Nigella's Party Plan: An Excess Of Fun, Not Expense
Nigella Lawson in London. Rosie Greenway/Getty Images hide caption
During a time when many Americans are tightening our belts, we may have to loosen them a bit for the holidays, especially when it's time to have guests over. But as cookbook author Nigella Lawson says, "You entertain to see your friends. You're not opening a restaurant."
The main goal is to host a fun and affordable party, Lawson told Steve Inskeep — there's no sense in trying to overdo it.
"You're not trying to show that every nation's cuisine can be represented in your kitchen," Lawson said. "I think people tend to get excessive."
Lawson shares her recipes for festive drinks — and a quick and easy party snack:
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Green Apple Martini
The green apple martini. Lis Parsons/Hyperion hide caption
Ingredients
- 1 shot vodka or gin
- 1 shot sour apple liqueur
- 1/2 shot Monin Green Apple syrup
- Slice of Granny Smith apple to garnish
Instructions
In a martini glass, combine the vodka/gin over lots of ice, and add the liqueur and syrup.
Slice a segment of apple, removing any core. Cut a nick in the bottom of the slice horizontally, and slip it onto the edge of the glass.
Serves 1 – and how!
Excerpted from NIGELLA EXPRESS by Nigella Lawson. Photographs by Lis Parsons. Copyright (c) 2007 Nigella Lawson. Published in the United States by Hyperion. All Rights Reserved. Available wherever books are sold.
Red Pepper Hummus
Ingredients
- 1 14-oz can chickpeas
- 1 12-oz jar roasted red peppers
- 2 tablespoons cream cheese
- 2 tablespoons garlic-infused oil
- 1 teaspoon lime juice
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- salt
Instructions
Drain the chickpeas and peppers and put them into a food processor.
Add the cream cheese, oil, lime juice, and paprika.
Whiz to a hummus-like puree, and then add salt and perhaps more lime juice according to taste.
Makes 2 cups
Excerpted from NIGELLA EXPRESS by Nigella Lawson. Photographs by Lis Parsons. Copyright (c) 2007 Nigella Lawson. Published in the United States by Hyperion. All Rights Reserved. Available wherever books are sold.