Throwing a dinner party can be overwhelming for some and bring joy to others. The enduring combination of food, wine, friends, and great conversation are the ingredients for a perfect dinner party. Whether you choose to throw a casual or fancy dinner party, your friends will be thrilled to receive an invite. Entertaining at home creates memories that you can cherish for a lifetime. Often my friends call me Martha Stewart who is certainly an entertaining idol of mine along with Ina Garten.
Dinner parties are an outlet for me to express my creativity and bring friends together. A few months ago, I threw a dinner party with the theme “Dinner at Tiffany’s” featuring a 60’s inspired menu and table decorations aptly featuring the famous tiffany blue. In the December Northgate Living issue, I provide details on planning and executing a dinner party in an article, and you can read about it online at www.northgatelivingca.com. For the Dinner at Tiffany’s party, I purchased small tiaras for the women to feel like Audrey Hepburn along with adding an artistic drawing of Holly Golightly to the individual menus. In addition, each person had that iconic blue box and white ribbon at their place setting with a small surprise inside. I know you are probably wondering what was in the box. It was a sweet treat versus a round 3 carat diamond. Smile.
Over time, I have refined my entertaining style to include an amuse bouche (pronounced ah-myuz boosh) which originated in France in the 18th century. It simply means “mouth amuser” and is often a complementary little bite from the chef. It is a small bite of magic for your mouth and a tasty, purposeful foreshadowing of what is next, and it also pampers your guests. It can be a solo bite or multiple bites progressive in nature or simply one primary ingredient done in various ways. For the “Dinner at Tiffany’s” party, I served “Deviled Eggs with Bacon & Potato Chips”, “60’s Meatball with Grape Jelly & Chili Sauce” and “Bacon Wrapped Water Chestnut & Teriyaki sauce”. You could virtually travel back to the 60’s with this amuse bouche.
You can serve these bite-sized portions on a small plate, spoon, endive leaf, or a tiny dish. Sometimes people see this as only for a Michelin starred restaurant, but I say disrupt that concept. The only limit is your imagination. It is a tease for the rest of the meal and a slice of your personality and spirit. First, it should be visually appealing or something your guests deem Instagram worthy. Second, it should be flavorful and finally something that can be consumed in one bite. It can be sweet or savory, hot or cold, simple, or complex. Honestly, this little nibble can be almost anything that bursts with flavor and perfumed with aromatic notes.
In past parties, I have done an amuse bouche tasting of sorts. I chose one primary ingredient and prepared three different bites. I adore parmesan cheese from Whole Foods that is cut directly from the large wheel. The nutty, rich flavor is simply amazing. The three bites featuring parmesan cheese were – “Parmesan Onion Canape”, “Parmesan, Tomato Confit & Aged Balsamic” and “Parmesan Dip with Toasted Points”. I am in love with Bocconcini (small fresh mozzarella balls) since they have so much versatility. I created a amuse bouche tasting which featured Bocconcini prepared three different ways – “Tomato Confit & Basil Chiffonade”, “Balsamic Fig Jam with Crispy Prosciutto” and “Finely Chopped Dried Cranberry, Bacon, Chive and Aged Balsamic”.
I hope I have inspired you to let your creative juices flow, leap out of your comfort zone and you create your own amuse bouche to serve at your next dinner party. Cheers!
By Lisa Crossett, Resident since 2001
Lisa has been a Northgate resident since 2001. Professionally she is the Head of Talent Acquisition for Mechanics Bank with headquarters in Walnut Creek. She is the President of California Recruiters and on the board for Community Arts Foundation based in Walnut Creek. Lisa’s passion is Food, W ine and Enter taining. She publishes a food blog called Authentic Suburban Gourmet and loves to throw elegant dinner parties, explore wine country, collect wine and cook great food.
authenticsuburbangourmet.blogspot.com
authenticsuburbangourmet@gmail.com
Instagram: @authenticsuburbangourmet