Category Archives: Entertaining Ideas

Coloring Easter Eggs with Ingredients from the Pantry

Posted By Pam Freeman On April 6, 2012

It’s time again for Peter Cottontail to make that trek to my house and deliver baskets to my kids. This year, for sure, we’ll be ready for him. You see, we have a tradition where Peter Cottontail delivers plastic eggs filled with goodies and then takes the eggs we colored from our refrigerator and spreads them all over the lawn. Coloring the eggs for Peter Cottontail has always been fun. But this year, I stepped up my game. No more … continued…

DIY Entertaining Ideas Holidays Pam Freeman
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Fat Tuesday Jambalaya

Posted By Barb Freda On February 21, 2012

In honor of Mardi Gras, we thought incorporating some Laura’s Lean Beef into a jambalaya would be a fine thing. Here are a couple of things learned along the way. Creole jambalaya has tomatoes and is “wetter” than Cajun jambalaya (I went Cajun-style because I love that “dry” factor). There are as many ways to make jambalaya as there are gators in the Bayou. And everyone’s Grandma made the best. So, since my Nana never made jambalaya, here’s a rendition … continued…

Jambalayafeature
Barb Freda Entertaining Ideas Healthy, Delicious Recipes Holiday Cooking
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Non-Candy Treat Ideas for Halloween

Posted By Jenny Kramer On October 26, 2011

So Barb shared some great ideas for not letting Halloween get the best of our bodies, I especially love her dose of reality that Halloween is one day not a week!  If you are reading this blog then you probably care about sharing healthy living with other people and setting an example for kids so that could mean passing out a non-candy treat.  Don’t get me wrong, Halloween should be fun and having a little candy is fine but since … continued…

Entertaining Ideas Jenny Kramer, RD
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Have a Healthy Halloween

Posted By Barb Freda On October 26, 2011

Let’s admit one thing right up front: It’s Halloween. Candy is everywhere you turn. We all want it. That is to say, it’s not just the kids who want some of those treats. I want the treats, too. With that in mind, here are some tips to keep healthy eating part of your overall plan for the day. •    It’s just one day. Remember that. It is not Halloween WEEK. It is October 31. If you are buying candy ahead … continued…

Barb Freda Entertaining Ideas Holiday Cooking Tips, Tools & Techniques
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Cinco de Mayo: Celebrate the Fifth of May

Posted By Barb Freda On May 3, 2011

We love a good party in the U.S., don’t we? Over the past decade or so, we have really adopted Cinco de Mayo as one of our own—Fifth of May for any of you non-Spanish speakers out there. Make May 5th a cultural excursion for your family. Check out our Margarita Marinated Beef Skewers, or just serve up some healthy tacos using Laura’s Lean Beef ground beef, some fat free soft tacos and plenty of salsa, lettuce, onions, avocado and … continued…

Barb Freda Entertaining Ideas Holiday Cooking
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Yogurt and Rosemary Marinated Grilled Beef

Posted By Barb Freda On April 29, 2011

A friend makes a lamb version of this marinade every year for a springtime dinner party. I think these flavors (rosemary, lemon, garlic) are a fabulous trio no matter the protein, but of course I think Laura’s Lean Beef Eye of Round roast is perfect for this. The yogurt and the buttermilk help tenderize the meat, and the longer it marinates, the better it gets, but don’t go past two full days, or the marinade starts to alter the texture … continued…

Barb Freda Entertaining Ideas Healthy, Delicious Recipes
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Make it a Party!

Posted By Barb Freda On April 11, 2011

I often get asked what to serve for party foods, and I always try hard to come up with ideas that my friends have not seen before. But it’s not rocket science. What I love to do (and I do it often) is to create appetizers out of favorite main dishes. The challenge comes, at times, in how to make something finger food instead of fork food (I don’t do fork food at casual parties). Here are a few things … continued…

Barb Freda Entertaining Ideas
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Table Decorating Tips from the Professional Kitchens

Posted By Barb Freda On December 14, 2010

One of the things food people do is food styling; we work hard to make food look great. Someone recently asked me about my own tips for table setting during the holidays, and I thought it would be worth passing it on here. You can use a few simple tricks to make your own holiday table really look great. Consider the setting. If you’re doing a holiday buffet this year, borrow this tip from the pros: elevate the food. Place … continued…

Barb Freda Entertaining Ideas
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Holiday Menu #3: Standing Open House

Posted By Barb Freda On December 13, 2010

A while back I read about a neighborhood in which one couple pretty much opened their home to friends, family and neighbors. They hosted what was basically a standing open house. It was casual, fun, filling and inviting. I always wanted to do that. One thing I remember is that soup was always the central dish around which was built the rest of the meal – usually anyone coming showed up with side dishes or desserts. The beauty of soup … continued…

Barb Freda Cool Weather Cooking Entertaining Ideas Healthy, Delicious Recipes Holiday Cooking Memorable Meals
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Holiday Menu #2: Buffet Dinner

Posted By Barb Freda On December 10, 2010

Sliced Roast Beef with Two Sauces: Sweet Red Pepper Vinaigrette Green Benedictine Sauce with a Touch of Bourbon Rolls Green Beans Roasted and Tossed with Almonds Potato Salad with Balsamic Vinaigrette About the menu: Sliced beef served with several sauces is an ideal way to start a buffet. You can cook and chill the roast ahead. Set out a beautiful platter of the sliced beef, and let guests help themselves, choosing their own sauces. Add rolls in case anyone wants … continued…

Barb Freda Cool Weather Cooking Entertaining Ideas Healthy, Delicious Recipes Holiday Cooking Memorable Meals
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