Plan for fabulous food and fun
'Tis the season to celebrate!
The gifts are unwrapped, the stockings unstuffed, but there is still one more night to present your holiday entertaining skills.
This New Year's Eve, keep it simple by dressing up a few simple ingredients to make elegant party dishes.
According to Sandra Lee, best-selling author of "Semi-Homemade Cooking," one of the secrets to a successful gathering is to make sure you enjoy your own party. Then your guests will as well.
Adding style without sacrificing flavor is simple with a few menu secrets from Lee that will have your guests serving up extra helpings of food and fun.
These recipes are some of Lee's favorites for entertaining: They're irresistibly delicious and easy on the cook with convenient ingredients.
1 12-ounce jar marinated artichoke heart quarters9 slices bacon, cut in halfHeat oven to 425 degrees. Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil. Drain artichoke heart quarters, reserving liquid.Wrap each artichoke heart quarter with a half-slice bacon. Secure with a toothpick.Place on baking sheet. Drizzle with reserved liquid from artichokes. Roast 12 to 15 minutes or until lightly browned and cooked through.Makes 18 pieces.
½ cup chopped roasted red bell peppers (from jar)¼ cup chopped ripe black olives¼ cup crumbled feta cheese1 tablespoon olive oil1 13-ounce can artichoke bottoms, drained and patted dryHeat broiler. Line cookie sheet with foil.In medium bowl, combine peppers, olives, cheese and olive oil. Place artichoke bottoms onto prepared cookie sheet. Mound 1½ teaspoons of stuffing onto each artichoke.Broil 7 minutes or until golden on top. Transfer artichokes to a platter and serve hot.Makes 15 appetizers.
1 8-ounce can refrigerated crescent rolls½ cup marinara sauce½ cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese3 tablespoons crumbled blue cheese¼ cup olive tapenade1/3 cup roasted red bell pepper, cut into stripsHeat oven to 425 degrees. Unroll dough, separate into 8 triangles. Arrange triangles on baking sheet.Layer each triangle with some marinara sauce, Monterey Jack cheese, blue cheese, olive tapenade and pepper strips.Bake 12 to 15 minutes or until edges are golden. Serve warm.Makes 8 slices.
