Plan a Winter Buffet With Style: Sophisticated and Time Saving Entertaining Inspiration

My enthusiasm for dining and entertaining well can be rather extreme yet my time is often limited. This party is designed to keep the jitters down and celebration up. The time-saving strategies provide a relaxed, foolproof plan of action. From drinks to dessert, you will see how this can be an easy, but special way to entertain friends on a quiet winter Sunday. It could be a great idea for Super Bowl Sunday or even a mid-winter, February-March leisurely weekend. 

Before I start with the actual plan and recipes that will save time, let’s take a look at this gorgeous timepiece I received from JORD Wood Watches. It’s from the Cora Series and the lively Rose is such a perfect accent to the wild and natural grain of Zebrawood. Jord has an amazing selection of wood watches. You can win one of your own by entering my giveaway here https://www.woodwatches.com/g/mommyteacherfashionista on Sunday, January 29,2017. The giveaway will only be open for 24 hours and will begin the moment I post a special video on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/mommyteacherfashionista/  Even if you don’t win, you will actually still win! Everyone that enters will receive a $50.00 gift certificate to JORD and all my followers may use my special code : mommytohtbtv for 15% off! 

They really do have an amazing collection. Go ahead and check out their vast variety https://www.woodwatches.com/. I’m sure you will agree that they have an option for every occasion and outfit. 

I loved how my Cora Watch coordinated with my Lizzie Dress https://dizzy-lizzie.com/ from thredup.com. 

My hat is from target.com, the scarf was a gift, and the boots are https://www.google.com/search?q=inc%20international%20concepts which I recently found on sale at http://www.macys.com. 

Let’s get back to the party. Invite guests to arrive in staggered hours, especially if your place is small. Invite some at one, others at three, and at 5:00. Obviously if you are doing this for Super Bowl Sunday, you can’t stagger times, but it’s a great idea for entertaining on a quiet non- event day. Plan to have a selection of stews. One variety is fine if you are having less than 50 people but this collection of recipes is perfect for that amount. Have pots of the stews simmering on the stove. The breads, which you can make the day before, can be piled in baskets. Scatter bowls of mixed nuts and platters of of sliced apples and cheese throughout your apartment or house. Select a friend to play bartender- it will take the heat off you. Suggest that friends eat whatever they want in whatever order they want. For example, the apples and cheddar cheese make a good dessert or an appetizer. If some have already eaten, just Chocolate Walnut Pie will fit the bill for them. Have all the food accessible. Use plastic or paper dishes and plan for recycle stations that are easy to get to but still out of the way- in a niche in the kitchen or in a corner is a good idea. 

Beer Beef Stew 

You will need:

8 lbs. lean stewing beef, trimmed and cut into 2-inch pieces 

Salt

Freshly ground black pepper 

About 2 c. flour 

About 2/3 c. vegetable oil

8 medium onions 

7 13 3/4- oz cans beef broth 

1 1/3 c. dry red wine 

1 1/2 6 oz. cans tomato paste 

Bouquet garni: 3 bay leaves, 12 sprigs parsley and 1 tsp. dried thyme leaves 

2 lbs. new potatoes, peeled and quartered 

2 10 oz pkgs. frozen peas 

2 lbs. baby carrots, trimmed and peeled 

Pat beef dry with paper towels, sprinkle with salt and pepper, then dredge in flour. Set aside. In a large sauce-pan over medium high heat, heat 3 tablespoons oil. When very hot, add just enough beef to cover bottom of pan without crowding. Brown beef well on all sides; remove to colander to drain while you drain remaining beef, adding more oil as needed. To oil remaining in pot, add onions and cook over low heat 15 minutes or until soft. Return beef. Add broth, wine, tomato paste and bouquet garni. Over high heat, heat to boiling. Reduce heat to low and simmer, partially covered, for 2 hours or until beef is tender, stirring occasionally, adding more liquid if necessary. Skim and discard fat. Add potatoes, peas, and carrots and simmer 25-30 minutes or until tender. Makes about 4 gallons.

Peasant Fish Stew

You will need:

2 lbs bacon 

8 medium onions 

14 garlic cloves 

8 medium sweet green peppers 

8 medium sweet red peppers 

8 8oz bottles clam juice 

6 13 3/4 oz. cans chicken broth 

4 c. dry white wine 

Generous pinch saffron threads 

1 qt. (4 cups) heavy cream

4 lbs. medium fresh or frozen fish such as cod or haddock 

4 lbs. medium fresh or frozen shrimp 

4 lbs. fresh or frozen scallops 

In large, heavy skillet over medium-low heat cook bacon until golden but not browned. Drain bacon on paper towels. Set aside. Pour off all but 1/3 cup bacon drippings from skillet and reserve remaining drippings for later use. In skillet with 1/3 cup bacon drippings over medium heat cook onions uncovered about 10 minutes or until soft and golden. Add garlic to the skillet and cook 1 minute   over low heat until garlic just releases its fragrance. Remove onions and garlic to a large kettle. Add 1/4 cup of reserved bacon drippings to skillet. Add peppers and cook over low heat about 5 minutes or until tender. Add bacon, peppers, clam juice, chicken broth, wine, saffron and cream to kettle and bring to a boil. Add fish, shrimp, and scallops and simmer about 5 minutes or until just cooked through. Taste for seasoning. To keep warm, keep soup just below a summer as it sits on the stove so seafood will not become tough or overcooked. Makes about 5 gallons. 

Cheddar-Beer Biscuits 

You will need:

2 1/3 c. buttermilk baking mix

3/4 cup shredded cheddar cheese 

2/3 cup flat beer 

Flour 

Heat oven to 450 degrees. Combine baking mix and 1/2 cup cheese. Stir in beer until soft dough forms. Beat vigorously 30 seconds. Turn out onto floured board. Roll to 1/2 – inch thick. Cut with 3- inch cutter dusted with flour. Transfer to ungreased baking sheet. Sprinkle with remaining 1/4 cup cheese. Bake 8 to 10 minutes. Makes 1 dozen biscuits. For best results do not double recipe. To make enough for open-house party make biscuits three times. 

Focaccia 

You will need:

6 -6 1/2 c. all-purpose flour 

2 T. sugar 

4 tsp. salt 

2 pkgs. active dry yeast 

2 c. water 

3/4 cup olive oil 

2 tsp. salt

1 1/2 tsp. dry rubbed sage 

2 garlic cloves 

With mixer on low speed combine 3 cups flour, sugar, salt, and yeast. In saucepan over low heat, heat water and 1/4 cup oil until very warm. With mixer on low speed, add liquid to dry ingredients. Beat 2 minutes. Add 2 cups flour and beat on high speed 2 minutes. Stir in enough additional flour to make a stiff dough. Turn onto floured surface and knead until smooth and elastic, 8 to 10 minutes. Place in greased bowl, turning to grease top. Cover; let rise until doubled in bulk, about 45 minutes. Punch dough down. Divide in half. Spread each half into a jelly roll pan. Heat oven to 425 degrees. Cover; let rise 30 minutes. Make lots of indentations on dough with thumb. Sprinkle each pan of dough with 1/4 cup olive oil. Sprinkle with salt, sage, and garlic. Bake 25-30 minutes or until golden brown. Makes 2 loaves.

Prosciutto Bread 

You will need:

2 T. sugar

4 tsp. salt

2 pkgs. active dry yeast 

6 cups flour 

2 c. water 

1/4 cup olive oil 

1 1/2 c.chopped prosciutto or ham 

1 1/2 tsp. dried basil 

1 1/2 tsp. dried oregano 

Olive oil 

In large bowl with mixer on low speed, combine sugar, salt, yeast, and 3 cups flour; mix well. In saucepan over low heat, heat water and oil until warm. With mixer at medium-low speed, gradually add liquid to dry ingredients. Beat 2 minutes. Add 2 cups flour and beat on high speed 2 minutes. Stir in enough additional flour to make a stiff dough. Turn onto lightly floured surface and knead until smooth and elastic, 8 to 10 minutes. Place in greased bowl, turning to grease top. Cover; let rise until doubled in bulk. Punch dough down. Knead in prosciutto, basil, and oregano. Divide dough in half. Roll each piece into a 15 inch-long loaf. Transfer to baking sheet. Make diagonal slits along top of loaf. Cover; let rise 30 minutes. Bake in a 425 degree oven for 20-25 minutes. Remove from oven and brush with olive oil. Makes 2 loaves.

Chocolate Walnut Pie

You will need:

3 squares semisweet-baking chocolate 

2 T. butter or margarine 

4 large eggs 

1/2 c. sugar

1 c. light corn syrup 

3 T. Kahlua 

2 c. walnuts 

1 9 inch unbaked pie crust

Heat oven to 350 degrees. In top of double boiler over hot water, melt chocolate and butter. Remove from heat and set aside to cool completely. In a medium bowl with fork, beat eggs with sugar and corn syrup until light and fluffy. Blend in chocolate. Stir in nuts and Kahlua. Pour into pie shell and bake about 40 minutes or until center is set. A toothpick will not come out clean when inserted in center. Pie will firm up as it cools. Let stand at least 1 hour at room temperature before serving. Can be made 3 to 4 days in advance. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate. For a party of 50, make 5 pies.

Whether you entertain a lot or a little, you want to do it well. Hopefully these suggestions and recipes will inspire you to put together a delicious, elegant get together in a minimum of time. 

And speaking of time, don’t forget to be on the lookout for my video on Sunday, which is when you can enter the 24 hour giveaway. Everyone that enters will receive a $50.00 gift certificate and 1 person will win a watch. I’m excited for everyone that enters! 

Thank you so much for your time and attention. It is truly appreciated. 

Yours truly,

Jennifer

Xoxo