Newsletters: November - December 2006

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Holiday Party Platters

The holiday season is fast approaching. Many of you will be attending parties or social gatherings and asked to bring a dish. A party platter is the perfect dish to bring.

Party platters can be as simple or as complicated as you want. You can create breakfast, lunch, dinner, appetizer, or dessert platters; hot or cold, sweet or savory platters. You can develop your platter around a theme, a situation, or a season. And you don't need to use a flat platter or plate. Try placing your dish in a wicker basket, or use an oversized bowl, a mirror or even a piece of wood covered with aluminum foil or colored plastic. Artful platters include a variety of color and tasteful decorations. If your dish looks good, your guests and friends will be eager to try it.

Platters do not have to be complicated or time consuming. Some of the simplest, most colorful platters can be put together in just a few minutes. Take advantage of the ready-to-eat vegetables and dips in the grocery store. For example, design a vegetable platter with pre-packaged baby carrots, celery sticks, broccoli florets, cherry tomatoes and radishes. Combine the colorful vegetable in complementary patters; place a bowl of ready-made dip in the middle of the tray then garnish with kale.

The hardest part of putting party trays together is determining how much food you need. Here are some guidelines:

Breakfast: 1/2-to-3/4 pounds-per-person
Lunch: 1/2-to-3/4 pounds-per-person
Dinner: 3/4-to-1 pound-per-person
Heavy appetizer event: 5-to-7 selections, 2 pieces-per-person
Happy hour: 4-to-6 pieces-per-person

Keep it simple or mix it up serving both hot and cold food on one platter; or heavy with light food on one platter.

Most of the time party platters are made with "finger" food. If your platter is not "finger-friendly," toothpicks are a good tool for picking up small items. If necessary, put out plastic forks, knives or spoons and never forget the napkins.

Simple Vegetable and Dip Tray (serves 8)

Ingredients
Baby carrots - 1 bag (1/2/ lb)
Radishes - 1 bag (1/2 lb)
Celery sticks - 1 bag (1/2 lb)
Cherry tomatoes - 1 pint
Broccoli florets - 1 bag (1/2 lb)
1 package of Simply Organic brand, creamy dill or French onion dip mix
2 cups sour cream or yogurt

Directions
Arrange your vegetables decoratively on a serving tray. Mix sour cream or yogurt with dry soup mix. Place dip in an attractive bowl. Situate dip in middle of vegetables. Tuck a few pieces of kale around the edges of platter. Refrigerate until ready to serve.