Quick Entertaining Tips

If the weeks following the holidays seem a little too quiet, invite friends over for a no-fuss dessert party. Warm-from-the-oven gingerbread or apple crisp, served with dollops of real whipped cream and a pot of flavored coffee, can transform any winter night into a festive occasion.

Before you pack away all those Christmas lights, thread a string of tiny white lights into a silk greenery arrangement on the top of your china cabinet or fireplace mantle. You'll love their soft glow during long winter nights.

Are you looking for a unique way to entertain this winter? One of my favorites is a Sunday afternoon tea for couples. Serve wine or sherry, a selection of teas, and a hearty menu in addition to the usual cakes and cookies. Onion and Spinach Tart, Tomato Galette, and Portabella Havarti Turnovers are all scrumptious for this special occasion. (Look for these recipes in my cookbook, The Family Table: Where Great Food, Friends, and Family Gather Together, Capital Books, Inc.)

Make the most of cold winter nights by spending them with your family around the hearth. An occasional dinner around the coffee table or dessert by the light of a fire are simple ways to add an element of excitement to family mealtime.

Dress up mugs of steaming cocoa with a swirl of whipped cream and a spoonful of chocolate sprinkles.