Food and Entertaining
TV Chef Shares Last-minute Entertaining Tips Wow Guests with Surprisingly Simple Dishes
By
Feb 26, 2006, 18:49

(ARA) - A beautiful spread of delicious food is the easiest way to impress when entertaining. But, how to impress without the stress can be an ongoing challenge for many home cooks, especially when friends and family drop by for an impromptu gathering. There’s no need to sacrifice taste or your nerves when short on time.

TV chef and author Michael Chiarello reveals entertaining secrets and simple, mouth-watering recipes to ensure a successful gathering, even when you don’t have a lot of time to prepare.

* Make room for mingling -- “Take a little time when you have a little time to save some time when you don’t,” says Chiarello. He recommends preparing as much as you can before guests arrive. Simply measure and divide ingredients into re-sealable containers and place in the fridge until ready.

* Comfort classics -- Party hits are usually the foods that everyone appreciates, presented in a way they wouldn’t imagine. Chiarello suggests trying a unique twist on an old favorite, like turning ordinary grilled cheese into bite-size panini accented with mozzarella, sun-dried tomatoes and basil.

* Spice it up -- Think like a professional chef, even if you’re just a beginner. Chiarello recommends adding several layers of flavor to each dish. For example, his Twice-Baked Potatoes with English Peas layer the distinct flavors of potatoes, peas, spices and cheese for an irresistible mouth-watering finish.

* Cheese please -- Use time-saver ingredients so you can get in and out of the kitchen quickly. Chiarello likes to use Sargento Bistro Blends cheese. The herbs and spices are pre-mixed with the cheese to add bold flavor without wasting time.

Chiarello unveils how to pull off the perfect party without breaking a sweat in his new DVD, “Entertaining at Home with Michael Chiarello,” available for free (with one proof-of-purchase and $1.95 shipping and handling) at sargento.com. The DVD features a full entertaining menu based on recipes created from his latest book, “At Home with Michael Chiarello” from Chronicle Books. By following Chiarello’s key rules, you’ll be a guest at your own gathering in no time.

A favorite recipe Chiarello shares on the DVD is “Speed Scratch” Potato Chips. With just a few ingredients and a savory aroma, it’s perfect for greeting last-minute guests using ingredients that are easy to have on hand.

“Speed Scratch” Potato Chips

Preparation time: 5 minutes

Cooking time: 12 minutes

Serves 10

Ingredients:

2 large bags (8-1/2 ounces each) favorite salted potato chips, preferably olive oil chips

NapaStyle Fennel Spice Rub or barbecue seasoning

1-3/4 cups (7 ounces) Sargento Bistro Blends Mozzarella with Sun-Dried Tomatoes & Basil Shredded Cheese

Directions:

1. Arrange potato chips on two jellyroll pans or large cookie sheets in an even layer and place in preheated 300 F oven. Bake 3 to 5 minutes or until chips are warmed. Remove from oven and sprinkle evenly with fennel or seasoning.

2. Sprinkle cheese evenly over chips, return to oven; bake until cheese melts, 6 to 7 minutes. Serve warm or at room temperature.

Some other recipes Chiarello creates in the DVD using Bistro Blends for bold flavorful entertaining include pea-stuffed potatoes, polenta crostini, bite-sized panini mozzarella en carrozza and gaucho steak with tomatoes and cheese in pitas. The recipes feature three Bistro Blends varieties – Mozzarella & Asiago with Roasted Garlic, Mozzarella with Sun-Dried Tomatoes and Basil and Cheddar and Monterey Jack with Tomato and Jalapeño Peppers.
Courtesy of ARA Content

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