Very Easy Elegant Entertaining

In California, I was a private chef, had a catering business, a cooking school and was a food consultant. Check out my “About” page. So I’ll be talking about food, recipes, nutrition, shortcuts and solving food and recipe problems you may have.

I had a few friends who unexpectedly stopped over the other day in the late afternoon. So here’s what I did that was elegant, very easy and I had it all in my pantry (which I bet you do too).

For starters, I sliced some Italian/French Bread and topped it with Pesto (I had a jar in my refrig) and chopped up some sun dried tomatoes from a jar and sprinkled with Parmesan Cheese and put on a beautiful platter to serve and served it with white and red wine spritzers.

I grilled some steak (or use chicken or pork, whatever you have on hand) and marinated it in a store bought Italian Dressing, while they were munching on the appetizer and drinking wine!) I made a big Salad and used the rest of the Bread, which I turned into Hot Garlic Cheese Bread. Walla!

Use China/Glass plates (no paper or plastic), Cloth Napkins, Candles and grab a (something fun) for a Centerpiece.

For Dessert, I had some peaches and apples on the counter, I peeled and sliced them and tossed into a frying pan with butter and brown sugar and cooked till caramelized and put in a shot of Brandy (or Rum). Put in beautiful dessert bowls and topped with ice cream (or Whippie) and sprinkled nuts or toasted coconut!.. How Easy and Elegant is all This!