Blog | reluctantentertainer.com Reluctant Entertainer I Sandy Coughlin - Lifestyle, Entertaining, Food, Recipes, Hospitality and Gardening

May 8

Creating a Cheat Sheet for Easy Entertaining

written by Sandy posted under kitchen tips

How many times when we entertain do we forget something? Most the time it isn’t anything huge or essential, but it would have made the “entertaining moment” more special if we had only remembered.

I recently came across this very cool Entertaining Cheat-Sheet by Lulu Powers. I am including it here, to encourage you to either print it out or to come up with your own list that works for you.

Tape it inside your kitchen cupboards for easy access when you want to make sure you have “done everything.”

I do think entertaining is like a muscle, that the more you do it the easier it becomes. So eventually you may not need your little list.

By the way, if you are a reluctant entertainer, don’t forget you can also print out my 10 Commandments that can be hung in your kitchen to help remind you that entertaining is easy! (FREE print out, HERE.)

It has so much meaning and lifelong rewards that come from it.

Do you have a hard time remembering everything when you entertain, or what is your method for keeping track of what you want to accomplish?

6 Comments

May 7

Cook for Mom Mother’s Day KitchenAid Giveaway

written by Sandy posted under giveaways & gadgets, sponsored post

The Cook for Your Mom Campaign encourages us to skip the crowded restaurants this year and make our mothers a home-cooked meal. If I could, I would, because it shows that your mom is really worth the time. By saying, “thank you, Mom,” you’ll also be teaching your children, passing down the gift of hospitality to them.

When I think of my mom, three words come to mind: hospitable, warm, and loving.

I wrote about her in my book, The Reluctant Entertainer, of which I’m giving away a signed copy today, a perfect gift idea for Mother’s Day. I was fortunate growing up, because my mother passed on to me the gift of loving people through hospitality. My mom didn’t get caught up in over-commitments or impressing others with over-the-top entertaining. In fact, she didn’t rely on TV, magazines, or the internet for entertaining ideas. She just used her beautiful elegant China, a few favorite cook books and aprons, and a closet with starched linens ready to be spread for her dinner guests. Mom just knew the heart of hospitality and she didn’t overcomplicate it: simplicity and love.

She was my role model years ago. And then when I was in my early 30s, breast cancer attacked my mom, and then ovarian cancer, eventually taking her life. I had 3 small children and it was a hard time in my life. (Mom passed away 9 months after this picture was taken.)

I’m thankful for many gifts that my mother passed down to me, and since “cancer” hit our family, twice, I appreciate that KitchenAid has supported the Susan G. Komen for the Cure with their Cook for the Cure Project by making donations off every pink appliance sold, and inspiring us to join the fight against breast cancer, for our moms, and for us all.

Today one lucky winner will win all 3 of these items:

-A pink 5-speed KitchenAid blender, which each one sold provides a donation to aid the fight against breast cancer.
-A Hip Hostess pink cafe apron (you can buy with a discount, details below)
-A signed copy of, The Reluctant Entertainer

The Hip Hostess is offering 20% off everything in The Hip Hostess Etsy Shop, or 20% off an entire order from The Hip Hostess website. What a deal to surprise our mom with a brand new beautiful apron! (Use promo code: PINKRE at the check out for both.)

You can purchase The Reluctant Entertainer for mom on Amazon, here, or if you want a “signed copy,” click, here.

How to enter to win the above 3 items:

Leave a comment describing who in your life has taught you the most about hospitality?

For additional entries:

Follow KitchenAid on Facebook and/or Twitter.
Follow The Hip Hostess on Facebook and/or Twitter.
Follow Reluctant Entertainer by: Email, RSS, Facebook, Pinterst and/or Twitter (@SandyCoughlinRE)
Pin on Pinterest
Share on Facebook (with a link)
Tweet This:

Win this lovely @KitchenAidUSA blender & @TheHipHostess apron on @SandyCoughlinRE #CookForMom Enter Here: http://su.pr/2SSJm4

Leave a separate comment for each entry ~ 12 possible entries per person!

*** CONTEST IS NOW CLOSED ***

This giveaway will close on May 9, 2012 at midnight. Winner announced on May 10 2012 on RE. US residents only.

KitchenAid provided the blender for this post, but all opinions are my own.

850 Comments

May 4

Saving Money by Slicing Your Own Turkey Breast

written by Sandy posted under kitchen tips

Sometimes I’m just a creature of old habits. That’s why once in a while it’s fun to shop with a friend, because you can get fresh ideas for new food items or techniques.

Since I started using my KitchenAid food processor more, I’ve been trying to be more cost effective with as many food items as possible.

For example, with 3 teens in our household, we go through a lot of deli meats. Mostly turkey, because the kids are all health-conscious and it has less fat and is better for you.

In the past I went for “convenient” and bought the pre-sliced turkey at Costco. Until I really looked at the cost.

Pre-sliced turkey breast – $6.79 lb.

Whole turkey breast meat – $3.99 lb.

My husband had a great idea, to add onion and celery to the meat as we slice it up, for better flavor.

This time I snuck in a cucumber.

Add the sliced meat to a Ziploc bag, date, and put in the fridge for all to enjoy.

Oh, and for the kids who don’t like the veggies, they are easy enough to pick out.

Do you ever get into a habit of buying out of convenience, or are you always a smart shopper?

15 Comments

May 3

Texas Caviar Bean Dip for Cinco de Mayo Day

written by Sandy posted under appetizer, beans, food & recipes

Are you entertaining a crowd for Cinco de Mayo this weekend? Or have you been invited out?

For us, the latter. We’re happy to be biting into our friends delicious cooking, but we’re also contributing to the meal. I’ll be taking one of our family-favorite recipes that can used as a salad, or as a dip!

You hear, The Secret is in the Sauce, which is true for this recipe. It involves some prepping, and a tiny bit of cooking, but overall the time involved is well worth it.

Margaritas, bowls of guacamole and chips, tacos and the gathering of good friends are all signs of a successful Cinco de Mayo fiesta.

What’s your favorite Mexican dish to take to a party?

Recipe: Texas Caviar Bean Dip {ReluctantEntertainer.com}

Summary: Salad or dip recipe from the book, The Reluctant Entertainer

Ingredients

2 (15 oz.) cans Bush’s black beans, rinsed and drained
2 (15 oz.) cans Bush’s pinto beans, rinsed and drained
1 (15 oz.) can Bush’s cannellini beans
2 (15 oz.) cans white corn, rinsed and drained
1 (4 oz.) can chopped green chilies, do not drain
1 jalapeno chile pepper, seeded and finely chopped (optional)
1 red bell pepper, cored, seeded, and finely chopped
1 green bell pepper, cored, seeded, and finely chopped
1 small red onion, finely chopped
2-3 stalks celery, finely chopped
1 bunch cilantro leaves, finely chopped
1/2 cup rice vinegar
1/2 cup olive oil
1/3 cup white sugar
1/4 tsp. cumin
1/2 tsp. garlic powder
1-2 avocados (optional)

Instructions

In a large bowl, mix the black beans, pinto beans, white corn, green chilies, jalapeno, red and green peppers, red onion, celery, and cilantro together.
To make the dressing, stir the rice vinegar, olive oil, sugar, cumin, and garlic powder together in a small saucepan. Bring to a boil, then remove from heat and cool. Pour dressing over bean mixture and toss to mix evenly.

Preparation time: 15 minute(s)

Cooking time: 5 minute(s)

Number of servings (yield): 12

This recipe is included in my book, The Reluctant Entertainer, a great gift idea for Mother’s Day which is right around the corner! If you want a signed copy, go here. If you want to buy on Amazon, go here. The winner to the KitchenAid Stand Mixer giveaway is: Richella.

10 Comments

May 2

Hosting a Butterfly Mother’s Day Luncheon with Celebrate Magazine

written by Sandy posted under decor & creativity, parties & gatherings

A few weeks ago, my friend Jeannie brought me a beautiful springy basket of flowers, and off to the side was a small paper-thin butterfly.

Butterflies are very elegant and I find them so fascinating, with their vibrant colors so spectacular, all created with different patterns, and the way they flit around so gracefully.

Phyllis Hoffman from Celebrate Magazine, creates party inspiration for every occasion, this month encouraging mothers, grandmothers, daughters, and sisters to come together for a lovely springtime luncheon for all ages.

If you notice, the theme throughout this elegant luncheon is butterflies. (Love the classy chair.)

The butterfly has long been a Christian symbol of resurrection, for it disappears into a cocoon and appears dead, but emerges later far more beautiful and powerful than before.

The butterfly is also a symbol of hope.

How beautiful is that?

Keeping the Mother’s Day theme in mind, Celebrate offers printables that are simple and helpful:

Pre-planned menu

Blank menu

Mother’s Day place cards

What’s cool is that you can come up with your own menu, or you can use some of their recipes. Or you can follow the recipe menu for this particular party found in the Spring 2012 issue.

So lovely!

Have you considered hosting a Mother’s Day Luncheon this year, and if so, have you ever used printables?

(Celebrate Magazine did not sponsor this post today, but they did do a lovely book review of, The Reluctant Entertainer, a nice gift idea for Mother’s Day. Thank you, Celebrate Mag!)

5 Comments

May 1

Last-Minute Pesto Tartine Appetizer

written by Sandy posted under appetizer, food & recipes, garden & canning & freezing

I cannot tell you how excited I am for our garden this year. Especially for basil that will be filling up our herb trough, bright in color, so heavily scented that I could bath in it. LOL.

Don’t you love the smell of fresh basil?

More exciting than the scent, though, is the recipe I’m sharing today. It’s so easy! And we can all use new, refreshing, easy appetizer recipes – perfect for last-minute get togethers or when you’re invited to someone’s house.

Bring an appetizer and wine! I love those words, especially when I have something so simple in mind.

Last weekend I made this simple appetizer for a party that we attended. For me, simple, light appetizers always taste better than heavy ones, so I made Goat Cheese Pesto Tartines.

Tartine: A French word that means open-face sandwich.

Basil season can’t come soon enough, but in the meantime, I used store-bought pesto.

It’s convenient and perfect for “last-minute” and honestly, not everyone has time to whip up fresh basil.

Do you make your own pesto or do you sometimes splurge and buy store-bought?

Recipe: Pesto Tartine Appetizer {ReluctantEntertainer.com}

Ingredients

4 ounces softened goat cheese
1 fresh loaf baguette bread
1/2 cup pesto

Instructions

Slice the baguette bread into 1/2-inch slices.
Spread the softened goat cheese on baguette slices.
Top and spread each piece with a 1 tablespoon of pesto.
Serve.

Preparation time: 5 minute(s)

Number of servings (yield): 4

6 Comments

Apr 30

Spring has Sprung KitchenAid Stand Mixer Giveaway

written by Sandy posted under giveaways & gadgets, sponsored post

Spring has sprung in southern Oregon and it’s beautiful in our neck of the woods. I wish I could bottle up a little of our spring and pass it on.

But today, instead of sending the fresh flowers and sunshine, I want to send one lucky winner some happiness, delivered right to your front door.

A little springy something, I might add.

One lucky winner will win:

-Frosted Pearl 5-qt. Artisan Stand Mixer by KitchenAid
-A copy of my book, The Reluctant Entertainer
-One-of-a-kind apron from The Hip Hostess.

This beautiful KitchenAid Stand Mixer, in the new pearl white, is one of the new vibrant color choices that KitchenAid is offering in their high performance appliance collection, which also includes blenders, food choppers, hand blenders and hand mixers in Crystal Blue, Green Apple, Majestic Yellow and Tangerine.

Like all KitchenAid® Stand Mixers, Artisan® Series models have a power hub that accommodates more than a dozen attachments for making everything from pasta and ice cream to sausage.

My friend Debbie, owner of The Hip Hostess apron site, has been a part of RE since I started blogging back in 2006. This time she is giving away a beautiful apron just like the one I’m wearing, except with black rick-rack.

Isn’t it darling?

I love the fit. And you can get more custom designs by visiting The Hip Hostess Etsy Shop!

Check it out!

I’m happy to also give away a signed copy of my book, The Reluctant Entertainer. It’s a perfect gift idea — or if you are a reluctant hostess, you’ll find encouraging words in the pages, just for you!

ANSWER this question to WIN:

If you win this beautiful gift today, what will be the first thing you’d make with your new KitchenAid Stand Mixer (and of course, as you’re wearing your new apron)?

Optional Entries: (You must leave a separate comment for EACH additional entry to count)

1. Follow Sandy Coughlin on TWITTER (@SandyCoughlinRE)
2. RT the following:

Win @KitchenAidUSA stand up mixer & @TheHipHostess apron today @SandyCoughlinRE http://su.pr/1FzLKE #giveaway

3. Follow KitchenAid on TWITTER (@KitchenAidUSA)
4. Follow Sandy Coughlin on PINTEREST and PIN one of these photos from this post.
5. Like Reluctant Entertainer page on FACEBOOK.
6. Like The Hip Hostess on FACEBOOK.
7. Like KitchenAid page on FACEBOOK. Leave a comment on their wall telling them that Reluctant Entertainer sent you.
8. Become a NEW follower of RE blog (sign up for daily updates delivered to your email box; sidebar of RE, enter your email address)

Good luck, Friends! Contest will close Wed. May 2nd 2012, at midnight.

**CONTEST IS NOW CLOSED**

Frosted Pearl Artisan® Series Stand Mixer’s suggested retail prices is $399.99. KitchenAid is providing the mixer, The Hip Hostess is providing the custom apron, and I am giving away a copy of my book. I was not paid to write this post or host this giveaway today. USA residents, only, please.

2,419 Comments

Apr 27

Entertaining with Canning Jars, Greek Yogurt and Granola

written by Sandy posted under breakfast, food & recipes, parties & gatherings

I love Fridays. And easy posts that have simple entertaining ideas!

If you read my post earlier this week on how to make delicious granola, today I’m sharing a simple breakfast (or snack) entertaining idea.

It’s really fun for kids, especially with smaller portions.

Ingredients:
Greek yogurt
Honey
Granola
Strawberry (or fruit) for garnish

Take small (1/2 pint) canning jars (no lids).

Fill with Greek yogurt.

Drizzle with honey.

Sprinkle with 1-2 inches of granola. (Homemade is best!)

Garnish with a beautiful piece of fruit.

And serve on a tray with other fruit!

Happy weekend, friends.

What will you be doing this weekend?

I’ll be doing something really fun which I plan to share about later.

Also, come back on Monday for an exciting KitchenAid Stand Mixer giveaway with a couple other cool items!

8 Comments

Apr 26

Hospitality that Drips with Soul & Rachael Ray’s Double-Batch Classic Bolognese

written by Sandy posted under food & recipes, hospitality & inspiration, main dish, sponsored post

Hospitality in our home is usually centered on food. With a very busy life, the best situation for connecting with people is around a meal.

But even if it’s just a glass of iced tea, or an evening with dessert – with our without a full meal – we’ve found that cherished time with friends is just about being together.

About a month ago we entertained, but this time instead of a formal meal, we made Rachael Ray’s Classic Bolognese and served it buffet style. It was perfect for adults, and perfect for kids, one tip being that you can hide the chopped carrots as you mix them into the spaghetti sauce.

And who would ever know there are chicken livers in this recipe? I’m telling you, even though they are optional, they MADE the flavor come alive!

We stacked the plates on the counter, put the food in one place, we gathered around and everyone filled their own dishes with pasta, sauce, salad, and homemade bread.

Our friends who came for dinner brought a level of excitement to our family. They are fun, full of life, ask lots of questions, and they really engage with our kids.

We turn up the volume of music, there seems to be a lot of laughter, but also serious talk of meaningful things, and in a sense, I’d say our evening “dripped with soul.”

Have you ever thought about this? That your family unit revolves around who you are as individuals and not around what you have?

It’s the people, the relationships, not the “stuff,” that makes for a great time.

Which, by the way, I was fortunate to have this exact conversation with Rachael Ray this past month in NYC at an event hosted by Rachael Ray and Ziploc Brand to promote the FreshOver program. I had to pinch myself over the fact that I was really talking to Rachael, but it was true! Many of my friends have asked me if she’s the “real deal,” and my answer is, “yes, yes, yes!”

We had similar views of entertaining, bringing friends together, the importance of putting our imperfections aside and focusing on the people. We actually talked about our gardens, too!

Here’s what Rachael shared with the group:

-Rachael Ray wanted to get involved in the Ziploc Brand FreshOver program because she’s concerned about the obesity epidemic in our country.

-She LOVES what Ziploc Brand is doing for families and that they care and have a heart.

-She’s an AVID Ziploc Brand user, including the new Perfect Portions bags.

-She encourages moms to go food shopping with their kids and suggests they teach their children to “pick a color” when shopping for vegetables.

Me with Rachael Ray, Audrey from Mom Generations and my Party BluPrint friends, Elizabeth and Dawn. (Photo Courtesy of Gary He)

Because of Ziploc Brand and Rachael’s approach to fresh eating, I thought you’d be interested in this recent survey:

The Ziploc Fresh Eating survey ranked the top-50 cities across the US on whether their residents tend to eat fresh and captured their attitudes towards eating fresh. Additionally, the results include other stats such as how often people eat fresh foods, what time in the day they are likely to eat junk food, whether or not they grow fruits and vegetables etc.

I thought it was a very informative and interesting study!

Also, don’t forget you can participate in the Rachael Ray Sweepstakes taking place until May 5th:

Ziploc is hosting The Great American FreshOver Sweepstakes from February 29, 2012 through May 5, 2012. Fans can enter on the Ziploc Brand Facebook page by “liking” the page, entering The Great American FreshOver app on the page and offering a FreshOver food idea, in the form of a recipe or tip in text. During the sweepstakes, fans will be rewarded with access to exclusive Rachael Ray videos and tips, weekly prize drawings, coupons and one lucky grand prize winner will win a trip for two to experience the ultimate culinary experience in America’s food capital – New York City. Grand prize winners will stay in New York City for three nights and four days, can eat at the most sought after “fresh” restaurants and swap recipes with Rachael Ray. No purchase or payment of any kind is necessary to participate.

Now, back to entertaining, this yummy Classic Bolognese recipe, inviting others in and showing hospitality … it’s something to really ponder.

Would you say your home life? drips with soul? And what kind of meal would you serve if wanting to accomplish a night like I shared above? Or how would you serve it?

Recipe: Rachael Ray’s Double-Batch Classic Bolognese {ReluctantEntertainer.com}

Ingredients

2 cups whole milk
1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
1/4 pound pancetta, finely diced
4 ounces trimmed chicken livers, finely diced, optional, but recommended
2 small onions, finely chopped
2 small ribs celery, finely chopped, with leafy tops
1 large carrot, peeled and finely chopped
6 cloves garlic, chopped
2 small sprigs fresh rosemary, leaves finely chopped
2 fresh bay leaves
2 1/2 pounds ground beef (chuck or sirloin) and veal
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
Freshly grated nutmeg
2 pinches ground cloves
1 1/2 cups dry white wine (about 1/3 bottle)
2 cups beef stock
2 cups chicken or vegetable stock
2 (28-ounce) cans Italian pureed tomatoes
1 pound egg tagliatelle or bucatini pasta
3 tablespoons butter
Grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese

Instructions

Rachael Ray’s Double-Batch Classic Bolognese
Warm 2 cups milk in small pot over lowest heat.
Heat 1/4 cup olive oil in a large Dutch oven over medium to medium-high heat. Add the pancetta and cook until lightly brown. Then add the chicken livers, and cook almost through. Add the onions, celery, carrots, garlic, rosemary, and bay leaves, and cook until tender, 10 minutes.
Add the ground meat and cook through breaking into pieces, but do not brown. Season with salt, pepper, nutmeg, clove, and stir in the wine and allow it to cook into the meat, 2 to 3 minutes.
Add the warm milk to the meat and allow it to absorb into the meat for 1 minute. Stir in the beef stock, vegetable stock, and tomatoes. Bring to a simmer, then reduce the heat and simmer over low heat for 2 hours, stirring occasionally.
Divide the sauce in 1/2, cool, and freeze one batch. Cool and store the remainder for a make-ahead meal within the week.
Alternately, cook pasta to al dente, thin the sauce a bit with a bit of starchy pasta water and toss with pasta dressed with butter to combine.
Top with grated cheese and chopped celery leaves. Serve with green salad.
TIP: For picky eaters, finely chop carrots and mix them into spaghetti sauce.

Preparation time: 1 hour(s) 40 minute(s)

Cooking time: 2 hour(s) 20 minute(s)

Number of servings (yield): 4

5 Comments

Apr 25

Fresh Homemade Fruit and Nut Granola on my Kitchen Counter Makes me Happy

written by Sandy posted under breakfast, food & recipes

A few months back I received a text from my friend, a mom of 3 little tikes who lives in Portland, with this picture, saying:

Fresh granola on my kitchen counter makes me happy.

We often send text messages to each other with pictures of food we are eating, cooking, sharing with others. It’s a way we stay in touch. I loved her granola pic, too, because deep in our hearts, we both love to make as much homemade foods as possible for our kids (3 under the age of 6; 3 over the age of 15).

Steph also inspired me to start making my own granola, and once I got into the routine, it not only provided a great snack (and breakfast) for the family, but it saved us a bunch of money!

Store-bought granola is way overpriced.

And often too sweet, according to my tastes. So you’re going to love this recipe today. Which, by the way, you can play around with the recipe and add in your favorite nuts or fruits, double up on the liquid if you need to.

My recipe is a generic recipe, but one thing that I learned was to not use Quick Oats, but to instead use the Old-Fashioned Rolled Oats. I hand-chopped my almonds and walnuts, because we like the larger chunks, and the first time I used cranberries and golden raisins. I basically mixed it all together in a big bowl, decided I needed more liquid, and doubled that.

I ended up cooking the granola at 250 for over an hour. You can cook it (stirring every 20 minutes) to whatever texture you like for your own household.

Another thought about granola: If you’re going through all the work of making it, make enough to keep your family satisfied! A small recipe only begs the question of:

Mom, when are you making more granola?

And guess who loves it the most in our family? Yup! Mom bags it up in Ziploc gallon bags for our college student.

It’s a simple little care package full of homemade love!

What’s homemade on your kitchen counter that makes your family happy?

Recipe: Fruit, Coconut and Nut Granola {ReluctantEntertainer.com}

Ingredients

1/2 cup maple syrup
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
3/4 cup vegetable oil
2-3 tsp. vanilla
1 tsp. Sea Salt
7 cups Old-Fashioned Rolled Oats
2 cups coconut
3 cups whole almonds, chopped
3 cups whole walnuts, chopped
2-3 cups dried fruit, such as cranberries, golden raisins, or cherries

Instructions

Heat oven to 250 degrees. Line 2 rimmed backing sheets with parchment paper.
Mix all dry ingredients together in a large bowl, except the dried fruit (will add in later).
Whisk the first 5 ingredients together. Pour over the dry ingredients. Mix well with a wooden spoon.
Transfer the mixture to the baking sheets, baking on 2 oven levels, stirring every 15-20 minutes. After 40 minutes, swap pans on the oven racks.
Bake for 60-80 minutes until granola is the consistency that you like.
Remove granola from the oven and cool on cooling racks for an hour before stirring in the dried fruit.
Using an airtight container, you can store on your kitchen counter for up to 2 weeks (if it lasts that long).

Preparation time: 5 minute(s)

Cooking time: 1 hour(s) 20 minute(s)

Number of servings (yield): 12