Are you entertaining this holiday season? Â Here are some tips from Food Network Chef, Giada De Laurentiis. Â Giada is one of the friendliest chefs that we love to watch. Â She has been a favorite of mine for years and her consistent warmth, humor, and love of family is a true joy.
Tip #1 Â Plan Ahead.
Prepare as many dishes as you can ahead of time. Â Rather than try to cook everything at once, prep your dishes and finish as much as possible the day before. Â In Giada’s recipes she will often tell you what you can do before and then the steps to finish the dish just before you serve. Â You don’t want to be stuck in the kitchen or stressing (I’m good at at!) during the party. Â If you leave only one item for last minute prep and invite everyone into the kitchen, it sets the tone for a cozy, comfortable evening!
Tip #2 Â Choose foods that have vibrant colors for an added festive touch.
During the holidays, choose foods and combinations of foods that have vibrant colors. Â It will make for a party atmosphere on a buffet or on your guest’s plates. Â Foods that are beautiful taste better and will earn compliments to the chef!
The ready-to-serve Giada De Laurentis for Target Sun Dried Tomatoes are a great addition to vegetable dish to add festive color.
Tip #3 Select one specialty drink to serve to your guests.
Giada’s favorite? Â Prosecco, an Italian champagne with a crisp, sparkling taste that is the perfect start or end to a holiday celebration. Â Garnish with pomegranates to give the drink a festive color boost, or use holiday themed glasses. Â Your party will be “bubbly” and a great success!
Tip #4 For unexpected guests, keep ready-to-serve delights in the pantry.
Giada De Laurentis for Target includes a line of delicious ready-to-serve choices.  I’ve tried the Black Olive Tapenade, the Sun Dried Tomatoes, Marinated Mushrooms and Eggplant Tomato Spread.  I loved them all!  I took the Eggplant Tomato Spread with baguette slices and pita chips to a party and it was a great hit.  Our local Target now has a large grocery line that carries everything you need for a complete meal.
Tip #5 Create less work and cleanup by using multipurpose kitchen tools.
Use dishes that can go directly from oven to the table. Â It keeps the food hot, saves a step of transferring to another dish, and simplifies clean up! Â Win-win-win! Â The Giada de Laurentiis for Target Ceramic Bakeware is perfect to go from oven to table. Â It also makes a great, personal gift when you make a treat in the bakeware and give it to someone, dish and all! Â Who wouldn’t love to receive this Raspberry Almond Tart in the Giada De Laurentiis for Target Ceramic Pie Plate?
I used some of Giada’s recipes and items from her product line, Giada De Laurentiis for Target, to prepare an early Christmas celebration for my family. Â If you’d like to read more about that special dinner, here are links to the posts, enjoy!
Christmas Dinner with Giada De Laurentiis for Target
Disclosure of Material Connection: All opinions are my own, unless otherwise stated. Â I wrote this review while participating in a blog tour by Mom Central Consulting on behalf of Giada De Laurentis for Target and received product samples to facilitate my review. Â This disclosure is in accordance with FTC guidelines.