We had an impromptu at the house on Christmas Eve with our friend Lea. We had been trying to find a time for us to get together over the holiday season and we finally found that we were all available for a couple hours on Christmas Eve. So we threw something together rather quickly and it turned out very nice.
Everything here was bought prepared, which is not something we normally do. But, in a pinch, one must do what one must do. Starting at far left and moving clockwise, we have a tray of deviled eggs. These were good. Better than I expected. A glass bowl of glazed pecans, salsa, festive red and green tortilla chips, a cheese and grape tray, antipasto salad and crostini. It was a quick unwrapping of everything and getting it all set out on a board and doing all of this in time for it to come to room temperature. I think that is one thing many of us do not take into consideration when entertaining and that is it is really imperative to allow food items you are serving to come to room temperature. Unless you are serving something like a huge boat of steamed shrimp. Of course you will serve those over ice. But cheeses, deviled eggs, salsa, even the fruit, are all better served at room temperature. Cheese in particular. Cheese served straight from the refrigerator has positively no taste whatsoever. If you set these things out early, make certain to cover with Saran wrap and then remove the wrap just before your guests arrive. You can even leave the wrap on until after the first guest arrives. Have your partner or a friend immediately serve drinks and while he or she is taking care of that, you can unwrap the trays.
For tomorrow nights celebration, we have been invited to our friend Lea's house. I found these white and dark chocolate Tuxedo Cups on an errand run yesterday. Are these just too cute? I bought two boxes which gives us twelve cups. I have plans for these and you will have to come back tomorrow to see what we do with them. Right now, I know it will be Lea, me, Steven and Bev for New Year's Eve. That is three cups per, which would be fine with me. But if others show up, we should certainly have enough for everyone. I hope you all have something wonderful planned for the new year. If you would like to share pictures of your celebration, please feel free to share with us. Your picture might even get used in an upcoming post on At Home with John Newman.
Everything here was bought prepared, which is not something we normally do. But, in a pinch, one must do what one must do. Starting at far left and moving clockwise, we have a tray of deviled eggs. These were good. Better than I expected. A glass bowl of glazed pecans, salsa, festive red and green tortilla chips, a cheese and grape tray, antipasto salad and crostini. It was a quick unwrapping of everything and getting it all set out on a board and doing all of this in time for it to come to room temperature. I think that is one thing many of us do not take into consideration when entertaining and that is it is really imperative to allow food items you are serving to come to room temperature. Unless you are serving something like a huge boat of steamed shrimp. Of course you will serve those over ice. But cheeses, deviled eggs, salsa, even the fruit, are all better served at room temperature. Cheese in particular. Cheese served straight from the refrigerator has positively no taste whatsoever. If you set these things out early, make certain to cover with Saran wrap and then remove the wrap just before your guests arrive. You can even leave the wrap on until after the first guest arrives. Have your partner or a friend immediately serve drinks and while he or she is taking care of that, you can unwrap the trays.
