We’re all familiar with Julia Child and her famous quote, “No matter what happens in the kitchen, never apologize.” A couple years ago I wrote a 5-part series on “no apologizing” for the holiday season, and why apologizing in the kitchen hurts us.

Apologizing for our culinary mistakes, or anything that goes wrong with the meal, only draws attention to ourselves, and pulls away from the enjoyment of the meal.

Looking good.

I think we worry too much about looking good in the eyes of others, so when a mishap happens in the kitchen, our first thought is on ourselves and what others will think of us. One of the best gifts I’ve learned is to finally be able to laugh at my own mistakes, and realize that I really do not need to apologize to anyone. Cooking mistakes happen! Laugh and let go!

Holiday menu.

I’ve included some yummy holiday recipes in this 5-part series; an overall delicious holiday menu! (more…)

The post Holiday Menu with Sweet and Spicy Pecans appeared first on Reluctant Entertainer.

Learning to be authentic and real when you make a mistake takes humility.

Can you admit you made an error, and then move on? For those who struggle with this, you have to “forgive yourself” for not being perfect (who is really perfect?), admit your fault, and then move on.

Or, you’re a few minutes behind. Don’t apologize over and over.

Maybe you’re trying a new recipe, or you got a late start. It’s okay! Just don’t shine light on the fact that you are running behind. It actually makes your guests feel nervous and uncomfortable when the hostess brings attention to her struggles.

What to do
Let’s say these easy baked potatoes come out of the microwave, and you drop the entire pan. The cooked potatoes are rolling all over your not-so-clean floor. (That would be mine!)

Your guests are coming in 30 minutes.

See if you can create a diversion.

– Pick up the potatoes
– Wipe them off with a paper towel
– Proceed with the recipe

You really have no choice, unless you want to put more potatoes in the oven and push dinner back 1/2 hour.

What not to do
By all means, DO NOT TELL ANYONE that you dropped the potatoes. Move on! Enjoy the evening with your friends.

Even if your guests see your mishap, make light of it and move on. Say, “20-second rule” and smile big!

Everyone makes mistakes in the kitchen, even the most experience chefs. So for me, as a home cook, that makes me feel a lot better.

Again, no apologizing for the holidays is the goal to have. It will take a lot of pressure off of yourself as you realize you are human, you make mistakes, and everyone else does, too!

Our imperfections and failures can be a blessing to others
What? My culinary mistakes can actually bless others? Yes, because that is not why people are coming over – to critique, criticize, watch every move we make. Or look in our closets or cupboards, monitor our kids’ behaviors, check behind the couches or in pantries.

They are coming to visit us and our family.

When you make a culinary mistake, do you feel you need to apologize to everyone?

This recipe today is so easy for a dinner party! TIP: Pre-bake potatoes, heating on a plate in the microwave right before serving.

Print

Easy Pesto Baked Potatoes

Easy TIP: Pre-bake potatoes, heating on a plate in the microwave right before serving.

Prep Time 10 minutes minutes

Cook Time 1 hour hour

Total Time 1 hour hour 10 minutes minutes

Servings 6

Author Sandy Coughlin

Ingredients

• 6 medium baked potatoes
• 1/2 cup ready-made pesto
• 6 small bocconcini mozzarella balls, chopped

Instructions

• Wash potatoes and rub the outside with butter. Place on a cookie sheet and bake at 375 for 1 hour (or until soft when you squeeze them or pierce with a fork).
• Mix together the pesto and bocconcini in a small dish.
• Remove the potatoes from the heat, slash a cross in the tops, and carefully squeeze each potato gently to open it up. Lightly salt and pepper each potato.
• Fill each potato with the pesto mixture and serve immediately.
• Make it Easy: Pre-bake potatoes, heating on a plate in the microwave right before serving.

REVIEW all 5 posts and fabulous recipes:

Day 1: The Purpose of the Home, Roasted Grapes & Fresh Rosemary
Day 2: Culinary Mistakes and Beauchamp Orchard Salad
Day 3: Learning to be Authentic and Pesto Baked Potatoes
Day 4: Don’t Plan for Perfection and Crusted Pepper Prime Rib
Day 5: Laugh at Your Mistakes with Holiday Poached Pears

Photos in this post by David Gibb Photography.

The post Easy Pesto Baked Potatoes Recipe appeared first on Reluctant Entertainer.

I’m so glad you are joining me the next 5 days, as I share about a “No Apologizing Holiday Season” and a menu with 5 holiday recipes! Today I’m sharing an easy appetizer recipe.

But let’s first start with the home. The purpose of the home—is it only for our own comfort, or is it also for sharing with others, imperfections and all?

The holidays can be a wonderful time for many, in opening our homes for parties, meals, and traditions.

But can we do it without apologizing for something?

I’m sorry for …
The last 21 years of marriage, my husband and I have opened our home to others. Our first humble home was 1100 square feet, but we still managed to invite families over for dinner. The adults would sit in the small dining room and we’d be creative with the little kids. I was thankful that we even had a home – a place where we could share the common life together with friends and family, usually around a very simple meal.

Then we moved to a slightly bigger home, but it still had a small dining room, and other reasons why we shouldn’t entertain.

But, we did it anyway.

Our house is larger now, but along the way, I’ve learned to look beyond the size of my home and the things that embarrassed me.

Embarrassed me? Seriously, that was very small thinking.

If friends are truly our friends, they are not coming to our home to judge or criticize, or … compare. If they are, then they are the ones with the problem.

The crazy excuses in our heads
We have to get over the excuses that stop us from experiencing joy and fellowship with others.

-The house needs painting.
-The carpet is stained.
-The furniture is old and falling apart.
-I’m a horrible cook.

When we think this way, hospitality actually becomes more about us, and less about others. Less about the real reasons we should be sharing our home.

Once we get that through our heads, we experience freedom. I promise, it works!

Focus on what you love
Take what you LOVE about your home, and expound on that. Focus on what you LOVE about your home.

For me, I love our intimate, cozy living room. This is the place where our guests gather for appetizers.

It’s very small, but you can see that it’s intimate and people have a good time.

Easy appetizer
If you’re unsure about an appetizer to make, stick with what you know. One of the best appetizers ever includes:

-Fresh fruit.
-A hunk of delicious cheese.
-Crispy, salty crackers

It’s really the easy!

Familiarity will boost your confidence.

Another festive holiday recipe for appetizers is to roast red grapes. Red grapes are an easy fruit to keep on hand, and it only takes few minutes to pop in the oven, and to serve with goat cheese and warm crostini.

Don’t forget to finely chop rosemary and sprinkle on top. Tasty and your guests will love you!

Or, you can always ask your guests to bring the appetizer!

What apologies do you make for your home?

Print

Roasted Red Grapes and Rosemary Appetizer

Course Appetizer

Cuisine American

Prep Time 5 minutes minutes

Cook Time 10 minutes minutes

Total Time 15 minutes minutes

Servings 8

Author Sandy Coughlin

Ingredients

• 1 bunch Seedless red grapes
• Fresh rosemary
• Olive Oil drizzle
• Kosher salt and black pepper

Instructions

• Preheat oven to 450 degrees.
• Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
• Carefully toss the grapes with olive oil, salt, pepper and small amount of chopped rosemary. Roast for 10 minutes.
• Serve warm on crostini spread with a light layer of goat cheese. Garnish with rosemary twigs.

REVIEW all 5 posts and fabulous recipes:

Day 1: The Purpose of the Home, Roasted Grapes & Fresh Rosemary
Day 2: Culinary Mistakes and Beauchamp Orchard Salad
Day 3: Learning to be Authentic and Pesto Baked Potatoes
Day 4: Don’t Plan for Perfection and Crusted Pepper Prime Rib
Day 5: Laugh at Your Mistakes with Holiday Poached Pears

Photos in this post by David Gibb Photography.

The post No Apologizing Holiday Season – The Purpose of the Home, Roasted Red Grapes & Rosemary Appetizer appeared first on Reluctant Entertainer.

No excuses, no apologies – Julia Child

We’re all familiar with Julia Child and her famous quote, “No matter what happens in the kitchen, never apologize.”

This next week I’ll be sharing, Monday through Friday, 5 posts on why apologizing in the kitchen during holiday entertaining hurts us.

I’ll be looking at ways we can thinking differently about our situation and ourselves, and how to get over the failure or mistake quickly.

I’ll also be sharing 5 fantastic recipes, that will help you plan a small dinner party!

That is, if you promise to not apologize – even once – to anyone! :)

-Roasted Grapes and Fresh Rosemary
-Beauchamp Orchard Salad
-Pesto Baked Potatoes
-Perfect Prime Rib
-Holiday Pears

Love, encouragement, permission to experience a better life – through people and food. Isn’t that what we all want?

Eyes off of ourselves.

I hope you’ll join me tomorrow for a great week ahead!

Be honest now …

Are you ever tempted to apologize for your cooking, or the state of your home, when you invite others in?

The posts are live now, you can catch up and plan your dinner party with these 5 fabulous recipes::

REVIEW all 5 posts and fabulous recipes:

Day 1: The Purpose of the Home, Roasted Grapes & Fresh Rosemary
Day 2: Culinary Mistakes and Beauchamp Orchard Salad
Day 3: Learning to be Authentic and Pesto Baked Potatoes
Day 4: Don’t Plan for Perfection and Crusted Pepper Prime Rib
Day 5: Laugh at Your Mistakes with Holiday Poached Pears

The post No Apologies Holiday Season + 5 Dinner Party Recipes appeared first on Reluctant Entertainer.