rozanne gold

entertaining 1-2-3 The mere suggestion to throw a cocktail party can be a daunting one to most people. However in reality, with proper planning a party can be pulled off a lot easier than we imagine. Even for those of us who barely have time to run our most important errands, there is a solution. Chef and hostess extraordinaire, Rozanne Gold, offers a simple and very accessible plan of attack. Well aware of the pressure to impress during the holiday season, she offers easy-to-follow advice and recipes for complete success! What entertainers need to keep in mind is that festivity and joy are for partygoers and givers alike. Setting our cares aside, (because we also learn that we don't have to spend a lot of time and money to dazzle our guests), we follow this book's examples on how to spread holiday and New Year's cheer in three basic steps. The following Timeline 1-2-3 is from Rozanne's latest book, Entertaining 1-2-3. This timeline is the crucial tool that makes our next party's preparations both well organized and fun.

timeline 1-2-3 1. One month to two weeks before Develop the idea/concept. Decide on the date and guests. Invite guests (send invitations for more formal events; call for informal events). 2. Two to one week before Create a menu with wines (within your budget). Make a shopping list. Hire any help. Rent anything you might need. 3. Final countdown Choose linens; arrange the tabletop and the centerpiece flowers. Prepare mise-en-place (get everything ready) and cook. Open the wines; serve the meal. Clean up.

The following are three of the many hors d'oeuvres recipes, accompanied with an original cocktail recipe, from Rozanne's book. Note how the three-ingredient recipes reflect her three-step philosophy behind her Timeline 1-2-3.

hors d'oeuvres
plum-glazed stuffed mushrooms
endive with sun-dried tomato and orange pate
wasabi-stuffed shrimp

holiday cocktail
autumn leaf