Easy Recipes for Elegant Entertaining

I was cooking for years before I realized that the gourmet food made in fancy restaurants is often easier and less time consuming than home cooking. The recipes below are simple in that there is minimal "hands on" work and the techniques, even for the novice cook, can be easily learned. In a few, cooking time is longer, but most of the prep work can be done ahead. The dishes are elegant in that they make a simply beautiful presentation that will impress your guests. Set a charming table using the best you have. Turn those plain linen napkins into a thing of beauty just by folding them differently than usual. In choosing the menu, always think of how the dishes work together, both in flavor and appearance. You never want to overpower the main dish with a highly seasoned side. Garnish dishes with fresh herbs, preferably those used in the dish. Even plain parsley adds character to a platter or dinner plate. If you have time a day or so before the dinner, make a dessert that can be stored at room temperature or be refrigerated until the party. And do not hesitate to use quality store-bought items for appetizers or desserts. They make life so much easier, and you just need to add a few personal touches to make it your own. By the way, when I first decided to delve into the realm of "gourmet" cooking, I chose a different menu every Saturday night and experimented on my family. They loved it, and I quickly gained confidence in my own abilities, shortly thereafter making the same meals for company. I hope that you will try many of the recipes below and make some of them your favorites. You will find more recipes that are appropriate for entertaining by using the search engine above or browsing the Recipe Files.