Is it just me or do people tend to over think entertaining? Hosts and hostesses stressing themselves out trying to do too much, preparing food that is simply too fussy, ending up as the loneliest person at the party. The result this has had seems to be that people rarely entertain anymore, reserving parties for obligatory celebrations and holidays alone. Where has the Friday evening cocktail party gone?
During my past year in Seattle, I lived in a space of 610sq. ft, and with most of my dishes in storage at my parents house, I did not do much entertaining. With our recent move to Petaluma I am re-discovering my multitude of party dishes, teacup collection, and a multitude Parisian bistro glasses, all of which I am itching to use. Funny thing about this is that in Seattle with all of my friends and family, I hadn’t the dishes for entertaining. Now that I have them, well, my friends and family are a bit too far away for entertainment purposes. Thankfully, having my very own food blog I am able indulge myself just the tiniest bit, by sharing a few tricks for hosting an evening gathering that won’t drive you mad, while getting to play with my toys.
The Drinks
The first area, since this is a cocktail party, is of course, the cocktail. One of the best things in the world to do is to have one or two creative cocktails at your gathering. They are always a source of curiosity and conversation. My current favorites are a Sparkling Elderflower Cocktail and a Saffron Buddha’s Hand Cocktail. They are two very different drinks designed to cater to the very different tastes of your guests. Both of these drinks are inspired by cocktails I have favored at the amazing Txori pintxo bar in Seattle. The drinks aren’t exactly the same, but are delicious in their own right. They also don’t use a lot of fussy ingredients that need prepping as some do.
I also like to keep my guests good and hydrated especially this time of year, by placing little water pitchers and glasses in convenient spots.
Sparkling Elderflower Cocktail
2 ounces Belvoir Elderflower Press, chilled (it is the only kind I know of, but if you have a favorite use it)
Dry Sparkling Wine, chilled
Orange twist, optional garnish
In a champagne glass (or whatever shape glass you like to use for parties that holds a similar amount), place the press, and top with the sparkling wine and orange twist if you so choose. Enjoy!
Saffron Buddha’s Hand Cocktail
1 scant ounce Hangar One Buddha’s Hand Infused Vodka, chilled
1 tsp Spanish Saffron + more for a garnish
A quart of Fresh Orange Juice, chilled
In a pitcher, combine the saffron and orange juice overnight to infuse.
In a martini glass (or your favorite glass), combine the juice infusion with the vodka and stir. Top with a little pinch of saffron to garnish.
*My Parisian bistro glasses are perfect for this!
Notes: If you can’t find this rather specialized vodka, I recommend using a higher quality citron infused variety. This is the sort of drink that will allow a cheaper varieties imperfections to shine through.
Make sure the saffron is fresh or the drink will quickly betray its staleness.
If you do not want to squeeze the oj yourself Odwalla has a lovely one. It is pasteurized, but still quite delicious.
The Food
The second area is naturally the food. When it is Wednesday night and you are suddenly filled with the need to entertain, the best solution is a little combination of creativity and ease. For many this is the point when the grocer’s frozen food case becomes suddenly more appealing, but I urge them not to succumb. With only a few good ingredients and a small amount of time you can prepare cocktail nibbles that will be a delightful as they are simple. Your guests would likely prefer a little toast topped with herbed ricotta and marinated zucchini to a stuffed mushroom that has been living a sad frozen existence for over a year. I have whipped up a few recipes such as Anchovy Chevre Spread and a Garbanzo Jamon Salad to share with you over the coming weeks, each one taking only a minimum amount of time. For now, I have included links to past posts that would be perfect for a no fuss party.
The Dreaded Dishware
For some, the dread of hosting stems more from the clean up than anything else, which is something I have a solution to. Have a specific set of dedicated party wear. Yes, it costs a little bit, but not as much as you may think. Besides, in the long run it will be far cheaper than spending your money on paper plates and plastic forks every time you host a gathering. I hit the Pottery Barn Outlet five years ago and bought 30 attractive, but sturdy glasses (pictured at the start of the post), for .99 a piece. My party plates are a combination of my collection of Cape Cod red glass plates and clear glass plates from that same outlet.
A lot of people tend to think I am crazy for using glass with all of the cleanup involved, but in truth there really isn’t that much. For those of you in that catagory this should explain it. While I like to use my beautiful long stemmed Waterford glasses, there is one thing this party wear has that they don’t; the ability to fit easily into my dishwasher. If all I have to do at the end of an evening is to fill the dishwasher and enjoy one final cocktail with Phil before bed, than I am a happy hostess. Besides, who needs all of that trash anyway?
I also have an array of small serving glasses that can be used for anything from tea and wine to garbanzo salad and coconut ice cream. Using a pretty little dish to serve something simple and delicious will only make your guests feel more special and welcome. For my part I know I love to fill a large apothecary jar with bread, use antique pitchers for wine, or decorating with herb filled tea glasses.
That same idea also that applies to my glassware also applies to cloth napkins, although I am positive I’ve just lost half of you. I love a crisp white napkins, but for those of you rolling your eyes about now, a dark color to hide any past discoloration works well for this type of situation. But, since is ease is the idea here, a good quality paper napkin will do well if you don’t have a basket full of freshly ironed napkins laying around.
Now, I should clarify one point, I do love the spend days prepping for a party, but this post is more about showing that you don’t have to make that comittment every single time. You’d be surprised at just how much more often you will be inclined to entertain when you have all of this, plus a few simple recipes at the ready.
I’d love to hear your favortie tips, tricks and recipes for simple entertaining. Please leave them in the comments section, I’m always on the lookout for a new idea.
Hmm… my trick? Get someone else to do it!
Leslie, People do seem to like to throw parties for you, don’t they?
Hehe. When I say, “someone else”, I mean Erin.
It is great when Erin hosts parties. Lets just not forget that after every kick-ass meal, someone needs to do the dishes. All I have to say is back in NY before we had a dishwasher, it sucked to be Phil.
Careful Philip, or I’ll start using the hand-wash only long stemmed glasses.
Oh! I love your dishes! Especially the etched star glasses and pitcher.
I love hosting parties and can’t wait ’till I am done with school to do more.
I am also dying to try this cocktail:
http://www.designspongeonline.com/2009/07/behind-the-bar-apothecary-cardamom-rose-cocktail.html
Mitch and I just got the Hendrick’s gin today and I am in the process of tracking down the bitters. I have the rose water in my freezer and the glasses at the ready!
bekah
Thank you Bekah! I found them at an antique mall in Fife. I think it was called Twice Sold Tales or something like that. I have found so many great dishes there over the years. I have missed all of my little antique store finds, its nice to have them out again. That cocktail looks fabulous, you must tell me how it was. I’d like to know how the Hendrick’s is too. I was eyeing a bottle at Trader Joe’s the other day after reading a lovely sounding description.
Erin, I am sure we are twins separated at birth.
I too am missing all my gorgeous bits and pieces that are in storage in Aus. But…. the upside is that I have had to start recollecting another lot over here in Paris. I know, tough, terrible, traumatic.
Brocantes are my friend. I buy beautiful linen and dinnerware which we use alot. There is nothing like having a proper crisp white linen napkin and beautiful cutlery to eat off lovely old plates. If you host a huge party or have a lot of linen to clean, take it to the dry cleaners. They will even starch it so that it is crisp and perfect ready for the next party. If you cannot get a lovely white linen tablecloth big enough, an antique linen sheet will work. You can get it altered if you have an oval table. Cannot beat the old linen for quality and beauty.
My big tip is to always make sure the dishwasher is empty, ready for the dishes as needed. I also put out trays with each courses crockery etc so you only need to pick up a tray and everything is there ready. The trays sit on the sideboard so counterspace is saved, and when that course is over the same tray brings it all back to the dishwasher in one go.
Phil, Wayne sympathises with you. He was my dishwasher for a short period of time and now when we use the longstems or really really delicate dishes. Loves eating all the food and drinking all the drinks and enjoying the conversation etc….. but the cleanup is not something he looked forward to. Now of course it all goes into the dishwasher and life is tranquil.
Ooh, I am soooo trying that Elderflower cocktail! The presse is with sparkling water. Even better with the cordial I would think, cos then the wine would ‘dilute’ the elderflower.
Phil, I always managed to get the washing up duty when my mum threw dinner parties!! I sympathise and suggest subtle disappearance in the third quarter of the party to ‘take the dog for a walk’ to the nearest bar for a couple of hours… tho’ it could mean you sharing the doghouse with the dog… you could say, ‘The dog made me do it!’ This one almost worked for me but for one thing – we didn’t actually have a dog… sigh!
I suggest washing up with music in the kitchen as Erin goes so there’s less and then doing the rest in that last third with a bottle of wine to hand…!
We still don’t have a dishwasher… unless you count me!
Debbie, I wish I could hop over and go antique shopping with you. Lucky lady!
That is a fantastic idea . . . now I only need a large tray. Thanks Debbie!
Griffin, The press actually blends seamlessly with the sparkling wine, preserving the flavor of the wine and it’s effervescence beautifully. Though, I’m sure the cordial would be lovely as well. It is a gorgeous drink.
Oh, and the dog is on my side.
Erin, I went and bought a few melamine trays in a large size. I cover the (ugly to me) patterns with a linen napkin and then pile with crockery etc. Have even covered them with paper napkins in pretty patterns/colours (the nice thick ones – not the thin cheap and nasty ones).
The beauty of the melamine is that if it is a bit soiled it can go straight into the dishwasher! They are light and slide quite easily into the side of a cupboard.
I would love to have a set of silver trays, but then you have to be careful that you don’t get spills on them as some things can really damage them.
One day you will be able to come play in Paris and we will spend the time brocante-ing and checking out all the fabulous food places and marches. Can you imagine how much fun we would have!! You will have to plan for excess luggage though……
Debbie, I may have to try and find some of those. I’ve seen woven trays, but always wonder if they will offer enough support to get the job done.
Next time I’m in Paris you can count me in!
The woven ones sag…. badly….. and if you get spills they are hideous to try and clean in amongst all the woven bits.
If you have trouble finding melamine let me know and I will pop a few in the post. They are light but strong so mailing is not an issue. I actually sent some to my Mum in Aus. The patterns are ugly, but you cover them up and no one knows. You could probably even cover them with contact (the thick sticky plastic that you cover school books with) in a nice pattern which would be even better.
Am now having a brainwave of getting some washable wallpaper and trying to cover one of them and see how it works…. will let you know if I have time to try it.
Thanks Debbie, I’m going to check it out and let you know. Contact, is that the same thing used to cover shelves? Here our schoolbooks were always covered with brown paper grocery bags. A little bland, but by the end of the year were covered with all sorts of fun little drawings. I think it is a great idea to use contact to cover the trays, let me know how it turns out.
I’m imagining a beautiful summer party filled with tiny candles, men in linen, women in flowing dresses, dangly earrings, and pretty shawls, and festive bubbles, lots of them. I love bubbles–prosecco, champagne, sparkling water. The food would be last minute and based on the best looking items at the farmers market. Smile… Sigh…
Denise, “The food would be last minute and based on the best looking items at the farmers market” and the best thing about that is fresh perfectly ripe produce needs very little work since nature took the liberty of doing it for us!
By the way, I am now completely obsessed with Della Fattoria! The pain levain is to die for.
I haven’t had it in a while, but remember loving their Meyer Lemon Rosemary bread.
Description from their site: Meyer Lemon Rosemary: Campagne with a slurry of olive oil, Meyer lemon zest, fresh rosemary dimpled into the dough during shaping, and sprinkled with large crystals of sea salt the moment before it is peeled into the oven. Boule (round loaf) only.
Denise, I definitely have to try this!
Wow! That loaf sounds good!!!!
BTW… yes, contact is the same thing that you can cover shelves with…..
Hangar One Buddha’s Hand Infused Vodka sounds very interesting! Ward and I went to a vodka bar this past winter and learned that different kinds of vodka actually have different tastes – we’ll have to keep our eye out for this one, it sounds so interesting. And I love the idea of having a separate set of dishes and glasses just for parties! We’ve been renovating for ages now so haven’t had a party for quite a few years now, and we’ve been really missing it. I think I need to start investigating a new set of dishes just for get-togethers!
Belle, Since you are interested in types of vodka, I would highly recommend you try Medoyeff Vodka from House Spirits in Portland, OR and the vodka from Dry Fly of Spokane, WA. They are craft vodkas, drinkable on their own and two of my absolute favorites.
Good luck with your remodel, I hope you get to entertain soon. Thanks for your comment and welcome to The Endive Chronicles!
I don’t normally drink Vodka. But when I do, I drink Medoyeff.
-in the voice of the Most interesting man in the world
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p2SSZA0CjdQ
Hi Erin,
I totally agree with all you’ve said about entertaining. i was not a big party person when I married my husband, but he grew up with impromtu parties in his home several nights a week so he kind of expected that we would be doing this also. (They did however have a nearly full time maid – which I do not…) So, in the early years of our marriage, I kind of gritted my teeth and soldiered through – doing my best, but NOT enjoying it. Everyone else had fun but I was a harried wreck.
Gradually I developed a system that works for me. Whether it is a cocktail party or a sit-dwn dinner I do everything possible in the days preceding the party – including setting the table or arranging a tablescape, getting out the dishes and glasses I will be using, setting up the coffee maker, setting up the bar area, cooking and preparing what can be done ahead. My menu is always planned around dishes that can be made ahead to whatever degree possible and then heated up just before serving. If we’re grilling, Sam’s in charge so I don’t get hassled. =)
I always use the real thing – no paper plates, plastic cups or forks and knives. I make sure my sink and my dishwasher are empty before the party, so dirty dishes can be stowed there until I’m ready to clean up.
Then I enjoy the party! I had a cocktail party for about 30 people last year and made ALL of the food myself (except the ham) and had a great time hanging out with my friends.
Now, that said, I bet I could convince Rainey to come up for a party if you want to get those dishes out! I would even bring something, and I’m willing to bet that Rainey would too!
Donna, Something tells me I could learn a thing or two from you!