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Entertaining with Ease

Fresh Tomato Soup

Homemade tomato stock provides the base for this fresh soup. Prepare the soup through step 2 up to a day ahead. Reheat over medium-low heat, and stir in the basil, lemon rind, and butter just before serving.

Fresh Tomato Soup Photo by: Photo: Oxmoor House

Ingredients

  • 1 teaspoon olive oil
  • 1 cup chopped onion
  • 6 cups chopped plum tomato (about 1 1/2 pounds)
  • 3 (14 1/2-ounce) cans fat-free, less-sodium chicken broth
  • 2 garlic cloves, crushed
  • 7 cups chopped seeded peeled plum tomato (about 1 3/4 pounds)
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 3 tablespoons thinly sliced fresh basil
  • 1 teaspoon grated lemon rind
  • 1 teaspoon butter

Preparation

Heat oil in a large saucepan over medium-high heat. Add onion; sauté 4 minutes or until tender. Add 6 cups tomato; cook 2 minutes. Reduce heat to low; stir in broth and garlic. Simmer, covered, 30 minutes.

Uncover; simmer 45 minutes or until reduced to about 6 cups. Drain broth mixture through a sieve into a large bowl; discard solids. Return broth to pan. Stir in 7 cups tomatoes, salt, and pepper; bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, 10 minutes.

Remove soup from heat. Stir in basil, rind, and butter.

Cooking Light SEPTEMBER 2002

Rosemary-Scented Flatbread with Black Grapes

Blue or red grapes will also work well in this recipe as long as they are fresh and firm. Although it's best enjoyed fresh from the oven, you can make the bread early in the day, then wrap it in foil and warm in the oven before serving. Be sure not to overwork the dough when incorporating the grapes. They won't disperse well at first, but they'll spread properly when you shape the dough. Serve with dipping oils.

Rosemary-Scented Flatbread with Black Grapes Photo by: Becky Luigart-Stayner; Lydia DeGaris-Pursell and Jan Gautro

Ingredients

  • 3 1/4 cups all-purpose flour, divided
  • 1 teaspoon sugar
  • 1 package dry yeast (about 2 1/4 teaspoons)
  • 1 1/4 cups warm water (100° to 110°)
  • 1/2 cup white cornmeal
  • 1 1/4 teaspoons salt, divided
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons chopped fresh rosemary
  • 2 1/2 teaspoons olive oil, divided
  • Cooking spray
  • 1 cup seedless black grapes, quartered and divided
  • Rosemary sprig (optional)

Preparation

Lightly spoon the flour into dry measuring cups, and level with a knife. Dissolve the sugar and the yeast in 1 1/4 cups warm water in a large bowl. Stir in 1 cup flour. Cover the mixture loosely with plastic wrap, and let stand 30 minutes.

Add 2 cups flour, white cornmeal, 1 teaspoon salt, chopped rosemary, and 1 1/2 teaspoons oil to yeast mixture; stir until a soft dough forms.

Turn dough out onto a floured surface. Knead until smooth and elastic (about 8 minutes); add enough of remaining flour, 1 teaspoon at a time, to prevent dough from sticking to hands (dough will feel tacky).

Place dough in a large bowl coated with cooking spray, turning to coat top. Cover and let rise in a warm place (85°), free from drafts, 1 hour or until doubled in size. (Press two fingers into dough. If indentation remains, the dough has risen enough.)

Punch dough down, and turn out onto a lightly floured surface. Arrange 2/3 cup grapes over dough, and knead gently 4 to 5 times or just until grapes are incorporated into the dough. Let rest 5 minutes.

Press the dough into a 15 x 10-inch rectangle. Place on a large baking sheet coated with cooking spray. Brush the surface of the dough with 1 teaspoon oil. Cover and let rise 30 minutes or until doubled in size.

Preheat oven to 475°.

Uncover dough. Make indentations in top of dough using the handle of a wooden spoon or your fingertips. Sprinkle surface of dough with remaining 1/3 cup grapes; gently press grapes into dough. Sprinkle with 1/4 teaspoon salt. Bake at 475° for 20 minutes or until golden. Garnish with rosemary sprig, if desired.

Cooking Light SEPTEMBER 2002

Sage, Bay, and Garlic Dipping Oil

Bay and sage permeate this garlicky oil, infusing it with wonderful earthy, woodsy flavors.

Sage, Bay, and Garlic Dipping Oil Photo by: Becky Luigart-Stayner; Lydia DeGaris-Pursell and Jan Gautro

Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup olive oil
  • 2 garlic cloves, crushed
  • 2 fresh sage leaves
  • 1 bay leaf

Preparation

Combine all of the ingredients in a small, heavy saucepan. Cook over medium-low heat until the thermometer registers 180°. Reduce the heat to low, and cook for 20 minutes (do not allow the temperature to rise above 200°). Cool to room temperature. Drain the oil mixture through a sieve into a bowl, and discard solids.

Cooking Light SEPTEMBER 2002

Basil Dipping Oil

Just two ingredients combine for a complement to all kinds of bread.

Basil Dipping Oil Photo by: Becky Luigart-Stayner; Lydia DeGaris-Pursell and Jan Gautro

Ingredients

  • 2 cups chopped fresh basil leaves (about 2 [3/4-ounce] packages)
  • 1/2 cup olive oil

Preparation

Combine basil and oil in a small, heavy saucepan. Cook over medium-low heat until thermometer registers 180°. Reduce heat to low; cook 20 minutes (do not allow temperature to rise above 200°). Cool to room temperature. Drain oil mixture through a sieve into a bowl; discard solids.

Cooking Light SEPTEMBER 2002

Three-Pepper Dipping Oil

The mild heat of this oil contrasts nicely with the sweet grapes in our flatbread.

Three-Pepper Dipping Oil Photo by: Becky Luigart-Stayner; Lydia DeGaris-Pursell and Jan Gautro

Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup olive oil
  • 1 pepperoncini pepper, halved lengthwise
  • 1 whole dried hot red chile, crushed
  • 2 whole black peppercorns

Preparation

Combine all of the ingredients in a small, heavy saucepan. Cook mixture over medium-low heat until the thermometer registers 180°. Reduce heat to low, and cook for 20 minutes (do not allow the temperature to rise above 200°). Cool mixture to room temperature. Drain the oil mixture through a sieve into a bowl, and discard solids.

Cooking Light SEPTEMBER 2002

Roasted Pepper, Kalamata, and Prosciutto Pasta

Wide, flat pappardelle pasta creates a refined presentation: Its cascading quality gives the dish more height. If you can't find pappardelle, substitute a short pasta, such as cavatappi or penne. You can complete steps 1 through 3 up to a day ahead.

Roasted Pepper, Kalamata, and Prosciutto Pasta Photo by: Becky Luigart-Stayner; Lydia DeGaris-Pursell and Jan Gautro

Ingredients

  • 3 red bell peppers (about 1 1/2 pounds)
  • 1 yellow bell pepper
  • 1/3 cup pitted kalamata olives, quartered
  • 2 tablespoons capers
  • 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
  • 1/2 teaspoon grated lemon rind
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/8 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 1/3 cup chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
  • 4 ounces prosciutto, sliced into 1/8-inch strips
  • 6 cups hot cooked pappardelle pasta (about 12 ounces uncooked pasta)
  • 6 tablespoons (1 1/2 ounces) shaved Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese
  • Parsley sprigs (optional)

Preparation

Preheat broiler.

Cut bell peppers in half lengthwise; discard seeds and membranes. Place pepper halves, skin sides up, on a foil-lined baking sheet; flatten with hand. Broil 10 minutes or until blackened. Place in a zip-top plastic bag; seal. Let stand 10 minutes. Peel and cut into thin strips.

Combine olives and next 6 ingredients (olives through black pepper) in a bowl. Add bell pepper strips and chopped parsley; toss gently to combine.

Cook prosciutto in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat 3 minutes or until crisp; remove from pan. Add bell pepper mixture to pan; cook over low heat 3 minutes or until heated.

Place pasta in a large bowl. Add bell pepper mixture and prosciutto; toss gently to combine. Sprinkle with cheese. Garnish with parsley sprigs, if desired.

Cooking Light SEPTEMBER 2002

Pumpkin Spice-Cream

Spiced with cinnamon, ginger, and nutmeg, this make-ahead dessert tastes like pumpkin pie; crumbled biscotti adds a crusty crunch. This will keep in the freezer for up to four days.

Pumpkin Spice-Cream Photo by: Becky Luigart-Stayner; Lydia DeGaris-Pursell and Jan Gautro

Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 cups 1% low-fat milk, divided
  • 2 tablespoons dark brown sugar
  • 2 large egg yolks
  • 1 (14-ounce) can fat-free sweetened condensed milk
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 1/8 teaspoon ground ginger
  • 1/8 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • Dash of salt
  • 1 cup canned pumpkin
  • 1 (8-ounce) carton reduced-fat sour cream
  • 2 commercial biscotti, crumbled (about 3/4 cup)

Preparation

Combine 1 cup 1% milk and brown sugar in a medium, heavy saucepan, and heat to 180° or until tiny bubbles form around edge (do not boil). Remove from heat.

Place egg yolks in a bowl. Gradually add hot milk mixture to egg yolks, stirring constantly with a whisk. Place mixture in pan. Cook over medium heat until mixture coats a metal spoon (about 4 minutes), stirring constantly. Drain custard through a sieve into a bowl; discard solids.

Combine 1/2 cup 1% milk, sweetened condensed milk, and next 5 ingredients (sweetened condensed milk through salt) in a medium bowl. Stir in pumpkin. Gradually add custard, stirring with a whisk. Cover and chill at least 8 hours.

Combine 1/2 cup pumpkin mixture and sour cream, stirring well with a whisk. Add sour cream mixture to chilled pumpkin mixture, and stir until well blended. Pour the mixture into freezer can of an ice-cream freezer, and freeze according to manufacturer's instructions.

Spoon ice cream into a freezer-safe container; fold in crumbled biscotti. Cover and freeze 1 hour or until firm.

Cooking Light SEPTEMBER 2002

Baby Vegetable Antipasto

The vegetables can marinate for a couple of hours, so all you'll have to do at party time is arrange them on a platter and top with olives and cheese. Immediately place the prepared vegetables in the marinade so they won't discolor. Be sure to use fresh mozzarella, which comes packed in water and is usually found with the specialty cheeses. Coarsely chop leftovers and toss with pasta for a cold salad.

Baby Vegetable Antipasto

Ingredients

  • Marinade:
  • 1 tablespoon chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
  • 1 tablespoon chopped fresh basil
  • 3 tablespoons white wine vinegar
  • 2 teaspoons extra-virgin olive oil
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • Dash of sugar
  • Dash of freshly ground black pepper
  • 1 garlic clove, crushed
  • Vegetables:
  • 8 baby artichokes (about 1 1/2 pounds)
  • 20 small red potatoes (about 12 ounces)
  • 3 bunches baby carrots, with tops (about 1 1/2 pounds), peeled
  • 2 bunches small radishes, with tops (about 1 1/2 pounds)
  • 1 cup torn radicchio
  • 1 head Belgian endive, separated into leaves (about 4 ounces)
  • Remaining Ingredients:
  • 20 pitted ripe olives
  • 3 ounces fresh mozzarella cheese, torn into bite-sized pieces

Preparation

To prepare marinade, combine first 8 ingredients in a bowl; stir well with a whisk.

To prepare vegetables, working with 1 artichoke at a time, cut off stem to the base. Remove bottom leaves and tough outer leaves, leaving tender heart and bottom; trim about 1 inch from top of artichoke. Steam artichokes, covered, 20 minutes or until tender; cool to room temperature. Cut artichokes in half lengthwise. Remove fuzzy thistle from bottom with a spoon.

Steam potatoes, covered, 6 minutes or until tender. Cool to room temperature.

Trim carrot stems to 2 inches. Steam carrots, covered, for 20 seconds. Plunge into ice water; drain well.

Trim radish tops to 1 inch.

Place artichokes, potatoes, carrots, radishes, radicchio,and endive in a large bowl. Drizzle with marinade; toss gently to coat. Cover and marinate in refrigerator 2 hours.

Arrange vegetables on a platter; top with olives and cheese.

Wine Note: Serve the Baby Vegetable Antipasto and Rosemary-Scented Flatbread with Black Grapes with a light, snappy white like Pino and Toi from the producer Maculan. A blend of Pinot Grigio, Pinot Bianco, Tacai, and Chardonnay, the 2001 is $10. Other good bets: Italian Gavi or Orvieto.

Cooking Light SEPTEMBER 2002

Formal Menu Top Entertaining with Ease

Fresh Tomato Soup

Rosemary-Scented Flatbread with Black Grapes

Sage, Bay, and Garlic Dipping Oil

Basil Dipping Oil

Three-Pepper Dipping Oil

Roasted Pepper, Kalamata, and Prosciutto Pasta

Pumpkin Spice-Cream

Baby Vegetable Antipasto

Cooking Light

Formal Menu Bottom

Shopping List for Entertaining with Ease

Everything you need for an impromptu alfresco dinner. (Serves 6)

Shopping List:

Baking

  • 3 1/4 cups all-purpose flour, divided
  • 1 teaspoon sugar
  • 1 package dry yeast (about 2 1/4 teaspoons)
  • 1/2 cup white cornmeal
  • 2 tablespoons dark brown sugar
  • 1 (14-ounce) can fat-free sweetened condensed milk
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • Dash of sugar

Canned

  • 3 (14 1/2-ounce) cans fat-free, less-sodium chicken broth

Dairy

  • 1 1/2 cups 1% low-fat milk, divided
  • 2 large egg yolks

Other

  • 1 1/4 cups warm water (100° to 110°)
  • Marinade:

Produce

  • 1 cup chopped onion
  • 6 cups chopped plum tomato (about 1 1/2 pounds)
  • 2 garlic cloves, crushed
  • 7 cups chopped seeded peeled plum tomato (about 1 3/4 pounds)
  • 2 garlic cloves, crushed
  • 2 cups chopped fresh basil leaves (about 2 [3/4-ounce] packages)
  • 1 pepperoncini pepper, halved lengthwise
  • 3 red bell peppers (about 1 1/2 pounds)
  • 1 yellow bell pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon grated lemon rind
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice
  • 1 tablespoon chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
  • 1 tablespoon chopped fresh basil
  • 1 garlic clove, crushed

Spices

  • 1 teaspoon olive oil
  • 1 1/4 teaspoons salt, divided
  • 1/2 cup olive oil
  • 1/2 cup olive oil
  • 1/3 cup pitted kalamata olives, quartered
  • 2 tablespoons capers
  • 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 3 tablespoons white wine vinegar
  • 2 teaspoons extra-virgin olive oil
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • Dash of freshly ground black pepper

Recipe List

Fresh Tomato Soup

Rosemary-Scented Flatbread with Black Grapes

Sage, Bay, and Garlic Dipping Oil

Basil Dipping Oil

Three-Pepper Dipping Oil

Roasted Pepper, Kalamata, and Prosciutto Pasta

Pumpkin Spice-Cream

Baby Vegetable Antipasto

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Entertaining with Ease
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