Sara Gore joins Annie Falk, author of “Hamptons Entertaining: Creating Occasions To Remember,” as she shares inspiring ideas for table settings, menus and more.
Category: Recipes
Chocolate Almond Cake
Summer is here and we are all looking for entertaining tips and hints for effortless, stress-free hosting. With an easy make-ahead menu, refreshing drinks and simple, sophisticated table setting ideas any hostess can feel relaxed, enjoy the great weather and the company of good friends.
For inspiration, check out Victoria Amory’s menu, below. Recipes are featured in Palm Beach Entertaining: Creating Occasions to Remember and I’ve included one of my favorites here, along with a few tips on hosting a relaxed gathering.
Menu for Eight:
Champagne and Pink Grapefruit Cocktail
Blue Cheese and Caramelized Onion Tarts
Turkish Eggplant and Yogurt Salad
Parsley and Walnut Salad
Orange and Red Onion Salad
Shrimp Skewers with Cumin & Honey
Chocolate Almond Cake
Hostess Tips
- Mix and Match
Summer entertaining is all about being relaxed. Shop your closets and use items from your home to set an interesting, casual, yet elegant table. Victoria has been known to repurpose golf trophies as silver mugs and her potted annuals add a casual elegance to “Lunch with the Ladies,” featured in Palm Beach Entertaining. Using objects you already have makes the table original and personal.
- Prepare ahead
Almost everything on Victoria’s menu can be prepared the evening before your party and finished just before guests arrive! This allows for a stress free gathering the hostess can enjoy.
- Save Time
Using store-bought frozen puff pastry for the Blue Cheese and Caramelized Onion Tarts will save you the trouble of making dough and rolling it out. These tarts are so delicious no one will ever know.
- Serve in Style
Layer the Turkish Eggplant and Yogurt Salad in a shallow glass bowl and show off your layering skills! An easy way to elevate your table decor is to also layer your serving plates, so place the glass bowl on an attractive platter sprinkled with a few flowers from the garden.
Yield: Serves 8
Smoked Salmon Dip
Salmon is always a party favorite. It is a versatile fish that can be presented in many ways, and most recipes can be done in advance. Two of my make-ahead favorites are Gravlaks on Toast Points (Norwegian Salmon Canapés that can also be served as an appetizer) and Whole Poached Salmon, decorated with cucumber slices. Both recipes are featured in Palm Beach Entertaining: Creating Occasions to Remember.
Some hor d’ouvres can simply be assembled to taste, no recipe required. With a bit of cream, fresh herbs and creativity this luxurious fish can be taken straight from the pack in slices. Guests can’t resist slices of smoked salmon over cucumber rounds with a dollop of crème fraiche and caviar; or toast rounds topped with cream cheese, smoked salmon and fresh dill.
An easy salmon recipe that disappears quickly at every party is one I collected from Beth Rudin De Woody: Smoked Salmon Dip. It’s perfect for kicking off any event and can be made quickly.
Yield: Makes 2 cups
Bring Your Dinner Party to the Next Level
It’s the little things that count; the smallest details can make a world of difference. Presentation can truly elevate the everyday. My friend Noreen Roth added handmade, crochet doilies to her place settings. The doilies were unique treasures brought back from a visit to Hungry, which prompted delightful conversation.
Taking your party up a notch – five quick tips:
- Plan your guest list carefully. Focus on seating arrangements. Aim for a crowd that will get along and interject new friends others may not know.
- Greet your guests with a signature cocktail.
- Serve a healthful dinner, with the exception of a decadent dessert. Guests are more likely to indulge and guiltlessly enjoy the sweet ending.
- Use recipes you trust and know are crowd pleasers. Good quality, simple foods are best. Try to avoid recipes that are overly complicated.
- Make it original. When designing your table add a personal touch by using items around your house or, as Noreen did, treasures from a recent trip. Objects that have stories behind them are great conversation starters.
It’s easy to get caught up in the magnitude of some parties so try not to over think it! Everyone is there to have a good time. You should too!
Ladies Locavore Lunch
Last Saturday at my home in the Hamptons, Sara Gore and I hosted an impromptu Ladies Lunch. It was such an enjoyable way to kick off the season. As we prepared for our guests’ arrival we talked about three key elements of creating an occasion to remember: great food, a fun welcome drink. and my favorite part – designing the tablescape.
Tablecloths, runners, and placemats are brilliant ways to lend color and texture to the table. Using a trick I learned from my friend Kara Ross, I created a runner from fabric remnants. Cost effective, unique and totally unexpected. A theme really ties an affair together so I added a few whimsical elements inspired by the fabric’s color palette – hydrangea blue. And, since summer is the season for beautiful blooms the design included some handpicked beauties from my garden punctuated by lanterns and candles.
Together, we garnished the hors d’oeuvres, prepared a welcome drink, set the table and got ready to share a taste of the Hamptons with our girlfriends. The menu featured the mouthwatering dish pictured here, as our main course: Seared scallops with watermelon and papaya served over crisp salad greens and drizzled with a balsamic reduction.
Inspired by fresh, local produce and a few garden herbs, here’s a peek at the complete menu. Be sure to tune in to Sara’s show Open House on NBC to see the tabletop and join the fun! Our segment is set to air the weekend of 6/13-6/14. In NYC area: 6/14, 8:30am on NBC 4; In Miami: 6/14, 6am on WTVJ; In LA: 6/13, 7pm on KNBC;Check local listings for other cities.
On the Menu
Pama Lemonade, Whispering Angel Rosé and Watermelon Lemonade
Lobster Salad on Buttery Crostini & Truffled White Bean Dip with Crudité
Green Gazpacho soup with Homemade Croutons
Seared Scallops with Watermelon & Papaya
Blueberry Buckle & Hydrangea Cupcakes
For recipes from this lovely locavore’s ladies lunch check out Hamptons Entertaining: Creating Occasions to Remember. And, be sure to tune in to Open House for tips on setting a Hamptons inspired table.