A Simple Holiday Party Dip

By Marilyn Hunter
For The Family Table, a blog for busy families

The holiday season is here and social calendars are quickly filling up. Between decorating, gift shopping and card writing, it can be an overwhelming time. Last weekend, I needed an appetizer in a hurry to bring to a luncheon and made this delicious green olive dip.

When I need a fast and simple appetizer, it’s impossible to go wrong with this recipe. With only three ingredients, it’s a snap to prepare and requires no cooking. The red and green colors of the pimento-stuffed olives make it the perfect choice for a holiday table. I serve it as a dip with vegetables or as a spread for crackers, sliced baguette or crostini. The boys, of course, prefer to eat it with chips but love to use it in place of mayonnaise on their sandwiches, too.

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Simple Entertaining: Wonton Cups

By Sandy Hu
A new video for Video Friday

When it comes to entertaining, I have two choices: I can knock myself out doing a menu to impress, or I can take the simple way out.

I look at it this way. I can have more people over more often with a casual menu. Or I can work myself into a frenzy to entertain a few very well.

I tend to do both, actually, but recently I’ve gone the simple route. A simple menu might start or end with versatile wonton cups that are a snap to make. They can be an appetizer or dessert, depending on whether the filling is savory or sweet . The recipe is easy to double or triple, depending on the size of your crowd.

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Potluck is not a Bad Word

By David Hu
A new video for Video Friday

“Potluck” the word strikes fear in many. What do I bring? What is everyone else bringing? How much food do I need to make?

I, however, embrace the potluck. The more the merrier! I love that you get to try all sorts of different dishes from all cooking skill levels. (Just don’t be that person who brings the pre-packaged veggie dip tray from the supermarket.)

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Game Night calls for Chicken Wings

By David Hu

I always look forward to game night. Sometimes it’s Scattergories, Taboo, poker or games on the Wii. While the games change, the one constant, besides fun, is food. Finger foods are the way to go – just make sure there are ample napkins.

One of my favorites for game night is Peanuts and Beer Chicken Wings. While people often think of using beer in batter-fried foods like fish and chips or onion rings, beer is a very versatile ingredient that can be used in stews, marinades and even dips.

After the wings are baked, the liquid will be thin so it’s important to reduce it by boiling to get a thicker, sauce-like consistency, making for deliciously sticky wings.

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Play With Your Polpetti

By Katie Barreira

These tiny Italian meatballs are so cute you’ll just want to eat them up – and you should!  Versatile and perfectly sized for popping, polpetti have a tendency to disappear before leaving the kitchen. And those that escape immediate consumption can be put to good use in a multitude of dishes; so make a ton and have a ball! (…or ten.)

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