10 Party Preparation Tips

How to entertain the easy way.

How to Prepare for the Meal of Your Life

Six months ago you nabbed a reservation at the hottest restaurant in town. Now the meal of your life is two days away. You have to be prepared. You have to be psyched. You have to make the most of it. But how?

Apricot and Sweet Cherry Pandowdy

Shards of almond crust make it anything but dowdy.

Pear, Poire

Pear eau de vie with a side of pear and a touch of bubbly.

Black Pepper–Manchego Cheese Puffs

Loaded with flavor but light as a feather.

Orange Angel Food Cake with Strawberries

This light, sweet dessert is known as “pillow cake” here at CHOW.

Passover Orange Angel Food Cake with Strawberries

A sweet, citrusy cake made with kosher ingredients.

Roast Turkey with Mushroom Sauce

A classic from Chef Charlie Palmer.

Toasted Millet Salad

Bird seed never tasted so good.

Broiled Mussels with Sweet Paprika Aioli

An addictive appetizer for seafood-lovers.

Roasted Shrimp with Romesco Sauce

Oven-roasted shrimp pair up with a classic Spanish sauce of almonds and bell peppers.

Grilled Vegetable Sandwich with Egg Salad and Bacon

A big hit on the CHOW camping trip, though it’s great anytime.

Shortcut BBQ Brisket

Easy techniques for a juicier, more flavorful piece of meat without waiting all night.

Lemon Pound Cake

This golden, rich cake benefits from a generous amount of butter.

Green Beans with Shallots

A quick and tasty take on green beans that’s a crowd-pleaser of a side dish.