ideas for entertaining

Dear Hostess -

It can be a daunting experience to host any event, yet a baby shower. I've created some tips, table top ideas and menus to make your experience easy.

The first suggestion is to pick a "Theme" for your shower. Whether it's for a baby girl, boy, twins or unknown sex, you must have a foundation to create your theme.

Theme Ideas

Pink polka dot and stripe

Create a darling table setting using the teeny diaper, fill with pink roses for each place setting. Attach your guests' names to the diaper pin using a bit of raffia or pink satin cording. Each guest will be able to take the teeny diaper home and use it to regift in or in their own baby's room.

Set the table using the same theme, add in some frosted hurricanes with a polka dot motif and white candles. Since you have flowers on the table for each guest, I would suggest using a long runner of striped and polka dot pink fabric. Mix the two fabrics. Keep your place settings clean, white and crisp, even down to the napkin. A white pressed linen napkin twisted with pink cording is perfect or even use a grosgrain ribbon. You may be able to find a stripe or polka dot print which would be great and would add some pop to your table. Check with your local craft store.

What to serve?

Even if you don't cook, there are plenty of items you can prepare that will impress your guests. I have been cooking for years and enjoy nothing more than to watch my guests enjoy and savor over every bite.

Since there is quite a bit of pink in this theme, I would suggest that all of your serving platters be either silver or white. The less fussy the better. You want your food to look gorgeous and your table to showcase your menu.

Here are a few recipe ideas to get your started. Most importantly, you must be prepared and plan your food ahead of time. To be a great Hostess, it's important that you mingle with your guests and your guest of honor - "Mom" to be.

Rose Petal Tea

Yield: 4 Servings

4 cups boiling water
2 T. Darjeiling or Ceylon tea leaves
1/2 teaspoon rose water
Organic rose petals (for garnish)
Can be served chilled. Prepare a head of time and leave overnight in the refrigerator.

Prosciutto with Melon

Prep. Time: 20 minutes
Makes: 16

1 Cantaloupe or Honeydew Melon
16 Slices Prosciutto ( Prosciutto De Parma is suggested)
Extra Virgin Olive Oil

Remove the seeds from the melon, cut into thin wedges and wrap a slice of prosciutto around each. Drizzle with oil and grind black pepper over each. Refrigerate until ready to eat.

Ham and Cheese Strata

Time: 30 minutes
Yield: 4 Servings

8 large eggs
1 1/2 cups milk
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
4 cups Italian bread cubes (1 inch)
6 oz. Virginia ham, cut into 1/2-dice (1 1/2 cups)
6 oz. Gouda Cheese, cut into 3/4 inch dice (1 1/2 cups)
1/2 cup julienne sun dried tomatoes, drained
1/4 cup plus 1 tablespoon sniped chives
1 cup coarsely grated cheddar cheese (about 4 oz.)

Preheat oven to 450 degrees

Whisk the eggs, milk, salt and pepper. Stir in the bread until evenly moistened, then stir in the ham, gouda cheese, sun dried tomatoes and 1/4 cup of the chives.

Butter 9x12 baking dish and pour in the strata mixture. Sprinkle the cheddar cheese on top. Bake for about 20 minutes until puffed and golden.

Let cool slightly, sprinkle with the remaining chives and serve.

Dessert

Make it easy on your self! Visit one of your local bakery's and order white cupcakes with pink frosting. Add white stripes and polka dots for fun!

Display using a 3 tiered plate rack and alternate on each platter stripes then polka dots and repeat. Most importantly - Have fun! Don't stress out if something isn't just as you planned. Trust me, I have had some dishes that looked a little suspect, but tasted delicious.

Look for more tips and themes each month.