12 THE COURIER SUN • THANKSGIVING • NOVEMBER 20, 2014 FOR BREAKING NEWS VISIT www.couriersun.com s thanksgiving ENTERTAINING MADE EASY The holidays are just around the corner, which means family and friends will soon get together at your home to celebrate. Whether you’re hosting large or intimate gatherings, having a game plan in place well in advance of your event is essential. With a few simple steps, you can jumpstart holiday entertaining - and increase your own enjoyment at the event. Plan it Send out invitations a month prior to the get-together. Invites can be extended through the mail in a creative way, like a holiday card or a small gift box or cookie tin that guests can bring to the party to take home edible favors. To save time and money, manage party invitations online, with a website like evite.com or pingg.com. These sites can help you keep track of guest lists, send reminders and even generate post-event thank-you notes, ensuring you remain on-task, with minimal effort. Two weeks prior to your party date, take some time to prepare the menu. This will ensure ample time to pick up all the needed grocery items, fi nd any specialty items and avoid last minute runs to the store. Search for recipes with common ingredients and varying preparation times, so you can space out your cooking and baking in the days leading up to your event. Begin setting tables and decorating several days prior to your party. Stage it Consider whether your gathering will be a sit-down meal or more of a standing-room affair. If you’re only serving drinks and hors d’oeuvres, consider clearing out areas for guests to converse. To keep guests mingling from room to room, strategically space out the food and beverages throughout the areas. If you are serving a full-course meal, be sure you have ample seating for everyone. Think creatively about places for your guests to sit. End tables can be covered with decorative tablecloths and placed in front of a sofa for additional, comfortable settings. Saw horses, a wood board, and a tablecloth can make a quick and easy table in a pinch. Create it Between baking holiday cookies and preparing decadent meals, you’ll likely fi nd yourself quite busy in the kitchen. Save some of your precious time and energy with a kitchen appliance that does most of the work, helping you to quickly and easily create your holiday menu and spend more time with guests. Impress your guests and streamline your holiday menus with the following recipes. Holiday Squash Soup Ingredients: 2 cups (480 ml) chicken or vegetable broth 2 butternut squash, freshly roasted, peeled or 2 cups (410 g) freshly cooked squash 2 tablespoons (20 g) chopped onion 4 medium apples, seeded 4 teaspoons ground nutmeg 4 teaspoons dried sage 4 teaspoons dried rosemary 8 teaspoons white pepper 2 teaspoons salt 4 cups (60 ml) heavy whipping cream Nutritional information Per 1 cup (240 ml) serving: Calories: 109, Total Fat: 6 g, Saturated Fat: 3 g, Protein: 2 g, Fiber: 3 g, Carbohydrates: 13 g, Sodium: 766 mg, Cholesterol: 20 mg Cranberry Lime Sparkle Ingredients: 1/2 cup (120 ml) 100 percent cranberry juice 4 ounces (120 ml) light rum 2 ounces (60 ml) vodka 2 Tablespoons (25 g) sugar 1/4 small lime, peeled, seeded 1/4 cup (25 g) fresh cranberries 2 cups (480 ml) ice cubes Nutritional information Per 1 cup (240 ml) serving: Calories: 193, Total Fat: 0 g, Saturated Fat: 0 g, Protein: 0 g, Fiber: 1 g, Carbohydrates: 14 g, Sodium: 3 mg, Cholesterol: 0 mg Courtesy BPT
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