Entertaining made simple with a little help from the experts

Slaving over a hot stove in the dog days of summer can be a chore.  Stay cool by creating a summer menu of freshly chilled ingredients packed with bold flavors.  Chef Ulrich Sterling of Agua Dulce restaurant shares a favorite recipe from his Latin kitchen for your next get-together.  His…
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It’s a sweet wonton.  It’s deep fried ravioli.  Whatever you call it, you can’t deny that this simple treat sounds delicious and, like all Lazy Hostess-approved recipes, it’s sophisticated yet simple to make.  The Nutella Ravioli, courtesy of our favorite Italian chef and Food Network star, Giada de Laurentiis, is…
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Chef Adam Perry Lang jumped from some of the world’s top four-star kitchens to the backyard BBQ, transforming the art of grilling in America along the way.  Just in time for the holiday weekend, we have collected a few of the chef’s expert BBQ tips and tricks from an article…
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It can happen, even to the best of us.  Your food is prepped, your table set but, as your guests arrive, you realize that your wine has not been chilled.  Don’t get your apron in a bunch, the Lazy Hostess has picked up an insider tip on how to chill…
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It’s a family affair.  Since 1914, the Russ clan has been providing New Yorkers with smoked fish as well as other appetizers that have made them part of the city’s cultural heritage. Dropping into the Russ & Daughters landmark shop in the Lower East Side, which has been in the…
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Decorating with a heavy hand can leave your holiday party looking a little too much like Santa’s lair.  Our friend and celebrated event designer David Stark shows us how to lay off the tinsel and faux snow for a more natural aesthetic this season. For The Lazy Hostess, Stark shares…
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Sweater weather is on its way!  As we tuck indoors during this chilly season, our thoughts on home entertaining turn to cozy fires and comfort food like hearty pastas, oven roasted vegetables and grilled meat. When it comes to this type of dining, who better to ask than chef Marc…
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With cooler days ahead and tougher financial times to come, it’s no surprise that potluck dinners are making a swift comeback. With the chicest social types embracing the concept of hosting a party where their guests get a hand in the entertaining, the potluck dinner has been elevated from its…
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Just when you’ve mastered cooking dinner for 8 friends and making it look effortless, you remember that you forgot about dessert!  And, the last dish of the meal is surely what your guests will remember, right? Don’t fuss over fancy sweets when you can whip together a delicious dessert in…
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And, the love affair with The Minimalist continues…. Published recently in the New York Times, one of our favorite food writers and cookbook authors, Mark Bittman, gives us 101 Simple  Salads for the Season, a full range of effortless recipes, that claim to take 20 minutes or less to prepare….
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Out of all of the weekends in the year, 4th of July is hands down the biggest BBQ celebration.  Whether you are staying in the city for a backyard bash or chilling at the beach, making a simple meal of grilled meat and fish, summer salads and frosty desserts is…
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Summer entertaining calls for casual dishes that can be whipped up in an instant and that pack a flavorful punch.  Bursting with bright colors and fresh ingredients, Mexican food is the quintessential summer cuisine and always a crowd pleaser. We asked chef Julian Medina, one the leading Mexican chefs in…
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