Recipe of the week
How to take the stress out of entertaining
(NC) Don’t let the idea of having dinner guests overwhelm you. Take the stress out of entertaining with these helpful hints:
• Don’t leave everything to the last minute. Prepping ahead is key to reducing stress just before people arrive. Even something as simple as setting the table ahead of time will leave you with one less thing on your to-do list.
• Always have some snacks on hand that you can pull out for those unexpected (and expected) guests. Tip: It’s always a party when cheese is involved, so keep some cheese, olives, crackers or mini pitas and even fig jam on hand for when company arrives. For guests seeking healthier options, keep lower fat appetizer essentials on hand. Hard cheeses like Parmesan or a party favourite like Lavash Crackers (from Ozery’s Pita Break) taste delicious while satisfying a lighter palate.
• Make your food accessible by serving guests family-style so they can dive right in. This will also help keep them busy while you finish up any last-minute tasks in the kitchen.
• Complicated dishes don’t necessarily mean they’ll be more impressive. Use recipes that are simple and delicious. Guests will love eating dishes that you feel confident preparing.
• Remember to relax and have fun. We hear this all the time, but it’s an essential tip for hosts. Not only will it help keep you calm, but your guests will also feel more at ease.
Whip up this quick and easy, make-ahead appetizer using ingredients you already have on hand.
Hearty Hummus
Preparation Time: 5 minutes
Ingredients:
• 1 can chickpeas (540ml)
• 1/4 cup lemon juice
• 2 small garlic cloves
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/2 cup tahini (approx. 8 tablespoons)
• 1/2 cup water
• 3 tablespoons olive oil
Directions:
Strain the chickpeas and blend them in a food processor. Add the rest of the ingredients to the food processor and mix well for about two minutes. Refrigerate for four hours or more. Adjust seasoning if needed.
Serve with Ozery’s mini pitas or crackers.
Additional recipes are available at www.pitabreak.com.
