the same guests aren’t in attendance!
March is National Nutrition Month, a great time to get motivated and re-focus on those New Year’s resolutions. Here are five tips to help you stay on track.
1. Eat What You Love.
All foods can fit into a healthy diet, so long as you use the common-sense principles of BMA: Balance, Moderation, and Assortment.
Balance eating for enjoyment with eating for nourishment. For this reason, I have a smoothie almost every morning for breakfast. It insures I start my day well-nourished and satisfied.
Moderation is key. While my smoothies are absolutely delicious and I’m tempted to drink the entire blender-full, I keep my eye on portion control. Too much of even a good thing is simply too much.
Assortment is what keeps me on track. I alternate between my favorite smoothies during the week (chocolate chia, pear avocado, coconut cranberry, and blueberry), and I try at least one new recipe every week; or I’ll make the Apple-a-Day cereal that my family loves. Sundays are my fun days! Knowing I’ve done well all week, I can enjoy two small apple cider donuts at the greenmarket with my cordatido, have the delicious blueberry bars featured in Hamptons Entertaining, or indulge in my favorite brunch dish—spicy grits and shrimp—at The Colony Hotel
2. Practice Kaizen.
Kaizen is the Japanese word for “improvement” and is often used to describe the process of continuous improvement. I first heard the word at a lecture given by renowned life coach Annharriet Buck. She explained the practice of Kaizen as taking baby steps, constantly moving toward your goals, and suggested that changes made slowly and mindfully stick! From small dietary tweaks to actually taking real steps, begin slowly and continuously. Improvement will happen naturally. I recently purchased the UP2 Jawbone and started tracking my steps. After the New Year, I began with a goal of 5,000 steps per day and now I’m up to 10,000! It just happened. Physical activity is a very important part of becoming a healthier you.
3. Get Your “Numbers” Checked Regularly.
Recently, I had my cholesterol and sugar levels checked on a Sunday. I then spent the entire week eating a whole-food, plant-based diet. (It’s wonderful from a healthful, environmental, and ethical standpoint, but admittedly takes a lot of focus!) I upped my daily movement substantially, too. Yes, I felt great, but on the following Sunday when I had my “numbers” checked again I was astounded! My total cholesterol went down by 11 points and my glucose levels dropped by 13! Keeping a close eye on your “numbers” helps make sure you’re not at risk of or suffering from any chronic conditions and it can be a motivator to stay the course.
4. Sleep Well.
Getting a good night’s sleep is a must. Studies have shown that sleep deprivation can lead to overeating and we all know that it can play havoc on our moods. Better sleep may mean less yet better eating and putting good habits in place before bedtime can help you get there. No mindlessly flipping through Instagram, answering email, or even watching Netflix an hour before sleep. Screen time can play havoc with your body’s production of melatonin. Getting to bed the same time every night is a challenge for me, so with my new UP2 I set a sleep alarm for an hour before bedtime. It prompts me to start shutting down my devices and begin my bedtime routine. After nearly three months of practice (kaizen!), I begin winding down almost immediately when my alarm buzzes.
5. Meditate.
Begin a practice that works for you and fits into your schedule. It is so hard to resist reaching for that glowing iPhone the second my eyes open in the morning, so I’ve trained myself to mediate first, hydrate next, and then start my day. When I begin my morning this way, I’m calmer and feel more in control of everything. There are many ways to meditate and all have been shown to help with everything from stress levels to insomnia and boosting overall happiness. Meditation can also help with food cravings.
These simple tips can put you on the path to better health and well-being—one step at a time.
Over the summer, when my vegetable garden delivered an overabundance of cucumbers, we enjoyed them in myriad ways. We included them in our salads, of course, and added slices to our water pitcher: the pale green cucumbers floating in the pitcher looked so inviting and the flavor was really refreshing on a hot summer’s day. I had fun creating cucumber cups for all kinds of hors d’oeuvres, stuffing them with fish roe, salmon and crème fraiche, and the Hamptons Cucumber Cups with Crab Meat featured in Hamptons Entertaining. Cucumber juice made its way into a few cocktails and smoothies, and I pickled quite a few cukes in salt water (for our Polish Pickle Soup). Finally, we enjoyed this buttery cucumber soup that gets its creamy texture from avocados.
Here in Florida, avocado season ended later than usual this year. Perhaps it was the unseasonably warm weather. So when a friend dropped off a basketful of locally grown, rich, buttery avocados, I happily pulled this recipe out! Low fat, vegetarian (when you leave off the yogurt garnish) and delicious hot or cold, it is the perfect soup for post-holiday eating.
Valentine’s Day comes in varying hues of red—from the pinkish blush of rosé Champagne to the lush burgundy of chocolate, and of course the vermillion-red of the official flower of romance, the rose. It’s a holiday that conjures dreams of an enchanting and leisurely candle-lit dinner that leads to the clinking of glasses, slow dances, and long kisses. There are actually seven shades of red, and at least as many ways to celebrate your love.
On this special day, I take a pass on the expected. No restaurants for me on this holiday—ever! Reservations at the best restaurants are booked within the hour they become available, and then tables are added for loyal customers and super VIP guests that call last minute. (Yes, I’ve been that person, too, begging for a last-minute reservation). It’s a recipe for stress: a crowded restaurant with staff that will certainly be overwhelmed. More times than not, I’ve been disappointed with the meal and service, as well as the premium holiday prices, on Valentine’s Day. Of course, they do their best to make you happy but it still pays to be smart and know when to go—and when to stay away. Leave the three-star dining experience for your anniversary.
Here are just a few ways I’ve celebrated in the past—perhaps you’ll find some inspiration and feel less guilty about not having made reservations or cancelling the ones you have.
Plan a Candle-Lit Dinner at Home. There’s nothing more romantic than a home-cooked meal. It’s the ultimate declaration of love. I’ve done dinner for two and as many as eight. Add a beautiful table setting, candles, and a lush soundtrack for a memorable evening. On the table, include a photo for every year you’ve been together (or every month if it’s a new romance), and do the same for any couples that may be joining you. It’s a great way to reminisce.
Schedule a Couple’s Massage Such a wonderful treat for you both! Many spas are happy to arrange little bubbly, light bites, and chocolates post massage. It’s such a decadent feeling to be lounging in your robes, totally relaxed. Make your appointment late in the day so you can enjoy the sunset together, cuddle up, make a toast and share some chocolate-covered strawberries.
Create a Picnic by the Fire. Lay out a cozy blanket by the fire to create an indoor picnic. A lovely platter of cheese, fruit, nuts and chocolates paired with the right wine, a few candles and great music is all you need. The Wine Enthusiast has a fun wine and cheese pairings guide.
Set Up a Romantic Movie Night. There’s a great gourmet popcorn recipe in Hamptons Entertaining and I love to serve it with a crisp white wine and chocolate-covered raisins. A cozy blanket and a romantic movie complete the night. Love is best expressed without an audience.
Have a Game Night. Choose games that are fun rather than competitive. I love Twister, especially after a glass of champagne! If your romance is new, choose get-to-know you trivia games like “Would You Rather.
Be Spontaneous. It’s always memorable when you experience something for the first time and when that memory is shared with someone you love it only brings you closer. Have you ever wanted to go to the dog track? How about roller blading? Taking a dance class together is always good for a few laughs. Choose something you’ve always thought about doing, but never had the time for.
Support a Great Cause. This year my family and I will be celebrating Valentine’s Day at the American Heart Association’s annual gala in Palm Beach. Held in the Versailles ballroom at the iconic Breakers Hotel, where the staff is accustomed to serving 500 guests, I know it will be a beautiful evening. A romantic setting, a lovely dinner that will certainly close with a gorgeous and descendant chocolate dessert, lots of dancing, and I get to wear an evening gown. The best part? The price of a ticket or a table helps spread the love on this special day.
Happy Valentine’s Day! And, remember Oscar Wild’s words of wisdom; “Never love someone who treats you like you’re ordinary.”
This soup was one of my father’s favorites and we shared it often in late August when the garlic in my Hamptons garden was fragrant and flavorful and the sage irresistible. It was our go-to breakfast on many Sunday mornings and just setting the bowl in front of my dad would cause a broad smile to spread across his face as he enjoyed the aroma’s he loved – the co-mingling of garlic and sage. He was a proponent of garlic’s medicinal properties and believed in its ability to boost the immune system which is why this soup always made its way back to my table right about this time of year, mid-December. My parents would arrive here in Florida for the season, and first on the agenda was a trip to the green market where we would pick up the best garlic, a crusty baguette, farm-fresh eggs and a sage plant for my garden. Mom, Dad and I would make one final stop for coffee, and with our to-go cups in hand head home for a late breakfast.
I can always rely on this soup to boost my mood and I love that it requires only a handful of ingredients, most of which will already be on hand at my house or in my herb garden. When the garlic is fresh and fragrant I make it as I’ve set out here with water rather than stock, giving the garlic the duty of flavoring the broth. When working with less fragrant garlic I cook the soup with ½ water and ½ chicken stock. The swirling technique you’ll see in the recipe is one I learned in the South of France and will help prevent the egg white from feathering out into the pan. I use this method when I’m poaching a few eggs and serving the soup right away. For bigger crowds, I poach the eggs, move them to an ice bath and refrigerate them until I’m ready to serve. Simply reheat them in the warm garlic broth before serving.
My dad had favorites – here it was certainly the garlic and the eggs, but I love the fragrance of sage. Oftentimes I would put a few sprigs in our napkin rings and delight in the stories and jokes it would evoke. Dad would slide the sage out and ask “are you in need of some sage advice?” He would tell me how sage was a memory enhancer and anti-inflammatory, and then with a mischievous grin promptly tuck a sprig behind his ear and drop one into his bowl. He’d take his first spoonful of soup, savoring the flavors, then in his best “female voice” with his head cocked to one side – to show off his hair accessory – he’d say “no more bread for me, I’m watching my girlish figure.”
The holiday season is meant to inspire us and remind of what really matters: quality time with family and friends and sharing love and laughter through gift giving and celebrations. Too often, though, we find ourselves exhausted as moments of joy turn into seeming obligations. Here are 10 tips I use to help keep me grounded throughout the season.
1. During the holidays we are all time-starved. If you have your heart set on hosting friends but the idea of a sit-down dinner has you stressed, consider a cocktail party. It is much easier to plan and execute, shorter in duration, and—with a help-yourself bar and stationary hors d’oeuvres buffet—you can maximum time with guests, which is the whole point of the party. In this case, less really is more!
2. Waited too long to get your holiday cards ready? Consider sending out a New Year’s greeting instead, or create a digital greeting. Either way, you’ll achieve the goal of letting loved ones and cherished friends know you are thinking about them this holiday season.
3. There are always a few last minute invitations to great holiday parties you don’t want miss, but who has time to run out for a hostess gift? Buy or make multiples of one hostess gift and keep them on hand. I make and freeze a few pecan pies from Palm Beach Entertaining and a few of my Chocolate Chip Apple Cakes—both freeze well, make great hostess gifts, and they’re perfect for pot lucks, too. I also keep several of my favorite soy candles from ThePureCandle on hand: Merry, Cheers, and Peace, which is exactly what I’m seeking this time of year. It’s great to have a supply of cocktail napkins for guests, but sets of the whimsical designs created by August Morgan make terrific hostess gifts!
4. The tree is up but the thought of decorating it seems daunting. One of my friends hosts a tree-trimming party here in Palm Beach and it’s one of my favorite gatherings of the season. She designates a color scheme and guests are asked to bring an ornament in the chosen color and dress in accordance with the theme. One year it was ice blue, another silver, and this year was gold. Everyone places their ornament on the tree and it’s completely decorated before cocktails are over. As a guest, I love it because I know I’ve given my friend exactly what she wanted for the holidays.
5. If the imposed calendar of the season doesn’t work for you, create your own. My family and I move our Christmas celebration to a day in December that is mutually convenient for everyone and it’s the best thing we’ve ever done. We get our shopping, decorating, and feasting done early and it leaves more time for friends and extended family as the 25th draws near. It is such a treat to have a day of down time, family time, and a celebratory dinner all to ourselves. We started this tradition because we often travel during the holidays and hauling gifts around became more burden than joy.
6. Research shows that experience rather than objects have a strong link to happiness, so why not create some new traditions? Host an ugly sweater party, go ice-skating, organize a cookie swap, or deliver toys in a Santa suit to a local orphanage. For several years my family and I volunteered on Christmas Day. Our most memorable Christmas was spent in Vietnam where we organized a holiday dinner for the staff and residents of an orphanage. We took everyone to a terrific restaurant and presented the children with new coats and computers after the dinner. It is one of the fondest and most joyful Christmas memories we share.
7. If you are hosting several parties, it can be a chore to replenish fresh flowers. Rather than a traditional floral centerpiece on the dining table, create a holiday scene with ornaments, gingerbread houses, or a collection of seasonal trinkets you’ve gathered from your travels.
8. Give your chandelier a holiday update by wrapping the arms in evergreen garland or, if it’s in an entryway, hang mistletoe from the center to encourage a little holiday romance.
9. If your dining table is extra-long once you’ve added the leaves, drape it with a fabric remnant instead of a tablecloth. It is one of my favorite ways to add color, texture, and a special touch to any table.
10. Last but not least, give yourself the gift of mindfulness. It’s easy to rush through the simple pleasures of the season without stopping to appreciate them. When putting up the tree, take a moment to enjoy its fragrance. Turn on some festive music when trimming the tree or wrapping gifts and enjoy a glass of hot cider or spiced wine. It will put you in a holiday mood and serve as a reminder that these are not mindless tasks, but joyful celebrations. There are so many traditions we all feel obligated to uphold, just say no to the non-essential and truly embrace and enjoy those that are important to you. Take a deep breath and remember to cherish every moment, they only happen once.
Welcoming family and friends to the table is joyful by nature and an occasion that takes place often in my home, no matter the season. Thanksgiving weekend I’ve been known to host as many as 40 guests for a holiday break brimming with bingo, movies, bowling, yoga, and a table bursting with nourishing foods that honor our families’ combined traditions and backgrounds.
This Thanksgiving is the first in many years that my husband and I decided to go away with our daughters – and have a holiday with just the four of us. As I write this we are headed to the Amangiri resort in Utah, a bucket-list destination for many, including my husband. We are all looking forward to a vacation filled with hiking adventures, down-time, pampering, shutting down the devices (for a little while), and quite frankly just being a guest.
Last night I whipped up a turkey pot pie – adapted from The Wild Turkey Pot Pie recipe in first book, Palm Beach Entertaining. It was my way of kicking off the week and sharing a comforting meal at home before our adventure. I won’t be roasting an entire turkey (or two) this year, and I will miss every joyful moment — both making it and sharing it — of hosting this traditional meal at my home. Certainly, I’ll miss the simple and satisfying meals of reinvented leftovers.
As we enjoyed our pot pie I was inspired to post this recipe. It’s a great way to serve left-over turkey.
Wishing you all a delicious Thanksgiving and a holiday season filled with occasions to remember.
The leaves are ablaze in hues of red, yellow, and orange and there’s a nip in the air that calls for our favorite, coziest sweater. It’s fall, perhaps my favorite time of the year. Yet as I celebrate all the delightful bounty this gorgeous season has to offer, I can’t help but feel slightly melancholy. Fresh berries and the abundant variety of produce that summer offers are now just sweet memories. The only fruits in my garden that appear to be ripefully happy and truly inspiring are pears and apples. Thankfully, I adore both.
What better way to celebrate fall’s splendor than to reach for tried and true recipes? The Chocolate Apple Cake recipe I shared in my last post is my family’s favorite. Hamptons Poached Pears are an easy but elegant approach to the other star of the season, and one that I’ve made for years.
The first time I tasted a poached pear was at the Moulin de Mougins, the famous restaurant in the south of France founded by Roger Vergé. I was lucky enough to enjoy the experience when Chef Vergé was still in the kitchen.
Cooked fruits and compotes are among the simplest of French family treats to prepare. To poach any fruit, you simply cook it slowly, usually on the stovetop, covered in a hot liquid. Most times the liquid is simple sugar syrup infused with herbs and spices or vanilla beans. Equally popular, especially for pears, is to use a lovely red wine for the poaching liquid, as I’ve done here.
Poaching is a great way to showcase flavorful fruits that don’t need elaborate preparation, so you want to start with excellent quality fruit for the best results. Bosc pears, with their spicy flavor and crisp flesh, are the best variety to use. As for the wine, I’ve seen both light bodied and full bodied red wines recommended for poaching; I used a Francis Coppola Merlot. You don’t have to choose an expensive wine, but do use one that you would be happy to drink—it is, after all, half the recipe. (Do not use cooking wine.)
In the Vergé kitchen I was taught to core the fruit from the bottom so that the stems stay intact and the pear looks whole on the plate. I sometimes choose this method—it makes a beautiful presentation that celebrates the natural beauty of the fruit’s shape. But I’ve also seen many guests splash red wine onto themselves as they tuck into their dessert and so I choose a different preparation for most of my dinner parties: the pears are poached whole, then cored and sliced with an apple cutter before serving.
At the Moulin de Mougins, poached pears were presented with small dollops of the freshest, sweetest crème fraîche I had ever tasted. In typical Vergé style, the flavors of the ripe pear and red wine took center stage and married perfectly with just the right amount of cool, sweet cream. Light, fresh, and truly elegant!
For more formal dinners I make a homemade whipped cream and pipe it onto the plate. You could also use crème fraîche or Greek yogurt. Today, since I’m celebrating the sweet, natural flavor of tree-ripened pears from my garden, I’ve chosen a simple mint garnish. Mint is still growing wildly in my kitchen garden. Its fresh, sweet flavor complements the pears perfectly and it adds a fresh, dark-green contrast to the flower-shaped dessert plates I’m using. (The tartufo ice cream dessert was available for the children too young for the wine-infused pears.)
A Palm Beach neighbor often served a version of this cake, and generously passed her recipe along to a cook who assisted me when I was testing recipes for Hamptons Entertaining. She made it in a variety of ways – changing up the nuts, and the type and size of the chocolates — and presented it to my family on many special occasions. We enjoyed it so much we had to ask her to stop making it! This is truly one of those devilish and delicous desserts that ‘s irresistible at any time of day or night, be it breakfast with a cup of coffee, for dessert after a casual dinner, or in the evening alongside a cup of tea.
It’s also a cake that freezes surprisingly well, so I just couldn’t resist reviving it this time of year. It’s the perfect recipe for using up the the incredible, delicious heap of apples in my garden and the bushels we’ve picked locally, and I can stack a few in the freezer for the upcoming holiday season. It’s a treat that’s readyto serve to unexpected guests or to bring to any party as a hostess gift.
It’s been said that the ancient Romans believed beets and their juice promoted amorous feelings and that Aphrodite, the goddess of love, ate beets to enhance her appeal. Considered an aphrodisiac in ancient cultures it’s fascinating that the modern day beet contains tryptophan and betaine, both substances that promote a feeling of well-being. So, perhaps that’s why this delicious beet soup is so desireable as the weather cools and we bid farewell to summer. It’s time for warmth, cuddling and cozying up by the fire.
The deep purple roots of beetroot are delicious boiled, scrumptious when roasted and add a sweet crunch when served raw. Their gorgeous color and sweet, earthy taste have made them popular among chefs and home cooks alike. But, don’t throw away the stalks and those hearty green leaves that top your fresh beets. They have a flavor similar to Kale and an even higher nutritional value than the roots, especially in calcium, iron, vitamin A and C; all the more reason to include them. The stalks add crunch and color, giving this soup the texture and flavor that makes it a family favorite. We love topping our soup with sour cream, yogurt or an extra sprinkling of marjoram just before serving.
Beets are available all year long, but are at their best from June through October.
